EBB: 5 US soldiers among 7 peacekeepers killed in Sinai helicopter crash
Military Times Early Bird Brief
Nov 13, 2020
Welcome to the Early Bird Brief, compiled by Diana Correll and Steve Weigand.
Today’s Top 5
1. 5 US soldiers among 7 peacekeepers killed in Sinai helicopter crash
(Military Times) A helicopter belonging to an international peacekeeping force has crashed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing five U.S. Army soldiers among seven dead, according to an Army official.
2. After firings and turnover, national security community wonders: what’s next?
(Defense News) The unprecedented removal of top Pentagon officials during a presidential transition has left the national security community reeling, wondering who will be the next to go and struggling to understand why it is happening at all.
3. Outgoing Syria envoy admits hiding US troop numbers
(Defense One) “We were always playing shell games,” says Amb. Jim Jeffrey, who also gives advice to President-elect Biden.
4. White House halts US residents and businesses from investing in companies with ties to Chinese military
(Washington Examiner) President Trump has signed an order barring people in the United States from investing in a batch of Chinese companies that the White House says hold ties to China’s military.
5. Biden team reaching out to former Mattis officials for help with transition
(Politico) President-elect Joe Biden’s team has had initial discussions with people who worked for former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis about helping with the transition at the Pentagon and possibly serving in the new administration, according to three people familiar with the move.
