TUESDAY PDB – Iran strikes targets in northern Iraq and Syria as regional tensions escalate. Iran fired missiles late Monday at what it claimed were Israeli “spy headquarters” near the U.S. consulate in the Iraqi city of Irbil. (RELATED: Report: Iran Targets US Forces In Iraq?)
Houthi attacks continue following multinational strike in Yemen. Houthi militants are continuing attacks in the Red Sea in spite of a joint U.S.-U.K. strike on Thursday.
US jet shoots down Houthi missile that was heading for USS Laboon. An anti-ship cruise missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen was taken out by a U.S. fighter Sunday. On Monday, Houthi rebels struck a U.S.-owned ship just off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. (RELATED: Ballistic Missile Strikes US Ship)
USS Carney strikes another site in Yemen. It had determined the site was putting commercial vessels in the Red Sea at risk, a day after the U.S. and Britain launched multiple airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels.
Ships and aircraft search for 2 Navy SEALs missing after mission to confiscate Iranian missile parts. Details emerged about their mission to board and take over a vessel in Gulf of Aden carrying components for medium-range Iranian ballistic missiles headed for Somalia.
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
BECAUSE MILITARY DOESN'T HAVE AN EXTREMISM PROBLEM – Nonprofit scores military a three out of 10 for extremism prevention. The U.S. government has not done enough to prevent extremism in the Armed Forces in the three years since the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, one nonprofit claims.
AS LONG AS IT'S NOT A POLITICIZED EFFORT – US military academies focus on oaths and loyalty to Constitution. The service academies are trying to update how they teach future officers to navigate the country's political polarization.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Austin released from hospital after cancer surgery complications. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released on Monday, after spending two weeks there to treat complications from surgery for prostate cancer he kept secret from senior Team Biden leaders and staff for weeks.
House lawmakers introduce new notification law after Austin's undisclosed hospital stay. Lawmakers in the House are seeking to amend federal law to prevent the delays and lack of transparency that left top U.S. officials unaware of Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization for days.
HOMELAND SECURITY
OVERKILL – POLITICIZED WITCH HUNT – Army veteran gets over four years in prison for Capitol riot role. William Chrestman pleaded guilty in October to obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the Electoral College vote.
POLITICS
NONSENSE – PLEASE GET REAL – Fears grow that Trump will use the military in ‘dictatorial ways' if he returns to the White House. Among those being mentioned for Trump's defense secretary are Christopher Miller, who served temporarily during his administration, Michael Flynn and Mike Pompeo.
Senate to vote on potential freeze to Israel aid as Democrats question conduct of war. A measure by socialist Bernie Sanders would order a report on whether Israel had committed human rights violations. It stands little chance of passage but reflects some Democrats' resistance to providing unfettered aid.
LIARS – VA disputes GOP claim that money for vets is going to migrants instead. Republican lawmakers have accused the department of using funding and resources to help with immigration work at the expense of veterans services.
FIRE HIM! – VA attorney disciplined for video mocking Israeli hostages. A Veterans Affairs lawyer whose video mocking Israeli hostages caused outrage on social media has been required to undergo counseling for the incident but was not fired.
2024 Miss America crown goes to active-duty US Air Force officer. Second Lt. Madison Marsh, a private pilot, is the first active-duty service member to win the annual competition.
CHINA THREAT
Taiwan's new president: 5 things you need to know about William Lai. Brace yourself for an extended period of uncertainty over Beijing's next move.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Britain pledges over $3 billion for Ukraine military aid in 2024. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to provide the Ukraine with $3.2 billion in military aid during a visit to Kyiv, with the supply of long-range attack drones being a top priority.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 692. Ukraine said it shot down a Russian A-50 spy plane and an Il-22 command post aircraft in the area of the Sea of Azov. Russia had used the plane extensively to coordinate long-range missile strikes on Ukraine.
Bradley Fighting Vehicles are taking out modern tanks in Ukraine. One of Russia's most modern battle tanks, a T-90, was videoed losing a duel with a Ukrainian Bradley, a far lighter-armed and armored U.S. made troop carrier.
With ‘God's-eye view,' secretive surveillance flights keep close watch on Russia and Ukraine. Off in the distance, Ukraine, fighting for its survival. Seen from the cockpit of a French air force surveillance plane flying over neighboring Romania, the snow-dusted landscapes look deceptively peaceful.
What the US military can learn from Ukrainian command posts. Two foreign volunteer soldiers described operations centers in frontline Ukraine, from surviving Russian missiles to managing drone feeds.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
North Korea launches suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile. The launch was the North's first this year.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Israeli military near end of most intense phase of Gaza fighting. Remaining battles focus on south of enclave, while in Israel, one person is killed in what authorities label a terrorist attack.
Israel's military says special forces carried out strike in Lebanon. The Israeli military said on Tuesday that its special forces had carried out a strike in the area of Ayta ash Shab in Lebanon.
US MILITARY
Army Pacific focuses on arctic training in Alaska and Himalayas. The Army completed a war game this week focused on the service's arctic capabilities, materiel, doctrine needs.
DISA poised to create intelligence entity in 2024. The Defense Information Systems Agency expects to have a new intelligence unit up and running later this year.
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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