Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 18, 2015

New York Times: U.S. to Begin Military Talks With Russia on Syria

LONDON — Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that the United States was prepared to engage in military-to-military talks with Russia concerning Syria.

“The president believes that a military-to-military conversation is an important next step,” Mr. Kerry said, “and I think, hopefully, it will take place very shortly.”

The initial purpose of the talks with Russia, Mr. Kerry said, will be to help “define some of the different options that are available to us as we consider next steps in Syria.”

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 18, 2015

U.S. sees military talks with Russia on Syria as important next step: Kerry -- Reuters

Report: U.S.-Russia military relationship to restart -- The Hill

Crowded Syrian Battlespace Raises Stakes for Military ‘Mistake’ -- Sputnik

Russia Will Consider Sending Troops to Syria if Asked -- VOA

Russian troops 'fear secret Syria mission' -- BBC

Russia’s Defense Ministry denies report on contract soldiers sent to Syria -- TASS

Russia expands military footprint abroad with new Syria base -- Al Jazeera

Russia’s new fifth generation fighter expected to participate in military drills next year -- TASS

America’s Worst Nightmare: Russia Unveils ‘Merciless’ Anti-Tank Grenade -- Sputnik

New Electronics to Turn Yak-130 Jet Into Deadly War Machine -- Sputnik

Analysis: RAND Says US Facing Tough Fight With China -- Defense News

These are the Chinese military advancements that could shift the balance of power in Asia -- Business Insider

Japan bills to expand military role near enactment despite protests -- Reuters

Submarines set to be built in Australia under Turnbull government -- Sydney Morning Herald

Cameroon Attacks Amnesty International Report on Military Abuses -- VOA

Video: U.K. Reveals New Type 26 Frigate Design -- USNI News

Attrition: Germany Pays For Bad Decisions -- Strategy Page

Opposition in German NSA spy scandal files constitutional complaint -- Deutsche Welle

U.S. nuclear missile submarine surfaces in Scotland in signal to Moscow -- Washington Free Beacon

US 'Refuses to Discuss' MK-41 VLS Deployment to Europe -- Sputnik

Lockheed, MBDA See NATO Future for MEADS -- Defense News

U.S. Air Force planning for increased stealth bomber inventory -- UPI

US Special Operators Plan to Drop Drones from Gunships -- Defense Tech

Carter Backs Centcom Chief Despite ISIS Testimony -- DoD Buzz

Sources Detail Skewed Reports On How The U.S. Is Doing Against ISIS -- NPR

Senate report 'proves Lithuania hosted CIA jail': detainee's lawyers -- Reuters

Why Is It So Hard to See the NSA? -- Kyle Chayka, Motherboard

Marines may ask to keep women out of some combat jobs -- The Hill

Lawmakers demand briefing on female Marine study.

It looks like the Marine Corps want only men for combat roles -- AP

Bowe Bergdahl's military hearing for desertion charges begins as prosecutors claim 'under the cover of darkness he snuck off the post' in Afghanistan -- Daily Mail

Fewer recruits citing 9/11 as reason for joining U.S. military -- The Gazette

It's the U.S. Air Force's 68th birthday — here's why Airmen are way tougher than people think -- Michael B Kelley and Amanda Macias, Business Insider