China Taking Over U.S. Bagram Airbase? Biden’s Taliban Plane Hostages, CENTCOM Absorbs Israel to Deter Iran, US Carrier Ignores CCP Order to Notify Prior to Crossing Illegally Claimed Waters, Satellite Gas Stations in Space
AMERICAN DEFENSE NEWS | By Paul Crespo | September 8, 2021
(Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Defense News. A defense and national security expert, he served as a Marine Corps officer and as a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at US embassies worldwide. Paul holds degrees from Georgetown, London, and Cambridge Universities. He is also CEO of SPECTRE Global Risk, a security advisory firm, and President of the Center for American Defense Studies, a national security think tank.)
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – American Defense News (ADN) – in collaboration with the Center for American Defense Studies (CADS) – provides our readers the PDB:
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – Paul’s Daily Briefing.
Today’s SPECIAL EXTENDED AFGHANISTAN CRISIS EDITION PDB includes a variety of critical national security issues.
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Biden’s Afghan Disaster
China weighing occupation of former US air base at Bagram: sources. Building on friendly relations Beijing has secured with the new Taliban government in Afghanistan, China is now considering new ways to expand influence and embarrass the U.S.
Taliban forms acting government in Afghanistan, saying permanent leadership to be named soon, as protests grow. The Taliban on Tuesday took its first step toward formalizing its rule of Afghanistan, announcing the leaders of a caretaker government that included members of the powerful Haqqani network but excluded representatives of the country’s toppled government.
AFGHAN EVACUATION
Veterans groups, evacuees plead for action: ‘We are in some kind of jail.’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the U.S. was working with the Taliban to resolve the matter.’
State Dept. working ‘at the highest levels’ to clear Mazar-i-Sharif charter aircraft. U.S. State Department officials acknowledged Tuesday that they have been unable so far to get six chartered aircraft carrying about 1,000 evacuees out of Mazar-i-Sharif, but it was not clear whether the holdup was due to U.S. bureaucracy or Taliban action.
National Security
US over-the-horizon (OTH) capabilities robust, but use requires ‘strategic refinement,’ experts say. While over-the-horizon capabilities have never been stronger, a larger counter-terrorism strategy is needed.
After Afghanistan, US should focus on regional stability as Chinese, Russian threats mount. Easing regional tensions could allow the U.S. to focus more on other areas of the world, particularly the Pacific.
China Threat
Strategic ambiguity’: Former INDOPACOM chief calls for Taiwan policy review amid Chinese buildup. Washington should review its ambiguous position on defending Taiwan during a Chinese attack, according to a former Indo-Pacific Command leader who warned that Beijing seeks to “dominate” the island democracy.
US aircraft carrier, destroyer busy in South China Sea despite Beijing’s new notification law. A Navy aircraft carrier strike group and a destroyer steamed separately through the South China Sea on Wednesday, just days after China imposed a law requiring foreign vessels to give notice before entering waters claimed by Beijing.
Adversary Insight: Understanding Chinese Airpower. This is the first in a series of episodes that will explore the China threat in multiple domains and dimensions.
Iran Threat
US Central Command absorbs Israel into its area of responsibility. The move comes as Israel and its neighbors work to improve diplomatic relations under the Abraham Accords.
Why Israel’s transfer to US Central Command could help deter Iran. U.S. Central Command announced Sept. 1 that it has assumed responsibility for U.S. forces in Israel.
Military
New US Air Force study asks: What’s the right number of F-35s? A new tactical aircraft study underway could make certain what has until now been a suspicion: The U.S. Air Force is unlikely to purchase all of the 1,763 F-35A jets in its program of record.
Navy arming surface ships with drone repellent system. With the use of drones becoming more prevalent, the Navy has found a way to ensure all of its surface ships can repel unmanned aerial vehicles.
Lockheed, Northrop invest in a startup that wants to refuel satellites in space. Defense industry giants Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are investing in Orbit Fab, a San Francisco-based startup that wants to build gas stations in space that can refuel satellites and prolong their lifespan, the companies announced Monday.
Pentagon Watch
Retired Marine Corps colonel pleads guilty for role in ‘Fat Leonard’ scandal. Enrico DeGuzman, who served as fleet marine officer on the staff of the Japan-based U.S. 7th Fleet from July 2004 to July 2007, has become the latest uniformed domino to fall in the far-reaching scandal.
Airmen and guardians have about two months to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Active-duty airmen and guardians have until Nov. 2. Reservists have until Dec. 2.
