7/13/2020 - News & Commentary - National Security

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Duncan Moore.

1. To deter war with China, defend Guam

2. Iran and China angle for broad partnership to offset U.S. pressure

3. Still the one: great power competition and special operations forces

4. The history of America's National Security Strategy

5. China announces sanctions against US lawmakers over Uighur issue (Rubio, Cruz, Smith and Brownback)

6. The Pentagon has a plan to include more women in national security. Here's what that means - and why it matters

7. Congress pulls punches on Russian bounties firestorm

8. Historic retention rates credited by Army, Air Force generals with helping them meet end-strengths

9. The Navy is trolling the Army over Tom Hanks' new WWII film

10. Why reassessing Israel's risky relationship with China matters

11. The military's privileged position above the political fray is at risk

12. Within the Taliban, clashing views of Afghanistan's future

13. As U.S. moves to exit Afghanistan, rivals prepare to swoop in

14. WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, up over 230,000

15. Okinawa demands answers from US after 61 marines contract coronavirus

16. Is the Aegis Ashore cancellation a mixed blessing?

17. 1st SFG (A) welcomes new commander

18. COVID-19 and pandemics: the greatest national security threat of 2020 and beyond

19. Latvia wants US troops, and is ready to pay for them

20. Trump praises SOUTHCOM counter-drug ops that seize 264,000 pounds and 1,000 traffickers

21. Assessing African strategic needs to counter undue Chinese influence

 

1. To deter war with China, defend Guam

The National Interest · by Rebeccah Heinrichs · July 11, 2020

Yes Guam is important. But, it is also vulnerable. Can we defend it?

Dynamic Force Employment (DFE)

Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD)

Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS)

 

2. Iran and China angle for broad partnership to offset U.S. pressure

Wall Street Journal · by Sune Engel Rasmussen & Aresu Eqbali · July 12, 2020

I hate to use those three words: "axis of evil." But it is certainly a partnership of revisionist and rogue powers. Other than North Korea, China has never had any allies. Could this be a change?

 

3. Still the one: great power competition and special operations forces

Foreign Policy Research Institute · by Tim Ball · July 10, 2020

The 17 page think piece can be downloaded here.

Bottom line is SOF can do (and does) more than counterterrorism and direct action.

 

4. The history of America's National Security Strategy

The National Interest · by John Garofano · July 12, 2020

A useful historical overview for those with an interest in US strategy.

 

5. China announces sanctions against US lawmakers over Uighur issue

Voice of America · by VOA News · July 13, 2020

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Maybe our sanctions have a greater effect than some people think.

This probably means no CODELs to China for Cruz, Rubio, and Smith.

 

6. The Pentagon has a plan to include more women in national security. Here's what that means - and why it matters

Task & Purpose · by Jeannette Gaudry Haynie & Kyleanne Hunter · July 10, 2020

Yes it matters. We need to effectively employ all the talent of our great nation.

 

7. Congress pulls punches on Russian bounties firestorm

The Hill · by Rebecca Kheel · July 12, 2020

I concur with the Majority Leader here: the Russians are up to no go - and in multiple areas.

 

8. Historic retention rates credited by Army, Air Force generals with helping them meet end-strengths

Army Times · by Kyle Rempfer · July 12, 2020

 

Yes, I would imagine retention is good right now as the military offers a lot of relative stability (e.g., paycheck and health benefits)

 

9. The Navy is trolling the Army over Tom Hanks' new WWII film

Task & Purpose · by Jared Keller · by July 11, 2020

Can we now give Tom Hanks his designation as a Joint Duty Officer? He should now have constructive credit for his experiences despite not having completed JPME II.

 

10. Why reassessing Israel's risky relationship with China matters

ynetnews.com · by Mark Dubowitz & Richard Goldberg · by July 11, 2020

 

11. The military's privileged position above the political fray is at risk

Military Times · by Ian Bryan · by July 12, 2020

I think the use of privilege is misplaced here.  It is the duty and responsibility of the military and the executive branch to ensure the military is non-partisan and above the political fray.

 

12. Within the Taliban, clashing views of Afghanistan's future

The Washington Post · by Susannah George & Aziz Tassal · by July 12, 2020

 

13. As U.S. moves to exit Afghanistan, rivals prepare to swoop in

Gandhara · by Frud Bezhan · by July 13, 2020

 

14. WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, up over 230,000

Reuters · by Lisa Shumaker & Daniel Wallis · by July 12, 2020

 

15. Okinawa demands answers from US after 61 marines contract coronavirus

The Guardian · by Press Association · July 12, 2020

 

16. Is the Aegis Ashore cancellation a mixed blessing?

The Japan Times · by Tatsumi Yuki · July 10, 2020

Time will tell.  But this is a very sober assessment.

 

17. 1st SFG (A) welcomes new commander

US Army · by Anthony Bryant · July 9, 2020

 

18. COVID-19 and pandemics: the greatest national security threat of 2020 and beyond

Foreign Policy Research Institute · by Colonel (Retired) Robert E. Hamiliton · July 9, 2020

 

19. Latvia wants US troops, and is ready to pay for them

Breaking Defense · by Paul McLeary · July 9, 2020

 

20. Trump praises SOUTHCOM counter-drug ops that seize 264,000 pounds and 1,000 traffickers

Military Times · by Todd South · July 12, 2020

 

21. Assessing African strategic needs to counter undue Chinese influence

Divergent Options · by Damimola Olawuyi · July 13, 2020

Every geographic combatant commander has a China problem.

 

"Well when events change, I change my mind. What do you do?" 

- Dr. Paul Samuelson, who was awarded the 1970 Nobel Prize in economics.

"Everybody is a Genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid."

- Albert Einstein

"The framers of the Constitution took deliberate steps to ensure that treason trials would not be used as political weapons against opponents. Article 3, Section 3 defines the crime very narrowly: 'Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.' This language is drawn from an English statute from 1351 that was also intended to limit the scope of treason. Speaking against the government, undermining political opponents, supporting harmful policies or even placing the interests of another nation ahead of those of the United States are not acts of treason under the Constitution."

-Carlton F.W. Larson