FRIDAY PDB – As the recent incident with the Chinese Coast Guard using powerful water cannons against a small Philippines supply ship shows, China is the king of confrontation just short of war. The U.S. needs to match those capabilities to avoid letting China trigger a shooting war or forcing us to back down. (RELATED: ‘Gray Zone' Flashpoint – China Uses Water Cannon Against Philippines Ship)
Why DoD needs greater focus on non-lethal weapons, intermediate force capabilities. Non-lethal weapons (NLWs) can play a critical role in military operations. Diverse systems that emit long-range sounds, create dazzling glare, disable engines, entangle propellers or cause heating sensations can enable mission success in a variety of non-combat contexts.
When facing gray-zone confrontations with rival powers, such as standoffs at sea with China, non-lethal capabilities can push back against an encroaching force while managing the risk of escalation.
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
THAT'S A LOT OF UNDEPLOYABLE SOLDIERS WITH TAXPAYER-PROVIDED, MEDICAL TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS – Transgender troops warned to avoid Florida over discriminatory laws. One in five transgender people will choose to serve in the military, with nearly 15,000 active and reserve troops already serving according to one study.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Trump, Nauta plead not guilty to additional classified documents charges. Former President Trump and his longtime aide, Walt Nauta, pleaded not guilty Thursday. (RELATED: US Attorney Investigating Hunter Biden Now A Special Counsel, DOJ Confirms)
Pentagon establishes Task Force Lima to study generative AI issues. The task force to evaluate and guide the application of generative artificial intelligence for national security purposes comes amid an explosion of interest in the technology.
Alleged Air Force leaker shared intel with foreign nationals. An FBI special agent said that some of the intelligence allegedly leaked by indicted Massachusetts Air Force National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was shared with foreign nationals.
Land forces now control the sea — and that is vital in the Pacific. “It is likely that we are only at the beginning of a leap in the capability of land based anti-ship missiles,” warns professor at University of New South Wales.
HOMELAND DEFENSE
PEW, PEW, PEW – New AI laser system to guard US capital region from unauthorized aircraft. ‘The first line of defense is actually that they will beam a laser at the cockpit of the aircraft.'
CHINA THREAT
US Air Force retools Red Flag to match Chinese capabilities. One of the USAF's largest combat training exercises this summer focused on an expanded battlefield to prepare for threats posed by China and North Korea.
China sends ships and fighter jets toward Taiwan in new show of force. Taiwan's defense ministry says the incursion included a large group of fighters.
China says military company worker exposed as CIA spy. The Chinese national allegedly provided sensitive military information to the CIA, the latest in a string of highly public espionage accusations between Washington and Beijing.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Russia's military push on eastern front prompts evacuations in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have ordered a mandatory evacuation of nearly 12,000 civilians from towns and villages in the Kupiansk district of Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 534. Ukrainian authorities ordered the evacuation of nearly 12,000 civilians from 37 towns and villages near the northeastern front line in the Kupiansk region as Russia ramps up efforts to recapture territory in the area that it had seized and lost earlier in the conflict.
Russia is replicating Iranian drones and using them to attack Ukraine. Called the Geran-2, the drones are a Russian-made version of the Shahed-136, which explodes on impact, researchers say.
IRAN THREAT
LIKE OBAMA, BIDEN PAYING OFF IRAN TERROR REGIME FOR HOSTAGES – Americans held in Iran placed under house arrest as part of a planned prisoner swap. If the proposed deal holds, Tehran will be allowed to use $6 billion in Iranian assets blocked under U.S. sanctions to buy food, medicine or other humanitarian aid.
How the US military protects the Strait of Hormuz and why it matters. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, is rarely far from the center of global tensions.
SPACE THREAT
If you did space ops, you could become a ‘legacy guardian.' Before the Space Force was founded in December 2019, Airmen ruled the heavens, at least as far as most military space activities were concerned.
HOMELAND SECURITY
WAS HE A REAL THREAT? – Man killed by FBI after alleged Biden threats was Air Force veteran. The man federal agents shot and killed in his home in Utah on Wednesday morning was a former airman who threatened to assassinate Joe Biden.
A ‘complicated' legacy: Army officer who exposed Iraq abuse was under FBI suspicion at the end of his life. Three volleys of blank shot thundered across Section 71 on Tuesday morning, echoing over white headstones as Army Maj. Ian Fishback was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Pentagon activates National Guard, sends helicopters to aid in deadly Hawaii fires. The troops and military helicopters to Hawaii to assist in rescue-and-recovery efforts in the wake of devastating wildfires that swept through the island of Maui.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
US lawmakers urge block on some military aid to Egypt over rights concerns. A group of Democratic U.S. House of Representatives members urged Joe Biden to withhold some military aid.
Romania eyes 32 F-35s under $6.5 billion deal. The Romanian Ministry of National Defense has requested the parliament's approval for the purchase of 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
West African nations mobilize standby force as Niger crisis grinds on. West African governments struggled to chart a clear path out of the crisis in Niger during an emergency summit on Thursday.
Niger junta warned they'd kill deposed president, officials say. Niger's junta told a top U.S. diplomat they would kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if countries attempted military intervention to restore his rule.
New Zealand to create intel agency recommended over two years ago. The additional intelligence agency will help the government more rapidly react to and better coordinate its response to security threats.
US MILITARY
Important PACT Act deadline extended amid tech issues. The Department of Veterans Affairs extended a deadline for payouts linked to legislation aimed at helping veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service after technical issues complicated the application process.
2 Marines of ‘MARSOC 3' likely will retire with honorable discharges. In February, Gunnery Sgts. Josh Negron and Danny Draher were acquitted of manslaughter but convicted of drinking in violation of an order.
First Air Force reserve unit to get the F-35 marks a final milestone with the F-16. The end of an era is swiftly approaching for the Air Force Reserve's 301st Fighter Wing.
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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Arm the Public then OK
What enemy???
The CCP, Wall Street, The US ☭hamber Of ☭ommerce and ☭orporate Ameri☭a bribed ☭ongress to write the laws that made it legal to screw over America and allow the greatest transfer of jobs, wealth and intellectual property in modern history to an avowed enemy, Communist China, making them the threat they are today.
☭ongress and ☭orporate America are the real enemy!