| WALTZ: UKRAINE WAR HAS 'BOGGED DOWN': Ukraine's forces are holding the front lines, despite Russia's unrelenting assaults with waves of so-called "meat-grinder" attacks, so named because no level of casualties inflicted on the invaders have forced Russian President Vladimir Putin to reconsider his strategy that is costing him up to 1,000 troops a day. Incoming national security adviser Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) described the current state of the war as "bogged down to a World War I style meat grinder of people and resources with World War III consequences." On ABC’s This Week on Sunday, he argued world opinion — including he says the view of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy — has shifted away from giving Ukraine an "unqualified, blank check, as long as it takes, whether that's months, years, decades," to President-elect Donald Trump's more pragmatic view that it's time to end the war and move on. Waltz argued that Putin has the upper hand and that Zelensky's goals are unattainable. "Everybody knows that this has to end somehow diplomatically. I just don't think it's realistic to say we're going to expel every Russian from every inch of Ukrainian soil, even Crimea," Waltz said on ABC's This Week, "President Trump has acknowledged that reality, and I think it's been a huge step forward that the entire world is acknowledging that reality." MORE DRONES VS MORE PEOPLE: Waltz faults Zelensky for being reluctant to draft younger recruits into his armed forces, something he's unwilling to do because it would mean decimating the next generation of Ukrainians who will need to rebuild the country whenever the war ends. "The Ukrainians have real manpower issues. Their draft age right now is 26 years old, not 18," Waltz said. "We need to see those manpower shortages addressed. This isn't just about munitions, ammunition, or writing more checks. It's about seeing the frontlines stabilized so that we can enter into some type of deal." "They could generate hundreds of thousands of new soldiers," said Waltz, who suggested Ukraine, which has suffered hundreds of thousands of military casualties, should sacrifice more. "Look, if the Ukrainians have asked the entire world to be all in for democracy, we need them to be all in for democracy." Zelensky has a different view. His strategy has shifted to using more and more drones, many homegrown, to offset his manpower disadvantage. "We need drones," Zelenssky said last week in his final meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. "Drones are something that has already changed the nature of war, and the changes are far from over. Today, there is a direct dependence to stop the advance of the enemy, to stop losing people and territories." "Drones deter the enemy, keep them at a distance. It can be done," Zelensky said. "We are focusing on drones that our brigades need to hold the front lines and drones essential for ensuring security, like maritime drones, and drones made for deep strikes on the enemy's military facilities and infrastructures in their territory." Since the start of the new year, Ukrainian drone attacks have been particularly effective in hitting Russian command and control headquarters inside Russia, and in setting ablaze several oil storage and refining facilities. A GOOD DEAL FOR UKRAINE? The tone of incoming President Donald Trump is a stark contrast to that of the outgoing Biden administration, which has avoided publicly pressuring Ukraine to capitulate to any of Putin's demands. In a phone call with Zelensky Friday, "President Biden underscored the importance of continuing to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom so that the Ukrainian people can secure the just and lasting peace that they deserve," according to a White House readout of the call. "Russia wanted to grind down Ukraine's army. Now, that army is stronger and more capable than ever." "A good deal involves Ukraine making decisions about its territory, its people, and its freedom, and not having decisions imposed upon it by the United States or anyone else," Jake Sullivan, outgoing national security adviser, said on CNN. "A good deal means that, after the war is over, it doesn't start again a few months later because Russia just picks up where it left off. That requires some degree of security commitments from the West to Ukraine." Sullivan expressed the hope that in making a deal with Putin, Trump won't quash Ukraine's dream of securing its future under the security of the NATO umbrella. "At the NATO Summit last year, President Biden brought all of the allies together, and they collectively said, Ukraine's future is in NATO," Sullivan said. "The question is, what kind of bridge can we build from here to there? How does that fit into these negotiations? Those will be the things that the incoming team will have to grapple with." MIKE WALTZ SAYS HE EXPECTS TRUMP-PUTIN CALL IN 'COMING DAYS AND WEEKS' Good Monday 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 HAPPENING TODAY: President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver a foreign policy address, in which he will reflect on his accomplishments and offer advice on the challenges ahead for the Trump administration. The setting will be the State Department, but as of this morning a time had not been announced. "He has some thoughts on the future, not just of the country but how this country moves forward," Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday. "Russia's war in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific — many other important matters that he's going to certainly lean into." "He's going to ask the question: Is America stronger than we were four years ago? And he's going to answer that question with a definitive 'yes,'" said Jake Sullivan on CNN. "Our alliances are stronger. Our enemies and competitors are weaker. We have kept the nation out of war. Every element of American power is stronger today." "And if you look around the world at every other significant country, they're looking at the United States in 2025 and saying, damn, I wish we were in their position because the U.S., alone among the major economies in the world, is dynamic, powerful, propelled with very good friends and with adversaries and competitors under pressure," Sullivan said. "That's what we're handing off to the next team … And that's what the next team will have to carry forward." HAPPENING TODAY: President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver a foreign policy address, in which he will reflect on his accomplishments and offer advice on the challenges ahead for the Trump administration. The setting will be the State Department, but as of this morning a time had not been announced. "He has some thoughts on the future, not just of the country but how this country moves forward," Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday. "Russia's war in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific — many other important matters that he's going to certainly lean into." "He's going to ask the question: Is America stronger than we were four years ago? And he's going to answer that question with a definitive 'yes,'" said Jake Sullivan on CNN. "Our alliances are stronger. Our enemies and competitors are weaker. We have kept the nation out of war. Every element of American power is stronger today." "And if you look around the world at every other significant country, they're looking at the United States in 2025 and saying, damn, I wish we were in their position because the U.S., alone among the major economies in the world, is dynamic, powerful, propelled with very good friends and with adversaries and competitors under pressure," Sullivan said. "That's what we're handing off to the next team … And that's what the next team will have to carry forward." WALTZ: NO MORE VINDMANS: In an interview with Breitbart News last week, Mike Waltz promised to purge the various departments and agencies across the federal government currently detailed to the National Security Council of anyone who is not fully on board with President Trump's agenda. "Everybody is going to resign at 12:01 on January 20," Waltz told Breitbart in a phone interview. "We're working through our process to get everybody their clearances and through the transition process now." Waltz cited the case of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, an NSC staffer whose testimony supported the first impeachment of Trump. "The folks that we're bringing in are 100% aligned with the president's agenda. Hell, the entire world seems to be aligned with his agenda if you just look at the outreach from world leaders and everybody who wants to come to Mar-a-Lago." Waltz argued Trump was hampered in his first term because "everybody was reflexively just against him," adding "Trump Derangement Syndrome was out of control in 2017." "Waltz aims to purge scores of professionals from the Department of Defense, Department of State, CIA, and other agencies — not because of their conduct, but due to a demand for blind allegiance to Trump," Vindman responded in a post on X. "This approach sends a stark and troubling message: in a second Trump administration, only political loyalists will be permitted to serve on the NSC." "My actions did not conflict with Trump's stated national security policy. My reporting of corruption — my refusal to remain silent as Trump engaged in criminal activity, undermined free and fair elections by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, to steal the 2020 election — and my refusal to betray my oath to the U.S. Constitution, are why I was fired," Vindman said. Current national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he saw Waltz's comments, but would reserve judgment. "I have had very good, substantive engagement with Congressman Waltz. He is very well-informed. He is focused on the issues," Sullivan said on CNN. "We're trying to have as smooth a handoff as possible, especially on these significant issues in Ukraine and the Middle East." "The one thing I will say is that the professionals who make up the National Security Council staff, they're not political. They come from departments and agencies across the government, from the Defense Department, the intelligence community, the State Department, and they serve the country and the Constitution. They don't serve anyone's particular political agenda." In an interview that aired last night on CBS 60 Minutes, FBI Director Christopher Wray, who decided to step down rather than be fired by Trump, said the view that the ranks of senior government professionals are rife with Never Trumpers is a myth. "From where I sit, facts and the law drive investigations, not politics or partisan preferences," Wray told CBS's Scott Pelley. "I have been my whole life, my whole adult life, a conservative Republican, more importantly, a strict, by-the-book law enforcement professional. I do take very seriously attacks against our people in the FBI. And I will tell you that the FBI that I see every single day is 38,000 career law enforcement professionals. Not one of them is a political appointee. Not one of 'em." CHINA'S 'SALT TYPHOON' TELECOM HACK HAS SENT SHOCKWAVES THROUGH THE US INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY EDGING CLOSER TO $1 TRILLION DEFENSE BUDGET: Outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is reportedly recommending a $55 billion boost in defense spending in the proposed fiscal 2026 budget that would be left behind for the Trump administration. In a letter seen by Bloomberg's Anthony Capaccio, Austin suggests once congressionally imposed spending caps expire next year, the Pentagon will need to make up the ground lost to inflation. "I have not wavered in my assessment that meeting the demands of our strategy requires real growth" above inflation "and sustained new investments in fiscal years 2026-2030," Austin wrote in the letter, which Bloomberg reported was sent to the Office of Management and Budget in late November. "Austin recommended OMB leave Trump's incoming administration a proposed five-year defense plan that starts with $926.5 billion in fiscal 2026, compared with a projected $876.8 billion," Bloomberg reported. "It proposes spending of $972.8 billion in fiscal 2027 and more than $1 trillion in fiscal 2028 versus the $913.5 billion OMB projected earlier." MAN WITH A PLAN: THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER INTERVIEW WITH JOHN THUNE THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Two US agencies break with rest of intelligence community on Havana syndrome Washington Examiner: House Intelligence leader calls latest Havana syndrome assessment a 'cover-up' Washington Examiner: Opinion: Dam breaks on intelligence community's Havana syndrome Russia cover-up Washington Examiner: Underwater espionage: How attacking undersea cables became a new form of warfare Washington Examiner: China's 'Salt Typhoon' telecom hack has sent shockwaves through the US intelligence community Washington Examiner: China influence over Panama Canal has been a US concern for years Washington Examiner: South Korean presidential security chief resigns after obstructing Yoon arrest Washington Examiner: US offers $25 million for arrest of Venezuelan president as he begins illicit third term Washington Examiner: Biden DHS extends deportation protections for immigrants from Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan Washington Examiner: Parents of children killed by fentanyl worry closing border won't stop drug epidemic Washington Examiner: 'Historic' man-made 'smuggling' tunnel from Mexico into US discovered in Texas Washington Examiner: Mike Waltz says he expects Trump-Putin call in 'coming days and weeks' Washington Examiner: Man with a plan: The Washington Examiner interview with John Thune Washington Examiner: James Rogan Opinion: Trump can pressure the Russian economy to get Putin negotiating Washington Examiner: Opinion: Using military force against Mexican drug cartels could create a 'black eye' for Trump Washington Examiner: Editorial: Congress should greenlight attempt to buy Greenland AP: North Korean Troops in Ukraine Gain Battlefield Experience, Cementing Alliance With Russia Breitbart: Mike Waltz to Clean Out Deep Staters from National Security Council: 'We're Taking Resignations at 12:01' on January 20 Bloomberg: Austin Tells OMB $926 Billion Defense Budget Needed, $55 Billion over Current Plan Washington Post: Democrats warm to Laken Riley bill as Senate prepares to take up measure The Hill: Ukraine Captures First North Korean Soldiers, Zelensky Says Air & Space Forces Magazine: Accelerating B-21 Production Would 'Make Some Sense'—If It's Affordable: Kendall Wall Street Journal: Israel's Defense Industry Booms on Foreign Demand and War at Home Defense News: US Army Wants Spy Drones to Launch from High-Altitude Motherships Inside Defense: Navy Seeking Handheld C-sUAS Solutions Breaking Defense: Iran Unveils New Loitering Munition, Announces Separate Push for 1,000 'Strategic' Drones Politico: Biden Readies Executive Action on AI Use for Cyber Defense, Enhancing Software Security Air & Space Forces Magazine: Chief to Airmen: New Standards and Enforcement Are Coming Air & Space Forces Magazine: Small Satellite Architectures Get New Boosts From SDA, NRO Air & Space Forces Magazine: In Final Speech, Hicks Touts Work to Thwart China's A2/AD Strategy Military.com: Trusted Traveler Program Reinstated Following Suspension After New Orleans, Las Vegas Attacks 19fortyfive.com: John Bolton Opinion: Donald Trump's Rush for Ukraine Peace Talks Could Be a Giant Mistake 19fortyfive.com: NGAD: The 6th Generation Fighter Jet the U.S. Air Force Can't Do Without 19fortyfive.com: PAK DA: Russia's 'Mission Impossible' Stealth Bomber Won't Fly THE CALENDAR: MONDAY | JANUARY 13 TBA 2201 C St. NW — President Joe Biden delivers a foreign policy address at the State Department 9:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual "A Conversation with Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall on The Department of the Air Force in 2050," with Kari Bingen, director, Aerospace Security Project and senior fellow, Defense and Security Department, CSIS; and Seth Jones, president, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair, CSIS https://www.csis.org/events/conversation-secretary-air-force-frank-kendall 10 a.m. — Federation for Defense of Democracies virtual discussion: “Tunnel Vision: U.S.-Israel Cooperation and the Future of Underground Warfare,” with retired Army Maj. John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the West Point Modern War Institute; Daphne Richemond-Barak, assistant professor at the IDC Herzliya School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy; Bradley Bowman, senior director of the FDD Center on Military and Political Power; Jonathan Schanzer, FDD executive director; and retired Israeli Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, FDD senior fellow and former international spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces https://ips-dc.org/event/u-s-china-raw-materials-competition/ 10 a.m. — Henry L. Stimson Center virtual discussion: “Gendered Disinformation: A National Security Threat?,” with Tarushika Sarvesh, assistant professor at Aligarh Muslim University; Kaleigh Schwalbe, program manager at the National Democratic Institute; Mary Wanjiru, programme specialist at UN Women Kenya; Lisa Sharland, senior fellow and director at the Stimson Center’s Protecting Civilians and Human Security Program; and Allison Pytlak, senior fellow and director of the Stimson Center’s Cyber Program https://www.stimson.org/event/gendered-disinformation-a-national-security-threat/ 12 p.m. — Washington Institute for Near East Policy virtual forum: “Lebanon Ceasefire: Status and Prospects of the Israel-Hezbollah Truce,” with Khalil Helou, associate professor at Saint Joseph University of Beirut and chairman of the Lebanese National Convention; Tal Kelman, former Israeli Air Force chief of staff; and Hanin Ghaddar, WINEP senior fellow https://washingtoninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register 12 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs book discussion: Putin’s Revenge: Why Russia Invaded Ukraine, with author Lucian Kim, senior analyst for Ukraine at the International Crisis Group https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/book-talk-on-putins-revenge TUESDAY | JANUARY 14 9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the expected nomination of Peter B. Hegseth to be secretary of defense http://www.armed-services.senate.gov 10 a.m. 366 Dirksen — Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the nomination of Doug Burgum to be secretary of the interior http://energy.senate.gov 12:30 p.m. — United States Institute of Peace, American Enterprise Institute, Atlantic Council, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Center for American Progress, and Heritage Foundation virtual discussion: “Passing the Baton: Securing America’s Future in an Era of Strategic Competition,” with former Chief of Naval Operations retired Adm. Gary Roughead; Tarun Chhabra, senior director for technology and national security at the National Security Council; national security adviser Jake Sullivan; national security adviser-designate to President-elect Trump Michael Waltz; and former national security adviser Stephen Hadley https://www.usip.org/events/passing-baton-2025 1 p.m. — Intelligence and National Security Alliance virtual discussion: "Growing nation-state threats to Western emerging tech firms,” with NCSC Director Michael Casey; and Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg, INSA president https://www.insaonline.org/detail-pages/event/2025 2 p.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: “Maximizing the impact of special operation forces for future strategic challenges,” with Christopher Maier; assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict; and Missy Ryan, Washington Post Pentagon correspondent https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/maximizing-the-impact-of-special-operation-forces-for-future-strategic-challenges/ WEDNESDAY | JANUARY 15 7 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd. — Association of the U.S. Army day long Hot Topic discussion: "Connecting the Industrial Base to the Tactical Edge, with Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, acting commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command; Vic Ramdass, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy; Liz Miranda, executive deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Material Command; Maj. Gen. Michael Lalor, commander, U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command; Brig. Gen. Ronnie Anderson, commander, Joint Munitions Command; and Rich Martin, executive director of supply chain management at Army Materiel Command https://www.ausa.org/events/hot-topic/connecting-industrial-base-tactical-edge 9 a.m. 2401 M St. NW — George Washington University Project for Media and National Security Defense Writers Group coffee-conversation with Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith RSVP: [email protected] 9 a.m. — Intelligence and National Security Alliance virtual discussion: "Integrating open source intelligence technology into the Machine-Assisted Analytic Rapid-Repository System program, using AI and machine learning for big data analysis, and tackling challenges with innovative commercial solutions,” with Timothy Wood, deputy program manager at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s MARS program; and Bishop Garrison, INSA vice president for policy https://www.insaonline.org/detail-pages/event 9 a.m. 342 Dirksen — Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the nomination of Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) to be homeland security secretary. http://www.hsgac.senate.gov 9:30 a.m. 216 Dirksen — Day one of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Pam Bondi to be attorney general of the United States. http://judiciary.senate.gov 10 a.m. 253 Russell — Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on the expected nomination of former Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) transportation secretary http://commerce.senate.gov 10 a.m. 419 Dirksen — Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl) to be secretary of state http://foreign.senate.gov 10 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on the nomination of John Ratcliffe to be director of central intelligence. 11 a.m. — Foundation for Defense of Democracies in-person and virtual discussion: "Infrastructure Security in the Cyber Age: A Conversation with CISA Director Jen Easterly," with retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, CCTI senior director and former executive director of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/01/15/infrastructure-security-in-the-cyber-age 1 p.m. 342 Dirksen — Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the nomination of Russell Vought to be director of the Office of Management and Budget http://www.hsgac.senate.gov 1 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Meeting DOD’s Innovation Challenge: Adapting and Scaling Cutting-Edge Technology to Enhance Modernization,” with Liz Young McNally, deputy director for commercial operations at the Defense Innovation Unit; Navy Program Executive Office for Digital Louis Koplin; and Navy CTO Justin Fanelli https://www.csis.org/events/meeting-dods-innovation-challenge 2 p.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: “The Future of Russian Energy Influence in Europe,” with Geoffrey Pyatt, assistant secretary of state for energy resources https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/us-assistant-secretary-pyatt THURSDAY | JANUARY 16 9 a.m. 342 Dirksen — Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on “Remain in Mexico" http://www.hsgac.senate.gov 10:15 a.m. 216 Dirksen — Day two of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Pam Bondi to be attorney general of the United States http://judiciary.senate.gov 10:30 a.m. 419 Dirksen — Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to be U.S. representative to the United Nations http://foreign.senate.gov 1 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs forum: “The Future of U.S. Policy and the Indo-Pacific.” https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/the-future-of-us-policy-and-the-indo-pacific 2 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group virtual discussion: “Attracting Gen Z to Civilian Military Careers,” with Brynt Parmeter, chief talent management officer at the Defense Department; Valerie Capers Workman, chief talent engagement officer at Handshake; and George Jackson, executive producer and host of GovExecTV https://events.govexec.com/attracting-gen-z-to-civilian-military-careers/ FRIDAY | JANUARY 17 8 a.m. 7920 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, Virginia — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Northern Virginia Chapter 2025 Army IT Day, with Danielle Moyer, executive director of the Army Contracting Command; Army CIO Leonel Garciga; and Steve Wallace, CTO of the Defense Information Systems Agency https://afceanova.swoogo.com/ArmyITDay2025 9 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “Righting the Ship: Strengthening U.S. Navy Shipbuilding and Ship Repair,” with Nickolas Guertin, assistant navy secretary for research, development, and acquisition; Glen Kim, director of naval affairs and strategy development, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Adam Beck, executive vice president of ship repair, Vigor Industrial; and Greg Little, senior counsel, Palantir Technologies https://www.hudson.org/events/righting-ship-strengthening-us-navy-shipbuilding-ship-repair-bryan-clark 12 p.m. — Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women discussion: “What to Expect from the Trump Administration,” with Sarah Bedford, investigations editor at the Washington Examiner https://web.cvent.com/event | | | | "Extraordinary legal protections afforded by the Office of the Chief Executive is a factor that overrides all others …However, despite the extraordinary breadth of those protections, one power they do not provide is the power to erase a jury verdict … Donald Trump, the ordinary citizen, Donald Trump the criminal defendant, would not be entitled to such considerable protections … No, ordinary citizens do not receive those legal protections … The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge." | | New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, telling Donald Trump, that it was only his election as president that saved him from further consequences |
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