Good morning. Here’s your Early Warning for Thursday, 08 March 2018. (All times Eastern.)
White House
In addition to his Daily Presidential Brief, President Trump is scheduled hold a cabinet meeting (11:30), address the Latino Coalition Legislative Summit, hold a roundtable discussion with members of Congress and the video game industry, and then dines at a private residence.
State Department
SECSTATE Rex Tillerson is in Africa this week (06-13 March). He’s scheduled to be in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia today to meet with officials from the African Union and Ethiopia. Deputy Secretary Sullivan is scheduled to meet with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, probably in regard to the President’s plan to target Haqqani Network and Taliban Shura personnel in Pakistan. The President has previously said that he’s willing to cut aid if Pakistani officials don’t fully cooperate. Additional analysis will appear in today’s Strategic Intelligence Summary.
Defense Department
SECDEF James Mattis has no public schedule available today. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford is scheduled to meet with the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller is scheduled to speak at the National Defense Industrial Association – Expeditionary Warfare Division’s annual meeting. We will be monitoring both events and will produce reports, if necessary.
The U.S. and Japanese navies kick off the annual MultiSail Exercise in Guam today, which is scheduled to run through Wednesday, 14 March. Additional information will appear in today’s Strategic Intelligence Summary.
Aircraft carriers Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is currently in port in Da Nang, Vietnam; and the Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is in port at Jebel Ali, UAE. Conflict requiring a Carrier Strike Group does not appear imminent.
Congress
The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower is holding a hearing on U.S. European Command. There’s a real concern that Russian submarines could wreak havoc on U.S. operations in the Atlantic Ocean, especially sealift, logistics, and transportation of troops and gear to Europe in the event of a war with Russia. We’ll be producing a report, along with our analysis, on the unclassified hearing for Strategic Intelligence subscribers.
Due Out Today for Subscribers
– The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower is holding a hearing on U.S. European Command (Strategic)
– Deputy Secretary Sullivan’s meeting with the Pakistani Foreign Minister (Strategic)
– Additional information on the U.S.-Japan MultiSail joint exercise.
