Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 12, 2104

John Brennan, Central Intelligence Agency director, speaks at a rare news conference at CIA headquarters in Virginia, Dec. 11, 2014.

Brennan Defends CIA Against Criticism in Torture Report -- Voice of America

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan, responding to a scathing government report, defended his agency’s use of extreme tactics to obtain information from detainees held abroad after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

"There were no easy answers, and whatever your views are on EITs [enhanced interrogation techniques], our nation and in particular our agency did things right to keep our nation secure," Brennan said in opening remarks Thursday at a rare news conference at the agency’s headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 12, 2104

In unprecedented live TV conference, CIA chief challenges torture report -- Stars and Stripes/McClatchy News

Feinstein: Brennan wrong on success of CIA tactics -- The Hill

Rise and fall of CIA’s overseas prisons traced in Senate report on interrogations -- Washington Post

CIA torture report sparks renewed calls to prosecute senior US officials -- The Guardian

US Voters support CIA waterboarding, harsh interrogation tactics: poll -- Washington Times

CIA director: U.S. spies raised questions about 9/11 intelligence ahead of Iraq War -- Washington Post

Russia's Military Expansion 'Bigger' in 2015 But Still Lags Behind US and China -- IBTimes

Preemptive nuclear strike omitted from Russia’s new military doctrine - reports -- RT

India’s weapons plans raise specter of nuclear arms race in Asia -- Tom Hussain, McClatchy

Kim Jong-il of North Korea ordered foreign kidnappings to create spies: secret document -- Washington Times

China Holds Air-and-Sea Exercise Near Okinawa -- The Diplomat

US, China launch 2nd joint anti-piracy exercise -- Stars and Stripes

F-35 Program Announces European Sustainment Plan -- DoD Buzz

Pentagon sees 'hundreds of billions' in F-35 service work over time -- Reuters

Italy, Turkey to service F-35 jet, engine in Europe: Pentagon -- Reuters

No edge for F-35 on most missions: report -- AFP

U.S. spending bill adds $1.46 billion for military to buy 15 Boeing jets -- Reuters

After Dramatic Day, House Approves $554B for Pentagon -- Defense News

Split Decision on New US Navy Ship -- Defense News

Pentagon Opts to Upgrade Current LCS Ship Design -- NYT

Hagel OKs Navy plan to modify troubled littoral combat ship fleet -- AP

U.S. Funds Development of Russian Rocket Engine Replacement -- Defense Tech

'Silent Nemo': Navy's swimming spy 'fish' may be operational next year -- Stars and Stripes

Is the US Navy’s New Ray Gun a Good Idea? -- John W. Traphagan, The Diplomat

Active duty suicides increase in 2014: report -- Washington Times

US Marines' alliance with Georgians holds clues to future missions -- Marine Times

Senate panel votes to limit use of ground troops against Islamic State -- Stars and Stripes

Senators to Kerry: Tell Us What You Want to Fight ISIS -- Alex Brown, National Journal

Obama Wants Congress to Let Him Hunt ISIS Anywhere -- Russell Berman, The Atlantic

Is There a Crisis in Military Morale? -- Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Policy

Snowden Living 'Ordinary' Life in Moscow -- VOA