Cybele Mayes-Osterman

I’ve been tagged a bunch in this & this is exactly the type of thing we need to see the branches be better at. This is a meal served to U.S. Sailors deployed to the Middle East. Reports of rationing alongside it. Deployment is already hard. Life at sea is harder. The food on the tray is one of the few things leadership fully controls. @USNavy @SECNAV Sailors deserve better than this. What’s the plan?

If you or someone you know has been served a meal like this while deployed to the Middle East, send me a Signal. CybeleMO.10

Images of food being served to sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli, published by USA Today. Supplies "are going to get really low" and "morale is going to be at an all-time low," one sailor messaged his mother: usatoday.com/story/news/pol…

From my story out today for @USATODAY usatoday.com/story/news/pol…

Dinner on the USS Tripoli:

“Here's what US military says it struck across in 38 days of Iran war.” (via @CybeleMO) azcentral.com/story/news/pol…

To put this defense budget request in perspective, it would be the highest level of funding for defense in US history, surpassing even the peak funding during World War II. That peak was just under $1.2T in today's dollars.

New from me on how the military is using AI in Iran - usatoday.com/story/news/pol…

From the Pentagon Press Association, on the "new" DoD rules announced earlier today: The Pentagon’s announcement today is a clear violation of the letter and spirit of last week’s ruling by a U.S. federal court. The Pentagon Press Association is consulting with our legal counsel and will advise members once this process is complete. Press freedom is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and an informed public is vital to a democracy. Judge Paul Friedman specifically ruled that the department was to restore access “especially in light of the country’s recent incursion into Venezuela and its ongoing war with Iran.” Judge Friedman continued: “It is more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspectives about what its government is doing—so that the public can support government policies, if it wants to support them; protest, if it wants to protest; and decide based on full, complete, and open information who they are going to vote for in the next election. As Justice Brandeis correctly observed, ‘sunlight is the most powerful of all disinfectants.’” At such a critical time, we ask why the Pentagon is choosing to restrict vital press freedoms that help inform all Americans.

Breaking News: The Pentagon’s restrictions on news outlets violated the First Amendment, a federal judge ruled, in a victory for The New York Times. nyti.ms/4smNxY1

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America.

Went largely unnoticed but Hegseth on Iran said the U.S. would provide "no quarter, no mercy for our enemies" during his press conference today. "No quarter" is a violation of international humanitarian law. ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-i…

Hegseth gutted a Pentagon office charged with preventing civilian casualties last year. theatlantic.com/national-secur…

Oil Prices Are Barreling Toward All-Time Highs wsj.com/livecoverage/i…

تحديث من القيادة المركزية الأمريكية (سنتكوم) تامبا، فلوريدا - توفي جندي أمريكي الليلة الماضية متأثراً بجراحه التي أصيب بها خلال الهجمات الأولى التي شنها النظام الإيراني في أنحاء الشرق الأوسط. وكان الجندي قد أصيب بجروح خطيرة في موقع الهجوم الذي استهدف القوات الأمريكية في المملكة العربية السعودية في الأول من مارس/آذار. هذا هو الجندي السابع الذي يُقتل في العمليات القتالية خلال عملية "الغضب الملحمي". تستمر العمليات القتالية الرئيسية. سيتم حجب هوية المحارب لمدة 24 ساعة بعد إبلاغ ذويه.

Some of the fallout of the Iran war, by @USATODAY 's @CybeleMO Afghan allies, stranded at Qatar refugee camp, face 'hell' amid Iran war usatoday.com/story/news/wor…

Condoleezza Rice was just seen walking into the White House.

U.S. Department of State : Suspension of operations at U.S. Embassy Kuwait City

Kurdish language specialists with TSC/SCI clearance started going up last week across major defense contractors.

***Security Alert: Threat of Imminent Missile / UAV Attacks Over Dhahran*** **There is a threat of imminent missile and UAV attacks over Dhahran. Do not come to the U.S. Consulate.** Take cover immediately in your residence on the lowest available floor and away from windows. Do not go outside. The U.S. Consulate in Dhahran urges U.S. citizens in Dhahran to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case of additional future attacks. U.S. Consulate personnel are sheltering in place.   Actions to take:   •       If you hear a loud explosion, or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover. •       If in a home or building, go to the lowest level of the structure with the fewest exterior walls, windows, and openings; close any doors and sit near an interior wall, away from any windows or openings. •       If you are outdoors, immediately seek cover in a hardened structure; if that is not possible, lie down and cover your head with your hands. •       Be aware that even if the incoming missile or drone is intercepted, falling debris represents a significant risk. •       After the attack, stay away from any debris, and monitor major news outlets for official guidance.