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From the SitRoom to the E-Ring, the inside scoop on defense, national security and foreign policy. | | | | |  | | By Daniel Lippman , Matt Berg and Lawrence Ukenye | | 
Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López, who spent more than four years of his life in solitary confinement under the Nicolas Maduro regime, is starting a new initiative for dissidents and democracy advocates to combat autocratic regimes. | Ariana Cubillo/AP Photo | With help from Maggie Miller Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Matt As Americans worry about the future of democracy in their country, Venezuelan opposition leader LEOPOLDO LÓPEZ is on a mission to try to save it worldwide. López, who spent more than four years of his life in solitary confinement after being arrested by the NICOLÁS MADURO regime for leading protests against it in 2014, is starting a new initiative along with Russian opposition leader GARRY KASPAROV and Iranian dissident MASIH ALINEJAD called the World Liberty Congress to gather together like-minded dissidents and democracy advocates to share ideas on how to combat autocratic regimes. The group of more than 120 leaders and activists from more than 40 countries is meeting for the first time for three days next week — in a city that López asked to not be disclosed for security reasons. (This week a group of young dissidents from Nicaragua were arrested returning from a meeting the group organized in Costa Rica for participating in the event.) “It’s very shocking, over the past 16 years, there’s been a recession of democracies worldwide back to the 1989 levels of democracies in the world,” he told NatSec Daily, numbers backed up by a recent University of Gothenburg report . And from 2017 to 2021, the number of people who have democratic rights has declined from 3.9 billion to 2.3 billion, according to Oxford’s Our World In Data. “We have to figure out how we can become more effective in the way that we promote freedom and democracy,” López said. As autocracies support each other with money and weapons, López believes that democracy advocates have to form a network that will counter that by sharing techniques for grassroots activism, fighting corruption, countering government messaging, and using technology and the financial system to counter autocratic regimes. The group reflects a fundamental shift in the view among some dissidents and activists that they need to get more organized, and more technologically savvy, in fighting back against autocracies. It’s still too early to say whether this new initiative will actually make real progress or just be yet another talking shop for activists about democracy, without the pull to truly fend off governments with armies and billions of dollars of natural resources or trade behind them. López, the former mayor of part of Caracas and a co-founder of the Primero Justicia opposition party, said he was confident that Venezuela, which used to be Latin America’s most prosperous country but now is its poorest, would be free within his lifetime. López, who now lives in exile in Spain and travels the world advocating for democracy, said his mission for the rest of his life is to try to bring democracy back to his home country. “What I wake up every day thinking about is not what’s going to be my destiny but what’s going to be the destiny of my country,” he said when asked if he still wanted to be the leader of Venezuela one day. As the Biden administration explores whether to have any rapprochement with Venezuela to get access to their oil, López cautioned the U.S. to tread lightly. “Anything that helps the path to democracy and freedom in Venezuela should be supported, and anything that gives Maduro or any dictatorship legitimacy, resources, or support should not be supported,” he said.
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Lockheed Martin employees and customers are bound by a common cause. Ennobled by our shared patriotism, we will do all that is necessary to protect American and allied interests. Together, we will strengthen deterrence and help ensure mission readiness today. Learn more. | | | | | | SOUTH SCRAMBLES JETS: South Korea scrambled together fighter jets after detecting around 180 North Korean aircraft on the northern border on Friday, Reuters reports . North Korean military planes flew along the northern military demarcation line that separates the two countries, South Korean military officials said in a statement. In response, South Korea deployed 80 jets, including its F-35A stealth fighters. The unexpected maneuver came as North Korea continues to act with hostility toward its southern rival and the U.S for conducting large joint military drills, which the regime claims is practice for potential invasion. PUTIN’S LIKELY SUCCESSOR: A new report by cybersecurity company Recorded Future places SERGEI KIRIENKO, Russia’s first deputy chief of staff of the presidential administration, as the most-favored candidate to succeed President VLADIMIR PUTIN in 2024. Currently the head of domestic policy, Kirienko likely gained the Kremlin head’s favor as he assumed responsibility for the management and annexation of Russia-occupied regions in Ukraine, researchers wrote in the report released Friday. That quickly moved Kirienko into Putin’s inner circle, distinguishing him from other potential successors. A Kirienko presidency “would very likely be defined by his ability to adapt to new realities, avoid conflict and maintain good relations with key actors,” researchers wrote. “Importantly, Kirienko’s ability to avoid conflict will likely lead him to pursue a more peaceful foreign policy.” DIPLOMATS UNITE: G-7 leaders released a joint statement asserting common positions on Ukraine, Russia, China and recent developments in Iran and North Korea, the Associated Press’ MATTHEW LEE reports , citing officials. “We reiterate our unwavering commitment to continue providing the financial, humanitarian, defense, political, technical, and legal support Ukraine needs to alleviate the suffering of its people and to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said. The group also called out Iran for supplying Russia with weapons and condemned the government’s crackdown on protests and criticized North Korea for its escalatory behavior toward South Korea and the U.S. in the past month. DRINKS WITH NATSEC DAILY: At the end of every long, hard week, we like to highlight how a prominent member of the global national security and foreign policy scene prefers to unwind with a drink. Today, we’re featuring LEOPOLDO LÓPEZ, whom we interviewed in this newsletter’s top. We asked López about his imbibing practices. Here’s what he said: “There used to be a drink that I liked that was called the Moscow Mule, but I think it should be called the Kyiv Mule and I think the place to drink it should be in Kyiv in a free Ukraine.” Yра, Leopoldo! IT’S FRIDAY. WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily. This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at award@politico.com and mberg@politico.com , and follow us on Twitter at @alexbward and @mattberg33 . While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s national security team: @nahaltoosi , @woodruffbets , @politicoryan , @PhelimKine , @BryanDBender , @laraseligman , @connorobrienNH , @paulmcleary , @leehudson , @AndrewDesiderio , @magmill95 , @ericgeller , @johnnysaks130 and @Lawrence_Ukenye . | | | |   | | | | | | HE ADMITS IT: Putin for the first time acknowledged the deteriorating situation for his troops in Kherson, saying that civilians should be evacuated, Reuters’ FELIX LIGHT reports . “Now, of course, those who live in Kherson should be removed from the zone of the most dangerous actions, because the civilian population should not suffer,” Putin told pro-Kremlin activists Friday as he marked Russia’s Day of National Unity. His comment came unprompted after an activist told the Kremlin head he had delivered Russian flags in Kherson. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have advanced toward Kherson, which was taken by Russian troops in September. On Thursday, one Western official told reporters in a briefing that there have been “spectacular changes in the territorial control” for Ukrainian troops, and that most Russian commanders in Kherson have crossed over to the east side of the Dnipro River. IN THE DARK: Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY accused Moscow of engaging in “energy terrorism” as Russia strategically strikes the country’s power facilities, leaving millions without electricity as winter approaches, the Associated Press’ ANDREW MELDRUM reports . About 4.5 million people across Ukraine were without power, Zelenskyy said during his nightly address on Thursday. In Kyiv alone, 450,000 apartments were without electricity, Mayor VITALI KLITSCHKO said Friday. “I appeal to all residents of the capital: save electricity as much as possible, because the situation remains difficult!” Klitschko wrote on Telegram.
| | | CYBERATTACK REPORT: Russian hackers are intensifying their targeting of critical infrastructure in Ukraine and NATO countries, a report from Microsoft found, our own MAGGIE MILLER reports (for Pro!) . The report highlights the growing trend of nation states, including Russia and Iran, turning to destructive cyberattacks to accomplish geopolitical goals and details how the ongoing war in Ukraine could quickly intensify in cyberspace. Microsoft said in the report that cyberattacks aimed at critical infrastructure were 40 percent of attacks detected by the company from July 2021 to June of this year and blamed Russian efforts to target the critical infrastructure of Ukraine and its allies as the reason. Overall, 90 percent of attacks tied to Russia were aimed at NATO member states. The U.S. was the top target, along with Microsoft seeing “significant” targeting of Poland.
| | | PENTAGON PAYS UP: The Pentagon will pay for the Czech Republic to upgrade 45 Soviet-era T-72 tanks for use in Ukraine, as part of the Biden administration’s latest $400 million package of military aid for the country, the department announced Friday, our own LARA SELIGMAN reports . Meanwhile, the Netherlands will fund the refurbishment of another 45 Czech T-72 tanks for a total of 90 that are set to begin arriving in Ukraine by the end of the year, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary SABRINA SINGH. National Security Adviser JAKE SULLIVAN visited Kyiv on Friday to meet with Zelenskyy, his chief of staff ANDRIY YERMAK and Defense Minister OLEKSII REZNIKOV and inform the leaders about the aid, the NSC said in a statement. Sullivan’s trip was also intended to “to underscore the United States’ steadfast support to Ukraine and its people as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said. EV PUSH: The Army is working on developing its Electronic Reconnaissance Light Vehicle program, the branch's first all-electric vehicle program, our friends in Morning Defense (for Pros!) report. The rapid prototyping phase for the effort will begin in 2024, DOUG BUSH, head of acquisition, said Thursday. The effort comes as the Army recently released its climate strategy, which outlined ways the service can work to field climate-resilient capabilities while also limiting costs. The service purchased commercial vehicles from GM Defense and EV startup Canoo during the summer to begin experimenting at Camp Grayling in Michigan, Bush said during an Atlantic Council event.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Enabling a world of unlimited possibility and 21st century security.
Lockheed Martin is helping you outpace evolving threats by accelerating our digital transformation. That means simulating wear-and-tear with digital twins so you can anticipate maintenance and reduce downtime. It means deep knowledge of your missions. It means industry-wide experience and next-gen technologies. We do it all to help you prevent and deter emerging threats sooner and faster than ever. Learn more. | | | | | | NOMINEE LOGJAM: There may not be enough time for Senate Democrats to confirm senior Pentagon nominees after the Nov. 8 midterms, our own CONNOR O’BRIEN reported Thursday . When lawmakers return after the elections, confirming nominees who oversee weapons purchases and industrial policy may take a backseat to other priorities like funding the government, passing annual defense legislation and confirming President Biden's judicial nominees. Senate Armed Services Chair JACK REED (D-R.I.) said confirming Pentagon nominees will be a priority once lawmakers return, if Democrats are set to cede their majority in the chamber.
| | | TREAD CAREFULLY: Chinese leader XI JINPING warned German Chancellor OLAF SCHOLZ that it’s easy for both sides to rupture political trust and often difficult to rebuild it, Reuters’ ANDREAS RINKE and EDUARDO BAPTISTA reports. Both leaders met in Beijing, drawing criticism from the U.S. and Europe, which fear Scholz won't deliver a coherent message about where Germany and the Western allies stand. But the German chancellor made clear he has no interest in economically decoupling with China, while highlighting ways that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could strain the rules-based international order, particularly its threat to use nuclear weapons. The German leader also voiced support for a peaceful solution to recent tensions between China and Taiwan. “Like the U.S. and other countries, we are pursuing a one-China policy,” he said. “But I have made equally clear that any change in Taiwan's status quo must be peaceful or by mutual consent.” WHAT THE HELL: Former Russian President DMITRY MEVEDEV characterized Russia’s war against Ukraine as a sacred conflict against Satan in a statement on Friday, Reuters reports . In a message marking Russia's Day of National Unity, Medevev said it’s the Kremlin’s mission to “stop the supreme ruler of Hell, whatever name he uses — Satan, Lucifer or Iblis" and "send all our enemies to fiery Gehenna,” a Hebrew term often translated as Hell. Mevdev, who was president from 2008 to 2012 and currently serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, called Moscow’s opposition “crazy Nazi drug addicts” supported by Westerners who have “saliva running down their chins from degeneracy.” Ukraine and the West have repeatedly denied accusations that the country is run by fascists.
| | | — ELSA ALVARADO is joining Bryson Gillette as director of public affairs. She currently is director of strategic comms in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs at the Pentagon. — ANDY MORIMOTO is now director of climate policy at Edelman Global Advisory. He most recently was director of research at the Paulson Institute.
| | | –– RYAN BROBST and BRADLEY BOWMAN, Foundation for Defense of Democracies: How to get Kyiv the Tanks and Armored Vehicles It Needs –– SETSUKO THURLOW, Newsweek: The Hell of Hiroshima: Let's Get Real About Nuclear Weapons –– RAMACHANDRA GUHA, Foreign Policy: The Cult of Modi
| | | –– The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Belvior, 9:30 a.m.: Industry Days — The National Press Club, 12:30 p.m.: NPC Headliners Luncheon: Veterans Affairs Secretary, DENIS MCDONOUGH — The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, 12:30 p.m.: Conversation with Senior Afghan Leader FATIMA GAILANI — Politics and Prose Bookstore, 7 p.m.: SUSAN SHIRK — Overreach: How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise - with EDWARD WONG — at Conn Ave — Israel Policy Forum, 2 p.m.: “What can we expect from the next Israeli government? ” with SHIRA EFRON, MICHAEL KOPLOW and NERI ZILBER Have a natsec-centric event coming up? Transitioning to a new defense-adjacent or foreign policy-focused gig? Shoot me an email at award@politico.com to be featured in the next edition of the newsletter. Thanks to our editor, Heidi Vogt, who describes editing this newsletter everyday as a sacred conflict against Satan. And we thank our producer, Andy Goodwin, who will never be sent to Gehenna.
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