Cyber Experts: What Biden Should Prioritize
Experts making up the Cybersecurity 202 Network have cited some ideas for what President Joe Biden should prioritize in his first 100 days in office, including finishing appointments to his cybersecurity team and directing more resources to Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Biden Likely to Outline Foreign Policy Vision Today
President Joe Biden is expected to give his first major foreign policy address today during a visit to the State Department to meet with StateSec Tony Blinken.
DoD Reassessing Mideast Involvement
The Pentagon sets about to review troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq after the recent reduction of US troops, investigate a Red Sea port in Saudi Arabia and an additional two airfields in the kingdom amid heightened tensions with Iran, and conduct joint, and holding live-fire training exercises for US and the United Arab Emirates forces, in the UAE,
Global Effort Addresses Shipping Crisis
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of seafarers are stranded working aboard ships and unable to be relieved. Over 300 entities signed the Neptune Declaration to keep global supply chains functioning and recognize seafarers as key workers with priority access to COVID-19 vaccines.
New Commandant at Naval Academy
COL James “J.P.” McDonough III will be the next commandant at the US Naval Academy. The Marine Corps artillery officer was a 1994 graduate of the academy.
At DoD, a History-Making Confirmation
Retired US Army GEN Lloyd Austin made history Friday by becoming America’s first Black secretary of defense. In his Day One Message to the Force he said he was “proud to be back on your team.”
New Faces, New Policies, New Administration
President Joe Biden was expected to quickly sign executive orders on the coronavirus, immigration, and climate following an inauguration completed under unprecedented security. Before inauguration Biden already had new faces in DoD, worried Wall Street, and ask for another DefSec waiver.
Inauguration Day: What It Took to Get Here
Welcome to Inauguration Day, being held this year amid a pandemic and unprecedented threats of violence as Joe Biden becomes president of the United States and Kamala Harris enters history as the first female vice president of the US. Some of the road and bridge closures and other accommodations are reported here.
Norquist to Be Acting DefSec After Inauguration
David Norquist will serve as acting secretary of defense for the start of the Biden administration. Deputy DefSec since July 2019, Mr. Norquist will be in charge until the Senate confirms retired Army GEN Lloyd Austin for the position.
2nd DefSec Waiver Faces Struggle
The principle of civilian control of the military is at stake, say an increasing number of Democrats opposed to a waiver that would allow President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Secretary of Defense to move forward. The US DefSec must be separated seven years from the military. GEN Lloyd Austin retired four years ago. The same waiver was sought by President Trump and received for former DefSec James Mattis.
