THE PRESIDENT’S BIG WEEK: President Trump embarks this week on his second major overseas trip, where he’ll meet with the leaders of Russia and China, two world powers that are challenging America’s preeminence. On Wednesday, Trump travels first to Warsaw to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and deliver what is billed as a major address the Polish people. He then continues to Hamburg, Germany, for a meeting of the G-20, with face-to-face meetings scheduled on the sidelines with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South President Moon-Jai-in and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto among others.
What to expect:
The Poland speech: In an address to Polish people to be delivered at historic Krasinski Square, epicenter of the 1944 Warsaw uprising against the Nazi occupation during World War II, Trump will call on all nations to take inspiration from the courage and spirit of those Poles during their darkest hour in confronting the challenges we face today. “He will lay out a vision, not only for America’s future relationship with Europe, but the future of our transatlantic alliance and what that means for American security and American prosperity,” said national security adviser H.R. McMaster.
NATO: McMaster said that while there are no official NATO meetings on the agenda, Trump will be meeting with many NATO leaders. “He will reiterate both America’s commitment to NATO’s common defense and his expectation that all countries share responsibilities and burdens for that defense.” Last week NATO announced a 4.3 percent increase in spending by member nations on their own militaries, which is $46 billion over the past three years. “We’ve seen countries strengthen their defense budgets in response to the president’s call,” McMaster said. “When we all do more, our alliance becomes stronger and our countries are all more secure.”
Russia: It’s not expected the president will confront Putin over Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential elections, but Trump’s first meeting with Putin comes as Congress is considering slapping tough new sanctions on Moscow. “As the president has made clear, he’d like the United States and the entire West to develop a more constructive relationship with Russia,” McMaster said. “But he’s also made clear that we will do what is necessary to confront Russia’s destabilizing behavior.” They will most likely discuss possible areas of cooperation, such as bringing peace to Syria.
The G-20 Summit: “The president’s primary objectives of these meetings is to work with our partners to jumpstart the world economy,” said Gary Cohn, White House economic policy adviser. “Economic growth around the world has been far too weak for far too long. It’s important that leading economies of the G7 take steps in their own countries to strengthen economic growth, but also to work together to address economic challenges that cross all of our borders.”
Cohn said the president will also make clear he’s open to a new climate change deal, one that doesn’t put the U.S. at a disadvantage. “He’ll make clear that he has decided to leave the [Paris] agreement because it was a bad deal for the United States, but that he is open to reengaging in the agreement or a new agreement if it makes sense for the American people.”
China: Trump’s meeting with Xi comes after he first praised China’s effort to help resolve the North Korean problem, and then declared it hadn’t really worked out. Since then the U.S. has sanctioned Chinese companies doing business with the North and approved a $1.4 billion arms package with Taiwan, both actions a poke in the eye to Beijing. And just yesterday, the U.S. conducted another “freedom of navigation” sail near a disputed island in the South China Sea, prompting a protest from the Chinese foreign ministry. The destroyer USS Stethem passed within 12 nautical miles of Triton island, which is claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, according to multiple reports.
Trump did speak to Xi last night by phone, and according to Chinese state media, he warned the president that “some negative factors” are hurting U.S.-China relations. Xi reportedly told Trump he expects the U.S. to abide by the “One China” policy, and avoid formal contacts with Taiwan.
Good Monday 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.
NOTE: We’ll be celebrating the nation’s birthday tomorrow and won’t be publishing. We’ll see you back here Wednesday morning. Happy Fourth!
FRIDAY NIGHT NEWS DUMP: While you were beginning your long holiday weekend, the Pentagon announced at 9:13 p.m. that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has decided to delay until Jan. 1 a decision on whether to move forward with a policy that allows new transgender recruits to enlist in the military. Mattis’ order for a six-month delay came just hours before the July 1 deadline set by his predecessor Ash Carter for the four military services to write their own policies to allow them to accept transgender troops.
“Since becoming the Secretary of Defense, I have emphasized that the Department of Defense must measure each policy decision against one critical standard: will the decision affect the readiness and lethality of our armed forces?” Mattis wrote in a memo to the service secretaries and the Joint Chiefs chairman. “We will use this additional time to evaluate more carefully the impact of such accessions on readiness and lethality,” Mattis said “This action in no way presupposes the outcome of the review, nor does it change policies and procedures currently in effect.” One year ago, the Pentagon under President Obama lifted the ban on transgender people serving openly in the armed forces.
The order also came just hours after more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Jared Huffman of California, sent a letter to Mattis urging him to deny the request of a six-month delay. “Throughout our nation’s history, the Department of Defense has benefited from diversity and equal opportunity programs and policies, which support recruitment, retention and promotion,” the members wrote. “There are thousands of transgender individuals in our military today. There should be no further delay in implementing this policy and allowing transgender individuals to serve the country they love.”
SERVICE SECRETARIES STILL MIA: That transgender memo went to two acting service secretaries who are placeholders because five months in, the top civilian positions in both the Navy and the Army remain unfilled. As the Senate heads into its final weeks before its summer recess, Trump’s pick for Navy secretary, Richard V. Spencer, has already been sent to the chamber, but so far the White House has announced no Army nominee to replace Mark Green, who withdrew from consideration in May amid controversy over comments about gay marriage, transgender rights and Islam.
The nomination of Spencer, a financier and former Marine aviator, was set for a committee hearing in June but was postponed due to Senate work on repealing and replacing Obamacare, according to an Armed Services aide. The Senate Armed Services Committee is now likely to consider Spencer before lawmakers leave Washington at the end of the month for a break that lasts until September.
IT WAS SARIN: The international chemical weapons watchdog confirmed Friday that sarin gas was used in the deadly April attack on a Syria town that left more than 80 people dead. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said it deployed a team within 24 hours to collect samples, attend autopsies and interview witnesses. Due to security risks, the team was not able to be on the ground in the Khan Shaykhun area where the attack took place, but traveled to a “neighboring country” to conduct its work.
The organization “has confirmed the use of sarin, a nerve agent, at the 4 April incident in Khan Shaykhun in Syria,” Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu said in a statement. “I strongly condemn this atrocity, which wholly contradicts the norms enshrined in the Chemical Weapons Convention. The perpetrators of this horrific attack must be held accountable for their crimes.”
MIXED MESSAGE ON QATAR: Trump said Qatar is funding terrorists, according to leaked audio of his speech at a campaign fundraising event this week, which could undermine Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s attempts to resolve a dispute between a range of U.S. partners in the Middle East, Joel Gehrke writes. Trump on Wednesday reiterated his support for Saudi Arabian-led bloc of countries that have blockaded Qatar, another U.S. partner in the Middle East, by calling it a necessary part of “the hard fight” against those who fund terrorism.
“I prefer that they don’t fund terrorists,” Trump said of Qatar, according to audio of the event that was published Friday. He then added of Saudi Arabia’s effort, “they really are fighting the hard fight.” Trump’s accusation also raises the question as to whether he’s aware that the U.S. recently agreed to sell a batch of F-15s to the Gulf nation.
Meanwhile, a deadline for Qatar to respond to a list of demands from the four Arab nations has been extended by 48 hours, at the request of Kuwait’s emir as part of his efforts to mediate the dispute, according to the AP, which reported the president spoke by phone with Qatar’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi.
“The President also underscored that unity in the region is critical to accomplishing the Riyadh Summit’s goals of defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability,” according to a readout of the calls sent by the White House. “President Trump, nevertheless, believes that the overriding objective of his initiative is the cessation of funding for terrorism.”
LAVROV MOUTHS OFF: NATO is “doomed to failure” in the 21st century for lack of “a reason for existence,” according to Russia’s top diplomat, Joel Gehrke writes.
“The attempts to adapt the institutions dating back to the era of bipolar confrontation to realities of the 21st century are doomed to failure,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday at an international foreign policy forum. “In particular, the North Atlantic Alliance has remained part of the Cold War paradigm as it tries to find a reason for existence … NATO has destabilized and continues to destabilize the security structure in Europe.”
Lavrov made that claim as he elaborated on the need for a “post-West world order,” as he put it at a European conference in February. That “renewed world order” would be governed by “a uniform interpretation” of international law. Lavrov’s comments come as western leaders, alarmed by Russian aggression in Ukraine and the Middle East, are boosting NATO defense spending and calling for new military developments to maintain a technological edge.
THEN CAME DENISOV: European countries concerned about Russian war games on their borders are simply “inclined to being scared,” according to a top Russian diplomat.
Andrei Denisov, Russia’s ambassador to China, said that the international leaders should regard joint Russia-China naval drills in the Baltic Sea as a “novelty” and an opportunity for the Chinese navy to take “a long-distance cruise.” The exercises, which are taking place in two phases over the summer, contributed to NATO’s decision to bolster their deployments to eastern Europe in recent months. “Those who are scared off are inclined to being scared,” Denisov said Friday on Kremlin-run media. “The main thing is that rules concerning such events should be respected.”
360-DEGREE VIDEO: See the christening and launch of the littoral combat ship Billings on Saturday here. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the ship built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin.
THE RUNDOWN
Japan Times: Taiwan scrambles jets as Chinese aircraft carrier passes through strait en route to Hong Kong
New York Times: ISIS Holdouts In Raqqa Nearly Hemmed In By American-Backed Forces
AP: Airstrikes propel Mosul gains, despite toll on civilians
Wall Street Journal: ISIS Setback Lifts Iraq Leader
Reuters: Gulf deadline to resolve Qatar rift approaches
South China Morning Post: US arms sales a morale booster for Taiwan, says Tsai Ing-wen
Fox News: Deadly car bombs rock capital, multiple casualties, Syrian state TV says
Agence France-Presse: Erdogan Hosts Russia Defence Chief Amid Syria Border Tensions
CNN: Former jihadi warns the bloody battle in the southern Philippines could spill into a wider war in the region
Reuters: Two Suspected Al Qaeda Militants Killed In Yemen Drone Strike
Task and Purpose: 11 post-9/11 military generals: Where are they now?
Wall Street Journal: Iraq’s dilemma: Who will lead the next big fight against ISIS?
Defense One: Former Pentagon money man to oversee defense of NATO computer networks
New York Times: Hackers find ‘ideal testing ground’ for attacks: Developing countries
Daily Beast: How U.S. Marines are using ‘ESP’ to weaponize intuition
Stars and Stripes: General says U.S. military should have presence in Iraq long after ISIS defeat
Defense News: BAE Systems gets green light on $4.9 billion deal from UK for anti-sub warfare frigates
NBC News: Pentagon Weighs More Aggressive Role In Afghanistan
Military Times: New Rules Would Limit DoD Officials’ Ability To Revoke Valor Awards
Air Force Times: A-10 pilot who braved ‘hailstorm of anti-aircraft
Calendar
FRIDAY | JULY 7
9 a.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The fight against corruption in Colombia with the country’s Inspector General Fernando Carrillo Flórez and Comptroller General Edgardo Maya Villazón. wilsoncenter.org
1 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Global leaders forum with The Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP, Secretary of State for Defense of the United Kingdom. csis.org
MONDAY | JULY 10
9:30 a.m. Senate Visitor Center 203/02. A panel discussion on the future of air superiority with Air Force Brig. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, Col. Tom Coglitore and Jeff Saling of Air Superiority 2030. mitchellaerospacepower.org
10 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Security and economic development: Silk Road and the Caspian. heritage.org
