FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY –– U.S. HASN’T STOPPED START: The U.S. is still sending New START notifications to Russia even though Moscow stopped sending theirs to Washington on Feb. 28, the State Department confirmed after NatSecDaily asked for comment following a tip. The treaty requires each side to notify the other of the movements of strategic delivery vehicles and launchers, new variants of systems and more. It’s designed to build confidence between the U.S. and Russia and avoid miscalculations. But Putin signed a bill on Feb. 28 suspending Russia’s participation in the pact, the last remaining major arms-control deal between the world’s foremost nuclear powers. That ended the Russian notifications, though the American ones continue. In a statement, State Department spokesperson NED PRICE said “Russia has not provided any New START notifications since it notified the United States that its purported suspension has taken effect. As the United States explores next steps, we remain in full compliance with the treaty.” A Republican congressional aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive diplomatic issue, said the GOP is perturbed by the news: “Allowing Russia to receive the benefits of New START notifications while the U.S is denied them proves one of two things –– either the notifications have no value, or you’re unwilling to be tough with Russia. You can’t have it both ways.” CHINA-RUSSIA-IRAN MILITARY TIES: Chinese state-owned defense companies have maintained their ties to Russia’s military even after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, CNN’s SIMONE McCARTHY reports. “Records show that throughout 2022, through at least mid-November, Beijing-based defense contractor Poly Technologies sent at least a dozen shipments — including helicopter parts and air-to-ground radio equipment — to a state-backed Russian firm sanctioned by the U.S.,” McCarthy writes. Most of those parts were for a Mi-171E helicopter transport and search and rescue helicopter. But some were for the Mi-171SH, a military transport helicopter. Meanwhile, Russia has been sending U.S. and NATO weapons captured in Ukraine to Iran, per CNN’s NATASHA BERTRAND. There have been “several instances of Russian forces seizing smaller, shoulder-fired weapons equipment including Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft systems that Ukrainian forces have at times been forced to leave behind on the battlefield,” she reports. “In many of those cases, Russia has then flown the equipment to Iran to dismantle and analyze, likely so the Iranian military can attempt to make their own version of the weapons.” For now, it doesn’t appear that this is a systematic problem, just an occasional one — though the news remains troubling. Speaking of “troubling,” a senior DoD official seemed to confirm Wednesday that Russia is helping China with its nuclear weapons program. "It's very troubling to see Russia and China cooperating on this," JOHN PLUMB, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, said in response to a question from Rep. DOUG LAMBORN (D-Colo.). "They may have talking points around it, but there's no getting around the fact that breeder reactors are plutonium, and plutonium is for weapons…It matches our concerns about China's increased expansion of its nuclear forces as well, because you need more plutonium for more weapons.” SUBMARINE SCRAMBLE: Ahead of their Monday meeting, AUKUS leaders have agreed to a highly complex three-part deal to stagger the massive industrial muscle movements necessary to carry it through, two people close to the talks told our own PAUL McLEARY and CRISTINA GALLARDO. Most immediately, Australia is expected to serve as a forward base for a small number of U.S. submarines by the end of this decade. Then, Canberra will purchase at least three U.S.-made Virginia-class attack subs in the 2030s. Australia will also fund the construction of joint U.K.-Australia nuclear-powered submarines based on the British Astute-class boats. It’ll be a difficult undertaking, with complex changes needed in export control rules and growing concerns that overstretched U.S. and U.K. shipyards can handle the workload. That’s not to mention that, at the same time, Beijing continues to churn out ships and submarines at rates the allies — even working together — are unable to match. SAUDI-IRAN DEAL: Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties with China’s help to broker the deal, the Associated Press’ JON GAMBRELL reports. The talks, held in Beijing over the last four days, show China’s increased influence in the Middle East and the shifting diplomatic landscape of the region. The joint statement signed by Tehran and Riyadh calls for the reopening of embassies within two months. Thus ends the Saudi freezeout of Iran after the kingdom cut ties to Tehran following demonstrators breaking into Riyadh’s posts there. VDL TAKES CHARGE: As URSULA VON DER LEYEN meets today with Biden, our own SUZANNE LYNCH writes in on why Americans need to pay attention about the European Comission president. Basically: As the U.S. and Europe wrestle over Ukraine and how to rein in China, she’s the one Biden calls to deal with the entire 27-country bloc. 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 NIKKI HALEY, the former U.N. ambassador, South Carolina governor and 2024 presidential hopeful. She told NatSec Daily that when she’s not campaigning, she enjoys “anything with bubbles.” And when’s the best time to have such a treat? While “watching a South Carolina sunset with my family.”Cheers, ambassador! 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, @laraseligman, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @leehudson, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco and @Lawrence_Ukenye.
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