Today's D Brief: Supply-chain review; Sailor dies of COVID; Busy natsec day on the Hill; Microwavin

[rangerrebew]

 Today's D Brief: Supply-chain review; Sailor dies of COVID; Busy natsec day on the Hill; Microwaving drone swarms; And a bit more.
Ben Watson
By Ben Watson
February 24, 2021 10:34 AM ET

    The D Brief

President Biden is ordering “an immediate 100-day review” of U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities for rare earths, semiconductors and large-capacity batteries, the White House previewed this morning ahead of an executive order. He’s also ordering “a more in-depth one-year review” of the defense industrial base, along with five other sectors.

Why this matters: “From rare earths in our electric motors and generators to the carbon fiber used for airplanes—the United States needs to ensure we are not dependent upon foreign sources or single points of failure in times of national emergency,” the White House said. “For example, while the U.S. is a net exporter of electric vehicles, we are not a leader in the supply chain associated with electric battery production.”

Here’s an argument that the U.S. has been taking the wrong approach to securing rare earths, and a look at one potentially better way.

https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2021/02/the-d-brief-february-24-2021/172258/

[PeteS in CA]

Like these dependencies are total unknowns?! This is 100 days' postponement of action and 100 days for foes of action to prepare to fight taking action.