ALMOST LIVE FROM NY: Most of the speeches will be pre-recorded, and the session itself will be largely an online event, but all the big names will be taking part in today’s United Nations “general debate” — from U.S. President Trump, to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, to China’s Xi Jinping, to Iran’s Hassan Rouhani.
By the time it all wraps on Sept. 29, all 193 member nations will have delivered speeches at the session, which marks the U.N.’s 75th anniversary.
By tradition, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is first to speak at 9 a.m., followed by the United States second as the host country.
‘STRONG MESSAGE ON CHINA’: President Trump told reporters yesterday that he recorded a speech that “is a strong message on China,” who he blames for the worldwide pandemic. “You’ll see it,” he said, giving no other details.
Trump calls the coronavirus the “China virus” and accuses the Chinese Communist Party of a deliberate cover-up that spread the virus to the rest of the world.
Trump’s address comes one day after he signed an executive order reimposing “snapback sanctions” in Iran, a move that is not supported by the U.N. Security Council, including U.S. allies Britain, France, and Germany.
“My actions today send a clear message to the Iranian regime and those in the international community who refuse to stand up to Iran,” Trump said.
‘WILL STAND ALONE’: At a briefing at the State Department, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft said the U.S. “is a force for good in the world” and does not want to be a member of a club that underwrites “terrorism, chaos, and conflict.”
“We don’t need a cheering section to validate our moral compass. We do not find comfort based solely on numbers,” Craft said. “What makes America unique is that we stand up for what is right. As we have in the past, we will stand alone to protect peace and security at all times.”
“The country that’s isolated today is not the United States, but rather, Iran, by these actions,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “We have made very clear that every member state in the United Nations has a responsibility to enforce these sanctions. That certainly includes the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.”
“Our actions today are a warning that should be heard worldwide. No matter who you are, if you violate the U.N. Arms Embargo on Iran, you risk sanctions,” Pompeo said.
Good Tuesday 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 today by Victor Nava. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. 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.
Subscribe today to the Washington Examiner magazine and get Washington Briefing: politics and policy stories that will keep you up to date with what’s going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Just $1.00 an issue!
HAPPENING TODAY: The House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security is scheduled to get an update on the Trump administration’s strategy for bringing peace to Afghanistan and withdrawing all U.S. troops from that country by next May.
Testifying at 11 a.m. will be Zalmay Khalilzad, special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, and the Pentagon’s David Helvey, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs.
The peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government began last week in Doha, Qatar, but so far, little progress has been made. “These negotiations are an important achievement, but there are difficulties, significant challenges on the way to reaching agreement,” Khalilzad said earlier this month. “This is a test for both sides, for the Taliban and the government. Can they reach an agreement despite differences in terms of their visions for the future of Afghanistan?”
House members may question the U.S. decision to pressure the Afghan government to release Taliban prisoners, including some who killed American troops.
“I know that none of us are happy about the release of prisoners that committed violence against our forces, but we want to keep the big picture in mind, unhappy as we are,” Khalilzad said at a State Department briefing. “But we’re hopeful that that step, the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, can lead to the end in the war and that Afghanistan never again becomes a threat to any of us.”
ALSO TODAY: The House meets at 11 a.m. to consider H.R.8319, the “Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act,” the Democrats version of the stopgap funding legislation to keep the government open past the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30. The CR would fund the government through Dec. 11.
Republicans are not happy that the Democrats’ proposed Continuing Resolution does not include $30 billion for the Commodity Credit Corp., money that President Trump wanted for farmers.
“House Democrats’ rough draft of a government funding bill shamefully leaves out key relief and support that American farmers need,” tweeted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “This is no time to add insult to injury and defund help for farmers and rural America.”
MONEY FOR NEW SUBS: The Democrat’s bill does include a special provision, or “anomaly,” requested by the Pentagon to ensure the Navy can move forward with contracts to buy two new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines.
Last week Ellen Lord, the Pentagon’s undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Columbia program was on a very tight timeline and that a delay could be costly.
“We have zero-margin on the Columbia,” Lord said. “And I would strongly support the anomaly. We need to get the funding. We need to continue the work we’re doing.”
If Congress were to pass a “clean CR,” that would normally preclude starting any new programs.
If the House passes the bill quickly, the Senate could then act later this week.
KOREA WATCH: Harry Kazianis, a Korea expert at the Center for the National Interest, is warning that North Korea could soon raise tensions once again through several potential provocative actions.
And he says a “diverse chorus of voices from inside the White House, U.S. military, diplomatic and intelligence communities,” as well as intelligence and government sources in South Korea as well as in Japan, are also concerned that if Joe Biden wins in November, North Korea could decide to “set the table with a show of military strength.”
“That could mean testing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) while showcasing new heatshield technology that proves its nuclear warheads can reenter the atmosphere, putting pressure on the incoming administration,” Kazianis writes.
North Korea’s Oct. 10 military parade will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and Kazianis says it could feature solid-fueled ICBM.
BOMBER WATCH: The U.S. European Command staged another aerial show of force yesterday, conducting an extensive Bomber Task Force exercise over Europe and the Pacific.
“The bombers — B-1 Lancers, B-2 Spirits and B-52 Stratofortresses — collectively executed the long-planned mission of exercising the bombers’ global capabilities,” said a statement from EUCOM. “This mission demonstrates the U.S. Defense Department’s ability to command and control its bomber force for any mission, anywhere in the world, at any time, in support of the U.S. National Defense Strategy.”
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Trump’s former national security adviser warns of another 9/11-style attack in the future
Washington Examiner: ‘Keep a low profile’: US issues security alert for those in Bahrain after Israel deal
Washington Examiner: Mali coup leader was US-trained, but AFRICOM says counterterrorism training still vital
Washington Examiner: Putin critic Alexei Navalny demands Russia return his clothes after suspected poisoning
Military.com: U.S. Forces Are Ready For Iran’s Response To New Sanctions, Esper Says
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Sees Iran Holding Fire In Iraq Before Vote
National Interest: North Korea’s Next Move Worries White House, U.S. Military, Intel and Allied Officials
CNN: Almost 40 Chinese Warplanes Breach Taiwan Strait Median Line; Taiwan President Calls It A ‘Threat Of Force’
Washington Post: On a California tour, Pentagon chief scrutinizes a Navy in flux and a warship gutted by fire
USNI News: Cleanup On USS Bonhomme Richard Continues As Ship’s Fate Remains Unclear
The Hill: Russia: Chances Of Extending New START Treaty ‘Minimal’
Air Force Magazine: Air Force to Test Weapons Swarming Software in October
Defense News: Did The U.S. Marine Corps Give Up On A Big Ship-Based Surveillance Drone Too Soon?
Defense News: U.S. Marines Wants To Move Fast On A Light Amphibious Warship. But What Is It?
Defense Daily: Pentagon Considers Operating Its Own 5G Networks, Seeking Industry Input On Spectrum Sharing
The New Yorker: The Elusive Peril of Space Junk
Air Force Magazine: USAF Wants Promotions to Be More Equitable, Brown Says
Stars and Stripes: Oldest Living Marine Veteran Celebrates Her 107th Birthday
Calendar
TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 22
8:30 a.m. — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs virtual forum: “U.S.-Korea Relations in the Era of U.S.-China Strategic Rivalry.” https://www.eventbrite.com/e/korea-policy-forum
9 a.m. — Modern Day Marine Virtual Experience, with Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, deputy Marine Corps commandant for combat development and integration; along with deputy commandants Lt. Gen. George Smith;Lt. Gen. Charles Chiarotti; and Lt. Gen. Mark Wise; and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition James Geurts. https://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com/
9 a.m. — Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies virtual China-Africa Research Initiative conference on “Strategic Interests, Security Implications: China, Africa, and the Rest,” through Oct. 2. https://jh.zoom.us/webinar/register
9:30 a.m. — Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies “Space Power Forum” webinar, on “NASA/U.S. Space Force Partnership in Space,” with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine; and Space Force Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, chief of space operations at the Space Force. https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org
10 a.m. — National Defense Industrial Association virtual Undersea Warfare Conference, with Adm. Charles Richard, commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, and James “Hondo” Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. https://www.ndia.org/events
11 a.m. — Washington Post Live webinar, with Texas Democratic Senatorial nominee M.J. Hegar on “how her military experience formed her view of public service.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-live
11 a.m. 2154 Rayburn — House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security hearing “Examining the Trump Administration’s Afghanistan Strategy, Part 2,” with Amb. Zalmay Khalilzad, Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation; and David Helvey, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs. https://oversight.house.gov/legislation/hearings
12 p.m. — Council on Foreign Relations virtual event: “A Conversation With Abdullah Abdullah,” with Abdullah Abdullah, chairman, High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan; and retired Gen. David Petraeus, partner and chairman, former U.S. Afghanistan commander and CIA director. https://www.cfr.org/
1 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee hearing on “Modernization of the Conventional Ammunition Production Industrial Base,” with Bruce Jette, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology; and Gen. Edward Daly, commanding general of the Army Materiel Command. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
1 p.m. — Virtual Book launch of Adaptation Under Fire, with co-authors retired Lt. Gen. David Barno and Nora Bensahel, with discussion by Kori Schake, AEI; Karl Mueller, RAND; Richard Lacquement, U.S. Army War College; moderated by Jim Goldgeier. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/adaptation-under-fire
1 p.m. — New America and Arizona State University virtual Future Security Forum, as part of the “Future of War Project.” https://www.newamerica.org/international-security
4 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group webcast: “The State of the Air Force,” with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Mackenzie Eaglen, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; and Stacie Pettyjohn, director of the RAND Corporation’s Strategy and Doctrine Program. https://www.defenseone.com/feature/state-of-defense
WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 23
9 a.m. — Hudson Institute webinar: “U.S. Relations with China, Latin America and Iran,” with Acting Intelligence Chairman Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; and Walter Russell Mead, fellow in strategy and statesmanship at Hudson. https://www.hudson.org/events/1858-video-event
9 a.m. — The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies China-Africa Research Initiative conference: “ Strategic Interests, Security Implications: China, Africa, and the Rest,” through Oct. 2. https://jh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0iv50I9bRlClHubcE8H8JA
POSTPONED: 9:15 a.m. SD-562, Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support hearing on “Navy and Marine Corps Readiness,” with Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger. https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings
10 a.m. 342 Dirksen — Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the nomination of Chad Wolf to be Homeland Security secretary. http://www.hsgac.senate.gov
10 a.m. — House Veterans’ Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee hearing on “Toxic Exposures: Examining Airborne Hazards in the Southwest Asia Theater of Military Operations.” http://veterans.house.gov
10 a.m. — National Defense Industrial Association virtual Undersea Warfare Conference, with Capt. David Kuhn, program manager at the Navy Undersea Communications and Integration Program Office. https://www.ndia.org/events
12 p.m. — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks to legislative, business, and military leaders in the Wisconsin state Senate Chamber. Livestream at https://www.state.gov/
12 p.m. — House Armed Services Committee hearing on “The Role of Allies and Partners in U.S. Military Strategy and Operations,” with Christine Wormuth, director of the RAND Corporation’s International Security and Defense Policy Center; retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges of the Center for European Policy Analysis and former commanding general of U.S. Army Europe ; and Elbridge Colby, principal and co-founder of the Marathon Initiative. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
12 p.m. — New America webinar: “What Science and Technology Owe the National Defense,” with retired Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Schmidle, adviser on cyber capabilities and conflict studies at Arizona State University and former U.S. Cyber Command deputy commander; Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the University of Washington; and Andres Martinez, editorial director of New America’s Future Tense. https://www.newamerica.org/future-tense/events
12:30 p.m. — New America and Arizona State University virtual Future Security Forum session on “U.S.-China Relations Post COVID-19: Is Conflict Inevitable?” https://www.newamerica.org/international-security/events
1 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group webcast: “New Orbit: Space and an All-Domain Future,” with Mark Lewis, acting deputy defense undersecretary for research and engineering; Eliahu Niewood, vice president for intelligence programs and cross-cutting capabilities at MITRE; Jim Light, senior director for space strategy in the SAIC National Security Group; and Daniela Fayer, publisher of Defense One. https://www.defenseone.com/feature/new-orbit
3 p.m. — Washington Post Live webinar conversation about “The Comey Rule,” an upcoming television miniseries based on the book A Higher Loyalty by former FBI director James Comey, which stars actor Jeff Daniels as Comey, with Comey, Daniels, and director Billy Ray. https://thecomeyrule.splashthat.com
THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 24
9 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies webcast: “The U.S.-ROK alliance, U.S. policy toward North Korea, COVID-19 challenges and much more,” with Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif. https://www.csis.org/events/online-event
9:30 a.m. — Woodrow Wilson Center’s Africa Programconference call briefing: “U.S. Interests and Engagement in the Sahel: Current State, Key Issues, and the Way Ahead,” with State Department Special Envoy for the Sahel Region of Africa J. Peter Pham. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event
9:30 a.m. — Atlantic Council webinar: “Security at the Maritime Edge,” with Transportation Maritime Administrator Rear Adm. Mark Buzby. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event
10 a.m. 342 Dirksen — Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on “Threats to the Homeland.” http://www.hsgac.senate.gov
10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on “Oversight of the United States Agency for Global Media and U.S. International Broadcasting Efforts,” with Michael Pack, CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media. http://foreignaffairs.house.gov
11 a.m. — Government Executive Media Group webcast: “State of the Marines,” with Marine Corps commandant Gen. David Berger, and Rep. Mike Gallagher. https://www.defenseone.com/feature/state-of-defense
12:30 p.m. — Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies webinar: “The New World Disorder: The Power Struggle Between China, the U.S. and Europe,” with former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb. https://sais.jhu.edu/campus-events
2 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group webcast: “The Air Force Reskilling Revolution,” with Lt. Col. Paul Cooper, chief of the Air Force Business and Enterprise Systems Product Innovation Solutions Center; Sam Pena, vice president for North America presales at Pluralsight; and Daniela Fayer, vice president of strategic accounts at Defense One. https://www.govexec.com/feature
8 p.m. — Asia Society webinar on Korea’s response to COVID-19, with Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha. https://asiasociety.org/new-york/events/webcast
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 25
9 a.m. — U.S. Institute of Peace webinar: “The Fallout of the War in Syria: Understanding the Conflict’s Regional Consequences,” Saroj Kumar Jha, regional director of the World Bank’s Mashreq1 Department; Harun Onder, senior economist at the World Bank; Randa Slim, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute; Natasha Hall, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Mona Yacoubian, senior adviser for Syria, Middle East and North Africa at USIP. https://www.usip.org/events/fallout-war-syria
10 a.m. — Brookings Institution webinar: “The Future of Defense Task Force’s Final Report: Reviewing the Nation’s Defense Assets and Capabilities,” with Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.; Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind.; and Michael O’Hanlon, Brookings senior fellow. https://www.brookings.edu/events
10 a.m. — “Hack at the Harbor” virtual security conference sponsored by Point3 Security, with speakers including Chris Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security. https://hackattheharbor.com/
11:30 a.m. — Approximately 70 World War II aircraft will fly over the Washington Mall in two-minute intervals in historically sequenced warbird formations representing the major World War II battles. More than 20 different types of vintage military aircraft are scheduled to take part, including the P-40 Warhawk, P-39 Airacobra, P-38 Lightning, P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, F4U Corsair, B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Superfortress. https://ww2flyover.org/
2 p.m. — Brookings Institution webinar: “The Policy Needs of America’s Veterans,” with House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano, D-Calif.; retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Linnington, CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project; Jen Silvan, chief program officer at the Wounded Warrior Project; and Michael O’Hanlon, Brookings senior fellow. https://www.brookings.edu/events
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Iran would have [been] significantly more wealthy. The regime would have even more money to build more centrifuges, to build more capabilities, to build more air defense systems, to prevent us from having the capacity to prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon. All of the elements of the terror state would be enhanced had we not done what President Trump directed back in May of 2018.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, defending the decision of the U.S. to be the sole member of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to withdraw from the agreement.
