Topping today's episode: Axios is reporting that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley says that the State Department is to blame for the chaos that came along with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The news outlet is citing sources referring to comments that Milley made during classified briefings that followed his public testimony this week. The news outlet is reporting that Milley bluntly criticized State Department officials for waiting too long to order the evacuation of civilians.
Topping today’s episode: Top U.S. Military officials testified before the Senate Armed Services on Tuesday – saying they advised President Joe Biden earlier this year against a full withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, commander of US Central Command, said he recommended keeping 2,500 troops in the country. The generals’ remarks seem to contradict President Joe Biden’s comments in August that “no one” that he “can recall” advised him to maintain a military presence in the country.
Topping today’s episode- South Korea’s military says North Korea fired at least one missile in the waters off Japan today. Japan’s defense ministry says it appeared to be a ballistic missile. The launch came just before North Korea’s ambassador to the UN Kim Song, speaking before the UN General Assembly, said no one can deny his country’s right to “self-defense” and to test weapons and urged the US to end its “hostile policy” towards Pyongyang.
Topping today's episode Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was welcomed back to China to hero-like fanfare this weekend after being released by Canadian officials.
Topping today’s Open-Source Report: The CIA has removed its station chief in Vienna - allegedly over an inadequate response to reported incidents of “Havana syndrome” at the US embassy there.
In today's episode: Biden tries to mend fences with Macron amid crisis over scuttled French deal worth $40B; UK's Johnson tells France to 'get over it' about the AUKUS pact and the State Department announces it's head of Havana Syndrome response is stepping down after 6 months.
Topping today’s headlines, the 76th UN General Assembly is underway in New York City. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed members with somber words, saying the world is “on the edge of an abyss.”
Leading today’s Open Source Collection, several media outlets are now reporting that a CIA officer who traveled to India with agency director William Burns earlier this month developed symptoms of what’s been called “Havana Syndrome” on the trip and had to seek medical attention.
U.S. to provide Australia with 8 nuclear submarines under new U.S.-Australia-UK security pact known as AUKUS; Japan's Defense Minister says Japan willing to fight China over disputed Senkaku Islands; French forces kill ISIS leader in Africa and Biden says Milley has his full support amid controversy over new Woodward book.
Blinken testifies before Congress to kick off oversight review of Afghanistan withdrawal; NSO Group zero day iPhone flaw revealed; Israeli PM visits Egypt; International donors raise over $1 billion for Afghanistan aid.
Biden and Xi speak for 90 minutes in a bid to avoid conflict; 20 years after 9-11; SEC probe worries corporate executives; MI5 Chief speaks out about terrorism risk; Zapad-2021 exercises kick off involving more than 200,000; Ukrainian President warns about war with Russia.
Flight departs Kabul airport with 200 foreigners on board, including Americans; Taliban say US must remove Haqqani family members from wanted list; China ramps up 'island capture' exercises in 2021; Philippine Defense Chief says time to reassess defense framework with US under rising China threat.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Taliban are cooperating to let Americans with valid travel docs leave Afghanistan, while some experts call into question that claim; The US reports four Americans were evacuated via an overland route out of Afghanistan; Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says the west should prepare for a bio-terror attack while Iran's new president says he is ready for nuclear talks, with conditions.
Today's top story: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged reports of civilian deaths in a recent air strike in Afghanistan and said the US also killed an ISIS ‘facilitator’. The US military says the car that was struck in a drone strike was carrying explosives. A new report from the Associated Press - citing local sources from the family of the US target - says the drone strike killed 10 members of their family, including children. The family members told AP that the car was not carrying explosives.
Today we lead with one of the craziest Afghanistan stories unfolding at the moment -- US Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) reportedly sparked a confrontation with US embassy staff in Tajikistan because he wanted assistance in passing thru Tajikistan with a large amount of money on his way to Afghanistan for a non-sanctioned mission to rescue US citizens.
Our top story today remains Afghanistan. President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Tuesday following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, which he called an “extraordinary success.” Despite criticism over the Taliban takeover and chaos of evacuations, Biden defended his decision to pull out troops to end the US military’s 20-year mission in Afghanistan and not prolong the “forever war” any longer. He also said that the US would continue to work to get Americans out of the country who still want to leave.