Defense & Aerospace Report DEFAERO Daily Pod [Aug 06, 25] Mark Montgomery on INDOPACOM, CYBER & Budget Headlines
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Aug 6, 2025 Mark Montgomery, a retired US Navy rear admiral and senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses vital defense issues. He examines improving U.S.-Taiwan cooperation amid rising Chinese threats, the implications of the AUKUS deal, and the need for better cybersecurity strategies. Montgomery also addresses personnel cuts impacting U.S. cyber defenses and the Navy's budget challenges while outlining the complexities of U.S.-Japan alliance dynamics. His insights highlight the urgent need for innovative military strategies as geopolitical tensions escalate.
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China's Economic Warfare Strategy
- China is likely to use a cyber-enabled economic warfare strategy against Taiwan rather than a direct invasion.
- This involves disrupting finance, energy, and communications, backed by cyber and influence operations to break Taiwan's societal resilience.
LNG Critical to Taiwan's Energy Security
- Taiwan relies heavily on LNG for half of its power grid, with limited storage capacity of 7-10 days.
- U.S. Navy escorts for LNG shipments could deter China economically and strategically by raising the stakes of attacking supply lines.
Train With Taiwan and Japan
- The U.S. must conduct joint maritime exercises with Taiwan and Japan to improve interoperability and readiness.
- Avoid limiting exercises out of fear of provoking China; integrated training is essential to effective defense.