PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): U.S. launches new “self-defense” strikes on Iran’s coast near Strait of Hormuz, targeting missile sites and small boats trying to lay mines. It is unclear what impact the strikes will have on any potential peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
Following the strikes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal was still possible and pointed to talks on Tuesday between Iran’s top negotiator and foreign minister and Qatar’s prime minister.
Meanwhile, Trump raised the stakes as he calls on Arab nations to sign Abraham Accords. Trump said he urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, and Jordan to normalize relations with Israel.
“I stated that, after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.”
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s the latest defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:
NATIONAL SECURITY
Acting secretary of Navy said arm sales to Taiwan had been put on “pause” to ensure U.S. military had sufficient munitions for its Iran operations.
HOMELAND DEFENSE
Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its strike group are now officially operating in Caribbean Sea as pressure builds on Cuba’s communist regime to accept U.S. demands for change.
Marines who participate in missions along U.S.-Mexico border are now eligible for newly created Mexican Border Defense Medal established by War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
House overwhelmingly passed $480.9 billion budget for Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction and other programs for fiscal 2027 that included full funding for veterans health care and benefits.
Army’s $252.8 billion fiscal 2027 budget proposal contains more than $8.4 billion for barracks improvements and construction, but plan, which would quadruple services’ spending for unaccompanied housing, faces an uphill battle in Congress.
Federal appeals court upheld ruling that restored collective bargaining rights to VA, though not a later requirement that department “comply” with its contracts with American Federation of Government Employees.
US POWER OVERSEAS
In shift, Trump announces deployment of 5,000 U.S. troops to Poland. This, after a 5,000-troop rotation to the European country was abruptly cancelled by Pentagon without explanation.
Still weighing proposal. Indonesia rejects claims of airspace deal with U.S.: Its defence minister says he signed letter of intent with his U.S. counterpart to grant airspace access to U.S. military, but no formal commitment was made.
IRAN WAR
No deal. Iran reaffirms its grip on Strait of Hormuz. Despite Trump bluster, stalemate continues in Persian Gulf as Iran reaffirms and widens its stated control area, insisting it will charge toll for vessels to guarantee safe passage.
Rubio says a Hormuz toll would make Iran deal unfeasible. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that any move by Iran to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely illegal” and said such a step would make any diplomatic agreement with Tehran effectively impossible.
Stupid ceasefire. Iran has restarted some of its drone production during six-week ceasefire that began in early April, rapidly rebuilding certain military capabilities degraded by U.S.-Israeli strikes. U.S. intelligence reportedly indicates Iran’s military is reconstituting much faster than initially estimated.
When U.S. and began attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, Tehran’s cyber forces with systematic campaign against U.S. infrastructure, one that has since moved well beyond reconnaissance into confirmed, disruptive attacks on U.S. soil.
Amid hostilities with Iran, U.S. military expended far more advanced interceptors to protect Israel than Israeli forces did, according to Pentagon data.
MIDDLE EAST THREATS
The operational case against Israel’s Gaza campaign. Gaza did not have to look the way it looks. That is not a moral claim. It is an operational one.
CHINA THREAT
China’s AI governance offensive threatens U.S. tech leadership. China’s diplomats are on an “AI governance” offensive. At May UN meeting, China’s science and technology official championed China’s role in shaping UN-led frameworks that determine how the technology should be built and used.
RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR
Ukraine says its drones hit another oil refinery deep inside Russia as long-range strikes escalate.
EUROPEAN DEFENSE
Poland joins Pentagon’s counter-drone marketplace. Army expanding military cooperation with the country through the Pentagon’s counter-drone initiative.
Every time reports emerge about potential reduction of U.S. forces or capabilities in Europe, the old continent falls into same cycle of anxiety and panic. The same applies to announcements about delayed or suspended deployments, planned rotations, or broader force posture reviews.
SPACE THREATS
As Space Force plans for two on-orbit refueling and maneuver demonstrations in 2027—and closely watches similar government and commercial endeavors— service wants to take these capabilities from demo to operations quickly.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Alberta will hold referendum on whether the oil-rich province should remain in Canada or pursue binding independence vote, marking country’s most significant test of unity in decades.
Carney warns Alberta not to pull a ‘Brexit.’ Canada’s prime minister says a referendum on whether to pursue separation would be “a very dangerous bluff”
Poll highlights UK appetite for rejoining EU. Embattled Prime Minister Starmer will likely face leadership challenge from former Health Secretary– a politician who has openly decried Brexit as “catastrophic mistake” and who would champion its reversal.
Leftist icon, millionaire lawyer, conservative senator: Who will be Colombia’s next leader? Voters face a choice between sharply different visions for Colombia’s economy and security, in an election seen as a key test of whether the right-wing wave across Latin America is continuing or fading.
Colombian right-wing presidential hopeful leads poll for runoff voters. Right-wing contender Abelardo De La Espriella saw a late surge in support ahead of the first round of Colombia’s presidential election, drawing nearly even with leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda. According to the latest polling, De La Espriella would go on to defeat Cepeda in a runoff matchup.
Turkey to buy 100 expendable unmanned surface vessels for its navy for swarm attacks. The move to acquire the systems was approved during a February session of the Defense Industry Executive Committee, Turkey’s top authority for defense procurement and industrial policy decisions.
US MILITARY
Air Force dubs MQ-9 ‘MVP’ of Epic Fury as lawmakers press manned-unmanned future, but service’s fiscal 2027 budget request still pours bulk of aircraft dollars into crewed fighters.
Navy full speed ahead on building laser fleet. Operation Epic Fury strengthened case for directed energy weapons, but Navy’s dream of putting “a laser on every ship” may take longer than expected.
U.S. military’s recently combat-proven long-range Shahed-136 kamikaze drone clone — Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) — designed for massed operations, will be equipped with Hivemind autonomy software from Shield AI.
Crossed silver skis will adorn garrison caps of soldiers serving in Army’s 10th Mountain Division, in nod to insignia worn by unit’s very first ranks, who specialized in alpine warfare decades ago.
AI-powered “decision support tools” helping Navy hang on to more of its highest-priority sailors — with help of commanders authorized to persuade and offer flexibility incentives.
Despite military suicide rate that has generally continued to climb since 2011, most military services don’t have accountability measures to ensure troops are taking required prevention training. And they don’t know if the training is actually effective.
FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Defeated Anti-Trump Congressman Keeps 2028 Option Open With New Filing
Trump Urges New Arab-Israel Alliances Following US Action Against Iran
PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): U.S. launches new “self-defense” strikes on Iran’s coast near Strait of Hormuz, targeting missile sites and small boats trying to lay mines. It is unclear what impact the strikes will have on any potential peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
Following the strikes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal was still possible and pointed to talks on Tuesday between Iran’s top negotiator and foreign minister and Qatar’s prime minister.
Meanwhile, Trump raised the stakes as he calls on Arab nations to sign Abraham Accords. Trump said he urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, and Jordan to normalize relations with Israel.
“I stated that, after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.”
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s the latest defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:
NATIONAL SECURITY
Acting secretary of Navy said arm sales to Taiwan had been put on “pause” to ensure U.S. military had sufficient munitions for its Iran operations.
HOMELAND DEFENSE
Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its strike group are now officially operating in Caribbean Sea as pressure builds on Cuba’s communist regime to accept U.S. demands for change.
Marines who participate in missions along U.S.-Mexico border are now eligible for newly created Mexican Border Defense Medal established by War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
DEFENSE POLITICS
House overwhelmingly passed $480.9 billion budget for Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction and other programs for fiscal 2027 that included full funding for veterans health care and benefits.
Army’s $252.8 billion fiscal 2027 budget proposal contains more than $8.4 billion for barracks improvements and construction, but plan, which would quadruple services’ spending for unaccompanied housing, faces an uphill battle in Congress.
Federal appeals court upheld ruling that restored collective bargaining rights to VA, though not a later requirement that department “comply” with its contracts with American Federation of Government Employees.
US POWER OVERSEAS
In shift, Trump announces deployment of 5,000 U.S. troops to Poland. This, after a 5,000-troop rotation to the European country was abruptly cancelled by Pentagon without explanation.
Still weighing proposal. Indonesia rejects claims of airspace deal with U.S.: Its defence minister says he signed letter of intent with his U.S. counterpart to grant airspace access to U.S. military, but no formal commitment was made.
IRAN WAR
No deal. Iran reaffirms its grip on Strait of Hormuz. Despite Trump bluster, stalemate continues in Persian Gulf as Iran reaffirms and widens its stated control area, insisting it will charge toll for vessels to guarantee safe passage.
Rubio says a Hormuz toll would make Iran deal unfeasible. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that any move by Iran to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely illegal” and said such a step would make any diplomatic agreement with Tehran effectively impossible.
Stupid ceasefire. Iran has restarted some of its drone production during six-week ceasefire that began in early April, rapidly rebuilding certain military capabilities degraded by U.S.-Israeli strikes. U.S. intelligence reportedly indicates Iran’s military is reconstituting much faster than initially estimated.
When U.S. and began attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, Tehran’s cyber forces with systematic campaign against U.S. infrastructure, one that has since moved well beyond reconnaissance into confirmed, disruptive attacks on U.S. soil.
Amid hostilities with Iran, U.S. military expended far more advanced interceptors to protect Israel than Israeli forces did, according to Pentagon data.
MIDDLE EAST THREATS
The operational case against Israel’s Gaza campaign. Gaza did not have to look the way it looks. That is not a moral claim. It is an operational one.
CHINA THREAT
China’s AI governance offensive threatens U.S. tech leadership. China’s diplomats are on an “AI governance” offensive. At May UN meeting, China’s science and technology official championed China’s role in shaping UN-led frameworks that determine how the technology should be built and used.
RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR
Ukraine says its drones hit another oil refinery deep inside Russia as long-range strikes escalate.
EUROPEAN DEFENSE
Poland joins Pentagon’s counter-drone marketplace. Army expanding military cooperation with the country through the Pentagon’s counter-drone initiative.
Every time reports emerge about potential reduction of U.S. forces or capabilities in Europe, the old continent falls into same cycle of anxiety and panic. The same applies to announcements about delayed or suspended deployments, planned rotations, or broader force posture reviews.
SPACE THREATS
As Space Force plans for two on-orbit refueling and maneuver demonstrations in 2027—and closely watches similar government and commercial endeavors— service wants to take these capabilities from demo to operations quickly.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Alberta will hold referendum on whether the oil-rich province should remain in Canada or pursue binding independence vote, marking country’s most significant test of unity in decades.
Carney warns Alberta not to pull a ‘Brexit.’ Canada’s prime minister says a referendum on whether to pursue separation would be “a very dangerous bluff”
Poll highlights UK appetite for rejoining EU. Embattled Prime Minister Starmer will likely face leadership challenge from former Health Secretary– a politician who has openly decried Brexit as “catastrophic mistake” and who would champion its reversal.
Leftist icon, millionaire lawyer, conservative senator: Who will be Colombia’s next leader? Voters face a choice between sharply different visions for Colombia’s economy and security, in an election seen as a key test of whether the right-wing wave across Latin America is continuing or fading.
Colombian right-wing presidential hopeful leads poll for runoff voters. Right-wing contender Abelardo De La Espriella saw a late surge in support ahead of the first round of Colombia’s presidential election, drawing nearly even with leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda. According to the latest polling, De La Espriella would go on to defeat Cepeda in a runoff matchup.
Turkey to buy 100 expendable unmanned surface vessels for its navy for swarm attacks. The move to acquire the systems was approved during a February session of the Defense Industry Executive Committee, Turkey’s top authority for defense procurement and industrial policy decisions.
US MILITARY
Air Force dubs MQ-9 ‘MVP’ of Epic Fury as lawmakers press manned-unmanned future, but service’s fiscal 2027 budget request still pours bulk of aircraft dollars into crewed fighters.
Navy full speed ahead on building laser fleet. Operation Epic Fury strengthened case for directed energy weapons, but Navy’s dream of putting “a laser on every ship” may take longer than expected.
U.S. military’s recently combat-proven long-range Shahed-136 kamikaze drone clone — Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) — designed for massed operations, will be equipped with Hivemind autonomy software from Shield AI.
Crossed silver skis will adorn garrison caps of soldiers serving in Army’s 10th Mountain Division, in nod to insignia worn by unit’s very first ranks, who specialized in alpine warfare decades ago.
AI-powered “decision support tools” helping Navy hang on to more of its highest-priority sailors — with help of commanders authorized to persuade and offer flexibility incentives.
Despite military suicide rate that has generally continued to climb since 2011, most military services don’t have accountability measures to ensure troops are taking required prevention training. And they don’t know if the training is actually effective.
FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Defeated Anti-Trump Congressman Keeps 2028 Option Open With New Filing
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The Democrats’ worst nightmare is on the verge of coming true. Your donation could make it a reality today – DON’T WAIT.Paul Crespo
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
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