Good morning, and welcome to the Global Situation Report for Thursday, 26 September 2024.
- RUSSIA TO EXPAND NUCLEAR DOCTRINE TO INCLUDE AID: Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Russian Security Council to consider “aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, […] as a joint attack on the Russian Federation” during a meeting to upgrade Russia’s nuclear doctrine.
- Putin added that a mass aerial assault by missiles, aircraft, and drones could also trigger Russian nuclear weapon use.
- Russian security expert Igor Korotchenko claims this is Russia’s “forced response” after the West ignored numerous red lines and because the West does not believe deep strikes will trigger a Russian nuclear escalation.
Why It Matters: This update is formalizing the threats made throughout this last year and acts as another warning for the West to take Russia’s security concerns seriously. Doctrine is used to train the military how to respond to any given situation. Korotchenko is also directly tying the update to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s comments last week about Russia not enforcing its red lines “because [Putin] realizes that NATO is the strongest military alliance in the world.” – J.V.
- Global Rollup
- The Israeli Defense Force is preparing for a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignored an American-French peace proposal and ordered the IDF to continue “fighting with full force according to the plans,” according to his office staff.
- Taiwan’s Coast Guard Authority (TCG) is looking to recruit 6,000 additional volunteers to help counter China’s gray zone tactics after two small boats infiltrated Taiwan from China. (The TCG reported 14,346 personnel as of 2023 meaning they are looking to add 41.8% in volunteers that will be integrated into the TCG including on boats. – J.V.)
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered the Japanese Maritime Defense Force to sail a destroyer through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in its history yesterday. The Japanese lead a New Zealander replenishment ship and an Australian destroyer. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party will elect a new Prime Minister tomorrow. (Leading a multinational force through the Strait is uncommon for anyone and signals a strong commitment to the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” program that is likely to be used to justify a defense of Taiwan. This likely leaves Kishida’s successor with little choice but to continue this path. – J.V.)
- The U.S. State Department announced a $920 million Foreign Military Financing loan to Romania to enhance NATO’s defense through Romania’s military modernization and ammunition production.
THAT’S A WRAP: This does it for today’s edition. Thank you for reading. If you know folks who would also like to receive this email, would you please forward it to them? We appreciate you spreading the word. – M.S.