Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 16, 2014

Pentagon: No Rush to Boost Role in Iraq -- Voice of America

PENTAGON — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is taking a hard look at assessments by special forces teams in Iraq, focusing on the state of the Iraqi security forces and the threat posed by Sunni militants. Defense officials say despite a complex and fluid situation on the ground, there will be no rush to move forward with additional help.

In Baghdad, there are fears that scenes of violence, like the aftermath of a recent deadly car bombing, are about to become the new normal.

In the north, attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have Shi’ites running for their lives.

"Some of the people were buried under the rubble of their houses, while others were shot dead in the street," said Abbas Ali, a Shi’ite Turkmen.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 16, 2014

Pentagon Envisions 'Small' Training Program for Syria Opposition -- Wall Street Journal

Afghanistan might not use all those planes the Pentagon is sending -- Washington Post

Obama Wants to Improve Intelligence Cooperation With Germany After Spy Scandal -- RIA Novosti

Pentagon expands training of Mexican military -- USA Today

Pentagon says Russian combat troops again building up along Ukraine border -- FOX News

Pentagon: 12,000 Russian Troops on Ukraine Border -- Washington Free Beacon

Helping Ukraine Reclaim Crimea Hardly Under Discussion - NATO -- RIA Novosti

Russia to reopen Cuban mega-base to spy on America – report -- RT

Russia Deliveres Last Batch of Mi-171E Helicopters to China -- RIA Novosti

Britain’s Stealth Drone Hits Breakthrough -- DoD Buzz

The Philippines offer US$1.5bn to modernize its armed forces -- Want China Times

Top UN official supporting peacekeepers resigns -- AP

DOD proposes wider use of Afghanistan war fund -- Stars and Stripes

Littoral Combat Ship Will Be Modified, If Not Replaced -- National Defense

US Senate derails Army bid to take Guard’s Apache attack helicopters -- Washington Times

Air Force set to reduce 3,500 positions at headquarters -- Stars and Stripes

Navy Tests Stealth-Like Features for Super Hornet -- Military.com

Video: Pentagon Explains F-35 Fire Investigation Findings -- Defense Tech

Air Force Seeks $100 Million for Rocket Rivalry -- DoD Buzz

Experimental Space Plane Designs Wanted by US Military -- Space.com

Pentagon Enlists Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson To Design a Space Plane -- Daily Beast

U.S. Military Tests Robotic 'Pack Mule' To Go Practically Anywhere -- Huffington Post

Joe Dunford to inherit Marine Corps in flux -- Politico

Air Force's James aimed 'deep' at nuke corps ills -- AP

US military's tobacco discount: Up in smoke -- AP

Bergdahl Hires Lawyer for Military Investigation -- AP

Bergdahl attorney says client has been vilified -- USA Today

Audit the Pentagon Now, Congressmen Say -- US News and World Report

VA wants $17.6 billion to meet patient demand -- The Hill

Rep. Cotton: Stop firing soldiers in combat -- The Hill

Iron Dome—Savior, or Sales Job? -- James Fallows, The Atlantic

Raising an Army: Ten Rules -- Sean McFate, War On The Rocks

Your Periodic Reminder That the V-22 Is a Piece of Junk -- Jack McCain, War Is Boring

Legendary Marine Maj. Zembiec, the ‘Lion of Fallujah,’ died in the service of the CIA -- Washington Post

What Would a New U.S. Military Look Like? (Debate) -- New York Times