Kingston Reif
@kingstonareif.bsky.social
Senior International/Defense researcher at the RAND Corporation. Former DASD for Threat Reduction and Arms Control + Arms Control Association. Wisconsin sports fanatic. Personal account.
"Superpower Competition: The Missing Chapter in Trump’s Security Strategy"
Superpower Competition: The Missing Chapter in Trump’s Security Strategy
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:37 AM
"Superpower Competition: The Missing Chapter in Trump’s Security Strategy"
Two Ukrainian officials claimed the latest U.S. proposal on security guarantees was based on "a wider framework" than the original proposal, but it still did not include a Senate-ratified treaty.
U.S. pushes Zelensky for swift yes on peace plan: Ukrainian officials
Kyiv thinks the U.S. is pushing Zelensky much harder than Putin.
www.axios.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Two Ukrainian officials claimed the latest U.S. proposal on security guarantees was based on "a wider framework" than the original proposal, but it still did not include a Senate-ratified treaty.
"Guetlein’s discussion of the space-based interceptor awards revealed for the first time the total number of prototypes the Golden Dome project is exploring"
Pentagon executing Golden Dome contracts by piggybacking on existing procurement vehicles | InsideDefense.com
SIMI VALLEY -- The Pentagon has begun issuing Golden Dome contracts by leaning heavily on the military's existing acquisition machinery, Golden Dome director Gen. Michael Guetlein said in his first de...
insidedefense.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:42 AM
"Guetlein’s discussion of the space-based interceptor awards revealed for the first time the total number of prototypes the Golden Dome project is exploring"
"Compromise bill directs congressional briefing on SLCM-N, reduction in timeline to reach IOC"
Compromise bill directs congressional briefing on SLCM-N, reduction in timeline to reach IOC | InsideDefense.com
An amendment added to the House and Senate defense authorization bill would require the Navy secretary to provide a briefing to congressional defense committees on the development of the service's sea...
insidedefense.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 AM
"Compromise bill directs congressional briefing on SLCM-N, reduction in timeline to reach IOC"
Burns: ..your son..responded to a reporter’s question about whether you will walk away from Ukraine, and.. said, I think he may. Is that correct?
Trump: No, it’s not correct. But it’s not exactly wrong. We have to...you know, they have to play ball.
Trump: No, it’s not correct. But it’s not exactly wrong. We have to...you know, they have to play ball.
Full transcript: POLITICO's interview with Donald Trump
The president sat for an in-depth interview with POLITICO's Dasha Burns.
www.politico.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Burns: ..your son..responded to a reporter’s question about whether you will walk away from Ukraine, and.. said, I think he may. Is that correct?
Trump: No, it’s not correct. But it’s not exactly wrong. We have to...you know, they have to play ball.
Trump: No, it’s not correct. But it’s not exactly wrong. We have to...you know, they have to play ball.
When he was asked whether the proposed enrichment and reprocessing facilities would be based in South Korea or elsewhere, Mr. Lee said it didn’t matter a lot to his government. But “it would be preferable if we could do it at home,” he said
South Korea Says the U.S. Agreed to Help It Secure Fuel for Its Reactors
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:46 AM
When he was asked whether the proposed enrichment and reprocessing facilities would be based in South Korea or elsewhere, Mr. Lee said it didn’t matter a lot to his government. But “it would be preferable if we could do it at home,” he said
"Guetlein defends Golden Dome secrecy, says industry is ‘well informed’ despite criticism"
Guetlein defends Golden Dome secrecy, says industry is ‘well informed’ despite criticism
Guetlein defends Golden Dome secrecy, says industry is ‘well informed’ despite criticism Guetlein defends Golden Dome secrecy, says industry is ‘well informed’ despite criticism
spacenews.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:44 AM
"Guetlein defends Golden Dome secrecy, says industry is ‘well informed’ despite criticism"
"Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill is possible"
Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill is possible
Analysts had warned that the $156 billion reconciliation bill might lead to efforts unsustainable without more money.
www.defenseone.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
"Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill is possible"
"we will develop additional options to support deterrence and escalation management, and we will never allow this nation to be vulnerable to nuclear blackmail... And we will test nuclear weapons and nuclear delivery systems on an equal basis as others"
WATCH: Hegseth delivers keynote address at Reagan National Defense Forum
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:57 AM
"we will develop additional options to support deterrence and escalation management, and we will never allow this nation to be vulnerable to nuclear blackmail... And we will test nuclear weapons and nuclear delivery systems on an equal basis as others"
“President Trump and this administration seek a stable peace, fair trade and respectful relations with China,” he said. The U.S. will follow a policy of “respecting the historic military buildup [China is] undertaking,” he added
Hegseth declares end of US 'utopian idealism' with new military strategy
The Defense secretary, speaking at the Reagan Defense Forum, outlined defense priorities that focus on the Western Hemisphere and reevaluate the U.S. relationship with Europe.
www.politico.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
“President Trump and this administration seek a stable peace, fair trade and respectful relations with China,” he said. The U.S. will follow a policy of “respecting the historic military buildup [China is] undertaking,” he added
"Navy finalizing FY-27 plan for Trump-backed 'Golden Fleet,' 'big beautiful ship'"
Navy finalizing FY-27 plan for Trump-backed 'Golden Fleet,' 'big beautiful ship' | InsideDefense.com
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- The Navy is putting the final touches on plans for a sweeping new shipbuilding initiative known as the "Golden Fleet," Navy Secretary John Phelan said today, confirming that Preside...
insidedefense.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:08 AM
"Navy finalizing FY-27 plan for Trump-backed 'Golden Fleet,' 'big beautiful ship'"
"White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought today promised there will be growth in upcoming defense budgets, remarking that a second reconciliation bill...is under consideration."
Vought says second reconciliation bill on the table to get around Democrats | InsideDefense.com
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought today promised there will be growth in upcoming defense budgets, remarking that a second reconciliation bill that si...
insidedefense.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:07 AM
"White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought today promised there will be growth in upcoming defense budgets, remarking that a second reconciliation bill...is under consideration."
"Just this week . . . we were in the Oval Office having these very discussions about FY-26 and FY-27," he said. "Resource-wise, I think this room will be encouraged by what we'll see soon but I don't want to get ahead of it."
Hegseth says Trump is ready to increase defense spending | InsideDefense.com
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said today that recent meetings with President Trump in the Oval Office have led him to believe defense spending will be increased for fiscal year 202...
insidedefense.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:05 AM
"Just this week . . . we were in the Oval Office having these very discussions about FY-26 and FY-27," he said. "Resource-wise, I think this room will be encouraged by what we'll see soon but I don't want to get ahead of it."
“New STRATCOM Boss Stresses Deterrence in ‘Tech-Saturated’ World”
New STRATCOM Commander Correll Takes Over from Cotton
Navy Adm. Richard Correll succeeded Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton as head of U.S. Strategic Command on Dec. 5.
www.airandspaceforces.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:25 PM
“New STRATCOM Boss Stresses Deterrence in ‘Tech-Saturated’ World”
“However the changes happened, it’s vital to note the clear disconnect between what was in the original memo and Hegseth’s speech, and what came out on the other side.”
The sabotage of Secretary Hegseth’s acquisition reform initiative - Breaking Defense
AEI's Bill Greenwalt breaks down key changes between the draft and final version of Pete Hegseth's acquisition memo - and finds some startling shifts.
breakingdefense.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM
“However the changes happened, it’s vital to note the clear disconnect between what was in the original memo and Hegseth’s speech, and what came out on the other side.”
“If every use of a U.S. air and missile defense interceptor is going to produce another round of discourse about inventories, then it is time to reevaluate either the deployments themselves or how to procure enough interceptors to avoid handwringing.”
The Depleting Missile Defense Interceptor Inventory
The proliferation of missile threats has made air and missile defense interceptors the table stakes for entry into future conflicts, forcing the Department of Defense to either ante up and buy the nec...
www.csis.org
December 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
“If every use of a U.S. air and missile defense interceptor is going to produce another round of discourse about inventories, then it is time to reevaluate either the deployments themselves or how to procure enough interceptors to avoid handwringing.”
“Exclusive: US sets 2027 deadline for Europe-led NATO defense, officials say”
Exclusive: US sets 2027 deadline for Europe-led NATO defense, officials say
The United States wants Europe to take over the majority of NATO's conventional defense capabilities, from intelligence to missiles, by 2027, Pentagon officials told diplomats in Washington this week,...
www.reuters.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
“Exclusive: US sets 2027 deadline for Europe-led NATO defense, officials say”
“We're not willing to pay for the capability that we want, and neither is industry willing to upfront tell you, ‘You can't have that for that price,’” Moore said. “We get in this vicious cycle where we buy ships that we know..we're never going to get there”
Industry exec calls for 'cost realism' in Navy shipbuilding | InsideDefense.com
An executive from one of the Pentagon's most critical defense contractors today called for "cost realism" in Navy shipbuilding, saying flawed cost projections and management practices have contributed...
insidedefense.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:40 AM
“We're not willing to pay for the capability that we want, and neither is industry willing to upfront tell you, ‘You can't have that for that price,’” Moore said. “We get in this vicious cycle where we buy ships that we know..we're never going to get there”
“When you’re talking about orders of magnitude more data, ...more vehicles, ...more processing capabilities and a customer base that’s expanding all around the world, the days of people in the loop, on the loop, doing manual processes are gone”
NRO deputy: Days of humans in the loop 'are over' | InsideDefense.com
The National Reconnaissance Office plans to adopt artificial intelligence across all mission areas, according to a strategy released today.
insidedefense.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:36 AM
“When you’re talking about orders of magnitude more data, ...more vehicles, ...more processing capabilities and a customer base that’s expanding all around the world, the days of people in the loop, on the loop, doing manual processes are gone”
Xi said he and Macron had agreed to greater co-operation in industries such as aerospace, nuclear energy, biopharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence as well as other areas including panda conservation and “global governance”.
Emmanuel Macron warns of ‘disintegration’ risk to world order in Xi Jinping meeting
French and Chinese leaders stress need for multilateralism amid rising trade tensions
www.ft.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Xi said he and Macron had agreed to greater co-operation in industries such as aerospace, nuclear energy, biopharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence as well as other areas including panda conservation and “global governance”.
From the Trump administration's just released NSS.
"Our broad policy for Europe should prioritize:
• Reestablishing conditions of stability within Europe and strategic stability with Russia;"
("strategic stability" gets three mentions, but not a definition)
"Our broad policy for Europe should prioritize:
• Reestablishing conditions of stability within Europe and strategic stability with Russia;"
("strategic stability" gets three mentions, but not a definition)
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 3:52 AM
From the Trump administration's just released NSS.
"Our broad policy for Europe should prioritize:
• Reestablishing conditions of stability within Europe and strategic stability with Russia;"
("strategic stability" gets three mentions, but not a definition)
"Our broad policy for Europe should prioritize:
• Reestablishing conditions of stability within Europe and strategic stability with Russia;"
("strategic stability" gets three mentions, but not a definition)
"MDA Awards First SHIELD Golden Dome Contract Vehicle To Over 1,000 Offerors"
MDA Awards First SHIELD Golden Dome Contract Vehicle To Over 1,000 Offerors - Defense Daily
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) included over 1,000 winning offerors able to compete under the first in a series of awards for the multiple award
www.defensedaily.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:56 AM
"MDA Awards First SHIELD Golden Dome Contract Vehicle To Over 1,000 Offerors"
“The math of current battlefields remains literally orders of magnitude beyond what our budget plans to spend, our industry plans to build, our acquisitions system is able to contract, and thus what our military will deploy.”
The awful arithmetic of our wars
If we don't figure out a way to fight far more cheaply, we won’t be able to afford to win a single battle.
www.defenseone.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
“The math of current battlefields remains literally orders of magnitude beyond what our budget plans to spend, our industry plans to build, our acquisitions system is able to contract, and thus what our military will deploy.”
"Getting the Most Out of New START Before It Expires"
Getting the Most Out of New START Before It Expires | Arms Control Association
www.armscontrol.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:46 AM
"Getting the Most Out of New START Before It Expires"
Hoeven, when asked by the Monitor where and why Sentinel was moved under the Golden Dome project, said "if you think about it, Sentinel is Golden Dome right now.”
Rounds, Hoeven: Sentinel Under Golden Dome Project In NDAA And Defense Approps - Defense Daily
North and South Dakota Sens. John Hoeven (R) and Mike Rounds (R), respectively, said that the Northrop Grumman LGM-35A Sentinel future ICBM will be under
www.defensedaily.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Hoeven, when asked by the Monitor where and why Sentinel was moved under the Golden Dome project, said "if you think about it, Sentinel is Golden Dome right now.”