Israel Launches Iran Command; Talks With Biden Team Planned

Israel Launches Iran Command; Talks With Biden Team Planned
Israel Launches Iran Command; Talks With Biden Team Planned

TEL AVIV: While Israel anxiously awaits a Biden Administration, it has made operational a new command focused entirely on Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Naetanyahu is repeating — again and again — his intention to stop Iran from achieving a nuclear capability: “Israel will not allow Iran to have the bomb.” The IDF says that the…

NSA O’Brien’s Latest Audible on Navy Plans: Calls For More Frigates, Faster

NSA O’Brien’s Latest Audible on Navy Plans: Calls For More Frigates, Faster
NSA O’Brien’s Latest Audible on Navy Plans: Calls For More Frigates, Faster

It’s unclear if Robert O’Brien’s calls for hypersonic missiles on destroyers and building more frigates indicate he is inserting himself in Pentagon budget planning.

No to Trump: Former VCJCS Selva, 488 Other Former Top NatSec Leaders

No to Trump: Former VCJCS Selva, 488 Other Former Top NatSec Leaders
No to Trump: Former VCJCS Selva, 488 Other Former Top NatSec Leaders

Ten days ago the Trump campaign released a letter signed by 235 former military officers, including eight four-star general officers.

Sen. Warner Knocks Congress On Election Security, IOT & Huawei

Sen. Warner Knocks Congress On Election Security, IOT & Huawei
Sen. Warner Knocks Congress On Election Security, IOT & Huawei

“Even though there’s been a great deal of bipartisan legislation proposed, the majority leader [Sen. Mitch McConnell] has not let any of these bills come to the floor,” the Virginia Democrat said.

The Fuzzy Outlines Of Biden’s National Security Policies

The Fuzzy Outlines Of Biden’s National Security Policies
The Fuzzy Outlines Of Biden’s National Security Policies

The first outlines of what a Biden administration’s national security policy and defense budget are coming clear. The good news is that nothing signals a major change in strategy, so deep cuts and radical restructuring are unlikely. The bad news is that the administration’s overwhelming emphasis would be on domestic affairs and there appears to…

Esper Departure Reports Thin Gruel; End Of Administration Looms

Esper Departure Reports Thin Gruel; End Of Administration Looms
Esper Departure Reports Thin Gruel; End Of Administration Looms

“And you know I’m aware, because as everyone knows [with a chuckle], these political positions they can, they can turn quickly on the other side of the election,” says Will Roper.

Death To OCO: What Would Dem Sweep Mean For War Funding?

Death To OCO: What Would Dem Sweep Mean For War Funding?
Death To OCO: What Would Dem Sweep Mean For War Funding?

Deficit hawks are now nearly extinct and defense hawks are weakened. If the Democrats sweep the next election, eliminating OCO might be the mechanism for a Biden administration to cut defense.

2020 Elections: NSA & Cyber Leader Is Confident Vs. Russia

2020 Elections: NSA & Cyber Leader Is Confident Vs. Russia
2020 Elections: NSA & Cyber Leader Is Confident Vs. Russia

“We’re going to know our adversaries better than they know themselves,” boasted Gen. Paul Nakasone. Would Sun Tzu be proud or worried?

Huge Deficit = Defense Budget Cuts? Maybe Not

Huge Deficit = Defense Budget Cuts? Maybe Not
Huge Deficit = Defense Budget Cuts? Maybe Not

The congressional calendar and strategic inertia may come together to keep the defense budget relatively high. The calendar helps because the fiscal 2021 defense budget will likely be passed while Congress is in a free-spending mood.

Sen. Warren Medicare Plan = No OCO, Lower Readiness

Sen. Warren Medicare Plan = No OCO, Lower Readiness
Sen. Warren Medicare Plan = No OCO, Lower Readiness

Sen. Warren: “And as everything from more F-35s to massive bombs never used in combat have migrated into the OCO account, the Department of Defense has been spared from having to prioritize or live within its means. It’s not just bad budgetary practice – it’s wasteful spending.”

Thornberry Won’t Run; A ‘Great Loss At A Critical Time’

Thornberry Won’t Run; A ‘Great Loss At A Critical Time’
Thornberry Won’t Run; A ‘Great Loss At A Critical Time’

The Texas Republican, who supported Pentagon reform, bigger budgets, and Trump’s border wall, is joining several other conservatives is walking away from Capitol Hill.

Trump’s Ukraine Intervention May Violate FCPA, Arms Export Laws: Experts

Trump’s Ukraine Intervention May Violate FCPA, Arms Export Laws: Experts
Trump’s Ukraine Intervention May Violate FCPA, Arms Export Laws: Experts

The president’s personal intervention was “highly improper,” one arms export expert says, concluding that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act “appears to have been criminally violated here.”