Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 19, 2014

U.S. to Continue Push for Stronger Military Ties With China -- Wall Street Journal

Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the Next U.S. Pacific Commander, Says North Korea Poses Biggest Threat to Security in Asia

SINGAPORE—The next commander of U.S. military forces in the Pacific said Thursday he wouldn’t deviate from his predecessor’s strategy of seeking stronger military ties with China and other countries in the region despite conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., who currently commands U.S. Navy forces in the Pacific and was confirmed last week as the next chief of the Hawaii-based U.S. Pacific Command, said China has been increasing tensions in the South China Sea in recent years, pushing several of the region’s countries to seek the U.S. as their security ally.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 19, 2014

US-China Military Relations: The Great Debate -- Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat

Leaked CIA report: Targeting Taliban leaders 'ineffective' -- BBC

US-Led Coalition Eliminates Islamic State Senior Leaders: Pentagon -- Sputnik

Pentagon calls ISIS 'Daesh' for first time -- The Hill

Arab Allies Now Want U.S. to Call ISIS, ‘Daeshi’ -- DoD Buzz

Intel report: North Korea planned attacks on US nuclear plants -- FOX News

For North Korea's cyber army, long-term target may be telecoms, utility grids -- Reuters

White House threatens ‘proportional’ response to North Korea cyberattacks on Sony Pictures -- Washington Times

Government hacks and security breaches skyrocket -- CNN

Russia's defense spending to grow despite economic problems — official -- ITAR-TASS

3rd Russian Borei-class nuclear sub raises its colors -- RT

Russian Defense Ministry to get several hundred T-72B3 tanks -- ITAR-TASS

Dependence on import technology in defense industry must be overcome — Putin -- ITAR-TASS

Putin Row Leaves France Holding Two Carriers It Doesn’t Need -- Bloomberg

Sale of US Warships to Taiwan Violates China-US Agreements: Beijing -- Sputnik

Iran to Hold Military Drill Near Strategic Passage -- AP

Military aircraft crashes in joint UAE-Egypt military exercise -- Al Arabiya

Turkey’s military goes entrepreneurial, sells draft exemptions -- World Tribune

Defence secretary: Now is not the time to get rid of Trident -- Scotland Decides

U.K. May Use Women in Military Combat Roles in 2016 After Review -- Bloomberg

KC-46A Tanker: First Test Flight Next Week -- Defense News

Video: Raytheon Test-Fires New GPS-Guided Mortar for Marines -- Defense Tech

Congress Again Buys Abrams Tanks the Army Doesn't Want -- Military.com

State Dept: U.S. Nukes Down 85%, From 31,255 to 4,804 -- Weekly Standard

US Military Facilities Vulnerable To Spying -- Daily Caller

Spy helped unmask 3 Cuban spy networks, U.S. officials say -- Washington Post

Military could release Bergdahl court martial determination -- CNN

Military Analysts: Bergdahl Report to Show He Deserted -- Newsmax

Pentagon Could Make Combat Action Badge Retroactive to World War II -- Military.com

Insular US Secret Service needs external boss - report -- BBC

Pentagon's IED unit improperly collected intel -- USA Today

Super Sub: Why The Navy's Next 'Boomer' Is The Most Important Program In The Pentagon Budget -- Loren Thompson, Forbes

Why the Pentagon Wants to Use Blimps for Missile Defense -- Popular Mechanics

Railguns: The Next Big Pentagon Boondoggle? -- Mike Fredenburg, NRO

German researchers discover a flaw that could let anyone listen to your cell calls. -- Washington Post

CIA interrogations: 'No place' for psychologists? -- Echo Chambers, BBC

Guantanamo Bay and beyond: How the U.S. military could change in Cuba (and not) -- Dan Lamonthe, Washington Post