The White House (via OMB) strongly protests Congressional efforts within the FY 2027 NDAA to prohibit the purchase of warships from foreign shipyards. The Administration argues that these restrictions undermine national security by limiting flexibility and hindering its strategy of leveraging allied yards, such as in the 'Finland model,' to drive investment into U.S. shipbuilding capacity. This signals a significant policy shift toward integrating international partners into advanced naval construction, suggesting the Pentagon is prepared to bypass traditional domestic build requirements for future combat vessels.
Will Iran Turn to Terrorism?
English Summary
Following the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the threat of Iranian instability has escalated significantly. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force has issued explicit warnings, suggesting that the region will no longer be safe for adversaries. This heightened rhetoric is coupled with reports of operatives acting at Iran’s behest being tied to various plots. Policymakers must treat the current environment as one of extreme alert, anticipating increased proxy-driven terrorism and instability across the region.
中文摘要
在最高領袖阿里·哈梅內伊被排除後,伊朗不穩定的威脅已顯著升級。伊斯蘭革命衛隊的庫德斯部隊已發出明確警告,暗示該地區對敵對勢力而言已不再安全。這種加劇的言論,結合了關於受伊朗指使的行動者參與各種陰謀的報告,要求政策制定者必須將當前環境視為極度警惕的狀態,預期該地區將面臨代理人驅動的恐怖主義和不穩定局勢的加劇。
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