AVOIDING DIRECT TALKS: President Joe Biden’s strategy for finessing his insistence that the United States would rejoin the Iran nuclear deal only after Iran is in complete compliance with the 2015 agreement is to begin a process where both sides talk to the other signatories of the deal but not to each other.
Beginning tomorrow, representatives from the U.S. and Iran will begin negotiations in Vienna that are intended to begin a carefully choreographed, step-by-step process, whereby each side moves back into compliance with the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The talks will be structured around working groups in the European Union with the other parties to the agreement, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia.
“This is a welcome and potentially constructive early step, even if the diplomatic road ahead may be long, as it was during the first negotiations around the JCPOA. We are very clear-eyed about the hurdles that remain,” said press secretary Jen Psaki at the White House.
“The primary issues that will be discussed are the nuclear steps that Iran would need to take in order to return to compliance with the JCPOA and the sanctions relief steps the United States would need to take in order to return to compliance as well.”
At the State Department, spokeswoman Jalina Porter called the talks “a healthy first step” but said she would not “preview any specific sanctions” relief.
US-IRAN MEETING, ‘UNNECESSARY’: After the announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted that the goals of both sides could be met without any direct talks. “No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary,” he tweeted. “Aim: Rapidly finalize sanction-lifting & nuclear measures for choreographed removal of all sanctions, followed by Iran ceasing remedial measures.”
Iranian state television quoted Iran’s nuclear negotiator as saying, “return by the U.S. to the nuclear deal does not require any negotiation, and the path is quite clear.” Abbas Araghchi, who represented Iran at a virtual meeting with the EU Friday, said. “The U.S. can return to the deal and stop breaching the law in the same way it withdrew from the deal and imposed illegal sanctions on Iran,” according to the Associated Press.
REPEATING MISTAKES OF THE PAST: Among the flaws of the 2015 deal negotiated under the Obama administration is that the agreement is just that, an agreement, argues Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. “The JCPOA was not a treaty or an executive agreement but rather only a loose, political commitment,” he writes in an op-ed on the website 19fortyfive.com, where he is a contributing editor.
“If any nuclear deal with Iran is going to stick, it must be a ratified treaty with broad bipartisan support. There is no evidence, however, that Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, or Special Envoy Rob Malley have any intention to reach across the aisle or recognize that objections to their approach rest not only in partisanship but also in honest disagreement,” he writes. “Their failure to address such arguments head-on combines arrogance with a lack of self-confidence in their arguments. Symbolically, too, it is troubling that Biden’s team appears more willing to negotiate with Iranian officials than with Republicans in Congress.”
“Biden is making a huge mistake. The appropriate way to deal with Iran is for Biden to hold true to what he pledged to do in early February — to keep all U.S. sanctions in place until Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suspends his enrichment of uranium beyond purity caps imposed under the 2015 accord,” writes Tom Rogan, in the Washington Examiner.
“By desperately seeking Iran’s return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear accord, the Biden administration is squandering the vast economic leverage bequeathed to it by the Trump administration.”
US AND IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL MEMBERS WILL MEET TO ‘CLEARLY IDENTIFY’ SANCTIONS RELIEF PLAN
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ANOTHER BASE TO HOUSE MIGRANT MINORS: Over the weekend, the Pentagon announced the Defense Department signed off on another request for assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services for facilities and land to house unaccompanied children temporarily, this one at Camp Roberts, California.
“This support is being provided on a fully-reimbursable basis,” said an unnamed defense official. “DOD only provides this kind of support where it has no impact on military readiness and its ability to conduct its primary missions.”
No details on the number of children who would be housed at the base were given, and the Pentagon referred further questions to HHS, which so far has provided few specifics about the plans.
DEMAND RISING FOR USE OF MILITARY BASES TO HOUSE MIGRANT CHILDREN AMID SURGE
MORE NOMINEES SENT TO SENATE: In the face of criticism that the Biden administration has been slow to fill some of the top civilian jobs at the Pentagon, the White House has announced three more nominations: Ronald Moultrie for undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security, Michael McCord for undersecretary of defense (comptroller), and Michael Brown for undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.
“Each of these individuals is talented, experienced and highly qualified for the critical national security roles they will, if confirmed, undertake on behalf of the Department,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a statement. “I thank them for being willing to serve the country again, and I look forward to working with the Senate for their speedy confirmation.”
There is still no word on when the Biden administration will nominate candidates to fill the top three vacant posts, the civilian secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
AFGHANISTAN COUNTDOWN, DAY 26: As of today, there are 26 days left before U.S. and international troops are scheduled to withdraw fully from Afghanistan under the Feb. 29, 2020, agreement negotiated with the Taliban by the Trump administration.
The New York Times reports the U.S. is scrambling to reach a deal with the Taliban to stave off a spring offensive as the clock clicks down to the withdrawal deadline that the U.S. seems almost certain to miss.
“U.S. diplomats are trying to build on parts of the peace deal made with the Taliban last year, specifically the classified portions that outlined what military actions — on both sides — were supposed to be prohibited under the signed agreement, according to American, Afghan and Taliban officials,” the New York Times reports.
“The negotiations, which have been quietly underway for months, have morphed into the Biden administration’s last-ditch diplomatic effort to achieve a reduction in violence, which could enable the United States to still exit the country should broader peace talks fail to yield progress in the coming weeks,” the New York Times says.
CAPITOL SECURITY WILL BE COSTLY: In the wake of Friday’s “lone wolf” attack on the U.S. Capitol, in which one police officer was killed and another injured, the retired Army general appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to review security is warning improvements will take time and money.
“We’ve given them the plan. We worked the plan hard. Now it’s time for Congress to work the plan,” said retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honore on ABC Sunday. “The Corps of Engineers is standing by to reinforce the outer grounds of the Capitol with contractors coming in to put advanced fencing that can come out of the ground as required, that can provide more sensors as well as an integration of the cameras.”
The attack Friday, by a follower of the Nation of Islam with apparent mental health problems, resulted in the death of officer William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police force.
But Honore says the Capitol Police force needs to add a lot more officers to its ranks. “There are those who made snorty comments about, well, they have got all these police to protect one building,” he told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “It is the most important building in America because it’s the seat of our democracy. If that building and the people in it don’t function, we no longer have democracy. And whatever price we have to pay to protect it, we need to do it.”
“They are going to have to recruit hard, and in order to recruit, they’re going to need a special budget to get someone to come and help them,” Honore said. “We are competing against police officers for police forces all around the country, including the Capital Region. And hiring police now is not easy.”
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Demand rising for use of military bases to house migrant children amid surge
Washington Examiner: Antony Blinken lifts sanctions on ICC prosecutor targeting troops
Washington Examiner: US and Iran nuclear deal members will meet to ‘clearly identify’ sanctions relief plan
Washington Examiner: Military touts ‘wonderful teams’ of doctors for transgender troops, but combat concerns remain
Washington Examiner: Judges slap down court for siding with DOJ to keep ‘zip tie guy’ and his mom behind bars ahead of trial
Washington Examiner: Capitol officer killed after being rammed by driver; suspect shot dead by police
Washington Examiner: What are rare earth elements, and why are they important?
Bloomberg: Dispute Over Pentagon Funds Part Of White House Budget Delay
New York Times: With Swarms Of Ships, Beijing Tightens Its Grip on South China Sea
Reuters: S.Korea Minister Expects China To Play Role In N.Korea Peacemaking
New York Times: Military Closes Failing Facility at Guantánamo Bay to Consolidate Prisoners
CNN: Satellite Images Show Huge Russian Military Buildup In The Arctic
The Hill: Ukraine To Hold Joint Military Drills With NATO Amid Escalating Tensions With Russia
The Hill: Pentagon On Alert As Russia Steps Up Saber Rattling In Eastern Europe And Beyond
Defense.info: The S-400 Takes Aim at U.S. Alliance
Washington Post: Nearly 20 Arrested In Alleged Plot Against Jordan’s King Abdullah II
Washington Post: More Scrutiny Expected For Marine Corps After Fatal, ‘Preventable’ Disaster At Sea
Military.com: VA Expected Iraq, Afghanistan Wars Would Lead To Toxic Exposures, Agency Reveals
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Biden is begging Iran to rejoin the nuclear deal
19fortyfive.com: Opinion: Do Russia Or China Have ‘Limited’ Or ‘Unlimited’ Political Goals?
Calendar
MONDAY | APRIL 5
9:30 a.m. — Middle East Institute webinar: “Does a Transitional Government Offer the Last Path to an Afghan Peace?” with Afghan Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Javid Ahmad; Lisa Curtis, director of the Center for a New American Security’s Indo-Pacific Security Program; William Maley, professor at Australian National University; Ahmed Rashid, Pakistani journalist; and Marvin Weinbaum, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan studies at MEI. https://www.mei.edu/events
2:30 p.m. — George Washington University Project for Media and National Security Defense Writers Group conference call conversation with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday. https://nationalsecuritymedia.gwu.edu/
3:30 p.m. — Jewish Institute for National Security of America webinar: “Alleged Coup Plot in Jordan: Implications and Consequences,” with retired Israeli Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror, distinguished fellow, JINSA Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy, and former Israel national security adviser; and John Hannah, senior fellow, JINSA Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy and former national security adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/
TUESDAY | APRIL 6
9:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual book on “Stronger: Adapting America’s China Strategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence,” with author Ryan Hass, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution; and Jude Blanchette, chair in China studies at CSIS. https://www.csis.org/events/towards-better-china-strategy
12:30 p.m. — National Defense Industrial Association virtual Integrated Precision Warfare Review, }Impact of New Administration on Precision Warfare,” with James Geurts, performing the duties of Undersecretary of the Navy, delivers keynote remarks on “Navy Perspective on the New Administration’s Goals.’ https://www.ndia.org/events
1 p.m. — Atlantic Council webinar: “After the Insurrection: Countering Domestic Extremism in the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement,” with William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Paul Goldenberg, chairman and president of Cardinal Point Strategies; retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore; and former Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary McCord, legal director of Georgetown Law School’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/domestic-extremism
3 p.m. — American Security Project virtual discussion: “Beneath the Waves: A Deeper Look at the National Security Threats of Illicit Fishing in ‘Seaspiracy,’” with Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt.; retired Navy Adm. William Fallon, former commander of the U.S. Central Command; Ali Tabrizi, co-director of “Seaspiracy”; Lucy Tabrizi, co-director of “Seaspiracy”; Alex Cornelissen, Sea Shepherd CEO; Peter Hammarstedt, campaigns director at Sea Shepherd; and Andrew Holland, American Security Project COO. https://www.americansecurityproject.org/event
4:30 p.m. — Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies virtual discussion on a new report, “Dragon Against the Sun: Chinese Views of Japanese Seapower,” with author Toshi Yoshihara, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. https://sais.jhu.edu/campus-events
WEDNESDAY | APRIL 7
9 a.m. — National Defense Industrial Association virtual 2021 Insensitive Munitions and Energetic Materials Technology Symposium, with Lawrence Fan, acting manager of the Joint Enhanced Munitions Technology Program. nhttps://www.ndia.org/events
10 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual fireside chat on ”The Future of U.S. Naval Strategy,” with Adm. Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations; and Richard Fontaine, CNAS chief executive officer. https://www.cnas.org/events/special-event
11 a.m. — Atlantic Council webinar: “Preventing Nuclear Proliferation and Reassuring America’s Allies,” with former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel; former Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation Christopher Ford; former Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy Elaine Bunn; and Missy Ryan, national security reporter at the Washington Post. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event
11 a.m. — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association virtual 2021 5G Defense Tech summit, with Wendy Noble, executive director of the National Security Agency; Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Gen. John Hyten. https://dcevents.afceachapters.org/5gdefensetechsummit/agenda
11:30 a.m. — Technology Training Corporation virtual Next Generation Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance symposium, with Assistant Coast Guard Commandant for Capabilities Rear Adm. John Mauger. https://ttcus.com/nextgenisr
12:30 p.m. — Economic Club of Washington, D.C. webinar with Raytheon CEO Gregory Hayes on the commercial aerospace business and defense innovations. https://www.economicclub.org/events
12:30 p.m. — National Defense Industrial Association virtual Integrated Precision Warfare Review: :Impact of New Administration on Precision Warfare,” with Brig. Gen. John Rafferty, director of Army Futures Command’s Long Range Precision First Cross Functional Team. https://www.ndia.org/events
2 p.m. — Heritage Foundation and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute webinar: “The Need to Maintain U.S. Nuclear Deterrence: The Growing Threat from China and Russia,” with former Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., senior counsel at Covington & Burling LLP; Roger Zakheim, Washington director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute; Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute; Matthew Kroenig, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Center for Strategy and Security; Keith Payne, CEO and president of the National Institute for Public Policy; Patty-Jane Geller, policy analyst for nuclear deterrence and missile defense at Heritage; and James Jay Carafano, vice president of Heritage’s Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute. https://www.heritage.org/missile-defense/event
3 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies webinar: “Cooperation or Competition: Planning for the Next National Security Strategy,” with former Deputy Secretary State James Steinberg; former Deputy National Security Adviser Nadia Schadlow; Seth Jones, director of the CSIS International Security Program; and Daniel Runde, director of the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development. https://www.csis.org/events
5 p.m. — Institute of World Politics webinar: ‘How to Best Leverage U.S. Alliances and Partnerships Against the People’s Republic of China,” with former Acting Defense Undersecretary for Policy James Anderson. https://www.iwp.edu/events/webinar
7 p.m. — Physicians for Social Responsibility webinar: “China, the U.S. and the Risk of Nuclear War,” with Rachel Esplin Odell, research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft; Tong Zhao, senior fellow in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Nuclear Policy Program; Zia Mian, co-director of Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security; and Michael Klare, professor at Hampshire College. https://www.psr.org/blog/event
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It is troubling that Biden’s team appears more willing to negotiate with Iranian officials than with Republicans in Congress.”
Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, on the announcement the U.S. is in talks to rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement over objections of Republicans.
