President-elect Trump has reportedly spoken with world leaders, including Vladimir Putin, directly without the typical involvement of the State Department or government interpreters. This decision stems from Trump’s distrust of federal officials following leaked transcripts from his previous calls with foreign leaders. While Trump’s team is expected to eventually sign an agreement with the General Services Administration, which would establish a more formal protocol for these calls, the president-elect has opted for direct communication with world leaders in the interim. Trump has emphasized the importance of developing stronger relationships with these leaders, and his conversations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have focused on de-escalating the conflict in Ukraine, despite ongoing military activity in the region.
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The UK’s oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, launched in 1969, has been moved to a location half a planet away from its original position, despite no record of who or why this occurred. While orbital mechanics make drifting unlikely, evidence suggests the satellite was deliberately moved in the 1970s, leaving a gap in the historical record of this national security asset. This movement has placed Skynet-1A in a “gravity well,” increasing the risk of collisions with other satellites, as it wanders near active traffic. While the lack of documentation surrounding the move is perplexing, the responsibility for this potentially hazardous situation still rests with the UK.
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NATO’s top military official, Admiral Rob Bauer, has stated that the alliance would have intervened directly in Ukraine to expel Russian forces if Moscow did not possess nuclear weapons. The threat of nuclear escalation, however, has prevented NATO from deploying troops on Ukrainian soil, despite the alliance’s support for Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion. This stark difference in NATO’s response to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine highlights the significant role nuclear weapons play in international security and the profound impact they have on the calculus of military intervention. The presence of Russia’s vast nuclear arsenal, coupled with increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Russian officials, has effectively limited the scope of Western military action in Ukraine.
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President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has yet to sign key agreements with the Biden administration, delaying access to critical information and briefing materials. This delay is partially due to concerns about the mandatory ethics pledge, which requires all members of the transition team to avoid conflicts of interest. Trump’s business interests have repeatedly come under scrutiny for potential conflicts, and the team is working to resolve these concerns before signing the agreement. This delay raises concerns about national security preparedness, as Trump’s team is behind schedule in vetting and selecting candidates for top Cabinet positions. While the Trump team downplays the impact, experts warn that this delay could have serious consequences for the smooth transition of power and the ability to effectively govern on Day 1.
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Despite facing an indictment for mishandling classified information, former President Trump is set to receive sensitive national security briefings in preparation for his return to the White House. This decision, driven by longstanding tradition and the need for an orderly transition, has raised concerns among intelligence officials, considering Trump’s history of handling classified material and his potential to compromise national security. While the Biden administration has directed its officials to cooperate with Trump’s team, the upcoming transition presents a significant challenge, particularly given Trump’s past behavior with classified information and his team’s potential to bypass traditional vetting procedures for security clearances.
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President-elect Trump has declared ending the war in Ukraine as his top priority, aiming to stop what he considers a drain on US resources through military aid. While he hasn’t revealed his strategy, his advisor, Mr. Lanza, emphasizes a realistic approach, suggesting that regaining Crimea from Russia is unrealistic and not a US goal. He advocates for a “vision for peace” rather than “winning” and urges an honest conversation with Ukraine about achievable outcomes. Although Trump has discussed the situation with Ukrainian President Zelensky, the specifics of his peace plan remain unclear, with various advisors potentially offering conflicting viewpoints.
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The Justice Department has charged an Iranian regime asset, along with two accomplices, with plotting to assassinate several individuals, including President-elect Donald Trump and an American journalist critical of Iran. The alleged plot involved a network of criminal associates, including two men who were promised $100,000 to murder the journalist. The Iranian regime also sought to kill two Jewish American businesspeople and planned a mass shooting of Israeli tourists. All three individuals are facing charges that could result in decades in prison.
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Elon Musk participated in a call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the day after the election. The inclusion of Musk, known for his pro-Trump stance and his role in providing Starlink internet service to Ukraine, raises questions about his potential influence in the new administration. Musk’s Starlink service has been a valuable asset to the Ukrainian military but his relationship with Ukraine has become strained due to his concerns about the cost of providing the service and reports of its use by Russian forces. Additionally, Musk’s interactions with Russian officials and his reported “regular contact” with Vladimir Putin have raised national security concerns.
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The Justice Department has charged a man with plotting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump at the behest of an Iranian government official. The alleged plot, which was revealed just days after Trump’s election victory, involved a plan to surveil and ultimately kill Trump. The official reportedly told the accused plotter that they had already spent a lot of money and that money was not an issue. This incident is just the latest in a series of alleged efforts by Iran to target U.S. government officials, including Trump, on U.S. soil, and underscores the ongoing threat Iran poses to U.S. national security.
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The Canadian government has ordered TikTok to shut down its operations in Canada, citing national security concerns. The decision is based on advice from security and intelligence agencies, who believe TikTok’s activities in the country could pose a threat. While users will still be able to access the app, the government has urged Canadians to be aware of potential risks, including the potential for Chinese government access to user data. TikTok has disputed the allegations and plans to challenge the order in court. This decision follows a national security review and a previous ban on the platform for government devices, echoing similar concerns raised by US lawmakers.
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John Q. Hosedrinker