Assessing North Korea’s ‘flagrant menace’

A White House statement called North Korea “a flagrant menace for far too long,” and said the latest test was “a call for all nations to implement far stronger sanctions.” It also added “the president cannot imagine that Russia is pleased,” noting that the missile fell in the sea closer to Russia than Japan.

U.S. Pacific Command initially said the flight path did not seem consistent with an intercontinental ballistic missiles, and experts said it appeared the missile was a single-stage, liquid-fueled, medium-range missile that nevertheless represents continued progress in the development of North Korean missile technology. The launch may have also included a test of a reentry vehicle, which could in theory carry a nuclear warhead, as North Korea has claimed.

Speaking on ABC yesterday, U.S. United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley issued another sharp rebuke to the North, saying it’s making poor decisions if the country’s leadership wants to get a meeting with the Trump administration. “This Week” host George Stephanopoulos asked Haley what the conditions are for a meeting between President Trump and Kim.

“It’s not this. Having a missile test is not the way to sit down with the president because he’s absolutely not going to do it,” Haley said. “I can tell you, he can sit there and say all the conditions he wants. Until he meets our conditions, we’re not sitting down with him.” Haley suggested that the most recent missile test is a response to South Korea’s election to replace its impeached leader; nevertheless, she added, the U.S. is prepared to impose more sanctions against Kim’s country.

While Trump has been widely criticized for his statement that he would be “honored” to meet with Kim “under the right circumstances,” South Korea’s newly-elected president Moon Jae-in has expressed a similar desire for talks to resolve the tensions, and over the weekend a senior North Korean diplomat also used similar language, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. Some experts, including one top diplomat who failed to reach an agreement with Kim’s father, say the timing could be right for a resumption of negotiations. But Ambassador Chris Hill warns it’s not getting the agreement that’s hard, it’s getting North Korea to allow verification of any deal that is the always the stumbling block. Read why “Trump may be the real ‘smart cookie’ on North Korea after all,” in our Monday magazine analysis.

REINFORCING THE SHIELD: Sen. Dan Sullivan will introduce a bill this week that would significantly boost the number of anti-missile systems off the coast of his home state and California, a member of his staff confirmed to the Washington Examiner on Sunday. The bill would mandate an additional 28 Ground-Based Interceptors in both states.

CYBER SHOCKWAVES: Around the world more attacks are expected today from the WannaCry ransomware worm. The outbreak, which erupted on Friday, has locked up an estimated 200,000 computers in more than 150 countries. It attacks a vulnerability in Microsoft operating systems for users who did not install a security patch or are using pirated or older outdated versions of Windows

Microsoft’s president and chief legal officer Brad Smith, writing on the company’s website, placed part of the blame on the U.S. government. “This attack provides yet another example of why the stockpiling of vulnerabilities by governments is such a problem. This is an emerging pattern in 2017. We have seen vulnerabilities stored by the CIA show up on WikiLeaks, and now this vulnerability stolen from the NSA has affected customers around the world,” Smith said. “An equivalent scenario with conventional weapons would be the U.S. military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen.”

Former Director of the National Security Agency retired Gen. Keith Alexander and Todd Rosenblum, a former principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, both discuss the threat from ransomware in interviews with the CipherBrief this morning.

VERY BUSY WEEK: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will be at the White House today for a meeting with the UAE’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, and then back at the White House tomorrow for crucial talks with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, followed by a consultations with Turkish defense minister at the Pentagon. Also tomorrow, Heather Wilson will be sworn in as the next Air Force secretary, the first civilian service chief appointed by Trump to take office. Wednesday morning, Mattis is hosting a breakfast at the Pentagon for congressional leaders, and meets later in the day with defense ministers from Angola and Norway, followed by the Swedish defense minister on Thursday.

Also on tap for this week, but so far not scheduled, is the major briefing on progress in the war against ISIS promised by the president during an interview last week. Pentagon officials say this will not be a rollout of the new strategy, but rather more of a “backward looking” review of what has been accomplished so far. And the week will be capped Friday with the the official portrait unveiling of former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, which will hang on the E-ring outside the the third floor Office of the Secretary of Defense.

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.

HAPPENING TODAY: Trump’s yet-to-be-implemented travel ban is back in court today. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled arguments in Seattle over Hawaii’s lawsuit challenging the travel restrictions. All three judges on the panel were appointed by President Bill Clinton. Lawyers for the administration are arguing the policy should be judged on the the plain understanding of the language, not on any statements the president made while a candidate for office. The revised restrictions are aimed at countries the president has judged to have inadequate vetting procedures to prevent terrorists from entering the United States. The case could end up before the Supreme Court depending on whether the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond hands down a conflicting decision. The president’s ban would suspend the nation’s refugee program and temporarily bar new visas for citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

NEW WEAPONS BUYING REFORMS: This week the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee will tip his hand on what could be a new round of reforms in 2018 to how the Pentagon buys its weapons systems. Rep. Mac Thornberry plans to introduce a stand-alone acquisition reform bill and get an interim report from a panel the committee created to look into streamlining the acquisition process.

Thornberry, along with his counterpart in the upper chamber Sen. John McCain, have waged a multi-year effort to rein in a sluggish system of military purchasing and development that produced billions of dollars in overruns for programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. The chairman has said this time he will focus on the acquisition workforce, cumbersome legislative requirements and further restructuring of the Defense Department’s Office of Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

CLAPPER’S DIRE WARNING: Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Sunday said America’s democratic institutions have been imperiled by Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey. “I think in many ways our institutions are under assault,” Clapper, who worked in the Obama administration, told “State of the Union” host Jake Tapper on CNN. “Both externally, and that’s the big news here, is Russian interference in our election system. And I think as well our institutions are under assault internally.” Comey’s termination was “another victory” for Russia, Clapper added during a separate appearance on ABC.

ROSENSTEIN TO MEET WITH SENATORS THIS WEEK: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will meet privately with the entire Senate this week to answer questions about the firing of Comey. The announcement was made by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who earlier in the day demanded GOP leaders arrange two meetings — one with Rosenstein, and another meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

A spokesman for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed McConnell is working to arrange the Rosenstein meeting. “Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has been meeting with members and has made himself available to the leadership as well,” McConnell spokesman David Popp told the Washington Examiner. “So the Leader is working on scheduling a briefing for all members from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Once we have more information we’ll be sure to make an announcement.”

On CNN yesterday, Schumer said he would support an effort to stonewall the Trump administration’s pick by refusing a confirmation vote until a special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. On CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Schumer said “I would support that move,” but Democrats will have to discuss it as a group.

TRUMP’S UPCOMING TRIP: Trump’s goal on his first international trip this week will be “to broadcast a message of unity” and strengthen American alliances in key areas of the world, national security adviser H.R. McMaster said Friday. During the White House press briefing, McMaster said Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy and Belgium will be his first abroad and he wants to bring American allies together during the trip.

The goal is “to broadcast a message of unity to America’s friends and to the faithful of the followers of three of the world’s greatest religions,” he said. McMaster added, “President Trump understands that America First does not mean America alone. To the contrary, prioritizing America’s interests means strengthening alliances.” The president departs Friday.

As Trump prepares for his trip, Reuters reports that the U.S. is close to inking a deal with Saudi Arabia for $100 billion worth of arms, ships, maintenance and missile defense.

THE TALE OF THE TAPES: White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Friday did not deny the existence of secret recordings of conversations between Trump and Comey. “The president has nothing further to add on that,” Spicer said at the press briefing when asked about Trump’s reference earlier in the day to possible “tapes” of their conversations.

Trump’s tweet seemed to imply there are recordings of his conversations with Comey when the former FBI director supposedly told him three times that he’s not under investigation when it comes to connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. “James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!” Trump tweeted Friday morning.

THE RUNDOWN

New York Times: Small countries’ new weapon against goliaths: Hacking

Fox News: Bin Laden’s son poised to become Al Qaeda leader, letters seized in raid reportedly reveal

CNN: China’s new world order: Xi, Putin and others meet for Belt and Road Forum

Washington Post: Believe it or not, Senate’s Russia investigation is moving faster than its Watergate counterpart 44 years ago

Defense One: The Pentagon’s new algorithmic warfare cell gets its first mission: Hunt ISIS

USA Today: Dozens of countries battle after-effects of ‘unprecedented’ ransomware hack

Reuters: Stocks shaky, safe havens up after cyber attack, North Korea missile test

Task and Purpose: 17 indispensable leadership quotes from Post-9/11 generals

USA Today: Chelsea Manning to remain on active duty, receive health care after prison release

Calendar

MONDAY | MAY 15

8:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Press briefing on President Trump’s trip to the Middle East and Europe. csis.org

2 p.m. Hyatt Regency Reston. Forum to present, discuss and answer questions related to the tactical wheeled vehicle acquisition program. ndia.org

3 p.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. State manipulation of Islamic rituals and symbols as a means for managing society in Tatarstan, the North Caucasus and Turkmenistan. wilsoncenter.org

4 p.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. U.S. Cold War diplomacy and the formation of the Third World. wilsoncenter.org

TUESDAY | MAY 16

8 a.m. 300 1st St. SE. A discussion of nuclear deterrents and missile defense realities with Jim Miller, president of Adaptive Strategies. mitchellaerospacepower.org

10 a.m. 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Ambassador Wendy Sherman, a lead negotiator, discusses the Iran nuclear deal. cato.org

11 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Kurdistan’s view of Iraq after ISIS is defeated in Mosul with Masrour Barzani, chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council. heritage.org

5 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW. The European perspective and the case for U.S. engagement in the Balkans. atlanticcouncil.org

7 p.m. 529 14th St. NW. “Eyeless in Gaza” documentary film screening with Bassem Eid. press.org

WEDNESDAY | MAY 17

8 a.m. 300 1st St. SE. A discussion with Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, on nuclear deterrent modernization. mitchellaerospacepower.org

10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Setting the path for streamlining and improving defense acquisition. armedservices.house.gov

10 a.m. Dirksen 342. Business meeting. hsgac.senate.gov

10 a.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW. Is strategic competition in Southern Asia an arms race or modernization? stimson.org

10:30 a.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Drivers of insecurity and instability in the Middle East and South Asia. wilsoncenter.org

11 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. The rise of America’s special operations forces with scholar and author Mark Moyar. heritage.org

1 p.m. 1152 15th St. NW. How the Defense Department can evolve and adapt the force for an uncertain future. cnas.org

2 p.m. Russell 222. Military space organization, policy and programs with testimony from Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Gen. David Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff. armed-services.senate.gov

2 p.m. Rayburn 2247. Combating homegrown terrorism. oversight.house.gov

2 p.m. Rayburn 2200. Threats to peace and stability in the Balkans with Hoyt Brian Yee, deputy assistant secretary of state. foreignaffairs.house.gov

2 p.m. Dirksen 419. Nomination of Scott Brown to be ambassador to New Zealand. foreign.senate.gov

3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2118. Military personnel posture for Fiscal Year 2018. armedservices.house.gov

3:30 p.m. Russell 232-A. United States military small arms requirements. armed-services.senate.gov

THURSDAY | MAY 18

9 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. The Marshall Plan at 70 with H.E. Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s federal minister for foreign affairs. csis.org

9:30 a.m. Dirksen G50. Defense Department nominations for principal deputy under secretary for intelligence; assistant secretary for international security affairs; assistant secretary for homeland defense and global security; and Army general counsel. armed-services.senate.gov

9:30 a.m. Dirksen 419. Nomination of William Francis Hagerty IV to be ambassador to Japan. foreign.senate.gov

10:30 a.m. 1667 K St. NW. Katherine Blakeley previews the Trump administration’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget request. csbaonline.org

2 p.m. Rayburn 2212. Amphibious warfare in a contested environment. armedservices.house.gov

2 p.m. House Capitol Visitors Center 210. Critical canine contributions to the Department of Homeland Security mission. homeland.house.gov

2:30 p.m. Dirksen 419. Strengthening democracy and countering malign foreign influence in the Balkans with Hoyt Brian Yee, deputy assistant secretary of state. foreign.senate.gov

6:30 p.m. 1250 South Hayes St. Rep. Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, receives the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award. ndia.org

FRIDAY | MAY 19

8 a.m. 300 1st St. SE. Maj. Gen. Michael Fortney, vice commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, discusses strategic deterrence. mitchellaerospacepower.org

10 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Defense innovation in a change-resistant ecosystem. csis.org

12 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Paul A. Rahe, an historian of political philosophy, examines how ancient Sparta stood firm against a great empire. heritage.org

1 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Why should the United States care about Ukraine? csis.org