Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 25, 2015

Reuters: Obama slows withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday granted Afghan requests to slow the drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and said he would maintain a force of 9,800 through the end of 2015 while sticking to a 2017 exit plan.

Capping a day of VIP treatment for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the White House, Obama said the U.S. force would be kept at its current strength to train and assist Afghan forces, who took over responsibility for the fight against Taliban and other Islamic militants at the start of the year.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 25, 2015

US To Retain Afghan Troop Levels Through 2015 -- Defense News

Obama puts drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan on hold -- The Hill

Key Dems back plan to slow Afghan drawdown -- The Hill

U.S. provides support in Tikrit despite Iran's role -- USA Today

U.S. Providing Reconnaissance Flights Over Booby-Trapped Tikrit -- NPR

US reportedly mulling airstrikes in Tikrit -- The Hill

Russia’s Armata Tank on Par With US Abrams and German Leopard -- Sputnik

Russia to Roll Out New Armored Truck Taifun-U on Victory Day -- Sputnik

Russian Defense Ministry Wants 100 'Arctic Terminator' Helicopters -- Moscow Times

Russian Military to Get 100 Brand New Su-34 Frontline Bombers -- Sputnik

Russian Defense Ministry needs new heavy carrier rocket — space agency -- ITAR-TASS

Russian Navy Keeping Eye on French Warship Heading to Ukraine in Black Sea -- Sputnik

NATO scrambles jets after Russian military planes spotted over Baltic Sea -- FOX News/AP

Top NATO military commander in Europe says alliance needs to improve intelligence-sharing -- FOX News/AP

Poland wants permanent US troop presence amid fears over growing Russian military threat -- Ukraine Today

U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt attack planes have arrived in Poland -- The Aviationist

1,000 soldiers on ground ops in Eastern Europe -- Defense News

NATO Implementing Largest Reinforcement Since Cold War - Stoltenberg -- Sputnik

China Missile Test Highlights Space Weapons Threat -- Washington Free Beacon

Navy rings China nuclear sub alarm -- Telegraph India

N Korea Actions 'Somewhat Predictable' During US, S Korea Drills - Pentagon -- Sputnik

Japanese navy gets biggest flat-top since WWII-era aircraft carriers -- Reuters

Software Glitch Causes F-35 to Incorrectly Detect Targets in Formation -- Defense Tech

Bogdan: F-35 Costs Down, Despite Worries -- Defense News

The Military’s Robotic Ghost Ship Passes Critical Test -- Defense One

Modernization of US Nuclear Triad Imperative to Deterrence - STRATCOM -- Sputnik

Congress Boosts War Spending as Wars Wind Down -- Time

Congress moving on long-sought legislation to thwart cyberattacks -- Washington Post

Military raises concern over easing ban on transgender people serving in military -- AP

How Serious Is ISIS Threat Against Military Families? -- James Carafano, Daily Signal

6 weird laws unique to the US military -- We Are The Mighty

Michael Hayden: U.S. looks like a nation ‘in retreat’ combating Islamic terrorists -- Washington Times