Defense &
National Security

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Austin: Women in military ‘make us better’

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised women for their military service in an interview with NBC News, calling them “some of the finest in the world.” “I have spent 41 years in uniform, three long tours in Iraq, one in Afghanistan, and everywhere I went on a battlefield, there were women in our formation. I would tell you that, you know, our women are the finest troops in the world. Quite frankly, some of the finest …

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Trump names ambassador to NATO

President-elect Trump has named his former acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, as the next ambassador to NATO, selecting him to fill the role at a crucial time amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions over defense spending across the Western security alliance. In a statement, Trump said Whitaker is a “strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended.” …

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On Our Radar

Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wrayand Brett Holmgren, acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will testify on worldwide threats before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Laos today for the ADMM-Plus and to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting before traveling on to Fiji.

In Other News

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Trump’s immigration grand strategy casts wide net

President-elect Trump is returning to the White House looking to dwarf his first term’s significant impact on immigration policy. Eight years after he first won the presidency, Trump has remolded the GOP’s mainstream views on immigration, all but guaranteeing he will face less resistance …

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On Tap Tomorrow

Events in and around the defense world:

PunchBowl News will host a discussion on the future of defense and industrial policy with Rep. Steve Womack (R-Mo.) at 9 a.m.
The Hudson Institute will have a talk on “Strategic Challenges Facing the U.S.-South Korea Alliance” at 10 a.m.
The Atlantic Council will hold a conversation on “Russia and the Authoritarian Challenge” with Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) at 11 a.m.
The Hudson Institute also will discuss “Big Ideas for America’s New National Security Team” at 2 p.m.

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets:

North Korea sent more conventional weapons to Russia, South Korea says (The Associated Press)
VA acknowledges significant errors in budget shortfall predictions (Military Times)

Trending Today

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Musk, Ramaswamy lay out plans for ‘mass’ federal layoffs, rule rollbacks under Trump

Tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy said Wednesday that their brand-new government efficiency panel will identify “thousands” of regulations … Read more

Nate Silver says Biden should resign

Pollster Nate Silver said President Biden should resign in a post on the social platform X on Wednesday. “Is there any particular reason to assume … Read more