On this Washington Roundtable episode of the Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast, sponsored by Bell, our guests are Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute, Jim Townsend, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Europe and NATO who is now with the Center for a New American Security and Michael Herson of American Defense International.

Topics:

— Roundup of US congressional news including update on defense markup, growing consensus on Pentagon budget plus-up, USICA-Competes, covid, BBB, primary outcomes and Jan. 6 commission revelations

— EU move to start accession process for Ukraine as leaders ease off pressing Kyiv for diplomatic solution that saves face for Vladimir Putin

— Putin’s countermove to cut European gas supplies to pressure governments to back off support for Ukraine and Russia sanctions

— Political impact of Russia’s gas cut off on Germany, Italy and other nations highly dependent on Russian energy

— Increasing military support for Ukraine as Kyiv fights for survival in Donbas

— Need for long-term support especially through next winter

— Look ahead to upcoming NATO summit and importance of Australian and Japanese participation in the gathering

— Readout on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s world-girdling trip starting in Asia and finishing in Brussels

— Takeaways from IISS’ annual Shangri-La Dialogue as both America and China deliver tough messages

— Biden administration’s drive to balance resolve against China’s increasing assertiveness without alienating partners that want to avoid choosing between Beijing and Washington