Daily on Defense — Dec. 2, 2016 — From Mad Dog to Top Dog

Trump made no mention of the federal law barring recently retired generals from running the Pentagon unless they have been out of uniform for seven years. Mattis retired as head of U.S. Central Command in 2013, but his stellar reputation as a scholar warrior has won almost universal praise and is expected to pave the way for easy vote in Congress to grant Mattis a waiver to the statute, which is designed to ensure civilian control of the military. There was at least one voice of dissent, however. “While I deeply respect General Mattis’s service, I will oppose a waiver,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee’s personnel subcommittee. “Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule.”

But Mattis enjoys the unqualified endorsement of the chairmen of both the House and Senate armed services committees. Sen. John McCain told the Washington Examiner this week he’s ready to introduce the bill to grant a waiver for Mattis, who he called “without a doubt one of the finest military officers of his generation and an extraordinary leader who inspires a rare and special admiration of his troops.” “General Mattis has a clear understanding of the many challenges facing the Department of Defense, the U.S. military, and our national security. America will be fortunate to have General Mattis in its service once again,” McCain said in a statement.

Over on the House side, Rep. Mac Thornberry issued a similar laudatory statement: “Few individuals in the field of national security are as respected and admired as Jim Mattis. His nomination as Secretary of Defense is an excellent selection, and I am grateful for his willingness to serve in this capacity.” Thornberry also indicated he will support a waiver, saying he will work in the coming days “to clear the way” for his confirmation by the Senate.  

TOO MANY GENERALS? The selection of Mattis raises the question of whether that undercuts the chances that retired general and former CIA Director David Petraeus might serve as secretary of state. Trump already has tapped another recently-retired general as his national security adviser, Mike Flynn, and the thinking is that adding Petraeus to the Cabinet may overload it with too much brass. Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told U.S. News yesterday that you have to consider each person compared to the alternatives, saying their experience and credibility outweigh concerns about excessive military influence. “Considering what other options are out there, the ones he’s at least considering are people I’ve worked with and are pretty reputable,” Panetta said on the sidelines of a conference in Washington at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “I wouldn’t be that worried.”

PETRAEUS IS “RISKY” Petraeus’s conviction for lying to the FBI and for sharing classified information with his biographer/mistress won’t necessarily prevent his confirmation as secretary of state, according to prominent Senate Republicans who spoke to Joel Gehrke. “He is a very capable person and I think it’s totally reasonable that the president-elect evaluate whether he’s the person that a President Trump would need to do that job,” Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Senate Republican leadership, said. “I don’t think it’s disqualifying.” Said another Senate Republican, speaking anonymously: “I know that there will be others who have concerns, even others who are not on the committee, I’m certain of it. It doesn’t necessarily mean that if [Petraeus is nominated] that he won’t get confirmed, but it would be a very risky proposition.”

Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre), National Security Writer Jacqueline Klimas (@jacqklimas) 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.

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HAPPENING TODAY: The fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act is considered this morning in the House, where it’s expected to pass easily. Senate consideration is next week. Still no word on whether the president will veto the bill over a $3.2 billion increase in defense spending that is not matched with a boost in non-defense spending.

It’s worth noting that the bill brings some of the biggest changes to the Pentagon’s structure and the way it buys weapons in 30 years, going all the way back to the landmark Goldwater-Nichols law that sought to establish jointness among the services. The bill reworks DoD’s acquisition shop, limits the length of joint tour requirements, cuts the number of flag and general officers and caps the size of the National Security Council. More here.

SPENDING BILL: If everyone agrees on the funding level in the National Defense Authorization Act, why not just pass an appropriations bill for the Pentagon instead of a continuing resolution? That’s the logic behind a letter from Rep. Joe Wilson and Rep. Mike Turner, two senior House Armed Services Committee members asking House Speaker Paul Ryan not to stick the Pentagon with another CR.

THE MOTHER OF ALL BOONDOGGLES: The Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship is the poster child for a Pentagon program gone awry: 12 years behind schedule, hundreds of millions over budget, and incapable of conducting any of the basic missions it was intended to carry out. Originally scheduled to begin service in 2008 at a cost of $220 million per ship, the price tag for a single LCS has doubled to $478 million each. The ship has yet to be equipped with the systems that would allow it to perform its primary missions, and won’t be until 2020. At yesterday’s Senate Armed Services committee the GAO recommended Congress deny the Navy authority to go ahead with a block buy of future ships, at a cost of $14 billion without a new competition to fix the problems with the LCS.

For perspective, head on over to the Twitter feed of Defense News’ Chris Cavas, who’s seen this all play out before and calls it for what it is. Short version: the scolders have known about these problems for years and have been authorizing money for the program the whole time, and the scoldees just got here and are trying to fix this mess. McCain, by the way, did admit that Congress was part of the problem. “We could have intervened more forcefully and demanded more from the Department of Defense and the Navy. We did not. But as long as I am chairman, this committee will.”

DOUBLE TROUBLE: The troop cap in Afghanistan is forcing the Defense Department to rely on contractors for some jobs and essentially pay for some capabilities such as aircraft maintenance twice, Rep. Vicky Hartzler, the chairwoman of the House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, said at a hearing on Thursday. While she called the extra payments “very concerning,” the Pentagon has yet to provide her a number for how much this actually costs taxpayers.

SYRIA SANCTIONS: A key House lawmaker is promising to push harder for new sanctions against Syria, after Russia has opposed efforts at the United Nations to pass a resolution calling for a pause in the violence in Aleppo, Joel Gehrke writes. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Royce said late Thursday that Russia’s action is “shameful,” and that new U.S. sanctions would help secure peace in light of the U.N.’s failure.

“I will continue to press for a new approach — starting with U.S. sanctions that deny vital resources to [Syrian President Bashar] Assad’s war machine.” House Republicans have already passed a Syria sanctions bill, but it hasn’t cleared the Senate.

IRAN SANCTIONS: The Senate unanimously passed legislation Thursday that would extend sanctions on Iran for 10 years, a move many supported as a way to ensure the U.S. maintains its leverage over Iran in light of questions about its implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement, Susan Crabtree writes. The 99-0 Senate vote sends it along to the president’s desk for his signature. The vote came after the House overwhelmingly approved the measure, known as the Iran Sanctions Extension Act, two weeks ago in a 419-1 vote.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that the bill, which would preserve existing sanctions set to expire at the end of the year, is critical given Iran’s “continued pattern of aggression” and “efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the region.”

By voting in favor, Senate Democrats rejected a personal call from Secretary of State John Kerry, Crabtree also writes. Kerry had visited Capitol Hill Tuesday evening to caution Senate Democrats against renewing the Iran sanctions and urge them to prevent the Trump administration from unraveling the nuclear deal, according to a report in Al-Monitor.

ADMINISTRATION FAVORS DRAFT REGISTRATION FOR WOMEN: The White House on Thursday came out in favor of requiring women to register for the military draft, despite the fact it was stripped from the compromise defense policy bill this week, Gabby Morrongiello writes. “The administration believes our military is strongest when we draw from a pool of all eligible recruits,” Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. At the Pentagon, spokesman Peter Cook said his boss Ash Carter is on board. “While Secretary Carter strongly supports our All-Volunteer approach and does not advocate returning to a draft, as he has said in the past, he thinks it makes sense for women to register for selective service just as men must.”

NO MORE REGIME-TOPPLING: Trump announced a libertarian-like foreign policy at his first “thank you” rally in Cincinnati last night, Anna Giaritelli writes. While sharing core components of the tasks he will have his administration focus on, Trump rolled out new directions for the State and Defense Departments. “We will destroy ISIS. At the same time, we will pursue a new foreign policy that finally learns from the mistakes of the past. We will stop looking to topple regimes and overthrow governments, folks,” Trump told attendees at the U.S. Bank Arena. “Our goal is stability, not chaos because we wanna rebuild our country. It’s time.”

Fun fact: Mattis’ call sign is “Chaos.”

CARTER’S EXCELLENT ROUND-THE-WORLD TOUR: Carter departs tomorrow on a two-week trip during which he will circumnavigate the globe. The Pentagon says the purpose is to thank U.S. troops for their service, meet with important regional partners, and advance priorities including the Asia-Pacific “rebalance” and the defeat of the Islamic State. Countries on the itinerary Japan, India, Bahrain, Israel, Italy and the United Kingdom. Carter’s last stop is London, where he and British Defence Minister Michael Fallon will cohost an anti Islamic State ministerial. Carter’s back in D.C. the 16th.

OBAMA TO MACDILL: President Obama will visit a military base in Tampa, Fla., next week to deliver a speech about his administration’s counterterrorism strategy and what the incoming Republican president could do to continue it, Gabby Morrongiello writes. In his trip to MacDill Air Force Base next Tuesday, Obama will meet with U.S. special operations forces and other service members who have been heavily involved in the battle against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. White House press secretary Josh Earnest billed the visit as Obama’s final chance to discuss how his administration has “effectively and durably implemented reforms” to keep Americans safe. Earnest would not say whether the trip will mark Obama’s last domestic travel opportunity before he tosses the keys to Trump on Jan. 20.

U.S. TELLS CHINA TO BE COOL: The State Department warned China on Thursday not to undermine a new round of United Nations sanctions against North Korea following Chinese suggestions that the crackdown won’t affect “normal trade” with the dictatorial regime, Joel Gehrke reports. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters that China “plays an outsized role in terms of the impact of these sanctions; or, rather, the impact they can have implementing these sanctions.” China allowed a new round of sanctions to pass through the U.N. Security Council this week, but those sanctions were promptly followed by a statement that cast doubt on whether China intends to implement the sanctions in the way that the United States hopes.

VA CLASS SUB TO BE CHRISTENED: The Navy will christen its 15th Virginia-class fast attack submarine tomorrow at General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. The future USS Colorado (SSN 788) is the fifth Block 3 version of the class. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus says the ceremony “marks a milestone along the journey to add another submarine to our Navy fleet — a fleet that will reach more than 300 ships by 2019.”

THE RUNDOWN

Associated Press: On nuclear weapons, Trump faces questions of modernization

Military.com: Mattis Pick Could See Senate Clash on Women in Combat, PTSD

Task and Purpose: Being SecDef Could Ruin Mattis’ Legacy

Breaking Defense: Outbound SecAf James Warns Successor: ‘Beware The Unknown Unknowns’

Wall Street Journal: Congress Ready to Put Off Relocating NATO Intelligence Center

UPI: Lockheed Martin begins T-50A flight operations

Defense One: The NSA-Cyber Command Divorce Is Inching Closer to Reality

Military.com: Air Force Gets More Airmen, No Extra Planes in Defense Bill

Army Times: Army tests ‘HALO’-inspired knee brace that can charge your radios, mobile devices

Defense One: The Pentagon Wants Eye-Reading Software, X-Ray Tools, and A Virtual Facebook to Fight Terrorism

New York Times:  Subdued Vladimir Putin Calls for ‘Mutually Beneficial’ Ties With U.S.

Reuters: Aleppo rebels hope to reverse fortunes with new alliance

USNI News: Hadley, Albright Report on Middle East Calls for New U.S. Strategy

Calendar

FRIDAY | DECEMBER 2

11 a.m. Pentagon Briefing Room. Army Gen. John Nicholson, commander, Resolute Support and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, provides an update on operations in Afghanistan.  

12 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW. A panel of experts discusses how President-elect Trump’s vision for the U.S. relationship with Asia may differ from the Obama administration’s plans. atlanticcouncil.org

SATURDAY | DECEMBER 3

7:30 a.m. Simi Valley, Calif. The annual Reagan National Defense Forum includes panels with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford and Defense Secretary Ash Carter. reaganfoundation.org

MONDAY | DECEMBER 5

9 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Korean and American officials talk about what the relationship between the two countries will look like in the next administration. csis.org

2 p.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Robert Work, the deputy defense secretary, will speak about investing in the future of U.S. defense during a time of transition. brookings.edu

TUESDAY | DECEMBER 6

7:30 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. Defense One hosts an event on what helicopters will look like in 2030. defenseone.com

9:30 a.m. 1789 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The architect of the CIA’s enhanced interrogation programs will talk about his interrogations of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. aei.org

2:30 p.m. Dirksen 419. Think tank analysts testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about defeating Iranian proxies. foreign.senate.gov

WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 7

8:30 a.m. 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The U.S. Naval Institute hosts its 2016 Defense Forum, including sessions with Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, Rep. Randy Forbes, and Rep. Ryan Zinke. usni.org

11 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Rep. Michael McCaul keynotes the Heritage Foundation’s annual state of homeland security address. heritage.org

2 p.m. Rayburn 2118. The House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee holds a hearing on the California National Guard bonus repayment issue. armedservices.house.gov

THURSDAY | DECEMBER 8

9 a.m. Rayburn 2118. A panel of Navy officials and experts testify about oversight of the littoral combat ship program. armedservices.house.gov

10 a.m. Dirksen 419. State Department officials testify about challenges facing the department and USAID under the next administration. foreign.senate.gov

10:30 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW. A panel talks about the future of the all-volunteer force. brookings.edu

12 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. The Heritage Foundation hosts a panel discussion on how Trump’s administration should improve America’s nuclear weapons and missile defense policy. heritage.org

12 p.m. 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The Cato Institute hosts an event looking at how to convince China to work with the U.S. to coerce North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons program. cato.org

FRIDAY | DECEMBER 9

7:30 a.m. 300 First St. SE. Gen. Jay Raymond, the commander of Air Force Space Command, speaks at a breakfast event. mitchellaerospacepower.org