Senior Defense Reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Washington, DC
Joined February 2017
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Mike Brest retweeted
EXCLU: The U.S. attacked Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, U.S. officials said, in the latest of a series of limited strikes Washington has secretly carried out against the country in recent weeks as President Trump touted the possibility of a diplomatic deal. W @alexbward @shelbyholliday wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-…
Former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has taken a new position at OpenAI, according to LinkedIn page, which says he's a "Senior Counselor" for "National Security Modernization at OpenAI."
Mike Brest retweeted
OpenAI announcement says Driscoll will “advise on how advanced AI can strengthen national and cyber security, with a particular focus on working with U.S. allies to advance its responsible use.”
openai.com/index/dan-driscol…
"The United States will mediate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi, advancing President Trump’s mission to end the war," Steve Witkoff said.
The United States will mediate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi, advancing President Trump’s mission to end the war. Discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.
Additionally, American negotiators will meet this week in Brussels with representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the EU, and NATO to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe’s post-war security architecture, and economic opportunities to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
We look forward to building on the progress made in Kyiv, Oslo, and St. Petersburg toward a comprehensive, durable peace agreement that delivers lasting security for generations to come.
Mike Brest retweeted
Russian forces lost 54,400 killed or seriously wounded in October 2026 in exchange for a net loss of 27 square kilometers of territory.
Russian forces faced their highest monthly losses of the war thus far to lose ground at an average pace of -0.88 square kilometers per day.
NEW: Russian forces lost ground on the battlefield in October 2026 for the second month in a row. Russian forces continue to sustain significant personnel losses while losing ground, and Russia’s current force generation system continues to recruit fewer soldiers than needed to replace these losses. These factors likely explain Putin’s turn to a new theory of victory that relies on using long-range ballistic missiles and jet-powered drone strikes to hammer Ukraine into surrender over the winter.
Full assessment below⬇️
Mike Brest retweeted
Security Alert: Threat to Tsaritysyno Museum Reserve in Moscow
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is aware of a credible threat of a mass casualty event TODAY October 31, at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve in Moscow at Dolskaya Ulitsa 1, Moscow, Russia 11569. The U.S. government is coordinating with appropriate Russian authorities on a response.
Actions to take:
Avoid the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve location TODAY, October 31, 2026. Avoid the area, stay alert, and avoid crowds.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Review your personal security plan.
Keep your cellphone charged in case of emergency.
Carry proper identification.
Monitor local media for any further information
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP ) to receive health and security updates.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia
+7 495 728-5577
[email protected]
U.S. Embassy Moscow web page
State Department – Consular Affairs (+001) 888-407-4747 or (+001) 202-501-4444
Russia Country Information
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
State Department – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
The State Department approved a possible military sale of Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles and related equipment to Ukraine for an estimated cost of $2.1 billion.
state.gov/releases/bureau-of…
Mike Brest retweeted
The WSJ lays out what keeping Gulf oil flowing actually involves:
-50,000 US troops, 20 Navy ships, two carriers across the region.
-$2–3 Billion USD/month or 67-100 Million USD/day above normal military spending
-Aircraft, warships and crews under mounting strain.
-Some US officials see the situation as untenable without more international help. Coalition efforts have failed.
wsj.com/politics/national-se…
Inbox: "The Department of War released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) appropriated top line budget for fiscal year 2026. The total was $30.9 billion and is aligned to the National Defense Strategy,"
Unnamed Pentagon statement.
New: An Air Force spokesperson confirmed to the @dcexaminer there were two “non-hostile” deaths this month in the Middle East.
One of the deaths “remains under investigation,” and the other was “a non-hostile death as a result of an illness.”
washingtonexaminer.com/polic…
Mike Brest retweeted
NEW: The public Pentagon database tracking Iran war casualties recorded the death of a US Air Force member on Wednesday afternoon, raising the total US military death toll since Feb. 28 to 22.
The DCAS update specified that the death occurred under “non-hostile” circumstances.
Sean Parnell indicates that Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff J5, was fired after "an extensive Air Force OSI investigation."
"This matter, along with others, have been referred to the Justice Department...," he said.
The Department of War has zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Anyone who compromises sensitive national security information puts the lives of our Warriors at risk and undermines every military operation that keeps our country safe.
Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information. To protect the integrity of the investigation, no further comment will be made regarding the individual or the circumstances of this action.
This matter, along with others, have been referred to the Justice Department for potential further legal action.
Classified information is not personal property. Leaking it for personal, political or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it.
Our commitment was not an empty promise. We vowed to find you, and we meant it.
Mike Brest retweeted
Speed. Scale. Lethality.
@washexaminer goes inside the @DeptofWar's $1 billion Drone Dominance Program with DIU Acting Director Travis Metz.
washingtonexaminer.com/polic…
I spoke with Acting @DIU_x Director Travis Metz to learn about how he's thinking about autonomous systems as it relates to a potential future conflict in Pacific against Beijing.
@dcexaminer
washingtonexaminer.com/polic…
Some takeaways:
- He thinks there will be 2-4 companies that will mass produce hundreds of thousands of the Group 1 drones
- Ukraine has produced 8 million (!) quadcopters this year (he doesn't think the US will need that many due to the geography of the Pacific vs Europe).
Ukraine's top diplomat in Washington says the military has confirmed Starlink and Starshield operational speeds have been restored.
Monitoring systems of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence have officially confirmed the restoration of Starlink/Starshield operational speeds, with connectivity remaining stable at speeds exceeding 400 kph.
We are grateful to everyone who helped restore the service and for your important contribution to saving Ukrainian lives.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence will continue monitoring performance, as reliable Starlink/Starshield connectivity plays a critical role in intercepting Russian drones and protecting Ukrainian lives.