Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 21, 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, then Turkey's prime minister, after a news conference in Istanbul in 2012. Osman Orsal/Reuters

Military.com: US Sidelined as Russia, Turkey, Iran Plot Syria's Fate

The U.S. was reduced to the role of concerned bystander Tuesday as NATO-ally Turkey met in Moscow with Iran and Russia to plot Syria's fate following the fall of Aleppo and the assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey.

"We weren't invited," State Department spokesman John Kirby said of the Moscow meeting of foreign ministers, but Secretary of State John Kerry made follow-up phone calls to his Russian and Turkish counterparts for readouts of what was discussed.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 21, 2016

NATO's 2nd-largest military is 'bending' to Russia — and leaving the US out in the cold -- Business Insider

Hezbollah using U.S. weaponry in Syria: senior Israeli military officer -- Reuters

Russia Conducts Fifth Test of New Anti-Satellite Missile -- Washington Free Beacon

Details emerge about requirement for China's new strategic bomber -- IHS Jane's 360

China tightens financial oversight on military after scandals -- Reuters


Thailand seeks to develop military production facilities with China -- Reuters


Kim Jong Un holds rocket firing contest -- NYPost

North Korea prepares ballistic-missile sub for sea worthiness -- Washington Times

Japan Coast Guard to increase personnel -- NHK World

US returns land it's controlled since WWII to Japan amid local anger -- CNN

Top US commander in Europe meets with Ukraine troops, officials amid Russia tensions -- Stars and Stripes

French Military Chief: New Threats Require More Spending -- AP

New UK Defense Agency to Oversee Nuclear Missile Subs Construction -- Defense News

Peaceful EU Starts to Fund Military Research -- Scientific American

Canada defends record $11bn arms sale to Saudi Arabia in court -- RT

Afghans who aided US military face long, fearful visa wait -- Washington Times


F-35’s $400K Helmet Still Blinds Pilots on Night Flights -- DoD Buzz

Air Force, industry go on “offense” with cybersecurity -- Defense Systems

US Navy: We need more aircraft carriers, combat ships to meet rising global threats -- Business Insider

The Navy’s $7 Billion Stealth Destroyer Could Be ‘an Unmitigated Disaster’ -- Fiscal Times

What's Wrong With the U.S. Navy's Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Fleet? -- National Interest

Navy to pay Ingalls $1.46B to build amphibious assault ship -- AP

In about face, Navy restores traditional job titles after objections -- FOX News

Navy to Restore Enlisted Rating Titles After Months of Criticism -- USNI News


Yahoo email scan shows U.S. spy push to recast constitutional privacy -- Reuters


15 Things Mattis Taught Me About Real Leadership -- Joe Plenzler, Task And Purpose

How Trump Can Fix The F-35 Fighter Program Without Hurting American Warfighters, Workers Or Allies -- Loren Thompson, Forbes


Special Operations Forces in the Gray Zone -- Phillip Lohaus, AEI