Why Does Trump Appear So Friendly Toward Putin? China

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – President Trump has often frustrated European allies (and the author of this PDB) with his overt entreaties to Vladimir Putin and harsh words for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

But behind the seeming imbalance is a longer-term strategic goal – countering China.

The reason Trump won’t give up on Putin peace deal — China. Trump administration believes that incentivizing Russia to end the war in Ukraine could eventually shift the global order away from China.

It’s a gamble – and one Ukrainians are concerned with – but underscores administration’s belief that biggest geopolitical threat facing U.S. and the West is China, not Putin’s Russia (and Trump would be correct).

While countering China isn’t the only reason adminstration wants a truce, it does help explain why after more than 15 months of fruitless talks and multiple threats to walk away, the president’s team keep looking for a breakthrough.

They believe finding a “way to align closer with Russia” could create “a different power balance with China that could be very, very beneficial.”

Still, as one Ukrainian official noted, both those autocratic countries “have one [thing] in common which you cannot beat – they hate the U.S. as a symbol of democracy.”

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top 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

Pentagon to mass produce one-way LUCAS attack drones, deployed by U.S. forces in current war on Iran after they were created by reverse-engineering Iran’s cheap and deadly Shahed system.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Joe Kent, a top Trump counterterrorism official, ex-Green beret combat veteran and perceived antisemite friend of Tucker Carlson, resigned, arguing that the president had been led into an unnecessary war with Iran — in part by undue influence from Israel.

HOMELAND DEFENSE

Pentagon increased cost estimate for Golden Dome advanced missile defense shield by $10 billion (now at $185 billion) due to demand for more space sensing, tracking, and data transport capabilities.

Patriot air defense interception is costly: Here’s how it works. As missile and drone attacks intensify across the Middle East, U.S. forces are leaning heavily on air-defense systems like the Patriot missile battery to intercept incoming threats.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Shooting at Holloman Air Force base in New Mexico has left one person dead and another wounded.

Shooting at VA clinic in small town at foot of Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia, left one person wounded, gunman killed.

Hawaii National Guard activated about 90 soldiers and airmen to deal with emergencies arising from flooding and power outages from massive storm that hit the state.

IRAN CAMPAIGN

Diagramming the blows to Iran’s leadership. Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, has been killed in Israeli airstrike, marking third killing of high-ranking Iranian official in two days.

Israel says ‘limited’ ground operations under way against Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist army in southern Lebanon.

More than 600 service members and crew members aboard USS Gerald R. Ford supercarrier are without a bed after fire aboard ship.

USS Gerald Ford, deployed in operations against Iran, is expected to temporarily pull into port after onboard fire.

WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT

A day after several allies rejected his demand they send warships to Strait of Hormuz, President Trump said he no longer wants their help. Trump excoriated the NATO alliance and other countries for not coming to America’s aid when needed.

Iran war pushes countries into energy triage as they conserve power, curb soaring prices, while prioritizing dwindling supplies.

Many assume China’s economy relies on oil imported from Iran and shipped through Strait of Hormuz. In reality, China is 85% energy self-sufficient. While more than 10% of its global imported oil total is from Iran, its energy supply has long been diversified internationally and electrified domestically to avoid critical dependence on any single source.

CHINA THREAT

China not currently planning to invade Taiwan in 2027. US intelligence assesses that despite its threat to use force to compel unification if necessary, and to counter what it sees as ‌⁠U.S. attempt to use Taiwan to undermine China’s rise, [Beijing] prefers to ⁠achieve unification without the use of force, if possible.”

U.S. says Iran war not delaying U.S. weapons shipments to Taiwan or changed U.S. policy toward the island, despite the demands of the intense air campaign.

SPACE THREATS

What if China’s astronauts land on the moon before the U.S.? China’s state‑run space program is progressing rapidly toward landing astronauts on moon by 2030, raising pressure U.S.

Canadian military announced major investment in both launch facilities and companies in bid to create sovereign space capability.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia and Iran “brothers in hatred” as he sought support from UK Prime Minister Starmer, and NATO’s chief, in London, as Iran war has robbed momentum from U.S.-brokered talks to end Russia’s invasion.

NORTH KOREA THREAT

U.S. and South Korean troops completed 12 days of training in California desert aimed at sharpening their ability to fight together in modern combat.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Chile’s new conservative president begins building border barrier less than week into term. It will run along country’s northern frontier as part of sweeping crackdown on surging illegal immigration.

US MILITARY

Space Force overhauls buying structure with new mission portfolios as part of broader Pentagon effort to speed procurement and make better use of commercial technology.

Navy to remedy ongoing maintenance delays by enlisting the help of AI and robotic systems.

Marines can now complete their handgun qualification using a pistol equipped with a red dot optic, but the M17 Romeo red dot — must be purchased and issued by the Marine’s unit.

VA to join new presidential task force to develop a national strategy “to stop fraud, waste and abuse” in federal benefits programs.

VA’s new review of disability claims for fraud won’t include past filings, officials say.

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.

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