US Navy needs major funding boost to meet shipbuilding goals
There is no greater projection of global power than a nation’s navy. For decades, the United States Navy was the gold standard. If it wants to keep that designation, though, the U.S. Navy says it needs to buy more boats, which is going to cost tens of billions of dollars more per year than what the service currently receives in funding.
This news is coming from the Congressional Budget Office and its report on the Navy’s latest shipbuilding plans. Over the course of the next three decades, the Navy wants to grow the size of its current fleet from 296 battle force ships to 381. It would be the largest U.S. naval fleet since 2001, and it won’t be cheap to get there.
The service currently operates on a yearly budget of $340 billion. The CBO said that number needs to be boosted by at least another $85 billion to make the Navy’s shipbuilding plans a reality.
Getting to 381 ships by 2054 would also mean the fleet would actually shrink a bit in the near term. By decommissioning some older vessels, the Navy hopes to reallocate money that would be spent on upkeep and maintenance and put it toward the purchase of new vessels.
The realities of budget constraints are also forcing the Navy to rethink which ships it’s purchasing now, opting for proven vessels over more expensive next-gen models.
Under the 2024 shipbuilding plan, for instance, the Navy was slated to buy 34 next-generation attack submarines. In the 2025 plan, that number was reduced to 14, while the number of Virginia-class submarines was increased from 10 to 36.
Getting to 381 battle force ships would equate to spending at least $903 billion over the next 30 years. When outfitting and other costs are factored in, the CBO said it’s probably closer to $1.075 trillion.
Hitting the 381 mark would also mean producing 12 new vessels per year. American shipyards are already at capacity, and the Navy’s backlog to make all of its known repairs is sitting at about 20 years. So, needless to say, the CBO is skeptical if the Navy can succeed on its ambitious push to modernize.
But it needs to, at least according to most lawmakers in Washington.
China is preparing for war. The People’s Liberation Army was told numerous times it should be ready to take Taiwan by force in 2027. China’s shipbuilding far outpaces current U.S. capacity, and the PLA navy’s aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific are only growing more hostile. The United States is legally obligated to defend allies in the region, as well. So, if those hostilities do erupt into a kinetic conflict, the U.S. Navy will be vital.
What does Trump want with Greenland when US already has military control?
President-elect Donald Trump is threatening military and economic force against Denmark to gain control of Greenland. The autonomous territory is part of the Denmark kingdom, while the U.S. has maintained a military presence there since World War II.
“We need it for national security. That’s for the free world. I’m talking about protecting the free world,” Trump said this week.
He threatened to “tariff Denmark at a very high level” if it acted against him.
“We’re sitting in Denmark and thinking, ‘What’s he talking about? He already has military control,’” said Peter Viggo Jakobsen, a lecturer at the Royal Danish Defence College and expert on U.S.-Danish relations.
What’s he talking about? He already has military control.
Peter Viggo Jakobsen, Royal Danish Defence College
Trump’s threats have stunned the close U.S. ally, which Jakobsen says has Denmark “holding their breath and waiting” until Trump takes office.
“When Trump talks about military control of Greenland, then he probably missed a history lesson or two, because the U.S. already has military control of Greenland,” Jakobsen said.
Since WWII, the U.S. has been allowed to operate military bases in Greenland. Currently, the U.S. has Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base.
“If you get into a military confrontation with Russia and Russia decides to fire a nuclear missile from Russia towards the United States, then the shortest route for a missile is crossing over Greenland,” Jakobsen explained. “And that is, of course, why the United States, back during the Cold War, established the Thule Air Base where they have this warning radar that will enable the U.S. to get a warning if Russia should decide to fire missiles against the United States.
“So it’s a vital part of the warning chain that the U.S. established during the Cold War to keep the American homeland safe,” he continued. “So, for that reason, it has become increasingly important as the relationship between the United States and Russia has deteriorated after the Russian decision to take Crimea and start the war on Ukraine in 2014.”
Jakobsen said under the current agreement between Denmark, Greenland and the U.S., the U.S. could expand its military presence or add additional military bases in Greenland simply by consulting and informing Copenhagen and Nuuk. With this in mind, Jakobsen said Denmark doesn’t understand what more Trump wants.
“At the moment, he only has to pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey, I would like another installation here. Could you please fix it?’ And that may also be what he has in mind, but we have no clue,” Jakobsen said.
However, should the U.S. gain control of Greenland over Denmark, Jakobsen points out that the U.S. would also have to take over the subsidies Denmark provides.
“In Greenland, they can’t afford to run their own state and they’re getting huge subsidies every year from the Danish state,” he said. “So on the one hand you have the Greenlanders wanting to decide everything themselves, but they still want Denmark to pay for it.”
“They can choose between being subsidized by Denmark or being subsidized by the United States because they cannot generate enough revenue of their own, either from mining or fishing or tourism, to basically pay for the subsidies that they are currently receiving from Copenhagen,” he added.
In the end, Jakobsen said controlling Greenland is not that strategically important from the Danish perspective, though he acknowledged a lot of Danes and politicians would disagree with that statement. He said the most important facet of Greenland is that it gives Denmark special access to the U.S.
“We can offer the United States something they want and we have these meetings in the Arctic Council and so on,” he said. “If Greenland were to go independent, I really don’t see that as a major strategic loss from the Danish perspective. Denmark would still be a valuable ally for the U.S. because we also control the straits that give you access to the Baltic Sea.”
US troops in Syria essential to prevent ISIS resurgence: Defense secretary
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the continued deployment of American forces in Syria is necessary to block the Islamic State (ISIS) from resurging and destabilizing the region. Speaking at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Austin stressed the role of approximately 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, particularly in overseeing detention camps that hold tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and their families.
Austin cautioned that without the U.S. presence, ISIS fighters could reenter society and pose a renewed threat.
Estimates indicate there are between 8,000 and 10,000 ISIS fighters in these camps, with at least 2,000 classified as highly dangerous.
“I think that we still have some work to do in terms of keeping a foot on the throat of ISIS,” Austin said.
Since 2015, U.S. forces have worked alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to combat ISIS. While the SDF has been instrumental in countering ISIS, it faces mounting challenges following the December collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Turkey views the SDF as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group Ankara designates as a terrorist organization.
Turkey issued warnings of military action unless Kurdish forces withdraw from key border areas. Ankara-backed forces recently seized the town of Manbij, further complicating the SDF’s ability to manage over 10,000 ISIS detainees under its custody.
Fear of ISIS resurgence drives support of US troops in Syria
SDF Commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi called for continued U.S. support, warning that a withdrawal could enable ISIS to regain strength and destabilize the region.
Abdi referenced a recent ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans as evidence of the group’s persistent threat.
“The key factor of stabilization in this area is the U.S. presence on the ground,” Abdi said.
Discussions remain ongoing about the establishment of a U.S. and French-led demilitarized zone along the Turkey-Syria border to de-escalate tensions between Turkish forces and the SDF.
French officials, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, voiced strong support for Kurdish forces, emphasizing their vital role in combating ISIS.
Outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken also stressed the importance of the SDF’s work in guarding thousands of ISIS detainees, calling it a critical security interest for both the U.S. and Turkey.
Future of US troops in Syria uncertain
The long-term presence of U.S. troops in Syria remains uncertain as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
During his first term, Trump proposed withdrawing U.S. forces from Syria. This lead to a Turkish offensive against Kurdish territories and the resignation of then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
Trump has not yet announced specific plans for Syria, leaving questions about the U.S. role in the region unanswered.
Sec. Austin to announce billions in Ukraine military aid in Germany
The Biden administration is preparing what could be one of its final major weapons packages for Ukraine. This comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin heads to Germany this week for a critical meeting with international allies.
Austin is expected to announce the aid during the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base on Thursday, Jan. 9. It remains unclear whether the coalition, established under Austin’s leadership, will continue under the incoming Trump administration.
Officials anticipate the new package will total several billion dollars and will be sourced from existing U.S. military stockpiles for rapid delivery. The aid is expected to include critical equipment such as air defense systems, artillery and armored vehicles.
While substantial, the package will not deplete the approximately $4 billion remaining in congressionally authorized funding for Ukraine. Defense officials have indicated that “more than a couple of billion dollars” will likely be left for the incoming administration to allocate as it deems appropriate.
In recent weeks, the Biden administration has expedited nearly $6 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently announced $3.4 billion in economic support to sustain Ukraine’s government operations, schools and emergency services, alongside $2.5 billion in security assistance to address immediate defense needs.
Since 2022, the U.S. has provided $66 billion of the $126 billion in total aid contributed by international allies. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, comprising 50 nations, has played a pivotal role in coordinating this support.
Established by Austin after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the group has focused on delivering training, equipment and financial assistance to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
As the conflict approaches its third year, both Ukraine and Russia are seeking strategic gains before the U.S. presidential transition on Jan. 20. Ukraine continues to face relentless missile strikes and aerial attacks from Russia, while simultaneously launching a second offensive in the Kursk region.
Transition discussions between the Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s team have addressed the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine. While Trump has pledged to end the war, he has acknowledged that achieving such a goal will likely be complex.
Biden administration asks federal appeals court to block 9/11 plea deals
The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The controversial deal would spare Mohammed from the death penalty for his role in planning the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
The deadly attack rocked the U.S. and began the war on terrorism.
In court filings Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Justice Department argued the government would be irreparably harmed if the guilty pleas were accepted for Mohammed and two co-defendants in the 9/11 attacks.
It said the government would be denied a chance for a public trial and the opportunity to “seek capital punishment against three men charged with a heinous act of mass murder that caused the death of thousands of people and shocked the nation and the world.”
However, attorneys for the defendants argued the deal was already legally in effect and that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who began the administration’s efforts to throw it out, acted too late.
Mohammed is set to enter his guilty plea on Friday, Jan. 10, if the appeal is not granted. His co-defendants, accused of lesser roles in 9/11, are due to enter theirs next week.
IDF officer recounts Gaza experiences: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare, host Ryan Robertson talked to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer about the events of Oct. 7, 2023. Maj. Govrin shares his personal experiences from that morning, the challenges faced by the IDF, and the devastating impact on soldiers and civilians.
This conversation offers critical lessons from this pivotal moment in history. The discussion explores the human side of military operations and the ongoing quest for peace.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
Tehran’s top diplomat says Israel could spark ‘large-scale war’ with attack on Iran
Iran’s top diplomat warned Israel if it attacks Tehran it could lead to “a large-scale war,” and claimed Iran is ready for any Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic. The comments first surfaced when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s interview with China’s CCTV aired on Chinese state-run media on Saturday, Jan. 4.
The foreign minister told CCTV that he hopes “Israel will avoid such reckless actions, as they could escalate into a large-scale war.”
Tehran is reportedly concerned because it suspects Israel may strike the country in response to relentless missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels, who are supplied with weapons from Iran.
Over the past few weeks, Houthis have ramped up attacks against Israel, including launching a ballistic missile toward Israel on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Israel’s counterattacks against the Houthis haven’t been particularly effective. So, some within Israel, such as Mossad Chief David Barnea have suggested that Israel launch another direct strike into Iran to take out the source of the Houthi’s weapons.
Israel already hit Iran with two direct attacks over the past year in retaliation for continual missile and drone strikes, including an Oct. 1, 2024, attack from Tehran that saw some 200 missiles fired at Israel.
Israel’s Iron Dome and other air defense systems intercepted most of the missiles but Israel still carried out a counterattack on Oct. 26, 2024, striking Iranian military sites and decimating the country’s air defenses.
Israel also launched a strike on an air defense battery in April 2024, in retaliation for another series of drone and missile attacks from Iran.
Despite the warning, Iran’s top diplomat said he believes “reason will ultimately prevail and prevent severe consequences.” He also said that Tehran is seeking a “diplomatic solution.”
Report finds US airfields in Pacific vulnerable to Chinese threats
The balance of power in the Indo-Pacific may depend on something as basic as concrete. As China fortifies its military airfields and expands the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, a new report highlights vulnerabilities in U.S. defenses that could shape future conflicts.
The Hudson Institute, a nonpartisan think tank founded to prepare the U.S. for future military challenges, released the report, titled “Concrete Sky: Air Base Hardening in the Western Pacific.” It details China’s extensive investments in airfield fortifications, which include doubling the number of hardened aircraft shelters over the past decade. China now has more than 3,000 shelters at 134 air bases near the Taiwan Strait.
China has also added 20 runways and over 40 runway-length taxiways, while increasing its total ramp area by almost 75%. According to the report, the amount of concrete used for these upgrades could pave a four-lane interstate highway from Washington, D.C., to Chicago.
In contrast, U.S. efforts in the region have been limited, with only a few shelters, and minimal new infrastructure added. Analysts at the Hudson Institute warn that this leaves U.S. airfields highly vulnerable to missile strikes. This is particularly concerning given Chinese military doctrine, which emphasizes surprise attacks to neutralize air power on the ground.
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force has precision-guided missiles capable of targeting U.S. bases across the Indo-Pacific, from Guam to Okinawa. The report highlights that as few as 10 missiles could disable critical assets at Iwakuni, a key Marine Corps air station in Japan.
To mitigate these vulnerabilities, the report recommended strengthening airfield resilience by building hardened aircraft shelters, adding redundant fuel systems, and improving rapid runway repair capabilities. The Hudson Institute also emphasizes the need for long-range aircraft and autonomous systems that rely less on traditional airfield infrastructure.
Pentagon transfers 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantánamo Bay to Oman
The Pentagon said it transferred 11 Yemeni detainees, including two former bodyguards for Osama Bin Laden, from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to Oman, which has agreed to help re-settle them. The U.S. never charged the Yemeni detainees with crimes.
The move comes amid steps to reduce the population at the controversial U.S. military facility. Only 15 detainees remain at Guantánamo Bay’s detention facility, which the U.S. set up when the war on terror began after Sept. 11, 2001.
Of the 15 current detainees, only three are eligible for transfer. The Pentagon said three detainees are eligible for a periodic review and seven are involved in the military commissions process.
The U.S. convicted and sentenced two detainees.
In recent weeks, the Biden administration transferred four other detainees from Guantánamo, including one brought to the detention facility the day it opened in 2002. The U.S. never formally charged that person.
The move follows a recent decision by a military judge that sparked outrage. The judge ruled plea agreements with 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and two other accused terrorists are valid and binding. Those deals take the death penalty off the table for the three men, who also remain at Guantánamo Bay.
At least 95 killed in 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Tibet
A powerful earthquake proves deadly in East Asia on Tuesday morning. And winter weather pounds the United States from the Great Plains to the East Coast. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
7.1 magnitude earthquake kills at least 95 in Tibet
At least 95 people are dead Tuesday after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Tibet, China, according to Chinese state media. The quake occurred just after 9 a.m. on Jan. 7 near Shigatse, one of Tibet’s holiest cities.
The quake reached a depth of 6.2 miles, damaging buildings and sending people running to the streets in neighboring Nepal and India. Cities as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city about 240 miles away, felt tremors.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at a magnitude of 7.1, while the China Earthquake Networks Center reported it at 6.8. Multiple aftershocks followed the initial quake.
In addition to the dozens of lives lost, local authorities said the disaster injured at least 130 people.
First winter storm of 2025 leaves at least 4 dead across multiple states
The system moved east on Monday, Jan. 6, from the Great Plains to the East Coast. It brought snow, blizzard conditions and ice. The storm hit cities like Kansas City and Cincinnati the hardest.
Authorities said a public works employee in Missouri suffered a fatal injury while working to remove snow. Two people in Wichita, Kansas, died in a weather-related crash, and one person in Houston, Texas, most likely died as a result of the cold weather, according to local authorities.
The storm knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes across at least a half-dozen states.
While the heavy snow ended, the danger remained. Forecasters said the winter system is drawing cold air behind it, meaning states across the entire U.S. will experience a cold front.
Pentagon transfers 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantánamo Bay to Oman
The Pentagon said the U.S. transferred 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman, which agreed to help re-settle them. Two of the detainees are former bodyguards for Osama Bin Laden and were being held at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba.
None of the 11 detainees released were charged with crimes.
The move comes amid steps to reduce the population at the controversial U.S. military facility. Only 15 detainees remain at Guantánamo Bay’s detention facility, which the U.S. set up as the war on terror began after Sept. 11, 2001.
Of the 15 current detainees, only three are eligible for transfer. Three more are eligible for a periodic review, seven are involved in the military commissions process and two detainees were convicted and sentenced by military commissions.
In recent weeks, the Biden administration transferred four other detainees from Guantánamo, including one brought to the detention facility the day it opened in 2002. That person was never formally charged.
The move follows a recent ruling by a military judge that plea agreements with alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and two other accused terrorists are valid and binding. Those deals take the death penalty off the table for the three men, who remain at Guantánamo Bay.
Biden attends memorial service for New Orleans terror attack victims
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attended a memorial service Monday, Jan. 6, for the 14 victims killed in the New Year’s Day truck attack in New Orleans. The interfaith prayer service was held at the famous St. Louis Cathedral in the city’s French Quarter, less than a mile away from the scene of the Bourbon Street terror attack.
Jill and I traveled to New Orleans to stand with a community defined by strength and resilience.
To grieve. To pray. And let them know that America stands with them, and mourns with them. pic.twitter.com/26Phe203WF
The president spoke at the service, reassuring the people of New Orleans they are not alone and highlighting the city’s enduring strength and resilience amid tragedy. He referred to past devastation experienced by the city, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“If there’s one thing we know: New Orleans defines strength and resilience,” the president said. “You define it, whether it’s in the form of this attack, from this attack, or hurricanes or super storms. This city’s people get back up.”
The president and first lady also visited the Bourbon Street memorial, where they placed flowers and prayed for the victims.
While in New Orleans, the Bidens met privately with grieving families, survivors and first responders.
Though both cases were dismissed, the special counsel is required to provide a report to Garland, who can then decide whether to make it public.
According to the letter and a legal filing, Trump’s lawyers and two former co-defendants in the documents case viewed a two-volume draft copy of the report over the weekend. They called the report “one-sided” and “slanted.”
In the letter, Trump’s lawyer requested Garland fire Smith, who is set to resign before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, or let the decision on the release of the report be handled by Trump’s incoming attorney general, Pam Bondi.
The lawyers for Trump’s two former co-defendants in the documents case also asked the judge who dismissed the case to halt the report’s release, citing her ruling that Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional.
While it is not clear when the report will be released, the lawyers have asked the judge for a hearing on their request by Friday, Jan. 10, believing the release is “imminent.”
‘Shark Tank’ star Kevin O’Leary announces bid to buy TikTok
With millions of social media users counting down TikTok’s days in the U.S., one businessman is looking to prevent the ban from taking effect. “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary issued a press release Monday announcing his interest in purchasing TikTok.
O’Leary — known by “Shark Tank” fans as “Mr. Wonderful” — said he is partnering with former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt on the bid.
Speaking to Fox Business, O’Leary said he would need Trump’s help to seal the deal. O’Leary said he’s “protecting the privacy of 170 million American users” and “empowering creators and small businesses.”
TikTok faces a federal ban on Jan. 19 unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells. The Biden administration and other federal lawmakers believe TikTok threatens national security, accusing the Chinese government of using it to spy on Americans. Lawmakers fear the app is being used to weaponize and influence content Americans view.
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments from ByteDance on why it should prevent the ban.