China Watch
“This is the most stunning development in Chinese politics since the early days of Xi’s rise to power when he purged the General Officer Corps of those he feared would oppose him. He now has only one officer remaining on the powerful CMC. This is like the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff with only one general. You cannot run the PLA this way. He has to appoint successors.”
Dennis Wilder, former head of China analysis at the CIA, on the removal of Gen. Zhang Youxia, the most senior military official in China and his subsequent investigation on suspicion of corruption.
What About Putin
“President Trump led an operation in Venezuela, and Maduro was arrested. And there were different opinions about it, but the fact remains, Maduro is on trial in New York. Sorry, but Putin is not on trial. And this is the fourth year of the biggest war in Europe since World War II and the man who started it is not only free, he is still fighting for his frozen money in Europe. And, you know what, he’s having some success.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos [Jan. 22].
Patching Up
“They’re Back Baby.”
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Wolfe, in a Jan. 9 Facebook post announcing the return of duty identifier patches–spice brown and olive drab patches that indicate an Airman’s career field or responsibilities via a few letters or numbers.
Friends …
“A world of fortresses will be poorer, more fragile and less sustainable. And there is another truth. If great powers abandon even the pretense of rules and values for the unhindered pursuit of their power and interests, the gains from transactionalism will become harder to replicate.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Davos World Economic Forum, calling for the middle powers to work together to build a more resilient world [Jan. 20].
… Or Frenemies?
“Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also … . I watched your Prime Minister yesterday, he wasn’t so grateful. They should be grateful to the U.S., Canada. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
U.S. President Donald Trump at the Davos World Economic Forum in response statements made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
First in Space
“Once established, this warfighting platform will optimize our already unmatched mission readiness and ensure the United States continues to lead and shape military spacepower. … It is vital we remain the world’s preeminent space power, ensuring that America’s interests are protected in the high frontier. … We must guarantee that there is never a day without space.”
Commander of Space Command Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, Dec. 12 at the unveiling of signs at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama marking the future home of U.S. Space Command.
Direct Investment
“We are fundamentally shifting our approach to securing our munitions supply chain. … By investing directly in suppliers we are building the resilient industrial base needed for the arsenal of freedom, … replenishing stockpiles, rebuilding our military and reestablishing deterrence by ensuring the availability of critical components.”
Michael Duffey, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, announcing a $1 billion investment.
