Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 29, 2015

Reuters: Russia establishes seaborne lifeline for Syrian allies

The Alexandr Tkachenko, an ageing ferry with a canary-yellow hull, usually carries people across the Kerch Strait, a bustling sea route and the only connection between Russia and Crimea, the peninsula Moscow annexed from Ukraine last year.

But the crossings stopped abruptly in late August when the Russian government chartered the ship, according to an employee at the ferry company. It was destined for another mission of possibly greater strategic importance - expanding Russia's supply line to areas held by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 29, 2015

Syria conflict: Russia considers joining anti-IS air strikes -- BBC

Moscow hopes list of participants in coordination center in Baghdad to grow -- TASS

Obama, Putin agree militaries to hold talks to avert conflicts in Syria -- Reuters

Russia’s Military Buildup in Syria Targets US: NATO Chief -- DoD Buzz

NATO General Worried About Russian Military Build-Up In Syria -- Defense News/AFP

Deepening Russian Involvement in Iraq Complicates U.S. Airstrikes on Islamic State -- WSJ

Turkey May Request NATO’s Help to Counter Threats From Syria, ISIL -- Sputnik

Centcom: US did not train commander who gave al Qaeda weapons -- The Hill

U.S. House Intelligence chairman: Middle East strategy ‘destined to fail’ -- The Hill

Russian troops conduct some 2,000 tactical drills in 2015 — defense minister -- TASS

Sloppiness, Not Moles, Led to KGB's Exposure of CIA Agents During Cold War -- Sputnik

Danish defense minister steps down in blow to new government -- Reuters

Georgia Joins NATO Rapid Response Force -- Sputnik

Revealed: Why China Is Selling Submarines to Pakistan -- The Diplomat

India and the US Sign $3 Billion Deal for New Attack Helicopters -- The Diplomat

Afghanistan’s Newest Attack Helicopter a ‘Total Mess’? -- The Diplomat

Germany says no rigid deadlines for troops' stay in Afghanistan -- Reuters

China's Xi says to commit 8,000 troops for U.N. peacekeeping force -- Reuters

Colombia to Deploy Up to 5,000 Personnel to UN Peacekeeping Forces – President -- Sputnik

Countries pledge 40,000 U.N. peacekeepers at U.N. summit -- Reuters

Inside India's New and Deadliest Warship -- NDTV

Trident is useless. That’s why we must debate its renewal -- Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian

U.S. admiral signals wider role for powerful Third Fleet in Western Pacific -- Fiscal Times

Pentagon Blocks JSTARS Move To Demo Phase -- Defense News

Lockheed Martin forges ahead on 'space fence' as U.S. Air Force OKs design -- Washington Business Journal

House Readies Emergency Bill to Continue Paying Troops During Shutdown -- Military.com

Navy SEALs ready to open jobs to women -- The Hill

Army Denies that Ranger School was Fixed so Women Could Pass -- Military.com

Recruiters face gender quotas, new challenges in 2016 -- Marine Times

Here's Why Most Americans Can't Join the Army -- Blake Stilwell, We Are The Mighty

USAF Confirms Creation of A-10 Video, Explains Suppression -- John Q. Public

The Pro-carrier Argument The U.S. Navy Cannot make -- Bryan McGrath, War On The Rocks

President Obama: I lead the strongest military the world has ever known -- Washington Times