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CHRIS MEAGHER took a roundabout path to his new position because the Pentagon’s prime public affairs official, a put up he was tapped for in September. Originally a newspaper reporter in Santa Barbara, Calif., Meagher labored nights to get his legislation diploma whereas overlaying native politics throughout the day. He then moved rapidly up the ranks of Democratic politics, working for 2 senators, a presidential hopeful and a governor. His final stint was as one in all three deputy press secretaries within the White House.
The DoD job was not on his radar till Pentagon chief of employees KELLY MAGSAMEN reached out earlier this yr to debate changing the outgoing JOHN KIRBY. Now that he’s within the scorching seat, our personal LARA SELIGMAN caught up with him in his new workplace within the Pentagon’s E-Ring to debate his imaginative and prescient because the Defense Department’s prime communicator.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
Lara: You have a really totally different background than numerous your predecessors. What made you need to come over to DoD?
Meagher: It wasn’t one thing that I used to be essentially in search of out. I haven’t got a nationwide safety or international coverage or army background. My brother served within the Air Force, my grandfathers each served within the Navy, so there’s some household historical past.
The extra conversations I had with people, the extra it felt fascinating and new and thrilling. Everyone who had expertise working within the constructing all the time simply introduced up the truth that it was simply totally different than politics: it’s mission-oriented, the individuals within the constructing are mission-oriented. That was one thing that was actually engaging to me.
Lara: How do you suppose your background outdoors the nationwide safety world informs the way in which you see this job?
Meagher: Even on the White House I wasn’t a part of the Biden crew. I got here from outdoors of Bidenworld, and I believe they valued that perspective as a result of it was totally different. So, on this job, attempting to determine how I can slot in and supply perspective on methods of speaking that message is, I believe, what I deliver to the desk.
Lara: Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN is famously press shy. As his prime communicator, how do you intend to method that?
Meagher: I believe he is very intentional and deliberate. He’s a really considerate individual. He chooses his phrases properly. He chooses what he does publicly rigorously and deliberately, and I believe he has a mission. He has three buckets: taking good care of our individuals, succeeding by teamwork and defending the nation. So for me, I guarantee that he is speaking in these buckets.
Lara: The position of Pentagon spokesperson has seen many alternative iterations: most not too long ago Kirby held each the assistant to the secretary of Defense position and the press secretary job. Now now we have a one-star normal as press secretary and also you because the ATSD. How do you see approaching this position in partnership with Brig. Gen. PATRICK RYDER?
Meagher: He brings with him numerous expertise and data and understanding of the army. I definitely deliver my perspective, which might hopefully be useful in a brand new manner. I believe you may in all probability ultimately see each of us up there briefing. Maybe collectively, definitely one or the opposite. I’ll be capable of tackle some issues that he cannot essentially discuss in a uniform.
This has been carried out earlier than. Kirby was a part of an identical setup [when he served as press secretary in the Obama administration as a one-star admiral]. So I believe now we have working relationship and it is all the time good to have extra messengers on the market.
Lara: Austin has performed a vital position in rallying help and army support for Ukraine in its struggle with Russia. But if Republicans take the House, GOP leaders have signaled they could not help continued funding for the struggle on the identical degree. Does this concern you?
Meagher: The secretary is continually working to guarantee that Ukraine has the safety help it wants. That means participating with Congress. I believe you have seen sturdy bipartisan help, bicameral help, and I believe that we’ll proceed to have interaction with the Hill and guarantee that we’re answering their questions on how this help is being utilized.
Lara: Cabinet members typically flip over at this level in an administration. Does Secretary Austin have any plans to go away his put up, or will he stick round for all 4 years?
Meagher: I do not suppose he has any plans to go wherever.
PEACE TALK SPLIT: An inner administration break up has emerged between the Pentagon and the remainder of President JOE BIDEN’s crew over the necessity for imminent Ukraine-Russia peace talks, The New York Times’ PETER BAKER stories.
Gen. MARK MILLEY, the Joint Chiefs chair, “has made the case in internal meetings that the Ukrainians have achieved about as much as they could reasonably expect on the battlefield before winter sets in and so they should try to cement their gains at the bargaining table,” per Baker. Other senior Biden officers, whereas believing a negotiated peace will are available due time, say “the moment is not ripe and the United States should not be seen as pressuring the Ukrainians to hold back while they have momentum.”
The story tracks with elements of what we reported in yesterday’s newsletter.
In addition, BIDENThursday told reporters “I don’t think the conflict will be resolved with Russia and Ukraine until [Russian President VLADIMIR] PUTIN gets out of Ukraine,” which adopted comments by national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN that “it is ultimately up to Ukraine to make determinations about its diplomatic course.”
And a senior administration official advised NatSec Daily that Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN “is committed to the principle that the Ukrainians will have to determine what the diplomacy looks like.”
But there are additionally members of the administration past these on the Pentagon who imagine neither aspect can win militarily and that the winter offers a possibility to achieve a political settlement to finish the struggle, in response to a U.S. official. The official declined to offer particulars on who else shares the view.
As for the Pentagon, it’s more and more seeing each Russian and Ukrainian forces digging trenches on the entrance strains to cement their place for the winter, the official mentioned. Defense officers imagine there will probably be a “pause” within the preventing throughout the chilly months, and that may be a pure second to start speaking a couple of potential political resolution.
“It’s very difficult to unseat a military that’s in a defense, as the Russians found out,” the official mentioned. “It’s going to be very, very costly and difficult to kick the Russians out, costly in terms of resources and lives. Can it be done remains to be seen.”
Just take Kherson. Yes, Russian forces retreated, however now Ukraine goes to should battle throughout the river and attempt to retake terrain on the opposite aspect — a particularly tough army maneuver, the official mentioned. The individual was granted anonymity to debate inner assessments.
Milley was not, nonetheless, attempting to say that Ukraine ought to capitulate or cede any a part of its sovereign territory to Russia, the individual mentioned.
“Why not start talking about [peace talks] before you throw another 100,000 lives into the abyss?” the individual added.
ON KHERSON: Russian troops left the western financial institution of the Dnipro River round 5 a.m., the Russian Defense Ministry mentioned, in response to the AP’s HANNA ARHIROVA and JOHN LEICESTER.
That consists of Kherson, which is the one provincial capital captured by Moscow throughout its invasion. Despite the retreat, nonetheless, Kremlin spokesperson DMITRY PESKOV mentioned the region’s status is “fixed” — nonetheless thought of a part of Russia.
In town, Ukrainian troops have been greeted by jubilant crowds carrying yellow and blue flags, chanting victoriously. In one video, a Ukrainian soldier is seen being lifted in the air by two individuals as their nation’s flag flies over a monument in a central Kherson sq.. Still, Ukraine hasn’t declared town free from Russia but. The metropolis’s army intelligence company mentioned “an operation to liberate Kherson,” and the area is underway.
WANING SANCTION SUPPORT: U.S. officers primarily based in Europe are issuing inner warnings to Washington colleagues that some international locations with populations that help Russia are rising indignant over sanctions and blame the U.S. for rising prices, our own ERIN BANCO and PAUL MCLEARY reported Thursday.
Such strain on European leaders may result in a decline in help for sanctions towards Moscow, officers warned in inner stories circulated all through the administration in latest days and seen by POLITICO. Washington has buzzed with talks amongst prime officers on tips on how to maintain leaders abroad on board with the U.S. technique, two senior U.S. officers mentioned.
DRINKS WITH NATSEC DAILY: At the tip of each lengthy, onerous week, we like to spotlight how a outstanding member of the worldwide nationwide safety and international coverage scene prefers to unwind with a drink.
Today, we’re that includes RICHARD HAASS, the outgoing President and CEO of the Council on Foreign Relations. He advised us that within the winter his drink of selection is scotch — ideally Oban — or an Irish whiskey like Redbreast 12. These are all the time on the rocks.
But in the summertime, Haass switches to martinis. “Always gin, never vodka,” he mentioned, favoring Tanqueray 10 or Plymouth. “Prefer on the rocks but fine, straight up.”
And the place is the CFR boss imbibing these wonderful nectars? “Best at home as gin kept in the freezer,” he mentioned. “Don’t have a regular bar given my schedule.”
Cheers, Haass the Boss! (That’s what lowly CFR intern Alex referred to as him again within the day.)
Read: Haass breaks down the foreign policy implications of the midterms.
THANK YOU: It’s Veterans Day, the place we have a good time and thank the 19 million American veterans amongst us.
From CFR’s JAMES LINDSAY: “Just 1 percent of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive today. There are about 1 million Korean War veterans still alive today, 31,000 of which are women. Roughly 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975, of whom roughly 850,000 are still alive.”
IT’S FRIDAY, WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily. This area is reserved for the highest U.S. and international officers, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the specialists and the individuals such as you who care about how the natsec sausage will get made. Aim your tips and feedback at [email protected] and [email protected], and observe us on Twitter at @alexbward and @mattberg33.
While you’re at it, observe the remainder of POLITICO’s nationwide safety crew: @nahaltoosi, @woodruffbets, @politicoryan, @PhelimKine, @BryanDBender, @laraseligman, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @leehudson, @AndrewDesiderio, @magmill95, @ericgeller, @johnnysaks130 and @Lawrence_Ukenye.
HAITI MELTDOWN TESTS BIDEN: The Biden administration is struggling to seek out allies prepared to assist kind a multinational safety drive to assist stabilize Haiti, our own NAHAL TOOSI reports.
The Caribbean nation has struggled with hovering gang violence and political instability following the assassination of former President JOVENEL MOISE.
While Biden has efficiently rebuilt alliances strained by former President DONALD TRUMP, none of Washington’s mates, together with Canada, have been prepared to step up because of fears of placing their very own safety forces in danger in a harmful atmosphere.
Haitian Prime Minister ARIEL HENRY has requested for international intervention, however many activists have urged Biden to keep away from stepping in and threat strengthening Henry which may additional destabilize Haiti.
THREATS TO SAUDI ARABIA: The flight of two U.S. B-52 bombers over the Middle East introduced on Thursday was a show-of-force message to Iran as American and Saudi officers continued to observe an imminent risk to Saudi Arabia, a senior Defense Department official told Lara.
Officials imagine Tehran is planning an assault on the dominion, seemingly on power infrastructure, the official mentioned. American and Saudi officers are additionally monitoring an elevated risk from Iran to Iraq, the place the U.S. has 1000’s of troops and personnel unfold throughout numerous army bases, a second DoD official mentioned.
Iranian officers imagine Saudi Arabia helps anti-government protesters who’re fomenting unrest throughout the nation, and that could be the motive for the risk, the primary DoD official mentioned.
Read: Iran teaches Russia its tricks on beating oil sanctions
AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMERS HACKED: Australian officers need to maintain Russia accountable for hacking Medibank, the nation’s largest well being insurer, and placing clients’ private well being data on the darkish net, Associated Press’ ROB McGUIRK reports.
Australian Prime Minister ANTHONY ALBANESE, a Medibank buyer, approved police to disclose the supply of the assault and notify Russian legislation enforcement.
“The nation where these attacks are coming from should also be held accountable for the disgusting attacks, and the release of information including very private and personal information,” Albanese mentioned.
Criminals continued dumping data on Friday after starting on Wednesday, together with these involving HIV and drug therapies, which the group described because the “naughty listing.”
NOT READY FOR TAKEOFF: Only 4 out of 49 various kinds of army plane met their targets of flight readiness in a number of years over the previous decade, according to a new analysis by the Government Accountability Office, our mates over at Morning Defense (for Pros!) report.
More than half of the fighter jets, helicopters and different plane that have been evaluated “did not meet their annual mission capable goal in any fiscal year,” the probe discovered.
The congressional investigators additionally concluded that the mission-capable charges for many plane “decreased from fiscal years 2011 through 2021.” Officials reported that contributing elements have been getting older plane, upkeep challenges, and provide points.
MARKEY MALARKEY: Sen. ED MARKEY (D-Mass.) is the most recent sufferer of Twitter’s verification coverage after being impersonated by an account that featured the now widely-accessible blue checkmark. Markey took to Twitter to name out the faux account and criticize ELON MUSK’s verification technique.
“Last night, I was easily impersonated and the account was quickly verified,” Markey tweeted this morning. “Safeguards like blue checks let users be smart, critical consumers of news and information in Twitter’s global town square. Truth can’t be put on sale for $8.”
The lawmaker joins a rising listing of public figures being impersonated by faux accounts together with former President GEORGE W. BUSH and NBA star LEBRON JAMES. The platform paused the subscription service for iPhone customers on Friday following the surge in phony accounts, CNBC’s SOFIA PITT reports.
NO TELLING: China condemned the White House’s plan to temporary Taiwan on the end result of President Biden’s assembly with Chinese chief XI JINPING on Monday, Reuters’ MARTIN QUIN POLLARD and EDUARDO BAPTISTA reports.
“It is egregious in nature,” ZHAO LIJIAN mentioned, a Chinese international ministry spokesperson. “China is firmly opposed to it.”
Sullivan, the nationwide safety adviser, introduced on Thursday that the administration’s plan on informing Taipei concerning the outcomes of the highly-anticipated assembly to make the self-governing island really feel “secure and comfortable”.
The assembly, set to be Biden and Xi’s first in-person dialog because the President took workplace, comes amid a low level in relations between each side. Beijing has acted more and more aggressive within the Taiwan Strait following a string of U.S. congressional visits in the summertime.
— POLITICO’s ERIN BANCO is becoming a member of our nationwide safety crew to cowl the intelligence neighborhood. The Daily Beast alum is transferring over from our healthcare crew the place she brilliantly lined the Covid-19 disaster. So, NatSec Daily fam, ship her all of your IC scoops!
— Customs and Border Protection Commissioner CHRIS MAGNUS has been requested by Homeland Security Secretary ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS to resign or be fired, our own DANIEL LIPPMAN stories.
— ANASTASIIA CARRIER, POLITICO: BRITTNEY GRINER Is Headed to a Truly Horrific Place
— ALEXANDER GABUEV, The Atlantic:Putin’s Doomsday Scenario
— ISABELLE KHURSHUDYAN and KAMILA HRABCHUK, The Washington Post: Ukrainian security officers hunt the enemy within: ‘agents’ for Russia
— Biden will journey to Cambodia on Saturday to take part within the U.S.-ASEAN Summit the place he’ll meet Cambodia Prime Minister HUN SEN and leaders of different ASEAN international locations to advertise human rights and financial cooperation.
— The Henry L. Stimson Center, 10 a.m.: “Ukraine and the Future of Air Warfare”
— The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, 12 p.m.:“Leadership Challenges in My Career Journey” with Dr. KAREN DONFRIED
— The Brookings Institution, 2 p.m.:“U.S. Defense Innovation and Great Power Deterrence.”
— The Atlantic Council, 2 p.m.:Can Zeitenwende deliver? A conversation with LARS KLINGBEIL, chairman of the German SPD
— The Institute of World Politics, 3 p.m.:“The Ukraine War and the Caucasus: Is Russia Losing Both?”
Have a natsec-centric occasion developing? Transitioning to a brand new defense-adjacent or international policy-focused gig? Shoot me an e mail at [email protected] to be featured within the subsequent version of the e-newsletter.
Thanks to our editor, Heidi Vogt, who would by no means leak concerning the inner disagreements over this text.
And we thank our producer, Kierra Frazier, who everybody agrees with.
