THE RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE: The Pentagon often asserts that when American troops come under hostile fire, the U.S military always has the right of self-defense. Yesterday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, a retired one-star Navy admiral, launched a verbal salvo of defensive fire against Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, after Carlson used his prime-time show to call pregnant women in uniform “a mockery of the U.S. military.”
Kirby showed up at an off-camera Pentagon briefing with a prepared statement blasting the host of a popular cable show, which garners upward of four million viewers a night.
“I want to be very clear right up front that the diversity of our military is one of our greatest strengths,” Kirby said. “I’ve seen it for myself in long months at sea and in the combat waged by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve seen it up on Capitol Hill just this past month, and I see it every day here right at the Pentagon.”
“It’s that experience, and the professionalism and commitment of our people, that has always been our decisive advantage. A major but specific contributor to that advantage are the women who serve, civilian and military alike, and today, they serve in just about every skill set we put to sea and in the field. They’re flying fighter jets and commanding warships. They’re leading troops on the ground. They’re making a difference in everything we do because of what they bring to the effort.” You can read his full two-minute statement here.
WHAT SET KIRBY OFF: Kirby was reacting to a segment on Carlson’s show in which he mocked the Pentagon’s efforts to better accommodate women warriors with uniforms and body armor tailored to their bodies. Here’s what he said:
“So we’ve got new hairstyles and maternity flight suits. Pregnant women are going to fight our wars. It’s a mockery of the U.S. military. While China’s military becomes more masculine as it’s assembled the world’s largest navy, our military needs to become, as Joe Biden says, more feminine, whatever feminine means anymore since men and women no longer exist. The bottom line is it’s out of control, and the Pentagon’s going along with this. Again, this is a mockery of the U.S. military and its core mission, which is winning wars.”
WHAT TRIGGERED TUCKER: Carlson was reacting to comments President Biden made on Monday in recognition of International Women’s Day, in which he introduced two women aviators who he was nominating to be combatant commanders, Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, currently the U.S. military’s only female four-star officer, and Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, who will become America’s second female four-star.
“There’s much, much more work to be done to ensure that women’s leadership is recognized and we have more diverse leaders; we reach the top echelons of command,” Biden said. “Some of it is relatively straightforward work where we’re making good progress designing body armor that fits women properly; tailoring combat uniforms for women; creating maternity flight suits; updating — updating requirements for their hairstyles.“
CHASTISED BUT UNCHASTENED: Kirby stopped short of asking Carlson to apologize to America’s women in uniform, but as he wrapped up his daily briefing, Kirby expressed the hope the Fox News host would “realize the mistake he made and express some regret about the manner in which he essentially demeaned the entire U.S. military.”
That wasn’t going to happen. On his show last night, Carlson continued to mock female pilots who still report to work in the early stages of their pregnancies. “Maybe pregnant women make the best pilots. The Department of Defense measures everything. So there’s gotta be extensive research on this question. If the Pentagon can show that pregnant pilots are the best, we will be the first to demand an entire Air Force of pregnant pilots.”
WHY IS THE CNO ‘BETRAYING’ THE COUNTRY AND ‘DESTROYING’ THE MILITARY? On the same segment Tuesday night, Carlson also launched an attack on Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday during an interview with Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana.
Banks has written Gilday to complain that a controversial book on race relations, How to Be an Antiracist, by Boston University professor Ibram X. Kendi, was included on the Navy’s 2021 reading list.
“Why this book would be included on a reading list that usually includes interesting books about the geopolitical issues that America faces, and instead there’s a book on the reading list that tells all of our sailors, some who are very young, just out of high school, that they’re racist and that America is racist,” said Banks. “It’s deeply troubling to me.”
“If you were to destroy the U.S military, you would tell people serving in it that the country is not worth fighting for,” Carlson responded. “Is there any way to get this admiral and other flag officers up on Capitol Hill and ask them why you’re betraying your country and trying to destroy our armed forces?”
A spokesman for Gilday said the admiral is in receipt of the letter from Banks and will respond directly to him. “We appreciate the representative’s concerns regarding this issue,” Cmdr. Nate Christensen told the Washington Examiner.
A Navy official pointed out that “while not every viewpoint of the books on CNO’s reading list is endorsed by CNO or the Navy, exposure to varied viewpoints improves the critical thinking skills of our sailors.”
TUCKER CARLSON ‘DEMEANED THE ENTIRE US MILITARY’ BY SLAMMING FEMALE-FRIENDLY POLICIES, PENTAGON SAYS
JUST TO BE CLEAR: The requirement that the military provide women with uniforms and equipment that are suited to their bill was included in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Donald Trump, and supported by Republicans, including Florida Rep. Michael Waltz, first Green Beret to serve in Congress.
“This was really brought forward to me by an Air Force major I have on my staff,” Waltz said at the time. “She’s a mom of five kids, and to your point, it’s a tremendous expense, but also when we see these experienced — she’s an Air Force cyber-warrior, we need her to stay in the military and to continue to serve. And, you know, as they’re trying to have a family, deal with deployment, and they shouldn’t have to deal with these additional expenses.”
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HAPPENING TODAY: This morning, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet virtually with their counterparts in the countries known as the Quad: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The Quad alliance is considered key to the Biden administration’s strategy to counter China’s growing military strength and expansionist claims in the South China Sea, as well as its future designs on Taiwan.
WHAT US WAR WITH CHINA OVER TAIWAN WOULD LOOK LIKE
But yesterday, the administration said this morning’s meeting will not focus solely on China but rather will address a range of global issues. “Of course, China is a topic on the minds of many leaders and countries,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki, “but we expect they will talk about the climate crisis, about economic cooperation, about addressing COVID.”
The Biden administration is expected to announce financing agreements to support an increase in manufacturing capacity for coronavirus vaccines in India, something New Delhi has urged to counter China’s widening vaccine diplomacy, Reuters reports.
‘NOTHING IS MORE GLOBALLY IMPORTANT’: US AND QUAD ALLIES HATCH PLAN TO PRODUCE 1B VACCINES
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: Sentiment is growing on Capitol Hill to take down the fences and send home the troops that have turned the Capitol into an armed fortress. The latest call comes from the leaders of the House Armed Services Committee, Chairman Democratic Rep. Adam Smith and Rep. Mike Rogers, the top Republican.
“We are deeply troubled by the current level of security around the United States Capitol. More than two months after the January 6 attack, the seat of our nation’s democracy remains heavily protected by guardsmen and surrounded by a perimeter fence,” the two said in a joint statement.
“The present security posture is not warranted at this time,” the bipartisan statement said. “We appreciate our guardsmen answering the call to protect the Capitol, but it’s time for us to review what level of security is required, so they can return home to their families and communities.”
“In addition, we cannot ignore the financial costs associated with this prolonged deployment, nor can we turn a blind eye to the effects it will soon have on the National Guard’s overall readiness.”
GUARD CHIEF DID NOT CONCUR: In an internal policy memo, first reported by Fox News, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, expressed deep concern about the effect of the continued use of Guard troops for Capitol security, five days before Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved an extension of the mission until May 23.
The “non-concur” memo noted that the mission could no longer be staffed with volunteers and instead would require “involuntary mobilization” of units, something opposed by both state governors and adjutants general.
“I am concerned that the continued indefinite nature of this requirement may also impede our ability to man future missions as both adjutants generals and Guardsman alike may be skeptical about committing to future endeavors,” Hokanson wrote. “Pursuit of other interagency law enforcement options seems highly preferable to requesting involuntary mobilizations under the current circumstances.”
“Sourcing of the new requirement, the extension will be tasked to the governors to support,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. “We’ll be looking at whole units coming in. It won’t be done in the same voluntary fashion … and that’s for a couple of reasons. One, it helps protect these Guardsmen with their employment benefits. And, two, it gives a greater sense of command-and-control because they’ll be coming as whole units.”
Kirby insisted the extension was a stopgap measure to help the Capitol Police while they figure out what to do about their manpower shortfall. “Nobody wants to see [the Capitol] become or be seen as a fortress,” Kirby said. “The secretary’s made clear, he doesn’t want Guardsmen up there one day longer than required.”
NATIONAL GUARD CHIEF DISAGREED WITH AUSTIN’S DECISION TO EXTEND PRESENCE AT CAPITOL
WOMEN IN THE DRAFT: Tucker Carlson’s assault on women in the military came the same days a congressionally chartered commission testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the conclusions of its final report, which recommended that women, like men, should be subject to registration with the Selective Service System.
“When nearly 70% of 17 to 24-year-olds will fail to meet initial military ascension standards, we cannot afford to exclude half the population, the female half, from the potential pool of inductees,” said Joseph Heck, chairman, National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.
“Expanding draft eligibility to women is, therefore, an issue of standards, not gender. Expansion will strengthen U.S. national security and mitigate the risks imposed by an unforeseen future,” he testified. “It will enable the military to access the most qualified individuals regardless of sex to fulfill the variety of positions necessary to respond to an ever changing threat environment and provide all Americans an opportunity meet their civic obligations.”
MOH MONUMENT AND MUSEUM: Legislation that would authorize the creation of a monument to the Medal of Honor in Washington, D.C., and a National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, is making its way through Congress.
Both the House and Senate have versions of the National Medal of Honor Act, which would authorize the projects to be paid for by private funds, and would honor the less than 4,000 brave Americans who received the nation’s highest award for valor in combat.
The House version of the bill, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas, and Republican Rep. Blake Moore of Utah, was introduced this week and has nine bipartisan co-sponsors.
FLOURNOY CNAS CHAIR: Former Pentagon policy chief Michele Flournoy has been named chairwoman of the board of directors of the Center for a New American Security.
Flournoy served as co-founder and president of CNAS from 2007–2009 and as CEO from 2014–2017. She is currently the co-founder and managing partner of WestExec Advisors, a strategic advisory firm. Flournoy served as the undersecretary of defense for policy from February 2009 to February 2012.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: What US war with China over Taiwan would look like
Washington Examiner: ‘Nothing is more globally important’: US and Quad allies hatch plan to produce 1B vaccines
Washington Examiner: ‘Not warranted’: Armed Services leaders call for National Guard drawdown at Capitol
Washington Examiner: National Guard chief disagreed with Austin’s decision to extend presence at Capitol
Washington Examiner: Hong Kong chief accepts ‘socialist system with Chinese characteristics’ as Beijing takes control
Washington Examiner: State Department suggests US can’t thwart ‘virtually complete’ Russian gas pipeline to Germany
Wall Street Journal: National Guard’s Capitol Presence After Riot to Cost $521 Million
Stars and Stripes: Commission Pitches “Uncle Sam Needs You” Campaign As Senators Seek Ways To Increase Military Service Eligibility
South China Morning Post: China Protests After U.S. Navy’s Latest Transit Through Taiwan Strait
Defense News: The U.S. Military Has Put Scores More Ship-Killer Missiles Under Contract As Pacific Tensions Continue
Defense Daily: Fifth Generation Fighters Vital To Respond To Future Crises In Pacific Theater, Commander Says
Air Force Magazine: First F-15EX Arrives at Eglin; ACC Commander Kelly to Deliver 2nd Jet
19fortyfive.com: The U.S. Navy Wants Underwater Drone Aircraft Carriers
Naval News: The 100,000 Ton U.S. Navy Ship That Iran Is Copying
Daily Press: USS Gerald R. Ford Takes Another Step In Its Long, And Expensive, Journey
Defense News: Turkey Plans To Deploy Attack Drones From Its Amphibious Assault Ship
19fortyfive.com: Russia’s Su-57 Stealth Fighter: Ready For War Against Anyone
Vice: Even Trump’s Defense Secretary During the Capitol Riot Blames Him for Inciting It
New York Times: Standoff Over Iran Nuclear Talks Sets Off Global Rush to Save Accord
CQ Roll Call: Navy Conquered COVID-19 On Ships, But The Pandemic Has Added Many Burdens
Calendar
FRIDAY | MARCH 12
9:30 a.m. — Middle East Institute virtual discussion: “U.S. policies toward the Middle East during the Trump administration and lessons learned,” with former Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Simone Ledeen. https://www.mei.edu/events
11 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems and the Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security joint hearing: “Final Recommendations of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence,” with Eric Schmidt, chairman; Robert Work, vice chairman; and Gilman Louie, commissioner, National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
12 p.m. — McCain Institute virtual book discussion on Chaos Under Heaven: Trump, Xi, and the Battle for the Twenty-First Century, with author Josh Rogin, columnist at the Washington Post. https://www.mccaininstitute.org/news/josh-rogin
12:30 p.m. — Woodrow Wilson Center Polar Institute webinar: “Climate Security Risks in the Arctic,” with Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Ramberg Krutnes, Nina Borgen, deputy director of the Norwegian Security Policy and Operations Department’s Security Policy Analysis Section; former Deputy Defense Undersecretary for Environmental Security Sherri Goodman, senior fellow at the WWC Polar Institute; Ole Jacob Sending, director of research at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; Shiloh Fetzek, senior fellow for international affairs at the Center for Climate and Security; John Conger, director of the Center for Climate and Security; Kate Guy, senior research fellow at the Center for Climate and Security; Marisol Maddox, Arctic analyst at the WWC Polar Institute; and Michael Sfraga, director of the WWC Polar Institute. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/climate-security-risks-arctic
2 p.m. — Brookings Institution webinar: “The Needs of Women Veterans,” with Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif.; Jen Silva, chief program officer at the Wounded Warrior Project; Tracy Farrell, vice president for engagement and physical health wellness at the Wounded Warrior Project; and Michael O’Hanlon, senior fellow at Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/events
TUESDAY | MARCH 16
6:15 a.m. — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg releases his annual report for 2020. https://www.nato.int
11 a.m. — House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security hearing “The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction’s 2021 High-Risk List,” with John Sopko, special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction. https://oversight.house.gov/legislation/hearings
3 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel hearing: “Military Criminal Investigative Organization Reform Recommendations from the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee,” with Christopher Swecker, chairman, Fort Hood Independent Review Committee; Carrie Ricci, member, Fort Hood Independent Review Committee; Andrew Bland, former FBI special agent in charge, consultant for the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee; and Mary Counts, Former FBI supervisory special agent, consultant for the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee. A second panel will include Maj. Gen. Donna Martin, provost marshal general and commanding general, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; Brig Gen. Terry Bullard, commander, Air Force Office of Special Investigations; and Omar Lopez, director, Naval Criminal Investigative Service. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
WEDNESDAY | MARCH 17
10:30 a.m. — Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress virtual book discussion on Chaos Under Heaven: Trump, Xi, and the Battle for the 21st Century, with author Josh Rogin, columnist for the Global Opinions section of the Washington Post. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“When nearly 70% of 17 to 24-year-olds will fail to meet initial military ascension standards, we cannot afford to exclude half the population, the female half, from the potential pool of inductees.”
Joseph Heck, chairman, National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee in favor of including women in the draft.
