Today's D Brief: Biden ends support for Yemen war, orders global posture review; DoD COVID update; Confronting China’s civ-mil fusion; And a bit more.
By Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
February 5, 2021
The D Brief
The U.S. is ending its offensive support to the Saudi-led war in Yemen, President Joe Biden announced Thursday from the State Department in his first major remarks on foreign policy since taking office in January. He also ordered Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to conduct a review of America’s global military posture and vowed to rebuild alliances and partnerships frayed by his predecessor.
On Yemen: “This war has to end,†Biden said Thursday, hinting at his intended path toward reaching that goal. “I’ve asked my Middle East team to ensure our support for the United Nations-led initiative to impose a ceasefire, open humanitarian channels, and restore long-dormant peace talks.â€
Biden also appointed a new U.S. envoy to Yemen, former deputy assistant secretary for Arabian Gulf Affairs Tim Lenderking, in the hopes of ending that chaotic country’s six-year civil war.
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2021/02/the-d-brief-february-05-2021/171878/
