PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): Beyond Kharg Island farther north, Iran’s island fortifications around Strait of Hormuz strengthen its grip on the key waterway and reopening shipping could mean U.S. or allied forces may need to capture those positions.
Seven islands that hold the keys to the Strait of Hormuz.
Qeshm, largest island in Persian Gulf, is an “underground missile fortress” and hosts Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval units, fast attack craft, and surveillance and command systems. Taking it will be costly.
Larak Island plays key role in monitoring and regulating ships rerouted through a controlled corridor north of the island, helping IRGC screen and manage maritime traffic through strait. This one won’t be easy.
Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb have been under Iranian control since 1971, after the U.K.’s withdrawal, though claimed by UAE. The islands extend Iran’s reach into southern approaches to the Strait, with Abu Musa hosting small civilian population and two Tunbs functioning primarily as military outposts.
These are the ones most likely to be taken, and then retained by UAE.
The UAE is now reportedly preparing to assist U.S. and allies in reopening the strait, having suggested that U.S. forces occupy strategic islands if necessary.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of the top defense news of the last couple of days from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:
NATIONAL SECURITY
AI may revive old-school spy tradecraft even as it transforms intelligence work. It is expected to revolutionize intelligence-gathering, enabling faster, cheaper and more scalable collection of information. But AI technology may also spur return to some of espionage’s oldest methods.
DEFENSE POLITICS
If chaplains are ‘officers second,’ as Hegseth said, which staff corps officers are next? Doctors, lawyers, civil engineers, and chaplains are commissioned professionals whose expertise is woven into command structure.
Pentagon and Boeing agree to triple production of seekers for Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 Missile Segment Enhancement.
US POWER OVERSEAS
IRAN CAMPAIGN
Iran hits tanker off coast of Qatar and Kuwait airport as Trump said U.S. forces will “finish the job” in Iran soon as “core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” offering full-throated defense of the war in his first national address since conflict began.
Is U.S. running out of Tomahawk missiles? The U.S. has so far launched at least 850 of the long-range cruise missiles against Iran. That far exceeds the missile’s use in previous conflicts.
Iran targets infrastructure behind U.S. airpower. Air Force E-3 Sentry, an airborne warning and control system (AWACS), was among aircraft severely damaged in March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia — one of several strikes on the installation since war began.
‘War on the Rocks’ has become a defeatist and contrarian military outlet. Case in point, their latest piece: ‘Folly of seizing Kharg Island.”
Counterpoint. Trump underestimated Iran’s resilience. Now there is only one way out of the war.
WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT
Strait of Hormuz offers lesson in air denial. “Iran’s power is the Hormuz Strait” said Iran’s foreign minister on state television last week. He wasn’t wrong. Strait remains effectively closed — and Iran’s drones and missiles are keeping it that way.
TRUMP AND NATO
Can Trump unilaterally pull U.S. out of NATO?
How war in Iran is testing Europe’s U.S. military base network.
European allies are skeptical Trump will actually pull U.S. out of NATO. But still fear president’s renewed threats are eroding the military alliance at precarious moment. Then again, so is Europe’s refusal to support U.S. in Iran.
CHINA THREAT
The arsenal as the battlefield: War on Iran and return of counter-industrial targeting. War against Iran has fueled speculation about how hypothetical clash between U.S. and Communist China might unfold.
RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR
Russia responds to Zelenskyy’s Easter truce offer with drone attack. Ukrainian president says ceasefire could show diplomacy works, while Russia dismisses statement as ‘PR stunt.’
Ukraine’s military hits Russian missile components plant in Bryansk region.
‘Infrastructure is the weapon’: Race to build portable interceptor factories. While interceptor drones have become sought-after commodities of Iran war, Ukrainian officials are cautioning allies that pace of today’s battlefield requires them to buy into entirely new system of production alongside the endpoint weapon.
EUROPEAN DEFENSE
CEO of Rheinmetall, Europe’s highest-valued defense company, still faces criticism after dismissing Ukraine’s drone industry as work of “housewives” with “3D printers in their kitchens,” comments his company quickly walked back. Now, Rheinmetall’s counter-drone weapon, key system of German army, is 16 months behind schedule, adding further troubles.
ARCTIC THREATS
U.S. military expansion in Greenland. Pentagon in talks with Denmark for access to 3 more areas on the Arctic island. Some Greenlanders don’t like the idea.
SPACE THREATS
NASA’s Artemis II successfully launched astronauts into space in historic first crewed moon mission in 50 years. What’s next? Four-member crew lifted off Wednesday, beginning 10-day journey that will slingshot them around the moon.
INTERNATIONAL
Pakistan and Afghanistan held first round of peace talks, with China mediating to broker a ceasefire.
US MILITARY
Is Navy ready to clear sea mines in Persian Gulf? Despite danger of sea mines, mine clearing has received minimal attention and funding from Navy — often overshadowed by more high-profile weapons systems.
FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.
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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Nonsense out of all the targets hit in Iran and you are saying those islands in-the straight have remained un-hit? And that the military has to start from scratch? You are delusional!