Mattis to travel to England this week

Before London, Mattis stops in New York where he will drop in on the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and the Council on Foreign Relations, but has no public events planned. Mattis is taking a small press contingent with him, including wire services and a network television pool camera crew.

Unlike the State Department, where beat reporters were frozen out of Rex Tillerson’s most recent travel, Mattis’ team has been making a visible effort to accommodate news media requests for more access, including allowing pool coverage of his meetings with foreign dignitaries, and sometimes answering a question. Yesterday, Idrees Ali of Reuters was able to get a question in about the mounting death toll of civilians in Mosul during Mattis’ meeting with Qatari Defense Minister Khalid al-Attiyah. “What’s on your mind there, young man?” Mattis said before answering. “There is no military force in the world that has proven more sensitive to civilian casualties,” Mattis said on the issue.

CASUALTY REVIEW: A senior Pentagon official admits it is entirely possible that U.S. airstrikes were  responsible for the civilian deaths in Mosul, where reports from the ground say U.S.-led coalition airstrikes flattened almost an entire city block. “It does look at this point like we killed some civilians,” the official said, while cautioning it was important to wait for the results of a U.S. military investigation, which is reviewing some 700 videos of every bomb dropped over a 10-day period. But the official again pointed out that it was the Iraqi forces, under heavy fire and the threat of a powerful truck bomb, who called in the coalition airpower.

Many Iraqi civilians are in the densely populated area of western Mosul that is still under ISIS control. Some remained because the Iraqi government urged them to stay put if they felt safe. But many others were trapped there by the Islamic State, who forced them to stay in buildings that were then used as firing positions against the advancing Iraqi troops, in attempt to use them as human shields. “We are keenly aware that every battlefield where an enemy hides behind women and children is also a humanitarian field, and we go out of our way to always do everything humanly possible to reduce the loss of life or injury among innocent people,” Mattis said. “The same cannot be said for our adversaries.”

MORE TROOPS TO IRAQ: Mattis did not answer a second question at his photo op yesterday about more U.S. troops being sent to Iraq, but Pentagon officials confirmed that just over 200 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team are being called forward to augment other soldiers who are involved in the advise-and-assist mission around Mosul. The U.S. troops are not expected to arrive for several weeks. The Pentagon does not release exact troop numbers for Iraq, but the total is around 5,000.

STILL NO HELP: It’s coming up on two weeks since the White House announced the intent to nominate a half dozen candidates to fill senior Pentagon positions, including Boeing executive Pat Shanahan to serve as deputy defense secretary, but for now Mattis continues to operate with a skeleton staff. Of the 53 politically-appointed, Senate-confirmed positions, Mattis remains the only one to have won Senate confirmation. The State Department in a similar strait with 118 of 119 positions still vacant, and Tillerson is filling the only confirmed position.

Good Tuesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre), National Security Writer Travis Tritten (@travis_tritten) and Senior Editor David Brown (@dave_brown24). Email us here for tips, suggestions, calendar items and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll be sure to add you to our list. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @dailyondefense.

HAPPENING TODAY: We should hear more about “Moscow’s malign activities and military actions,” when U.S. European and Supreme NATO commander Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti testifies before the House Armed Services Committee this morning at 10. Last week before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Scaparrotti warned “Russia has turned from partner to antagonist as it seeks to reemerge as a global power,” and said in response to Russian aggression, “EUCOM has continued to strengthen our relationship with strategic allies and partners, including the Baltic nations, Poland, Turkey and Ukraine.”

MONTENEGRO’S NATO ASPIRATIONS: The Senate has not yet added the United States to the countries that have approved the addition of tiny Montenegro to the 28-nation NATO alliance, but the Senate has moved closer to a final vote. Yesterday, the Senate voted 97-2 to cut off debate over the objections of Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee. The final vote is expected this week, and Sen. John McCain is predicting an easy win. Last week, Scaparrotti said it was “absolutely critical” that Montenegro be brought into NATO to send a message both to Russia, and to other countries who aspire to join the West. Reuters reported last week that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wrote to the leaders of the Senate earlier this month to say Montenegro’s membership in NATO was “strongly in the interests of the United States.”

MORE NUNES REVELATIONS: Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was on the White House grounds the day before he announced he had seen information that President Trump and some of his associates may have been accidentally spied on. CNN reported Monday that Nunes said he went to the White House complex for meetings and to go into a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF, to view the information he later alluded to publicly.

The day after the meeting, Nunes held a press conference on March 22 announcing he had seen information from sources that showed Trump and some associates may have been caught up in surveillance of foreign targets during the transition.

The disclosure prompted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to demand that Speaker Paul Ryan remove Nunes as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee if he wants to ensure a “credible” investigation into ties between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

The New York Democrat said Nunes’ visit to the White House last week raises serious questions about his ability to run an impartial investigation and follow the facts where they lead. “Chairman Nunes is falling down on the job and seems to be more interested in protecting the president than seeking the truth,” Schumer said in remarks on the Senate floor Monday. “You cannot have the person in charge of an impartial investigation be partial to one side. It’s an inherent contradiction.”

Last night, Nunes told CNN that he wasn’t coordinating with the White House. “No, it’s not the case,” Nunes responded. “Like I said, this is something I’ve been working for a long time. And I had to find a way for me to have access to this because we couldn’t get the information down to the committee. And this was, this was a way I could facilitate me getting that information.”

Then after the committee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff, called on Nunes to recuse himself, Nunes said on Fox News he would do no such thing.

KUSHNER’S COMING: Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, one of his closest advisers, could face questioning in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee as a part of its investigation into possible ties between Russia and Trump. The New York Times reported the White House Counsel’s Office was told the committee wants to question Kushner over meetings he arranged with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Kushner also met with Kislyak on one occasion and with Sergey Gorkov, the chief of a Russian bank that was sanctioned by the Obama administration for meddling in Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Crimea.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday defended the meetings, Sarah Westwood writes. “Throughout the campaign and transition,” Kushner served as the “primary point of contact” for foreign officials, Spicer said.

“He volunteered to speak with Chairman [Richard] Burr’s committee,” Spicer said of Kushner. “I think, based on the questions that surrounded this, he volunteered to go in and sit down with them.”

SHUTDOWN DANGERS: An expected fight next month over government funding could endanger the lives of U.S. troops if it leads to a temporary shutdown, McCain warned Monday, Joel Gehrke writes. “It would put the lives of the men and women serving in the military in greater danger because they can’t train, and, therefore, they are not ready to fight,” the Arizona Republican told reporters Monday. “And we are fighting, as you know.” The April 28 funding deadline has been on the back-burner for most of Trump’s brief time in office.

F-35s TO KOREA: The Pentagon says its newest strike fighter took part in joint training exercises with South Korea Friday. The Marine Corps F-35Bs are based in Japan, and last week’s exercise was the first time the F-35B has operated in South Korea, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters Monday. “Aviation training in the Republic of Korea is meant to enhance and improve the interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea at the tactical level and build combined warfighting capabilities. And like all of our alliance exercises, it is defensive in nature.”

That announcement comes as North Korea shows no sign of curbing its nuclear ambitions and has carried out yet another test of a rocket engine that U.S. officials believe could be part of its program to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile, according to Reuters. “As regard to North Korea, we continue to watch their actions closely,” Davis said. “And it goes without saying that we are committed to defending the Republic of Korea and Japan against any North Korean aggression.”

CHINA’S ISLANDS: China’s military buildup of the “Big 3” Spratly Islands in the South China Sea is almost complete, according to satellite photos released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.

TILLERSON’S PLAN: Tillerson plans to tread lightly during his upcoming trip to Turkey around a constitutional referendum that has turned into a domestic and international lightning rod, Joel Gehrke writes. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to pass a constitutional referendum that would allow him to stay in power until 2029 and enjoy more autocratic authority. When European leaders refused to let his allies seek votes for the proposal among expatriate Turkish citizens, Erdogan replied by comparing them to Nazis and threatening to allow tens of thousands of refugees to travel to Europe.

U.S.-Turkey relations have been strained over the last year as well, and Tillerson plans to focus on easing those tensions in order to prepare for the final stages of defeating ISIS in Syria. “He is quite aware of the context in which he is arriving and his exchanges will be conducted with respect for that process in mind,” a State Department official told reporters during a background call on the secretary’s trip.

NETANYAHU’S THANK YOU: The Trump administration’s “skinny” budget includes a proposed 28 percent reduction in State Department spending, with much of the cuts coming out of foreign aid. But one country was immune from cuts: Israel, and yesterday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a public “thank you” in his remarks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual meeting in Washington Monday. “The administration has shown its commitment to Israel by turning those words into policies,” Netanyahu said via video feed from Jerusalem. “You see it in the budget request submitted by President Trump. It leaves military aid to Israel fully funded, even as the fiscal belt is pulled tighter. And we appreciate that.” Trump’s budget plan, which must be approved by Congress provides $3.1 billion in security assistance commitment to Israel, an all-time high.

CHENEY’S TAKE: Former Vice President Dick Cheney said he believes Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election could be an “act of war,” Kyle Feldscher writes. In a speech to the Economic Times Global Business Summit, Cheney said Putin was undoubtedly meddling in American affairs, which is something that should be taken very seriously.

“The fact that he took his capabilities in the cyber area and tried to influence our election, there’s not any argument at this stage that somehow the election of President Trump was not legitimate, but there’s no question there was a very serious effort made by Mr. Putin and his government and his organization to interfere in major ways our basic fundamental democratic processes,” Cheney said.

WELCOME TRAVIS: This newsletter is a collaborative effort, and this morning we welcome a new member of our team, Travis Tritten. You might remember his name as the reporter who exposed former NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams’ false claims about his experiences during the Iraq war. Travis is a dogged reporter who will add immensely to our expertise as we strive to keep you informed of developments on all fronts defense related. Tritten has enjoyed a stellar 15-year career covering defense, government, and politics, and most recently covered military issues for Stars and Stripes here in Washington. He’ll be covering defense issues on Capitol Hill for us, and we’re thrilled to have him on board.

THE RUNDOWN

New York Times: At Site of Deaths, Our Reporters Find Cost of U.S.-ISIS Battle

Washington Post: Military To Stay Course On Airstrike Procedures

Defense News: US Air Force secretary nominee discloses financial details

Defense News: Senators Press Mattis, Tillerson On India Defense Deals

Associated Press: Rights group: Coalition isn’t protecting Mosul civilians

BuzzFeed: The Number Of People The US Is Accused Of Killing While Fighting ISIS Keeps Rising

Wall Street Journal: U.S. Boosts Backing for Saudis, U.A.E.

Defense One: Russia Joins US in Race to Field Gun-Launched Swarmbots

Foreign Policy: Trump Has a Strategy for Destroying the Islamic State — and It’s Working

New York Times: United States and Allies Protest U.N. Talks to Ban Nuclear Weapons

Roll Call: Defense Supplemental Request Overstated By $5.2 Billion

UPI: Northrop Grumman gets contract mod for E-2D production

USNI News: U.K., France And U.S. Agree To Increase Submarine Warfare, Aircraft Carrier Cooperation

Wall Street Journal: No Evidence Linking London Attacker to Islamic State or al Qaeda, Police Say

Calendar

TUESDAY | MARCH 28

7 a.m. 6715 Commerce St., Springfield. The Precision Strike Association holds a two-day Precision Strike Annual Review. precisionstrike.org

9:30 a.m. 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, Va. William Roper, the director of the strategic capabilities office at the Pentagon, speaks at a Mitchell Institute event. mitchellaerospacepower.org

10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, head of U.S. European Command, testifies at a hearing on Russian activities and security challenges in Europe. armedservices.house.gov

10 a.m. Rayburn 2172. Experts testify on using foreign aid when resources are limited. foreignaffairs.house.gov

10:30 a.m. Dirksen 419. Two think tank experts testify on U.S. policy toward Iran. foreign.senate.gov

3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2212. Two admirals and a general discuss issues and concerns over naval strike fighters. armedservices.house.gov

4 p.m. 1030 15th St. N.W. Experts discuss the Russian military in the Ukraine and what the U.S. can learn from the situation. atlanticcouncil.org

WEDNESDAY | MARCH 29

10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, testifies on security challenges in the Middle East. armedservices.house.gov

10 a.m. Russell 222. Think tank experts discuss the Russian influence in Ukraine. armed-services.senate.gov

10 a.m. HVC 210. The House Homeland Security Committee holds a hearing on terrorism in North Africa. homeland.house.gov

2 p.m. HVC 210. Retired officers discuss “Threats to Space Assets and Implications for Homeland Security.” armedservices.house.gov

2 p.m. Rayburn 2118. Personnel chiefs from all four services testify on pilot shortages. armedservices.house.gov

2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn. Three experts discuss Iran’s provocative actions and its ballistic missile program. foreignaffairs.house.gov

2:15 p.m. Dirksen 419. Former Rep. Randy Forbes and Georgetown University’s Robert Gallucci testify on Asia-Pacific security issues. foreign.senate.gov

2:15 p.m. Russell 232-A. Systems command senior leaders from the four services testify on the defense industrial base. armed-services.senate.gov

3:30 p.m. Russell 222. Three Air Force generals testify on Air Force modernization. Armed-services.senate.gov

THURSDAY | MARCH 30

9 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Gen. Darren McDew, head of U.S. Transportation Command, testifies on the current state of his command. Armedservices.house.gov

9:30 a.m. Dirksen G50. The Senate Armed Services Committee considers the nomination of former Rep. Heather Wilson to be Air Force secretary. armed-services.senate.gov

10 a.m. Dirksen 106. Experts discuss Russian influence campaigns in an open hearing, and will hold a second hearing at 2 p.m. intelligence.senate.gov

10:30. Rayburn 2172. Three former officials discuss Russia’s violation of the INF Treaty. armedservices.house.gov

10:30. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. Sen. Ron Johnson speaks at the launch for a report, “Recalibrating U.S. Strategy toward Russia: A New Time for Choosing.” csis.org

FRIDAY | MARCH 31

9 a.m. 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Gen. John Hyten, head of U.S. Strategic Command, speaks at the Military Reporters & Editors Conference. militaryreporters.org

MONDAY | APRIL 3

8:45 a.m. Gaylord National Convention Center. The Navy League’s three-day Sea-Air-Space Exposition gets underway. seaairspace.org