Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 9, 2017

Gary Anderson, Washington Times: Fighting season in Afghanistan

What the Afghan army needs is an adequate air force

When an explosion rocked Kabul in late May, attention again was drawn to the state of the Afghan security forces. Spring ushers in the fighting season, and the Afghan National Army (ANA) has been losing ground; this is particularly true of the Pakistan border areas where the Pashtun tribal culture is strongest; it was the cradle of the Taliban and remains Taliban’s primary sanctuary. While the urban terror of the Kabul blast remains primarily a police responsibility, the army’s struggles remain a mystery to many Americans who wonder why the American trained ANA has trouble taking and holding ground against a poorly equipped non-state actor such as the Taliban after 15 years of American mentoring. The answer is logistics, or lack of it. We have failed to build a self-sustaining Afghan army.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 9, 2017

China is building the world's fastest amphibious fighting vehicle -- Popular Science

China’s Quest for an AI Revolution in Warfare -- Elsa B. Kania, The Bridge

China's Bases in Pakistan Will Have Strategic Ramifications for India - Expert -- Sputnik

Russia and China Plan 'Enormous' Military Events and Cooperation After Successful South China Sea Drill -- Newsweek

Pentagon Blues: US Worried by China's Growing Military Cooperation With Russia -- Sputnik

Too Close for Comfort: Russia's Zircon Surges Ahead in Hypersonic Missile Race -- Sputnik

Jordan: A reliable host for Germany's Bundeswehr? -- DW

Amid Russia tensions, US Army continues to build up Ukrainian forces, training center -- Army Times

US Military Sends Planes Near Russia for Large Defense Drills in Europe -- Newsweek

Revealed: Trump's $110 billion weapons list for the Saudis -- Defense News

Now in the Mediterranean, Carrier Bush resumes strikes on ISIS -- Navy Times

Boeing, Huntington Ingalls giving boost to Navy UUV program -- UPI

Soldiers deter simulated tank assault with cyber, electronic warfare -- Army Times

Boeing to supply trainers to U.S. Navy for P-8A Poseidon -- UPI

The Army Can Now Stop Enemy Tanks In Their Tracks Without Firing A Shot -- Task & Purpose

Pentagon says US now has ability to shoot down ICBMs -- CNN

Hawaii's X-band radar vindicated by successful missile intercept, military says -- FOX News

Lawmakers to Pentagon: Tell Us When You Use Cyber Weapons -- Defense One

Critics of Army Battlefield Network Are Attacking The Wrong Target -- Forbes

First Female Pilot Of Marine One Loses Squadron Command Over Assault Charge -- Task & Purpose

Brass Walk Back General's 'Barbie Doll' Remarks After Backlash -- Military.com

Army, Marine Corps Request Delay Of Up To Two Years Before Accepting Transgenders -- Daily Caller

NSA Contractor Accused of Leaking Russian Election Report Held Without Bond Over 'Disturbing' Notes -- Newsweek

Army Colonel Charged With $20 Million Contract Bribery Scheme -- Daily Caller

A US Navy Sailor Is Still Missing After Falling Overboard 2 Days Ago -- Task & Purpose

5 True Stories About The Military’s Paranormal Activity Research -- Task & Purpose

Meet the seven military men and women training to be NASA's next astronauts -- Military Times

A Marine veteran reveals 2 things he learned in the military that he still does today -- Business Insider

U.S. combat veterans in Africa turn skills to protecting rhinos, fighting PTSD -- Army Times

Michael Flynn Had a Plan to Work With Russia’s Military. It Wasn’t Exactly Legal.-- Spencer Ackerman, Daily Beast

Pentagon to get a new policy chief -- Washington Post

Compared to George W. Bush And Obama, Trump Doesn't Micromanage -- Military.com/Tribune Washington Bureau