Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 25, 2016

© Dmitry Vinogradov / Sputnik

RT: Russian military denies rumors of new air base in Syria

Russia’s Defense Ministry has denied speculations about constructing second air base in Syria. The rumor could be a false flag operation by Ankara to cover up the concentration of Turkish forces on the Syrian border, MoD spokesman said.

“There are no ‘new’ airbases or additional ‘jump-up bases’ for Russian warplanes in the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as no plans to create any,” Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov told media briefing on Monday.

According to Konashenkov, “the allegations published by the British newspaper the Times on the matter are either dilettantish farce or an awkward attempt to provide a media cover-up for pulling in large number of Turkish troops to the Syrian border next to Al-Qamishli area.”

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 25, 2016

Russia has no plans of opening new airbase in Syria — defense ministry -- TASS

Biden suggests 'military solution' to Syrian conflict: 'There is no change in U.S. policy,' his office clarifies. -- Politico

U.S. and Allies Weigh Military Action Against ISIS in Libya -- NYT

MiG-31 fighter jet crashes in Siberia, pilots eject safely -- RT

India, Russia Slash Fifth Gen Fighter Jet Development Costs by 40% -- Sputnik

Joint Polish, Lithuanian, Ukrainian Force to Become Operational in 2017 -- Sputnik

French Military Overstretched as Hollande Pushes Active Role -- Bloomberg

Le Drian: France Is Entering New Strategic Era -- Defense News

China: The Power of Military Organization: Analysis -- Stratfor

China confirms new military development and procurement department -- IHS Jane's 360

China 'Will Not Initiate Military Conflict' Over Island Disputes: Expert -- NBC

China Has 'Reached Consensus' With Djibouti on Military Base -- The Diplomat

Dassault Expects Rafale Contract With India Within Month -- Defense news

Pakistan's powerful army chief says to step down when term ends -- Reuters

F-16 Crash in US Part of Taiwan’s Secretive 'Gamblers' Program -- Defense News

US General: Afghan Army Being 'Rebuilt' for Taliban Battle -- AP

US, Asia Allies Set For Military Exercise Cope North 2016 -- The Diplomat

Boeing’s KC-46 Tanker Completes First Refueling Flight -- Defense news

Battle 'E' winners: Pacific Fleet's top submarines -- Navy Times

Air Force Withheld Nuclear Mishap From Pentagon Review Team -- AP

STRATCOM Head Makes Case for Protecting Nuclear Budget -- Defense News

Sen. John McCain pushes Pentagon spending changes -- USA Today

Obama commits $1.4B for new FBI headquarters construction -- Federal Times

Pentagon to take over control of background investigation information -- Washington Post

Pentagon Wants Psychologists to End Ban on Interrogation Role -- New York Times

Many military veterans' PTSD claims 'fabricated or exaggerated' -- The Guardian

NSA Director Rogers Talks About the Future of Encryption -- USNI News

Declassified documents reveal scope of Defense Department’s cyber strategy -- CSM

US Military Gears Up For Cyborg Soldiers: Other DARPA Projects With Military Applications -- Tech Times

Why Choose the Littoral Combat Ship? -- Steven Wills, War on the Rock

What Donald Rumsfeld Knew We Didn’t Know About Iraq -- John Walcott, Politico

Essay: An Acquisition System to Enable American Seapower -- Capt. Mark Vandroff, USN and Bryan McGrath, USNI News

Massive snowstorm disrupts Capitol Hill, military plans -- Defense News