McDonough Confirmed VA Secretary
Denis McDonough becomes the 2nd ever non-vet to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. — confirmed this week by the US Senate. The former White House Chief of Staff under Obama he is looked to streamline and bring efficiency to the department.
US Sticks With Policy to Keep Turkey Out of F-35 Program
The Biden administration is sticking with the policy of keeping Turkey out of the F-35 JSF program. The US urges Ankara not to keep the S-400 defense system it purchased from Russia in 2019. Turkey should instead invest in the American-made Patriot air defense missile system, the Pentagon says.
DoD: Inside or Out, All Must Wear Masks
The Defense Department is now requiring that everyone on military installations wear masks, whether they are inside or outside, and even if they are social distancing.
Hicks Looks to Become Deputy DefSec
Kathleen Hicks received little pushback from senators during her confirmation hearing which included her openness to changing budget traditions to drive joint activity.
Readiness Not Improving Says NDIA
The National Defense Industrial Association completed its second unclassified summary of the health and readiness of the defense industrial base, “Vital Signs 2021.” Like “Vital Signs 2020,” this report’s final grade for the health and readiness of the defense industrial base was a “C.” This year’s score was 74, slightly lower than last year’s 75.
Cyber Experts: What Biden Should Prioritize
Experts making up the Cybersecurity 202 Network have cited some ideas for what President Joe Biden should prioritize in his first 100 days in office, including finishing appointments to his cybersecurity team and directing more resources to Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Biden Likely to Outline Foreign Policy Vision Today
President Joe Biden is expected to give his first major foreign policy address today during a visit to the State Department to meet with StateSec Tony Blinken.
DoD Reassessing Mideast Involvement
The Pentagon sets about to review troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq after the recent reduction of US troops, investigate a Red Sea port in Saudi Arabia and an additional two airfields in the kingdom amid heightened tensions with Iran, and conduct joint, and holding live-fire training exercises for US and the United Arab Emirates forces, in the UAE,
Global Effort Addresses Shipping Crisis
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of seafarers are stranded working aboard ships and unable to be relieved. Over 300 entities signed the Neptune Declaration to keep global supply chains functioning and recognize seafarers as key workers with priority access to COVID-19 vaccines.
New Commandant at Naval Academy
COL James “J.P.” McDonough III will be the next commandant at the US Naval Academy. The Marine Corps artillery officer was a 1994 graduate of the academy.
