Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 15, 2017

A U.S. F-15 fighter jet takes off during an exercise dubbed ' Juniper Falcon', held between crews from the U.S. and Israeli air forces, at Ovda Military Airbase, in southern Israel May 16, 2017. Picture taken May 16, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Reuters: Qatar says fighter jets deal shows deep U.S. support

A $12 billion deal to buy U.S. F-15 fighter jets shows Qatar has deep-rooted support from Washington, a Qatari official said on Thursday, despite President Donald Trump's repeated accusations that Doha supports terrorism.

Qatar is facing a severe economic and diplomatic boycott by Saudi Arabia and its regional allies who cut ties last week, in the worst rift among Gulf Arab states in years. They accuse Qatar of funding terrorism, fomenting regional unrest and cosying up to their enemy Iran, all of which Qatar denies.

Trump has repeatedly echoed the accusations against Qatar, even as his Defense and State Departments have tried to remain neutral in the dispute among key allies. Qatar hosts a big U.S. military base housing the headquarters of U.S. air forces in the Middle East.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 15, 2017

US fighter jet deal, ship visit show military links to Qatar -- AP

Qatar Asks US to Partly Implement $21.1Bln Deal - State Dept. -- Sputnik

US naval warships arrive in Qatar for military exercise -- Al Jazeera

Mattis: Trump authorized military to set troop levels in Afghanistan -- Defense News

Philippines says U.S. troops near besieged Marawi, but not fighting -- Reuters

Iranian ship targets laser at US helicopter in Strait of Hormuz -- ABC News

US may attack Syrian troops with multiple rocket launchers — Russian Defense Ministry -- TASS

Russian MoD confirms US multiple rocket launchers in Syria, fears may target govt troops -- RT

Russia to Cut Defense Spending to 2.7-2.8% of GDP -- Sputnik

Russian missile carriers fly over Baltic Sea with NATO fighter aircraft -- TASS

Russia eyes controlling soldiers' online accounts to boost secrecy -- Reuters

Turkey’s top commander may be on his way out -- Al-Monitor

Report: North Korea behind WannaCry virus cyberattack -- UPI

Japan Trains Using Patriot Interceptor Systems Against North Korean Missiles -- Sputnik

US military will have more ROBOT soldiers on the battlefield than real ones by 2025, top British expert claims -- The SUN

Saab completes first Gripen E test flight -- UPI

Uneasy Times In Europe As Continent Mulls Next Fighter -- Breaking Defense

Anders Fogh Rasmussen on today's NATO -- DW

Troops from 8 nations gather for NATO readiness exercise -- Defense News

At BALTOPS, It’s Back to Prepping for High-End Warfare -- Defense One

Army plans to field new system to keep communications open during disaster -- Army Times

Coming soon: Details for Army’s Light Reconnaissance Vehicle -- Defense News

These soldiers and Marines will be the first to get the military's newest combat vehicle -- Military Times

The U.S. Air Force’s Next Killer Drone Is Disposable -- War Is Boring

Services Use Vitamins, Nutrition to Boost Female Grunts' Performance -- Military.com

Air Force Works on Liquid Antennas for Aircraft Adaptability -- Defense Tech

Boeing to restructure defense, space unit -- Reuters

US lawmakers skeptical of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Lebanon -- Defense News

Mattis, Dunford press Congress for increased, stable budgets -- UPI

3 ways DARPA will attack the cyber problem -- C4ISRNet

The Age of Modern Warfare -- Ian Morris, Stratfor