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END ‘ENDLESS WARS’: “Great nations do not fight endless wars,” President Trump said last night in his second State of the Union address, defending his efforts to extricate the U.S. military from costly, and seemingly intractable conflicts around the world. “Our brave troops have now been fighting in the Middle East for almost 19 years. In Afghanistan and Iraq, nearly 7,000 American heroes have given their lives. More than 52,000 Americans have been badly wounded. We have spent more than $7 trillion in fighting wars in the Middle East,” Trump said. OUT OF SYRIA: Even as the Pentagon warns that ISIS remains “remains a battled-hardened and well-disciplined force” that is “regenerating key functions and capabilities,” President Trump last night was ready to declare victory and bring the troops home. “Today, we have liberated virtually all of that territory from the grip of these bloodthirsty monsters. Now, as we work with our allies to destroy the remnants of ISIS, it is time to give our brave warriors in Syria a warm welcome home.” A report from DoD’s Lead Inspector General released Monday said the Pentagon believes that “absent sustained [counterterrorism] pressure, ISIS could likely resurge in Syria within six to twelve months and regain territory in the middle Euphrates River valley.” OUT OF THE LOOP: Earlier in the day, Gen. Joseph Votel, the most senior U.S. military commander in charge of Syria, told Congress Tuesday that he was totally out of the loop when Trump decided in December to pull all U.S. troops out of Syria. Votel, the four-star Army general who heads the U.S. Central Command, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that Trump neither sought his advice nor informed him in advance of the decision. “I was not aware of the specific announcement,” Votel replied. “Certainly, we are aware that he has expressed a desire and intent in the past to depart … Syria.” Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, asked, “So you weren’t, you weren’t consulted before that decision was announced?” Votel responded, “I was not consulted.” SLOW MOTION, OR NO MOTION WITHDRAWAL? In his testimony, Votel said he’s determined to clear out the last 20 square miles of ISIS’ physical caliphate before actually pulling any troops out. “I am not under pressure to be out by a specific date, and I have not had any specific conditions put upon me,” Votel said when asked if the withdrawal was based on an arbitrary calendar date or conditions on the ground. “I don’t consider this to be either time-based or conditions-based,” said Votel. “The fact is the president made a decision, and we are going to execute his orders here to withdraw all forces from Syria.” But Votel said before the troops can leave, several issues must be resolved. “We are going to consider things like protection of our partners, the Kurds. We are going to consider the concerns that Turkey has along their border, and we are going to consider how we keep pressure on ISIS,” he said. “I look at this as an additional task within the confines of the current campaign plan that we’re operating, and that’s how we are approaching it.” AFGHANISTAN PEACE DEAL PREMATURE: Votel also downplayed reports that a tentative peace agreement had been reached in principle with the Taliban, without the participation of the Afghan government. “I would characterize where we are in the process is very, very early in the process,” Votel told Congress. “First of all, there have been no agreements that have actually been finalized,” Votel said in response to reports in The New York Times and elsewhere that U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad had agreed in principle to a framework deal under which the Taliban guarantee Afghan territory is never used by terrorists. “Ambassador Khalilzad is attempting to create a framework by which we can move forward with discussions that would be, certainly, involving the government of Afghanistan,” Votel said. “We clearly recognize that they have to be part of this solution and must be in the negotiation aspects of this, we can’t do that on their behalf.” ‘IT’S TIME,’ SAYS TRUMP: Trump in his SOTU last night cited “constructive talks with a number of Afghan groups, including the Taliban,” and confirmed he wants to reduce the U.S. troop commitment to Afghanistan. That would include bringing home advisers and assisters that are part of the NATO Resolute Support mission while leaving the 7,000 or so troops who are part of the U.S. Freedom’s Sentinel mission to go after ISIS and al Qaeda. “As we make progress in these negotiations, we will be able to reduce our troop presence and focus on counter-terrorism. And we will indeed focus on counter-terrorism,” Trump said. “We do not know whether we’ll achieve an agreement. But we do know that after two decades of war the hour has come to at least try for peace. And the other side would like to do the same thing. It’s time.” GHANI SPEAKS UP: Afghan president Ashraf Ghani insists his administration will be the final arbiter of any agreement the United States and the Taliban might reach. “At the end of any peace deal, the decision-maker will be the government of Afghanistan,” Ghani said in a television interview yesterday with TOLO News. Ghani said Tuesday that “no power in the country can dissolve the government” and that he’s prepared to “stand and defend our country.” Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by David Mark (@DavidMarkDC). 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: American special envoy Stephen Biegun arrived in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang today for talks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok-chol to prepare for the upcoming bilateral summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un. “As part of a bold new diplomacy, we continue our historic push for peace on the Korean Peninsula, said Trump in his State of the Union address last night. “Much work remains to be done, but my relationship with Kim Jong Un is a good one. Chairman Kim and I will meet again on February 27th and 28th in Vietnam,” Trump said. “If I had not been elected president of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea,” he added. NORTH KOREA HIDING MISSILES: Meanwhile an internal United Nations report concludes that North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs “remain intact” and its leaders are dispersing missile assembly and testing facilities to prevent “decapitation” strikes, according to the AP. The UN experts saw no evidence that North Korea has taken any steps toward eliminating his nuclear arsenal or intercontinental ballistic missiles, and Pyongyang continues to defy U.N. economic sanctions, including “a massive increase in illegal ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum products and coal, and also continues to violate an arms embargo, a ban on luxury goods and financial sanctions. TODAY IN THE HASC: The House Armed Services Committee will hear from Owen West, assistant secretary of defense for special operations/low-intensity conflict, and Maj. Gen. David Allvin, Joint Staff director of strategy, plans and policy. The topic: Evaluation of the Department of Defense’s Counterterrorism Approach. 10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn THE WALL — ‘I WILL GET IT BUILT’: President Trump did not mention the government shutdown, nor did he threaten to invoke a national emergency, but he vowed to build his wall along the U.S. Mexico border one way or another. “This is a smart, strategic, see-through steel barrier, not just a simple concrete wall. It will be deployed in the areas identified by the border agents as having the greatest need, and as these agents will tell you, where walls go up, illegal crossings go way, way down,” Trump said. Trump called his plan a common-sense proposal, and he zinged Democrats who he said had voted for a wall in the past. “The proper wall never got built. I will get it built,” he said. “No issue better illustrates the divide between America’s working-class and America’s political class than illegal immigration. Wealthy politicians and donors push for open borders while living their lives behind walls and gates and guards,” he said. Trump called on Congress to approve funding “out of love and devotion to our fellow citizens and to our country.” A ‘TREMENDOUS ONSLAUGHT’: While Pentagon says the deployment of additional troops to the border will lay 150 more miles of razor wire and provide mobile surveillance capability, the president said the dispatch of active duty turn was to turn back another “caravan” of dangerous illegal immigrants. “As we speak, large organized caravans are on the march to the United States. We have just heard that Mexican cities in order to remove the illegal immigrants from their communities are getting trucks and buses to bring them up to our country in areas where there is little border protection,” Trump said. “I have ordered another 3,750 troops to our southern border to prepare for this tremendous onslaught.” ‘NO CHOICE’ ON INF: “We really have no choice,” Trump said of his decision to withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia. “While we followed the agreement and the rules to the letter; Russia repeatedly violated its terms. It’s been going on for many years,” Trump said. “Perhaps we can negotiate a different agreement, adding China and others, or perhaps we can’t, in which case, we will outspend and out-innovate all others by far.’ THE RACE IS ON: Russian President Vladimir Putin has “approved” a plan to develop ground-based intermediate range cruise missiles over the next two years, according to Moscow’s top defense official. “The use of sea-and air-borne missiles in their ground-based version will help considerably cut the time of manufacturing new missile weapons and the volume of their financing,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters, per state-run TASS. “Besides, it is necessary to increase the firing range of ground-based missile systems being developed today.” THE BOSS GAVE A GOOD SPEECH: Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan put out a statement praising his boss. “In his State of Union address tonight, President Trump reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to support our troops and to protect American national security interests at home and abroad. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are focused on the full implementation of the National Defense Strategy: increasing lethality, strengthening alliances and partnerships, and reforming the way we do business.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also heaped praise on Trump for strengthening America at home and abroad. “From making historic progress with North Korea, to confronting the regime in Iran, to supporting the Venezuelan people against tyranny, and more, President Trump’s diplomatic agenda has made America safer, more respected, and more prosperous,” he said in a statement. SHE’S BACK: Former A-10 Squadron Commander Sen. Martha McSally R-Ariz., used her perch on the Armed Services Committee to once again sing the praises of the aging, but much beloved, A-10 ground attack plane, affectionately known as the “Warthog.” McSally, appointed to fill out the remainder of the late Sen. John McCain’s term, has a new ally in the fight to save the venerable warbird from the boneyard, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. At the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, Peters asked Votel about the need to keep the plane flying to provide close air support to U.S. troops on the ground. “I don’t think you’re going to find any Army guys or infantrymen that are going to argue against the A-10,” said Votel. “I know it is an old airplane, and I share some concerns about its sustainability but, certainly, it has definitely proven its worth to us,” he said, adding that it’s “incredibly responsive capability” will be required “well into the future.” McSally called Peters “a new wingman here for fighting for the A-10,” and promising to keep fighting for funds to put new wings on the old plane. “I don’t think we should be using fifth-generation fighters to chase around jihadist on mopeds.” THE RUNDOWN Washington Examiner: Trump to make surprise address to counter-ISIS coalition Defense News: Budget For Fiscal 2020 Expected To Be Released March 12 Washington Post: Taliban talks shift to Moscow with possible U.S.-brokered deal on table Wall Street Journal: Russia to Develop New Missile Systems The Diplomat: Putin: Russia Has Completed ‘Key Stage of Trials’ of Nuclear-Capable Poseidon Underwater Drone The Drive: Navy’s Sea Hunter Drone Ship Has Sailed Autonomously To Hawaii And Back Amid Talk Of New Roles South China Morning Post: China Will Build 4 Nuclear Aircraft Carriers In Drive To Catch U.S. Navy, Experts Say Virginian Pilot: Navy’s Top Officer Predicts Latest Carrier Will Crush Some Records Washington Examiner: Mexico deploys militarized police to block 2,000 migrants from entering Texas Reuters: Germany Reassures NATO On Defense Spending Target: Report Breaking Defense: What Would Space Force FIX? No One Would Notice Its Disappearance Defense One: The Pentagon’s First AI Strategy Will Focus on Near-Term Operations — and Safety New York Times Magazine: As a Woman Serving Alongside Green Berets, I Had No Problem Keeping Up. It Wasn’t Enough. Military Times: Senators skeptical over long-term VA health records overhaul AP: UK believes ISIS hostage John Cantlie is alive Foreign Policy: Syrian Kurdish Leader Asks U.S. to Save Her People From ‘Catastrophe’ |
Calendar7 a.m. 30th Annual SO/LIC Symposium & Exhibition. Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. Andrew Knaggs, deputy assistant secretary of defense for special operations and combating terrorism speaks 2:30 p.m. and Owen West, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict speaks at 4:30 p.m. http://www.ndia.org 9 a.m. 1030 15th Street N.W. “Maintaining Maritime Superiority: Discussion With the Chief of Naval Operations.” www.atlanticcouncil.org 9:45 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400. “The 2019 U.S. Missile Defense Review: A Conversation with Under Secretary John Rood.” www.hudson.org 10 a.m. 1789 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. “A conversation with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on the Senate’s role in foreign policy.” www.aei.org 10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. House Armed Services Committee hearing: Evaluation of the Department of Defense’s Counterterrorism Approach. armedservices.house.gov 10 a.m. Dirksen 342. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Business Meeting. www.hsgac.senate.gov 10 a.m. Rayburn 2172. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: U.S. Policy in the Arabian Peninsula. foreignaffairs.house.gov 2 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. “Russia’s Policy in Afghanistan.” www.csis.org 4:30 p.m. 3700 O St NW. “The Future of Diplomacy: Keynote with The Hon. Hillary Clinton” www.politics.georgetown.edu 4:30 p.m. 1717 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. “Peace-Building on the Korean Peninsula: Does Multilateralism Matter?” www.sais-jhu.edu THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 7 8 a.m. 30th Annual SO/LIC Symposium & Exhibition. Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. http://www.ndia.org 10 a.m. Capitol H-140. House Appropriations Committee hearing: Quality of Life in the Military. www.appropriations.house.gov 10:15 a.m. Dirksen G50. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: United States Africa Command and United States Southern Command. www.armed-services.senate.gov 11:30 a.m. 1667 K Street, NW. “Regaining the High Ground at Sea: Transforming the U.S. Navy’s Carrier Air Wing for Great Power Competition” https://csbaonline.org 12 p.m. 1619 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. U.S.-Japan Business Diplomacy. www.sais-jhu.edu 12 p.m. 1800 M Street, NW, Suite 800. By invitation only — Center on Military and Political Power conversation on the implications of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. https://www.fdd.org/ 2 p.m. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations: Business Meeting. www.foreign.senate.gov 4 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Avenue N.W. “The Strategic Importance of the U.S. in Afghanistan.” www.csis.org FRIDAY | FEBRUARY 8 10 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. “Discussion with the Secretaries of the U.S. Military Departments.” www.csis.org MONDAY | FEBRUARY 11 3 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. “Is Bigger Better? Concentration, Competition, and Defense Contracting Outcomes.” www.csis.org TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 12 8:30 a.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. “Seventh Annual U.S.-Mexico Security Conference: New Government, Old Challenges in Mexico’s Security Landscape.” www.wilsoncenter.org 8:45 a.m. 529 14th St. N.W. “Course Correction: Toward an Effective and Sustainable China Policy.” www.press.org 9 a.m. 1030 15th Street N.W. “Iran’s Revolution Turns Forty.” www.atlanticcouncil.org 9:30 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. “A conversation on defense policy with Rep. Seth Moulton.” www.brookings.edu 10 a.m. Rayburn 2118. House Armed Services Committee hearing: Outside Perspectives on Nuclear Deterrence Policy and Posture. Witnesses: Ellen Tauscher, former undersecretary of state for arms control and international security; Bruce Blair, Princeton University; Frank Miller, The Scowcroft Group. https://armedservices.house.gov/ 2 p.m. Rayburn 2118. House Armed Services Committee hearing: Military Service Academies’ Action Plans to Address the Results of Sexual Assault and Violence Report at the Military Service Academies. https://armedservices.house.gov/ 6 p.m. 1619 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. “The European Strategic Landscape after the INF Treaty.” www.sais-jhu.edu WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 13 12 p.m. 1717 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. “From War to Peace in the Balkans, the Middle East and Ukraine.” www.sais-jhu.edu 2:30 p.m. Dirksen G50. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: Current Condition of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative. www.armed-services.senate.gov THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 14 11 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Avenue N.E. “Building an Effective Approach to Terrorism Prevention.” www.heritage.org WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 20 12:30 p.m. 1619 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. “The ‘New Cold War’ Metaphor Makes No Sense.” www.sais-jhu.edu THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 21 8:30 a.m. 2101 Wilson Blvd. “Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Roundtable Breakfast.” www.ndia.org 11 a.m. 1000 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. “Gullible Superpower: U.S. Support for Bogus Foreign Democratic Movements.” www.cato.org TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 26 7 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd. Breakfast with Ryan McCarthy, Under Secretary of the U.S. Army. www.ausa.org THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 28 8 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. “Strategic National Security Space: FY 2020 Budget and Policy Forum.” www.csis.org SUNDAY | MARCH 3 10:30 a.m. Breakfast discussion with rocket scientist behind Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, Dr. Ari Sacher. 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. jnf.org/vabreakfast |
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