This discussion features Michael Herson, a defense policy expert, Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon Europe chief, Dr. Dov Zakheim, a former Pentagon comptroller, and Dr. Patrick Cronin, an Asia-Pacific security analyst. They delve into the Senate's pause on the National Defense Authorization Act amidst a looming government shutdown. Insights include NATO's challenges with Russian aggression, the implications of Trump's talks with Xi Jinping, and Japan's increasing role in regional security by deploying fighter planes to support NATO efforts.
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insights INSIGHT
State Visit Was Symbolically Effective
The UK state visit mainly delivered symbolic reinforcement of the U.S.-U.K. relationship and political flattery that matters to President Trump.
Real business and tech deals may follow, but strategic outcomes on Ukraine remained limited.
insights INSIGHT
Russian Drone Strikes Escalate Risk
Russia's drone attacks that penetrated NATO-adjacent airspace represent a meaningful escalation and signal new risks to Europe.
NATO must accelerate air and missile defense improvements to avoid vulnerability to mass drone strikes.
insights INSIGHT
U.S. Shifts Could Leave Europe Short
A U.S. drawdown from Europe to bolster Indo-Pacific posture could create sustainment, ISR and munitions gaps for NATO.
Europe must plan now to hedge U.S. reductions by building stockpiles and capability substitutes.
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On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Senate’s decision to put consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act on hold as the House Appropriations Committee developed a seven-week stopgap funding measure to avert a government shutdown that is looking increasingly likely; the House’s new committee to investigate those who investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection; the Senate’s “nuclear option” to confirm 48 of President Trump’s nominees; the president becomes the first elected official ever to be hosted twice by a British monarch, reaffirming the special relationship plus economic deals, but little progress on Ukraine; as the administration refines its National Security Strategy to prioritize homeland defense and reduce US forces in Europe, Washington continues to stall NATO action against Russia after its drone attacks on the alliance as Japan deploys fighter planes to support NATO; while in London, the president also said that he wants the United States to take back Bagram Air Base in Kabul; expectations as Trump spoke with Xi Jinping on Friday morning after the White House blocked $400 million in military aid to Taiwan and members of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board met with Taiwan’s defacto ambassador to the United States, Alexander Yui; Beijing’s annual Xiangshan Forum as China warns Papua-New Guinea against signing a security pact with Australia; ongoing US Navy operations against drug runners in the Caribbean; America’s decision to back away from Syrian Kurds as Israel backs Syria’s Druze community; the mutual defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; and Israel’s operations in Gaza as well as in the West Bank as a Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu seeks autarky in defense equipment.