NORTH KOREA MISSILES: North Korea yesterday fired off several land-based anti-ship cruise missiles, which don’t technically violate UN resolutions, but are still a symbolic thumb in the eye of the international community. The surface-to-ship missiles were launched from North Korea’s east coast, traveled about 125 miles, and fell into the Sea of Japan in the same waters where the U.S. aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan just wrapped up joint exercises with the South Korean and Japanese navies.
The fourth display of Pyongyang’s missile technology in as many weeks came just hours after the three-star admiral in charge of U.S. missile defenses testified before Congress about the growing threat from the North. “It is incumbent upon us to assume that North Korea today can range the United States with an ICBM carrying a nuclear warhead,” Vice Adm. Jim Syring, director of the Missile Defense Agency, told a House subcommittee yesterday. “Everything we are doing plans for that contingency.”
Syring wowed committee members with a video of the successful May 30 test, in which an interceptor missile fired from California scored a direct hit on the target, a mock North Korean warhead delivered by an ICBM launched from the Marshall Islands. “The scenario that we conducted was actually an exact replica of the scenario that this country would face if North Korea were to fire a ballistic missile against the United States,” Syring said. And while expressing confidence in the system, Syring also cautioned, “In no way should the committee take away that this is the final step, and we’re stepping away, declaring success.” The system is still not mature, he said. “We’re not there yet.”
COLD FEET: The latest provocation from North Korea also came after the South’s new president suspended the deployment of four additional launchers to augment the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defenses deployed in response to the threat, to protect both South Koreans and U.S. troops. President Moon Jae-in appeared to be bowing to pressure from Beijing, which opposes the deployment because THAAD’s powerful radars can see far into China. A South Korean official yesterday said the two launchers already in place can stay, but there will have to be an environmental assessment before the other four can be brought in, a process that could take years.
OH CANADA: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement issued yesterday that he is “heartened” by Canada’s new defense policy, which he welcomed as a “marked increase in investment in their military and their continued commitment to a strong defense relationship with the United States and NATO.” The new plan, unveiled in Ottawa by Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan would increase Canada’s defense spending 70 percent over the next decade to $32.7 billion, and slightly increase the size of its military, according to the CBC. “This new defense policy demonstrates Canadian resolve to build additional military capacity and a more capable fighting force, Mattis said. “In light of today’s security challenges around the world, it’s critical for Canada’s moral voice to be supported by the hard power of a strong military.”
The top Democrat on the Senate’s defense appropriations subcommittee, Dick Durbin, was concerned Canada’s declaration this week that it can no longer depend on a “free ride” from U.S. military leadership might be part of a trend caused by President Trump. Durbin pressed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley on whether he too was concerned about jitters among our northern neighbor and European allies. But Milley pointed a mirror back at Canada and others. “Many of their armies — and not just armies but navies, air forces, marines, etc. — have atrophied over many, many years and frankly a lot of them do need to improve,” Milley said.
Durbin also pointed to South Korea’s suspension of the THAAD deployment, suggesting Trump’s comment that the Koreans should foot the bill might have had something to do with it. Milley declined to comment on the South Korean politics, and expressed confidence the two long-time allies would find a solution. “We’ll work that out,” he said.
Good Thursday 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 J. 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 add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter @dailyondefense.
HAPPENING TODAY: Here in Washington they are calling today “Super Bowl Thursday” and the bars are opening early for the big event. Former FBI Director James Comey, fired by Trump, testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee at 10 a.m. to answer questions about his nine interactions with Trump before his unceremonious sacking. The committee took some of the surprise out of his appearance by releasing his seven-page opening statement a day ahead of time. It’s a quick read, the key points being that Comey confirms that he did, as Trump claimed, assure the president three separate times he was not personally under investigation. But in the statement Comey also says Trump pressured him to drop the investigation of fired national security adviser Mike Flynn (which Trump categorically denied last month with a “No, next question”), and declared that making a public statement to remove the cloud over the president was “inappropriate.” Democrats are using another description: “obstruction of justice.”
VINDICATED! The White House reacted not with a presidential tweet, but with a statement from Trump’s personal attorney. “The president is pleased that Mr. Comey has finally publicly confirmed his private reports that the president was not under investigation in any Russian probe,” Mark Kasowitz said. “The president feels completely and totally vindicated. He is eager to continue to move forward with his agenda.”
GOP TALKING POINTS: Comey’s preemptive strike allowed his version of events to dominate the news cycle leading up to today’s must-see appearance, which will be carried live everywhere except the Gardening Channel. But it also gave Republicans a chance to prepare talking points to refute some of the claims being made by Democrats who smell blood in the water. You can read all of them here, but here are a few:
– Trump knew firing Comey would be detrimental to his presidency, but he knew it was the right thing to do for the country so he did it anyway.
– Comey lost confidence of both sides of the aisle, and the president was justified in firing him.
– Comey and his deputy have even admitted under oath there was no obstruction.
– Comey has a long history of blatant contradictions and misstatements.
– There is no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
NO PRESSURE: In a prelude to today’s main event, top U.S. intelligence officials insisted yesterday that they never faced pressure to shape intelligence assessments to fit a political goal, amid questions from Democrats about whether Trump pushed officials to drop a probe into Russia’s influence on the election. Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, used yesterday’ hearing to ask two top officials whether they have felt political pressure in any way, but both denied it, Todd Shepherd writes.
“In the three-plus years that I have been the director of the National Security Agency, to the best of my recollection, I have never been directed to do anything I believe to be illegal, immoral, unethical or inappropriate,” said National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers. “And to the best of my recollection, during that same period of service, I do not recall ever feeling pressured to do so.” But when Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats was asked whether Trump simply asked him to back off, Coats declined to comment. When Sen. Angus King asked if there was a legal basis for their refusal, Coats responded “I’m not sure I have a legal basis.”
DISSATISFIED: The refusal of witnesses to shed any light on their communications with Trump left Republican and Democrats frustrated and fuming, Melissa Quinn writes. Coats and Rogers, on multiple occasions, declined to detail their interactions with the president, despite repeated inquiries. Coats also told Sen. John McCain that, “just because it’s published in the Washington Post doesn’t mean it’s now unclassified.”
“It shows what kind of an Orwellian existence we live in,” McCain said. “It’s detailed, as you know from reading the stories, as to when you met, what you discussed, etc., etc. Yet, in a public hearing before the American people, we can’t talk about what was described in detail in this morning’s Washington Post.”
McCain is an ex officio member of Senate Intelligence Committee and will be among senators questioning Comey, which is likely why he postponed today’s Armed Service Committee hearing on the Navy’s budget, originally scheduled for today, until next Thursday.
McCAIN: PUNISH RUSSIA: Aside from whether the president crossed any lines in dealing with the former FBI director, McCain says the bigger problem is Russia. McCain took to the Senate floor yesterday to call for a strong Russia sanctions amendment. “Russia deliberately interfered in our recent election with cyberattacks and a disinformation campaign designed to weaken America and undermine faith in our democracy and our values,” McCain said. “But in the last eight months, what price has Russia paid for attacking American democracy? Hardly any at all.”
McCain said he wants legislation now that would send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. will not tolerate attacks on our democracy. “There is no greater threat to our freedoms than attacks on our ability to choose our own leaders free from foreign interference,” McCain said. “So we must act accordingly, and we must act now.”
UK VOTES! Voting is underway in Britain’s snap elections, in which Prime Minister Theresa May is hoping to increase the Conservative Party’s majority in Parliament in order to strengthen her hand in upcoming Brexit negotiations with the European Union. It looked like a sure thing when she called for the elections weeks ago, but in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party was picking up support in the polls.
A-10 BACK IN THE CROSSHAIRS: Newly appointed Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson assured the Senate this week that the A-10 Thunderbolt II would remain in service for at least the next 5-10 years, but Rep. Martha McSally, one of the aircraft’s guardians on the Hill, said Wednesday that plans seemed aimed at thinning the fleet. The service now has nine squadrons, she said, but Wilson pledged to maintain just six squadrons in written testimony to the House.
The Air Force testimony says six is a “minimum” and that any additional aircraft are “contingent on future budget levels and force structure requirements.” McSally, a former A-10 pilot, said it was the first time the Air Force had said publicly it would go down to six squadrons. “I’d really like to know what those planning assumptions are of the six squadrons,” she said.
NO NEW DA/DT: The U.S. military is set to begin allowing transgender recruits in July after an historic policy change last year, but three retired generals and an advocacy group are worried Mattis might put off the move. The female officers, who wrote an open letter released by the Palm Center, are warning that denying the change could be a return to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” for transgender service members, “forcing capable applicants to lie in order to serve their country.”
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Mattis indicated he had no intention of reversing Obama-era advances for women, gays and transgender troops, but he left some wiggle room. “Unless a service chief brings something to me where there’s been a problem that’s been proven, then I’m not going in with a idea that I’m going to review these and right away start rolling something back,” Mattis said in January, adding “I’ve never cared much about two consenting adults and who they go to bed with.”
US SYRIA STRIKE, A VALID TARGET: A U.S. military investigation has concluded that a March 16 airstrike near Aleppo, Syria, legitimately targeted a meeting of al Qaeda leaders, and did not result in large numbers of civilian deaths, as alleged by human rights groups. “We simply found no, zero credible evidence to discredit the intelligence,” said Brig. Gen. Paul Bontrager, deputy director for operations for U.S. Central Command, in a Pentagon teleconference. “What we know with certainty is that this was an al Qaeda meeting, and there were al Qaeda regional leaders present,” Bontrager said. As for the local media reports of large numbers of civilian dead, Bontrager said, “Our investigation did not uncover evidence to supports those claims. We are not aware of large numbers of civilians being treated in hospitals after the strike.”
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, BUT YOU HAD IT COMING: Trump’s condolence message to Tehran in the wake of twin terrorist attacks in the Iranian capital reads more like a reproach than a statement of sympathy. The White House statement starts with a standard expression of sorrow, “We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times,” but then pivots to a rebuke. “We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote.” At least 12 people died after the Iranian parliament and the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini came under attack from gunmen and suicide bombers Wednesday.
CALL TO QATAR: Trump spoke with Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar in a phone call Wednesday, one day after the president cited Qatar in a series of tweets after seven Arab countries cut off their ties with that country. According to the White House, Trump “emphasized the importance of all countries in the region working together” to prevent the flow of money to terrorist organizations and “stop the promotion of extremist ideology.”
The White House also said Trump reiterated that a strong United States-Gulf Cooperation Council partnership was crucial to combating terrorism.
MEET CHRISTOPHER WRAY: People who have worked with Christopher Wray, Trump’s pick for FBI director, say he is an accomplished, principled and low-key lawyer who won’t hesitate to stand up to the president. Wray, 50 and a white-collar criminal defense attorney, previously led the Justice Department’s Criminal Division during two years — 2003 to 2005 — of President George W. Bush’s administration.
John Richter was Wray’s chief of staff in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and has worked with Wray at King & Spalding, their current employer, for the last four years. “Chris has what it takes in terms of experience, judgment, discretion and the absolute integrity that is needed for the job during a time in which all Americans want to look to the FBI and know there is an adult at the helm,” Richter told the Washington Examiner.
Josh Siegel has the rest here.
THE RUNDOWN:
Wall Street Journal: Arab States Drawing Up List Of Demands For Qatar
USNI News: Navy, Marines still struggling with T-45C trainer oxygen system failures
USA Today: Russia’s boost in trade with North Korea worries U.S.
Defense News: Shanahan formally nominated as deputy secretary of defense
Foreign Policy: Saudi arms sale hits possible Senate roadblock
Task and Purpose: Here are all the high-tech goodies on the Marine Corps’ wish list
UPI Security News: China rolls out export trainer/fighter aircraft
DoD Buzz: Marine Corps wants to build up missile, artillery stockpile
War on the Rocks: Washington and the latest Qatari row
Defense Tech: U.S. Army ready to field Israeli anti-missile tech, chief hints
Reuters: Violence engulfs Venezuelan capital, teenage protester dies
Calendar
THURSDAY | JUNE 8
POSTPONED: 9:30 a.m. Dirksen G-50. Posture of the Navy with acting Secretary Sean Stackley, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller. (New time is next Thursday at 9:30 a.m.) armed-services.senate.gov
10 a.m. Hart 216. Former FBI Director James Comey testifies about his recent firing. intelligence.senate.gov
10:15 a.m. Dirksen 419. ISIS’ global reach beyond Iraq and Syria. foreign.senate.gov
12 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. A lecture by author Roger Kimball on populism and the future of democracy. heritage.org
12:30 p.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW. Nuclear weapons and coercive diplomacy. stimson.org
1 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW. Development as a U.S. national security imperative with retired Adm. Mike Mullen, Gen. James Jones and Gen. Carter Ham. atlanticcouncil.org
2 p.m. House Visitor Center 210. Secret Service Director Randy Alles testifies on how he will reform and improve the agency. Homeland.house.gov
5:00 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW. CSIS Event: “The Kremlin Playbook: Understanding Russian Influence,” hosted by Bob Schieffer, with panelists Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, CSIS’s Heather Conley, and David Sanger of the New York Times.
FRIDAY | JUNE 9
10 a.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Book talk on Russia: Three Years After Crimea. wilsoncenter.org
MONDAY | JUNE 12
10:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. A daylong forum on religion and violence in Russia. csis.org
7 p.m. Rayburn 2118. Defense Department budget request hearing with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. armedservices.house.gov
TUESDAY | JUNE 13
8 a.m. 300 1st St. SE. Nuclear modernization and cooperative paths forward with John Harvey, former principal deputy assistant to the secretary of Defense for nuclear and chemical and biological defense programs. michelleaerospacepower.org
9 a.m. 1789 Massachusetts Ave. NW. A conversation about countering Putin’s Russia with Rep. Adam Smith. aei.org
10 a.m. Dirksen 419. Review of the FY 2018 State Department budget request with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. foreign.senate.gov
10 a.m. 1030 15th St. NW. Preserving and building on the Iran nuclear deal. atlanticcouncil.org
1 p.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW. Climate, conflict and refugees: Examining the impact of environmental change on human security. stimson.org
2:30 p.m. Dirksen 419. Recent incidents of state-sponsored cyberspace threats and U.S. policy response. foreign.senate.gov
WEDNESDAY | JUNE 14
8 a.m. 2101 Wilson Blvd. Mastering business development workshop. ndia.org
9 a.m. 800 17th St. NW. Manufacturing division meeting. ndia.org
9 a.m. 600 New Hampshire Ave. NW. Boeing Defense Space and Security CEO Leanne Caret talks about shaping the division for strategic growth. defenseone.com
9 a.m. 529 14th St. NW. Documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick preview “The Vietnam War.” press.org
10 a.m. Dirksen 342. Understanding the tools, tactics, and techniques of violent extremism. hsgac.senate.gov
11:30 a.m. 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington National Cemetery. 2017 Service to the Flag award ceremony. ndia.org
12 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Retired Army officer Conrad C. Crane discusses the creation of the counterinsurgency field manual. heritage.org
THURSDAY | JUNE 15
8 a.m. 300 First St. SE. The next ballistic missile defense review with retired Brig. Gen. Kenneth Todorov, former deputy director of the Missile Defense Agency. michelleaerospacepower.org
9:30 p.m. Dirksen G-50. Posture of the Navy with Adm.l John Richardson, chief of naval operations, and Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps. armed-services.senate.gov
10 a.m. Rayburn 2359. Defense Department budget for 2018 with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. appropriations.house.gov
