News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Duncan Moore.
1. CDC says U.S. has 'way too much virus' to control pandemic as cases surge across country
2. "Demographic genocide": China engaged in campaign of forced birth control against Uighurs
3. SECSTATE: on China's coercive family planning and forced sterilization program in Xinjiang
4. Swine flu strain with 'human pandemic potential' found in more Chinese pigs, scientists say
5. Senators aim to limit Trump's ability to remove troops from Germany
6. Pentagon releases 'initial' list of Chinese military-linked companies operating in US
7. Diversifying supply chains is a national security priority
8. The 'domestic terrorist' designation won't stop extremism
9. Good cyber hygiene in a pandemic-driven world starts with us
10. US spy chiefs warn leaks on alleged Russia-Taliban plot 'jeopardize' ability to find the truth
11. Japan's aim for first-strike capability
12. GM Defense wins infantry squad vehicle production contract
13. South Korea to spend $2 billion on aircraft buy
14, Chaotic world order and rising tensions with Beijing push Scott Morrison to overcome fear of 'negative globalism'
15. 'Boogaloo' believers think a civil war is coming. These gun firms are openly marketing to them.
16. The madness of mask politics
17. Women should be allowed to join IDF's elite commando unit, former commander says
18. Army releases ultra rare video showing green berets training in Taiwan
19. Senate defense bill may challenge Trump on renaming military bases with Confederate names
20. Military gears up to fight racial bias, a longstanding adversary
21. Reflections on the curse of racism in the U.S. Military
1. CDC says U.S. has 'way too much virus' to control pandemic as cases surge across country
CNBC · by William Feuer · June 29, 2020
Are we losing control? Is the virus still containable? The data is not looking good. And the blame lies with all those who have not taken this seriously.
2. "Demographic genocide": China engaged in campaign of forced birth control against Uighurs
Axios · by Fadel Allassan · June 29, 2020
The truly evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party.
3. SECSTATE: On China's Coercive Family Planning and Forced Sterilization Program in Xinjiang
US Department of State · by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State · June 29, 2020
4. Swine flu strain with 'human pandemic potential' found in more Chinese pigs, scientists say
Fox News · by Bradford Betz · June 29, 2020
Failure to learn, failure to adapt, and failure to anticipate. Will we anticipate this potential crisis?
5. Senators aim to limit Trump's ability to remove troops from Germany
The Hill · by Jordain Carney · June 29, 2020
Looks like the Senators will try to adopt similar language to that in the draft 2021 NDAA and has been in the past two NDAAs for Korea troop withdrawal.
Here is the draft Korea language from the HASC and SASC draft 2021 NDAA:
HASC: prohibits the use of funds to reduce the total number of active duty service members deployed to South Korea below 28,500 until 180 days after the Secretary certifies: 1) doing so is in the national security interest of the United States and will not significantly undermine the security of U.S. allies in the region, 2) is commensurate with a reduction in the threat posed by North Korea, 3) that South Korea is capable of deterring a conflict, and 4) U.S. allies - including South Korea and Japan - have been appropriately consulted.
SASC: SEC. 1260. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS TO REDUCE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY WHO ARE DEPLOYED TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA. None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act may be obligated or expended to reduce the total number of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty and deployed to the Republic of Korea to fewer than 28,500 such members of the Armed Forces until 90 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense certifies to the congressional defense committees that- (1) such a reduction- (A) is in the national security interest of the United States; and (B) will not significantly undermine the security of United States allies in the region; and (2) the Secretary has appropriately consulted with allies of the United States, including the Re public of Korea and Japan, regarding such a reduction.
6. Pentagon releases 'initial' list of Chinese military-linked companies operating in US
Washington Examiner · by Jerry Dunleavy · June 29, 2020
The one page list is at this link.
7. Diversifying supply chains is a national security priority
Real Clear Defense · by Brad Wenstrup · June 30, 2020
But this of course conflicts with the free market principles. This must be reconciled. Companies act for profit and not for patriotism and national security.
8. The 'domestic terrorist' designation won't stop extremism
Defense One · by Arie Perliger · June 29, 2020
Designation will make some feel better and give the perception that something is being done.
9. Good cyber hygiene in a pandemic-driven world starts with us
DARKReading · by Yaniv Bar-Yadan · June 26, 2020
Malign actors and hackers will take advantage of the pandemic. We need good cyber hygiene and cyber civil defense.
10. US spy chiefs warn leaks on alleged Russia-Taliban plot 'jeopardize' ability to find the truth
Washington Examiner · by Jerry Dunleavy · June 29, 2020
Yes, leaks can kill. But there are questions as to whether this intelligence was accurate and if American and allied soldiers were killed because of this. And that begs the question, what did we do about it? An argument will be made that, if this was not exposed by the fourth estate, our actions or lack of actions would not be held to account. This is the trade off and friction between the fourth estate and the government and their respective roles.
11. Japan's aim for first-strike capability
Asia Times · by Jagannath Panda · June 30, 2020
As I have mentioned it would be great for Japan and South Korea to collaborate on Korea's Kill-chain concept. But with the current state of relations between the two something like that is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future.
12. GM Defense wins infantry squad vehicle production contract
Defense News · by Aaron Mehta · June 29, 2020
13. South Korea to spend $2 billion on aircraft buy
Defense News · by Mike Yeo · June 29, 2020
Much of the $2 billion will likely be spent on US platforms and capabilities. But South Korea will get no "credit" for that in terms of the burden sharing negotiations.
14. Chaotic world order and rising tensions with Beijing push Scott Morrison to overcome fear of 'negative globalism'
The Guardian · by Jonathan Pearlman · June 29, 2020
But it will not change the minds of many Americans. They will continue to advocate for retrenchment.
15. 'Boogaloo' believers think a civil war is coming. These gun firms are openly marketing to them.
The Trace · by Ian Karbal · June 29, 2020
Shrewd marketing. From what I see on social media we have a lot more people than boogaloo believers who think a civil war is on the horizon.
16. The madness of mask politics
Asia Times · by Chris Tharp · June 29, 2020
Yes this is a tragic-comedy. No one should need to be ordered to wear masks. It should be a civic duty. The data is clear masks work (and common sense applies as well). It is so tragic that this had to become politicized. We are going to pay the price for this in American lives for the foreseeable future.
17. Women should be allowed to join IDF's elite commando unit, former commander says
Israel Hayom · by Yair Altman & LIlach Shoval · June 29, 2020
18. Army releases ultra rare video showing green berets training In Taiwan
The Drive · by Joseph Trevithick · June 29, 2020
Video at the link.
One JCET does not a relationship make. As I have mentioned, I recommend re-establishing a Special Forces Detachment Taiwan as we had in the 1950s/60s (I would go further and reactivate 46th SF Company in Thailand and a new DET-A like organization in Europe and other key locations around the world - it is the best way to develop and sustain long term relationships, ensure interoperability, and provide situational understanding of the conditions and threats in the country and region).
19. Senate defense bill may challenge Trump on renaming military bases with Confederate names
The Washington Post · by Karoun Demerjian · June 29, 2020
There could be a lot of controversial items in the NDAA. I wonder if POTUS would veto it. I am sure we will hear threats to do so. But would it happen this year?
20. Military gears up to fight racial bias, a longstanding adversary
The Wall Street Journal · by Nancy A. Youssef · by June 29, 2020
The military can lead the way. We must keep making forward progress.
21. Reflections on the curse of racism in the U.S. military
War On the Rocks · by David Barno & Nora Bensahel · June 30, 2020
(BEST OPORD EVER!) ...........................Grant's Orders to Sherman, 1864
In a letter to MG William T. Sherman, dated 4 April 1864, LTG Ulysses S. Grant outlined his 1864 campaign plan. LTG Grant described MG Sherman's role:
"It is my design, if the enemy keep quiet and allow me to take the initiative in the Spring Campaign to work all parts of the Army together, and, somewhat, toward a common center. . . . You I propose to move against Johnston's Army, to break it up and to get into the interior of the enemy's country as far as you can, inflicting all the damage you can against their War resources. I do not propose to lay down for you a plan of Campaign, but simply to lay down the work it is desirable to have done and leave you free to execute in your own way. Submit to me however as early as you can your plan of operation."
MG Sherman responded to LTG Grant immediately in a letter dated 10 April 1864. He sent Grant, as requested, his specific plan of operations, demonstrating that he understood Grant's intent:
" . . . Your two letters of April 4th are now before me . . . That we are now all to act in a Common plan, Converging on a Common Center, looks like Enlightened War. . . . I will not let side issues draw me off from your main plan in which I am to Knock Joe [Confederate GEN Joseph E.] Johnston, and do as much damage to the resources of the Enemy as possible. . . . I would ever bear in mind that Johnston is at all times to be kept so busy that he cannot in any event send any part of his command against you or [Union MG Nathaniel P.] Banks."
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 10: January 1-May 31, 1864, by Ulysses S. Grant, edited by John Y. Simon. Ulysses S. Grant Foundation. ©1982. Excerpt from pages 251 through 254.