| FOR WITKOFF, AN ELUSIVE PEACE: At the conclusion of two days of trilateral meetings between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff called the negotiations "constructive" but had little progress to report. Over the two days, the delegations had wide-ranging discussions on the remaining open issues, including methods to implement a ceasefire and monitor the cessation of military activities," Witkoff posted on X. "The delegations agreed to report back to their respective capitals and to continue trilateral discussions in the coming weeks." With both sides dug in — Ukraine refusing to make territorial concessions and Russia rejecting post-war security guarantees — the best Witkoff could do was broker a prisoner swap, the first in five months. "The delegations reached an agreement whereby the Russian Federation and Ukraine will each release 157 Prisoners of War." Witkoff said he expected talks in the trilateral format to continue "in the coming weeks." U.S., RUSSIA MILITARY CONTACTS TO RESUME: The Abu Dhabi negotiations may have made scant progress toward ending the war in Ukraine, but it did produce one diplomatic deliverable, renewed military-to-military contacts between the U.S. and Russia. "The United States and Russia also agreed to establish a military-to-military dialogue to be led by General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. European Command. This channel of communication was suspended prior to the onset of this conflict and is crucial to achieving and maintaining peace," Witkoff said in his X post. The resumption of high-level military contacts came on the day the New START nuclear weapons treaty expired, leaving no arms control agreement left between Washington and Moscow. "I have stopped Nuclear Wars from breaking out across the World," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Rather than extend ‘NEW START’ (A badly negotiated deal by the United States that, aside from everything else, is being grossly violated), we should have our Nuclear Experts work on a new, improved, and modernized Treaty that can last long into the future." Military analyst Mick Ryan, a retired Australian Army general, summed up the results of the two days this way in a post on X: "So, in short, no progress with #Ukraine peace talks. And Russia is rewarded with resumed high-level contacts with the United States military." US AND RUSSIA AGREE TO RESTART MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS AS NUCLEAR LIMITS TREATY EXPIRES RUSSIA'S INTRANIGENCE: The Russian Foreign Ministry published a full transcript of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with former CNN anchor Rick Sanchez, who is now a host on the Russian cable network RT. In the interview, a grumpy Lavrov complained bitterly about what he portrayed as a betrayal by the U.S. based on promises he said President Donald Trump made to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the August 2025 Alaska Summit. "Roughly a week to ten days before the summit, the U.S. President's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited us. He brought specific proposals containing elements of compromise," Lavrov said. "When the two presidents and their delegations arrived in Anchorage and sat down at the negotiating table, we noted that it was not an easy step for us, but we were prepared to accept the United States' proposal, including its compromise components. In essence, we agreed to their terms." "However, once we had endorsed the U.S. proposal, Europe immediately rushed to Washington, with Zelensky in tow, and began 'reworking' the American initiative that had already received President Putin's approval," Lavrov said. "Had we announced the results from Anchorage, I am confident it would have swiftly led to a process formalizing peace agreement." Lavrov insisted any agreement must require Ukraine to be a "friendly, neutral, benign state” and he rejected security guarantees from European countries as completely unacceptable. "Under these alleged guarantees, if Russia dares to launch a sudden attack on Ukraine, or if someone (clever as they are) masterminds a false-flag provocation that will make it possible to accuse Russia, they will denounce this within 24 hours and give Ukraine a free hand for continuing the war,” he said. “Within the next 48 hours, they will mobilize all those willing to fight, and, 72 hours later, this coalition will be joined by the United States." A DEPUTY CHIEF OF RUSSIAN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE WAS SHOT AND WOUNDED IN MOSCOW Good Friday 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 Christopher Tremoglie. 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 me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE NOTE TO READERS: Daily on Defense will not publish Monday, February 16 as we observe the Presidents Day federal holiday. HAPPENING TODAY: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth administers the "oath of enlistment" to new recruits at the Washington Monument at 9 a.m. Hegseth's remarks will be livestreamed on the Pentagon's website. Hegseth got a big shout-out from his boss at yesterday's National Prayer Breakfast, when Trump called him a "tough cookie, a flamethrower," which Trump said, "I like, actually, in the position of secretary of war." "He’s very smart. Went to the top, top schools. Was a top student. He’s like me. I was a very good student too, but nobody would think so, you know? And nobody thinks Pete was a good student," Trump said. "But he has done some job… it’s true that Pete has just been incredible." HEGSETH: U.S. 'WINNING': In a post on X yesterday, Hegseth said the U.S. campaign against drug runners, who have been designated foreign terrorists, is succeeding in stemming the flow of deadly narcotics into the United States. "WINNING: Some top cartel drug-traffickers in the @SOUTHCOM AOR have decided to cease all narcotics operations INDEFINITELY due to recent (highly effective) kinetic strikes in the Caribbean," Hegseth posted. "This is deterrence through strength. @POTUS is SAVING American lives." Then last night, the U.S. Southern Command posted a 12-second video of the second strike of the year against a suspected drug boat, and the first since the command got a new four-star leader. "At the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.” "Two narco-terrorists were killed during this action." TWO 'NARCO-TERRORISTS' KILLED IN LATEST MILITARY STRIKE IN EASTERN PACIFIC US-IRAN TALKS BEGIN: With the U.S. aircraft carrier the centerpiece of an air and sea armada in place to launch military strikes, a U.S. negotiating team led by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and including Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, and U.S. Central Commander Adm. Brad Cooper is meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to try to reach a deal to end Iran's nuclear ambitions once and for all. "They’re negotiating now. They don’t want us to hit them. You know, we have a big fleet going over there," Trump said yesterday. "Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year. We engage in good faith and stand firm on our rights," Araghchi posted on X. "Commitments need to be honored. Equal standing, mutual respect, and mutual interest are not rhetoric — they are a must and the pillars of a durable agreement." "Look, the president’s diplomacy is always his first option when it comes to dealing with countries all around the world, whether it’s our allies or our adversaries," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters yesterday. "The President has obviously been quite clear in his demands of the Iranian regime. Zero nuclear capability is something he’s been very explicit about, and he wants to see if a deal can be struck." "And while these negotiations are taking place," Leavitt added, "I would remind the Iranian regime that the President has many options at his disposal, aside from diplomacy, as the commander in chief of the most powerful military in the history of the world." US-IRAN NEGOTIATIONS TO TAKE PLACE: HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW TRUMP THREATENS MILITARY TAKEOVER OF DIEGO GARCIA: Speaking of flexing his military muscle, President Trump in yet another Truth Social post said he understands why British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, but said if the U.S. were to lose access to the U.S.-British military base on Diego Garcia, he would be compelled to seize it by force. Trump has been sharply critical of Starmer, but said he had "very productive discussions” with Starmer about the status of Diego Garcia, which he said was "of great importance to the National Security of the United States." "I understand that the deal Prime Minister Starmer has made, according to many, the best he could make," Trump said. "However, if the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart, or anyone threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces at our Base, I retain the right to Militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia." "We have the most powerful Military in the World," Trump boasted. "Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a Base as important as this to ever be undermined or threatened by fake claims or environmental nonsense.” TRUMP'S $1.5 TRILLION 'DREAM MILITARY' BUDGET PROPOSAL PROMISES A GOLDEN FLEET, A GOLDEN DOME, AND A HOST OF BRIGHT, SHINY NEW WEAPONS AN UNHELPFUL X-SPAT: U.S. Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose took umbrage at remarks by the Speaker of Poland's Parliament, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who had the temerity to suggest that President Trump's threat to take over Greenland rendered him unfit for the Nobel Peace Prize. An epic flame war on social media ensued, which ended with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk rebuking the American ambassador with an admonition not to lecture friendly allies. "Mr. Ambassador Rose, allies should respect each other, not lecture each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership." It started with a Thursday post in which Rose wrote, "Effective immediately, we will have no further dealings, contacts, or communications with Marshal of the Sejm Czarzasty, whose outrageous and unprovoked insults directed against President Trump @POTUS has made himself a serious impediment to our excellent relations with Prime Minister Tusk and his government." Rose sent a snide reply to Tusk's rebuke, writing "I'm assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker," and while gratuitously expressing his "greatest respect and admiration" for Tusk, he refused to back down. “I will always defend my President without hesitation, exception or apology." When a random poster on X suggested Rose should "go home," Rose replied, "Should we take all our soldiers and equipment with us? That prompted Tusk to post a picture of himself reading Anne Applebaum's bestselling book Autocracy, Inc., with the caption "In the time of strategic uncertainty, it's worth knowing who we're dealing with." "Time for a new Ambassador," posted Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE). "Can we please agree that our ambassador to Poland is an ass hat pissing off one of our best allies?" posted former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). "Americans have no clue how awful and expensive a world with no friends is." POLISH PRIME MINISTER DUELS WITH US AMBASSADOR OVER TRUMP NOBEL PEACE PRIZE THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: US-Iran negotiations to take place: Here's what to know Washington Examiner: US and Russia agree to restart military communications as nuclear limits treaty expires Washington Examiner: Nigeria's security problems go way beyond Christian persecution, first lady says Washington Examiner: Trump's $1.5 trillion 'Dream Military' budget proposal promises a Golden Fleet, a Golden Dome, and a host of bright, shiny new weapons Washington Examiner: Jeffries risks fresh fracture with Schumer over ICE funding red line Washington Examiner: Slotkin refuses Bondi and Pirro's inquiry request over 'seditious six' video Washington Examiner: IRGC seize two oil tankers in Persian Gulf amid growing tensions Washington Examiner: Polish prime minister duels with US ambassador over Trump Nobel Peace Prize Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan Opinion: Gifting China a diplomatic opening, Trump must take advantage of Xi's arrogance Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan Opinion: Iran regime change would cost boots on the ground and China war readiness Washington Examiner: Editorial: Trump's critical mineral stockpile is long past due Wall Street Journal: Trump Calls for New Nuclear Pact with Russia as Previous Treaty Ends Wall Street Journal: Cuba Ready to Engage With U.S. as Fuel Shortages Worsen Air & Space Forces Magazine: US Launches Renewed Strikes Against ISIS in Syria Breaking Defense: To Overcome Golden Dome 'Affordability' Hurdle, DOD Needs Acquisition Reform, AI: Official The War Zone: Boeing Details New MQ-28 Ghost Bat Features, Eyes Indo-Pacific Sales Air & Space Forces Magazine: Raytheon to Radically Boost Production of Air Force's Main Dogfighting Missile Defense One: Pentagon Leaders Should Have More Control over Services' Tech Budgets, GAO Suggests Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pentagon's Commercial Tech Hub on the Hunt for Missile Tracking Sensors, Satellite Disposal Breaking Defense: Saab Shares 'Detailed Information' on Gripen with Canada as Part of 'Dual Fleet' Pitch Aviation Week: L3Harris Shops C-130H Upgrade with Production Decision Imminent Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Looking for Used Airliner to Expand C-40 VIP Transport Fleet THE CALENDAR: FRIDAY | FEBRUARY 6 9:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “India, Iran, Talks and Shocks,” with Joseph Majkut, director, CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program; and Kevin Book, nonresident senior adviser, CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program https://www.csis.org/events/energy-shots-india-iran-talks-and-shocks 11 a.m. — Missile Defense Advocacy Association 90th congressional discussion: “Making Clouds Reign for Missile Defense,” withThomas Browning, former acting assistant secretary of defense for mission capabilities; Derek Strausbaugh, chief technology officer for national security at Microsoft Federal; Shannon Pallone, U.S. Space Force program executive officer for battle management, control and communications; and Riki Ellison, MDAA founder and chairman https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/virtual-crt-making-clouds-reign 11 a.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: “How Moscow Manufactured the Myth of Putin Inevitable Victory,” with Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman, Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada; Julia Davis, founder, Russian Media Monitor; retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies; and Casey Michel, director, Human Rights Foundation Combating Kleptocracy Program https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/how-moscow-manufactured-the-myth 2:30 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “Davos, the Arctic, and Forging Transatlantic Unity: The Romanian View,” with Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu https://www.hudson.org/events/davos-arctic-forging-transatlantic-unity-romanian-view TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 10 10 a.m. 310 Cannon — House Homeland Security Committee hearing: “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: ICE, CBP, and USCIS,” with testimony from Todd Lyons, senior official performing the duties of the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Rodney Scott, commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Joseph Edlow, director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services http://homeland.house.gov 10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: “Syria at a Crossroads: U.S. Policy Challenges Post-Assad,” with testimony from James F. Jeffrey, fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Andrew J. Tabler, senior fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Nadine Maenza, former chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; and Mara Karlin, professor of practice at the Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies and visiting fellow at The Brookings Institution http://foreignaffairs.house.gov WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 11 10 a.m. 2362-A Rayburn — House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing: “Potential DHS Shutdown Impacts,” with testimony from Adm. Thomas Allan, acting vice commandant of the Coast Guard; Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; Ha Nguyen McNeill, acting administrator, Transportation Security Administration; Matthew Quinn, deputy director, U.S. Secret Service; and Keith Turri, acting associate administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Response and Recovery http://appropriations.house.gov 10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: “Restoring Mission Focus at the State Department: Authority, Accountability, and the Role of the Foreign Service” with testimony from Jason Evans, undersecretary of state for management http://foreignaffairs.house.gov 10 a.m. 1310 Longworth — House Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party Committee hearing: “Lies, Lawfare, and Leverage: The CCP’s Gaslighting and Manipulation to Marginalize Taiwan,” with testimony from Julian Ku, professor of constitutional law, Hofstra University; Shirley Kan, independent specialist in Indo-Pacific security affairs; and Mira Rapp-Hooper, partner, Asia Group https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov 2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee hearing: “South Asia: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Region.,” with testimony from S. Paul Kapur, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs http://foreignaffairs.house.gov 3 p.m. 222 Russell — Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee hearing: “Senior Enlisted Leaders on Servicemember and Family Quality of Life,” with testimony from Fleet Master Chief David Isom, senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer; Master Chief Petty Officer John Perryman; Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz; Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe; and Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna http://www.armed-services.senate.gov THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 12 Brussels, Belgium — United Kingdom and Germany convene the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meet at NATO Headquarters, followed by a meeting of NATO defense ministers https://www.nato.int/en/news-and-events/events/media-advisories FRIDAY | FEBRUARY 13 Munich, Germany — The 62nd Munich Security Conference at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof and Rosewood Munich, with nearly 50 heads of state and government attending. The conference runs through Sunday, February 15 https://securityconference.org/en/msc-2026/ WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 18 10 a.m. — Center for European Policy Analysis Zoom press briefing discussing two reports, "Ukraine 2036: How Today's Investments Will Shape Tomorrow's Security" and "Wartime Assistance to Ukraine." with Marianna Fakhurdinova, coordinator, EU–Ukraine Partnership Program, Transatlantic Dialogue Center; Uliana Movchan, Ax:son Johnson Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis; Kseniya Sotnikova, Ax:son Johnson Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis; and moderator: Elina Beketova, fellow, Democratic Resilience, Center for European Policy Analysis https://cepa.rsvpify.com/cepapressbriefingukraine TUESDAY | MARCH 3 226 Dirksen — Senate Judiciary Committee hearing: "Oversight of the Homeland Security Department,” with testimony from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem http://judiciary.senate.gov WEDNESDAY | MARCH 4 10 a.m. 2154 Rayburn — House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing: “Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part II,” with testimony from Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) http://oversight.house.gov | | | | "They rigged the second election. I had to win it. I had to win it. I needed it for my own ego. I would have had a bad ego for the rest of my life. Now I really have a big ego, though. Beating these, beating these lunatics was incredible, right? What a great feeling. Winning every swing state, winning the popular vote." | | President Donald Trump, during his hour and fifteen minutes of rambling remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday |
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Megyn Kelly -> Pete Hegseth responds to 2017 rape accusation. 🔥 vol. 3, issue 13 | December 6, 2024 Quick Hits All the news you need in...
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