March 18, 2024

Esper Targets Area No Longer Under Treaty

Esper

A day after the US pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, DefSec Mark Esper said he wants to deploy a ground-based missile able to travel into the previously prohibited range, “sooner rather than later.”

Tanks, Jets & Trump Headline July 4th Celebration

tanks

President Donald Trump touts “brand new” World War II-era tank display at the Washington, DC, Fourth of July celebration, the Blue Angels, and his chance to “say a few words.”

Trump Says He Can Strike Iran Without Congress OK

Iran

President Trump says he does not need congressional approval to initiate military action in Iran. “I do like keeping them abreast, but I don’t have to do it legally.”

Esper Is Trump’s New Pick for DefSec

Esper

President Donald Trump says he intends to nominate Mark Esper as the new defense secretary, David Norquist as the deputy defense secretary, and Ryan McCarthy as the Army secretary.

House Committee Passes $733B Defense Budget

Shutdown

The House Armed Services Committee passed a $733 billion defense policy bill.

Tensions Escalating in Persian Gulf

Hazardous Duty

Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. Over the weekend, the FAA warned that current tensions in the Persian Gulf area could pose a threat to air travel in that region.

Navy’s Aviation Accidents Keep Rising

aviation accidents

Manned aviation accident deaths across the services continue to break records, but the steady six-year climb finally halted this year. Only the Navy did not improve in the total accident categories from 2017 to 2018 and is still 83 percent higher than in 2013.

Drones Change the Battlefield & Bases

drones

Drones are already changing the battlefield and impacting US strategy. Increased robotic controls of drones will likely also reduce the human footprint of counterinsurgency as the technology advances.

Netanyahu Calls on Nations to Follow Trump’s Lead on Iran

netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls on “responsible” nations to follow the lead of US President Donald Trump and impose sanctions on Iran.

Israel, US to Sign 10-Year Defense Deal

Israel

This is the largest and longest such agreement between the two nations. No details yet on the agreement’s impact on Qatar’s and Kuwait’s ability to clear long-awaited fighter sales from the US.