Biden Secretly Worries About Corruption In Ukraine As U.S. Tracks Military Aid

MONDAY PDB –  Biden says there's ‘not much time' to keep aid flowing to Ukraine. Joe Biden spoke Sunday after Congress passed a short-term funding package that dropped assistance for Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

Leaked doc shows Biden admin is more worried about Ukraine corruption than it says publicly. This according to a confidential U.S. strategy document.

Ukraine says it has a massive database the American Embassy can use to track every weapon the US has sent to Kyiv. Ukraine said it now has a meticulous system for storing and tracking U.S.-provided munitions that the American embassy can access anytime.

A look at the amount of US spending powering Ukraine's defense. The U.S. has now committed more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion. Up from $46 billion in July.

Spider boots, boxers, hoverboards: When Ukrainian troops ask, we deliver. This past summer, Britain's defense minister at the time, Ben Wallace, chided Ukraine for not showing enough gratitude for the West's weapons supplies. “We're not Amazon,” he said.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here's a roundup of today's other top defense stories from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

Not the President's Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL'S DAILY BRIEFING – the PDB:

POLITICS – DEFENSE BUDGET

Congress avoids government shutdown, drops Ukraine aid. Congress passed a bipartisan short-term funding bill at the last minute after removing $6 billion in Ukraine assistance.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at age 90. Feinstein, the oldest sitting U.S. senator, was a passionate advocate for liberal policies including environmental issues and gun control.

Newsom picks Laphonza Butler as Feinstein replacement. California's governor chose a labor leader turned power player to serve in the Senate, and a Newsom adviser said there were no preconditions about whether she could run in 2024.

PENTAGON WOKE WATCH

NO MORE DISCRIMINATION – Supreme Court can let West Point keep affirmative action (AKA discrimination). It's rare for a lawsuit to be invited by the Supreme Court. But that's the background to the case brought by Students for Fair Admissions against the U.S. Military Academy over the school's pursuit of ‘racial diversity.'

NATIONAL SECURITY

TOWING THE DEMOCRAT PARTY LINE – Gen. Milley delivers defense of democracy in farewell address. The farewell tribute on the base just outside Washington was both rousing and somber, with marching bands, troop salutes and speeches.

Could a presidential commission solve America's military readiness crisis? Facing virtually unprecedented threats abroad, with an all-volunteer military unable to meet recruiting goals, America's security is imperiled. Some may not realize the severity of the problem.

CHINA THREAT

Chinese defense firms show off counter-drone tech at Serbia arms show. Chinese defense companies are tapping into Serbia's market potential, striving to further expand their activities within the country and the wider Balkan region.

RUSSIA THREAT– UKRAINE WAR

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 586. Ukraine said its air defenses shot down 16 of about 30 drones launched by Russia on Sunday. Authorities said civilian infrastructure and grain storage warehouses were damaged in the southern and eastern regions.

SPACE THREAT

PODCAST –Understanding hostilities in space short of war: Harnessing an irregular warfare model on orbit. Mitchell Institute's Tim Ryan chats with Commander John ‘Patsy' Klein, USN (Ret), a noted space power expert; Colonel El Gardner, Director Space Strategy, Policy, and Plans HQ USSF; and Henry Heren about what it means to successfully engage in space.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Soldier ‘transitioning from active duty' suspected of triggering Hawaii lockdowns. He was arrested Thursday evening on suspicion of being the “armed individual” who spurred shelter-in-place alerts for two Hawaii bases.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

NO ONE HAS SUGGESTED INVADING MEXICO – Invade Mexico? The GOP has learned nothing from Iraq or Afghanistan. Trying to understand MAGA foreign policy is a lot like banging your head against a wall: The pain only goes away when you stop.

WORTH A VISIT – Naval Station Norfolk to serve as temporary homeport for British warship. Beginning Saturday, a British aircraft carrier will make multiple port calls to the U.S. base.

NATO boosts forces in Kosovo following shootout near Serbian border. The NATO mission includes more than 600 American troops already in the country.

Africa at a crossroads as more democracies fall to military coups. “Gabon will not be the last.”

IDIOT LEFTIST- Mexico's president slams US aid for Ukraine and sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba.

Turkey says PKK targets in north Iraq destroyed after Ankara suicide attack. Turkey says its warplanes carried out raids on Kurdish targets in northern Iraq following a suicide attack on a government building in the capital.

US MILITARY

F-35 program finishes years-late tests needed for full production. It has finally completed crucial, long-delayed tests which could pave the way to officially move the advanced fighter jet into full-rate production next year.

How did airmen like William Tell? ‘If it doesn't come back, there's going to be a mutiny.' When F-35s, F-22s, and F-15s took to the skies over Savannah, Ga., earlier this month, it marked the first time in 19 years the Air Force had hosted its most prestigious air-to-air competition.

Navy to test SEALs, special warfare sailors for steroids and PEDs. Naval Special Warfare Command will start testing its special warfare sailors for steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.

Camouflage uniform shortage prompts Marine Corps to relax attire rules. Unit commanders may allow the desert-colored camouflage combat utility uniform or the flame-resistant organizational gear, known as FROGs.

END of PDB