| WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY? Search on the social media platform X for "New Jersey drones," and you'll find plenty of videos of the mysterious, low-flying objects that have baffled law enforcement, lawmakers, and private citizens who have been left wondering what or who is behind what appears to be a drone invasion. Some look like planes, others like flying orbs, and so far, no one has provided a satisfying explanation for what's going on. "These are not U.S. military drones," Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon's deputy press secretary, told reporters at yesterday's briefing. "At this time, we have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or the work of an adversary." Despite reports that the drones, typically larger than those flown by hobbyists, have been spotted near Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, the Pentagon insists, at this point, the mystery is one for local law enforcement to solve. "If a drone or any activity is a threat to military installations, they always have the right for self-defense, and they can engage to respond to any potential risks," Singh said. "At no time were our military installations or our people ever under any threat, and if they were, of course the base commanders have the ability to engage these drones if they do pose a threat." LOCAL LAWMAKERS FRUSTRATED: A group of New Jersey state and local lawmakers were briefed by state police and Homeland Security officials yesterday, but came away with no answers. "If that was a briefing, then I don’t need any briefings because the state police have no idea what these are," State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-NJ) said in an appearance on CNN. "They know they're drones. They don’t know where they’re coming from. They don’t know the intent of these drones. I’ve got to tell you, the colonel of the state police who I like, Colonel Callahan, he was frustrated." It's not just New Jersey that's experiencing the drone phenomenon. Sightings have been reported from New York City and westward to parts of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. "Well, let's put it this way, we don't know who is piloting them, we don't know where they came from, we don't know why they're here, and we don't know where they went. That about sums it up, right?" Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), a member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, said, on Fox News. "So you've got all of these, basically hundreds of drone sightings, and we don't have any answers, and that's purely unacceptable." "If our government really doesn't know what these giant drones are over New Jersey and our military bases, they're even more incompetent than we thought," Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) posted on X. "Time for them to level with us about what's really going on." "We haven't gotten adequate answers from the Biden administration either and it's not just these drones most recently over New Jersey. In recent months, there have been numerous drones flying over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia," Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) told Sean Hannity on Fox News last night. "We don't get any satisfactory answers. Perhaps as you say, it's something innocuous, just hobbyists or pranksters. But I don't think it serves the public interest to have the Biden administration or Democratic governors go out trying to allay concerns when they have no factual basis to allay those concerns." Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Cotton has proposed legislation to give local authorities resources and authority to take down drones in airspace near large sporting events or military bases. "The Biden administration has not supported that legislation," Cotton said. "I think you can expect something different from President Trump." THE IRANIAN MOTHERSHIP THEORY: There was speculation that quickly spread on social media that the drones may have been released by a large Iranian "mothership" hovering offshore, a theory promptly dismissed by the Pentagon. "There is not any truth to that," Singh told reporters. "There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called 'mothership' launching drones towards the United States." "I did have a conversation this morning with a high-level law enforcement official where we talked about the possibility of a mothership being there with the drones. I think the fact we don't have definitive answers is worrisome," Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) said on Fox News. "The Iranians are surely always up to no good. It's just we have to keep our eye on the ball and ultimately the American people deserve to know what is happening." While some have called on the U.S. military to shoot down the drones, Gonzales said he'd like to see the Pentagon figure out how to recover the drones intact. "How do we capture it so that way we can bring it back, figure out where it came from, find its flight path, find its frequencies, find some of the metadata that's embedded in it, the information that it was sharing, who was it sharing to," Gonzales said. "So that way, you're not just going after an instrument, you're going after a network. This is the level of detail that our federal government needs to be working with our state and local partners to solve to keep Americans safe." PENTAGON SLAPS DOWN CLAIM NEW JERSEY DRONES ARE FROM IRANIAN 'MOTHERSHIP' Good Thursday 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 (@chriswtremo). 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 NOTE TO READERS: Daily on Defense will be on Christmas break from Monday, Dec. 23 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. HAPPENING TODAY: In Brussels this morning, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is giving a speech titled "To Prevent War, NATO Must Spend More," a call for NATO's member nations to spend more than the required 2% of GDP on defense. It will be followed by a discussion moderated by Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, which is hosting the event. Livestream available at https://www.nato.int ALSO TODAY: Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Jordan and Turkey to promote a "Syrian-led transition" as the former rebels now in charge of the country face the complex challenge of actually governing. "The Secretary will reiterate the United States' support for an inclusive, Syrian-led transition to an accountable and representative government," the State Department said in a statement announcing Blinken's travel plans. "He will discuss the need for the transition process and new government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base of terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that chemical weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed." NDAA NOW GOES TO THE SENATE: As expected, the final vote in the House on the annual National Defense Authorization Act wasn't close, but it wasn't the bipartisan lovefest it usually is. The House sent the $884 billion defense policy bill to the Senate on a 281 to 140 vote, with fewer than half of the Democrats voting for the must-pass measure. "There is much to celebrate in this bill thanks to the bipartisan commitment that defined the time-honored process. That includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and 4.5% pay raise for all other service members and improvements in quality of life issues such as housing, healthcare, childcare, and spousal support for service members and military families," said Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. Smith led the opposition based on his objection to a provision added by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to ban gender-affirming care for transgender children of U.S. service members if it would result in their sterilization. "The corrosive effect of Speaker Johnson's insistence on including a harmful provision puts the lives of thousands of children at risk by denying them healthcare and may force thousands of service members to choose between continuing their military service or leaving to ensure their child can get the healthcare they need," Smith said. "This will be felt for generations to come." "The president is going to stop all these social, cultural issues from being embedded as policies," Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) told reporters before the final vote. "So my point is, I don't know why this is in the bill when on January 20, it's a moot point. "The compromise version of the bill, hammered out over the weekend, is also expected to easily pass the Senate next week, and head to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature, before Congress recesses for the holidays. NDAA SAILS THROUGH HOUSE AS BOTH PARTIES SEE SPLIT IN SUPPORT U.S. ALLIES IN SYRIA FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE: The overthrow of the brutal regime of Bashar Assad in Syria, has left America's allies in the fight against ISIS in a tenuous position. The U.S. has roughly 900 troops in eastern Syria backing Kurdish and Arab fighters who form what's called the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey sees SDF as part of a Kurdish insurgency and believes it should have no presence in the new Syria. On November 30, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army launched a military operation targeting the Manbij region to disrupt supply lines controlled by the SDF, creating a corridor between the cities of al-Bab and Tel Rifaat, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "Turkish-backed SNA fighters, supported by Turkish Air Force jets and drones, are beginning to attack Kurdish strongholds. The mission is to eliminate the SDF and end U.S. support for our partners who have defended the world against ISIS," the FDD's Sinan Ciddi writes. "Kurds will likely fight to the last person … but it's important to note that without a safe and agreed upon autonomous zone for Syria's Kurds, a stable Syria is unlikely to materialize." Asked by reporters if the U.S. would help its SDF allies, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters traveling with him in Japan, "We're going to remain in close contact with our partners in the region. And we're going to — as things occur, we're going to consult with them and ensure that we're doing the right things to protect our interests and respond to whatever the situation is that unfolds." "Secretary Austin engaged his Turkish counterpart earlier this week. So the conversations are ongoing, understanding that the dynamics on the ground in Syria are dynamic," spokesperson Sabrina Singh said at the Pentagon. "Turkey certainly faces threats … and they have the right to also protect themselves. But that's why we're continuing to have these conversations not just with Turkey, but with other stakeholders in the region when it comes to Syria." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: West Point apologizes for sharing inaccurate Pete Hegseth information Washington Examiner: Betting market shows huge bounce back for Hegseth as Senate sorts through Cabinet picks Washington Examiner: Trump allies drilled down on Joni Ernst in pressure campaign to save Hegseth Washington Examiner: US carries out ballistic missile interception test in Guam for first time Washington Examiner: Blinken testifies in hostile hearing over botched Afghanistan withdrawal Washington Examiner: McCaul challenges Blinken on U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan Washington Examiner: North Korea relishes South Korean chaos as Yoon's office raided and defense minister attempts suicide Washington Examiner: Senate Democrats push Biden to protect illegal immigrants: 'Fear for their lives' Washington Examiner: Wray announces resignation as Trump plans to replace him Washington Examiner: Pentagon slaps down claim New Jersey drones are from Iranian 'mothership' Washington Examiner: Assad wanted to create statelet along Syrian coast with Russian backing Washington Examiner: NDAA sails through House as both parties see split in support Politico: Tech Billionaires Prepare to Invade the Pentagon Reuters: Island in the crosshairs AP: Protests in Seoul as President Yoon defends martial law amid impeachment votes AP: What to know about martial law and the impeachment vote threatening South Korea's president Breaking Defense: Australia Must Increase Joint Training, Build More Together with US, Japan: Reports Air & Space Forces Magazine: American MQ-9 Drone Shot Down in Syria—by US Ally New York Times: How Navy Pilots Are Harmed by Their Own Planes The War Zone: Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed to Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands Air & Space Forces Magazine: China's Orbital Maneuvers Have Space Force Leaders Seeking Better Options SpaceNews: US Space Force Unit in Europe Navigates Critical Satellite Operations Defense News: Space Force's First Silent Barker Satellites to Go Live in Early 2025 Military.com: Chinese Citizen Arrested After Allegedly Flying Drone, Taking Photos of Space Force Base Aviation Week: Kratos Conducts First Flight of Thanatos UCAV Air & Space Forces Magazine: Despite New Policy, Space Force Remains Stymied by Classification Defense One: Defense Officials Hopeful Incoming Administration Keeps Funding Cutting-Edge Tech DefenseScoop: Pentagon Sunsets Generative AI Task Force, Launches Rapid Capabilities Cell Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Infrastructure Is On Life Support. A New Plan Aims to Fix It Responsible Statecraft: Central Asia: The blind spot Trump can’t afford to ignore 19fortyfive.com: The Eight Great Powers of 2025 19fortyfive.com: The Air Force Just Sent A-10 Warthogs to China's Doorstep 19fortyfive.com: Israel Is Destroying What Is Left of Syria's Military The Cipher Brief: Post-Assad Syria: 'Now Comes the Hard Part' The Cipher Brief: Questions for Trump's FBI Nominee Kash Patel THE CALENDAR: THURSDAY | DECEMBER 12 8 a.m. 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md. — Association of Old Crows annual International Symposium and Convention, with Air Force Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of Global Strike Command; and Vice Adm. Craig “Clap” Clapperton, commander of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command https://crows.org/events/annual-convention-symposium/ 9 a.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion: “To Prevent War, NATO Must Dial Up Its Defenses, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2024/12/to-prevent-war-nato-must-dial-up-its-defenses 9:30 a.m. — Middle East Institute virtual discussion: “The Fall of Assad, Future of Syria, and a Region Redrawn," with Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of the Emgage Foundation and MEI senior fellow; Charles Lister, MEI senior fellow and director of the Syria and Countering Terrorism & Extremism Programs; Paul Salem, MEI vice president for international engagement; Nimrod Goren, MEI senior fellow for Israeli affairs; Gonul Tol, MEI Turkey Program director; and Brian Katulis, MEI senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register 9 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW— Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion: “Strengthening Ukraine’s Economic Recovery and Reconstruction: Looking Back and Planning Forward, with Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma https://www.csis.org/events/strengthening-ukraines-economic-recovery 9:30 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “Accelerating Replicator and Fielding Technologies for Today Fight,” with Aditi Kumar, deputy director of the Defense Department Defense Innovation Unit https://www.hudson.org/events/accelerating-replicator-fielding 9:30 a.m. — Asia Society Policy Institute virtual discussion: “Trump Second Act: What It Means for Asia and Pakistan,” with former Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S. Maleeha Lodhi; Kamran Yousaf, host of “The Review on Express News”; Daniel Russel, ASPI vice president of international security and diplomacy; and Farwa Aamer, ASPI director of South Asia Initiatives https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/events/trumps-second-act 9:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “What Happened in South Korea?” with Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post Tokyo bureau chief; Victor Cha, CSIS Korea chair; Sydney Seiler, CSIS nonresident senior adviser; and Mark Lippert, CSIS nonresident senior adviser https://www.csis.org/events/what-happened-south-korea-capital-cable-102 10:30 a.m. — Atlantic Council virtual discussion: “Ukraine Security, Europe Stability” as part of Central Europe Week,” with Tomas Kopecny, Czech Republic government envoy for the reconstruction of Ukraine; Mykola Bielieskov, research fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Studies; and former Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/2024-central-europe-week 12 p.m. — The Cipher Brief Cyber Initiatives Group 2024 Winter Summit, with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly; retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles Moore, former deputy commander of U.S. Cyber Command; Cynthia Kaiser, deputy assistant director of FBI Cyber; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Jennifer Bachus https://www.cyberinitiativesgroup.com/winter-summit-2024 FRIDAY | DECEMBER 13 8 a.m.2800 South Potomac Ave., Arlington, Va. — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association 2024 Air Force IT Day, with Venice Goodwine, CIO of the Department of the Air Force; and Maj. Gen. Jeth Rey, director of network C4 services and integration at the Army https://afceanova.swoogo.com/AirForceITDay2024 9 a.m. The National Mall — Events DC “Patriot Games” event, a competition between Army Cadets and Navy Midshipmen with the winner receiving a trophy to be presented on the field during Saturday's Army-Navy Game https://eventsdc.com/americas-game 2 p.m. — Defense Priorities virtual discussion: "Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war," with Dara Massicot, senior fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow and director of military analysis, Defense Priorities; and Max Bergmann, director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies https://www.defensepriorities.org/events/trump-and-ukraine-prolonging-or-ending-the-war | | | | "I can tell you what they're not doing. If they're Martians, I guarantee you, they're not staying because the taxes are way too high. I'd know they'd be in Florida." | | State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-NJ), expressing frustration in a CNN interview that New Jersey State Police have no idea what's behind the mysterious drones flying over the state. |
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