Topic: Ashton Carter

Former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter passed away at age 68 following a sudden heart attack on a Monday evening. The report notes a trend of sudden cardiac events, mentioning the recent death of Megyn Kelly's 58-year-old sister under similar circumstances.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced the creation of a DOD Speakers Bureau to send senior military leaders to schools and civic groups to promote the benefits of military service. Critics argue this is an expansion of the military's massive PR apparatus and that such speakers should be required to provide full disclosures when appearing on news programs.

Senator Lindsey Graham and General Dunford discussed the bombing of a UN humanitarian convoy in Syria, attributing the attack to Russia. The conversation highlights the tension between diplomatic efforts led by Secretary John Kerry and the lack of a clear "Plan B" for the Syrian conflict.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced the deployment of 560 additional troops to Iraq to assist in the effort to retake Mosul. State Department spokespeople denied that this constitutes "mission creep," arguing that the mission itself has not changed. The hosts mock the linguistic gymnastics used by officials to justify increasing military presence in the region.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that transgender individuals are now welcome to serve openly in the US military. Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, expressed frustration that he was not briefed beforehand and plans to hold hearings regarding the fiscal costs of the policy change.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch frames the Orlando shooting as an act of "hate and intolerance" rather than Islamic terrorism, emphasizing a message of "compassion and love." This contrasts with Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, who explicitly linked the attack to the military campaign against ISIS. The hosts argue the administration is intentionally steering the narrative away from terrorism to focus on gun control and LGBT issues.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter addresses ROTC members regarding the criteria for defeating ISIS in Raqqa and Mosul. Carter describes the extremist ideology as a "cancer" that requires constant military intervention even after territorial defeat. The hosts criticize Carter's suggestion that the military may need to address Americans who have "lost their way" and are inspired by ISIS domestically.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter's use of the term "cyber bombs" to describe digital attacks against ISIS is analyzed. This terminology supports a theory that encryption should be classified as "munitions," thereby granting it protection under the Second Amendment as a means for citizens to arm themselves with privacy.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter stated in an interview with Charlie Rose that the U.S. must return to a Cold War-style "playbook" to deter Russian aggression in Europe. Carter announced a quadrupling of the budget for European defense and the deployment of heavy equipment and "persistent rotational" forces to Eastern Europe. The strategy aims to counter "hybrid warfare" and the "little green men" phenomenon—unmarked Russian soldiers—seen during the conflict in Ukraine.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter testifies before Congress about the war against ISIS (ISIL). The hosts question the existence of the "65-nation coalition" frequently cited by the Obama administration, noting that John Kerry is still "begging" for basic assistance like police training and ammunition. They mock the idea of "enablers" who provide band-aids instead of kinetic military action.

Ashton Carter describes a "virtuous cycle" of intelligence gathering in Syria that will lead to more raids and momentum. The hosts analyze his use of the word "virtuous," suggesting it is a neuro-linguistic programming tactic to frame unilateral military action as moral. When asked if the U.S. is currently winning, Carter avoids a direct answer, stating only that "we will win."

The Defense Department awarded Northrop Grumman a contract for 100 next-generation stealth bombers at a cost of $80 billion. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter accused Russia of "nuclear saber-rattling" and China of growing too ambitious. The hosts criticize the massive military spending and the aggressive rhetoric coming from the Pentagon.

Three new knights—Sir Waldhaer, Sir Shakermaker, and Sir Woody—are ordained in a formal ceremony. The hosts discuss the "value-for-value" model, comparing it to the fundraising methods used by churches and museums. A new "No Agenda" jingle app is mentioned, which allows users to play sequences of show soundbites.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and General Martin Dempsey testified before Congress regarding the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS. They explained that a proposed three-year "sunset clause" is a political gesture for the next administration rather than a military timeline. Dempsey stated that hostilities will likely extend beyond three years, reinforcing the hosts' view of a "never-ending" war economy.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was questioned by Representative Jackie Walorski regarding whether the national debt or climate change poses a greater threat to national security. Carter attempted to deflect the question, stating that the Pentagon must deal with multiple strategic challenges simultaneously. The exchange highlights the political tension between the administration's focus on climate change and congressional concerns over fiscal stability.

New Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has begun restructuring the Department of Defense communications team, leading to the departure of Rear Admiral John Kirby as spokesman. Kirby expressed uncertainty during his final press briefings regarding his replacement and whether the role should continue to be filled by a uniformed officer. The transition suggests a shift toward civilian leadership in the Pentagon's public affairs office.

The Senate confirmation hearings for Ashton Carter to replace Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense are discussed. The hosts analyze Carter's strategy of using "moderate Syrian forces" and "regional forces" to defeat ISIS, predicting that the next step in the conflict will be the establishment of a UN-sanctioned no-fly zone over Syria.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced support for a "two-lane" internet, arguing that fast lanes are necessary for innovations like telemedicine. Meanwhile, Ashton Carter is proposed as the new Secretary of Defense, noted for his background in theoretical physics and directed energy weapons. Additionally, reports indicate that NASA has lost the original blueprints for the Saturn V rockets and lunar modules from the Apollo missions.

President Obama is set to nominate Ashton Carter to replace Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. While Carter is the primary candidate, Senator John McCain has expressed skepticism, and the Pentagon continues to deploy A-10 Warthog jets to the Middle East despite ongoing budget debates.