Tuesday PDB – US Fixing Cyber ‘Blind Spot,’ China Threat: Japan and South Korea, Putin Testing Ukraine and NATO, Unidentified Drones Swarmed US Warships

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – With the many national security and intelligence topics that American Defense News (ADN) cannot adequately cover every day – in collaboration with the Center for American Defense Studies (CADS) – we are providing our readers a PDB:

Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – Paul’s Daily Briefing.

Today’s PDB Includes a variety of critical issues such as how China is testing Biden with the same South China Sea Tactic that Fooled Obama. How Japan and South Korea should work together to face China and North Korea. U.S. backs king of Jordan amid confusing ‘coup’ attempt, as the U.S., Iran holding first “indirect talks” on returning to nuke deal via European Union (EU).

And is Putin simply testing Ukraine and NATO, or preparing a military offensive?

U.S. fixing major cyber ‘blind spot’ discovered during recent massive Russian and Chinese hacks.

Plus, China is the first major economy to create its own digital currency, and U.S. Space Command deepens ties with Japan to face North Korea and China missile threats.

TODAY’S PDB HIGHLIGHTS:

Homeland Security

After A Major Hack, U.S. Looks To Fix A Cyber ‘Blind Spot’

National Security

Pentagon, State Department back Jordan’s king. Just days after what was characterized as a coup attempt by a Jordanian prince, the family claims all is well, including with the aggrieved prince. “It should have remained a family matter,” a mediator told the WSJ, calling the whole thing a “regrettable incident was the result of the clumsy actions of a senior security official and misrepresentation by a government official.” 

China Tests Biden With South China Sea Tactic That Misled Obama

China Threat

China Creates its Own Digital Currency, a First for Major Economy

The Politics of South Korea’s ‘China Threat’

Mutual Suspicion, Mutual Threats: Getting Japan and South Korea to Work Together

Russia Threat

Putin ups efforts to intimidate Ukraine and its allies. But experts say the mass mobilization does not suggest an imminent offensive.

North Korea Threat

The Japan-US Summit and Cooperation With South Korea

Iran Threat

U.S., Iran holding first “indirect talks” on returning to nuke deal. The European Union is hosting meetings aimed at producing agreements on how both countries might return to compliance with the deal.

U.S. Military

U.S. Space Command strengthens ties with Japan

Ike Carrier Strike Group first US warships to transit cleared Suez Canal. The aircraft carrier Dwight. D. Eisenhower and its carrier strike group transited the Suez Canal on April 2 — days after the Taiwanese cargo ship Ever Given was freed after blocking the canal.

Navy’s top officer says ‘drones’ that swarmed destroyers remain unidentified. A series of bizarre events off Southern California in 2019 remain unexplained according to the Chief of Naval Operations.

END of PDB

Paul Crespo

Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Defense News. A defense and national security expert, he served as a Marine Corps officer and as a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at US embassies worldwide. Paul holds degrees from Georgetown, London, and Cambridge Universities. He is also CEO of SPECTRE Global Risk, a security advisory firm, and President of the Center for American Defense Studies, a national security think tank. - paulcrespo.substack.com - PAULCRESPO.COM