The Weekly FRAGO | Concerned Veterans for America

12 March 2024

Military Times | 1,000 US troops deploying to build offshore port for Gaza aid

Over the next 60 days, roughly 1,000 troops will deploy to the Mediterranean Sea to build a floating platform where cargo ships can offload aid onto smaller military vessels, which will transfer them to a causeway attached to the beach, where trucks can pick it up and distribute it within Gaza, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters.

Associated Press | Few Americans want US more involved in current wars in Ukraine and Gaza, AP-NORC poll finds

While an American role as the “world’s policeman” has become an increasingly contentious partisan issue, a majority of both Democrats and Republicans agree that the U.S. should not get more involved than it currently is in the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas.

Defense News | Pentagon unveils $850 billion budget request amid spending uncertainty

The top line for national defense is $895.2 billion, and the Pentagon’s share of that will be just under $850 billion. These figures are lower than projected in the request for fiscal 2024, due to a deal struck to avoid a government default.

Defense News | Navy postpones several modernization programs to pay for operations

The U.S. Navy will postpone most of its planned development and purchases of large unmanned systems and next-generation ships and planes in fiscal 2025, citing spending caps.

Military Times | Veterans Affairs gets 13% budget boost under White House FY25 request

The Department of Veterans Affairs would get a nearly 13% boost in funding next fiscal year under a proposal unveiled by the White House Monday, with large increases for medical center construction projects and caregiver program support.

Wall Street Journal | China budgets 7.2% rise in military spending

Another hefty increase builds on more than 20 years of defense upgrades

Washington Examiner | Territory won’t determine the winner of the Ukraine war

It is tempting to rely on movement along the battle lines as an indicator of relative success. Yet, victory is unlikely to be decided by the ebb and flow of territory.

The American Conservative | NATO can have Ukraine or the USA – not both

A treaty commitment to Ukraine is a dangerous liability with no upside.

Responsible Statecraft | How to protect US interest in Iraq with no troops

A military withdrawal would allow for exploring more sustainable alternatives and foster broader engagement with Iraqi society

The American Conservative | Poor oversight of Ukraine aid is only the start of the problems

Even as we sympathize with Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, we must recognize the significant problems with an open-ended flow of American resources to Ukraine while we face increased dangers to troops in the Middle East and rising threats in the Pacific. But this most recent report raises concerns about how Ukraine funding is managed and used.

CVA on plan to build port in Gaza: Risks American lives, escalating conflict

By any definition, this would represent a major undertaking in a war zone. It will risk the lives of U.S. service members and, should harm befall them, an escalating conflict. But it will not resolve the underlying crisis. The United States should avoid being drawn into another conflict in the Middle East. After decades of open-ended missions in the region, it’s time to learn from past mistakes and focus military resources on the protection of vital American interests.”