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THREAT, COUNTER-THREAT: As President Trump works to assemble a coalition of the willing to carry out a coordinated strike against Syria in response to its suspected use of chemical weapons, Russia is working just as hard to convince Trump that he risks direct military confrontation with Moscow if he orders a retaliatory air attack. And just this morning, Trump is hitting back. The most direct threat came last night from Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon, who in an interview with Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV said Russia would not only shoot down any incoming missiles but also target the “sources,” an apparent threat to attack U.S. ships or planes that launch any munitions. “If there is a strike by the Americans, then … the missiles will be downed and even the sources from which the missiles were fired,” said Alexander Zasypkin, speaking in Arabic, according to Reuters. Russia state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Andrei Krasov, deputy chairman of the State Duma’s defense committee, as saying that Russia will treat a U.S. airstrike on Syria “not just as an act of aggression but a war crime of the Western coalition.” It was one of several bellicose warnings from Russian lawmakers. And at the U.N., Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned of “very sad and serious events” if Syria is attacked. “The threats that you’re stating, vis-à-vis Syria, should make us seriously worried, all of us, because we could find ourselves on the threshold of some very sad and serious events,” Nebenzia said through a translator. “I would once again ask you to refrain from the plans you’re making against Syria.” TRUMP RESPONDS THIS MORNING: “Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’ You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!” Trump tweeted. MORE MOVES ON THE CHESSBOARD: While Pentagon planning continues for a potential joint U.S., British and French attack, Syria has been flying what’s left of its air force to Russian bases in Syria in an effort to complicate any Pentagon strike plans. This time last year, the U.S. used 59 cruise missiles to target a Syrian airfield after confirming nerve gas was used against civilians in the town of Khan Shaykhun. Both Britain and France have ships capable of firing cruise missiles, an option that would limit any risk to pilots from Russian or Syrian air defenses. While Russia has boasted it can shoot down cruise missiles, it’s a notoriously difficult task because of how low and fast they fly. B-2s PERHAPS? The U.S. has other options to thwart Russia’s advanced air defenses. In January 2017, when the U.S. wanted to drop 100 bombs on Islamic State fighters in the desert of Libya, it called on a pair of radar-evading B-2 stealth bombers to fly more than 30 hours round trip from Whiteman Air Force base in Missouri. At the time, Pentagon officials said the B-2s were a logical choice because there was no U.S. aircraft carrier in the region. That happens to also be the case today, although the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook is in the eastern Mediterranean within striking distance of Syria. CHECK, COUNTER CHECK: At yesterday’s Security Council session, Russia and the United States each used their vetoes to block the other’s proposals for an international investigation into the veracity of the reported chemical weapons attacks in Syria. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley insisted the Americans “went the extra mile” to accommodate Moscow. “We tried to take every Russian proposal that did not compromise the impartiality, independence, or professionalism of a new attribution mechanism,” but in the end, she said Russia wanted a process that it could control. “The key point is our resolution guarantees that any investigations will truly be independent. Russia’s resolution gives Russia itself the chance to choose the investigators and then to assess the outcome. There is nothing independent about that,” Haley said. “When the people of Douma along with rest of the international community looked to this council to act, one country stood in the way of that,” Haley said after Russia vetoed the U.S. proposal. “History will record that on this day, Russia chose protecting a monster over the lives of the Syrian people.” TRIPS CANCELED: The White House announced yesterday President Trump is canceling his plans to attend the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, later this week in order to focus on Syria. Shortly afterward, the Pentagon confirmed Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will curtail his plans for domestic travel this week. He’ll skip a planned visit to Nevada Friday, but will still keep an appointment in New York tomorrow, after he testifies before the House Armed Services Committee in the morning, along with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford. AIRLINES WARNED: European Aviation Safety Agency has posted a “Rapid Alert Notification” on its website that warns the next three days could pose a hazard to commercial air flight in the airspace near Syria. “We have published the notification … in accordance with normal procedures for disseminating this kind of information,” EASA said on Twitter. “Due to the possible launch of air strikes into Syria with air-to-ground and/or cruise missiles within the next 72 hours, and the possibility of intermittent disruption of radio navigation equipment, due consideration needs to be taken when planning flight operations in the Eastern Mediterranean/Nicosia FIR area,” the notice said. U.S. CAN DO ITS OWN CHECKING: Meanwhile, an international team of chemical weapons investigators is preparing to deploy to Syria, another factor that could complicate strikes. The experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will leave shortly on a fact-finding mission, according to a statement from the group, and Russian and Syrian officials would have to ensure safe access for the group. But the State Department says Trump might not feel obliged to await the results of an international investigation. “The United States government has its own mechanisms to be able to look into things,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters. SENATORS ON ASSAD STRIKE: Top Republicans in the Senate were backing a swift military strike on Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government on Tuesday. “I hope that one is coming and I hope that it is surgical in nature but inflicting significant damage to the regime as a signal that we will not tolerate … the use of chemical weapons on citizens who are vulnerable,” said Sen. Bob Corker, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman. Corker said he hopes any U.S. strike will involve international allies. Sen. Jim Inhofe, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Trump was prepared to make good on a U.S. policy opposing chemical weapons. “It’d have to be, in my opinion, a form of explosive response like he did the last time,” when the U.S. hit a Syrian air base with Tomahawk missiles, Inhofe said. Senate Democrats appeared more divided and hesitant to strike the regime. Sen. Gary Peters, an Armed Services member, said the U.S. military response has to be significant and that Trump has the authority to wage an attack. “I think given the severity of the chemical attack and the fact that it’s been pretty clear we put down lines that this is unacceptable behavior that I would believe that he does,” Peters said. Not all Democrats feel the same. Sen. Chris Murphy said any strike by Trump would be illegal without congressional consent. “Every time the president bombs Syria without authorization it makes it clearer, clearer that he is prepared to act anywhere in the world without coming to Congress. If he can bomb Syria without checking with us first, why can’t he bomb North Korea?” Murphy said. ALL IS WELL AT THE WHITE HOUSE: “So much Fake News about what is going on in the White House. Very calm and calculated with a big focus on open and fair trade with China, the coming North Korea meeting and, of course, the vicious gas attack in Syria,” Trump tweeted this morning. Good Wednesday 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. |
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HAPPENING TODAY — MISSILE DEFENSE HEARINGS: The House and Senate will hold hearings this morning on missile defense. Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, the director of the Missile Defense Agency, testifies on his 2019 budget request to the Senate Appropriations Committee at 10. On the other side of the Capitol, Gen. John Hyten, the head of U.S. Strategic Command, will be in a closed hearing before the House Appropriations Committee. ALSO: The House Armed Services Committee will delve into the budget for cyber operations this afternoon at 3:30 with testimony from Adm. Mike Rogers, the head of U.S. Cyber Command, and Kenneth Rapuano, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security. SEA-AIR-SPACE: The Navy League’s annual Sea-Air-Space exposition wraps up today, beginning with a congressional breakfast panel featuring Reps. Rob Wittman and Joe Courtney, the leaders of the House Armed Services seapower subcommittee. Navy undersecretary Thomas Modly will give the lunchtime keynote address. Here’s a rundown of coverage from Tuesday’s events:
BOLTON IN, BOSSERT OUT: Just one day after John Bolton took over as national security adviser, Trump’s homeland security adviser Tom Bossert resigned, at Bolton’s request. Bolton wants to build his own team, according to administration officials. “The President is grateful for Tom’s commitment to the safety and security of our great country,” press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. Bossert, who played a key role coordinating the administration’s response to hurricanes Harvey and Irma last summer, has been with the White House since Trump entered office. NEW COMMANDERS NOMINATED: Trump has nominated two four-stars to take over U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Northern Command. If confirmed, Air Force Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy will succeed Gen. Lori Robinson at NORTHCOM, while Adm. Philip Davidson will follow Adm. Harry Harris at PACOM. Harris has been nominated to be U.S. ambassador to Australia. O’Shaughnessy is serving as commander of Pacific Air Forces; air component commander for U.S. Pacific Command, while Davidson is commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. 38 NORTH LOSES FUNDING: The highly respected website 38 North is vowing it will continue even though the site, which provides authoritative analysis of all things North Korea, has lost a major funder. “Many of you have probably seen news reports that the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) is ending the funding for our parent institution, the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies,” writes founder Joel Wit in an email to followers of the site. “This is a very unfortunate development given the institute’s history.” Wit notes the US-Korea Institute was founded by Don Oberdorfer, a well-known Washington Post correspondent and long-time Korea watcher, and chairmen of the institute have included Ambassadors Stephen Bosworth and Robert L. Gallucci, both former U.S. government officials who played key roles in shaping U.S. policy toward North Korea. “Without commenting on the current controversy, I would like to assure our readers that 38 North will continue its operations despite the demise of USKI,” Wit said, promising “More news on that front will be coming soon.” EMP COMMISSION OVERBILLED: Congress’ commission to study the threat of electromagnetic pulse attacks on the U.S. might have overbilled the government by $118,755, a Pentagon inspector general report found. An unnamed expert used by the commission claimed 1,131 questionable hours on time cards last year, including 12 hours of work on New Year’s Day and 8 hours on the Fourth of July, the IG reported. “Over the 72-day period he billed 928 hours. That’s an average of 12.88 hours EVERY SINGLE day,” according to an email by a contracting officer’s representative quoted in the report. “January was his busiest month. For the 31-day period, he averaged 15.09 hours EVERY SINGLE day. I really doubt those figures.” Rep. Mac Thornberry, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, requested the Pentagon audit of billed hours. The EMP commission was created in 2001 to examine the possibility that a nuclear weapon could be detonated in the upper atmosphere and cause a devastating attack on U.S. infrastructure and electronics. William Graham, the commission chairman, challenged the IG report findings in a lengthy letter, saying it has the “characteristics of a vendetta” and provided “no evidence” of inappropriate action. AIR FORCE ONE: The Air Force has announced that Boeing has been awarded a contract modification valued at approximately $25 million to continue work on the VC-25B, the new Air Force One aircraft. “This funding will allow the contractor to continue with the design process, provide continuity in engineering and design labor and preserve the overall schedule. The cost of this modification is included within the $3.9 billion total price for two aircraft that the president and Boeing chairman agreed to earlier this year,” said Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. McCAIN’s RETURN STILL UNCERTAIN: There was a brief moment yesterday when it appeared Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain might be making a return to Washington just in time to work on a major defense bill, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding. Inhofe’s office had to gently walk back a hallway comment that led reporters to believe McCain would report to work on May 1 to oversee the process of reauthorizing defense programs. However, Inhofe’s spokeswoman said there was a miscommunication and Inhofe doesn’t know when McCain will come back to Washington. “They haven’t had any conversations about that,” spokeswoman Leacy Burke told us. “Inhofe was just communicating that Chairman McCain has set the date for the NDAA process to start – May 7.” NOBODY PANIC: People on Twitter started getting twitchy last night after early reports of a mysterious “incident” that had occurred at an Air Force missile alert facility in Nebraska. But it later turned out that a piece of electrical equipment had overheated and caused smoke, prompting fire department response and the evacuation of two service members for “minor smoke inhalation.” “The public was never in danger and the safety and security of the Minuteman system was never in doubt,” said Col. Matthew Dillow, vice commander of the 90th Missile Wing. THE RUNDOWN Reuters: Saudi could take part in military response in Syria: Crown Prince USA Today: Global weapons watchdog sending team to investigate Syria gas attack Defense News: Senate appropriations committee shake-up hits key defense, veterans lawmakers Task and Purpose: The Navy Just Called Bulls–t On Reports That A US Warship Is Lurking In Syrian Waters Air Force Times: Airstrikes against Taliban drug labs extend to western Afghanistan New York Times: Trump Now Sees Qatar as an Ally Against Terrorism Defense One: Going BRAC-less: What to Do with the US Military’s Excess Property Daily Beast: Trump’s Military Strike on Syria Will Be Illegal Breaking Defense: Navy’s New High Altitude Drones Ready for Pacific Navy Times: CMV-22 Osprey will deploy on Vinson with F-35C in 2021 Defense Tech: Air Force Looks to Artificial Intelligence to Fight Future Wars |
CalendarWEDNESDAY | APRIL 11 7:30 a.m. 900 S Omre St. Air Force Association Breakfast Series with Gen. Robin Rand, of Air Force Global Strike Command. afa.org 8 a.m. 2401 M St. NW. Defense Writers Group breakfast with Adm. Paul Zukunft, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. 9 a.m. 201 Waterfront St. Sea-Air-Space, the Navy League’s global maritime exposition with Thomas Modley, Under Secretary of the Navy. seaairspace.org 9:30 a.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW. The UN’s New “Sustaining Peace” Agenda. stimson.org 10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Hearing on Cyber Operations Today: Preparing for 21st Century Challenges in an Information-Enabled Society. armedservices.house.gov 10 a.m. House 140. Closed Hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Budget of U.S. Strategic Command with Gen. John Hyten. appropriations.house.gov 10 a.m. Dirksen 192. Subcommittee hearing to review the FY2019 budget request for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency with Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves. appropriations.senate.gov 11 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Book discussion of “Zbigniew Brzezinski: America’s grand strategist” with author Justin Vaïsse. brookings.edu 12 noon. Iran’s Ballistic Missiles: Capabilities, Intentions, and the Evolving Threat (invitation only event). defenddemocracy.org 1:30 p.m. Rayburn 2118. House Armed Services “Member Day.” armedservices.house.gov 1:30 p.m. Discussion on the Defense Department’s new Close Combat Lethality Task Force with Robert Wilkie, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. ausa.org 2 p.m. Rayburn 2172. Subcommittee Hearing on North Korea’s Diplomatic Gambit: Will History Repeat Itself? foreignaffairs.house.gov 2:30 p.m. Russell 222. Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy, Programs, and Strategy with Guy Roberts, Assistant Secretary Of Defense; Robert Soofer, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of Defense; Gen. Robin Rand, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command; and Vice Adm. Terry Benedict, Director of Navy Strategic Systems Programs. armed-services.senate.gov 2:30 p.m. Russell 232-A. Subcommittee Hearing on the Health of the Department of Defense Industrial Base and its Role in Providing Readiness to the Warfighter with Lt. Gen. Edward Daly, Deputy Commanding General of Army Materiel Command; Vice Adm. Paul Grosklags, Commander of Naval Air Systems Command; Vice Adm. Thomas Moore, Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command; Lt. Gen. Lee Levy, Commander of the Sustainment Center at Air Force Materiel Command; and Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Commanding General of Marine Corps Logistics Command. armed-services.senate.gov 3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2212. A Review and Assessment of the Department of Defense Budget, Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Cyber Operations and U.S. Cyber Command for Fiscal Year 2019 with Adm. Mike Rogers, Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, and Kenneth Rapuano, Assistant Secretary of Defense. armedservices.house.gov 4 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW. Reflections on US Policy in Syria and Beyond: A Conversation with Amb. Fred Hof. atlanticcouncil.org 5:30 p.m. 1667 K St. NW. Sustaining the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent: The LRSO and GBSD. csbaonline.org 6 p.m. 1777 F St. NW. Historical Perspectives on the Middle East. cfr.org THURSDAY | APRIL 12 9:30 a.m. Dirksen G-50. Posture of the Department of the Army with Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chief of staff. armed-services.senate.gov 10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. The Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the Department of Defense with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. armedservices.house.gov 10 a.m. House 140. Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget National Guard and Reserve with Gen. Joseph Lengyel. appropriations.house.gov 10 a.m. Dirksen 419. Nomination hearing for Mike Pompeo to be Secretary of State. foreign.senate.gov 1 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Contested Seas: Maritime Challenges in Northern Europe. csis.org 1 p.m. 1777 F St. NW. A Conversation With Gen. Joseph Votel, Commander of U.S. Central Command. cfr.org 1:30 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. America’s Coast Guard: A National Asset for Security and Prosperity with Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft. heritage.org 2 p.m. Rayburn 2212. Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Combat Aviation Programs. armedservices.house.gov 3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2118. Subcommittee Hearing on a 355 Ship Navy: Delivering the Right Capabilities with Vice Adm. William Merz, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations; James Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy; and Vice Adm. Thomas Moore, Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command. armedservices.house.gov 6:30 p.m. 529 14th St. NW. NPC Headliners Book Event: “Fight Like a Girl: The Truth Behind How Female Marines Are Trained.” press.org FRIDAY | APRIL 13 8 a.m. 300 First St SE. The Nuclear Posture Review and the Columbia Class Deterrent with Navy Vice Adm. Terry Benedict, Director of Navy Strategic Systems Programs. mitchellaerospacepower.org 9 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Subcommittee Hearing on Military Personnel Posture: FY 2019 with Vice Adm. Robert Burke, Chief of Naval Personnel; Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower; Lt. Gen. Michael Rocco, Deputy Marine Corps Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and Lt. Gen. Thomas Seamands, Army Deputy Chief of Staff. armedservices.house.gov 9 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Regaining the Strategic Advantage in an Age of Great Power Competition: A Conversation with Michael Griffin, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. hudson.org 12 noon. 1501 Lee Hwy. Defending the Record of U.S. Nuclear Deterrence with Retired Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, Former Commander of U.S. Strategic Command. mitchellaerospacepower.org 2:30 p.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW. Ending Civil Wars: How Can We Succeed with Limited Opportunities? usip.org MONDAY | APRIL 16 9:30 a.m. 900 S Orme St. Mitchell Hour on Allied Aerospace Power: A Conversation with Gen. David Goldfein, Air Force Chief of Staff. mitchellaerospacepower.org 1:30 p.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW. Hidden Wounds: Trauma and Civilians in the Syrian Conflict. usip.org 4 p.m. 740 15th St. NW. The China Mission: George Marshall’s Unfinished War. newamerica.org 7:30 p.m. 529 14th St. NW. The Kalb Report – Putin’s Trump Card. press.org TUESDAY | APRIL 17 8 a.m. 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Procurement Division Meeting. ndia.org 8:30 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW. China and North Korea: Past, Present, and Future. usip.org 10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Full Committee Hearing on Promoting DOD’s Culture of Innovation with Michael Griffin, Undersecretary of Defense, and Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Defense Innovation Board. armedservices.house.gov 10 a.m. Full Committee Hearing U.S. Policy in Yemen with David Satterfield, Acting Assistant Secretary of State, and Robert Karem, Assistant Secretary of Defense. foreign.senate.gov 11 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Countering Russian Kleptocracy. hudson.org 11 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW. Countering Illicit Funding of Terrorism: A Congressional Approach with Reps. Steve Pearce and Jim Himes. usip.org 2:30 p.m. Russell 232-A. Subcommittee Hearing on Navy Shipbuilding Programs with James Geurts, Assistant Secretary Of The Navy; Vice Adm. William Merz, Deputy Chief Of Naval Operations; and Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, Deputy Commandant. armed-services.senate.gov 3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2118. Subcommittee Hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Budget for Missile Defense and Missile Defeat Programs with John Rood, Undersecretary of Defense; Gen. Lori Robinson, Commander of U.S. Northern Command; Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, Director of the Missile Defense Agency; and Lt. Gen. James Dickinson, Commander of Army Space and Missile Defense. armedservices.house.gov WEDNESDAY | APRIL 18 10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. Full Committee Hearing on Oversight and Reform of the Department of Defense “4th Estate.” armedservices.house.gov 11 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. The Future of U.S.-Romania Missile Defense Cooperation with Romania Ambassador George Cristian Maior. heritage.org 2 p.m. Rayburn 2212. Subcommittee Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget for Energy, Installations and Environment with Lucian Niemeyer, Assistant Secretary of Defense; Jordan Gillis, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army; Phyllis Bayer; Assistant Secretary of the Navy; and John Henderson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. armedservices.house.gov 3:30 p.m. Rayburn 2118. Subcommittee Hearing on the Ground Force Modernization Budget for 2019 with Lt. Gen. Paul Ostrowski, Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army; Lt. Gen. John Murray, Deputy Chief of Staff; Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, Commanding General of Marine Corps Combat Development Command; and Brig. Gen. Joe Shrader, Commanding General of Marine Corps Systems Command. armedservices.house.gov 3:30 p.m. Russell 222. Hearing on Air Force Modernization with Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, Military Deputy for Acquisition; Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris, Deputy Chief Of Staff For Strategic Plans And Requirements; and Brig. Gen. Brian Robinson, Assistant Deputy Chief Of Staff. armed-services.senate.gov 6 p.m. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Where the Wind Blew: Film Screening and Discussion. carnegieendowment.org 6:30 p.m. 1250 South Hayes St. Dwight D. Eisenhower Award Dinner. ndia.org |
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