Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 7, 2015

Deutsche Welle: Russian military boost to save fragile Assad

Moscow is boosting its military aid to the Syrian regime over fears President Assad's power is waning, a Berlin-based academic tells DW. But some say Putin still favors diplomacy, as Moscow plays down the move.

Russia's expanded military support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a defensive move over fears that his regime is crumbling, a former Damascus-based journalist - now living in Germany - said on Monday.

Khaled Yacoub Oweis told DW that Assad was "losing his grip on northern Syria and the Alawite heartland on the coast is also threatened." Oweis said the latest developments had prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to step in with reinforcements.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 7, 2015

Russian military experts in Syria are expanding air bases and runways -- Reuters

Russia dismisses US concerns over Syria military build-up -- AFP

Moscow calls media reports about its position on Syria "fabrications and falsifications" -- TASS

Report: Pentagon considering changes to Syrian rebel training -- The Hill

Colin Powell: Military Power Won't Take Out ISIS -- NBC

Former U.S. military officials fear surge of cash, weaponry to Iran -- The Hill

France Weighs Airstrikes on ISIS in Syria, Hollande Says -- NYT

France sending reconnaissance flights over Syria against Islamic State -- Washington Times

Kurdish peshmerga plead for arms as Islamic State turns U.S. military vehicles into bombs -- Washington Times

All-female Kurdish Yezidi unit formed by Peshmerga -- Rudaw

Iraq has finally started using the F-16 fighter jet in combat operations -- Washington Post

Iraq to take delivery of four Czech fighter jets this month -- Rudaw

Reports: Gulf States Send More Troops To Yemen -- Defense news/AFP

Putin orders snap military exercise in central Russia -- AFP

Russia's Secret Weapon: Advanced Training Jet Perfect for Combat Missions -- Sputnik

China showcases new weapon systems at 3 September parade -- IHS Janes 360

Chinese Navy Off Alaska: Combatants, Amphib and Replenishment -- Defense Tech

Sino-Russian Cooperation Helps Advance China’s Naval Power -- Al Jazeera

NATO chief to make first visit to Ukraine amid strains with Moscow -- Reuters

Israel gets fifth diesel electric submarine as backbone of nuclear deterrent against Iran -- Next Big Future

MoD admits British submarine dragged fishing trawler through Irish Sea -- The Guardian

S. Korea to send 4,500-ton destroyer to Japan's naval parade -- Korea Herald Tribune

North Korea Flew a Spy Drone Across the DMZ -- The Diplomat

Morale: North Koreans Fleeing Hungry Soldiers -- Strategy Page

Hungary's defence minister resigns over refugee crisis -- Al Jazeera

Top German Spy: We Made Mistakes Working With NSA -- Sputnik

German Bundeswehr Struggles to Bring Back Past Glory -- Sputnik

Navy seeks maritime radar for Northrop MQ-8C Fire Scout -- Flight Global

Cyber missions could fuel Boeing EA-18G orders: U.S. Navy chief -- Reuters

Northrop Grumman offers to accelerate JSTARS delivery -- IHS Janes 360

Marine aviation deaths hit 5-year high -- Marine Times

Military selects rarely used charge for Bergdahl case -- AP

US Submarine Fleet in the Pacific Has New Commander -- The Diplomat

'Difficult for US to Match Russia's Influence in the Arctic' -- Sputnik