I’ve written several times in updates over the past six months that there’s a disconnect between the hyper-aggression of Hegseth and the genteel isolationism of the people chosen to staff the senior positions at the Pentagon, as well as the people chosen for those senior positions.

The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine- Politico

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM

While three of these folks are gone, including the person who ran the DOD transition, because of what appears to be a made up scandal orchestrated by an incompetent staffer and the SecDef’s personal attorney who the former directly commissioned as a Navy commander, those who have been confirmed for the senior positions or who are in acting senior positions come from the Koch funded portion of the natsec world and are genteel isolationists. What is surprising is that Hegseth came from that world too.

A vastly reduced U.S. presence in the Middle East has been quietly involved in the transition process at the Defense Department, according to four people familiar with the matter, underscoring a distinct ideological shift in the Pentagon as President Donald Trump builds his new administration.

Dan Caldwell, an Iraq War veteran and defense policy advisor with deep ties to the Koch network, has been working behind the scenes to help shape personnel decisions at the Defense Department, sources told Jewish Insider on Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to address a sensitive topic.

Recent hiring announcements for key positions have reflected Caldwell’s preference for a more restrained foreign policy approach that would have the U.S. scale back its long-standing focus on the Middle East and regional adversaries such as Iran, while expressing a largely skeptical attitude toward Israel, among other views espoused by a growing isolationist wing of the GOP.

In addition to DiMino, another ally of Caldwell’s, Elbridge Colby, has been tapped as undersecretary of defense for policy — even as his sanguine view of Iran and its nuclear ambitions, which he sees as a less urgent threat to American interests than China, has long been a source of contention in Republican foreign policy circles.

More at the link, though it’s all Israel focused.

Here’s what’s not being sent:

Trump behaving exactly like a Russian agent again. This decision aids fascist Russia and will result in more dead civilians in democratic Ukraine. The Trump administration and its supporters will have more Ukrainian blood on their hands.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 7:02 PM

There’s two related dynamics here. The first, as I’ve hammered over and over and over again for the past three years is that the US defense industrial base has not been put on a war footing. Meaning that everything that we send to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, or anyone else or that we’ve used in Yemen or Iran or parts of Africa is being replaced at a business as usual pace. Which means stocks have dwindled and replacements are not being produced fast enough. This combines with the second dynamic: the genteel isolationism of Colby. The Undersecretary of Defense has immense power within the building. The unwillingness and inability of the Biden administration to put the Defense Industrial Base on a war footing has given Colby the opening and the excuse to do what he’s doing.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

We Have Clear Evidence – Confirmed by Partners – That Sanctions Are Truly Painful for Russia – Address by the President

1 July 2025 – 21:05

Dear Ukrainians!

Today, the entire day was spent clearing the rubble after the strike on Huliaipole. Tragically, there are casualties – both military and civilian. Colonel Zakharevych, the commander of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, as well as other men from the brigade were killed. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. A full investigation into the circumstances of this strike is ongoing – I am awaiting a report. Everyone who was wounded – and this was a missile strike – is receiving the necessary assistance. More than 30 people were wounded. We will definitely retaliate against the Russians for this strike.

Many different meetings took place today – mainly preparatory meetings. We are getting ready for upcoming meetings in Europe, particularly in Denmark, as well as meetings with other partners of ours. One of the key topics will be weapons production – our joint investments, our joint projects. Today marks the beginning of a new Presidency of the Council of the EU – the Danish Presidency. It is important for us that this period – the next six months – be truly productive in terms of security issues, including for the defense industry, and in terms of sanctions – so that all pressure on Russia truly works, and does so in a way that brings this war to an end and genuinely limits Russia’s potential for aggression. We have clear evidence – confirmed by our partners – that sanctions are truly painful for Russia. And if pressure keeps growing, it will push Russia to think beyond the front and hatred of its neighbors.

Today, I spoke with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. I thanked him for supporting Ukraine, our independence and territorial integrity. I also expressed our full support and solidarity with Azerbaijan. Right now, Russia is fomenting a new campaign of hostility against its neighbors, and after the brutal killing of two people from the Azerbaijani community in Russia, it is even threatening the Azerbaijani state. All our partners must view this in the same way – not as a threat to one country, but as a threat to everyone – to all those neighboring Russia. By killing some and humiliating others, Russia is trying to intimidate and subjugate everyone. This must be stopped. There must be sufficient protection for the lives of every nation, and absolute respect for human dignity.

And a few more things.

Ukraine continues to fight for justice – for the just punishment of Russia for its crime of aggression against our state and our people. And for fair accountability for all those who have personally chosen Russia over a peaceful and normal life. Today, I signed the documents to submit our agreement with the Council of Europe on the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression for ratification. And we must clearly define the timeline – the specific deadlines – for when all procedural steps required to launch the Tribunal will be completed, and when the Tribunal will actually begin its work. I expect a report on this from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the legal team of the Presidential Office immediately after the agreement on the Tribunal is ratified.

We are also continuing our work on the Ukrainian sanctions track – new decisions of the National Security and Defense Council on sanctions will be made soon. The relevant materials are already being prepared.

Today, I also signed a decree to honor our warriors with state awards – such decrees are issued almost daily, and this time it’s a rather large one. It includes 414 defenders, the majority of whom – 354 warriors – are from the National Guard of Ukraine. Among them are Azov fighters, defenders of Mariupol, and men we brought back from Russian captivity. We continue working to secure the release of all our people – every warrior, every civilian, every adult and child still held in Russian captivity. I thank everyone who is helping us! I thank all our people!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Day 216 of #GeorgiaProtests

📷 MOSE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 3:06 PM

For the 216th consecutive day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked. ✅

Protests continue in 8+ cities in Georgia.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM

If we have any chance at all (and I believe in our victory) non-compliance and non-cooperation is the only way.

They cannot imprison us all, they just hope to intimidate us into inaction sooner than they crack.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 2:34 AM

JUST IN: the regime court sentences democratic leader Nika Gvaramia of Coalition for Change to 8 months in jail. He is already in a pre-trial detention.

It is noteworthy that he has more cases to be launched against him, prolonging his sentence. Just like in case of others.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 3:17 AM

Georgia’s Western partners should realize that we are currently in the process of building a civic nation, and that it might not always be a straightforward process within the resistance.

We are shedding centuries of enslavement. 1/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:59 AM

But we are all united in our requests from the West – most importantly, calls for new, free & fair elections & targeted sanctions which are already working.

And all their timely, targeted actions help us avoid whatever costs can be avoided in this fight, including the cost of human suffering. 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:59 AM

Terrorizing everyone with fines worth 4x national median monthly income over a single act of protest didn’t stop people, so the regime’s new “law” implies administrative imprisonment for a repeated “offense.”

Which basically means you’ll be jailed if you protest twice.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:25 AM

Georgians gather to express gratitude to Vano Nadiradze at his funeral. Vano fought in Ukraine for our common freedom for more than 10 years and succumbed to a heart attack.

The Russian regime refused to bury him with military honours.

📷 Lado Nafetvaridze

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 6:27 AM

👇🏻

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM

The US:

Of course Lukashenko lied. Who would have thought?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:32 PM

France:

Ukrainian media report Macron called Zelensky after speaking with Putin.

Their conversation was constructive, and Macron shared details of his talk with the Russian leader.

However, the Kremlin’s stance remains unchanged – Putin still shows no intention of ending the war.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM

Canada:

Today is Canada Day!

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage…

Back to Ukraine.

The russians executed a Ukrainian soldier by tying him to a motorcycle and dragging him along the road.

There’s a video of it circulating online, which I will not share.

There are hundreds of such cases. Happen over and over again because russians never face consequences for their actions

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:24 AM

“I told my fellows: I’ll believe I’m truly back in Ukraine… when I get a pack of cigarettes that says ‘Smoking kills’ in Ukrainian,” former POW Volodymyr Zhylenko, 44, told Hromadske.

Two weeks have passed since his release. He’s gained 5 kg (having lost over 30 in captivity).

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM

Now Volodymyr savors every single moment of freedom. He spent 808 days in russian captivity and now doctors fight to save his right hand.

The photos portray Volodymyr before and after russian captivity.

Be the voice of Ukrainian prisoners of war!
Be the voice of justice.

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:36 AM

Ukrainian drone strikes in Izhevsk: Russia’s arms heart, and Luhansk using rocket-drone “Peklo” demonstrates Kyiv’s growing technological abilities. The message to Putin is clear: Ukraine’s strike range and warhead size will only continue to expand as the war continues:

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:42 AM

2/ Air defense drones are emerging as a promising counter to Russia’s expanding Shahed (Geran) drone output – no longer just a concept, but an increasingly likely solution that could help offset Moscow’s production surge with scalable and relatively cheap response

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:42 AM

3/ Russia’s consistent failure to break Ukrainian front, despite a manpower edge, and mounting economic issues, admitted even by Putin, nullify their bravado shown during the latest Istanbul. Achieving Moscow’s stated goals would require far more resources than it’s deploying

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:42 AM

Interception of the Russian FPV by a drone with an installed net launcher t.me/wunderfpv/486

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 6:19 PM

According to Russian sources, no fewer than eight Russian regions were attacked last night, with at least several dozen drones used in the strikes.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:55 AM

Kharkiv:

Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ the city is under russian drone attack right now ‼️

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:05 PM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

HUR blew up railway tracks in the Zaporizhia region and stopped a Russian train.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:59 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

HUR attacks valuable Russian military equipment in Crimea.

The video shows strikes on a Pantsir-S1 air defense system, a 9S19 “Imbir” radar, a Niobium-SV radar, a Pechora-3 coastal radar, a Protivnik-GE radar, as well as a Russian military airbase in Saky.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 2:48 AM

Somewhere in southern Ukraine:

Aviation continues to operate in all directions. A MiG-29, using a GBU-39 bomb, destroyed an enemy UAV crew position in the south.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:09 PM

Izhevsk, Russia:

Izhevsk, russia. Morning buzz.

When you start a war, war comes to you.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM

Nizhny Novgorod, Russia:

🚨 Important Update: A Russian Su-34, not a Su-27, military jet has crashed in the Nizhny Novgorod region, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry. This marks up to six Russian Su-34 losses over the past week.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 9:16 AM

/2. One of the pilots of the Russian Su-34 that crashed this morning has died from his injuries.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 11:05 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

” I still can’t believe it. And I think she can’t either.”

#Ukrainian border guard Denys recently returned from Russian captivity. He was reunited with his dog Jilly, who was rescued from occupation. They hadn’t seen each other for more than three years.

📹: Radio Liberty

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— Anton Gerashchenko (@antongerashchenko.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM

Open thread!