Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 22, 2016

Lieutenant General Ben Hodges. YouTube

BBC: Russia used Syria as live-fire training - US general

The US army's commander in Europe has accused Russia of using its military campaign in Syria as a "live-fire training opportunity".

Lt Gen Ben Hodges said Russia's "disregard for civilian casualties... is not the conduct of a nation that wants to be treated like a superpower".

Russia's defence minister said on Thursday that its air force had killed 35,000 fighters in Syria.

But Russia has been accused of using heavy weapons in civilian areas.

It has consistently denied targeting civilians.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 22, 2016

Iraqi forces in Mosul mostly in refit mode: U.S. general -- Reuters

13 Years After Iraq, the Marines of 'Generation Kill' Regret Nothing -- Military.com

Fearing Arrest At Home, Turkish Military Officers Seek Asylum In U.S. -- NPR

Defense ministry reveals Russian army's plans for upcoming year -- TASS

Russian ‘drone tanks’ take part in military drills (VIDEO) -- RT

Russian Army to get weapons to fight mini-drone swarms in two years -- TASS

Putin orders to develop missiles capable of penetrating any defense systems -- TASS

Report links Kremlin cyber unit to Ukraine conflict and US election hacking -- DW

Flight tests of Russia’s advanced aircraft radar to start next year -- TASS

Russia Tests a New Missile That Can Destroy Satellites -- Popular Mechanics

Iran to profit from Israel's submarine deal with ThyssenKrupp -- DW

Kim Jong-un oversees two military drills involving rocket launchers and fighter pilots as North Korean troops are ordered to be ready for war -- Daily Mail

Carrier Operations on Display in the Bohai Gulf -- Jamestown Foundation

Japan Just Approved a Record $43.6 Billion Military Budget to Counter China and North Korea -- Time

Japan Coast Guard to spend 27% of budget on boosting Senkaku surveillance in 2017 -- Japan Times

Exclusive - Japan seeks to win Thai air defense radar contract: sources -- Reuters

German defense minister makes Christmas visit to Afghanistan -- DW

Berlin green lights increased surveillance in public -- DW

U.S. drone pilots defend tactics as Afghans question civilian toll -- Reuters

Lead Ford-class carrier nears completion of system testing -- IHS Janes 360

US Air Force F-35s Likely Coming Soon to Europe -- Defense News

F-35-Friendly Norwegian Strike Missile Tested Over Utah -- Popular Mechanics

F-35 Development Could See 7-Month Slip, $530M Increase -- Aviation Week

Air Force Wants 350K Airmen by 2024 -- Military.com

After violence abroad, Trump schedules a meeting with his national security adviser -- Military Times

Trump, Boeing and Lockheed Martin CEOs meet to negotiate US contracts -- RT

Military makes plans for potential Trump evacuation -- AOl.com

McCain Slams Mabus For ‘Tinkering’ With Navy Job Titles -- Task & Purpose

Military Looks To Make Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ A Reality By 2021 -- Daily Caller