Good morning, and welcome to today’s briefing. We’ve got a busy start to the week with key updates on defense and global affairs. From new military moves in Eastern Europe to growing tensions in the Pacific, we’re covering the top stories you need to know. Let’s dive in and get you up to speed for Monday, November 11.
Biden Administration Plans to Use Remaining Ukraine Funds Before Trump Takes Office
The White House plans to use the last $6 billion of Ukraine funding before President Donald Trump takes office in January, according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Sullivan warned about the global risks of halting US support for Ukraine, especially as the conflict with Russia continues.
President Biden is set to discuss key foreign policy issues with Trump during their meeting on Wednesday, including the situation in Ukraine, where Biden has led global support against Russian aggression.
Trump has stated he could end the war quickly, possibly with a deal that could see Ukraine giving up territory to Moscow.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and NATO members are preparing for a shift in US policy under Trump.
Sullivan also noted that the Biden administration’s priority in its final months will be to strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and at the negotiation table.
He expects progress on the efforts to end the fighting in Gaza and release Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, Sullivan mentioned that the US will assess Israel’s progress and respond accordingly.
Trump Pushes Putin for Peace in Ukraine During Call
Speaking of Trump, the President-elect recently had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him not to escalate the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The call took place shortly after Trump’s election win, and while Trump’s communications director didn’t confirm the conversation, sources told The Washington Post that Trump reminded Putin of the US military presence in Europe and expressed interest in resolving the conflict quickly.
Trump has repeatedly suggested he could end the war swiftly, potentially even before taking office. His stance contrasts with the Biden administration’s continued financial support for Ukraine, which aims to send as much aid as possible before Trump’s inauguration.
The call reportedly included a mention of territorial concessions, something Kyiv strongly opposes, especially the idea of surrendering Crimea.
Trump’s allies have hinted that Ukraine may need to make concessions for peace, though European allies, including Britain and France, are wary of any unilateral actions by the US that could embolden Russia.
As both sides gear up for potential peace talks, recent drone strikes show that the war isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
UK Reports Russia’s Highest Casualties Since Invasion Began
October marked a devastating month for Russian troops, with casualties reaching their highest levels since the war in Ukraine began.
On average, about 1,500 Russian soldiers were killed or injured daily, according to UK Chief of Defence Staff Tony Radakin on Sunday.
The losses are mounting as Russia fights for small territorial gains, with the government allocating over 40 percent of public spending to defense, putting a significant strain on the country.
Radakin also highlighted that Russia could soon “suffer 700,000 casualties” due to President Putin’s ambitions.
Despite these losses, Russia continues to press on with its offensive, and the UK has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to stand by Kyiv for as long as needed.
In the last 48 hours, both sides launched record drone attacks, with Russia firing 145 drones at Ukraine and claiming to have downed 34 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russian airstrikes have caused civilian casualties in southern Ukraine, and Russian forces captured a village in Donetsk, edging closer to the strategic city of Kurakhove.
Netanyahu Approves Deadly Pager Attack on Hezbollah in September
Israeli spokesperson Omer Dostri said on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized deadly pager attacks against the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah in September.
The attacks, which took place on September 17, involved thousands of pagers exploding in Hezbollah strongholds like the southern suburbs of Beirut, killing 39 people and injuring over 3,400.
Many of the victims suffered severe injuries, such as eye wounds and missing fingers, indicating the proximity to the explosions.
Hezbollah had been using pagers to communicate discreetly, trying to avoid detection by Israel’s tracking systems.
Netanyahu later confirmed his responsibility for the attack, despite opposition from some within Israel’s defense and political circles.
The pager explosions were followed by Israel’s airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, escalating tensions in the region.
China Builds Reactor Prototype for Its First Nuclear Aircraft Carrier
China is reportedly moving closer to launching its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, with satellite images and government documents confirming the construction of a land-based prototype nuclear reactor.
This development, occurring in Sichuan’s Leshan area, signals a major leap in China’s naval capabilities, especially as it aims to expand its “blue-water” force, which could challenge US naval dominance.
The reactor is part of the “Longwei Project,” believed to be focused on developing nuclear propulsion for large warships.
If successful, China would join the US and France as the only countries with nuclear-powered carriers, a significant milestone in its growing global influence.
Currently, China operates a large navy, the world’s biggest by numbers, but its carriers are conventionally powered.
The addition of nuclear-powered carriers would greatly enhance its range and operational capabilities, especially in areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
This would further fuel tensions in the region, where China has disputed territories, especially with the US military’s growing concern over China’s naval expansion.
US Air Force, Navy Launch Minuteman III to Test Nuclear Deterrent
A joint team from the US Air Force Global Strike Command and Navy aircrew successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
The missile was equipped with multiple re-entry vehicles and launched aboard the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) using the US Navy’s E-6B Mercury aircraft.
This test, part of routine exercises, shows the reliability of the US nuclear deterrent and is not tied to any current global crises.
The missile’s re-entry vehicle traveled 4,200 miles (6,759 kilometers) to the US Army’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands, where it was tracked for system performance evaluation.
The test involved months of preparation and collaboration across government agencies, with teams ensuring the ICBM remains a robust strategic deterrent.
The data from these tests will support continued development and modernization efforts to maintain a strong national defense and reassure US allies.
