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From the SitRoom to the E-Ring, the inside scoop on defense, national security and foreign policy. | | | | |  | | By Alexander Ward and Matt Berg | | 
Twitter and other platforms have blurred the line between personal and professional views. They’ve given rise to a new model where a staffer is at once advocating for a lawmaker’s position and burnishing their own bona fides. | Matt Rourke, File/AP Photo | With help from Daniel Lippman Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Matt Programming Note: We’ll be off this Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day but will be back in your inboxes on Tuesday, Jan. 17, featuring Alex’s reporting from Davos. The age of social media has brought us a new phenomenon: Very Online national security advisers on the Hill. The traditional model dictates a national security adviser keep his or her advice to the boss private. That helps build trust and ensures the aide doesn’t push an agenda of their own. But Twitter and other platforms have blurred the line between personal and professional views. They’ve given rise to a new model where a staffer is at once advocating for a lawmaker’s position and burnishing their own bona fides. Among the most prolific examples is ALEX VELEZ-GREEN in Sen. JOSH HAWLEY’s (R-Mo.) office. His Twitter account bio notes his role and that “Views my own,” but he continuously pushes a point that he and his boss proselytize: The U.S. should be laser-focused on countering China while downgrading the attention on other challenges, including the war in Ukraine. “Staffers are usually more willing to speak up on their own if they feel they have a mind meld with their boss. That appears to be the case with Senator Hawley and Alex,” said JACOB STOKES, a former foreign and defense adviser to Sen. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-Minn.) and once a colleague of Velez-Green’s at the Center for a New American Security. The Hawley adviser is not alone. National security and foreign policy aides on the right and left, and even chiefs of staff, do the same. Outside of the everyday snark, they blast out missives on social media to champion their boss’ causes and road-test ideas D.C. traditionalists might not like. “We’re in a different environment now,” said MATT DUSS, who used his perch advising Sen. BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vt.) to promote a progressive foreign policy. “Establishment views get covered and are overwhelmingly privileged. So for people like Senator Sanders or Senator Hawley, who are taking a more critical view of the so-called accepted wisdom, they need to use whatever tools they can to get the message out there.” For now, the Very Online model is employed –– or at least accepted –– by a handful of offices. They’re typically the ones on the fringes of their party, and the hope is hitting a talking point again and again and again helps it break through. Other lawmakers might let their staffers loose if the play proves successful. But, Duss said cheekily, “I would never encourage anyone to start tweeting more.”
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | | BIDEN-KISHIDA BRO FEST:Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA FUMIO just shared some quality time with President JOE BIDEN on a lovely Friday in Washington. "I don't think there's ever been a time when we were closer," Biden said of the two countries in the Oval Office. "To be crystal clear, the United States fully, thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance." Kishida’s visit, part of his swing through G7 countries, is meant to underscore Japan’s coming out party. In December, Kishida announced his country would double its defense spending within five years and field long-range missiles that can hit targets in places like, oh I don’t know, China. That capped a yearslong push by conservatives in Japan to let the nation’s Self-Defense Forces act like other militaries do. The U.S. is fully behind Kishida’s decision, namely because it gives Washington a stronger ally to deter Chinese, North Korea and Russian aggression. As Kishida said before the bilat, the U.S. and Japan face a “challenging and complex security environment.” A deliverable from the meeting is that an upgraded Marine Corps unit in Okinawa –– called the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment –– will now field anti-ship missiles. More announcements on a closer economic and social partnership are expected. WILL GERMANY APPROVE TANKS?:Pressure on German Chancellor OLAF SCHOLZ from inside and outside of Berlin to approve tanks to Ukraine hasn’t moved him –– yet. “Public statements by leading German ministers in recent days suggest that the government’s position is shifting. But Scholz, who is the ultimate decision maker, has yet to indicate a change of heart,” the Financial Times’ LAURA PITEL, GUY CHAZAN and BEN HALL report. Scholz’s supporters say German society is split on whether to send the tanks, some in Germany’s arsenal and some used by 13 armies in Europe, which is why caution is warranted. But the calls for Scholz to give the green light are mounting. “Germany should . . . not stand in the way if other countries decide to support Ukraine, regardless of whatever decision Germany itself makes,” Green Economy Minister ROBERT HABECK said on Thursday. DID RUSSIA TAKE SOLEDAR?:The information battle over Soledar’s status continues, with Russia claiming it captured the town amid denials from Ukraine. “The liberation of the town of Soledar was completed in the evening of Jan. 12,” said Lt. Gen. IGOR KONASHENKOV, the Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesperson. But SERHII CHEREVATY, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian army in the east, said “fighting is ongoing in the city.” The fate of the eastern mining town matters mainly for its symbolism. It’s in Donetsk, one of four regions Russia claimed to annex, and if taken would be Russia’s first confirmed advance since the summer. There’s some intra-Russia infighting over credit for the potential success, though, as the Wagner Group claims it’s behind the gains in Soledar and nearby Bakhmut –– not state forces. 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. But today, in honor of BLAKE HOUNSHELL, our former editor who passed away this week, we ask that you raise a glass of whatever you like to drink in his memory. You can help support Blake’s family by donating to this GoFundMe organized by the New York Times and POLITICO. 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, @magmill95, @ericgeller, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco and @Lawrence_Ukenye.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Enabling a world of unlimited possibility and 21st century security.
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. | | | | | | LULA TO REIN IN MILITARY:Brazilian President LUIZ INÁCIO LULA DA SILVA has vowed to rein in the military following some service members’ suspected participation in attacks on government facilities this week. Such a move could inflame tensions with the country’s armed forces. “There were so many people who were complicit in this, many members of the military police, of the armed forces,” Lula told reporters late Thursday, citing footage of the riots. “I am convinced that the door of the presidential palace was opened so people could come inside because none of the doors are broken.” Lula’s predecessor and former Army captain JAIR BOLSONARO lauded the military. His supporters camped outside army headquarters around the country in hopes of inspiring them to stop Lula from taking office. Members of Lula’s security team include pro-Bolsonaro and current or former military figures, per the Wall Street Journal. Lula wants them replaced with civilians, he told reporters.
| | | ROYAL MAIL HIT BY RANSOMWARE:A Russian-link ransomware group targeted the Royal Mail service in Britain, threatening to publish stolen information if it doesn’t get what it wants. LockBit, the group, sent a ransom note that reads: “Lockbit Black Ransomware. Your data are stolen and encrypted.” Royal Mail confirmed the attack Friday, stating the organization is “experiencing severe service disruption to our international export services following a cyber incident.” For now, the postal carrier can’t send items overseas, though mail is still making it into the U.K. with a few delays.
| | | TO SEND OR NOT TO SEND BOMBS: Military officials are concerned that indecision on a plan to send small precision-guided bombs to Kyiv could render the weapons useless as fighting among Russia and Ukraine continues at a fast pace, Foreign Policy’s JACK DETSCH reported. American officials have long worried that providing to Ukraine such long-range weapons could escalate the war, and a Boeing proposal to send the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb to Ukraine is no exception. The plan was first reported by Reuters in November. If the transfer goes through, Ukraine would possess weapons that can reach twice as far as precision munitions the U.S. has already supplied for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. But “there’s like a chicken and egg problem… that’s messing with it now, not political dynamics,” said a congressional aide familiar with the talks, voicing lawmakers’ concerns that the move may drag on as industry waits for the Pentagon’s approval.
| | | SO LONG, SPYING … ON AMERICANS?:It’s going to be an uphill battle for the intelligence community to garner support to renew foreign surveillance powers that allow the government to access private information about Americans. Despite constitutional protections, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has permitted a warrantless wiretapping program since its introduction in 2008. It was last renewed in 2018, but now lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are demanding reforms to the act, Bloomberg News’ KATRINA MANSON reports. Lawmakers who want to reform the act cite revelations about the program's use and abuse, including how intelligence agencies have incidentally collected private communications from Americans instead of non-Americans abroad, which the program is supposed to target. Supporters of FISA, such as Gen. PAUL NAKASONE, director of the National Security Agency, have said the program has saved lives and provides “irreplaceable insights” for intelligence gathering. BURNED BY HIS WIFE: When RUBEN GALLEGO (D-Ariz.) took to Twitter to bash new proposals to ban gas stoves over health concerns, he probably expected pushback from members of the House –– but not members of his household. “Hot take: Keep the gas stove and get rid of the air fryer. Only urban elitist use air fryers,” tweeted Gallego, a House Armed Services Committee member. “you know we have an air fryer? **Tells you who does the cooking,” his wife, SYDNEY GALLEGO, responded. In fashion, the internet (ourselves included) had a field day at the congressman’s expense.
| | | | JOIN NEXT TUESDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS AROUND AMERICA: 2022 brought in a new class of mayors leading “majority minority” cities, reshaping who is at the nation’s power tables and what their priorities are. Join POLITICO to hear from local leaders on how they’re responding to being tested by unequal Covid-19 outcomes, upticks in hate crimes, homelessness, lack of affordable housing, inflation and a potential recession. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | ‘SABOTAGE’ AGAINST SWEDEN:Swedish Prime Minister ULF KRISTERSSON has come out swinging against Kurds in Stockholm who burned Turkey’s president in effigy, potentially damaging the country’s bid to join NATO. The demonstration enraged Ankara and led the speaker of Turkey’s parliament, MUSTAFA SENTOP,to cancel a visit with his Swedish counterpart next week. Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Sweden’s ambassador to the country over the protest. The aftermath has Kristersson mad, too. “I would say this is sabotage against the Swedish NATO application,” he told Swedish broadcaster TV4. “It is dangerous for Swedish security to act in this way.” The Biden administration is offering Turkey $20 billion in F-16 warplanes alongside a sale of F-35s to Greece in exchange for Turkey’s sign off on accession for Sweden and Finland, the Wall Street Journal’s JARED MALSIN and VIVIAN SALAMA report. A lawmaker told NatSec Daily that Turkish officials were pushing this kind of deal in talks with their U.S. counterparts for months.
| | | |   | | | | | | — NAOKO AOKI has joined RAND as an associate political scientist focusing on East Asian security issues. The former journalist for Japan’s Kyodo News also worked at the Atlantic Council. –– NIHAL KRISHAN has been awarded the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship in India focused on free speech and tech policy in the region. He is the tech reporter for FedScoop and is a Washington Examiner and Mother Jones alum.
| | | — MOISÉS NAIM, POLITICO: Populism, Polarization and Post-Truth Politics Hit Brazil — RICHARD GOLDBERG and REBECCAH HEINRICHS, The Dispatch: Let Ukraine Defeat the Russia-Iranian War Machine — JOHN CORLEY and JON THOMAS, The Hill: Want to deter China? Hold a tanker competition
| | | — The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, 9 a.m.: What Makes Ukraine Resilient in the Asymmetric War? A Study of Local Governments' Emergency Responses — The Middle East Institute, 12:30 p.m.: Book discussion on "Erdogan's War: A Strongman's Struggle at Home and in Syria” 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, Dave Brown, who shares his views about us in person, not social media. We also thank our producer, Kierra Frazier, who more people should follow.
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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. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
