Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 22, 2016

Iraq's Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi speaks during a news conference in Baghdad, December 19 2015. REUTERS/KHALID AL-MOUSILY

Reuters: Iraq to start Mosul offensive against IS in first half of 2016: Minister

Iraq plans to launch the operation to dislodge Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul in the first half of 2016, Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi told Reuters on Thursday.

Mosul is the largest city under control of the militants who captured it in 2014 to declare a caliphate over vast swathes of Sunni populated regions of Iraq and Syria.``I can say the battle won't be delayed after the first half of this year, and its end by God's will shall also be swift,'' Obeidi said in an interview in Cairo. ``We can determine when the battle starts, but its end depends on variables.''Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in December said 2016 will be the year of ``final victory'' on Islamic State. He spoke after the Iraqi army retook from the militants the city of Ramadi, west of Baghdad.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 22, 2016

Iraqi Defense Chief: Russian Arms Supplies Game Changer in Anti-Daesh Fight -- Sputnik

Exclusive: U.S. Admits to Bombing 29 Civilians in ISIS War -- Daily Beast

US to admit 14 more civilian bombings in ISIS campaign – report -- RT

Pentagon Plans to Send More Troops to Iraq -- Sputnik

U.S. troops take over air base in Syria, local reports say -- Military Times

The fight against the Islamic State just entered a new phase — and it could grow soon -- Washington Post

NATO discussing request for AWACS surveillance aircraft in Syrian anti-'IS' fight -- DW

Russia may be looking to build air base in Syria near Turkish border -- CNN

Report: Turkey suspects Russia building air base near border with Syria -- Today's Zaman

Russia shows off submarine destroyer near Syrian coast (VIDEO) -- RT

Russian ground forces may deploy units in Crimea — commander -- Sputnik

Russian Nuclear Forces Receive 10 Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22 Strategic Bombers -- Sputnik

Russia Boosts Military Presence In Response To Increasing NATO Drills In Eastern Europe -- IBTimes

Russia To Create New Military Divisions In Response To NATO -- RFE

Russian General Staff sees no threat to Russia’s security despite Europe military buildup -- TASS

Xi Jinping’s New Plans for China's Cyber Soldiers -- National Interest

China Reaches Deal To Build Military Outpost In Djibouti -- NPR

Don't read too much into military drills, China says after Taiwan alarm -- Reuters

The impact of China’s economic frailty on its military priorities -- The Hill

U.S., South Korea, to share military intelligence in real time -- UPI

Netanyahu: U.S., Israel close on military aid package -- USA Today

U.S., Japan navies conduct war games near Guam -- Navy Times

Taliban Attack Shows Limits of Pakistan’s Military Crackdown -- New York Times

A-29s Finally Begin to Arrive in Afghanistan -- Defense Tech

US loosens rules of engagement for ISIS in Afghanistan -- FOX News

Obama administration gives Pentagon new authorities to strike Islamic State in Afghanistan -- Washington Post

Report cites wasted Pentagon money in Afghanistan -- USA Today

As the Military Cries Poor, It Wastes Billions in Afghanistan -- Fiscal Times

How the US Blew Millions of Dollars Airlifting Cashmere Goats to Afghanistan -- Mother Jones

In Singapore, Another US Navy LCS Is Sidelined With Machinery Problems -- Defense News

Drone crashes doubled for the Air Force between 2014 and 2015 -- Washington Times

DARPA selects Raytheon for infantry squad research -- UPI

Dems: CIA chief must apologize for Senate spying -- The Hill

U.S. airports to roll out facial-recognition software to catch fake passports -- Washington Times

Epic Navy bribery scandal shows how easy it can be to steal military secrets -- Washington Post

12 missing U.S. Marines declared dead after Hawaii helicopter crash -- Daily News/Reuters

Status of Marines missing after helicopter crash changed to deceased -- AP

Luke Air Force Base: Remains found at site of F-16 crash in Arizona -- AZ Central

Trove of Marine Corps films from 1930s-1970s to be preserved -- Washington Times