Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 18, 2014

Analysis: Missile That Hit MH17 Most Likely Fired By Separatists -- CNN

The missile that hit Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 most likely was fired by pro-Russian separatists inside eastern Ukraine, a preliminary classified U.S. intelligence analysis concluded, according to a U.S. defense official with direct access to the latest information. The official declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the information. Earlier, a senior U.S. official said the United States concluded that a missile shot down the plane.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 18, 2014

If Ukrainian rebels hit Malaysian plane, where'd they get the missile? -- Anna Mulrine, CSM

Pentagon Official: Russians Likely Responsible For Shooting Down Malaysia Plane -- Daily Caller

Rebels may have arms capable of hitting Malaysian jet -- USA Today

Ukrainian Buk battery radar was operational when Malaysian plane downed - Moscow -- RT

Kiev Deploys Battalions of Buk Air Defense Systems Near Donetsk – Russian Defense Ministry -- RIA Novosti

MH17 crash: History of passenger planes shot down -- BBC

Past commercial airliners shot down by military, rebels -- CBS

U.S. Officials: Russia Increasing Support for Ukraine Rebels -- US Department of Defense

Russia to boost defense budget by 2017 - newspaper -- RT

A top Iranian general and advisers join front lines of Iraqi military fight against radicals -- FOX News/AP

Hamas growing in military stature, say analysts -- Middle East Eye

Canadian ship called home for misconduct at RIMPAC Naval Exercise -- Washington Post

France Reorganizes Military Presence in Sub-Saharan Africa -- Defense News

U.S., German views on spying differ but still firm allies: Merkel -- Reuters

Germany's Merkel Seeks 'Sensible' US Spy Talks -- AP

Mass surveillance 'dangerous habit', says UN rights body -- BBC

Edward Snowden urges professionals to encrypt client communications -- The Guardian

U.S. Armed Forces Spending More Than Ever To Help Train Mexican Military -- FOX News

Military did not support fixing Afghan exit date: U.S. commander -- Reuters

US Military Didn't Seek Afghan Pullout in 2017 -- AP

Outgoing Afghan war commander raises questions about counterterrorism plan -- Washington Post

Dunford urges Congress to approve Russian helicopter deal for Afghan air force -- Stars and Stripes

Pentagon: F-15 pullout from Europe may be on hold -- Stars and Stripes

Improving economy, lengthy tours could affect Navy retention -- Stars and Stripes

Senate Panel OKs Pentagon Spending Bill, But Its Fate Is Uncertain -- Defense News

Senate Panel Rejects Pentagon Cuts in Spending Bill -- Bloomberg

Lawmakers challenge spending billions more on wars -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News

Pentagon pits SpaceX against ULA in space launch competition -- Tech Times

The 'virtual reality' helmet that lets fighter pilots see in the dark without goggles - and knows exactly where its wearer is looking -- Daily Mail

Pentagon, Arlington to train for shooter situation -- Washington Times

Highway to the danger zone? Non-pilot given command of Air Force in Pacific -- Washington Times

Chelsea Manning to begin gender treatment in military custody -- AP

How Israel Learned to Love Missile Defense: Israel’s Iron Dome system shows that the best defense is not always a good offense. -- Taylor Dinerman, NRO

Ospreys help Marines protect, assist our allies – on Okinawa and beyond -- Brig. Gen. Steve R. Rudder, Stars and Stripes