| ZELENSKY'S SHRINKING OPTIONS: President Volodymyr Zelensky is glimpsing a vision of the future in which Ukraine has little choice but to compromise on its goal of not ceding any territory to Russia's Vladimir Putin. Despite the current administration's repeated refrain that the U.S. will back Ukraine as long as it takes, Zelensky can see Western support weakening, as evidenced by the increasingly desperate tone of his public remarks. "The free world has everything it needs to defend itself and everything people value in life. It has everything — from moral integrity to military strength. All that is needed is the resolve to act, to implement what is necessary for peace," Zelensky said at a session of the Nordic Council in Iceland Tuesday. "Please remember, in wartime, every decision made by a partner country of the one under attack is, first and foremost, a decision about timing. Time for how long the war will last. How long injustice will last. How long there will be no true, lasting peace," Zelensky pleaded in Iceland. "May your decisions end the war and bring real, lasting peace, not a temporary illusion. This is absolutely possible. Ukraine deserves true peace." RUSSIA GRINDS AWAY: Meanwhile, Zelensky is facing a slow but steady loss of territory due to an unrelenting Russian offensive, both in the captured portion of Russia's Kursk Oblast and on Ukraine's Eastern front. "Russian forces seized the settlement of Vuhledar as of October 1, 2024, have continued to advance north and northwest of Vuhledar, and have made significant tactical gains in and near Selydove (southeast of Pokrovsk) over the course of the past week," the Institute for the Study of War noted in its latest battlefield assessment. "These respective advances are tactically significant but do not represent a general increase in the pace of Russian advances across the frontline, much of which remains relatively stagnant." The Washington-based think tank said while the rate of Russian advances in Ukraine has increased in recent weeks when viewed over the two and half years of war, the progress of the Russian counter-offensive is "generally stagnant." "The Russians continue to chew away at the Ukrainian lines. They're attacking probably half a dozen locations and have been doing that for many months since the Ukrainian counteroffensive petered out," Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said during a CSIS podcast yesterday. "They're making a little progress, but it comes at a huge cost. They're not making large breakthroughs, capturing a lot of territory. Putin's strategy appears to be to outlast the West and force the West maybe to back off and make Ukraine accept a settlement ceasefire on the current lines, which would be a partial Putin victory." EYE ON NORTH KOREAN TROOPS: Meanwhile, the Pentagon is keeping a close watch on how Russia is going to employ the estimated 10,000 soldiers North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dispatched to bolster Russian forces, which continue to suffer heavy casualties. "A portion of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine, towards Russia's Kursk Oblast near the border with Ukraine, approximately a couple thousand, with a smaller number already present in the Kursk region," Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at Tuesday's Pentagon briefing. "We remain concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Kursk." In Baltimore yesterday, President Joe Biden was asked if he was concerned about the North Korean troops in Kursk, " I am concerned about it, yes," he replied. "Should the Ukrainians strike back?" a reporter asked. "If they cross into Ukraine, yes," Biden replied. "The weapons and capabilities that the United States and other international partners have provided to Ukraine are Ukrainian weapons and Ukrainian capabilities," Ryder said at the Pentagon. "And we’ve been very clear that Ukraine is able to employ those capabilities to defend their sovereign territory from threats that are either emanating from across the border or inside Ukrainian territory." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Good Wednesday 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: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with his South Korean counterpart, Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, at the Pentagon first thing this morning for the annual "U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting." "The two leaders will utilize the SCM to deepen U.S.-ROK extended deterrence cooperation, modernize our alliance capabilities, and strengthen our contributions to regional security," Ryder said. Austin and Kim are scheduled to hold a joint press briefing after the meeting, which will be livestreamed on the Pentagon's website at 12:30 p.m. PUTIN RATTLES HIS NUCLEAR SABER AGAIN: In what appeared to be designed as a dramatic flexing of his nuclear muscle, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a massive military exercise that simulated a retaliatory nuclear attack. The training exercise "involved the forces and resources of the ground, sea, and air components of the strategic deterrence forces," the Kremlin said. "During the drill, practical launches of both ballistic and cruise missiles were executed," including a "Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk state testing cosmodrome, targeting the Kura training ground in Kamchatka." In a video call with military leaders, Putin called the drill "a regular training exercise for our strategic deterrence forces." "I would like to emphasize that Russia reaffirms its principled stance that the use of nuclear weapons is an extreme, exceptional measure for ensuring state security," Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript. "In light of escalating geopolitical tensions and the emergence of new external threats and risks, it is imperative for us to have modern strategic forces that are in a state of constant combat readiness." "I must stress that we do not intend to be drawn into a new arms race; however, we will maintain our nuclear forces at a level of necessary sufficiency," he said. REMEMBER THE $600 TOILET SEAT, $435 HAMMER? ENTER THE 7,943% SOAP DISPENSER MARKUP: In the annals of defense contractors allegedly fleecing taxpayers with overpriced parts and tools, the Defense Department Inspector General has discovered that Boeing (as if it didn't have enough PR problems at the moment) overcharged the government for lavatory soap dispenser used on the C‑17 cargo plane, by a whopping 7,943%. The DOD IG report features side-by-side photos of a common lavatory soap dispenser, such as one might find in any public bathroom. The soap dispenser was nearly identical to the C-17 model, which, although the price is not revealed, is said to be 80 times the price of the commercial version. The soap dispenser, which is destined to become part of the lore of DOD acquisition gone amok, is just one of 46 spare parts reviewed for reasonable pricing after a whistleblower called the Pentagon's hotline to report waste, fraud, and abuse. The government auditors concluded the Air Force paid "fair and reasonable prices" for nine spare parts, or 20 percent, valued at $20.3 million, but did not pay fair and reasonable prices for 12 spare parts valued at $4.3 million. The auditors did not conclude the remaining 25 spare parts. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Help wanted: Hezbollah names new leader after Nasrallah and successors killed Washington Examiner: Israel's Iron Beam to be online in 2025, designed to take out drones Washington Examiner: Vance acknowledges 'we're going to have distinct interests' from Israel sometimes Washington Examiner: Brian Mast pushes Pentagon for answers on intelligence leak to Iran Washington Examiner: IDF captures 100 Hamas militants in north Gaza hospital Washington Examiner: Barrasso says Iran should not retaliate against Israel 'if they're smart' New York Times: With Limited Options, Zelensky Seeks a Path Forward for Ukraine Washington Post: Ukraine accuses Russia of sudden spike in POW killings AP: North Korean troops sent to Russia may be pleased to be there, even as they face ferocious fighting AP: Hezbollah Picks a New Leader and Israel Bombs Southern Lebanon Washington Post: What visuals reveal about the impact of Israeli strikes on Iran AP: Satellite photos show Israeli strike likely hit important Iran Revolutionary Guard missile base Wall Street Journal: Pentagon Runs Low on Air-Defense Missiles as Demand Surges Defense News: Budget Woes May Slow Pentagon Efforts to Strengthen Industry Breaking Defense: Hundreds of Drone Incursions Reported at Military Installations over Past Few Years: NORTHCOM DefenseScoop: DOD to 'Complement' Replicator Initiative by Accelerating Solid Rocket Motor Production Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Chief: Small Drones Are Both 'Threat and Opportunity' Air & Space Forces Magazine: Kendall: In US-China 'Race for Technological Superiority,' AI May Be the Key Defense News: US Space Force Moves to Make Its Systems Battle-Ready by 2026 Space News: Pentagon's Commercial Satellite Internet Services Program Soars to $13 Billion Air & Space Forces Magazine: IG Spanks Boeing and USAF Over Wasteful Spare Parts Air & Space Forces Magazine: New Challenges, New Opportunities in EW Breaking Defense: Five Eyes Officials Say They Want a Shared Top Secret Cloud, Someday Stars and Stripes: Ramstein Provides 'Soft Landing' for US Military Spouses with Unique Air Force Hub The Cipher Brief: Ex-Ukraine Defense Minister: Russia 'Trying to Grow the War' with North Korean Troops The Cipher Brief: Why Our Presidential Candidates Must Choose Ukraine The Cipher Brief: How to Save a Government: Remember 9/11 — and 'Join the Team' WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 30 8:50 a.m. 900 South Orme St., Arlington, Virginia — Institute for Defense and Government 2024 Defense Logistics and Support Conference, with Carla Zeppieri, deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial base resilience remarks on "Industrial Base Policy for Resilience" https://www.idga.org/events-defense-logistics 9:30 a.m. — Henry Stimson Center virtual discussion: "Assessing Global Arms Trade Transparency," with Robert in den Bosch, disarmament ambassador and permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament, Kingdom, Netherlands in Geneva; Carina Solmirano, project lead at the Arms Trade Treaty Monitor; Claudia Garcia, political affairs officer for conventional arms at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs; and Rachel Stohl, director, Stimson Conventional Defense Program https://www.stimson.org/event/assessing-global-arms-trade-transparency/ 10 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual book discussion: "Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy," with author John Klein, adjunct professor at George Washington University Space Policy Institute and senior fellow at Falcon Research Inc. https://www.csis.org/events/space-warfare-virtual-book-talk-dr-john-j-klein 11 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: "Quality of Life for Service Members and their Families," with Ronald Keohane, assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs; Brendan Owens, assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations, and environment; and Katherine Kuzminski, deputy director of studies and director, CNAS Military, Veterans, and Society Program https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-quality-of-life-for-service 12 p.m. — Washington Post Live virtual discussion: "The election security landscape in 2024 contest," with Jen Easterly, director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live 1 p.m. — Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft virtual discussion: beginning at 1 p.m., on "What is the Future, Axis of Resistance?," focusing on Hezbollah, Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, Assad-led Syria, the Houthis, Hamas and Yemen, with Narges Bajoghli, assistant professor of Middle East studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; Adam Weinstein, deputy director, Quincy Institute Middle East Program; Nir Rosen, author of Aftermath: Following the Bloodshed of America Wars in the Muslim World; and Steven Simon, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute https://quincyinst.org/events/what-is-the-future-of-the-axis-of-resistance/ 1 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "Implementing the National Defense Industrial Strategy," with Laura Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy https://www.csis.org/events/implementing-national-defense-industrial-strategy 2 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group; and UiPath virtual discussion: "Enabling the Future of Army Modernization," with Army CIO Leonel Garciga; Maj. Gen. Jake Kwon, director of strategic operations at Army Headquarters; Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. John Morrison; and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment Jordan Gillis, federal engagement executive at UiPath https://events.govexec.com/uipath-enabling-the-future-of-army-modernization 2 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: "Geopolitics and the Next US President," with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH); Helima Croft, managing director and global head of commodity strategy, RBC Capital Markets; and Frederick Kempe, Atlantic Council CEO and president https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/elections-2024 3 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "The Global Terrorism Landscape," with Brett Holmgren, acting director, National Counterterrorism Center https://www.csis.org/events/global-terrorism-landscape THURSDAY | OCTOBER 31 12 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs discussion: "What Drives the Sino-Russian Partnership Regime Insecurity, Aggressive Overreach, and the Alignment between Moscow and Beijing,' with Aleksandar Matovski, assistant professor at the Naval Postgraduate School https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/what-drives-the-sino-russian-partnership 1 p.m. — Washington Post Live virtual discussion: "Lawmakers on Bipartisan Effort to Safeguard the 2024 Presidential Election," with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE); and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live 1 p.m. 37th and O Sts. NW — American Institute for Contemporary German Studies discussion: "German and U.S. Relations with Israel amid Escalating Conflict in the Middle East," with Christoph Heusgen, chairman, Munich Security Conference; and Aaron David Miller, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior fellow https://americangerman.institute/events/2024/10/german-and-u-s-relations-with-israel 3 p.m. 1789 Massachusetts Ave. NW — American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research discussion with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin; and Kori Schake, AEI director of foreign and defense policy studies https://www.aei.org/events/a-fireside-chat-with-the-chief-of-staff FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 1 7 p.m. 800 21st St. NW — Politics and Prose Bookstore book discussion: War, with author Bob Woodward, Washington Post associate editor | | | | "Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage' … The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters — his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it's un-American. It's totally contrary to everything we've done, everything we've been." | | President Joe Biden on a campaign call with Voto Latino Tuesday night. He later said he was referring to hateful rhetoric spewed by one speaker at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally. |
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