The INSIDER daily digest -- April 14, 2025

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the strategic lift required to transport a Patriot missile battalion from one region to another, plus the Pentagon's Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control program and more.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's top officer told lawmakers recently that the recent relocation of Patriot capability to the U.S. Central Command theater required an eyepopping 73 C-17 cargo aircraft sorties -- a major draw on the Pentagon’s limited strategic lift capacity:

Patriot shift to CENTCOM raises questions about strategic lift, INDOPACOM priority, more

The Pentagon's decision to shift a Patriot missile battalion from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East has drawn fresh scrutiny over U.S. strategic priorities and highlighted the extraordinary burden such redeployments place on both the strategic airlift fleet and Army missile defense forces.

A new Government Accountability Office report recommends the Defense Department "(1) develop a framework for [Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control] that helps guide investments and measures progress; (2) devise a mechanism for sharing lessons learned; and (3) identify and address key challenges in achieving its CJADC2 goals":

DOD tells government watchdog of plans to streamline CJADC2

A process is underway to evaluate the extent to which military investments are aligned with and achieving the goals of Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), and the Pentagon told a government watchdog that data on streamlining the effort will emerge as the review evolves.

Document: GAO report on CJADC2

Before they left for recess last week, House Democrats decried the Trump administration's announced tariffs -- which currently sit at a minimum 10% rate on the bulk of U.S. imports -- arguing that they impose needless economic pain on U.S. allies and strain military alliances:

Lawmakers, industry brace for tariff impact

Following a chaotic fortnight for international trade, during which President Trump imposed and then partially rescinded wide-ranging tariffs on U.S. trading partners, lawmakers and defense executives alike are trying to make sense of and prepare for the likely effects of these tariffs on their businesses, constituents and international relationships.

A war over Taiwan would cause a 25% downturn in gross domestic product in Asia, which in turn would plunge domestic GDP by 10% to 12% and spike unemployment by seven to 10 points -- causing 500,000 "excess deaths of despair," which is a metric that measures deaths induced by economic decline:

Taiwan conflict would upend economy, hurt U.S. partnerships, INDOPACOM leader says

Adm. Sam Paparo, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, recently warned the Senate Armed Services Committee that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would strike an instant blow to the world economy and deal long-term damage to the web of allies and partners the U.S. has built over the years.

Senior Michigan state officials recently met with the Trump administration's cabinet to discuss several of the state's priorities, including the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base:

Trump pledges fighters for Selfridge ANG Base after meeting with Michigan governor

President Trump yesterday said he will work with Michigan's bipartisan leadership to keep Selfridge Air National Guard Base "open, strong, thriving" after its fleet of A-10 Warthogs begins to retire in 2026.