HANDWRITING ON THE WALL: The Joint Statement on the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue released by the State Department seems to spell out neatly that the combat mission of 2,500 American troops in Iraq will soon be coming to an end.
“The parties confirmed that the mission of U.S. and Coalition forces has now transitioned to one focused on training and advisory tasks, thereby allowing for the redeployment of any remaining combat forces from Iraq, with the timing to be established in upcoming technical talks.”
The joint communique followed a virtual meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale, and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hassan, the third round of strategic U.S.-Iraq talks that began under the Trump administration.
It also comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is under increasing pressure from Iranian-backed militias to expel U.S. troops from the country. The drone assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad last year promoted the Shiite-dominated Iraqi parliament to pass a non-binding resolution to end U.S. troop presence in Iraq.
THE PENTAGON SPIN: At the Pentagon, press secretary John Kirby insisted the joint statement did not signal an imminent withdrawal of U.S. forces.
“I think we all realized when we were invited in by the government of Iraq that this mission was aligned against ISIS and that there was no expectation that it was going to be a permanent, enduring mission or footprint,” Kirby said at yesterday’s regular Pentagon briefing.
“What the two sides have agreed to is some additional technical talks on the eventual redeployment,” he said. “I think what you saw in that statement was a reaffirmation of the partnership that we have enjoyed with Iraq and the significance of the mission that still exists against ISIS and that eventually, we will want to talk about, when it’s the appropriate time, to talk about the proper redeployment and the scoping of that footprint.”
NATO TO FILL THE GAP: In February, NATO defense ministers approved a major expansion of its non-combat advisory, training, and capacity-building mission in Iraq.
“To support the Iraqi forces as they fight terrorism and ensure that ISIS does not return, the size of our mission will increase from 500 personnel to around 4,000,” announced NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the conclusion of the February ministerial. “Training activities will now include more Iraqi security institutions and areas beyond Baghdad.”
At the time, the United States said that the expanded NATO mission would not include additional U.S. forces.
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HAPPENING TODAY: President Joe Biden will announce a series of executive actions aimed at gun violence prevention at 11:45 a.m. in the White House Rose Garden. He will be joined by Attorney General Merrick Garland, Vice President Kamala Harris, and first lady Jill Biden.
Biden is also expected to nominate David Chipman, a former federal agent and adviser at the gun control group Giffords, to be director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to the Associated Press.
Among the new regulations would be tighter restrictions on homemade “ghost guns” and pistol-stabilizing braces, along with expanded “red flag laws,” which allow the police to confiscate weapons from an individual a court has determined to be a danger to themselves or others.
AFGHANISTAN COUNTDOWN, DAY 24: As of today, there are 24 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.
With just over three weeks until the deadline, President Joe Biden has made no announcement of whether the 2,500-plus U.S. troops will withdraw, and the Taliban seemed to signal a willingness to resume targeting U.S. forces, claiming responsibility for a rocket attack on Kandahar Airfield yesterday.
“We condemn today’s attack on Kandahar Airfield, home to several hundred U.S. and coalition personnel,” said spokesman John Kirby at the Pentagon. “While the attack resulted in no casualties or damage, the Taliban’s decision to provoke even more violence in Afghanistan remains disruptive to the opportunity for peace presented by ongoing negotiations.”
Kirby refused to speculate on the Taliban’s motivation for attacking a base housing U.S. forces, or what that portends for the fragile peace process. “Our focus right now is on supporting a diplomatic process here to try to bring this war to a negotiated end with an enduring and sustainable peace, a political settlement,” he said.
PENTAGON REFUSES TO CALL TALIBAN ATTACK ON US TROOPS A VIOLATION OF PEACE DEAL
VACCINE CONCERNS: Michigan Democrat Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has written Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressing concern that U.S. military personnel and their dependents stationed overseas may be getting short shrift as vaccination efforts ramp up domestically.
“I am concerned that those Americans serving abroad will be left behind,” writes Peters in his April 6 letter. “Many of these installations are located in areas which continue to suffer from high rates of COVID-19 infections and are struggling with their own vaccine distribution efforts.”
“Our brave men and women and their families are serving abroad in defense of our nation, our freedoms and our values. Ensuring they are vaccinated against this virus not only protects them, but also better prepares servicemembers to continue their service safely and effectively,” he said.
The Pentagon is expected to publicly address those concerns as soon as today.
INDUSTRY WATCH: Northrop Grumman says it has met a critical milestone that keeps the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program on track for initial operational capability by 2029.
The GBSD is a replacement intercontinental ballistic missile system intended to replace America’s aging Cold War-era arsenal of 450 Minuteman III ICBMs, which constitute the land-based leg of the nuclear triad.
In a company release, Northrop Grumman says it successfully conducted the Integrated Baseline Review for the program, which sets cost and schedule baselines, identifies and quantifies risks, and ensures mitigation plans are in place when executing the program.
“Meeting our GBSD commitments is paramount,” said Greg Manuel, vice president and general manager, strategic deterrent systems division, Northrop Grumman. “Our team remains focused on delivering a modern strategic deterrent capability to keep pace with 21st century threats.”
THE EAGLE 2 HAS LANDED: At a ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, yesterday, the U.S. Air Force unveiled the name for its latest, greatest version of the venerable F-15.
Previous models of the plane were dubbed the “Eagle,” and then the “Strike Eagle,” so it’s only natural the Boeing F-15EX would be named the “Eagle ll.”
“Undefeated in aerial combat, the F-15 Eagle epitomized air superiority in the minds of our enemies, allies, and the American people for over 45 years, but it was not meant to fly forever. We heard the demand signal from our warfighters,” said Lt. Gen. Duke Richardson at yesterday’s naming ceremony. “I’m pleased to say we’ve responded boldly and decisively, with a proven platform that’s modernized and optimized to maintain air superiority now and into the future.”
The Air Force intends to procure up to 144 F-15EXs from Boeing to replace its aging F-15C/D models at a cost of $87 million a copy, roughly equivalent to the sticker price of the stealthy F-35 but with much lower maintenance and operational costs.
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The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Pentagon refuses to call Taliban attack on US troops a violation of peace deal
Washington Examiner: ‘Less talk and more action’: Navy says it has a clear vision despite conflicting shipbuilding plans
Washington Examiner: Unaccompanied children at Fort Bliss regularly tested for coronavirus in expanding Defense Department role
Washington Examiner: Ukraine pleads for rapid NATO entry with Russia on its doorstep
Washington Examiner: China demands Biden cave to Iran after US urges Beijing to be ‘partner’ in nuclear talks
Washington Examiner: Blinken resumes funding for Palestinians as lawmakers decry terrorist payments
Washington Examiner: Army begins testing vaccine that may be more effective against coronavirus variants
Breaking Defense: White House Releasing Topline Budget Numbers Friday
Defense One: Raytheon Giving Employees Bonuses for Getting COVID-19 Vaccine
Reuters: Russia Says It Will Keep Forces Near Ukraine, Touts Possible ‘Measures’
Washington Post: China builds advanced weapons systems using American chip technology
AP: U.S. Military Cites Rising Risk Of Chinese Move Against Taiwan
CNN: China Flanks Taiwan With Military Exercises In Air And Sea
AP: China Protests Transit Of U.S. Destroyer Through Taiwan Strait
Reuters: U.S. Prepared To Consider North Korea Diplomacy Aimed At Denuclearization -White House
Breaking Defense: GAO: Naval Readiness Fell In 2019; Ground Readiness Rose
Military.com: Tests to Fix Big Design Flaw Plaguing Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships Will Start Soon
Defense News: Rejoining Open Skies Would Send ‘Wrong Message’ To Russia, State Tells Partners
Seapower Magazine: CNO: Programs Must Advance The Navy’s Core Missions
Washington Post: Before becoming a terrorist leader, ISIS chief was a prison informer in Iraq for U.S., records show
AP: Battle for Yemen desert city now a key to Iran, US tension
AP: Jordan king doubles down on sedition claims against brother
Air Force Magazine: F-15EX Named the Eagle II
19fortyfive.com: The Great Ammo Shortage of 2021 Isn’t Going Away
UPI: Marine Corps Prepares Maternity Uniforms
USNI News: One Sailor Remains Hospitalized in Critical Condition, One Released Following Fort Detrick Shooting
Washington Post: Two dead in Takoma Park after off-duty Pentagon police officer fires gun during alleged car break-in
Calendar
THURSDAY | APRIL 8
11 a.m. — National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association virtual 2021 Joint Industrial Security Spring webinar, with William Lietzau, director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. https://www.ndia.org/events
1 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Secure World Foundation webinar: “The Dark Arts in Space: Developments in Counterspace Weapons,” with Victoria Samson, Washington office director at the Secure World Foundation; Brian Weeden, director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation; Kaitlyn Johnson, deputy director of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project; Makena Young, research associate in the CSIS Aerospace Security Project; and Joe Moye, military fellow in the CSIS International Security Program. https://www.csis.org/events/dark-arts
1 p.m. — Aerospace Corporation virtual discussion Space Force Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear; and Jamie Morin, vice president of Defense Systems Operations, Defense Systems Group at The Aerospace Corporation and former director of the Defense Department’s Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation. https://aerospace.org/events/space-policy
1 p.m. — R Street Institute virtual discussion: :”Pentagon Purse Strings Episode 4: What’s Next in Afghanistan,” with Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich.; William Ruger, vice president of foreign policy at Stand Together; Andrew Lautz, director of federal policy for the National Taxpayers Union; and Jonathan Bydlak, director of the Governance Program at the R Street Institute. https://rstreet-org.zoom.us/webinar/register
1 p.m. — Defense One webinar: “Defense Innovations,” as part of the Tech Talks series. https://www.defenseone.com/feature/Tech-Talks
2 p.m. — Association of the U.S. Army Thought Leaders webinar with James Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate to discuss the Army’s efforts to prevent sexual assault and harassment in the ranks. https://www.bigmarker.com/ausaorg
2 p.m. — Intelligence National Security Alliance virtual forum: “OSINT (open-source intelligence): Thinking Outside the SCIF,” with Mary-Kate Leahy, assistant deputy Army chief of staff for intelligence; Leo Garciga, director of Army intelligence community information management in the Office of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence; Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Information and Data Nancy Morgan; former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon; Adam Lurie, president of Exiger Federal Solutions; and Don Widener, director of the Advanced Analytics Lab and CTO of BAE Systems. https://www.insaonline.org/event/osint-thinking-outside-the-scif
5 p.m. — Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and Duke University’s Program in American Grand Strategy virtual conference: “Politics, Protests, and the Post-Pandemic World: Civil-Military Relations Moving Forward,” with Kathryn Wheelbarger, former acting assistant defense secretary for international security affairs. https://sais.jhu.edu/campus-events
FRIDAY | APRIL 9
9 a.m. Pentagon Briefing Room — Press briefing with Lt. Gen. Michael Groen, director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center; and Robert Work, commissioner, National Security Commission on AI. https://www.defense.gov/Watch/Live-Events/
9 a.m. — Technology Training Corporation virtual Next Generation Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance symposium, with John Fiore, technical director of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division https://ttcus.com/nextgenisr/
MONDAY | APRIL 12
12 p.m. — Association of the U.S. Army Noon Report webinar with Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, the Army surgeon general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Diamond Hough, senior enlisted leader for U.S. Army Medical Command. https://www.bigmarker.com/ausaorg/AUSA-Noon-Report
WEDNESDAY | APRIL 14
10 a.m. 216 Hart — Senate Select Committee on Intelligence annual hearing on worldwide threats, with Avril Haines, director of National Intelligence; CIA Director William Burns; FBI Director Christopher Wray; NSA Director Gen. Paul Nakasone; and DIA Director Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier. https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/hearings/worldwide-threats
11 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: “National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America,” with Robert Salesses, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security; Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command; and Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
THURSDAY | APRIL 22
9:50 a.m. — U.S. Army Futures Command and the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare at West Point virtual seminar: “The Future Character of War and the Law of Armed Conflict.” https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-future-character-of-war
10 a.m. — American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research event “Priorities for the fiscal year 2022 defense budget,” with Rep. Adam Smith, chairman, House Armed Services Committee; and Mackenzie Eaglen, Resident Fellow, AEI. https://www.aei.org/events/a-conversation
11 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: “National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activities in Europe, with Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, commander, U.S. European Command. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
4 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: “Department of Defense Inspector General and the Services Inspector Generals: Roles, Responsibilities and Opportunities for Improvement,” with Gordon Heddell, former inspector general of the Department of Defense; Mandy Smithberger, director of the Center for Defense Information Project on Government Oversight; Sean O’Donnell, acting/inspector general of the Department of Defense; Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, inspector general of the Army; Lt. Gen. Sami Said, iInspector general of the Air Force; Vice Adm. Richard Snyder, inspector general of the Navy; and Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi, inspector general of the Marine Corps. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We believe in international law and in the freedom all nations have to sail, operate, and fly in accordance with that national law. Freedom of the Seas doesn’t just exist for fish and icebergs.”
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.
