Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 5, 2015

The Diplomat: Everything You Need to Know About Russia's Intervention in Syria

Russia has started military operations in Syria. Here’s what we know so far.

As reported worldwide last week, Russia has started bombing a range of targets in Syria. The main purpose of this intervention is to prop up Bashar al-Assad’s flagging regime, which has been under siege by the Islamic State, western-backed rebels, and al-Qaeda- affiliated groups, such as the al-Nusra front. Looking at Bellingcat’s report and images of the Bassel al-Assad airbase at Latakia, we can discern that Moscow has deployed at least 12 fighter-bombers (SU-25 Frogfoot.) (The BBC claims that at least 20 jets have been deployed to Syria.) Dave Majumdar at The National Interest also reports that Russia has deployed 10 SU-24M2 Fencer and four SU-34 Fullback.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 5, 2015

Russia’s Air Campaign No Different From Assad’s -- VOA

US Dismisses Reports on Halting of Airstrikes on ISIL Positions in Iraq -- Sputnik

John McCain says US is engaged in proxy war with Russia in Syria -- The Guardian

NATO’s Stoltenberg Condemns Russian Violation of Turkey Airspace -- Bloomberg

Kurdish militia ill-equipped to fight terrorists who commandeered U.S. armored vehicles -- Washington Times

Russian Warships Hold Missile, Artillery Drills in Mediterranean - Ministry -- Sputnik

Procurement: Another Russian Success -- Strategy Page

Ratnik-2 Will Turn Soldiers Into ‘Intellectual Fighting Machines’ -- Sputnik

Russia Develops New Hybrid Warfare Drone System -- Sputnik

Russia details ambitious effort to modernise nuclear-powered submarines to bolster order of battle -- IHS Jane's 360

Russia’s MiG Warns Bulgaria Over Jet Deal With Poland -- Defense News

16,000 Ukrainian troops defect Donbas with weapons, prosecutor says -- TASS

US Military Tries to Restore Communication Hotline With Moscow -- Sputnik

REPORT: The global market for military drones will exceed $US10 billion in the next decade -- Business insider

Breaking New Ground: China's Navy Tours Scandinavian Countries -- Sputnik

Chinese flying ops in Tibet have increased, but no need to worry: Air chief Arup Raha -- Indian Express

China's GF-4 satellite can be used to monitor US carriers -- Want China Times

Chinese Attacks on U.S. Air Bases in Asia: An Assessment of Relative Capabilities, 1996–2017 -- RAND

Report: Asia a growing market for light military helicopters -- UPI

N. Korea opts for military parade instead of missile launch -- Korea Times

36,000 troops, 200 aircraft & 60 vessels: NATO launches biggest war games in 13 years -- RT

GPS blackout fears over Nato drill off Scottish coast -- The Scotsman

Global nuclear facilities 'at risk' of cyber attack -- BBC

AC-130 Gunship Carried Out Attack In Kunduz: Reports -- Military.com

John McCain: Airstrike on Afghan hospital was avoidable -- Washington Times

Boeing Lands $4 Billion Deal for F-15 Electronic Warfare Upgrades -- DoD Buzz

General Dynamics: We Need Navy's Answers on SSBN(X) Subs Acquisition Plan -- Defense News

Video: F-35Cs Land Aboard USS Eisenhower for Carrier Testing -- DoD Buzz

F-35 Fatal Ejection Fear Riles Congress -- Defense News

What's in the Defense Bill for Military and Families? -- AP

Leaders debate next steps for UCLASS, carrier drones -- Navy Times

Special Operations: JSOC In The Shadows -- Strategy Page

The Future of Geospatial Intelligence -- Alexandra Viers, Cipher Beat

US Military Shapes What Americans Eat -- VOA

Army retires green service uniform after 61 years -- Army Times

Experts: Mitigating Factors Could Affect Bergdahl Case -- Military.com

Should America Embrace Smaller Aircraft Carriers? -- Timothy A. Walton, National Interest

The path not taken: A war correspondent’s struggle with PTSD -- Yochi Dreazen, Boston Globe

Why the U.S. military can’t succeed in training foreign armies -- Lawrence Korb, Reuters