Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper briefs the media about the department's COVID-19 response, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 17, 2020. (DoD/Lisa Ferdinando)
Defense Secretary Mark Esper's presence would send a signal to allies and adversaries that operations will continue as usual.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper is expected to resign in the coming days, but an increasing number of defense establishment figures are asking him to stick around to ensure a peaceful transition should Joe Biden win the presidency.
Since Esper’s relationship with President Donald Trump soured this summer over his public opposition to using active-duty troops to quash civil unrest, the Defense secretary had been widely expected to depart shortly after Election Day no matter who won the presidency. The issue was revived on Thursday when NBC, citing defense officials, said Esper has prepared his letter of resignation.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 6, 2020
Armed Services committees and the election: Here’s what we know -- Defense News
As ballot count continues, National Guard still activated in 10 states for possible civil unrest -- Military Times
US Army Determined to Boost Lethality for Soldiers Engaging in Firefights -- National Defense
Will the Army change the size of the infantry squad? A new study is looking at it. -- Military Times
The Space Force Is Now in Charge of the Secret X-37B Space Plane -- Military.com
DARPA Awards Contracts for Autonomous ‘Sea Train’ -- National Defense
Navy flattening COVID-19 curve, increasing exercises globally -- Washington Examiner
US Forces Korea reports 10 new coronavirus cases among new arrivals -- Stars and Stripes
Ninth US service member killed by COVID-19 -- The Hill
For these airmen, launching ICBMs is a family business -- Air Force Times
Why the U.S. Can and Must Win the Race for Hypersonic Weapons -- Dan Gouré, RCD
How Scottish Independence Would Threaten Britain's Defence -- The Economist
This Is How China Plans To Cripple US Military Assets And Rupture Its ‘Super-Power’ Status -- EurAsian Times
Can the World Stop China’s Surge Into Biological Warfare? -- Jed Babbin, Washington Times
Type 075 amphibious assault ship spotted on doorstep of South China Sea, near Taiwan island: report -- Global Times
China’s Maritime Aggression Fuelling Asia’s Submarine Race -- Taiwan Times
Israel shifts naval doctrine with new Sa’ar 6 warships -- Defense News
