Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 16, 2015

Quartz: Even as it shrinks, the US military budget is unrivaled

This week, US president Barack Obama submitted a bullish budget increase for the military, exceeding the spending limits imposed by the congress. The boost is necessary to bolster the fight against the ISIL terror group, and to keep an edge over rapidly modernizing militaries in places like China and Russia, he argued.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 16, 2015

Lawmakers underwhelmed by Obama’s Islamic State war plan, demand clearer strategy -- Washington Times

GOP senator: 'Lot of skepticism' about Obama's commitment to fight ISIS -- The Hill

F-22's role, impact in Inherent Resolve increasing -- Defense News

U.S. moving to resupply Jordan's military with munitions: officials -- Reuters

Bahrain sends military aid to help Jordan fight ISIS -- Al Arabiya

Israel's New Military Chief Sworn in Amid Regional Tensions -- AP

Russia to Conduct Observation Flights Over US, Italy – Defense Minister -- Sputnik

Russia May Finalize its Flagship Aircraft Carrier by 2025 -- Sputnik

Russia: No plans to establish military bases in LatAm -- FOX News/EFE

Military cuts would encourage ‘forces of oppression’ – ex-NATO chiefs -- RT

NATO's Plans for its Next Force Taking Shape -- Defense News

Poland kicks off unprecedented military spending spree -- AFP

The Truth About China's Aircraft Carriers -- The Diplomat

India Scraps Rafale Fighter Deal With France, Eyes Russian Alternative -- Sputnik

In France, Relief Over Rafale Sale to Egypt -- Defense News

The Real Reason Egypt Is Buying Fighter Jets From France -- Noah Rayman, Time

French Arms Exports Hit €8 Billion in 2014 -- Defense News

India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Passes Muster -- Sputnik

Group: South Sudan Military Still Recruiting Children -- AP

Italian Army Lays Out Future Vision -- Defense News

Canada to give satellite imagery to Ukrainian military -- Globe and Mail

Canada's next-generation military smart gun unveiled -- Gizmag

Replacing Britain's Trident with jets ‘would save £13bn -- Scotsman

EXCLUSIVE: Skills shortage leads Royal Navy to recruit overseas -- Express

Thai Military Exercises Underway Despite US Concerns -- VOA

US To Send More Troops To Join Annual Military Drill With South Korea In March -- IBTimes

US kicks off Operation Flintlock amid African regional tensions -- Stars and Stripes

US Army Asks for More Money to Upgrade Abrams Tanks -- Dod Buzz

Firms Bid on U.S. Military’s Humvee Replacement Program -- DoD Buzz

McCain goes to war against Air Force, determined to save A-10 ‘Warthog’ -- Washington Times

Ex-Navy air boss: F-35s 'essential' for carrier air wings -- Defense News

Fewer Than 10 U.S. Drone Pilots to Receive $1,500 Monthly Bonus This Year -- Defense Tech

US Army’s top NCO tells of ‘stress’ in the force -- Stars and Stripes

Feds fall behind in race against 21st-century cyberthreats, lawmakers say -- Washington Times

Air Force's first female four-star to retire -- Defense News

Women soldiers at Fort Bliss training, hoping to earn berths at Ranger School -- Stars and Stripes/El Paso Times, Texas (Tribune News Service)

Analysts: Carter To Focus on Threats, Hill -- John T. Bennett, Defense News

US House Leaders Urge Obama to Keep Guantanamo Bay Naval Base - Congressmen -- Sputnik

'American Sniper' suspect told authorities he shot Kyle, friend after they 'wouldn't talk' -- Stars and Stripes/The Dallas Morning News (Tribune News Service)

The fatal intersection of two veterans’ lives: Sniper died trying to help others -- Dan Lamonthe, Washington Post

The Russian-Iranian Military Agreement: Another Perspective -- Thomas Frear, The Diplomat