 Defense &
National Security |
Defense &
National Security |
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US military strikes facility in Syria amid attacks on American troops |
U.S. forces on Wednesday struck a weapons storage facility in eastern Syria used by Iran and its proxies after continued attacks against American troops in the region. |
President Biden directed the "self-defense strike" by two U.S. F-15s on the facility used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. "This precision self-defense strike is a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates," Austin said in a statement. "The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today's action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests." U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been attacked at least 42 times since Oct. 17 — including two in the last 24 hours — with one-way drones and rockets. At least 46 service members have been injured in these assaults, which defense officials have blamed on Iran. In addition, an American MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen on Wednesday by the Iranian-backed Houthis, a defense official confirmed. Attacks on American troops in the region have been consistent following the start of the Israel-Hamas war, a conflict that has created unrest in the Middle East. Earlier determent efforts include a U.S. strike on an Iranian weapons storage facility and an ammunition storage area in eastern Syria in late October. The Pentagon has also deployed at least 1,200 troops to the region along with a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and Patriot battalions. In addition, Washington has sent two aircraft carrier strike groups to the region and a nuclear-powered submarine. 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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An American drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen on Wednesday by the Iranian-backed Houthis, according to a U.S. Defense official. The U.S. official said the drone was an MQ-9 Reaper, a surveillance drone that can be armed with missiles. The drone costs around $32 million. The attack is the latest on U.S. forces in the Middle East, where the Pentagon says Iranian-backed groups are seeking to take advantage of the ongoing … |
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| The head of the Pentagon's office that investigates UFOs is stepping down in December, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday. Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Director, announced he would be retiring after a 27-year career in the department and the U.S. Intelligence Community. In an exclusive interview with Politico, Kirkpatrick said he is ready to move on, 18 months after he took … |
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed their deep concern about its humanitarian convoy coming under fire in Gaza City amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. In a news release Tuesday, the humanitarian organization said the convoy of five trucks and two other ICRC vehicles was carrying lifesaving medical supplies when it was hit by fire. The supplies were headed to health facilities … |
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Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: |
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will hold a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow in Berlin.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in India, South Korea and Indonesia this week to meet with his counterparts.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a cross-world trip until Friday to meet with key allies.
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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Lawmakers push 702 reauthorization requiring warrant to access info on Americans |
A bipartisan group of Senate and House lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday that would require the intelligence community to secure a warrant before tapping into information on Americans swept up during surveillance of foreigners abroad. Led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the bill would reauthorize Section … |
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Events in and around the defense world: |
The U.S. Institute of Peace will have a virtual discussion on "First in War, First in Peace: U.S. Military Veterans as Peacebuilders" at 9:30 a.m.
- The Wilson Center will have a conversation on "Hamas-Israel War: Risks of Escalation and Impact on Lebanon" at 10 a.m.
The Atlantic Council will hold a conference on "Ukraine's Fight and NATO's Future: First Insights from Central Europe on the Washington Summit," with Ukrainian Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko at 10 a.m.
- Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will speak at the Hudson Institute on the Israel-Hamas War at 1:30 p.m.
New America and Arizona State University's Future Security Initiative will have an online talk on "Will the U.S. Experience a Devastating Cyber Attack and What Can be Done to Protect Our Nation?" at 7 p.m.
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Two key stories on The Hill right now: |
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Former President Trump is slated to hold a rally in Hialeah, Fla., about 15 miles down the road from the third GOP presidential debate Wednesday evening … Read more |
| Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) says his state’s vote Tuesday to enshrine abortion rights “was a gut punch” for anti-abortion officials such … Read more |
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Op-ed related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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