Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 23, 2015

Washington Post: Pentagon to boost military equipment in Europe amid Moscow anger

TALLINN, Estonia —In a move likely to increase tensions with Russia, Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter confirmed Tuesday that the United States would place heavy military equipment in nations stretching from the Baltics to the Balkans.

The decision to bolster Washington’s NATO allies — including tanks and other firepower — has been anticipated for more than a month, but coincide with deepening rifts between Moscow and the West over the conflict Ukraine.

“American rotational forces need to more quickly and easily participate in training and exercises in Europe,” Carter said in reference to the equipment — which includes about 250 tanks, howitzers and infantry fighting vehicles to support training and other exercises.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 23, 2015

U.S. sending military equipment to 7 European countries -- USA Today/AP

US will place 250 tanks across Eastern Europe in response to Russian aggression and the threat of ISIS, White House reveals -- AP

U.S. to Place Military Equipment in Europe to Reassure NATO Allies -- Moscow Times/Reuters

US defense secretary to urge Nato alliance to ditch the 'cold war playbook' -- The Guardian

NATO Defense Spending Continues To Decline -- Defense News

EU Launches Anti-Smuggling Ops in the Med -- Defense News

Russia is deploying advanced aerial weapon systems to the Arctic -- Business Insider

Russian Naval Flotilla Taking Part in Military Drills in Sea of Japan -- Sputnik

Russian Navy Conducts Torpedo Drills in the Baltic Sea -- Sputnik

China's New Trump Card in the South China Sea -- National Interest

China says foreign armed forces invited to take part in military parade, but offers no details -- AP

Pentagon: China Aims to Unseat US as King of the Skies -- Sputnik

Kim Jong Un fawns over North Korea's first female fighter pilots -- UPI

Italy denies role in CIA's extraordinary rendition of Egyptian imam -- The Guardian

General: ISIL Using IEDs as Guided Munitions -- Defense News

Philippines, US, Japan Hold Military Exercises near South China Sea -- VOA

F-35B Leaps off Ski Jump for the First Time -- Defense Tech

US Navy ‘Desert Ship’ Strikes Dummy Aircraft with New Missile System -- Defense Tech

The P-3 Orion Is Old, But It's Ready To Hunt Some Submarines -- Foxtrot Alpha

US Navy Picks First Women for Nuclear Submarine Crews -- Sputnik

US Army, Marines Collide on Cost Assessments for Weapons Repairs - GAO -- Sputnik

White House tries for a leaner National Security Council -- Washington Post

Ex-CIA director: U.S. wide open to grid attack -- WND

Major rights groups beg DOJ to prosecute CIA -- The Hill

Robots Won’t Be Taking These Military Jobs Anytime Soon -- Defense One

US bill would allow transgender troops to serve openly -- Washington Times

Four Years After 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' -- Kevin Knodell, Real Clear Defense

Why the U.S. military exposed minority soldiers to toxic mustard gas -- PBS Newshour

Why I Want My Daughter to Join the Military -- Ken Harbaugh, New York Observer

Building a Military of Hackers and Makers -- Time/Aspen Institute