 Defense &
National Security |
Defense &
National Security |
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Travis King released from North Korea |
Army Pvt. Travis King is back in U.S. custody after North Korean officials released the service member who crossed into their country in July. |
Senior administration officials confirmed he was safely in American hands and in good health and spirits. King, who is currently headed back to the U.S. mainland, is happy to return and is looking forward to seeing his family, they added. U.S. officials said they worked for months to bring King home, and the past few weeks involved close coordination with North Korea to ensure the service member was safe and could soon return home. The successful diplomatic effort is also a positive sign for future communication channels with North Korea. Sweden played a vital role, constantly keeping in contact with the Biden administration during negotiations. While there was a real fear that Pyongyang might hold King to extract concessions, that changed earlier this month, when officials working on the case learned from Sweden that North Korea wanted to release King. Beijing also played a "very constructive role" in the process, officials said. North Korea transferred King to China, where he was picked up by U.S. officials Wednesday. King, 23, was the first American to be detained in North Korea in roughly five years. The private was stationed in South Korea and crossed over the border during a civilian tour of a border village. The unexpected escape came as he was awaiting a transfer back to the U.S. amid possible discipline for an assault conviction in South Korea. Read the full report at TheHill.com. |
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. |
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How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future: |
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A majority of House Republicans rejected a series of efforts to cut back on funding for Ukraine on Wednesday, voting down a trio of amendments to a Pentagon appropriations bill that would have curtailed Washington's financial support for Kyiv. The first amendment, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), would have decreased funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative by $300 million, which is the full amount included …
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The U.S. suspended a majority of non-humanitarian military aid to Gabon Tuesday in the wake of a military takeover of the African country last month, according to The Associated Press. In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the government is "pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of Gabon" as it evaluates "the unconstitutional intervention by members of the country's military." … |
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The House Armed Services Committee is expected to grill top Biden administration officials during a Thursday hearing after a planned headquarters shift for U.S. Space Command was scrapped by the Biden administration, which infuriated Alabama Republicans. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the chairman of the committee, will lead a full committee hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday on the nixed plan to transfer Space Command headquarters to … |
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Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: |
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), and others will speak at the 2023 Atlantic Festival beginning at 9:30 a.m.
- Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, U.S. Space Command head Gen. James Dickinson, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman will testify before the House Armed Services Committee in a hearing on "Examining Irregularity in the Strategic Basing Process for U.S. Space Command," at 10 a.m.
- Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, director of the National Security Agency and commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, will speak at the National Press Club's Headliners Luncheon at 12:30 p.m.
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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Cassidy Hutchinson says she'll be 'fully cooperative' on Trump prosecutions |
Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson said Tuesday that she will cooperate with criminal investigations against the former president if she is asked to do so. Hutchinson revealed in her new book that she testified for the Georgia election fraud case, in which former President Trump was … |
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A MESSAGE FROM GE AEROSPACE |
Increasing geopolitical threats demand GE's XA100 engine |
Rising geopolitical threats demand the most advanced fighter jet engine ever developed—GE Aerospace's XA100 adaptive cycle engine. Congress should continue investing in advanced engine technologies to help ensure the U.S. maintains its unrivaled airpower advantage. Learn more. |
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Events in and around the defense world: |
- The Center for Strategic and International Studies will have a virtual discussion on "China's Strategy of Political Warfare: Views from Congress," with Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), at 8:45 a.m.
- The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing to consider nominations of Derek Chollet to be undersecretary of defense for policy and Cara Abercrombie to be assistant secretary of defense for acquisition, at 9:30 a.m.
- The Wilson Center will hold a conference on "The Rules-Based Order in Antarctica and Global Challenges," with Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, at 9 a.m.
- Hudson Institute will hold a talk on "NATO and the Franco-American Alliance," with French Ambassador to NATO Muriel Domenach, at 3 p.m.
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News we've flagged from other outlets: |
- 'Where is the accountability': Deplorable condition of military barracks sparks outrage, calls for change on Capitol Hill (Military.com)
- A look at other Americans who have entered North Korea over the years (The Associated Press)
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Two key stories on The Hill right now: |
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Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told members of the House GOP conference Wednesday morning that he will not bring the Senate's bipartisan continuing … Read more |
| House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Wednesday fired back at Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) for her "hostile response" … Read more |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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