Daily on Defense: US balloon blind spot, NATO chief in town, Austin snubbed by China, Biden’s oblique balloon reference, Sanders calls Biden ‘unfit’

Follow us on Twitter View this as website

BY JAMIE MCINTYRE

ADVERTISEMENT

BLIND SPOT AT 65,000 FEET: The hot take on China's dispatch of a surveillance balloon to spy on U.S. missile fields and other sensitive sites is that it was an in-your-face message from Beijing to the Biden administration. After all, the Chinese had to know a 200-foot high balloon violating U.S. airspace that could be seen from the ground would be quickly detected.

Except we're now learning that in recent years, previous Chinese spy balloons passed over the United States while circumnavigating the globe, apparently with no one the wiser. An Air Force report from last year documented a 2019 balloon that "drifted past Hawaii and across Florida" on its around-the-world journey, according to CNN, which said it reviewed portions of the intelligence report.

The April 2022 report, titled, "People's Republic of China High-Altitude Balloon" said the spy balloon "launched and controlled" by China circled the Earth during the Trump administration, and noted China has deployed multiple "HABs" [high altitude balloons] that can operate at between 65,000 and 328,000 feet for months at a time.

On Monday, U.S. Northern Commander Gen. Glen VanHerck admitted the previous balloon missions were not detected. "I will tell you that we did not detect those threats," he said in a briefing for reporters at the Pentagon. "And that's a domain awareness gap that we have to figure out."

PENTAGON RELEASES PHOTOS OF DOWNED CHINESE BALLOON

DOMAIN AWARENESS GAP = 'WE MISSED IT': There's been a lot of speculation about just what VanHerck meant when he invoked the phrase, "domain awareness gap." In a Zoom session with reporters yesterday morning, Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) said that's one of the key questions he wants answered.

"Why did we detect this system, and we fail to detect the other systems?" Reed asked the Defense Writers Group. "I don't want to be coy, but that's the question I have to get answered."

"That's a sort of military jargon for 'we missed it,'" retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, former National Intelligence director,
said on CNN where he is a paid contributor. "There's an area where we don't apparently have a good technical collection capability to track objects," Clapper added, describing what he called a "gray netherworld" between the altitude planes generally fly and space.

"We can detect aircraft and other vehicles in that regime, 40 or 50,000 feet and below. And with respect to spacecraft, we do a pretty good job of tracking them," Clapper said. "I'm sure we can bring to bear the resources to, over time, correct this deficiency, this 'domain awareness gap,' to use the phrase."

At yesterday's House Armed Services Committee hearing into China, retired Adm. Harry Harris, former head of the U.S. Pacific Command, testified that there is a "disconnect in our ability to understand these balloons. That ought to concern all of us."

SPY BALLOON WILL GIVE MORE INTELLIGENCE TO US THAN CHINA, SENATE ARMED SERVICES CHAIRMAN SAYS

RUBIO: LATEST INCIDENT UNLIKE OTHERS: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R), vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee, argues the previous airspace violations by Chinese balloons were tame compared to what happened this time. "Last week's spy balloon incident was nothing like any previous incident. Not even close," Rubio tweeted. "And anyone who claims otherwise is lying."

Rubio, who said he had been briefed yesterday, also told reporters, "There's no parallel of intrusion, this extensive, for this long period of time, at this level."

"I'll put it to you this way without getting too deep into it — sometimes, you cross over some area briefly because you're on your way somewhere else. But, other times, you deliberately go into that place. We've never seen anything like this. This was deliberately going to that place," Rubio said, adding that the answers he's gotten so far are "not satisfactory and raise new questions."

RUBIO SAYS 'NO PARALLEL' BETWEEN TRUMP AND BIDEN SPY BALLOON INCIDENTS: 'ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT IS A LIAR'

Good Wednesday 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 Conrad Hoyt. 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 us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE

NOTE TO READERS: Daily on Defense will not publish Monday, Feb. 20, as we observe the Presidents Day federal holiday. We'll be back in your inbox and online Tuesday, Feb. 21.

ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe today to the Washington Examiner magazine and get Washington Briefing: politics and policy stories that will keep you up to date with what's going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Just $1.00 an issue!

HAPPENING TODAY: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is in town for a two-day visit to consult with top Biden administration officials along with key lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Stoltenberg will have a "working lunch" with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department, with a joint press conference set for 1:20 p.m.

Then, Stoltenberg scoots across the Potomac for a 2:30 p.m. meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. As of this morning, no media availability is scheduled at the Pentagon, other than the traditional arrival ceremony on the River Entrance steps.

The key topic of discussion of course is Ukraine and the expected spring offensive from Russia. Stoltenberg is just back from a Pacific trip in which he urged both Japan and South Korea to provide more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

AUSTIN REBUFFED: The Pentagon revealed yesterday that Austin was snubbed by China's defense minister when he tried to reach out after Saturday's shootdown of the Chinese spy balloon.

"Immediately after taking action to down the PRC balloon, the DOD submitted a request for a secure call between Secretary Austin and PRC Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe," said Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, in a statement emailed to reporters. "Unfortunately, the PRC has declined our request."

"We believe in the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the United States and the PRC in order to responsibly manage the relationship. Lines between our militaries are particularly important in moments like this," Ryder said. "Our commitment to open lines of communication will continue."

STATE OF THE UNION: GOP LAWMAKERS BLAST BIDEN FOR 'EMBARRASSING' OMISSION OF CHINESE SPY BALLOON

BIDEN LAST NIGHT: In his State of the Union address, Biden made only passing reference to national security issues, promising to stand with Ukraine and stand up to China. The president didn't mention the Chinese balloon incident directly, insisting the U.S. seeks "competition, not conflict," with Beijing.

"I'm committed to work with China where we can advance American interests and benefit the world," Biden said. "But make no mistake, as we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did."

On Ukraine, Biden called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a year ago, "a test for the ages, a test for America, a test for the world."

"One year later, we know the answer," he said. "We did what America always does at our best. We led. We united NATO. We built a global coalition. We stood against Putin's aggression. We stood with the Ukrainian people."

STATE OF THE UNION 2023: BIDEN TELLS GOP 'YOU GOT IT' AFTER THEY DEMAND BORDER SECURITY

SANDERS: "BIDEN HAS FAILED YOU': In a blistering response delivered by the nation's youngest governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders (AR) argued that Biden and the Democrats have failed America.

"The president's refusal to stand up to China, our most formidable adversary, is dangerous and unacceptable. President Biden is unwilling to defend our border, defend our skies, and defend our people. He is simply unfit to serve as commander in chief," Sanders said in the Republican response to the State of the Union address.

"President Biden and I don't have a lot in common. I'm for freedom. He's for government control," Sanders said. "At 40, I'm the youngest governor in the country, and at 80, he's the oldest president in American history. I'm the first woman to lead my state, and he's the first man to surrender his presidency to a woke mob that can't even tell you what a woman is."

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS SAYS BIDEN 'DOUBLING DOWN ON CRAZY' IN GOP REBUTTAL

The Rundown

Washington Examiner: State of the Union 2023: Biden calls on voters to let him 'finish the job' during combative address

Washington Examiner: State of the Union: GOP lawmakers blast Biden for 'embarrassing' omission of Chinese spy balloon

Washington Examiner: State of the Union 2023: McCarthy sits largely emotionless during Biden address

Washington Examiner: State of the Union 2023: Biden tells GOP 'you got it' after they demand border security

Washington Examiner: McConnell says 'state of our union is under Chinese surveillance'

Washington Examiner: China declined Pentagon's outreach after military shot down spy balloon

Washington Examiner: State of the Union 2023: Inside the designated survivor's emergency A-team

Washington Examiner: State Department approves $10 billion sale of military weapons to Poland

Washington Examiner: Pentagon releases photos of downed Chinese balloon

Washington Examiner: Rubio says 'no parallel' between Trump and Biden spy balloon incidents: 'Anyone who says that is a liar'

Washington Examiner: Former US Pacific commander calls for end to 'strategic ambiguity' on Taiwan

Washington Examiner: What the US military did well (and badly) with China's balloon

Washington Examiner: Heritage Foundation scholar puts price tag on Biden defense budget 'wokeness'

Washington Examiner: Former Trump defense secretary would cut military spending in half

Washington Examiner: Spy balloon will give more intelligence to US than China, Senate Armed Services chairman says

AP: Zelensky visits UK for first time since Russia's invasion

New York Times: Russia Pays Bloody Price For Small Gains On Eastern Front

Washington Post: Chinese balloon part of vast aerial surveillance program, U.S. says

AP: Navy divers begin pulling up Chinese spy balloon debris

Air & Space Forces Magazine: China Now Has More ICBM Launchers than the US

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Ukraine Has More Pressing Needs Than F-16s, Top Senator Says

Breaking Defense: 'Reimagining How We Fight': SASC Chairman Details 4 Priorities For Coming Year

USNI News: Australia's First Nuclear Submarine Could Be A Reality In Less Than 30 Years, Former PACOM Commander Testifies

Washington Times: Russian Navy Sending Sub, Once Largest In The World, To Scrapyard

Air & Space Forces Magazine: LISTEN: New Details from the Audio of the Chinese Spy Balloon Shoot Down

Air & Space Forces Magazine: SASC Reveals Members, Chairs of Its 7 Subcommittees

USNI News: Pentagon COVID-19 Personnel Policy Delays Leave Unanswered Questions

Breaking Defense: General Atomics' Gambit moves to flight testing under AFRL's autonomous drone project

AP: North Korean leader Kim brings daughter to visit troops

Washington Post: South Koreans Wonder: Will The U.S. Still Protect Us?

Wall Street Journal: Opinion: Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK): The American Case For Supporting Ukraine

Calendar

WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 8

6:30 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd., Virginia — Association of the U.S. Army Coffee Series in-person event featuring Gen. James Rainey, commanding general, U.S. Army Futures Command https://www.ausa.org/events/coffee-series/gen-rainey

8 a.m. 801 Mount Vernon Pl. NW— ESRI Federal GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Conference with Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/events/federal-gis-conference/overview

9:30 a.m. — U.S. Institute of Peace discussion: "Winning the Peace After the War: Supporting Ukrainian Democracy," with Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova; Anthony Banbury, president and CEO of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems; and Peter Erben, global principal adviser and senior country director in Ukraine at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems https://www.usip.org/events/winning-peace-after-war

10 a.m. HVC-210 — House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) hosts a full committee "open panel" to discuss the Intelligence Community and Intelligence Committee reform with retired Gen. David Petraeus, former CIA director; Heather Wilson, former member of congress and Air Force secretary; retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, former Supreme NATO commander; and Sue Gordon, former deputy director of National Intelligence https://intelligence.house.gov/

10 a.m. — Atlantic Council virtual discussion: "Countering Russian threats to global financial security," with Ukrainian Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko; and John Cusack, founder of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/countering-russian-threats

11 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: "State of the Defense Industrial Base," with Eric Fanning, president and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association; David Norquist, president and CEO, National Defense Industrial Association; and Matthew Paxton, president, Shipbuilders Council of America https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings/full-committee

12 p.m. — Hudson Institute virtual discussion: "Restoring the Rule of Law at the Southern Border," with former Attorney General William Barr https://www.hudson.org/events/restoring-rule-law-southern-border

3 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: 'The Role of Special Operations Forces in Great Power Competition," with Seth Jones, senior vice president, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Retired Army Lt. Gen. Charles Cleveland, former commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command; and David Ucko, professor and department chair, College of International Security Affairs, National Defense University https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

12:30 p.m. — Business Council for International Understanding discussion: "Progress in the War in Ukraine and issues related to getting defense equipment to Ukraine," with Ukrainian Air Force Maj. Gen. Borys Krementskyi, Ukrainian defense attache to the U.S. http://www.bciu.org/events/upcoming-events

1:20 p.m. — Joint press conference with visiting NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Livestream at https://www.nato.int https://www.state.gov or https://www.youtube.com/statedept

2:30 p.m. — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to the Pentagon https://www.nato.int

5 p.m. 1521 16th St. N.W. — Institute of World Politics discussion: "The Coming Hypersonic Revolution and its Impact on International Security," with Bill Bruner, co-founder and CEO of New Frontier Aerospace https://www.iwp.edu/events/the-coming-hypersonic-revolution

9 p.m. 40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, Calif. — Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute book discussion: Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, with author/former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo https://www.reaganfoundation.org/programs-events

THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 9

8:30 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing: "The Future of War: Is the Pentagon Prepared to Deter and Defeat America's Adversaries?" with Chris Brose, author; Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, senior director, Center on Cyber Technology and Innovation, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Peter Singer, strategist, New America and Managing Partner of Useful Fiction LLC https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings/citi-hearing-future-war

8:45 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "U.S. Extended Deterrence," with Gary Samore, director of Brandeis University's Center for Middle East Studies https://www.csis.org/events/capital-cable-64-us-extended-deterrence

10 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. — Hudson Institute discussion: "Building a More Resilient Indo-Pacific Security Architecture," with Assistant Defense Secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner; and Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford https://www.hudson.org/events/building-more-resilient-indo-pacific-security-architecture

10:30 a.m. 419 Dirksen — Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing: "Evaluating U.S.-China Policy in the Era of Strategic Competition," with testimony from Wendy Sherman, deputy secretary of state https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/evaluating-us-china-policy

10:30 a.m. — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze at the Pentagon.

11:30 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW — U.S. Institute of Peace discussion: "China and Strategic Stability in Space: Pathways to Peace in an Era of U.S. - China Strategic Competition," with Associate NASA Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy Bhavya Lal; Bruce MacDonald, adjunct professor in international studies at Johns Hopkins University; Victoria Samson, Washington office director at the Secure World Foundation; Scott Pace, director of George Washington University's Space Policy Institute; and Carla Freeman, USIP senior expert https://www.usip.org/events/china-and-strategic-stability-space

1:30 p.m. — Wilson Center Polar Institute virtual discussion: "Deterring Russia at Sea in the High North," with Navy Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of Fleet Forces Command; Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, commander of the Second Fleet and Joint Forces Command-Norfolk; Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff for Policy Rear Adm. Anthony Rimington; retired Navy Adm. James Foggo, dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy; Chris Kofron, director for Russia at the National Security Council; and former USAID Administrator Mark Green, president, director and CEO of the Wilson Center https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/deterring-russia-sea-high-north

FRIDAY | FEBRUARY 10

3 p.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. — U.S. Institute of Peace virtual and in-person hybrid event: "A Conversation with Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein," with Lise Grande, USIP president and CEO; and Sarhang Hamasaeed, director, USIP Middle East Programs https://www.usip.org/events/conversation-iraq

MONDAY | FEBRUARY 13

TBA Brussels, Belgium — Press Conference by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of a two-day meeting of defense ministers https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news

9:30 a.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW — Stimson Center virtual and in-person discussion: "The End of History? Global Implications of the War in Ukraine," with Marie Jourdain, visiting fellow, Atlantic Council; Michael Kofman, research program director, CNA; Rachel Ziemba, adjunct senior fellow, Center for New American Security; Michael Mazarr, senior political scientist, RAND Corporation; and Alex Ward, national security reporter, Politico https://www.stimson.org/event/the-end-of-history

10 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Brookings Institution virtual and in-person event: "The U.S. Air Force and American defense strategy," with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.; Michael O'Hanlon, Brookings; and Melanie Sisson, Brookings https://connect.brookings.edu/register-to-watch-us-air-force

TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 14

TBA Brussels, Belgium — Meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group followed by the beginning of a two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO Headquarters https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news

6:30 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. — Association of the U.S. Army Coffee Series in-person event with Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston https://ausa.force.com/OnlineCommunity/s/community-event

10 a.m. — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Schriever Spacepower forum "Space infrastructure, space capabilities and defining the threat environment," with John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/event/feb-14

10 a.m. — Hudson Institute virtual event: "Securing Cyberspace: Hardening America's Software against Foreign Digital Sabotage," Rep. Tony Gonzales, (R-TX); Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology; Jason Weiss, chief software officer, Conquest Cyber; Cliff Bean, director of Navy missions, Defense Sector, Peraton https://www.hudson.org/preview-link

11:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments Zoom webinar to release new report: "Innovating for Great Power Competition: An Examination of Service and Joint Innovation Efforts," with authors Thomas Mahnken, CSBA president and CEO; Evan Montgomery, CSBA director of research and studies; and Tyler Hacker, CSBA analyst https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register

ADVERTISEMENT

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The president's refusal to stand up to China, our most formidable adversary, is dangerous and unacceptable. President Biden is unwilling to defend our border, defend our skies and defend our people. He is simply unfit to serve as commander in chief."
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AK), in the Republican response to the State of the Union address.
Access the Daily on Defense archives here

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking: Left-Wing Black History Children’s Book Distributed by Simon & Schuster Is Heavily Plagiarized

FOLLOW THE MONEY - Billionaire tied to Epstein scandal funneled large donations to Ramaswamy & Democrats

Adam Schiff & Gavin Newsom are about to get vetted by Peter Schweizer…