FRIDAY PDB – Our country relies on satellites — we're in big trouble if Russia takes them out. The National Security Council (NSC) recently informed the public of an intelligence community assessment regarding Russia's anti-satellite (ASAT) “capability.” The NSC rep said Joe Biden had informed allies, including the other four “Five Eyes” countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) of this new threat.
Inaugural Red Skies exercise boosts orbital warfare readiness. Defending the U.S. against an attack on its satellites may be another day on the job for Space Force Sgt. Robert Brown, but he admits to getting a little sweaty when guardians undertook their first orbital warfare simulation in December.
UK space chief flags moon mining as next conflict ‘gray zone.' Mining rare minerals on the moon could mark a new area of competition in space, which could entail military conflict.
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:
NATIONAL SECURITY
The risk of nuclear conflict is rising. If it seems alarmist to anticipate the horrifying aftermath of a nuclear attack, consider this: The U.S. and Ukraine have been planning for this scenario for at least two years.
Few Americans want US more involved in current wars in Ukraine and Gaza, AP-NORC poll finds. As the U.S. navigates involvement in these two wars, few want the country to take a more active global role.
PENTAGON WOKE WATCH
A colonel promoted diversity (AKA division). So, a GOP senator is blocking his promotion. Once upon a time in another America, many considered diversity, equity, and inclusion fundamental national values, at least nominally.
POLITICS
House Democrats press SpaceX on Russia's alleged use of Starlink terminals. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said that Russia is using the company's satellite terminals in its war against Ukraine, in what is “potentially in violation of U.S. sanctions and export controls.”
BUT NOT WORRIED ABOUT 81-YEAR-OLD BIDEN WITH DEMENTIA? – Intel agencies eye brief for Trump, amid fears he could spill secrets. It's standard practice to share classified information with presidential nominees, but the decision to brief Trump as the GOP nominee this year is loaded with political and potentially legal risks.
Trump has suggested a workable and novel way to help Ukraine. Let's consider it. Ukraine is in a precarious position just like the UK was in 1941.
US POWER OVERSEAS
Biden outlines military plans to build port in Gaza for aid. The U.S. will establish the temporary port while continuing to send weapons to Israel, Joe Biden confirmed in his State of the Union address.
Elite Marine security team deploys to Haiti amid criminal gang crisis. The fleet antiterrorism security team's (FAST) deployment to Haiti comes as gangs and the prime minister are locked in a power struggle.
Marines hit the high North in separate Arctic exercises. Troops are looking at the Arctic to counter ongoing efforts by Russia and China there.
IRAN THREAT
Troops in Iraq, Syria had close calls with militia attacks. While the majority of the attacks targeting U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan from October into February didn't result in casualties, some of those were just lucky near misses.
CHINA THREAT
BAN IT! IT'S A CHINESE SPY APP – Congress could pass legislation to ban TikTok in the U.S. The app is fighting back. TikTok sent push notifications to some of its users to encourage them to call their representatives and ask them to vote against a bill that could ban the app in the U.S.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
UK to send 10,000 drones to Ukraine. The drones come as part of a new $418 million military aid package.
UK to Germany: Sending Taurus missiles won't escalate Ukraine war. David Cameron uses trip to Berlin to lay out ‘the test for politicians of this generation.'
Former Ukraine military head appointed to UK ambassador role. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday appointed Gen. Valery Zaluzhny as a step outside of the military (and far away) for Zaluzhny a month after he was replaced.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Poland provides security guarantees to Lithuania amid Russia tensions. Poland's president says the government stands ready to defend Lithuanian territory in the eventuality of an attack, following comments made by Lithuania's prime minister implying Polish laws may prevent it from protecting the Baltic state.
Brunei defense budget surges by 32%, with focus on intel, targeting. The small, but wealthy, Southeast Asian sultanate bordered by Malaysia, is significantly raising its 2024 defense budget amid growing security concerns.
US MILITARY
Pentagon abandons effort to scale down amphibious ship design. The Navy and Marine Corps will continue with the existing design of the San Antonio II amphibious transport dock ships in fiscal 2025. This, after the Defense Department last year raised the specter of scaling down the ship's design or not buying any more at all.
Sen. Dan Sullivan says CNO ‘assured' him new shipbuilding plan will have 31 amphibs. This, after a contentious year during which the Navy, Marine Corps and Congress publicly feuded over the state of the amphibious fleet.
Army to fund Black Hawk upgrades using budget from canceled helicopter. It will use funds from the cancelled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program to upgrade its fleet of UH-60s.
US Army's air defense modernization boss on missiles, machine learning. Air defense is a top priority. The service has spent more than a decade modernizing its ability to counter missiles, rockets, artillery, mortars, and drones.
Kill the zombies: Army on mission to make soldiers better writers. How well do you think the Army's Field Manual 3-0 scored on an ease of reading test?
STOP TRYING TO FORCE-FEED WOMEN INTO EVERY COMBAT ROLE – Few women are trying for elite special operations roles, new data shows. The information provides a rare snapshot into military efforts to breach what is effectively the last frontier of gender integration.
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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