THURSDAY PDB – The anonymous military leaders with the weight of the election on their shoulders. Lawmakers fear the military could be drawn into the politics of the 2024 election.
Regardless of who wins the election, federal and state senior military leaders may face decision-making dilemmas critical to the future of U.S. democracy.
In a recent congressional letter to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top civilian and military leaders were reminded not to use the military illegally to carry out unlawful orders.
Most members of the Profession of Arms would scoff at this notion, with something to the effect of: “We are apolitical and will know what to do when the time comes.” But will they?
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
Air Force going ‘line by line’ to bring down nuclear missile costs. It “underestimated” the complexity of building a sprawling network of launch centers and other ground infrastructure for its next nuclear missile, which led to severe projected cost overruns.
Air Force standing up new wing for ‘Doomsday’ nuclear command and control. It aims to improve its strategic command and control capabilities by standing-up a new wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The 95th Wing will put disparate command and control units from the Active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.
US forces should consider Ukraine’s freewheeling model for social media messaging. Its efforts at countering Russian disinformation campaigns have seen success because their troops aren’t bogged down by an overly cautious U.S.-style chain of command. Our military needs to loosen up.
Clock is ticking for human intel analysts to harness AI, but carefully. Australia and the U.S., two of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing group, must quickly grapple with the slippery benefits of artificial intelligence for maintaining peace and waging war.
US, Britain, EU to sign first international AI treaty.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Judge reduces prison sentence for Army vet and former cop convicted in Capitol riot. He was convicted on six charges.
POLITICS
Graham to Hamas leader: ‘We’re gonna kill you.’ Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., vowed to kill Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar, an architect of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel (and Americans in Israel), if former President Trump is elected to a second term.
Hostage families press Biden admin to make a deal with Hamas that doesn’t include Israel. Biden-Harris is considering cutting a unilateral deal with the terrorist group to secure the release of Americans held by Hamas.
The West’s $50B Ukraine loan risks being undermined by Kamala Harris’ ‘brat’ summer.
US POWER OVERSEAS
IDIOT! – US Navy sailor detained by law enforcement in Venezuela. This, after traveling there unauthorized on personal business.
US Marines, Australian Army plan tests around island-hopping Stern Landing Vessel. The series of tests will use an experimental ship that will inform the service’s future island-hopping vessels.
The Air Force simulated a mass casualty evacuation on a Pacific island. USAF rescue troops joined military forces from Australia, France and Papua New Guinea.
Military housing needs a refresh here and across the globe. Our presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls should address the state of housing on many military installations.
CHINA THREAT
ABSOLUTELY WRONG! – CHINESE DEFENSE SPENDING IS VASTLY UNDERESTIMATED. China’s defense spending: The $700 billion distraction. American political and military leaders are amplifying flawed estimates that China’s annual defense spending is much higher than it actually is. In these mistaken calculations, China’s defense spending has reached $700 billion, approaching the level of the U.S. defense budget.
Cambodia says China gifting 2 warships as it finishes work expanding strategically important port. They are of the type docked for months at a strategically important base being expanded with Beijing’s funding. This has raised concerns of China establishing a permanent naval presence on the Gulf of Thailand.
China-Africa ties ‘best in history’ claims Xi, as Beijing steps up military aid. This, as he pledged $50 billion in financial support for the continent in addition to military aid.
TO FACE CHINA RUSSIA AND NORTH KOREA. Japan Ministry of Defense unveils record high $59 billion FY 2025 budget request.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
OTHER OBJECTIVES ARE TO TRADE LAND AND BRING WAR TO RUSSIANS. Ukraine’s gamble against Russia risks becoming a blunder. The Ukrainian advance into Russia’s Kursk region has so far failed to achieve one of its main objectives: diverting Russian troops from the frontlines of eastern Ukraine.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
North Korea has again launched suspected trash-carrying balloons across the border. This, in the latest round of a Cold War-style psychological warfare between the war-divided rivals.
Leaders of South Korea, New Zealand strongly condemn expanding North Korea-Russia military ties. This, as they met Wednesday for a summit meant to strengthen bilateral ties.
SPACE THREAT
America’s Space Force is preparing for the risk of war. A military branch established by Trump emerges from the shadows as threats from Russia and China grow.
Space Force to field satellites and sensors for tracking air, ground targets as early as 2030.
Space Development Agency’s first satellites demo key capabilities. Following a successful optical communications test this week; SDA’s first batch of data-transport and missile-tracking satellites have met all of the agency’s demonstration targets.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Fire and Iceland: Polish missiles broaden NATO’s northern reach at US-led exercise. A demonstration of Poland’s military prowess far from its shores offers an important advantage in the northern Atlantic.
The US is considering the creation of a UN peacekeeping operation for Haiti to fight gangs. This, as one way to secure funding and staffing for a Kenya-led mission deployed to quell gang violence.
Racing the clock to document ISIS genocide of Iraq’s Yazidis. For years, a U.N. team has painstakingly exhumed mass graves, but now the Iraqi government is ordering it to leave. Many sites remain unexamined.
DEFENSE NEWS CONFERENCE
Keynote: Gen. Michael Guetlein, US Space Force addresses the strategic challenges of space.
Marine Corps technology priorities: Brig. Gen. Simon Doran, Commanding General, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, discusses the service’s technology priorities.
Army modernization: The Hon. Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army, discusses the Army’s modernization efforts.
View from the Hill: Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), vice chairman, House Armed Services Committee, discusses military priorities in Congress.
US MILITARY
How the Marine Corps is testing an autonomous ‘narco-boat’ for resupply efforts. This, as the service focuses on island hopping and projecting power from land to sea.
Inside the Corps’ latest vision for its Marines and their futures. When you open a Marine Corps tactical publication, you might expect to find the following: lessons on how to fight and win battles, a recap of the service’s heritage, and a profusion of spirit unique to the Corps.
PROBABLY NOT NEEDED – UNMANNED INSTEAD. USAF rethinks whether it needs a manned 6th-gen fighter for air superiority. The Air Force is reconsidering how it gains air superiority—and whether it needs a manned sixth-generation fighter to achieve it.
New F-16 electronic warfare system ‘on par with fifth gen’ enters flight test. The AN/ALQ-257, has begun flight testing after successfully completing ground tests in an anechoic chamber.
Obesity among troops costs Pentagon more than $1 billion per year. American troops are just too fat, and it’s costly.
German Air Force stops in central Illinois to join Illinois Air Guard for joint exercises across many states. ‘Proptoberfest’ aims to strengthen the relationship between the two militaries.
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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Will Dems riot, MAGA?? Civil War 2
Apolitical? In my experience most of the top brass are Democrats. I’ve never figured why except that maybe they like war and Dims have a track record of getting us into wars.
Expect the elderly individual in charge to resign to allow the VP to do presidential looking things along with declaring martial law and declare no election until the made up crisis is over, whatever it may be!
All United States Military Officers take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. To the best of my knowledge, the unconstitutional acts of a political party or the people are not protected under the constitution. Unless the the Officers of the United States Military have been corrupted, and I pray that they will honor their oath, any military response favoring unconstitutional acts is merely er ly the fantasy of weak minds.
You should expand on your report on American troops being too fat.
The military should want fit troops.
What department dropped the ball in allowing overweight?
Did troopers ask for help and not get it from military MDs to evaluate their heart conditions related to poor stamina because of overweight?
Have some troops been discharged because they were overweight?