NO TIME FOR SANCTIONS: A week ago, when asked by a reporter if he was ready to “move to the second stage of sanctions” against Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump said, “Yeah, I am.”
On Friday, in an appearance on Fox and Friends, Trump was asked if his patience was running out. “Yes, it’s sort of running out and running out fast, but it does take two to tango,” he replied. “Zelensky wants to, and Putin is a question mark, but we’re going to have to come down very, very strong.”
It’s now a well-established pattern. Trump expresses frustration with Putin, insisting he’s disappointed and unhappy but never quite ready to pull the trigger on tougher sanctions. And he remains hesitant about blaming Putin for anything, dismissing Russia’s provocative drone incursion into NATO ally Poland, as maybe a mistake. “Could have been a mistake. But regardless, I’m not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation,” he said last week.
Then on Saturday, Trump revealed his strategy to avoid having to move forward with the crippling sanctions that have wide bipartisan support in Congress. “I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “If NATO does as I say, the WAR will end quickly,” he said. “If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States.”
NATO ANNOUNCES ‘EASTERN SENTRY’ BOOST FOLLOWING RUSSIAN DRONE INCURSION INTO POLAND
A PRESCRIPTION FOR U.S. INACTION: NATO has 32 members. The alliance operates on consensus, which means it can act collectively only when all nations agree. There are two leaders in NATO, Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Slovakia’s Robert Fico, who are cozy with Putin and are not going to stop buying energy from Russia, which makes Trump’s demand for “all” NATO nations to stop buying oil a nonstarter, and allows him to place the blame on European allies for not stepping up.
“Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don’t want them to buy oil. And the sanctions they’re putting on are not tough enough,” Trump said last night, talking to reporters in New Jersey. “They’re not doing the job. NATO has to get together. Europe has to get together and do. Look, Europe is — they’re my friends, but they’re buying oil from Russia, so we can’t be expected to be the only ones that are, you know, full bore.”
“And I’m willing to do sanctions, but they’re going to have to toughen up their sanctions commensurate with what I’m doing.”
JOHNSON ‘ANXIOUS’ TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA PENDING TRUMP APPROVAL
ZELENSKY: WE HAVE THE WEAPONS, WE NEED MONEY: In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria conducted in Kyiv last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated he’s given up begging the U.S. and European allies for long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia.
“As of now, we have our own long-range capabilities. We just lack financing,” Zelensky said, as Ukraine has continued to carry out devastating attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure, sparking regional gasoline shortages felt by average Russians.
But with Russia launching up to 800 Shahed drones a day at Ukraine, Ukraine needs to dramatically ramp up production of its home-grown interceptor drones. “What we need from the partners to counter Shaheds, we need financing from our partners. These are not global decisions. These are fast decisions that must be done today.”
“For 800 Shaheds per day at Ukrainian territory, we need at least 1,500 interceptors,” Zelensky said. “The price of one interceptor is 3,000 euros. That is the answer to how to stop the Shaheds. And so that Russia does not want tomorrow to send 800 Shaheds. We must send 1,000 drones to their territory to retaliate.”
UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE ONE OF RUSSIA’S TOP OIL REFINERIES, SPARKING FIRE
Good Monday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.
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HAPPENING TODAY: THE HUNT IS ON: War Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon is “tracking very closely” and “will address, immediately,” any service member or civilian worker who mocks or celebrates the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice explicitly bars military officers from using “contemptuous words” against the president, the vice president, Congress, the secretary of defense, and various other government and elected officials. The law, which carries the penalty of court-martial, technically applies to commissioned officers, not enlisted troops.
In a post on X over the weekend, Matt Lohmeier, undersecretary of the Air Force, said he had been notified of a Senior Master Sgt. Adam Antonioli, who allegedly posted that people mourning Charlie Kirk are “pathetic” and changed his cover photo to a picture of President Trump with the caption, “I can’t respect people who respect him.”
“I’ve now visited the member’s FB page and see his public criticism of the Commander in Chief, the picture he’s posted of his upside down [sic] US flag hanging outside his house, and much else. Will verify immediately and take swift action,” Lohmeier posted. “There will be swift accountability,” he said in a follow-up post. “I’ve asked our senior military leaders to read the member his rights, and place him and his entire chain of command under investigation. Zero tolerance for this.”
“Thank you Matt,” posted Hegseth, “exactly the swift action that must be taken.”
MARINE FIRED: A Marine has been fired over a social media post calling Charlie Kirk a “racist man” who was “popped,” according to a report in USA Today, which quoted a Marine spokesman Lt. Col. Joshua Benson, as confirming that “the Marine in question has been relieved of his recruiting duties, and the matter is currently under investigation.”
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) expressed concern in a post on X that “hunting” for military members who express disdain for Kirk may be going too far. “Pete Hegseth hunting down and prosecuting service members for their individual political beliefs is dangerous and un-American,” Crow posted on X. “We must condemn political violence AND allow peaceful speech that doesn’t impact the chain of command.”
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell immediately clapped back on X, “We WILL NOT tolerate those who celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American at the Department of War. It’s a violation of the oath, it’s conduct unbecoming, it’s a betrayal of the Americans they’ve sworn to protect & dangerously incompatible with military service.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Johnson ‘anxious’ to impose additional sanctions on Russia pending Trump approval
Washington Examiner: NATO announces ‘Eastern Sentry’ boost following Russian drone incursion into Poland
Washington Examiner: Trump and Rubio aim to smooth things over with Qatar after Israeli strike
Washington Examiner: Executions for consuming banned foreign media rise in North Korea, UN finds
Washington Examiner: Taiwan sees its future ‘closely linked’ to the ‘destiny of Ukraine,’ foreign minister says
Washington Examiner: Why China wants to build a nature reserve in the South China Sea
Washington Examiner: Hegseth tells staff to identify anyone at Pentagon who has mocked or condoned Charlie Kirk’s death
Washington Examiner: House Intelligence Committee announces review of 9/11 commission report recommendations
Washington Examiner: Trump Secret Service expanded after Kirk assassination
Washington Examiner: Johnson reviewing ‘all the options’ to increase member security after Kirk assassination
Washington Examiner: Trump urges Bowser to continue to allow DC police to cooperate with ICE officers
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Trump deserves credit for NATO spending boosts and blame for European arms buys
Wall Street Journal: These Charts Show How Putin Is Defying Trump by Escalating Airstrikes on Ukraine
AP: Ukrainian drones strike one of Russia’s top oil refineries, sparking fire
AP: Rep. McCaul will retire, but GOP hawk worries about World War III after Russian escalation
Washington Post: As ties with U.S. fray, Indian sentiment turns sharply against America
AP: Qatar hosting summit over the Israeli attack on Hamas in Doha, seeking to restrain such assaults
The War Zone: F-35s Arrive in Puerto Rico for Counter-Drug Operation
CNBC: Striking Defense Workers Reject Boeing Contract Offer
AP: King Charles III to deploy tiara diplomacy as UK prepares to welcome Trump for second state visit
AP: Her age — and maybe her name — are mysteries, but this girl could be North Korea’s next leader
The Atlantic: Opinion: The Beginning of the End of NATO
SpaceNews: Golden Dome’s Cost Anywhere from Billions to Trillions Depending on Design
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Reworks Plan for Special Ops Wing at Davis-Monthan
Breaking Defense: F-35 Lot 18 ‘Price Increase’ Due to Inflation, Rising Raw Material Cost Pentagon
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Shows Off Second B-21 in New Images
Breaking Defense: After Budget Limbo, Northrop Grumman Is Rapidly Fielding F-16 EW Suite to Middle East
National Defense Magazine: Doubts, Confusion Surround Air Force Next-Gen Tanker Plans
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Watchdog Blames PCS Contractor Debacle in Part on Lack of Military Oversight
THE CALENDAR:
MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 15
11:30 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Understanding Russia Calculus on Opportunistic Aggression in Europe,” with former Supreme Allied Commander Europe retired Gen. Philip Breedlove; retired Adm. James Foggo, former commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa; Andrea Kendall Taylor, director, CNAS Transatlantic Security Program; and Jim Townsend, adjunct senior fellow at the CNAS Transatlantic Security Program https://www.cnas.org/events/brussels-sprouts-live-understanding-russias-calculus
12:30 p.m. — Council on Foreign Relations virtual discussion: “Recent changes to the National Security Council and the foreign policy challenges facing the U.S.,” with former national security advisers Stephen Hadley; Susan Rice; Thomas Donilon; and CFR president Michael Froman https://www.cfr.org/event/conversation-former-national-security-advisors
4 p.m. 3600 N St. NW — Georgetown University Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, and the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy discussion: “After the Israel-Iran War: Iran Grand Strategy,” with Vali Nasr, professor of international affairs and Middle East studies, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies https://events.georgetown.edu/sfs/event/32710-after-the-israel-iran-war
TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 16
9 a.m. 216 Hart — Senate Judiciary Committee hearing: “Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” with testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel http://judiciary.senate.gov
9 a.m. — Brookings Institution Center for Asia Policy Studies virtual discussion: “China Influence in the Pacific Islands: Overstatement or Underestimation,” with Kathryn Paik, deputy director, senior fellow and Australia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Patricia Kim, fellow at the Brookings Foreign Policy Program, the Brookings Center for Asia Policy Studies and the Brookings China Center; Joanne Wallis, nonresident senior fellow in the Brookings Foreign Policy Program and Brookings Center for Asia Policy Studies; and Mireya Solis, director, Brookings Center for Asia Policy Studies, senior fellow at the Brookings Foreign Policy Program, Brookings Center for Asia Policy Studies and Brookings chair in Japan studies https://www.brookings.edu/events/chinas-influence-in-the-pacific-islands
10 a.m. 14th and F Sts. NW — National Press Club Newsmaker Program on “Congressional efforts to take control of D.C., deployment of National Guard members and how these recent events connect to the fight for D.C. statehood,” with D.C. Shadow Senator Ankit Jain; and D.C. City Councilmember Christina Henderson https://www.press.org/events/npc-headliners
11 a.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace virtual discussion: “A U.N. Without the U.S.,” with former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Allison Lombardo, nonresident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Colum Lynch, Devex senior global reporter; Stewart Patrick, director, CEIP Global Order and Institutions Program; and Minh-Thu Pham, nonresident scholar at the CEIP Global Order and Institutions Program https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2025
12 p.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Efforts to secure the release of multiple hostages and detained Americans overseas,” with State Department Special Envoy for U.S. Hostage Response Adam Boehler https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-fireside-chat
1 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “Hybrid Warfare and CCP Infiltration: A Shared Challenge for US-Taiwan Security Cooperation,” with Sang Pu, founder and president of the Taiwan Hong Kong Association; K.J. Hsu, Taipei district court judge; and Miles Yu, director, Hudson Institute China Center https://www.hudson.org/events/hybrid-warfare-ccp
2 p.m. HVC-210 U.S. Capitol — House Oversight and Government Reform Government Operations Subcommittee hearing: “A One Year Update on DoD Struggling Background Check System” http://oversight.house.gov
7:15 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “The future of a dedicated Cyber Force,” with retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, senior fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Erica Lonergan, assistant professor of international and public affairs, Columbia University; and Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post national security reporter https://www.csis.org/events/launch-commission-us-cyber-force-generation
WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 17
10 a.m. 2141 Rayburn — House Judiciary Committee hearing: “Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” http://judiciary.house.gov
12 p.m. — Economic Club of Washington, D.C. discussion with Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman Contact: [email protected]
2 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “U.S.-India Relations and the Defense COMPACT,” with Vikram Singh, senior adviser for defense and aerospace at the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; Anthony Renzulli, associate partner at the Albright Stonebridge Group; Sameer Lalwani, nonresident senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments; and Ingrid Henick, vice president of the Cohen Group https://www.hudson.org/events/motwani-jadeja-us-india-dialogue
THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 25
9:30 a.m. 123 West 43rd St., New York, New York — Atlantic Festival Ideas Sessions with former Vice President Mike Pence; retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, former national security adviser; Jennifer Doudna, founder, Innovative Genomics Institute and Nobel Laureate in Chemistry; Mark Cuban, business mogul and entrepreneur; and Kamau Bell, writer, director, and comedian; Ayad Akhtar, playwright “McNeal”; Robert Downey Jr., actor, writer, and producer; David Letterman, talk show host, comedian, and producer; and Richard Ayoade, comedian and actor; Ken Burns, director and producer; and Tom Hanks, actor, writer, producer, and director https://www.theatlantic.com/theatlanticfestival/
11 a.m. — Arms Control Association annual meeting, hosted at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, with former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif; former Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification Mallory Stewart; Senior International/Defense Researcher at RAND Kingston Reif; and Fifth General Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation Bridget Moix https://www.armscontrol.org/2025AnnualMeeting
12 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Sigur Center for Asian Studies discussion: “Taiwan Great Recall Revisited: Domestic and Foreign Policy Implications,” with Wei-Ting Yen, assistant research fellow at the Institute of Political Science at Academia Sinca; You-Hao Lai, researcher, practicing lawyer and think tank fellow specializing in digital rights and democratic governance; Raymond Kuo, director of RAND Taiwan Policy Initiative and RAND senior political scientist; and Richard Haddock, assistant director of GWU Sigur Center for Asian Studies https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/taiwan-roundtable-taiwans
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 19
9 a.m. 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Maryland — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and Intelligence and National Security Alliance the 2025 Intelligence and National Security Summit, with Lt. Gen. Jerry Carter, deputy commandant for information at the Marine Corps; Steven Parode, deputy director of naval intelligence at the Navy; and Maj. Gen. Brian Sidari, deputy chief of space operations for intelligence at the Space Force, Pamela Byron, deputy assistant director, FBI Counterterrorism Division; and Kelton Jago, deputy director, National Counterterrorism Center; Kenneth McNeill, CIO of the National Guard Bureau; Taushiana Bright, section chief of the FBI Cyber Division; and Jermaine Roebuck, associate director for threat hunting at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency https://intelsummit.org/
9:30 a.m. 251 Fulton St., New York, New York — Atlantic Festival Ideas Session with Tekedra Mawakana, CEO of Waymo; and Arvind Krishna, chair and CEO of IBM, Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings and editor at large for Oprah Daily; and Julianne Moore, actress and author; Monica Lewinsky, activist and podcast host of “Reclaiming With Monica Lewinsky” https://www.theatlantic.com/theatlanticfestival/
10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “Nuclear Priorities for Trump 2.0,” with Matthew Kroenig, senior director, Atlantic Council Center for Strategy and Security https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/nuclear-priorities-for-trump-2-0
