| ALLIES … WORRIED ABOUT THE LONG-TERM COMMITMENT OF THE U.S.: Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for today's meeting with his NATO counterparts with a traditional message of support coupled with a warning that Europe can't rely on America to do all the heavy lifting. "On my way to @NATO's Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels with @POTUS's call for 5% defense spending. It's time for Europe to step up and invest more in collective security," Rubio posted on X, calling for a spending goal the U.S. itself cannot and has no plans to meet. "Looking forward to making our transatlantic partnerships stronger to keep Americans safe," he added. Publicly, NATO's civilian leader, Secretary-General Mark Rutte, insists there are no cracks in the alliance at a pre-meeting news conference that he's "absolutely convinced" the U.S. commitment is unwavering, while at the same time, Rutte admitting there are deep concerns that the U.S. is stepping back from NATO, as it shifts focus to the rising threat from China. "I know that there have been allies, for example, this side of the pond being worried about the long-term commitment of the U.S. to NATO," he said, but adding. "There are no plans to withdraw or whatever. We know that the U.S. is completely committed to NATO." Asked about the Trump administration's reported consideration of reconfiguring its command structure and giving up the position of supreme allied commander, which has always been an American, to some other NATO member, Rutte punted. "I’ve not seen any concrete proposals on this, so I don’t want to react on 'what if?' questions," he said. "[Gen.] Chris Cavoli, being the EUCOM commander, the commander of U.S. forces here in Europe, but also being the supreme allied commander, that is a tradition we have since the start of NATO, since Eisenhower, for good reasons, but let me not comment on 'what if?' questions." SECRET MEMO: U.S. MAY 'WITHHOLD FORCES' TO DETER CHINA: Many of the allies have been rattled by the leak of an internal memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that circulated in the Pentagon last month and whose contents were reported by the Washington Post. The memo, marked "secret/no foreign national" in some passages, directs U.S. military commanders to "prioritize deterring China's seizure of Taiwan and shoring up homeland defense by 'assuming risk' in Europe," according to the report published last Saturday. "China is the Department's sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese fait accompli seizure of Taiwan — while simultaneously defending the U.S. homeland is the Department's sole pacing scenario," Hegseth wrote, according to the newspaper, which reported the document also calls on Europe to increase its military capabilities to ensure it can "deter or defeat Russian aggression," even the U.S. "must withhold forces to deter, a primary conflict in another region." "We have to be aware of what is happening in the Indo-Pacific," Rutte said when he was asked about the Washington Post report. "It is understandable, also for the U.S., that over time, they want to focus more and more also on that part of the world, and it is only logical for the Europeans to step up even more." RUTTE: 'HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS ARE ROLLING IN': Rutte has not endorsed the increase from 2% to 5% of GDP defense spending goal being pushed by Trump, but he said that threat that Vladimir Putin won't be satisfied with his conquest of Ukraine has lit a fire under formerly complacent allies. "We are building a more capable alliance by investing in what we need to counter the threats we face, and we are making major progress. Many allies are stepping up their spending in ways we haven't seen in decades," Rutte said, citing Finland's recent commitment to raise defense spending to more than 3% of GDP by 2029, putting it on par with the U.S., and Germany's whopping "half a trillion extra" added to its military budget. "The numbers coming in, it's really staggering, it is impressive," Rutte said. "And it is needed because we have this Russian threat. We have the Chinese build-up. We have this connection with North Korea and Iran, so we have to defend ourselves." "The Alliance is laser-focused on making sure that we can defend our NATO territory, and there are increasing threats from the Russians from others, that’s what we are focusing on," he said. "Already, we have seen defense spending on aggregate, since 2017 in Canada and the European part of NATO going up 700 billion." STRENGTHEN NATO BY RELOCATING US MILITARY FROM SPAIN AND ITALY 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. 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: You can expect plenty of NATO questions when Supreme Commander Gen. Christopher Cavoli and U.S. Africa Commander Gen. Michael Langley appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee at 9:30 this morning. Not the least of which is how President Donald Trump's tariff war against pretty much the whole world is shaking the 31 other alliance members, as well as Trump's insistence that founding NATO member Denmark is failing to protect Greenland and should cede the ice-covered island territory to become a U.S. protectorate. After all, Greenland, while an independent territory, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which entitled it to the full protection of NATO under the alliance's Article 5 provisions. The question "has to do with this whole issue of how to defend the Arctic, the High North," said NATO chief Rutte. "Denmark through Greenland. This is also Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Canada, and the United States, seven NATO allies." "We know that the Chinese are making use of the sea lanes opening up. We know that the Russians are more and more arming that part of the world," he said. "We're working more and more closely together, because we know what is happening there." NATO CHIEF RUTTE SIDESTEPS ON US INTEREST IN GREENLAND, HIGHLIGHTS 'SERIOUS' ARCTIC THREATS TRUMP'S UKRAINE PEACE PLAN FLOUNDERING: It's becoming increasingly clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in a quick ceasefire, while he presses to increase his advantage while significantly increasing the bombing of Ukrainian cities. As predicted by veteran Kremlin watchers, Putin seems to be employing a "rope-a-dope" strategy, always finding a reason to avoid making any commitment while feigning interest in reaching an agreement on a ceasefire. "This is a drawn-out process because of the difficulty of its substance," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters earlier this week. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, "Russia cannot accept U.S. proposals to end the war in Ukraine in their current form because they do not address problems Moscow regards as having caused the conflict," according to Reuters. Some Ukrainian analysts believe Russia is about to launch a major new offensive to increase its bargaining leverage. "Senior Trump administration officials have discussed the likelihood that the United States will not be able to secure a long-term peace agreement in Ukraine in the coming months and are preparing new plans to pressure Russia and Ukraine into an agreement," Reuters also reported, according to the Institute for the Study of War. "A source familiar with the discussions tells FOX News that President Trump is frustrated with Putin and believes Russia is 'slow-rolling comprehensive ceasefire talks,'" Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich posted on X Tuesday. "Trump believes Putin is stalling," Heinrich reported, adding that the administration is considering tougher sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet' carrying illicit oil through the Baltic Sea." The military analysts at the ISW argue that sanctions alone will not bring Putin to the table, that he must be convinced he has nothing more to gain by continuing the war "It is not possible for the United States or the wider West to exert maximum pressure against Russia with economic tools alone, as Russia’s ongoing and forecasted future economic struggles are closely tied to Russian military losses on the battlefield," the ISW writes in its latest assessment. "The United States can leverage Russian vulnerabilities and achieve a stronger negotiating position by continuing — or increasing — military aid to Ukraine such that Ukrainian forces can continue to inflict significant manpower and materiel losses on Russia." “I believe that increased pressure and dialogue between the Americans and them will inevitably lead to a ceasefire,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a visit to the Dnipro region yesterday. “Ukraine has demonstrated — and everyone emphasizes this — its readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire. We are not setting any conditions, and the Russians have no right to set any either,” he said. SATELLITE IMAGE SHOWS STEALTH BOMBERS IN INDIAN OCEAN WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF IRAN THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Liberation Day: Trump unveils reciprocal tariffs, says US will no longer be 'raped' by trading partners Washington Examiner: 'Liberation Day' means 10% minimum tariffs on America's imports with zero exceptions Washington Examiner: Trump reciprocal tariffs: Biggest countries targeted in sprawling 'Liberation Day' move Washington Examiner: Senate delivers Trump 'Liberation Day' rebuke over emergency tariffs on Canada Washington Examiner: Satellite image shows stealth bombers in Indian Ocean within striking distance of Iran Washington Examiner: NATO chief Rutte sidesteps on US interest in Greenland, highlights 'serious' Arctic threats Washington Examiner: Netanyahu visiting Hungary in spite of ICC arrest warrant Washington Examiner: Republicans celebrate decline in border arrests under Trump: 'Ecstatic' Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan Opinion: Strengthen NATO by relocating US military from Spain and Italy Washington Examiner: Marine Le Pen rejects idea of a pardon, French court says appeal coming in 2026 Washington Examiner: As the clock ticks for TikTok, here's who wants to buy it by April 5 AP: Musk could be headed for a Washington exit after turbulent times at Trump's DOGE Politico: Waltz's Team Set Up at Least 20 Signal Group Chats for Crises Across the World Defense News: US Sends F-35s to Middle East as Strikes on Houthis Continue Newsweek: US Arab Allies Join Rare Air Exercises with Israelis New York Times: China's New Barges Could Make a Tough Task Easier: Invading Taiwan DefenseScoop: Feinberg Initiates Pentagon's Implementation of DOGE-Influenced Regulatory Review Task & Purpose: Pregnant pilots and aircrew grounded for first trimester under new Air Force flying rules Military Times: 'Utter chaos': Amid confusing ban rollout, trans troops fight to serve Air & Space Forces Magazine: NORTHCOM Wants to Buy New Tech to Down Drones Within '24 Hours' of Sighting Air & Space Forces Magazine: VENOM F-16s Getting Closer to First Flight Axios: What’s Influencing the Air Force’s F-47 and Navy’s F/A-XX Air & Space Forces Magazine: Caine: US Has Lost Electronic Warfare Skills, Needs to Enhance Training, Ranges Breaking Defense: DOD Floats 2035 as Goal for Zero Trust in Weapons Systems Air & Space Forces Magazine: AFWERX's New AI-Powered Tool Will Track Objects in Orbit, Even as They Maneuver Space.com: DARPA Accidentally Detects SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Reentry by Listening to Earth’s Atmosphere Defense News: Could This Device Help Catch Osprey Clutch Problems Before Disaster? THE CALENDAR: THURSDAY | APRIL 3 All day. 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 9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: "The posture of the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY2026 and the future years defense program," with testimony from Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander, U.S. European Command, supreme allied commander Europe; and U.S. Africa Commander Gen. Michael Langley http://www.armed-services.senate.gov 9:30 a.m. 430 Dirksen — U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission hearing: “The Rocket’s Red Glare: China’s Ambitions to Dominate Space," Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations https://www.uscc.gov/hearings/rockets-red-glare-chinas-ambitions-dominate-space 10 a.m. — Peterson Institute for International Economics virtual discussion: “Economic Statecraft and the Russia-Ukraine War,” with Elina Ribakova, Kyiv School of Economics vice president for foreign policy; and Anjali Bhatt, PIIE communications manager and research fellow https://www.piie.com/events/2025/economic-statecraft-and-russia-ukraine-war 10:30 a.m. 419 Dirksen — Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the nominations of David Perdue to be ambassador to China; and Monica Crowley to be assistant secretary of State and chief of protocol http://foreign.senate.gov 11 a.m. — Defense Priorities virtual discussion: "China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?" with Lyle Goldstein, director, Asia Program; Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director, Center for a New American Security; Sergey Radchenko, Wilson E. Schmidt distinguished professor, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; and Benjamin Friedman, policy director, Defense Priorities https://www.defensepriorities.org/events/china-russia-cooperation 12 p.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW — Henry L. Stimson Center discussion: “Iran’s Rise and Rivalry with the US in the Middle East,” with author Mohsen Milani, professor of politics and the director, University of South Florida’s Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies; and Barbara Slavin, Stimson distinguished fellow https://www.stimson.org/event/book-talk-with-professor-mohsen-milani/ FRIDAY | APRIL 4 6:30 a.m. EST Brussels, Belgium — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte holds a press conference at the conclusion of the meeting of NATO Defense Ministers https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/events 8:15 a.m.100 Westgate Cir., Annapolis, Maryland — American Bar Association 2025 Federal Procurement Institute, with David Norquist, president and CEO, National Defense Industrial Association https://events.americanbar.org/event THURSDAY | APRIL 10 Brussels, Belgium — The United Kingdom and France host a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in defense ministers format at NATO headquarters https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_234102.htm FRIDAY | APRIL 11 Brussels, Belgium — The United Kingdom and Germany convene the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news TUESDAY | APRIL 22 6:15 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia — Association of the U.S. Army "Coffee Series" discussion with Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingushttps://www.ausa.org/events/coffee-series/gen-mingus | | | | "My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day … April 2nd, 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again." | | President Donald Trump, launching a trade war against the entire world, angering both friends and foes alike |
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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...
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