PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – Japan, US to communicate on possible use of nuclear weapons in the event of a contingency. The two governments have stipulated in their first-ever guidelines for so-called extended deterrence.
Extended deterrence is a security policy aimed at preventing a third country from attacking an ally by demonstrating a commitment to retaliate not only in the event of an armed attack on one’s own country, but also in the event of an attack on an ally.
This new operational framework is aimed at strengthening the US nuclear umbrella that protects Japan against North Korea and China.
The Foreign Ministry has not disclosed the details, as they contain classified military intelligence. But Japan will convey its requests to the US via the Alliance Coordination Mechanism (ACM), through which the Self-Defense Forces and US forces maintain contact with each other.
The US president has the sole authority to authorize a nuclear attack. Before the completion of the guidelines, no written statement existed that said Japan was allowed to pass on its views to the US regarding Washington’s possible use of nuclear weapons.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories ending the week from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:
NATIONAL SECURITY
POLITICS
Trump endorses Mike Johnson to continue as House speaker. But the endorsement does not lock up the job for Johnson.
A caucus of military veterans seeks to bridge the political divide in a polarized Congress.
US POWER OVERSEAS
Houthi attack risk complicates Navy’s calculus on retrieving fighter recently downed over the Red Sea. It likely hinges on what’s left of the wreckage and how safely a salvage operation could be pulled off.
Carrier USS Carl Vinson pulls into Malaysia. CVN-70 docked at the Port Klang Cruise Terminal, Malaysia on Sunday morning just over a month after carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) into the same terminal.
US military presence in Somalia likely to be scrutinized by incoming Trump administration. One of President-elect Donald Trump’s last actions during his first term was pulling all US forces out of Somalia, a move that could be back on the table that carries the potential for a broader scaling-back of military activities on the continent.
IRAN THREAT/ISRAEL WARS
Israel and Hamas each claim wins in fierce fighting in northern Gaza.
Now Syria’s long-ruling Baath party is collapsing, too. A few days after insurgents in Syria overthrew President Bashar Assad, his ruling Baath party announced it was freezing its activities, marking a stunning change in fortunes for the political group that had ruled for more than six decades.
CHINA THREAT
To deter China, Taiwan needs to expand its ‘porcupine’ capabilities. The threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan represents one of the largest challenges for the US. A successful Chinese conquest of Taiwan would not only entail the ruthless repression of Taiwan’s population, but it would menace other East Asian nations while facilitating further Chinese power projection.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Russia rejects parts of Donald Trump’s Ukraine peace plan, according to Moscow’s foreign minister.
Ukraine seeks to restore ties with Syria. Ukraine’s president dispatched his top officials to Syria in a bid to restore ties after the collapse of the pro-Russian Assad regime.
Where is Russia finding new soldiers? Wherever it can. From murder suspects to immigrants to a former Olympic gold medalist, Russia pressures those it thinks should fight in Ukraine.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
South Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree on Dec. 3 amounted to rebellion.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Leaked documents show companies run by the Cuban military sitting on billions of dollars amid humanitarian crisis. This, even as Cubans have been dying because of shortages of medicines and supplies at hospitals, and the government claims it doesn’t have the money to buy them due to US sanctions.
Trinidad and Tobago declares state of emergency to curb gang killings and a rise in homicides.
US MILITARY
2024 in review: Marine Corps. A new kind of regiment, more drones, and new techniques—and other stories about the Corps.
SECAF, B-21, budgets: The top stories we’re tracking for 2025. Between regional conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific, not to mention budget battles and a major “re-organization” effort, there have been no shortage of stories.
END of PDB
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Talk about possible proof the the BIBLE is real. Look at all the national players. When since the cold war, has so much NUCULEAR threats been flying ? At moment what I call 3 Amigos’ Russia=China= N. Korean are already without any more alliances are the World’s biggest Nuclear Threat. The biggest threat is Kimie crazy Korea . He just want to blob some Nukes to USA. He is so out there ! He could care less about any thing or any one and the absolute end results. Every one thought deceased BIN-Laud-im was so Bad !!! He is a mouse compared to a COMIE/ CRAZY- COMO-COZE with nukes !!!!! If there is one Human . and God forgive me, Thats been needed and still does need; taken out, incinerated, this is the one. I truly believe if nothing else, his dying bed last thing will be PUSH all Nuke Buttons !!! Read up on this nut. There was some rumor that his daughter may be too his Top general SISTER !!! I can also believe his sister is his Mother ! The super tight cloud around him and sister, its said US can not filtrate his Government ! The other plausible fact would be : even if all other counties push their Buttons, We would be the last ones too. We follow the Rules of engagement. For reason US thinks it pertains to rules of war ??/ When History Clearly has shown clearly : All fare in Love and WAR except US !!!
A curious GEORGE question ??? Will our joined nukes have ENGLISH or Japanese or combination Names. The only truly joy out of WAR ? VIRUSES, Military Covert operations is ??? All the nifty names they get, Wonder if the name game is done the same as HURRICANS ? They all seem to tare and destroy thing EX-Spa-NAST-ally ??????????????????? And as with Flues and germs they have names before they happen. I figured the (ESP ) factor came from all that fore- sight ?????????????????????/////
Being 70 even with several sufix/prefix/useless Letters. I will use dementia as excuse. Who, what , where and why is there a UN. Last news I hear about it was ? something about that woman vice president who thought she going to be Pres. Visit IT for ???? reasons. My be if X VP writes ( IT’s ) mem-wowzers , it will fill in some juicy ????????? stuffing. For the concern spellers. It seems the org. ABC where taught wrong ? So to be in the WOKE of things .I am starting generation X-factor 3 / Y -gender does not matter / Z- gen. zoo animals no real need for Proper English or spelling. Only the Holly Grail of TEXTING. And the green thing about all this is all the trees we saved from being #2 wooden school pencils!!!!!!!!!!