- The Intel Brief
- Posts
- Monday Morning Brief (19-23 September)
Monday Morning Brief (19-23 September)
Major activity at the UN General Assembly, a critical new strategy from the US Navy, and a new bill that could avert a government shutdown. Plus more...
Nick
September 23, 2024
Curated foreign policy and national security news for professionals
Good morning,
This is your Monday morning edition of The Intel Brief. This edition has some critical news updates, especially regarding the ongoing UN General Assembly and a critical change to the US Navy’s strategy for the future.
Please give yourself enough time to get up to speed (about 5 minutes).
Reporting Period: 19-23 September
Bottom Line Up Front:
1. Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he has a new funding bill. Congress will vote on the bill this week, the results of which will likely determine if we will see a government shutdown or not.
2. As a government shutdown looms, the Senate passed an emergency spending bill for the VA. This is to ensure our veterans have no pauses in receiving some benefits. We are facing a shutdown on 1 October.
3. The UN General Assembly is currently ongoing in New York City. They have addressed some key issues such as Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The assembly convenes until 30 September.
4. It was revealed that Iran is helping the Houthis shootdown US Drones. In addition to supplying the Houthis with weapons and providing intelligence, it appears Iran is helping them with electromagnetic jamming to crash drones or steer them off course.
5. The US Navy announced NAVPLAN 2024. The plan explains how the Navy intends to develop into a force capable of beating China in a conflict as early as 2027.
Yesterday’s Pacific Weekly.
House Speaker Johnson Announces New Funding Bill For Voting This Week
On 22 September, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced that Congress will vote on a new three-month stopgap funding bill that would fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.
Johnson said the new bill will be “narrow” and “bare-bones” so that it only includes what is absolutely necessary. Johnson’s previously bill got pushback from Republicans and Democrats alike.
Why This Matters
Without funding, the government will shut down on 1 October 2024. It is uncertain whether Republicans will rally in support of Johnson this time around.
Democrats were unwilling to vote “Yes” on Johnson’s previous bill because of the SAVE Act, a piece of legislation that would allow only US citizens to register to vote. Some Republicans were unwilling to vote “Yes” due to the bill being a continuation policy (i.e. it is using funding we have not accounted for and would increase our deficit).
Want To Read More?
Coverage by NBC News
Emergency Spending Bill For The VA Passed As Government Shutdown Looms
Before Speaker Johnson announced his new bill, on 19 September, the Senate passed an emergency bill that will provide the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with $3 billion to ensure veterans have no pause in some benefits. The bill was passed in the house earlier and will go the President Biden for signing.
Why This Matters
Without funding the VA would have to pause benefits related to education, disability, healthcare, and retirement.
Want To Read More?
Major Issues Addressed At The United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly is currently in its September session which is scheduled to end on the 30th before reconvening in October. The high-level General Debate will begin on 24 September. Some big issues have already been addressed:
Israel and Palestine: UN member states voted for a resolution demanding Israel end its military operations in Palestine, return occupied territories and other assets that have been seized since 1967, and allow Palestinians to return to the region with reparations. The resolution also allows the assembly to convene a conference to address the “two-State solution.” The voting was 124 nation in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions.
Hezbollah and Lebanon: The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Lebanon. Growing cross-border strikes between Israel and Hezbollah have UN officials worried of an imminent “catastrophe.” Officials addressed recent airstrikes by Israel as well as an attack in which thousands of Hezbollah members were killed or injured by the remote detonation of pager devices.
Pact for the Future: 193 UN Member States adopted the Pact for the Future, a resolution that commits members to sustainable development, peace and security, cooperation in innovation, the protection of youth, and the transformation of global governance.
Note: Transforming global governance includes reforming the UN Security council membership and crisis response capabilities.
Why This Matters
Some of the UN’s resolutions (like the one regarding Israel) are typical of the UN - they are supposedly well-spirited resolutions that remain largely unenforceable. However, UN resolutions hold their value in the soft power they create; they give a state or organization the PR power to say certain actions are against international law. In rarer instance, they also give other nations the legal framework for intervention.
Aside from the complexity of UN supranationalism, the Pact for the Future consensus will likely guide future UN resolutions. Remember, the September session ends on the 30th but will reconvene each month until December.
Want To Read More?
Iran Helping Houthis Shoot Down US Drones
On 19 September, NBC News reported that Iran is assisting the Yemen-based Houthis with the targeting of American MQ-9 Reaper drones. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, Houthi terrorists have destroyed or damaged several US drones.
Jamming has been a chief concern for our drones. When the communication link between the drone and the operator are disrupted, the drone can veer of course and crash. Adversaries, like the Houthis, have exploited this with improved surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs).
Why This Matters
Iran’s growing support for the Houthis is a complicated escalation in the region. With more funding, advanced weapons systems, and tactical coordination, the Houthis are capable of disrupting military and civilian postures in the region.
The Houthis target drones and commercial maritime vessels. With newer systems, who is to say they won’t target airliners, military vessels, or advanced aircraft? Such escalations could lead to a expansion of the Israel-Hamas war into Yemen, or could draw the US into a new conflict.
Want To Read More?
Coverage by NBC News
US Navy Releases New Strategy For Preparing For Conflict With China
On 19 September, the US Navy released the Chief of Naval Operations Navigation Plan 2024 (NAVPLAN 2024) to prescribe guidance on how the force intends to prepare for conflict with China by 2027.
The NAVPLAN will be executed by implementing Project 33, an attempt at making the Navy strategically ready for war.
The Navy also intends to integrate into the “Joint warfighting ecosystem,” which means closer cooperation with the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps.
Why This Matters
China is at its peak military industrial output and is rapidly developing the weapons systems and capabilities it needs to seize Taiwan by force. In some aspects, like shipbuilding, the US Navy is vastly outmatched.
The NAVPLAN also cites the fragility of peace in the current global security environment due to a weakened and cornered Russia and myriad non-state actors like Hamas and the Houthis.
The Navy’s goal is to deter conflict, but to be ready for it by 2027.
Want To Read More?
CNO NAVPLAN 2024 by US Navy
End Brief
Thanks for reading. That concludes the Monday morning edition of The Intel Brief.
Do me a favor? Be sure to forward this brief to someone who might enjoy it!
Have a great week,
Nick