| IN UKRAINE, THE WAR OF BOMBS—AND WORDS CONTINUES: Despite the much-ballyhooed agreement in principle to a 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure, neither Russia nor Ukraine has been pulling any punches. Each side appears intent on inflicting as much damage as possible on the other as the implementation of the ceasefire remains under negotiation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz are set to meet with Russian negotiators Monday in Saudi Arabia ostensibly to "broaden the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire." Still, at this point, there appears to be no ceasefire to broaden. Over the last 48 hours, Russia has unleashed punishing attacks on the southern port city of Odesa, targeting shopping malls, residential buildings, and civilians in populous areas of the city, with more than 100 Shahed drones, according to eyewitnesses, which included Czech President Peter Pavel, who was visiting at the time of the attack. Meanwhile, Ukraine is being credited with a strike on Russia's Engels Air Base in Saratov, Russia, some 400 miles from the front lines. The attack, which is suspected of being carried out with Ukraine's new longer-range Neptune missiles, resulted in a massive explosion and fire when an ammunition storage facility at the base was hit. Ukraine is denying responsibility for an explosion and fire at a gas pipeline in the Sudzha region, which Russia claimed violated the ceasefire. The Ukrainian General Staff, in a Facebook post, blamed Russia, claiming "the mentioned station was repeatedly shelled by the Russians themselves." "The Russian Federation is increasing the discreditation campaign against Ukraine. Yes, the enemy blamed our Defense Forces in the bombardment of the Suža gas station," the post said. "These allegations are baseless." ZELENSKY: 'THEY GIVE THEIR WORD, A FEW HOURS LATER IT MEANS NOTHING': In a virtual appearance before the European Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged his European partners not to be taken in by Vladimir Putin’s promise to stop attacks on the energy sector. "Russia launched 171 attack drones last night. The drones attacked infrastructure facilities," Zelesnky said. "It's crucial that your support for Ukraine doesn't decrease but instead continues and grows." "Ongoing diplomatic efforts do not mean Russia should face less pressure. That's crucial to reducing the chances of a Russian hoax," Zelensky said. "And we all know how easily Moscow disregards its promises — one moment they give their word, and a few hours later it means absolutely nothing." Recent assessments from the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War have concluded that Putin shows no signs of seeking an actual peace agreement, in fact, "continues to condition domestic Russian audiences to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine rather than a sustainable peace built on compromise." "The Kremlin continues to demand that Ukraine cede Ukrainian territory that Russia does not currently occupy and to set conditions to make further territorial demands," a March 19 assessment said. "Putin’s attempt to confuse and manipulate the temporary ceasefire and blame Ukraine for violations even before the agreement has come into effect is an indicator of how Putin will likely exploit any future agreements." TRUMP: 'WE’RE DOING VERY WELL': President Donald Trump continues to suggest things are going swimmingly and that peace is right around the corner. "We’re doing very well with regard to Ukraine and Russia," Trump said at a White House event where he signed an executive order calling for the elimination of the Department of Education. "We spoke yesterday with, as you know, President Putin and President Zelensky, and we would love to see that come to an end, and I think we’re doing pretty well in that regard." "Hopefully, we could save thousands of people a week from dying. That’s what it’s all about. They’re dying. So unnecessarily," he added. "We’ll see what happens. But I believe we’ll get it done." Trump said the U.S. would be signing a "deal very shortly with respect to rare earths with Ukraine" but made no mention of his desire to take ownership of Ukraine's four nuclear power plants, including the largest in Europe at Zaporizhzhia, which is now shut down and under Russian control. Zelensky has poured cold water over the suggestion, insisting that "All nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine" and that they are not his to give. As for Zaporizhzhia, Zelensky said. “We have definitely not discussed the ownership issue with President Trump. If the Americans want to take it from the Russians and want to invest and modernize it, that’s another question. We can talk about it." But he added, "We will also not discuss the power generation of Ukraine in general. We have 15 nuclear power units in operation today. This all belongs to our state.” On Fox News, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said U.S. operation of the Ukrainian power plants could help buttress a ceasefire. "How do we bring peace to Ukraine? How do we get this fighting to stop? Which takes both sides to lay down their arms? But if it was helpful to achieve that end, have the U.S. run nuclear power plants in Ukraine. No problem, we can do that,” Wright said. “We have immense technical expertise in the United States to run those plants. I don’t think that requires boots on the ground.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE HAPPENING TODAY: While the Pentagon lists "no public or media events" on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for today, the White House says Hegseth is scheduled to deliver remarks with President Trump at 11 a.m. The subject of the remarks was not disclosed. Stay tuned. TRUMP DISPUTES MUSK GETTING WAR PLAN BRIEF: President Trump is leveling another "fake news" charge over reports in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times suggesting that Elon Musk is scheduled to receive a Pentagon briefing today on the "U.S. military's top-secret war plans for China." The New York Times said the Pentagon session was intended to inform Musk on the "U.S. military's plan for any war that might break out with China." Both newspapers cited "two U.S. officials" and the source of the report. "Musk is expected to be briefed on how U.S. forces would fight in a potential China war, including maritime tactics and targeting plans," the Wall Street Journal reported. "The Fake News is at it again, this time the Failing New York Times," Trump posted on Truth Social, focusing on the New York Times report. "They said, incorrectly, that Elon Musk is going to the Pentagon tomorrow to be briefed on any potential 'war with China.' How ridiculous?' China will not even be mentioned or discussed. How disgraceful it is that the discredited media can make up such lies. Anyway, the story is completely untrue!!!"
"It was not clear if the briefing for Mr. Musk would go ahead as originally planned," the New York Times said, "But providing Mr. Musk access to some of the nation's most closely guarded military secrets would be a dramatic expansion of his already extensive role as an adviser to Mr. Trump." Musk reposted Trump's denial on his X platform and suggested that he would go after the "two officials" who leaked the story. "The New York Times is pure propaganda," Musk said. "I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT. They will be found." "We look forward to welcoming @elonmusk to the Pentagon," Hegseth posted on his personal X account. "But the fake news delivers again — this is NOT a meeting about 'top secret China war plans.' It's an informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies & smarter production. Gonna be great!" PETE HEGSETH UNVEILS ADDITIONAL $580 MILLION IN DOGE CUTS AT PENTAGON SPEAKING OF FAKE NEWS: There was another item circulating on social media yesterday that reinforces the need to consider the source and use caution when encountering claims on the internet. A post on X from an account identified as Carlos Turnbull posted a photograph of former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Colin Powell and alleged "Pete Hegseth removed Colin Powell's name from a list of notable Americans, buried at Arlington National Cemetery." It further accused Hegseth of removing "the names of every person of color and every woman on the same list," leaving only white men. The Pentagon's "Rapid Response" X account quickly flagged the post as disinformation. "This is a sad, pathetic, and complete TOTAL LIE! Delete your account. A quick check of the Arlington National Cemetery list of prominent military figures, shows Powell is listed and identified as the "first African American to hold three of the U.S. government's highest positions: national security advisor (1987-1989), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993), and secretary of state (2001-2005)." A key word search also reveals dozens of military veterans buried at Arlington are identified as black or African American trailblazers, who were the first to achieve various ranks or honors. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Pete Hegseth unveils additional $580 million in DOGE cuts at Pentagon Washington Examiner: Judge blocks DOGE from accessing Social Security systems containing sensitive data Washington Examiner: Coast Guard interdicts 80,000 pounds of drugs under Trump administration Washington Examiner: Noem: Coast Guard made largest-ever cocaine seizure south of US border Washington Examiner: Top Republicans express concern of possible US command restructuring, cuts Washington Examiner: Hamas fires rockets at Israel in retaliation for restarted military operations Washington Examiner: Dozens arrested in Turkey over online posts supporting detained opposition leader Washington Examiner: US secures release of American tourist from Taliban after two years in captivity Washington Examiner: Trump calls on US to be 'Bitcoin superpower' in crypto conference speech Washington Examiner: Effort to build women's history museum on National Mall gains traction Washington Examiner: UK urges vigilance when traveling to US after German citizens detained at border Washington Examiner: Trump signs order to boost critical minerals using Defense Production Act Washington Examiner: DOJ gives sealed answer to Judge Boasberg's questions about deportation flights Wall Street Journal: Musk to Receive Top-Secret Briefing on US War Plans for China New York Times: Pentagon Set Up Briefing for Musk on Potential War With China Washington Post: Elon Musk to visit Pentagon to discuss China and DOGE reforms, officials say Washington Post: Pentagon spokesman sidelined after uproar over Jackie Robinson article New York Times: Israel Expands Gaza Ground Offensive as Hamas Fires Rockets at Tel Aviv Defense News: GOP Leaders Warn Trump Not to Abandon NATO Post, Pacific Buildup Plans AP: EU presses on with steel 'porcupine strategy' for Ukraine as Russia tries to end Western support AP: Detentions of European tourists at US borders spark fears of traveling to America AP: Everyday tattoos got Venezuelan men ID'd as gang members and deported, lawyers say AP: 67,000 white South Africans express interest in Trump's plan to give them refugee status Air & Space Forces Magazine: Hegseth Endorses Air Force and Space Force Missions During Meeting with Senior Leaders Air & Space Forces Magazine: Saltzman: US Can Overcome Hurdles to Develop Space-Based Interceptors SpaceNews: US Space Force Budget Trimmed in Full-Year Continuing Resolution Breaking Defense: Saltzman: Space Force in 'Pretty Good Spot' Regarding DOD Funding Shift DefenseScoop: Pentagon CIO Calls for More Offensive Cyber Capability Air & Space Forces Magazine: DARPA Eyes Quantum Sensors That Are Easier to Buy, Tougher in the Field Aviation Week: Kratos Reveals Secret Hypersonic Drone Program Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force May Need to Extend the KC-135 Service Life: AMC Boss Federal News Network: Air Force CIO to Retire After 31 Years of Federal Service THE CALENDAR: FRIDAY | MARCH 21 8:45 a.m. 300 5th Ave. SW — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association DOD Cyber Workforce Summit, with Jing Deng, director, Marine Corps Information Workforce Division; Army CIO Leonel Garciga; Air Force CIO Venice Goodwine; Navy CIO Jane Rathbun; Brynt Parmeter, chief talent management officer, Defense Department; Army Lt. Gen. David “Todd” Isaacson, director for command, control, communications and computers, cyber and CIO, J6, Joint Chiefs of Staff https://www.afcea.org/events/dod-cyber-workforce-summit 9 a.m. — Peterson Institute for International Economics virtual discussion: “Can Sanctions Change a Country’s Policy? The Case of China and Russia,” with Denis Redonnet, deputy director-general for trade and economic security and chief trade enforcement officer for the European Commission, Brussels; Martin Chorzempa, PIIE senior fellow; and Cecilia Malmstrom, PIIE nonresident senior fellow https://www.piie.com/events/2025/can-sanctions-change 9:30 a.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council conference: “U.S.-Turkey Relations Under the New Era," with Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Sedat Onal https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/us-turkey-relations-under-the-new-era 11:30 a.m. 7801 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association discussion: “Hacking Bureaucracy,” with Col. Mike Medgyessy, CIO for the Air Force intelligence community; Chandra Donelson, space data and analytics officer, Space Force; and Gabe Chiulli, CTO, Army’s Enterprise Cloud Management Agency https://afceanova.swoogo.com/afceanovaluncheonMar2025 MONDAY | MARCH 24 3 p.m. — Senate meets at 3 p.m. to resume consideration of the nomination of John Phelan to be secretary of the Navy, with a vote set for 5:30 p.m. TUESDAY | MARCH 25 2:30 p.m. 222 Russell — Senate Armed Services Committee Seapower Subcommittee hearing: “The State of Conventional Surface Shipbuilding,” with testimony from Brett Seidle, acting assistant secretary, Navy for research, development and acquisition; Vice Adm. James Downey, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; and Shelby Oakley, director of contracting and national security acquisitions at the Government Accountability Office http://www.armed-services.senate.gov 3:30 p.m.2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Readiness and Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee combined hearing: "Posture and Readiness, Mobility Enterprise," with testimony from Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, commander, U.S. Transportation Command https://armedservices.house.gov/calendar WEDNESDAY | MARCH 26 9:30 a.m. 106 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing: “U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Space Command in review, Defense Authorization Request for FY2026 and the Future Years Defense Program,” with testimony from Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander, U.S. Strategic Command; and Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander, U.S. Space Command http://www.armed-services.senate.gov 10 a.m. 1100 Longworth — House Intelligence Committee hearing: “The Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment,” with testimony from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard; CIA Director John Ratcliffe; FBI Director Kash Patel; Gen. Timothy Haugh, director, National Security Agency; and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, director, Defense Intelligence Agency http://intelligence.house.gov 2:30 p.m. 222 Russell — Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee hearing: “The Status, Military Service Academies,” with testimony from Army Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland, superintendent, U.S. Military Academy; Vice Adm.l Yvette Davids, superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy; and Air Force Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy http://www.armed-services.senate.gov 3:30 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee hearing: "U.S. Special Operations Forces and Command — Challenges and Resource Priorities for Fiscal Year 2026," with testimony from Colby Jenkins, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict; and Army Gen. Bryan Fenton, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command https://armedservices.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=5019 THURSDAY | MARCH 27 10 a.m. — Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing: “NTSB Preliminary Report: DCA Midair Collision," with testimony from NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy http://commerce.senate.gov THURSDAY | APRIL 3 9 a.m. Brussels, Belgium — Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers, with press conferences scheduled by both Rubio and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte https://www.nato.int | | | | "We have definitely not discussed the ownership issue with President Trump. If the Americans want to take it from the Russians and want to invest and modernize it, that's another question. We can talk about it. We will also not discuss the power generation of Ukraine in general. We have 15 nuclear power units in operation today. This all belongs to our state." | | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, rebuffing President Trump's suggestion the U.S. take ownership of Ukraine's power plants |
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Megyn Kelly -> Pete Hegseth responds to 2017 rape accusation. 🔥 vol. 3, issue 13 | December 6, 2024 Quick Hits All the news you need in...
