Morning Brief: Pentagon to Deploy Musk’s Grok AI Chatbot, US Accuses Russia of Escalation, Japan and South Korea Pledge Closer Cooperation

Hegseth Pushes Massive Defense Spending and Faster Weapons Production at F-35 Plant US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 factory in Fort Worth that the Trump administration will sharply increase defense spending and prioritize rapid delivery of advanced weapons to rebuild US military power. Speaking to workers at the plant, Hegseth said a planned defense budget increase to $1.5 trillion in 2027 will fund an expanded “arsenal of freedom,” with contracts awarded based on speed, performance, and results rather than company size or name. He warned defense contractors that underperformance could cost them future work and echoed a recent executive order restricting dividends and stock buybacks for lagging firms. LIVE: @SecWar Pete Hegseth speaks during the nationwide Arsenal of Freedom tour at a Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas. https://t.co/U1Oy4ONCrz — Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) January 12, 2026 The remarks came amid debate over the cost and readiness of the F-35 program, the most expensive weapons system in US history, even as Lockheed Martin reports record aircraft deliveries and continued demand from US allies.   Trump Weighs Military Action and Tariffs as Iran’s Protest Crackdown Intensifies US President Donald Trump is weighing whether to order US military action against Iran as the government’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests has killed more than 600 people and led to thousands of arrests. Trump, who has warned Tehran against using lethal force on demonstrators, said Iran is nearing or crossing that red line while also signaling openness to talks with Iranian officials. On Monday, he announced 25 percent tariffs on countries doing business with Iran, targeting Tehran’s economy as his administration develops options ranging from diplomacy to military strikes. .@PressSec Karoline Leavitt on Iran: “Air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the Commander in Chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president.” pic.twitter.com/UmqrhPD7JP — CSPAN (@cspan) January 12, 2026 The decision comes as protests driven by economic collapse and opposition to Iran’s clerical leadership continue amid internet blackouts, while US allies and Trump’s supporters debate whether Washington should escalate pressure or intervene more directly.   US Accuses Russia of Escalation After Nuclear-Capable Missile Launch Near NATO Border The United States on Monday accused Russia of dangerously escalating its war in Ukraine after Moscow launched a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile near the Polish border, prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce said the strike, part of a large overnight barrage of drones and missiles, intensified attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure and threatened to widen the conflict as the Trump administration pushes for peace talks. The US accuses Russia of sabotaging Trump’s peace plan Washington has condemned Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, calling them an insult to Donald Trump’s peace efforts. This was stated by US Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce during a UN Security Council meeting.… pic.twitter.com/3ozseYus01 — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 13, 2026 Ukraine requested the meeting following the assault, which came amid reported progress on security guarantees tied to a potential US-led peace deal and rising tensions between Washington and Moscow over sanctions and a seized oil tanker. Russia rejected the criticism, blaming Ukraine for stalled diplomacy and warning it would continue military action unless Kyiv accepts its terms, while Ukraine argued Russia is economically weaker than it appears and using missile strikes to project strength.   Former Navy Sailor Gets 16-Year Sentence for Selling Ship Secrets to China A federal judge in San Diego sentenced former US Navy sailor Jinchao Wei on Monday to more than 16 years in prison for selling sensitive military information to a Chinese intelligence officer. Wei, a 25-year-old engineer assigned to the USS Essex (LHD-2), was convicted of espionage and related crimes after providing technical manuals, ship locations, and weapons details over an 18-month period in exchange for more than $12,000. 🚨U.S. Navy Sailor Sentenced to More Than 16 Years for Spying for China🚨 Jinchao Wei, a former U.S. Navy sailor who was convicted of espionage by a federal jury in August 2025, was sentenced in federal court today to 200 months in prison. Press Release: https://t.co/ehqJndLYGh pic.twitter.com/o3AuOPWAtt — FBI San Diego (@FBISanDiego) January 13, 2026 Prosecutors said Wei was recruited through social media in 2022 and knowingly continued the relationship despite recognizing it as espionage.   US Strikes Abroad Boost Indo-Pacific Deterrence, Top Commander Says Recent US military operations in Venezuela and Iran strengthened American deterrence in Asia by demonstrating capability and resolve, the head of US Indo-Pacific Command said Monday. Speaking at the Honolulu Defense Forum, Admiral Samuel Paparo said the January operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and June missile strikes on Iranian nuclear sites showed effective joint-force integration and reinforced deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. “Distance, time, and space.” 🌊 ADM Samuel Paparo,Commander of @INDOPACOM, breaks down the future of Pacific defense at #HDF2026 From the “Higgins Boat” lesson to the rise of unmanned systems, see why decision superiority is the new high ground Watch now: https://t.co/KS4u6naEJq — Pacific Forum (@PacificForum) January 13, 2026 The comments came amid debate over whether US actions outside Asia distract from countering threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, especially as the Trump administration elevates the Americas in its national security strategy. Paparo said the operations did not divert forces or weaken US readiness in the Indo-Pacific, which he described as the military’s priority theater.   Japan and South Korea Pledge Closer Cooperation Amid Regional Uncertainty South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed Tuesday to deepen cooperation as both countries confront rising regional security and economic challenges. Meeting in Nara, Japan, the leaders emphasized the need for closer ties on trade, security, and coordination on China and North Korea, while reinforcing their alliance with the United States. Japanese and South Korean leaders meet this week — the third time in as many months — in order to cement improving relations as the shadow of Tokyo’s heated dispute with Beijing looms. 👉 https://t.co/EPjsnbeN8z pic.twitter.com/4RnxuUdwZM — The Japan Times (@japantimes) January 12, 2026 The summit comes as Japan faces growing tension with China over Taiwan and South Korea balances relations between Beijing and Tokyo. By setting aside historical disputes, the two leaders signaled a shared intent to strengthen trust and stability in Northeast Asia amid an increasingly uncertain global environment.   Sources: News Agencies