Good morning. Here’s your Daily Situational Awareness for Friday, 28 October 2022.
TODAY’S BRIEFING:
- Inside the Beltway
- News & Schedules
- Geopolitics Brief
INSIDE THE BELTWAY
WHITE HOUSE: President Biden will deliver remarks at the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s third annual Independence Dinner.
CONGRESS: Nothing significant to report (NSTR)
DEFENSE: NSTR
STATE: NSTR
GEOPOLITICS BRIEF
PUTIN: MOST DANGEROUS DECADE SINCE WORLD WAR II AHEAD: In a speech before the Valdai Discussion Club think tank, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the world currently was facing the most dangerous decade since World War II. Citing the ongoing war in Ukraine as evidence, Putin blamed the “dangerous, bloody and dirty” geopolitical games of the racist west in its conquest for “power over the world.” Despite the dangers, Putin claimed that the coming decade was also the most important since World War II as it would also see the end of the West’s “undivided dominance over world affairs.”
U.S. EXPEDITIES DELIVERY OF UPGRADED NUKES TO EUROPE: U.S. forces have moved up the delivery date for B61-12 air-dropped nuclear bombs, upgraded with enhanced accuracy, to bases in Europe. Originally slated for European delivery next spring, reports indicate the bombs will now be delivered in December amid growing tensions in Europe. Experts say the move is likely meant to reassure NATO allies. However, some analysts note the deliveries may also be seen as an escalation, further increasing tensions with Russia.
CHINA TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH SAUDI ARABIA: Speaking at a joint committee meeting between China and the Saudi Government, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced China’s intention to strengthen and develop its ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Citing Saudi’s adherence to the One-China principles and long-term support of Chinese interests, Wang said Saudi Arabia had been given a Priority position in China’s overall diplomacy. Wang said China was ready to step up communication and cooperation with Saudi forces to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
RUSSIA SAYS COMMERCIAL SATELLITES SUPPORTING UKRAINE LEGITIMATE TARGETS: Speaking to the United Nations, Konstantin Vorontsov, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s department for non-proliferation and arms control, warned that “Quasi-civilian infrastructure” in space may be a “legitimate target for a retaliatory strike.” Saying the United States uses space assets to enforce western dominance, Vorontsov called spaceborne civilian assets supporting Ukraine a “provocative and “extremely dangerous trend.” White House officials responded to the thinly veiled Russian threat saying any attack on U.S. infrastructure would be met with a response.
In today’s Early Warning, the team looks at domestic fuel shortages and the potential for strikes across the transportation industry. Get access to the full brief here: https://forwardobserver.com/subscribe