Thomas Wingfield

What does C2 feel like from a Civ/Mil point of view? I talked to former NATO Sec Gen Jaap de Hoop Scheffer about what makes Civ/Mil relationships work at the highest levels of an Alliance. The tensions between domestic agendas and international obligations, decision-making in NATO, and how to achieve coherence and agreement in matters of war all get some air time. The conclusion, perhaps unsurprisingly, is that the level of co-operation between politicians and their military counterparts is not something that can be scripted or forced: it depends more on personalities, behaviours, and shared interests than on orders and formal hierarchies. Reflecting on successes and failures, Jaap makes for compelling listening.

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The Future of Warfare U.S. Military: Competition and Contestation | GSF Seth Jones with a panel of the U.S. vice chiefs https://lnkd.in/dB5kgj5z As #CSIS's flagship annual #securityconference, the Forum convenes leaders from the #defense and #nationalsecurity communities to discuss the top #security challenges facing the country and the world. This year's conference will feature keynote discussions with General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Honorable Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence. The theme of the #2024GlobalSecurityForum is "Gathering Strength in a Gathering Storm." Speakers will address how the #UnitedStates can muster its strengths to counter multiple global challenges, posture for uncertainty, and prepare U.S. forces to deter and defeat aggression. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 🦉The theme of the conference alludes to Winston Churchill’s 1948 book ‘The Gathering Storm’ about the buildup towards WWII and the parallels with today - the denial and the difficulty in being heard as the alarm is sounded. A lot of learning post the full-scale invasion of #Ukraine and #Iran’s attack on #Israel. The vice-chief of the air force compares today with the Spanish Civil War. A lot of combined wisdom and experience (and medals) on show! ✌️🥇🥈🥉🏅🎖️ #usforces #strategy #competition #intelligence A2/AD #emergingtechnology #industrialbase #manoeuvre #landwardlittorals #airmissiledefense #informationwarfare #deterrence #iran #redsea #gaza #ukraine #israel #arctic #indopacific #russia #china

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6/8/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/4aPDD7L 1. Voice of America: [Washington Talk] “Military agreement suspended, Korean military ‘shackles’ lifted… “Information warfare must be expanded across the board.” 2. North Korea—The Forgotten Human Rights Crisis 3. North Korea recalls documentary about Kim Jong Un’s mother 4. America’s Military Strategy: Can We Handle Two Wars at Once? 5. Kim Jong Un 'polite' and Trump 'practical'? Former leader's kind words cause an uproar 6. An American Company Enabled a North Korean Scam That Raised Money for WMDs 7. Dissecting Propaganda: Using AI to Cut Through North Korean TV Spin 8. It's Getting Heated—and Filthy—on the Korean Peninsula 9. Building Trust, Building Peace: Role Of Confidence-Building Measures On Korean Peninsula 10. Russia’s war in Ukraine has turned South Korea into a manufacturing hotspot 11. Deterring North Korean aggression remains primary goal, new fighter wing commander says 12. US warns North Korea against providing Putin platform for war aims 13. Surpass the Cutting Edge: Reflections on North Korea’s Failed May 27 Satellite Launch 14. N. Korea sends balloons carrying trash to S. Korea again: JCS 15. At UN, North Koreans beg China to stop sending escapees back 16. N. Korea, China, Russia expanding nuclear arsenals at ‘breakneck’ pace: White House official 17. S. Korea, U.S. to hold 3rd round of defense cost-sharing negotiations in Washington next week

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1/9/25 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/3Ptu0n7 1. New US-ROK Combined Forces Commander Brunson: “Stability in the Region Depends on US-ROK-Japan Security Cooperation” 2. Ex-top U.S. envoy recalls his decision to come to S. Korea as most rewarding 3. North Korea's Russia Alliance and Missiles are a Big Problem for Trump and Allies 4. South Korea’s conservatives rally, rebound in face of martial law, impeachment dramas 5. Yoon's lawyers file for injunction against 2nd detention warrant 6. USFK commander stresses need to maintain trilateral cooperation among S. Korea, U.S., Japan 7. N. Korea's missile launch this week shows where 'blood' money ends up: Seoul envoy 8. Home of ex-security official raided in probe over alleged leak of THAAD-related intelligence (South Korea) 9. U.S. may weigh nuclear sharing with South Korea under Trump, experts say 10. Elbridge Colby and the Return of Republican Realism 11. Editorial: Democratic Party must prioritize governance over election ambitions 12. Troops will not be allowed to help prevent Yoon's arrest, says Defense Ministry 13. Trump cabinet and Korea 14. Trump's 2nd term personnel include those who are pro-North Korea dialogue... A signal for a new North Korea policy? 15. [Wang Son-taek] ‘Kisses democracy’ will prevail 16. “North Korea, Kim Joo-ae’s solo activities may be disclosed for achievements” 17. Loud, eerie noises from North Korean speakers take a toll on villagers across border

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A unique and useful essay from Dr. Lumpy Lumbaca. I thought the title meant "And/Or" as in irregular "and/or" conventional warfare. But on a more serious note, we need to use fiction and even pop culture more often to explain irregular warfare concepts. I wonder if the writers of Andor knew they were employing these concepts? Had they read irregular/unconventional warfare doctrine or was this by chance? Or is unconventional warfare doctrine merely common sense and based on historical actions in the real world. I can say for sure that unconventional warfare is a synthesis of of the history or revolution, resistance, and insurgency, Excerpt: QUOTE: Ultimately, the brilliance of Andor lies in its ability to translate the realities of insurgency and irregular warfare into a compelling narrative set in a galaxy far, far away. It embraces the moral complexities, the internal struggles, and the immense human cost of resistance. By grounding its story in these real-world themes, Andor transcends the genre of space opera fantasy and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the fight for self-determination against overwhelming odds. While entertaining and a Hollywood production, Andor nevertheless captures the real-world elements of modern insurgency and irregular warfare. END QUOTE https://lnkd.in/e_89xK7W

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9/7/24 National Security News and Commentary https://conta.cc/4eeec1N 1. Congressional Call for Center of Special Operations Analysis 2. U.S. Tells Allies Iran Has Sent Ballistic Missiles to Russia 3. $10 Million and a Fake Investor: How the Kremlin Allegedly Built a Conservative U.S. Media Startup 4. Most Mass Shooters Telegraph Their Attacks. These Teams Are In the Business Of Stopping Them 5. Was There a Chinese Agent Working in the New York Governor’s Office? 6. China-Taiwan Weekly Update, September 6, 2024 7. Israel–Hamas War (Iran) Update, September 6, 2024 8. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 6, 2024 9. Free Burma Rangers – Open Volunteer Positions 6 September 2024 10. Commentary: China-Philippines trust in troubled waters 11. US university Georgia Tech to end China partnerships following concerns over military ties 12. Secret American special forces boats spotted in Scotland 13. Unleashing Private Capital: A Strategic Shift to Boost Allied Defense 14. Special Operations Forces: Summary of Armed Overwatch Reports 15. US Special Operations cuts Armed Overwatch acquisition nearly 20% 16. ‘Men of War’ Review: A Delirious Doc About a Former Green Beret Trying to Overthrow the Venezuelan Government 17. When Students Become Terrorists 18. Carrier Captain In Combat: What Went On During 7 Months Under Fire Around The Red Sea 19. Reporter's Notebook: Why foreign policy might matter 20. US Army’s next budget invests heavily in drones and electronic warfare 21. Military must move beyond integration to inclusion 22. The Surface Navy and the Long War 23. Efficacy in Our Nation’s Deterrence Strategy 24. Military Reform: Reversing the Decline 25. Disinformation dilemma: US hands are way dirty, too 26. Five Yalies selected as 2024 Tillman Scholars for their achievements, potential in service 27. US election integrity fears heighten tension ahead of presidential vote 28. Combat swimmer operations and their importance in a near-peer conflict

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Partnerships and Political Action (Irregular warfare) A long and important read for anyone who focuses on Irregular warfare in this edition of Military Review.  It is so important that it is difficult to select any highlights as this covers a lot of ground. I am curious (and trying to figure out) who the author is:  "Henry C. Pulaski is a pseudonym used to protect the identity of the author, a leader in special operations." Conclusion: Over the next several decades, we are likely to witness the various protections and deterrents that prevent total war stretched to their limits. In addition to its role in conventional and strategic deterrence, the U.S. military and especially the USSOF community should offer policymakers and senior leaders options that either effectively neutralize an adversary’s asymmetric aggression or allow for the application of throttled pressure against an adversary in a manner unlikely to escalate to a direct strategic conflict. While our potential adversaries have high concentrations of conventional capability in their proverbial backyards developed to address their national security priorities, they all remain highly dependent on their networked global access for economic survival, raw material imports, and influence. This IW concept represents a capability that could be applied to erode our adversary’s global access and impose costs proportional to those levied against us. However, effective execution of this concept will require significant evolutions within the USSOF formation including, but not limited to, structural adaptations at the maneuver-unit level, the acquisition of specific authorities and funds, and professional development pathway optimization. Despite the obvious hurdles, the return on the investment would be worth it if we could match, contest, and reverse the success of our adversary’s asymmetric campaigns against our interests and influence. https://lnkd.in/exxEnbbi

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12/20/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/400z7kO 1. Gen. Brunson takes office as new USFK commander with vow to bolster S. Korea-U.S. alliance 2. Don't bypass S. Korea 3. Acting defense chief, U.S. Indo-Pacific commander underscore trilateral security cooperation with Japan 4. Why Kim Jong-un's Reform Desire Has Cooled 5. Russians see North Koreans as a ‘burden’ over ignorance of drones: South says 6. Korea needs to address polarization, upgrade its democracy 7. Ukrainian military unveils footage of drone attacks on NK soldiers: report 8. 'North Korean Killer' Drone Double-Sided… Scattering Surrender Leaflets 9. N. Korea's flood victims brought to Pyongyang write letters of thanks to leader Kim 10. N. Korea arrests former trade official in Chinese phone crackdown 11. UN General Assembly adopts resolution on N. Korean human rights for 20th straight year 12. S. Korean shipbuilders to retain edge in high-value vessels despite order slump 13. North Korean Troops Launched Large-Scale Combat Operations In Kursk: Officials 14. Martial law teaches an essential lesson: leaders must listen 15. Researcher: North Korea can produce ballistic missiles for Russia to use against Ukraine in months 16. Moving Forward on North Korea: The Case for Bold Transitional Justice Initiatives in South Korea 17. Drone defense, bombing practice keep US, South Korean forces busy 18. Lazarus Group Spotted Targeting Nuclear Engineers with CookiePlus Malware 19. N. Korea arrests former trade official in Chinese phone crackdown 20. NK responsible for 61% of global cryptocurrency heists: Chainalysis 21. Former general implicated in Dec. 3 martial law plot ran fortune-telling business: Reports 22. Can Trump Work With South Korea’s Left? 23. Voice of America (VOA) Interview with Col. David Maxwell (Ret.) discusses U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance after coup attempt

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10/30/24 National Security News and Commentary https://conta.cc/4hEJ9iv 1. Two new jobs, but too few people (and robots) (Green Berets) 2. 12 Questions for a Writer: Frank Sobchak (author of "Training for Victory: U.S. Special Forces Advisory Missions from El Salvador to Afghanistan") 3. Israel–Hamas War (Iran) Update, October 29, 2024 4. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 29, 2024 5. Special Forces trains for the next big war in the Mojave Desert 6. Special mission aircraft for covert insertion 7. X Algorithm Feeds Users Political Content—Whether They Want It or Not 8. Why our Presidential Candidates Must Choose Ukraine 9. What Election Integrity Really Means 10. ICSPOTS Event: A Pivotal Step Toward Modernizing USSOCOM Resourcing and Readiness 11. Russia test-fires missiles to simulate 'massive' response to nuclear first strike 12. New Vehicles, Face Paint and a 1,200-Foot Fall: The U.S. Army Prepares for War With China 13. How Russia, China and Iran Are Interfering in the Presidential Election 14. Pentagon unveils new plan to energize America’s defense sector 15. Conventional Arms Control and Ending the Russo-Ukrainian War 16. How America Can Succeed in a Multialigned World 17. The Least Bad Option for Lebanon 18. Harris vs. Trump: If Asia Could Vote in the US Election 19. Post-Truth and National Security: Background and Options for a New Administration 20. Air Force Chief: Small Drones Are Both 'Threat and Opportunity' 21. Political leaders need to stop standing in the way of defense innovation

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8/3/24 National Security News and Commentary https://conta.cc/46uxddT 1. Conflict in the Gray Zone: A Prevailing Geopolitical Dynamic Through 2030   2. Updated IC Gray Zone Lexicon: Key Terms and Definitions 3. Secretary Austin Signs Memo Withdrawing From the Pre-Trial Agreements in the 9/11 Military Commission Cases 4. Defense Secretary Revokes Plea Deal for Accused Sept. 11 Plotters 5. jaw jaw or war war – reflections on the recent prison exchange 6. Kissinger vs. Blinken: A Synthetic Foreign Policy Debate 7. Russia’s top spymaster falsely claims Kremlin does not interfere in other countries’ affairs 8. Chinese communist, military writings reveal plans for strategic influence operations through TikTok 9. Community engagement can mitigate disinformation. Here’s how a Dallas editor is leading the way. 10. Airstrikes, Artificial Intelligence, and Sabotage Drive Russian Psyops 11. Russia vs Ukraine: the biggest war of the fake news era 12. Annexation of Taiwan: A Defeat From Which the US and Its Allies Could Not Retreat 13. South China Sea row high on Quad agenda with ‘message’ aimed at Beijing 14. How Disney’s Deadpool Danced Around China’s Censors—Cocaine, F-Bombs and All 15. ‘We lost sight of him’: Radio traffic shows failed search for Trump rally shooter 16. Tech Failings Plagued Secret Service at Trump Rally 17. Autocrats Wield Hostage-Taking as Potent Weapon Against West 18. Army’s long-range tiltrotor aircraft moves to next development phase 19. Why Ukraine is obsessed with the U.S. sitcom 'Friends'

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HOUTHIS ON THE MARCH: U.S. intelligence assesses that Houthi militants in Yemen are working to provide Al-Shabaab with weapons, according to CNN. The move would be a major escalation in cooperation between the Iran-backed proxy and the Somali militant group, which both have posed major threats to shipping and trade in the Red Sea. U.S. intelligence along with African partners have been working to figure out if Iran is involved and whether weapons transfers have already occurred. https://lnkd.in/eSMjqTbz

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4/16/24 National Security News and Commentary https://conta.cc/4aTNB8L 1. The Lessons of Israeli Missile Defense 2. The U.S. Has Received a Rare Invitation From China. There Is Only One Right Answer. 3. House Speaker Mike Johnson pushes towards a vote on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan 4. In a decisive moment like this, Israel has to reaffirm its strength by striking back - editorial 5. Review says Abbey Gate bombing wasn’t preventable 6. Victory and Failure in the Great American-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Range Day MISSILEX of April 2024 7. Fake Footage of Iran’s Attack on Israel Is Going Viral 8. Federal criminal investigation opened into Key Bridge crash 9. Israel’s War Leaders Don’t Trust One Another 10. All the US assets that helped repel Iran’s attack on Israel 11. Army Could Face Resistance from Congress as It Eyes Cuts to Education Benefits 12. Out of INF, Army deploys Typhon weapon to the Philippines 13. SM-3 Ballistic Missile Interceptor Used for First Time in Combat, Officials Confirm 14. Opinion | What it means when the mercenaries appear 15. The epic fail of Biden’s doctrine vs. Iran — no consequences 16. A Test of Strength 17. Opinion | A quandary in Israel: How to retaliate — but not escalate? 18. China accused of running sleeper cells to sow discord 19. Japan's Ukraine aid creates new rift with Russia 20. Opinion | What the United States needs to do after Iran’s attack on Israel 21. A DHS Office of Foreign Influence and Interference—Break Down Barriers to Protect US Democracy and Public Safety 22. The Talks That Could Have Ended the War in Ukraine 23. Japan’s China Reckoning 24. Call in the Coast Guard: How Maritime Law Enforcement Can Combat China’s Gray-Zone Aggression 25. Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea: A New Twist on the Jeune École? 26. Israel–Hamas War (Iran) Update, April 15, 2024 27. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 15, 2024

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8/12/24 National Security News and Commentary https://conta.cc/46Ha8oi 1. Ukraine’s Russia Incursion Faces Dilemma After Quick Gains 2. In Syria’s Hinterlands, the U.S. Wages a Hidden Campaign Against a Resurgent Islamic State 3. Iran Emerges as the Most Aggressive Foreign Threat to U.S. Election 4. Kremlin Downplays Ukrainian Operation Inside Russian Territory 5. Philippines to file protest with China over South China Sea air incident 6. Australia, US, UK sign nuclear transfer deal for AUKUS subs 7. AUKUS partners demonstrated 'real-time' AI tests at US Army's Project Convergence 8. Good news, bad news in Japan’s military reawakening 9. The Hacking of Presidential Campaigns Begins, With the Usual Fog of Motives 10. Kursk invasion looks like WWII's Battle of the Bulge 11. Kursk shows it never pays to underestimate Ukraine 12. What's Behind U.S. Navy's Worst Warship Production in 25 Years? 13. The Gloves Are Off. Ukraine Strikes Deep Inside Russia. 14. US announces $125 million military aid package for Ukraine 15. Biden, Harris and Trump should issue a joint statement on the risks of World War III 16. U.S. Funding $32M Upgrade to Air Base in the Philippines 17. Three Visions for NATO Air and Missile Defense 18. The Undoing of Israel: The Dark Futures That Await After the War in Gaza 19. How Everything Became National Security

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The DoD Directive 5240.01 could potentially be interpreted or misused covertly for operations that might lead to violations of civil liberties, but such actions would still require significant legal and procedural breaches. The document itself emphasizes strict oversight and high-level approval for any intelligence-related activities involving U.S. persons, and particularly for actions involving the use of force, lethal or otherwise. However, covert misuse is always a possibility when there is a lack of transparency or insufficient oversight. Some factors that could theoretically open the door to covert misuse include: 1. Ambiguities in Definitions: The document references complex legal frameworks, including the use of intelligence-related “tradecraft” and activities under Executive Orders like 12333. While these tools are meant for national security, the vague boundaries between intelligence support and active participation in law enforcement operations (especially involving lethal force) might be stretched in covert scenarios. 2. Exigent Circumstances Clause: Section 3.5 allows for immediate action by intelligence personnel without higher-level authorization when there is an imminent threat to life. This provision could be exploited in an emergency situation or under fabricated claims of immediate danger to justify the use of force. 3. Sensitive Support Activities: Some sections of the document refer to sensitive intelligence operations that are governed by other directives, such as DoDD S-5210.36, which governs covert operations. This leaves room for classified operations that may fall outside typical civilian oversight, creating a gray area where covert activities could be conducted without direct accountability, provided they are justified under national security concerns. However, these covert uses would still technically be illegal under U.S. law, as the directive requires compliance with the Constitution and federal laws, including protections for civil liberties. Misuse would likely involve bypassing or ignoring the legal oversight mechanisms outlined in the directive, which could lead to severe legal consequences if exposed. Therefore, while the directive provides tools that could be misused covertly, such actions would not be legally authorized and would rely on circumventing the extensive oversight and approval processes built into the directive. It is an unwise timing if not dangerous down the path towards potential use of the military on American citizens if it is misused or misinterpreted and applied wrongly. It leaves too much ambiguity in its application and does not provide adequate checks and balances upon decision makers. It marks potential further steps towards the breaking of the separation of powers and checks and balances. The timing of it during heightened political divisions and distrust of the federal government is inherently foolish in terms of optics serving only to increase distrust. Othniel Max Daves

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7/5/24 National Security News and Commentary https://conta.cc/4cMmqNT 1. IN THE KILL ZONE: The Life and Times of Willie Merkerson (Part 3) 2. AI Drones Threaten U.S. Forces 3. A tell-tale sign that China could be preparing for war 4. Air Force Ospreys in Japan resume flight ops 5. He got $30K to leave the military when it needed to downsize. Now the government wants that money back. 6. U.S. and Israel Voice New Optimism About Cease-Fire as Gaza Talks Resume 7. Report to Congress on Navy Distributed Maritime Operations 8. Naval Special Warfare Units Merge Combat Tactics With Attack Submarines 9. Aircraft Carriers: Still Indispensable 10. New Pentagon Data Sharing Effort Will Showcase U.S. Military As Viable Career Path For High Schoolers 11. ‘Toxic’ politics increase terrorism, extremism risk, DHS official says 12. Pentagon sending advanced fighters to Japan as part of force upgrade 13. DARPA wants to use AI to find new rare minerals 14. This Medal of Honor recipient’s heroism didn’t end with his war 15. The Surprising National Security Role of America’s “Best Idea” 16. Is the precision revolution in warfare fading away? 17. Different makes us stronger: American diversity is a national security asset 18. An American Insurgency 19. Can Starmer Save Britain? 20. When America and China Collided 21. China Is Finally Starting to Do Something About the U.S. Fentanyl Crisis 22. The Glorious Cause of America

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🗳 🇺🇸 With the pivotal U.S. election three weeks away, Bedford Analysis has been keeping an eye on foreign malign influence (FMI) campaigns in play.. 👀 If you haven't already, take a look at the U.S. Department of State and Office of the Director of National Intelligence update below 👇 Key takeaways for the Bedford election-watching community: 🔎 Foreign malign influence (FMI) campaigns will continue well after the election, with amplifications of doubt over the results. Objective: undermining trust in democratic institutions. 🔎 Russia, China, and Cuba are supporting or denigrating candidates involved in congressional, state, and local races. To determine which candidates to support or oppose, foreign actors evaluate how they think an individual candidate’s foreign policy positions affect their national security interest. 🗣 This is political - not just electoral - interference. What can be done? Get informed and talk about it! #reshare 🗣 Individuals, companies, businesses, governments, civil society, but also friends, family members and colleagues, should all be aware that this is a real and present threat which authorities are mitigating day-by-day, as you can read below👇 #geopolitics #ODNI #freeandfair #opensociety #safeguarding #democraticinstitutions https://lnkd.in/eByw2wK7

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