HISTORICALLY HORRIFIC: June 12, 2016, is yet another day that will live in infamy, marking the worst mass shooting in U.S. history and the deadliest terrorist attack in America since Sept. 11, 2001. The attacker was 29-year-old Omar Mateen, an American Muslim who worked as a security guard, had been interviewed twice by the FBI, harbored anti-gay sentiments, was described by his ex-wife as abusive and unstable, and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a 911 call just before the attack, which at this point seems to be inspired, not directed, by ISIS.
Late in the day, Defense Secretary Ash Carter posted a statement of condolence on his Facebook page, in which he pledged that the men and women of the DoD would stand by the people of Orlando and the nation’s LGBT community. “If investigators conclude this was an act of terror directed or inspired by ISIL, it will only steel our resolve to defeat this depraved enemy, prevent the spread of its hateful ideology, and defend our people.”
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TRUMP VS. CLINTON: The presumptive major party presidential nominees had very different reactions to the terrorist attack. Donald Trump doubled down on his call for a ban on Muslims entering the country (even though the attacker was an American born in New York) and Hillary Clinton called for stronger efforts to defeat international terrorism. Notably, Clinton did not call for tougher gun control. (With his security guard license, Mateen would have no trouble buying the guns legally). Trump did challenge Clinton to say the words “radical Islam” or withdraw from the race. David M. Drucker writes Clinton and Trump face politically treacherous terrain in the aftermath of the deadly attack. Trump says he’ll have “a major speech” today.
For the latest news on the Orlando shooting and its aftermath, go here.
OOPS: When notice of the Facebook post was emailed to some members of the media, the emailer neglected to delete the internal discussions among Carter’s aides. The back and forth, meant to be private, showed there was consideration of whether to issue a more formal statement, and concern about waiting until it could be determined if any DoD personnel were among the victims, since many were likely on vacation in Orlando. Could happen to any of us.
CARTER TO BRUSSELS: The SecDef is wheels up this morning to attend a NATO Defense Ministerial, where the agenda will focus on the Islamic State, Afghanistan and Russia. Our Jacqueline Klimas is among the reporters traveling with the secretary, and has a video preview here. Check back later for updates on what Carter sees as the next moves.
DOES TRUMP HAVE A POINT ABOUT NATO?: Clinton attacked Trump for his tough talk about NATO countries “ripping off” the U.S. by not paying enough for their own defense. But Trump’s just the latest in a long line of U.S. officials to raise the issue. Remember when Bob Gates scolded his fellow NATO ministers in 2011? He seemed to be predicting the rise of someone with Trump’s views.
GHOSTS OF LIBYA: President Obama has said that failing to plan for after the first Libya strikes was the first mistake of his presidency, so don’t expect him to talk much about the mission there while he stumps for Clinton, Susan Crabtree reports. But it’s a third rail for Trump, too, who has flip-flopped on what he would have done with Gadhafi.
NDAA INCHES FORWARD: The Senate on Friday voted to end debate on the fiscal 2017 defense policy bill, despite objections from both sides of the aisle that only a handful of the more than 400 introduced amendments had been considered.
Minority Leader Harry Reid, who took flack for a less-than-open amendment process when he was in charge of the Senate, slammed the “so-called robust amendment process” in a speech on the floor Friday morning.
A vote on final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act is expected on Tuesday morning.
CARTER TO CONGRESS: TRUST US: At his appearance at the Defense One Summit Friday, Carter seemed to be saying that congressional initiatives for improving management were unwelcome, shoot-from-the-hip micromanagement, while his ideas were well-thought-out, carefully considered proposals. “We took months and years working through them,” Carter said. “And I think that we need to respect the collective judgment of the leadership of the Department of Defense.”
NEWEST FOUR STAR: Air Force Lt. Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy picks ups a star as he takes his next assignment as commander, Pacific Air Forces; air component commander for U.S. Pacific Command. O’Shaughnessy is currently deputy commander, United Nations Command Korea and U.S. Forces Korea.
PLAY BALL! The Annapolis Capital Gazette reports Navy senior pitcher Luke Gillingham was selected on Saturday in the 37th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Gillingham is the second Midshipmen player in as many years to be drafted into the professional ranks. Stephen Moore, a right-handed pitcher was selected by the Atlanta Braves last June.
THE RUNDOWN
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Says Friendly Fire Killed Syrian Allies
New York Times: Wars Of The Future? Picture Big Armies And Many Fronts
USA Today: U.S.-Led Campaign Ramps Up Airstrikes Against Islamic State
London Times: Defectors Pour From Crumbling Caliphate
Daily Press: Arresting Gear On Ford-Class Carriers Under Scrutiny
Defense News: Elbit Poised for Next Growth Spurt
War on the Rocks: First world problems: Defense acquisition and the competition for ideas
Washington Post: Retired SOCOM commander and LinkedIn chairman join new Pentagon innovation effort
UPI: United Launch Alliance uses world’s largest rocket to send spy satellite into space
Wall Street Journal: Obama Aims to Complete Afghanistan Troop Plan by July
Air Force Times: Air Force F-16s, MQ-1 Predators likely to step up airstrikes in Afghanistan
Defense News: Russia Unveils New Navy Icebreaker in Arctic Military Focus
Breaking Defense: Cyber Attack On Satellite Could Be Act Of War: HPSCI Ranking
Military.com: ‘No Drone War’: Thousands Converge in Protest Outside Ramstein
Army Times: Army ditches plans for additional M4 carbine upgrades
ABC News: In Syria’s Aleppo, Divided Locals Share Fear of Total Siege
Wall Street Journal: Libya Forces Advance on Islamic State Stronghold
Military Times: ‘I try to remain androgynous’: Transgender troops in limbo as Pentagon debates policy
Calendar
MONDAY | JUNE 13
10 a.m. Grand Hyatt, 1000 H St NW U.S. Global Leadership Coalition hosts Gen. David Petraeus to discuss America’s role in an increasingly dangerous world. usglc.org
10 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. CSIS and the U.S. Naval Institute host Adm. Paul Zukunft, commandant of the Coast Guard, for a maritime forces update. usni.org
10:30 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Daniel Allyn discusses challenges the Army is facing during a speech at the Heritage Foundation. heritage.org
2:30 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The Hudson Institute hosts Afghanistan’s ambassador to the U.S. to discuss the fight against the Taliban in light of the death of Mullah Mansour. hudson.org
WEDNESDAY | JUNE 15
8:45 a.m. 1030 15th St. NW. The Atlantic Council hosts two panels to discuss security implications in the Black Sea for NATO and its regional partners. atlanticcouncil.org
9 a.m. 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The Cato Institute hosts a day-long event on the case for restraint in U.S. foreign policy. cato.org
10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. House Armed Services committee hears from top DoD comptrollers on the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness plan. armedservices.house.gov
THURSDAY | JUNE 16
9 a.m. 1030 15th St. NW. The Atlantic Council will discuss the progress of the Iran nuclear deal. atlanticcouncil.org
3 p.m. 1800 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., keynotes a discussion on Desert Storm and its veterans. brookings.edu
6 p.m. 1301 K St. NW. Michele Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, and Kathleen Hicks, former principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, discuss Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy platform. hillaryclinton.com
FRIDAY | JUNE 17
1 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW. The Atlantic Council discusses a new national security space strategy. atlanticcouncil.org
