Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 27, 2014

Kurdish refugees from Kobani watch as thick smoke covers the Syrian town of Kobani during fighting between Islamic State and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, as seen from the Mursitpinar crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border in Sanliurfa province October 26, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

US Struggles to Turn the Tide in War Against Islamic State -- NDTV/AFP

Washington: After more than two months of air strikes, a US-led coalition has prevented the fall of a northern Syrian town to Islamic State jihadists but is still struggling to halt the group's advances on other fronts, experts say.

Since the air war on the IS militants began on August 8, the United States and its allies have few concrete successes to point to as the IS group has continued to roll ahead in western Iraq and tighten its grip elsewhere.

But US officials insist it is too early to draw conclusions, and that a methodical effort will eventually bear fruit, as Iraqi and Kurdish forces build in strength.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 27, 2014

Islamic State fight now costing U.S. $8.3 million per day -Pentagon -- Reuters

More than 1,700 bombs dropped in US-led air war on Islamic State -- AFP

U.S., partners conduct 11 more strikes in Syria, Iraq against Islamic State: CENTCOM -- Reuters

US: Washington sees Syria rebels in political, not military solution -- Jerusalem post

US calls for united Internet front against Islamic State -- Times of Israel

NATO: Russia Ramping Up Military Probing in Baltics -- VOA

Czech secret service sees 'extremely high' number of Russian spies -- Reuters

France to Deliver First Mistral to Russia Around Mid-November: French Wharf Union -- RIA Novosti

China tests new generation of military aircraft: Report -- Economic Times

Report: China To Keep Closer Eye On Military Spending -- Defense News

China media: Military spending -- BBC

China to Amend Anti-terror Law and to Set Up National Anti-terrorism Intelligence System -- RIA Novosti

Israeli Firm Adapts Iron Dome for Intercepts at Sea -- Defense News

French Navy Plans To Dominate Above, On and Below the Seas -- Defense News

Brazil Signs Delivery Deal for Swedish Saab Gripen Fighters: Company -- RIA Novosti

Last international forces airlifted from key base in Afghanistan -- Reuters

Marines, UK combat troops give key command post to Afghan military, as mission draws to close -- FOX News

NATO promises Afghans air support after 2014 as it shuts key base -- Stars and Stripes

ISAF: Level of air support for Afghan forces yet to be decided -- Stars and Stripes

U.S. Ebola fighters head to Africa, but will the military and civilian effort be enough? -- Washington Post

Volcanoes a threat to US bases in Japan -- Stars and Stripes

Sequestration Will Give US Army 'Real Problems' Meeting Increased Demands, Officials Say -- Defense News

Navy falls behind on maintenance of its ships, deployments -- Stars and Stripes/The Virginian-Pilot (MCT)

Navy’s Newest Sub, USS North Dakota, Joins Fleet -- CBS

BAE points electromagnetic projectile at US Army -- The Register

US Navy commander dies in Qatar -- Stars and Stripes

DOD: Marine's death 1st in Iraq, 2nd since start of US campaign against Islamic State -- Stars and Stripes

Blackwater and the Role of Military Contractors -- NYT

The Army Wants To Fully Integrate Conventional and Special Operations Force -- Col. Michael Rauhut, Defesne One/Council on Foreign Relations

The Pentagon Still Needs More Eyes in the Sky -- Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One