THURSDAY PDB – China's military is going global. At Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, China is nearing completion of its first overseas military outpost in the Indo-Pacific region. Beyond facilitating Chinese military adventurism in the South China Sea, the new base will allow the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to influence vital maritime routes like the Malacca Strait, through which 40% of world trade flows.
The base also shines a light on Beijing's broader embrace of an innovative strategy to challenge American military strength that has potentially grave implications for Washington and its allies.
China's expanding military mission centers on establishing what it calls “strategic strong points” along China's major trade, energy and resource routes, especially those that run from China through the Malacca Strait and into the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. China has plainly stated that these points are designed to “provide support for overseas military operations” and “exert political and military influence” abroad.
Open-source intelligence and imagery suggest that China is laying the groundwork for this network with completed or potential projects stretching from Djibouti in East Africa and Equatorial Guinea on Africa's Atlantic coast to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.
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:
PENTAGON WOKE WATCH
Justice is long overdue for LGBTQ+ veterans. Tens of thousands of veterans who were discharged due to their sexual orientation did not receive an honorable discharge.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Pentagon IG to examine how DoD discovered billions more for Ukraine after ‘evaluation errors.' “The objective of this audit is to determine the extent and impact of the March 2023 estimation change for valuing assets provided under Presidential Drawdown Authority.”
NSA ‘recently completed' AI strategic study, director says. Outgoing chief Gen. Paul Nakasone looks back, forward, and pushes for Sec. 702 authority.
CHINA THREAT
SO WHAT? STOP WHINING ABOUT IT – Despite cracks, no thaw in US-China military comms. This February, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a top-level visit to China after a Chinese spy balloon had drifted slowly over the U.S.
Replicator drone program needs no new money. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks last week rolled out Replicator, a new Pentagon drone program to compete with China.
RUSSIA THREAT– UKRAINE WAR
US considering long-range fires for Ukraine. Team Biden is “closely considering” sending long-range capabilities to Ukraine.
US to send depleted uranium rounds to Ukraine. The Pentagon announced Sept. 6 it will send depleted uranium rounds to Ukraine in its latest military assistance package to the embattled country.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 561. At least 16 people, some of them children, were killed and several wounded after Russia attacked a market in the eastern city of Kostiantynivka.
Ukrainians embrace cluster munitions, but are they helping? The weapons, banned by most countries over human rights concerns, are ‘not a magic wand,' but Ukrainian troops say they are making a difference.
Polish support for Ukraine brings lessons, but also risks. Warsaw is learning just what is killing its donated field guns, and battling Russian spy rings back home.
NATO member Romania says it has found drone pieces from Russian attacks in Ukraine on its territory. The pieces apparently are of a drone from Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine's port on the Danube River.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
Navy warship to help reenact Korean War's pivotal amphibious assault on Incheon. A U.S. amphibious assault ship will join South Korean navy vessels next week for a historical reenactment of the famous landing during the 1950-53 Korean War.
SPACE THREAT
Space Force reframes mission to ‘secure' US interests ‘in, from and through' space. Space Force chief Gen. Chance Saltzman revealed a snappy new “mission statement” for the service that implies a broad mandate for future warfighting.
Japan's H2-A rocket launches, heading toward the moon to attempt a landing. The reputation of Japan's space program was on the line after a series of costly blunders over the past year threatened its standing as a leading global player in space exploration.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Hunt for terror suspect ex-soldier Daniel Khalife after Wandsworth prison escape. A nationwide manhunt has been launched for a former soldier suspected of terror offences who escaped from prison on Wednesday morning.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Australian F-35A stealth fighters begin their inaugural deployment to Japan. Australian F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters are in Japan for the first time to train alongside their Japanese counterparts.
Gabon military says deposed President Ali Bongo ‘free' to travel abroad. Bongo's release comes after General Brice Oligui Nguema sworn in as Gabon's new head of state on Monday.
South Africa didn't know a US-sanctioned Russian ship carried its military purchases. Officials claim they did not know a sanctioned Russian ship was assigned to deliver military equipment to the country until the vessel was nearing national waters.
US MILITARY
Airmen and guardians test launch ICBM, plan another in November. The unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile was test launched at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., early Sept. 6.
US Air Force general eyes more uses for drone wingmen. USAF should consider additional uses for its planned fleet of drone wingmen beyond just flying them alongside fighters.
Hill F-35 pilots ready for the return of historic ‘William Tell' fighter meet. The Air Force's premier fighter competition, the William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet is slated to run Sept. 11-15 at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Ga.
US Army scraps Abrams tank upgrade, unveils new modernization plan. It is pursuing a more significant modernization effort to increase its mobility and survivability on the battlefield.
NEW QUALIFICATION IS MUCH TOUGHER – Marines will get more chances to earn expert shooting badge. Marines who earn the lesser marksman and sharpshooter badges during rifle or pistol range qualification will get two more chances to hit the range.
No tall tales here: 4-foot-7 recruit makes it into Marines, likely sets record. Pfc. Nathaniel Laprade could be the shortest Marine in the Corps' nearly 250-year history.
END of PDB
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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& Cuba & Central America too
They got to keep wars going for the military complex.