Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 23, 2015

Washington Times: Tikrit assault stalls as Obama withholds airstrikes to avoid Iran ties, analysts say

The lack of U.S. airstrikes in and around the city of Tikrit is slowing the Iraqi counteroffensive to retake the strategically situated city from the Islamic State’s terrorist army.

The assault, carried out by the Iraqi Security Forces and Shiite militiamen trained, equipped and led by Iran, has encircled the Sunni-dominated city north of Baghdad after more than three weeks of fighting. The Pentagon now says the battle is “static.”

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 23, 2015

Obama may alter drawdown timetable but is determined to end Afghan war -- Washington Post

U.S. Boosts Military Presence in Gulf Waters as Iran Deal Inches Closer -- Washington Free Beacon

Russian Jet Flights Comply With International Law - Estonian Air Force -- Sputnik

16 Ka-52 Helicopter Gunships to Join Russian Air Force in 2015 -- Sputnik

About 1,750 Ukrainian Military Killed in Eastern Regions - Defence Ministry -- Sputnik

Armor: Ukraine Gets Desperate And Creative -- Strategy Page

Information Warfare: Israel And The Ultimate Defense -- Strategy Page

Israel army launches drill on Gaza border -- World Bulletin

Syria's Assad fires two spy chiefs: security source -- AFP

PLA can win a modern war, says scholar -- Want China Times

Saudi, UAE Influence Grows With Purchases -- Defense News

Indian Defense Personnel Under Threat of Foreign Intelligence Cyberattacks -- Sputnik

South Korean defense bolstered five years after Cheonan sinking -- Korea herald

Superfit British soldier kicked out of the army on his 61st birthday because he's 'too old' - even though he can still run a mile and a half in just 10 minutes -- Daily Mail

Monster US warship anchors off Portsmouth, defense chiefs downplay British shrinkage -- RT

Okinawa orders halt to work related to US base relocation -- AP

Army Europe air defense unit deploys to Poland for exercise -- Army.mil

US can prevent Iran developing nuclear bomb: CIA director -- AFP

Navy wants Virginia class submarines to pack more punch -- Daily Press

US Navy's latest diving suit saves helium, space and weight -- Endgadget

Air Force facing increasing shortage of fighter pilots -- Air Force Times

F-35 jump jet gears up for crucial at-sea tests -- Navy Times

Roar of bombers replaced by drone buzz in North Dakota -- AP

Winning: The Plot To Kill The A-10 -- Strategy Page

New House Armed Services Chairman Flexes Muscles for Pentagon Buyers -- Defense One

Chivalry Is Dead: How the Tank Transformed Warfare -- Bill Wilson, Boldride

The Coming Revolution of Drone Warfare -- Amy Zegart, WSJ

A Visit To A Marine Base As Marines Test Whether Women Can Serve In Ground Combat -- NPR

The US has started to put bounties on the heads of hackers -- AP

The US Navy's Real Enemy: Math -- James R. Holmes, Real Clear Defense

The U.S. Military and Undercurrents in Asia-Pacific Security -- Jon P. Cheatwood, The Diplomat

Why North Korea Won't Have Its ICBM Anytime Soon -- John Schilling, The Diplomat/38 North

Everyone Can Win the U.S. Military Budget Debate -- Bloomberg editorial

The West was stunned by Putin's military moves. Here's why NATO says it won't happen again -- PRI