Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 2, 2016

Netanyahu with Obama in the Oval Office, in 2014. Before the accord with Iran was signed, Netanyahu rejected Obama's offer to increase U.S. aid to $4 billion a year.Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Haaretz/Reuters: Israel, U.S. Narrow Differences Over New Military Aid Package

Israel has signaled it may accept the Obama administration's demand that US military funds, until now spent partly on Israeli arms, will eventually be spent entirely on American-made weapons, according to congressional sources.

The United States and Israel have narrowed their differences over what could be decisive negotiations this week to seal a multibillion-dollar military aid package for Washington's top Middle East ally, officials said on Monday.

Raising hopes for removal of a key sticking point, Israel has signaled it may accept the Obama administration's demand that U.S. military funds, until now spent partly on Israeli arms, will eventually be spent entirely on U.S.-made weapons, according to congressional sources.

It would mark a major concession by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after months of tense negotiations over the 10-year aid pact.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 2, 2016

As Israel Prospers, Obama Set to Give Billions More in Aid While Netanyahu Demands Even More -- The Intercept

Obama approves 30-day airstrike mission against ISIS in Libya -- FOX News

Russian Military Gets Customized Il-96-400 'Doomsday Plane' -- Sputnik

Russia's 'New Efficient Solutions' to Counter Washington's Upgraded B61-12 Nuke -- Sputnik

No comment from Kremlin on US preparations for making upgraded nuclear bomb -- TASS

Kremlin Comments on US Plans to Modernize Nuclear Arsenal -- Sputnik

Future is Here: Russian Army Already Uses Several Types of Laser Weaponry -- Sputnik

Why China Is Handing Soldiers Big Payouts to Retire Quietly -- Bloomberg

China holds massive naval drills to prepare for ‘sudden, cruel & short’ modern war -- RT

India, France Move Closer to Rafale Fighter Deal -- Defense News

Canadian government pay $33 million to stay in F-35 program, despite not committing to buy them -- CBC/Canadian Press

British Navy Sees Delay In Delivery Of South Korean-Built Tanker -- Defense News

Air Force Declares F-35A Ready For Combat -- Defense News

Navy to Complete First Prototypes of Virginia Payload Modules -- Scout Warrior

Virginia-class Attack Boat Illinois Completes Alpha Trials -- USNI News

US Nuclear Bomb Is Cleared For Production Engineering -- Defense News

New deterrence: US plans to upgrade its nuclear bomb -- RT

Recapitalizing the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles -- Jeff Blackrick, RCD

DIA cyber officer profiles global threat actors -- Defense News

CIA Cyber Official Sees Data Flood as Both Godsend and Danger -- Bloomberg

Snapping up cheap spy tools, nations 'monitoring everyone' -- AP

Incoming commander for Army Space and Missile Defense Command dies -- Defense News/ARMY Times

Former FBI Employee Pleads Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent -- Defense News

Bergdahl's lawyers ask for charges to be dropped over McCain comments -- Reuters

Clinton and Trump's intelligence briefings aren't anything to worry about -- Benjamin Gilbert, VICE

What Is a Gold Star American Family? -- VOA News

Army paratrooper energy bar provides soldiers a pre-jump boost -- Army Times