FRIDAY PDB – Counter to what Tucker Carlson claimed on his Twitter debut blaming Ukraine: Drone footage of collapsed Ukrainian dam counters Russian narrative.
The footage of the collapsed dam and surrounding villages under Russian occupation shows the ruined structure falling and hundreds of submerged homes, greenhouses and even a church – with no sign of life.
In addition to the alleged drone video evidence: Kyiv says it intercepted call showing Russia blew up Kakhovka dam. Ukraine’s domestic security service said it had intercepted a telephone call proving a Russian “sabotage group” blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric station and dam in Southern Ukraine.
THIS IS ALL VERY PLAUSIBLE, BUT IT MAY ALSO BE PART OF UKRAINIAN DISINFORMATION.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories from national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DAILY BRIEFING – the PDB:
POLITICS
Joint Chiefs vacancies loom amid Tuberville’s Senate standoff. A blanket hold by a lone U.S. senator on all high-level military promotions could prevent the confirmation of as many as five of the nominees to serve as the president’s most senior military advisers.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Donald Trump says he’s been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents. The case adds to deepening legal jeopardy for Trump, who has already been indicted in New York and faces additional investigations in Washington and Atlanta that also could lead to criminal charges.
The US Army is facing excessive risk. Here’s how to mitigate that. Given the grave rhetoric, reports of possible 10% to 20% cuts to Army special operations forces — a prime force for competing in the “gray zone” seem misaligned with U.S. goals.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Texas National Guard to build buoy barrier in Rio Grande to deter border crossings. It will build 1,000 feet of barrier in the Rio Grande using four-foot-tall buoys to deter migrants from crossing from Mexico between legal ports of entry.
CHINA THREAT
Cuba to host secret Chinese spy base focusing on US. The National Security Advisor, John Kirby, after publication of this article said, “This report is not accurate,” without providing any details.
China’s new conscription rules reveal concerns. New sections on wartime drafts, punishment, and physical fitness offer a glimpse into PLA leaders’ minds.
Taiwan air defenses activated after dozens of Chinese military aircraft fly near island. The Chinese aircraft entered the island’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
China to clamp down on Apple AirDrop and Bluetooth file sharing for national security reasons. China’s cyberspace regulator to issue new rules clamping down on the use of wireless file sharing functions.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 471. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited areas flooded by the breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam amid warnings of the dangers from floating mines, hazardous chemicals in the floodwaters and the spread of disease.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive is underway. Here’s what’s at stake. While Russia has gained little territory since the fall, it has had time to fortify.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
Navigating South Korea’s plan for preemption. It has invested in systems designed to preempt North Korean nuclear launch and attack missiles before they are launched and the leadership and command and control for its nuclear forces. The network of interlinked offensive and defensive missiles ultimately is undergirded by the assurance of a more robust nuclear guarantee from the U.S.
SPACE THREAT
A Space Force dozen: SpaceX, ULA awarded contracts to launch 12 new satellites. Spy satellites, classified payloads among the newly scheduled launches.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
NATO may base troops in Sweden before Stockholm joins. Sweden will allow NATO to base troops on its territory even before it formally joins the defense alliance.
ISN’T THIS WHAT TRUMP DID? – US will lay down marker at NATO summit regarding target for defense spending, envoy says. NATO members will feel the peer pressure applied by the U.S. to make good on greater defense spending when they convene next month in Lithuania.
Sudan’s rapid decline into war evokes Somalia’s catastrophic collapse. With its citizens fleeing and many of its cities on fire, Sudan is hurtling toward the kind of collapse that devastated Somalia more than three decades ago at the outbreak of its still-ongoing civil war.
A rising India is also, in one remote pocket, a blood-soaked war zone. An outburst of ethnic hatreds has fractured an ancient kingdom and turned neighbors into enemies.
US MILITARY
Marines want to use Tomahawks to sink enemy ships from 1,000 miles away. Its current anti-ship system has a range of just 115 miles.
Here comes the Marine Corps’ new ultra-light tactical dune buggy. Buckle up.
Green Berets have struggled for years with recruiting. Last year, the Army failed to hit its recruiting goal for the first time in decades. But the Special Forces has been struggling to bring in new talent since before the pandemic.
Air Force’s Osan ‘mammoth walk’ mobilizes more than 50 aircraft. Its surge of “elephant walks” recently has showcased airpower and Airmen’s ability to rapidly generate airpower.
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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Intelligent people know they can rely on globalists and their globalist puppets to tell us the truth; soros, chester biden, zelensky, media etc . . . . .