Deployments in Europe Likely to Remain Into Summer
The Pentagon said that thousands of troops mobilized over the past few months to Eastern Europe will most likely remain into the summer. DoD also announced that the US will send additional aid to Ukraine: $300 million more in military supplies, including drones, laser-guided missiles, armored vehicles, and machine guns.
Funding Bill Passes, Avoids Shutdown, Includes More Aid to Ukraine
The US Senate passed a $1.5 trillion package late last week that funds the federal government through September and delivers $14 billion to help Ukraine. For 2022, the bill provides $728.5 billion in discretionary defense spending, an increase of $32.5 billion above 2021.
Global Posture Review Will Determine if US Forces Are Where They Should Be
The Defense Department’s global posture review, which will determine if the US has the right amount of troops in the right places, is nearing completion. Also expected shortly is an update of the National Defense Strategy. As many of the world’s seas are increasingly seeing more activity, the US Navy is anxious for more guidance.
55 Marylanders in Naval Academy’s Class of ’21
The US Naval Academy held its commencement Friday in Annapolis with Vice President Kamala Harris giving the keynote address. There were 1,084 graduates and 55 of them were Marylanders.
CNO Confident Navy Gets Bigger Budget Portion
While competition for defense funds is high among the services, Chief of Naval Operations ADM Mike Gilday is confident the Navy Department has a “sound case” for getting a bigger piece of the defense budget.
DoD, Environmental Interests Partner to Keep Navy Aircraft Flying
Deputy DefSec Kathleen Hicks made a visit to Maryland’s Eastern Shore as part of a DoD land preservation initiative and environmental protection program. The Middle Chesapeake Sentinel Landscape was formed in 2015 to protect the Atlantic Test Ranges used by NAS Patuxent River.
DefSec: Climate Change Poses Security Risks
DefSec Lloyd Austin told attendees at an international climate summit late week that the climate crisis is making it more difficult for the military to defend the US and its allies. “The climate crisis is a profoundly destabilizing force for our world,” he said during the virtual event.
No Unity on Afghan Withdrawal
Biden’s plan for a withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan withdrawal by Sept. 11 meets fierce GOP congressional opposition but support from former SecState Colin Powell.
Who Pays for Clearing Suez Canal?
Disputes grow regarding who should pay for dislodging the massive Ever Given container ship from the Suez Canal. Egyptian authorities say they won’t release the ship until its owners agree to pay up to $1 billion in compensation.
Who Has AI Advantage in US vs. China?
National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence releases its AI report and shows how the US stacks up against China. The NSCAI vice chair says the US does not have the strategy, organizational structure, and resources to win the competition with China for effective implementation of AI, and he warns that the US needs to take the competition seriously, and it needs to win it.
