International military leaders have yet to reach an agreement on furthering the supply of tanks to Ukraine. The United States has been reluctant to send M1 Abrams tanks to the country, citing the need for specialized training and expensive fuel. Instead, the US asked Germany to send Leopard 2 tanks.
In addition to the current situation in both countries and new calls from lawmakers to move the needle, the far-right Oath Keepers militia convicted of seditious conspiracy to attack the United States on January 6, 2021. share members of The US Capitol, and details of the US weekend mission in Syria that detained two of his ISIS members.
This is defense and national securityA guide to the latest developments in , the Pentagon, the Capitol, and beyond. Ellen Mitchell of The Hill.
Germany has not yet decided on Ukrainian tanks
As Russia continues to attack Ukraine in a nearly year-long war, Poland is pushing to supply Kyiv with German-made Leopard tanks, but weapons maker Berlin says the tanks will be sent to non-military countries. You must approve the move before. NATO country.
Instead, Germany asked the US to send M1 Abrams tanks before agreeing to ship Leopards to Ukraine. .
Pentagon stance: On Monday, the Pentagon’s top spokesperson, Brig. General Pat Ryder reiterated the U.S. position on Abrams, telling reporters that “our focus is on providing capabilities that Ukrainians can use right now.”
“The M1 is a very capable and effective combat system. However, it is also a very complex system, requiring a lot of maintenance and logistical support.”
Under pressure: Western allies continue to press Germany to allow Leopard extradition, with Poland being one of the most vocal, and other “small coalition” nations with vehicles to agree to do so. If so, he said he would go ahead and send tanks.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Defense Minister said a decision on tanks would be taken soon.
MCCAUL invites us to take the first step in tanks
Rep. Michael McCall (R-Texas) on Sunday pressured the Biden administration and military leaders to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to support Ukraine’s war against Russia, saying, We can’t delay,” he said.
“I give you [Ukraine] Because if we do, they’ll win,” McCall, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said during CNN’s State of the Union address with Dana Bash on Sunday. It is important.”
next suit: McCaul argued that if the U.S. sent Abrams tanks first, Germany would unleash Leopard 2 tanks after them, saying the U.S. need not send “very many”.
“All we have to do is send enough to release what Germany has and what the other 10 countries in NATO have,” McCall said. NATO must share the burden.”
no comment: On Monday, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said he would not discuss McCall’s comments, telling reporters the Pentagon’s focus was “to try to provide Ukraine with the capabilities it now needs to be effective on the battlefield.” Told.
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January 6, more Oathkeepers convicted
A jury on Monday scored another victory for the Justice Department in its indictment of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, on the rarely used sedition conspiracy charge against all four members of the group, who are on trial in the group’s second indictment. I returned the guilty verdict.
Ed Vallejo, Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett and David Moerschel have all been convicted of their role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. building.
just a while ago: The verdict comes just two months after another trial against five other members of the group, whose jury found the group’s leader, Stewart Rose, guilty of seditious conspiracy. .
Sedition conspiracies – used to prosecute those plotting to overthrow the government – carry prison sentences of up to 20 years and have been underutilized since the terrorist attacks of the 1990s.
dramatic turn: But this trial marks a dramatic change in the Department of Justice’s record of such cases.
The verdict comes after Kelly Meggs, leader of the Rhodes and Florida chapters, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in November.
split trial: Three other members who were tried with the two men were acquitted of sedition conspiracy charges, but were similarly convicted of other charges carrying up to 20 years in prison. .
Given the complexities of bringing such a large group to trial, the second trial, which took place after the nine defendants were split, was an even greater success for the Justice Department.
their role: According to prosecutors, Hackett and Moschel were among the first Oathkeepers to break into the Capitol when Minuta led a second column of militia to break into the Capitol. Vallejo coordinated a rapid response force (QRF) staged by the Oathkeepers at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia, stockpiling weapons, ammunition, and other supplies in various rooms.
Hackett and Moerschel were among those who walked around the building looking for then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, California). Minuta spoke to the officers before entering the building, and at one point said, “Get out. Get these officers out. It’s our building.”
Vallejo contacted people inside the building and said, “QRF is waiting at the hotel. Just say a word.”
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US forces detain two ISIS members in Syria
US forces carried out a raid in eastern Syria over the weekend and captured two members of ISIS who were allegedly facilitators.
One civilian suffered minor injuries in Saturday’s helicopter and ground attack raid, but was escorted to a medical facility where he was treated before being released to his family, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). rice field.
who got caught: The ISIS members captured are Abdallah Hamid Mussri Al-Madad, also known as Abu Hamza Al-Suri, and Hussam Hamid Al-Mussri Al-Madad of Al-Khail. Both are described as his ISIS facilitators.
mission in progress: CENTCOM spokesperson Col. Joe Buccino said, “This operation reaffirms CENTCOM’s unwavering commitment to the region and the permanent defeat of ISIS.”
“This arrest will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to plan and carry out further attacks that threaten the security and stability of the region,” Buccino said in a statement.
timing: The raid comes a day after three suicide drones attacked a US military base in Syria, injuring two Syrian fighters who were working with the US in the Middle Eastern country.
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tap for tomorrow
- The American Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences will host the 2023 SciTech Forum at 8:00 am.
- The Defense and Government Progress Institute will begin the first day of its Homeland Security Week Conference at 9:00 am.
- The Brookings Institution will host a discussion on “Japan in 2023” with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel and Japanese Ambassador to the United States Koji Tomita at 9:00 am.
- The Intelligence and National Security Alliance will host a virtual conversation with CIA Deputy Director Linda Weissgold at 9am.
- The Mitchell Aerospace Institute, along with Lt. Gen. James Dawkins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, and Maj. We will hold an event on the importance of the core business of10 a.m. Air Force Global Strike Command 20th Air Force Commander Michael Ratton
- The Heritage Foundation will host a talk on “The Iranian Threat: What to Expect in 2023” at 12pm.
what we are reading
hill editorial
Ukraine’s ‘decision-centered’ army needs more than armor to win
That’s it for today! For the latest coverage, visit The Hill’s Defense and National Security pages. see you tomorrow!
