FRIDAY PDB – Johnson demands Biden send in National Guard during raucous Columbia University visit. The speaker faced an unruly crowd shouting “Mike, you suck!” and chants of “free Palestine.”
Speaker Mike Johnson, flanked by GOP lawmakers from New York and elsewhere, repeated his calls for the university's embattled president to step down.
“This is dangerous. This is not the First Amendment, this is not free expression,” Johnson said. He later added: “If this is not contained quickly and if these threats and intimidation are not stopped, there is an appropriate time for the National Guard.”
Johnson directly faced the Gaza Solidarity Encampment that has thrown the Ivy League campus into turmoil over the past week — demonstrations that have drawn bipartisan anger over incidents of antisemitism.
Johnson earlier in the day called Columbia's Egyptian-born President Minouche Shafik a “weak and inept leader” who can't guarantee the safety of Jewish students during a radio interview.
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
Drone-killing costs must come down, says Pentagon's chief weapons buyer. The price tag for weapons and munitions used to destroy drones must come down, as the costs are “getting too expensive” and uncrewed systems are expected to saturate battlefields.
Here are 4 ways to defend against unmanned ground vehicles. Global militaries are increasingly building, deploying, and operating unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs. Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister for Innovations, posted that, “I believe ground robotic systems will become the next game changer in this war, the same as drones.”
POLITICS
Trump held his tongue on Ukraine aid. McConnell says it may have made the difference. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says Trump's decision to stay quiet on a massive $95 billion foreign aid package — including critical aid for Ukraine — likely made all the difference in getting the legislation across the finish line.
GOP critics vow no more US aid for Ukraine. Conservative skeptics predict the bill signed into law this week will be the last major U.S. aid package for Kyiv that passes.
Sullivan urges Israeli restraint on Rafah, stresses Ukraine munitions. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday urged Israel against a pending invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza and stressed the need for defense contractors to increase munitions production as the U.S. readies an influx of new aid for Ukraine.
US POWER OVERSEAS
Air Force's Radiant Falcon tests Spangdahlem's ability to recover and redeploy radioactive plane. Airmen at this F-16 fighter wing in rural southwestern Germany are learning how to safely receive and relaunch an aircraft exposed to nuclear radiation.
US to withdraw from Chad, Niger amid counterterrorism role questions. The U.S. will pull the majority of its troops as it works to restore key agreements governing what role there might be for the American military and its counterterrorism operations.
ISRAEL'S WAR AGAINST HAMAS
US-led Gaza humanitarian aid pier comes under fire. An under-construction pier for a U.S.-led project to bring aid into the Gaza Strip came under fire Wednesday, forcing U.N. officials to take shelter there.
Another ex-State Department official alleges Israeli military gets ‘special treatment' on abuses. The ex-senior official said Wednesday that he repeatedly observed Israel receiving “special treatment” from U.S. officials when it came to scrutiny of allegations of Israeli military abuses of Palestinian civilians.
IRAN THREAT
Ship comes under attack off coast of Yemen as Houthi rebel campaign appears to gain new speed. A ship traveling in the Gulf of Aden came under attack Thursday, the latest assault carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
CHINA THREAT
China is ‘moving at breathtaking speed in space,' Space Force general says in Tokyo. U.S. Space Command's new leader warned of China's rapidly advancing space capabilities this week following meetings with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts.
A Chinese ship remains the focus of the investigation into Baltic Sea gas pipeline damaged last year. A Chinese container ship remains the focus of an investigation into what caused the damage last year to a Baltic Sea gas pipeline between NATO members Finland and Estonia.
China warns US of ‘downward spiral' as Blinken meets with Xi Jinping. A primary goal of Blinken's visit to China was to warn about its support for Russia's war against Ukraine, begun after Beijing declared a “no limits” partnership in 2022. China does not appear to be supplying Russia with lethal aid, but it is providing varied dual-use items that make it the “primary contributor” to Russia's defense industrial base.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Ukraine pulls US tanks from front lines over Russian drone threats. Ukraine has sidelined its Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now, as Russian drones have made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack.
US preparing to announce $6B in weapons contracts for Ukraine. The package could be finalized and announced as soon as Friday and will include Patriot systems.
Risk of military incidents on Belarus-Ukraine border quite high. This, according to Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
French missile double punch adds new naval capability for Europe. France's synchronized test firing of naval cruise missiles from a surface ship and a submarine 400 kilometers apart adds a land-attack capability for European navies that may be more difficult for air defenses to counter.
From F-16s to NATO, Argentina's moves tilt West, but ties to China to last. There are flashpoints to watch as Argentina navigates its future between the polar attractions of Washington and Beijing, including future defense deals and a deep space facility.
France and the Philippines to start talks on a `visiting forces agreement,' French envoy says. The defense pact that would allow troops from each country to hold exercises in the other's territory.
Sweden should hike military budget to 2.6% of GDP, defense committee says. This, as the country rebuilds its defense capabilities after joining NATO in March.
US MILITARY
Economic hardship bonuses for enlisted troops? Clock is ticking on Pentagon decision. Months after Congress gave the Pentagon the authority to give bonuses this year to junior enlisted troops facing economic hardships and a month after lawmakers provided funding for the benefit, the department is still deciding whether to actually give out the bonuses.
Advocates urge Austin to act on active-duty obesity ‘epidemic.' The military must take swift, decisive action to address obesity in the ranks, according to a new letter by more than 50 individuals and organizations, including 21 retired senior military leaders.
The New Jersey, first Virginia-class submarine designed with female sailors in mind, delivered to Navy. This is its 23rd Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
First Space Force Ranger hopes guardians follow in his footsteps. Space Force guardian Capt. Daniel Reynolds became the first in his service to earn the coveted Ranger tab.
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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