‘A RESPONSIBLE END TO WARS’: While not tipping his hand on whether he will stick to the current timeline to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by May, President Biden used his first visit to the Pentagon to promise he will work with U.S. allies “to bring a responsible end to wars that have dragged on for far too long.”
“I will never hesitate to use force to defend the vital interests of the American people and our allies around the world when necessary,” he said in a brief speech delivered in the Pentagon briefing room. “A central, indispensable mission of the Department of Defense is to deter aggression from our enemies, and if required, to fight and win wars to keep America safe. But I believe force should be a tool of last resort.”
CONFRONTING CHINA: Biden spent about an hour meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior military and civilian officials in a conference room across from Austin’s third floor Pentagon office. “I was briefed on a new DOD-wide China task force that Secretary Austin is standing up to look at our strategy and operational concepts, technology, and force posture and so much more,” Biden said.
Countering China’s growing military and economic power will require “a whole of government effort, bipartisan cooperation in Congress, and strong alliances and partnerships,” Biden said. “That's how we'll meet the China challenge and ensure the American people win the competition of the future.”
Later, Biden spoke by phone with Xi Jinping, his first conversation with the Chinese president since taking office last month. “President Biden underscored his fundamental concerns about Beijing’s coercive and unfair economic practices, crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and increasingly assertive actions in the region, including toward Taiwan,” according to a readout from the White House. “President Biden committed to pursuing practical, results-oriented engagements when it advances the interests of the American people and those of our allies.”
THE TASK FORCE: A fact sheet released by the Pentagon called the 15-member China task force, to be led by Ely Ratner, a special assistant to Austin, a “sprint effort” that will focus on seven key areas:
- strategy
- operational concepts
- technology and force structure
- force posture and force management
- intelligence
- alliances and partnerships
- defense relations with China
The group is to report its findings in four months to Austin, so in Biden’s words, “We can chart a strong path forward on China-related matters,” but “no final public report is anticipated,” the Pentagon said.
ON DIVERSITY: Biden ended his remarks with a promise that his administration is “dedicated to assuring that every single person is treated with dignity and respect.”
“That's why we move so quickly to overturn the discriminatory ban on transgender service and why Gen. Austin's first memo was a directive to take a sexual assault in the military seriously,” Biden said. “Every single person, no matter their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or religious background, deserves to feel safe in the ranks and to have their contributions valued. It's on all of us to stand up to speak out when you see someone being abused.”
Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Victor I. Nava. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.
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SOLARWINDS: The news that the Biden administration has named Anne Neuberger, the National Security Agency's cybersecurity director, to lead the administration’s response to the SolarWinds cyber breach, is being greeted with cautious optimism by the chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
“The federal government’s response to date to the SolarWinds breach has lacked the leadership and coordination warranted by a significant cyber event, so it is welcome news that the Biden administration has selected Anne Neuberger to lead the response,” said Democrat Mark Warner and Republican Marco Rubio in a joint statement. “The committee looks forward to getting regular briefings from Ms. Neuberger and working with her to ensure we fully confront and mitigate this incident as quickly as possible.”
HOUTHI DRONE ATTACK HITS SAUDI AIRLINER: A drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport Wednesday set a civilian airliner on fire and prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to put in an urgent call to his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack, which came less than a week after the Biden administration removed Yemen from the Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist list.
“Secretary Blinken condemned the Houthi attacks against the Abha International Airport, which struck a civilian airliner. Secretary Blinken and the Foreign Minister discussed joint efforts to bolster Saudi defenses against attacks on the Kingdom,” said a statement by spokesman Ned Price. They also discussed diplomatic efforts “to find a negotiated political settlement to the war in Yemen.”
TANDEN GRILLED BY GRAHAM: At yesterday’s Senate Budget Committee hearing on the nomination of Neera Tanden to be director of the Office of Management and Budget, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham grilled the nominee on the Biden administration’s recent reversal of Trump policies aimed at tightening the border to cut down on illegal immigration.
“So real quick on immigration, here's what's happened thus far in the first three weeks,” Graham said. “We've stopped building the wall. We've halted deportations. We canceled [the] remain-in-Mexico policy, withdrew from the asylum agreements with triangle nations. We eliminated advanced vetting for terrorists, reinstated catch-and-release. We're considering canceling the public charge rule. We're ending travel restrictions with countries with national security concerns. Do you believe that the sum total of these policies will lead to more illegal immigration?
“I do not, and I would be guided by facts,” Tanden replied.
“OK. Here are the facts,” Graham shot back. “So, 178% increase in single adults coming across the border this time this year versus last. Fifty percent increase in unaccompanied minors. So, the fact that you don't see this as a problem is very disturbing.”
At that point, his time had expired.
‘EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES’: Former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly has written a candid post-mortem analysis of his handling of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt last spring and the decisions that led to his resignation.
The essay in the February edition of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine is both a mea culpa and a defense of his actions, including the firing of the carrier’s skipper, Capt. Brett Crozier, which were widely criticized at the time.
“In my view, he made a big mistake,” he writes of Crozier, whose urgent plea for help in a letter to his superiors embarrassed the Navy and led to his firing by Modly. “It was my call. Not the media’s. Not Congress’s. Not the retired generals or admirals who seem very comfortable enhancing their personal brands by second guessing people in public office — a role they resented when they were on active duty and grappling with life-and-death decisions.”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” Modly writes, before concluding he did almost everything right. “I have asked myself over and over, with the benefit of hindsight, could I have done things differently? Of course, I could have, but none of us have the luxury of perfect vision.”
“Do I still believe I should have relieved the Theodore Roosevelt commanding officer? Yes.”
“Do I still believe it was my responsibility to go to Guam? Yes."
"Do I still believe I should have addressed the crew with a tough message? Yes."
"Do I still believe I was correct in offering Captain Crozier redemption and a chance to continue to make meaningful contributions to the Navy? Yes."
"Do I still think I was right to resign? Yes.”
Modly says to the extent he erred, it was in the execution of his decisions, which while right, were “not done perfectly.” Among his advice to other Navy leaders:
“Don’t try to be someone you are not, and, as I learned, avoid using profanity, particularly when your audience might be global. Cursing can be an effective form of communication if you are a comedian, a football coach, or a master chief, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary. Sometimes it just might be.”
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Biden announces Pentagon China task force to review US strategy toward rival
Washington Examiner: Biden calls for ‘responsible end’ to post-9/11 wars as Austin hints at DOD budget cuts
Washington Examiner: Iran says window is closing for US to adopt 'new approach' to nuclear program
Wall Street Journal: Iran Makes Uranium Metal In Breach of Nuclear Deal
Washington Examiner: Biden to house hundreds of migrants in tents on Texas border
Washington Examiner: EU official floats Russia sanctions after humiliation in Moscow
Washington Post: China Claims Propaganda Win As WHO Coronavirus Mission Leaves Empty-Handed
Air Force Magazine: Space Force Building Plan to Combine Active-Duty and Reserve Service
Washington Post: With A $10 Billion Cloud-Computing Deal Snarled In Court, The Pentagon May Move Forward Without It
Breaking Defense: They’re Back: U.S. Subs To Carry Harpoon Ship-Killer Missiles
19fortyfive.com: Russia’s Su-57 Stealth Fighter: Computer Flies, Pilot Fights?
Air Force Magazine: Super Bowl Bomber Flyover Previews Future Tactics
Washington Post: Biden, Harris Highlight Role Of Black Service Members In First Pentagon Visit
Stars and Stripes: Ukraine Plans Black Sea Bases As U.S. Steps Up Presence In Region
USNI News: Early Experiments are Proving Out Tank-Free Marine Corps Concept
Seapower Magazine: DARPA Selects Performers to Advance Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Project
Orlando Sun Sentinel: A Navy Submarine Test-Fired A Missile Off Florida’s Coast Tuesday. It Happens More Often Than You Might Think
19fortyfive.com: Opinion: Afghan Study Group’s New Report Would Guarantee Failure
Calendar
THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 11
1 p.m. — Satellite News virtual 2021 SmallSat Symposium, with Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency. https://2021.smallsatshow.com
2 p.m. — Air Force Association Mitchell Institute “Aerospace Nation” virtual event with Lt. Gen. James Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command; and retired Lt. Gen. Dave Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. Invitation only. Video posted afterward at https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org
2 p.m. — Association of Old Crows webinar: “From Sarissa To Cyber Warfare,” with Peter Vincent Pry, executive director, EMP Task Force on National and Homeland Security. https://www.crows.org/page/Sarissa-to-cyber
2 p.m. — National Taxpayers Union and R Street Institute webinar: “Pentagon Purse Strings Episode 2: What the Coming Budget Battles Mean for Defense,” with Brian Riedl, senior fellow, Manhattan Institute; Jonathan Bydlak, R Street Institute; Andrew Lautz, National Taxpayers Union, Mackenzie Eaglen, Resident Fellow at American Enterprise Institute. https://www.rstreet.org/event/pentagon-purse-strings
4 p.m. — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs webinar: “The Biden Administration and the World: What to Expect,’ with David Shambaugh, director of the GWU China Policy Program; Kimberly Morgan, professor of political science and international affairs at GWU; Marc Lynch, director of the GWU Project on Middle East Political Science; and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker, fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. https://calendar.gwu.edu/biden-administration-and-world-what-expect
2 p.m. — Woodrow Wilson Center virtual discussion: “Freedom to Serve," focusing on diversity and inclusion, with Col. Eries Mentzer, 42nd Air Base Wing Commander at Maxwell Air Force Base; and Montgomery, Ala. Mayor Steven Reed. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event
4 p.m. — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs webinar: “The Biden Administration and the World: What to Expect,” with David Shambaugh, director of the GWU China Policy Program; Kimberly Morgan, professor of political science and international affairs at GWU; Marc Lynch, director of the GWU Project on Middle East Political Science; and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker, fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. https://calendar.gwu.edu/biden-administration-and-world-what-expect
MONDAY | FEBRUARY 15 | PRESIDENTS’ DAY
Federal holiday — No Daily on Defense.
TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 16
7 a.m. — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg briefs reporters ahead of the meeting of the NATO defense ministers, which will be held via video conference on Wednesday and Thursday. Available live on the NATO website, as well as on Twitter and Facebook. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news
TBA — President Joe Biden will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 17
11 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: “Update on the Department of Defense’s Evolving Roles and Mission in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” with testimony from Robert Salesses, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security; Air Force Maj. Gen. Jeff Taliaferro, vice director for operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Nordhaus, director of operations, National Guard Bureau.
11 a.m. — Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress virtual book discussion: “The Cyberweapons Arms Race,” with Nicole Perlroth, cybersecurity journalist for The New York Times, author of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
4 p.m. — George Washington University Project for Media and National Security Defense Writers Group conference call conversation with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown. https://nationalsecuritymedia.gwu.edu/
TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23
7 p.m. — Stimson Center and Sejong Institute Zoom webinar: “US and ROK Approaches to North Korea: Challenges and Opportunities,” with Jungsup Kim, senior research fellow, Sejong Institute; Jihwan Hwang, professor, University of Seoul; Suzanne DiMaggio, senior fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Jenny Town, fellow, Stimson Center and deputy director, 38 North; and moderated by Joel S. Wit, senior fellow, Stimson Center and Director, 38 North.https://www.stimson.org/event
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I will never, ever dishonor you. I will never disrespect you. I will never politicize the work you do. That goes for our civilian professionals as well as the career military.”
President Biden in remarks addressed to uniformed and civilian workers at the Pentagon Wednesday.
