PELOSI IN SINGAPORE: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and five fellow House Democrats arrived in Singapore this morning, the first stop on an Asian tour that may or may not include a controversial stop in Taiwan.
Media coverage of Pelosi’s trip has been tightly restricted, but in a photo released by Singapore’s Ministry of Communications and Information, Pelosi is shown shaking hands with Singapore President Halimah Yacob at Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore.
Pelosi’s office issued a release on the trip yesterday, which said the congressional delegation would visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan and focus on “mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“It is my privilege as speaker to lead this distinguished group of members, which includes chairs of committees and subcommittees of jurisdiction and champions of a strong U.S.-Asia Pacific partnership,” Pelosi said. “We look forward to productive meetings that will continue to inform Congress’s work to advance our values and interests and strengthen our partnerships in the region.”
CNN is quoting a “senior Taiwanese government official” as saying that Pelosi is expected to visit Taipei, and stay overnight even though it’s not on her announced itinerary.
BLINKEN ACKNOWLEDGES ‘PROSPECT FOR CONFLICT’ WITH CHINA OVER TAIWAN
CHINA’S THREATS: With tensions running high, the Biden administration privately briefed Pelosi that the timing is not right for a high-profile visit, but it has avoided publicly pressuring her to scrap the planned visit.
China’s defense ministry has issued vague but ominous warnings if the U.S. delegation stops in Taipei, likely on the way out of the region. “The Chinese military will never sit idle by, and will certainly take strong and resolute measures,” said senior Col. Tan Kefei, a ministry spokesman.
“If Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan, the move will seriously violate the one-China principle and the provisions in the three China-U.S. joint communiques, severely endanger China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Kefei. “It will have a critically negative impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and is bound to cause extremely serious harm to the relations between the two countries and their militaries, and lead to further escalation of tension across the Taiwan Straits.”
“So, we’ve heard these comments, not helpful, not constructive. We have an obligation to make sure that if she goes to Taiwan or any other government official for that matter that they can do so safely,” said John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, on CNN Friday. “I will also say that if she decides to go to Taiwan, we know we have a responsibility, and we take that responsibility seriously, that she can do so safely.”
CHINESE STATE MEDIA WARN FIGHTER JETS ESCORTING PELOSI TO TAIWAN COULD BE SHOT DOWN
WHO’S IN THE DELEGATION: The all-Democrat delegation includes: Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), vice chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform; and Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.
Pelosi attempted to include some Republicans in her delegation but none accepted her invitation. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told NBC News last week that a scheduling conflict prevented him from joining the trip.
“Any member that wants to go, should. It shows political deterrence to President Xi,” McCaul said in a brief interview in the Capitol Wednesday. “But she should also pay attention to the military if it’s going to cause a blowback and escalate things.”
THE STRATEGIC CASE AGAINST PELOSI’S TRIP TO TAIWAN
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HAPPENING TODAY: Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in New York to take part in the Nuclear-Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations. “Secretary Blinken will focus on reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the Nuclear-Nonproliferation Treaty and strengthening the nuclear nonproliferation regime for future generations,” the State Department said in a release.
Blinken will deliver an address to the conference at 11:45 a.m., and then hold a press conference at the U.N. at 2:15 p.m. Both events will be livestreamed on www.state.gov and www.youtube.com/statedept
BLINKEN ‘PRESSED’ LAVROV TO ACCEPT PRISONER SWAP PROPOSAL IN CONVERSATION
RUSSIA SHIFTING GEARS IN UKRAINE: Having made slow to no progress in recent weeks in its Donbas offensive in eastern Ukraine, Russia is redeploying forces to the south in response to Ukraine’s stated plan to retake the city of Kherson, according to both the Pentagon and the British Defense Ministry.
“The Ukrainians have become very effective in finding and killing Russian command and control and destroying large levels of Russian materiel,” a senior military official told reporters at the Pentagon Friday. “They’ve gotten to a point now and have created a level of defense that really has the Russians at a standstill, they’ve stopped,” the official said. “I don’t want to say that it’s a complete standstill because that would be inaccurate. There are gains on both sides but very back and forth, very small.”
“Over the last four days, Russia has continued to attempt tactical assaults … only managing to make slow progress,” said the latest British Defense Ministry Twitter update. “Russia is likely reallocating a significant number of its forces from the northern Donbas sector to southern Ukraine.”
“Russia is probably adjusting the operational design of its Donbas offensive after failing to make a decisive operational breakthrough under the plan it had been following since April,” the British assessment said.
“If you look at the small amount of ground, miles, that they advanced from Severodonetsk to the west, the Russians, and the gigantic costs they pay for that, you wonder if the Russians now are thinking to themselves, ‘Hey, is it worth another few miles?’” said the U.S. military official.
PENTAGON ISN’T SEEING ‘REAL, SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE’ IN UKRAINE
FIRST GRAIN SHIPMENT LEAVES ODESA: The first cargo ship carrying Ukrainian grain left a Black Sea port in southern Ukraine on Monday under a deal enabling the safe passage of food-carrying vessels, reports the Washington Examiner’s Victor Nava.
The Sierra Leone-flagged ship Razoni departed the port city of Odesa today carrying 26,000 metric tons of corn bound for Lebanon, according to authorities.
A deal brokered by the United Nations and signed by Ukrainian and Russian officials in Turkey on July 22 is expected to release a large volume of Ukrainian agricultural products to foreign markets and ease a growing food security crisis.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense says that other ships will also be dispatched from Ukrainian Black Sea ports in line with the deal.
UKRAINIAN GRAIN SHIPPING MAGNATE KILLED IN RUSSIAN MISSILE ATTACK
AUSSIE SUB CZAR: The Pentagon has named a point man to coordinate the new Australia, U.K., and U.S. defense partnership known as AUKUS. Abraham Denmark, vice president of programs at the Wilson Center and a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, has been tapped for the post by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to a Pentagon release.
“Mr. Denmark will advise the secretary and coordinate efforts across the Department to move rapidly in delivering on the promise of this historic partnership to help Australia establish a conventionally armed, nuclear powered submarine capability and to accelerate development of advanced capabilities to serve security and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” said acting Pentagon press secretary Todd Breasseale.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: First ship carrying Ukrainian grain leaves port under July deal
Washington Examiner: Drone attacks Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters
Washington Examiner: Ukrainian grain shipping magnate killed in Russian missile attack
Washington Examiner: Ukrainian foreign minister closes door on ceasefire deal for now
Washington Examiner: Pentagon isn’t seeing ‘real, substantive change’ in Ukraine
Washington Examiner: Chinese state media warn fighter jets escorting Pelosi to Taiwan could be shot down
Washington Examiner: Chinese mouthpiece threatens severe consequences on Taiwan if Pelosi visits
Washington Examiner: The strategic case against Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan
Washington Examiner: Blinken acknowledges ‘prospect for conflict’ with China over Taiwan
Washington Examiner: US and Japan move toward founding of ‘economic NATO’ to counter China
Washington Examiner: Why Pelosi’s planned visit to Taiwan is such a big deal for China
Washington Examiner: Blinken ‘pressed’ Lavrov to accept prisoner swap proposal in conversation
Washington Examiner: Trump slams reported prison exchange of ‘spoiled’ Griner for ‘Merchant of Death’
Washington Examiner: Air Force grounds F-35 aircraft over ejector seat concerns
Washington Examiner: Jon Stewart clashes with Ted Cruz over burn pits bill: ‘None of this makes any sense’
Washington Examiner: US Space Command confirms Chinese rocket debris fell into Indian Ocean
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Depleting already insufficient Pacific forces, Biden sends F-22s to Europe
Bloomberg: China Holds Live-Fire Drills Near Taiwan As Pelosi Heads To Asia
AP: Navy Expedites Waterborne Drones To Close Gap With China
South China Morning Post: China’s Military Is Stepping Up Its Work On Ship-Based Warplanes To Keep Up With Its Aircraft-Carrier Advances
Reuters: On Navy Day, Putin Says United States Is Main Threat To Russia
New York Times: Russians Using A Nuclear Plant As Their Shield
Air Force Magazine: Ukraine is Hitting Russian SAMs With HIMARS; US Considers Future Aviation Contribution
USNI News: Russians Building Pontoon Bridge in Kherson, Satellite Imagery Shows
Breaking Defense: Russia Pulls Some Wagner Forces From Africa For Ukraine: Townsend
Air Force Magazine: RAF Fairford Grows to Support Bomber Task Forces and More
Dayton Daily News: Federal Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction in Air Force Vaccine Case
Colorado Public Radio: Applications to the Air Force Academy Are Way Down—20 percent—as COVID Continues
USNI News: Navy Commissions Amphibious Warship USS Fort Lauderdale
AP: Navajo Code Talker Samuel Sandoval Dies; 3 Left From Group
The Drive: Huge Armada Of Allied Ships Gather For U.S. Navy’s RIMPAC Photo Op
19fortyfive.com: You Bet Putin Is Angry: Ukraine Ruins Russian Navy Day Celebration with Attack
19fortyfive.com: Putin’s Nightmare Scenario In Ukraine: The Russian Military Is Losing
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19fortyfive.com: Opinion: John Bolton: Joe Biden’s Foreign Policy Boils Down to One Word: Weakness
Forbes: Opinion: Boeing Has Bottomed. It Could Recover Quickly.
Calendar
MONDAY | AUGUST 1
10 a.m. — The National Defense Industrial Association virtual briefing: “Section 224 of the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act” requiring the Defense secretary to establish a new standard for acquiring microelectronics by Jan, 1, 2023 with Christine Rink, associate deputy director for microelectronics assurance standards in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Modernization https://www.ndia.org/events
6:00 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. — Hudson Institute book discussion: “The Arc of a Covenant,” a history of U.S.-Israel relations, with author Walter Russell Mead, distinguished fellow, Hudson Institute; and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-arc-of-a-covenant-book-talk
TUESDAY | AUGUST 2
8:30 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Operationalizing the Quad,” focusing on “promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific,” with Tomiko Ichikawa, director general of the Japan Institute of International Affairs; Gordon Flake, CEO of the Perth USAsia Center; Raja Mohan, senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute; and Lisa Curtis, director of the CNAS Indo-Pacific Security Program https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-report-launch
1 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group virtual discussion: “Modernizing Finance Through Digital Transformation,” focusing on Navy financial, supply chain, acquisition and workforce management processes with Associate Deputy Assistant Navy Secretary for Data and Digital Transformation Paul Landauer; Ty Enmark, principal at KPMG Advisory; and George Jackson, vice president of events at Government Executive https://www.govexec.com/feature/modernizing-finance
WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 3
7:15 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Va. — Association of the U.S. Army discussion with Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. https://www.ausa.org/events/ausa-coffee-series
10 a.m. 419 Dirksen — Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the nomination of Nathaniel Fick to be ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy. http://foreign.senate.gov
10 a.m. — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies virtual discussion: “National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), United States Space Force and U.S. Space Command collaboration, current threats, and space acquisitions,” with National Reconnaissance Office Director Christopher Scolese https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/event/schriever-spacepower-forum
12 p.m. — Hudson Institute virtual book discussion: “The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People,” with author Walter Russell Mead, fellow at Hudson, and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) https://www.hudson.org/events/2134-the-arc-of-a-covenant
2:30 p.m. S-116, U.S. Capitol — Senate Foreign Relations Committeemarkup of S.4428, the “Taiwan Policy Act of 2022,” with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. http://foreign.senate.gov
THURSDAY | AUGUST 4
9 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Toward a Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis,” with John Culver, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council; Ryan Hass, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution; and Bonnie Glaser, director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Asia Program https://www.csis.org/events/towards-4th-taiwan-strait-crisis
11 a.m. — Atlantic Council virtual book discussion on “Coalitions of the Weak: Elite Politics in China from Mao’s Stratagem to the Rise of Xi,” with author Victor Shih, associate professor at the University of California San Diego https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/coalitions-of-the-weak
12:30 p.m. — Institute for Policy Studies virtual book discussion on “Whatever Happened to the Peace Dividend, and Can We Get One Back?” with Miriam Pemberton, associate fellow at IPS and author of “Six Stops on the National Security Tour: Rethinking Warfare Economies.” https://ips-dc.org/events/peacedividend/
2 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. — Heritage Foundation discussion on “A Matter of Survival: The Future of Taiwan Arms Sales,” with retired Army Gen. John Keane; Lara Crouch, senior professional staff member at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council; Dean Cheng, senior research fellow at the Heritage Asian Studies Center; and Walter Lohman, director of the Heritage Asian Studies Center https://www.heritage.org/asia/event
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We continue to see Russia failing — failing on the battlefield, paying a high price for very little gain, and suffering domestic failures at home. I was really struck this week by how Russian rhetoric was trying to mask these losses.”
A senior defense official speaking to reporters at the Pentagon Friday.
