Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 20, 2019

Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (fourth from left) walks past a CH-53 heavy-lift transport helicopter an Israeli military drill in the country's north, June 19. The Israeli leader issued a thinly-veiled threat to Iran, which has threatened to fire missiles at Tel Aviv should a regional war erupt. Ben Gershom/Israeli Government Press Office

Newsweek: Israel Shows Off 'Very Destructive Power' in Massive Military Drills as U.S. and Iran Face Crisis

Israel has conducted a massive multi-branch military exercise simulating attacks from foes across its tense, disputed borders as tensions between its top ally, the United States, and arch foe, Iran, approached crisis levels.

The exercise, which was focused on the country's north—not far from contested borders with Lebanon and Syria, two countries which Israel has accused Iran's allies of firing rockets from—was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The leader, who also serves as defense minister, spoke with participating troops of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and issued a warning to those threatening his country.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 20, 2019

Israel holds large military drill amid US-Iran tensions -- ABC News/AP

Navy explosives expert: Mines used in tanker attack have 'striking resemblance' to Iranian weapons -- The Hill

A ‘tanker war’ with Iran would be more complicated than the 1980s version -- L.A. Times

Drums of looming Iran war resound in Congress -- Roll Call

Senators demand Trump explain decision to deploy troops amid Iran tensions -- The Hill

US Senate prepares new rebuke of Trump over Saudi arms sales -- Al Jazeera

Shanahan drama shocks Capitol Hill, leaving Pentagon rudderless -- The Hill

New acting Pentagon chief has closer ties to Trump -- Politico

Mark Esper is acting defense secretary. Will Trump make it permanent? -- Military Times

New acting US defence chief Mark Esper ‘may be tougher on China’ -- SCMP

What’s happening with Stryker active protection? Congress wants to know. -- Defense News

House votes to block military transgender ban -- NBC/AP

Navy completes tests of Raytheon's upgraded RAM missile -- UPI

U.S. Marines test vehicle-mounted laser for shooting down drones -- UPI

Military getting serious about gaming -- UPI

Pence: U.S. Navy hospital ship to help displaced Venezuelans -- UPI

US soldiers fight armor, heat, bugs in allied war games in Romania -- Stars and Stripes

U.S. Military Said Using Nuclear Weapons Could Have 'Decisive Results' and Create 'Stability' in Deleted Document -- Newsweek

A winnable nuclear war? New Pentagon document shows US military thinks so -- RT

Donald Trump moves troops toward Iran, but Pentagon has eyes elsewhere -- Matt Bevan, ABC News Online

U.S. considers sanctions on Turkey over plans to buy Russian air defense system -- UPI

US officials threaten retribution for European Union’s restrictions on defense fund -- Defense News

European leaders unveil model of next-gen fighter aircraft at Paris Air Show -- Defense News

Dassault and Airbus to Manufacture Next-Gen Fighter Jet, to Replace Rafale -- Reuters

Mockup of a dream: Europe eyes 6th-generation fighter jet of its own, but will it happen? -- RT

$54 million study aims to improve Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft -- UPI

China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system breaks underwater barriers, naval shipbuilder says -- SCMP

Taiwan ‘watching’ as Liaoning aircraft carrier sails into South China Sea -- SCMP

Seoul's military under fire for stray North Korea boat -- UPI

Turkey coup: Court hands 17 top generals 141 life terms -- Al Jazeera