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Morning Recon
Good Friday morning and welcome to MORNING RECON. On this day in 1957, the Soviet Union announces that it has successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of being fired “into any part of the world.” The announcement caused great concern in the United States, and started a national debate over the “missile gap” between America and Russia.
RealClearDefense Exclusive: Who Is Alexander Dugin?by Francis P. Sempa
Today's Top Stories
NATIONAL Veterans React to Biden’s Student Loan ‘Forgiveness’ Plan
By Liz George, American Military News: ". . . numerous veterans spoke out about the announcement on Twitter, with some arguing against the multi-billion proposal and others expressing support for the effort." Torrent of Cash for Ukraine Arms Puts Pentagon Watchdog on Alert
By Anthony Capaccio, Bloomberg: “As the Pentagon rushes to replenish billions of dollars in weapons sent to Ukraine, its inspector general says he’s on high alert for signs of fraud and abuse in the thousands of contracts being awarded." Army Sees Role for Next-Gen Aircraft in Indo-Pacific
By Mikayla Easley, National Defense Magazine: “First Lady Michelle Obama honored female veterans today at the annual Women’s History Month reception in Washington, D.C.” U.S. Coast Guard Academy Jettisons Unvaccinated Cadets
From Rob Maness: "Seven cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) were unceremoniously banished from the grounds recently and given 24 hours to “get out” for failure to comply with what is likely an illegal order to receive the Covid-19 vaccination."
Industrial Capacity Largest Barrier to Growing the Fleet
By Mallory Shelborne, USNI News: “The service’s top officer said shipbuilders need indicators from the service before they’re able to make the investments required to build, for example, three destroyers per year."
B-2 Crew Successfully Tested Long-Range Cruise Missile
By Greg Hadley, Air Force Magazine: "The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range, or JASSM-ER, has a range of more than 500 miles and has been integrated onto the B-1B and B-52 bombers and F-15E and F-16 fighters.”
Was America’s Aurora Hypersonic Aircraft Real?
We Get to the Bottom of It
By Alex Hollings, Sandboxx News: “Rumors of a classified hypersonic aircraft known as Aurora have permeated aviation circles since the 1980s, but evidence of this triangular jet remains as sparse as ever." Read more at RealClearDefense including: Navy F-35C Surfaces Wearing New Mirror-Like Skin INTERNATIONAL U.S., SOUTH KOREA:
U.S.-South Korea War Games Have a Global Audience
By James Stavridis, Bloomberg: “Given tensions with China over Taiwan and the war in Ukraine, one of the biggest military exercises America stages will have ripple effects on all its allies and opponents." U.S., MIDDLE EAST:
U.S. Strikes Iran-Backed Militias in Syria for Third Day
By Jared Szuba, Al-Monitor: “The White House sought to halt attacks on American troops in Syria by authorizing airstrikes on a depot used by the IRGC. Local militias have responded by firing more rockets." EUROPE:
Europe's Drought Is Revealing Historic Artifacts
By Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine: "World War II-era warships, the 'Spanish Stonehenge' and other remnants of the past are emerging from the continent's waterways..."
Read more at RealClearDefense including: Abrams-Maker GDLS Announces $1.1 Billion Tank Deal for Poland COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS
The State of the Warfighter Mentality in the SWO Community
By Judith Hee Rooney, CIMSEC: “As the United States shifts focus from the Global War on Terror to peer competitors, senior naval leaders have increased messaging to the fleet that focuses on preparing for war at sea."
DoD’s Kendall Says ‘Revolving Door’ Is Too Thick
By Tiny Tim, The War Zone: “The Defense Department’s top procurement official is taking aim at watchdog-type laws that are put in place to discourage corruption in government.”
DoD’s Kendall Says ‘Revolving Door’ Is Too Thick
By Tiny Tim, The War Zone: “The Defense Department’s top procurement official is taking aim at watchdog-type laws that are put in place to discourage corruption in government.”
Who Is Alexander Dugin?
By Francis P. Sempa, RealClearDefense: “News reports have speculated that the bomb was meant for Dugin, and Russian counterintelligence sources have identified Natalia Vovk as the “prime suspect.”"
Cold War Offers Clues About China’s Plans for the Indian Ocean
By David Brewster, The Strategist (ASPI): “The Defense Department’s top procurement official is taking aim at watchdog-type laws that are put in place to discourage corruption in government.”
Ukraine Wants to Go on the Offensive Against Russia. It Could Be Risky
By Robert Farley, 1945: "What if Ukraine launches its own offensive against Putin and it fails?"
Creating a Real Deterrent to Defend Taiwan
By Gary Anderson, The War Zone: "China's warships are a very expendable part of its overall strategy."
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