Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 6, 2016

FOX News: 'It changes things': Successful North Korean H-bomb test raises threat to US and Asia, expert says

If North Korea is confirmed to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, as the country's Stalinist dictatorship claimed Wednesday, it would signify that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program is far more advanced than most analysts have imagined, a veteran North Korea watcher told Fox News late Wednesday.

"If in fact it was a hydrogen test, this means the North Koreans are advancing their nuclear weaponization program at a faster and more efficient (and deadly) pace than most analysts have predicted in the past," Dr. Bruce Bechtol wrote in an email.

"Thus, yes, it changes things," Bechtol added. "It increases the possibilities regarding the threat that North Korea can pose to South Korea, the region, and the U.S."

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 6, 2016

Seoul Increases Combat Readiness After North Korea Test of Hydrogen Bomb -- Sputnik

Institute: NKorea develops sub missile despite setback -- AP

US launches airstrikes in Afghanistan after deadly firefight, evacuations -- FOX news

U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan -- CNN

2 wounded US soldiers evacuated from Afghan battlefield. -- NYT

Afghan forces claim advances in Taliban-held district. -- VOA

Pentagon chief confident in Afghan strategy despite latest fatality -- The Hill

Middle East dispute not hurting ISIS fight — yet -- The Hill

Footage of ISIS weapons lab shows construction of heat-seeking missiles, car bombs -- FOX news

Iran Airs Footage of New Missile in Underground Bunker -- AFP

Algeria Orders 12 Su-34 'Fullback' Fighter-Bombers from Russia -- Defense News

Going Global: Russian Su-34 on the Way to Become Export Bestseller -- Sputnik

Russian Aerospace Forces get another S-400 missile regiment for Moscow defence - ministry -- TASS

Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces to Go All-Digital by 2020 -- Sputnik

Russia, Allies To Start New Military Exercises In Tajikistan -- Eurasianet.org

Former Nigerian defence minister charged with money laundering -- Reuters

Pakistan Seeks Closer Military Ties With Sri Lanka -- AFP

Polish defense minister wants to double size of army -- Newsweek

Poland Wants 'to Leave Dirty Work' of Defense to Washington -- Sputnik

Lithuania Says NATO Jets Scrambled More Often in 2015 -- AP

China Defends Airstrip Construction in the South China Sea -- The Diplomat

Welcome to New Reality: Russia and China Challenge US Naval Supremacy -- Sputnik

US Pacific fleet smaller, even as China's military grows -- AP

US Navy's Pacific Fleet Shrinks in Face of Rising China -- Sputnik

Navy to reconsider Fleet Forces relationship with Pacific Fleet -- Virginia Pilot

US Unveils New Strategic Plan to Keep Command of Oceans in 21st Century -- Sputnik

Pentagon Approves Request For Proposal For Nuclear Submarine -- Bloomberg

Jedi Knights wanted for the military’s fight with ISIS -- Marine Times

Exclusive: CIA Eyes Russian Hackers in ‘Blackout’ Attack -- Shane Harris, Daily Beast

DoD has key role in Obama's new gun control plans -- Defense News

US Military Academy Swears In First Female Commandant of Cadets -- VOA

Inside the Decision to Open Up the Frontlines to Women -- Jay Newton-Small, Time

Ethicists say military doctors shouldn't force-feed prisoners -- FOX News