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Today's PDB includes a variety of critical, global national security issues.
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READ TODAY'S PDB BELOW:
HOMELAND SECURITY
ASSAULTING COPS NOT OK, JARHEAD – Marine veteran, cop convicted of assaulting officer in Capitol riot. Thomas Webster had been wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a Marine Corps flag when he approached the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
CHINA THREAT
OFF TO FACE CHINA – GODSPEED – USS Tripoli quietly leaves on maiden deployment. Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli departed Naval Station San Diego, Calif., on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific on Monday, USNI News has learned.
Taiwan flags risk of Stinger missile delays, says pressing US. Taiwan's Defense Ministry on Tuesday said deliveries of shoulder-fired Stinger anti-aircraft missiles could be delayed, saying they were pressing the United States to deliver on schedule as the war in Ukraine pressures supplies.
INTERESTING – Why the Chinese military wants thousands of ‘made-to-order' noncommissioned officers. Beijing has been producing a new force of noncommissioned officers over the past decade.
RUSSIA THREAT
NO KIDDING! – Russia planning to annex new areas of Ukraine, US finds. Claiming Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson would be an attempt by Russia to control much of Ukraine's east, despite ongoing struggles on the battlefield.
Navy's newly reactivated 2nd Fleet proves its readiness in North Atlantic. The four destroyers from Norfolk and Mayport that sailed east this winter as tensions between Russia and Ukraine mounted proved a couple of key points about the newly reestablished, Norfolk-based 2nd Fleet, said Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, its commanding officer.
Ukraine says its drones hit Russian fast boats at sea. In what appears to be their latest exploit, Ukraine's armed drones destroyed two Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea just off Snake Island Monday morning, according to the country's defense ministry and videos of the strikes.
PROBING – Denmark and prospective NATO member Sweden say Russia flew into their airspace. A Russian spy plane violated NATO airspace in recent days, prompting the Kremlin's ambassador to Denmark to be summoned over the incident, the top Danish diplomat announced.
Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia. The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk and the Black Sea port of Kherson were closed “until the restoration of control,” the ministry said in a statement.
IRAN THREAT
AND BIDEN DANGEROUSLY CONTINUES TO PLAY NICE – Iran nuclear deal near death, but West not ready to pull plug. Western officials have largely lost hope the Iran nuclear deal can be resurrected, sources familiar with the matter said, forcing them to weigh how to limit Iran's atomic program even as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has divided the big powers.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
What's next for Marines in the Middle East? The commander of Marine Corps Forces Central Command hones a smaller force.
Israel wants apology after Russia's Lavrov compares Zelensky to Hitler. Israel demanded an apology from the Russian government for employing a discredited antisemitic trope.
US MILITARY AND SPACE
Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia. The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk and the Black Sea port of Kherson were closed “until the restoration of control”, the ministry said in a statement.
THE ONLY SLUR IN US THAT GETS A GENERAL FIRED – Marine general used ‘full N-word' in rant that led to his ouster from European Command post. A released investigation report has shed more light on a 2020 incident that saw a two-star Marine Corps general relieved of his command overseeing Marine forces in Europe and Africa.
I REST MY CASE – Marine intel instructors got caught calling students ‘whore' and ‘slut' in private chat. No punishment was recommended. Marine Corps and Navy intelligence trainers in Virginia demeaned and made homophobic and sexist comments about their students in a private group chat, according to an official military investigation and text messages obtained by Task & Purpose.
END of PDB
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
