With help from Alex Ward, Miles J. Herszenhorn, Erin Banco and James Bikales

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While isolationism dominated the foreign policy conversation at the Republican National Convention, the Biden administration and allies conducted counterprogramming.

At the Aspen Security Forum this week, top administration officials repeatedly made the case that the United States needs to become closer to global partners rather than pull back from the international stage.

If the U.S. does shift to isolationism, “that opens a door for XI JINPING and others that want to do unprovoked aggression,” Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. CQ BROWN said during an Aspen panel today. “We have credibility that's at stake. It's not just the United States, but NATO, the West, if we just back away.”

DONALD TRUMP has been preaching his view at the RNC that if he wins election in November, he’ll overhaul U.S. foreign policy. Brown argued that the fight against Russia has strengthened partnerships around the world and “it's very important that we all stay together.”

National security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN argued at Aspen today that the Biden administration has built “architecture” to make sure U.S. support for Ukraine endures: “That reservoir of support for Ukraine is going to endure no matter what happens in our politics.”

Sen. CHRIS COONS (D-Del.), one of President JOE BIDEN’s closest allies in Congress, said there’s a lot of attention paid to a small group of GOP lawmakers who have been outspoken against the Biden administration’s Ukraine policy. But he argued that doesn’t mean most Republicans think the U.S. should pull support.

“What I wish we would say with one strong and clear voice, is there is a consistent, sustained commitment to Ukraine, regardless of the path forward,” Coons said on an Aspen panel.

Unfortunately for the White House, the RNC has largely overshadowed Aspen. And Trump’s choice of Sen. JD VANCE (R-Ohio) for VP only boosted media coverage of the possibility of American isolationism and concerns abroad of a seismic shift in Washington come November.

Trump made his intentions crystal clear Thursday night: “We’re going to build an Iron Dome over our country, and we’re going to be sure that nothing can come and harm our people,” he said during his nomination speech. “No more sending it out to other countries in order to help. It’s America First, America First.”

There are plenty of Republicans in Congress for whom that isolationist Trump-Vance position won’t sit well, including powerful ones who believe the U.S. needs to continue supporting Ukraine and don’t want Washington to pull back from NATO.

But Trump loyalists are hopeful that his views could become enshrined in the party. Sen. STEVE DAINES (R-Mont.) said the Republican nominee needs an “America First Senate majority” to help implement his goals if elected again.

Coons delivered an opposite message today: “Folks realize the Senate is a center of stability, in particular on national security and foreign policy,” he said.

For the STEPHEN KING lovers out there, this split-screen reminds us of the “The Stand” and how the Biden administration probably views this week: One group of people works to ensure a safe world while hunkering down in Colorado, while another foments instability in Las Vegas (though Milwaukee isn’t quite as rowdy as Vegas).

The Inbox

RUSSIA CONVICTS EVAN: A Russian court sentenced Wall Street Journal reporter EVAN GERSHKOVICH to 16 years in prison on dubious espionage charges following a hurried, secret trial, our own EVA HARTOG reports.

Wall Street Journal Editor in Chief EMMA TUCKER and Publisher ALMAR LATOUR called the verdict a “disgraceful, sham conviction” and added: “Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until he’s released.”

Biden affirmed Gershkovich’s innocence in a statement today: “We will continue to stand strong for press freedom in Russia and worldwide, and stand against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists,” he said. American and Russian negotiators are discussing a potential prisoner swap for the journalist.

HUMAN ERROR IN ISRAEL: Israel’s military said human error caused its air defenses to fail to engage with the Yemen-based Houthi rebels strike on Tel Aviv Thursday night, The Associated Press’ MELANIE LIDMAN and SAM METZ report.

No action was taken against the long-range drone, and warning sirens didn’t sound. At least one person was killed and 10 others wounded in the strike, which landed near the U.S. embassy and used an Iranian-made drone. It’s the first lethal strike in Israel by the Houthis, who claimed responsibility and said it was retaliation for the Israel-Hamas war.

JAKE’S BIBI EXPECTATIONS: Natsec adviser Sullivan said it’s unlikely the White House will see an advance copy of Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU’s speech before Congress next week — but expects it to go well anyways, our own MILES J. HERSZENHORN reports.

Netanyahu’s office said “he’s intending to reinforce a set of themes and arguments that are not at odds or in contradiction to our policy,” Sullivan said at Aspen, adding that he received a “broad preview” of the speech while meeting with Israeli officials in Washington last week.

“They’re gonna keep working that speech till the very last minute, just like we do on our side,” Sullivan said.

Also at Aspen today, Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN said the administration was at the “10-yard line” on getting a cease-fire deal in Gaza: “There remain some issues that need to be resolved and negotiated,” he said. “The last 10 yards are often the hardest. I don’t want to be in any way naive about it.”

But, Blinken said, the U.S. is confident it can help get a deal done in the near future. His remarks come after our own ERIN BANCO reported Thursday evening that the Israelis had pulled out of talks this week. That’s after Israel had told Washington it intended to participate in negotiations in the region.

Read: ‘Nothing prepared us for what we saw’: two weeks Inside a Gaza hospital by MARK PERLMUTTER and FEROZE SIDHWA

END OF AN ERA: Today is a sad one for NatSec Daily: It’s ALEX WARD’s last day at POLITICO. We’re not crying, you are.

This newsletter was Alex’s brainchild three years ago, and because of his unparalleled reporting, unmatched wit and unbelievably good looks (he told us to write that), the NatSec Daily community was born — and an incredible amount of scoopage followed. Alex has been an incredible mentor and friend to Matt, Eric and so many others in this newsroom. We will dearly miss his Borat impressions and singing along to the Lonely Island together in the office.

Alex is heading to The Wall Street Journal and we look forward to going toe-to-toe with him on natsec coverage. Cheers to a new chapter!

DRINKS WITH NATSEC DAILY: We normally reserve this section to feature how a prominent member of Washington’s natsec community likes to unwind. But we posed a challenge to you all on Thursday and you did not disappoint, so we’re changing it up this week.

Sen. Coons told our own NAHAL TOOSI that there should be a German word for the wave of challenges suddenly facing Biden. A few superb submissions from readers — we’ll keep it on a first-name basis to protect the witty:

From Phil: Gotterdammerung — In Merriam-Webster, this means “a collapse (as of a society or regime) marked by catastrophic violence and disorder.” Its literal translation, however, is “twilight of the gods.” This one wins.

From Dan: Shitstorm — We know, this one is not German. But it’s so popular in Berlin that the most-respected dictionary in the German-speaking world added it to its pages. As Dan writes, “Germans use it far more regularly than any native English language speaker ever would.”

From Ross: OYVID — This one combines the Yiddish phrase “oy vey” and Covid, which Biden recently came down with. Extra points for creativity.

From Alex: Schadenfuckery — Per Urban Dictionary: “The joy at seeing someone get screwed by their choices, tempered by the realization that you are just as screwed.”

Thanks for the submissions, and don’t be shy. Keep sending 'em!

IT’S FRIDAY. WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at [email protected] and [email protected], and follow us on X at @mattberg33 and @ebazaileimil.

While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s national security team: @nahaltoosi, @PhelimKine, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco, @reporterjoe, @JGedeon1 and @mherszenhorn.

ELECTION 2024

TRUMP’S UKRAINE PLAUDITS: Joint Chiefs Chair Brown isn’t opposed to Trump’s pledge to end Russia’s war in Ukraine in 24 hours, Eric reports.

Speaking at Aspen, Brown told Fox News anchor JENNIFER GRIFFIN “if he can get it done in 24 hours, that’d be great.” He added: “it stops the conflict … and then we get back to more global security.”

But Brown warned that if the U.S. and Europe were to suddenly stop support for Ukraine, in line with comments from Trump and Vance, “Putin would win.” That, he added, would also set a negative precedent on the international stage and impugn U.S. credibility.

Keystrokes

TECH OUTAGE FALLOUT: The White House is scrambling to assess the impact of the global IT outage today, which grounded planes, disrupted health systems and messed with IT networks at federal agencies, our own JOHN SAKELLARIADIS, MAGGIE MILLER and JOSEPH GEDEON report.

At Aspen today, top White House cyber official ANNE NEUBERGER said she had spent the morning assessing the impact of the outages on all U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, which included a 4 a.m. wakeup call from the White House Situation Room. Neuberger convened interagency calls to understand the impact of errant software updates and reached out to foreign partners to offer assistance.

GEORGE KURTZ, the CEO of cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike, said in a post on X that the outage was not due to “security incident or cyberattack,” something Neuberger confirmed.

Also at Aspen, Joint Chiefs Chair Brown said there appears to be “no impact on DOD operations” from the outage, but it underscores the need to “protect ourselves and be best postured.”

The Complex

RUSHING TO STOP RUSSIA: The U.S. is working to stop Russia from providing the Houthi rebels with antiship missiles, The Wall Street Journal’s MICHAEL GORDON and LARA SELIGMAN report.

Military officials worry that Moscow may move to boost the Houthis’ firepower in retaliation for Washington allowing Ukraine to use American-made munitions to fire at targets within Russian territory. And Gen. ERIK KURILLA, the head of U.S. Central Command, has warned Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN that the U.S. has failed to deter Houthi attacks against ships in the Red Sea.

The administration is looking to head off threats to the Houthis by conducting airstrikes against targets in Yemen and eliminating their weapons storage facilities, building on past efforts to reduce the Iran-backed proxy’s military capabilities.

On the Hill

LET THE HEARINGS BEGIN: Today was the Afghanistan War Commission’s first public hearing as it probes the American military’s operations in Afghanistan, from the U.S. invasion following the Sept. 11 attacks to the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul in 2021.

“By my count, we had 10 different policies in our 20 years in Afghanistan,” RONALD NEUMANN, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Kabul from 2005-2007, told the commission. “Policy changes from Washington were particularly problematic when they occurred without support — or sometimes even consultation with host government officials.”

Short tours of senior officers and generals in Afghanistan “were devastating,” Neumann added, calling them “the institutional equivalent of a frontal lobotomy.”

It’s worth re-reading Nahal’s Q&A with the co-chairs of the AWC, which was authorized as part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.

Broadsides

ICJ SLAMS ISRAEL: The International Court of Justice ruled today that Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violates international law.

While the ruling is a non-binding advisory opinion and will not force the Israeli government to change its settlement policy, the sharp rebuke from the U.N.’s top court will fuel further criticism of Israel as the civilian death toll continues to climb in Gaza.

RUSSIAN HACKERS UNDER SANCTION: The U.S. unveiled new sanctions today against a Russia-based hacktivist group accused of waging cyberattacks against Ukraine and its allies.

In statements, the State Department and Treasury Department said they will impose sanctions against the leader and primary hacker of the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn, which is believed to have organized attacks against U.S. and European critical infrastructure. Among the targets of CARR’s hacks have been wastewater treatment facilities, along with hydroelectric and energy facilities in Europe and the United States.

SPOTLIGHT ON SUDAN: The crisis in Sudan isn’t getting the attention it deserves despite having “probably the worst humanitarian crisis in the world,” SecState Blinken said at Aspen today.

“There's only so much that people can digest,” Blinken said, when asked whether there are more foreign policy areas journalists should be asking about. Israel and Ukraine have taken up much of the oxygen in the United States, because of the countries’ close ties with Washington and direct U.S. military support.

Coons and Sen. JIM RISCH (R-Idaho) will soon introduce a bill regarding Sudan, the Delaware Democrat said at Aspen, without providing more details.

Transitions

— NARAYAN SUBRAMANIAN is now director for energy transition at the White House National Security Council. He previously was an adviser to Energy Secretary JENNIFER GRANHOLM for clean energy projects and supply chains at the Energy Department.

— NGUYEN PHU TRONG, the head of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, died a day after announcing he would step down as the country’s most powerful political leader over health concerns. In a statement, Biden said: “The United States – and I personally – will remember and appreciate his commitment to reconciliation and to building a future oriented toward peace, stability and prosperity in the region and around the world.” Vietnamese President TO LAM will fill Trong’s duties until a permanent successor is chosen.

— RANGO, a rescued brown kitten, was appointed official cat of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry after being found in the backyard. Awwwwwww.

What to Read

— KATHARINE HOURELD and HAFIZ HAROUN, The Washington Post: Inside Sudan, devastating warfare forces desperate choices

— JOHNNIE CARSON, ALEX RONDOS, SUSAN STIGANT, and MICHAEL WOLDEMARIAM, Foreign Affairs: The Red Sea crisis goes beyond the Houthis

— The Cipher Brief: Outgoing NCTC director lays out today’s very real terrorist threat

Monday Today

— Center for Strategic and International Studies, 9 a.m.: China's Third Plenum: A plan for renewed reform?

— The Atlantic Council, 9 a.m.: Venezuela: A playbook for digital repression.

— The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, 9 a.m.: How STARCOM is preparing Guardians, at all stages of their service, for the realities of space being a warfighting domain.

— The Hudson Institute, 10 a.m.: Deterring an axis of aggressors.

— The Middle East Institute, 10 a.m.: Unpacking Iran’s presidential elections: Drivers and implications.

— The Hudson Institute, 11 a.m.: Building a strategy to counter Hong Kong's role in sanctions evasion.

— The National Endowment for Democracy, 3 p.m.: Preparing for a democratic future of North Korea: Next generation leadership.

— The Heritage Foundation, 6 p.m.: Popular sovereignty: The U.S.-U.K. special relationship in the age of Trump, Farage, and Brexit.

Thanks to our editor, Heidi Vogt, who follows a strict Heidi First policy in her life.

Thanks to our producer, Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing, who looks out for all those in need of help.