Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 1, 2017

Northrop Grumman features its conceptual sixth-generation fighter jet of the future in a new commercial likely to air during the Super Bowl. (YouTube image)

Dan Lamonthe, Washington Post: These were the top military stories on Checkpoint in 2016

U.S. news was dominated in 2016 by the presidential election and Republican nominee Donald Trump’s rise to the top, but a variety of other stories also captured the fascination of readers on Checkpoint, The Washington Post’s military site.

The stories span from tales of misdeeds at home to analysis of weapons used on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria. They also include inspiring stories about Americans who used their training to help others, and assessments of what the future U.S. military might look like.

Here are the Top 15 stories on Checkpoint in 2016. A footnote: Several significant stories about the military were published on other parts of The Washington Post’s website, and thus are not counted here. They include breaking news early in December that retired Marine Gen. James Mattis has been nominated to be Trump’s secretary of defense, and a long-form story that explored Trump’s popularity among rank-and-file veterans.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 1, 2017

Here Are The Top National Security Threats To Watch In 2017 -- Russ Read, Daily Caller

US general praises Iraqi forces fighting in Mosul -- AP

Iraqi forces in Mosul performing 'at their peak', says US commander -- The Guardian

Syrian War Doubles Sales of Russian Tanks -- Sputnik

Top brass says Russian Army got cutting-edge weaponry in 2016 -- TASS

An Arms Race Russia Will Not Run -- Stratfor

US expulsions put spotlight on Russia's GRU intelligence agency -- The Guardian

China looks to build up underwater defences following seizure of US drone -- South China Morning Post

China’s military in 2016: Missiles, intelligence and the SCS -- Bill Gertz, Asia Times

Kim Jong Un: North Korea close to testing intercontinental ballistic missile -- UPI

S. Korea leader bolsters military against rival Pyongyang -- Washington Times

South Korean Plane Accidentally Drops Missiles, Torpedoes Into Sea Near Japan -- Sputnik

Thai military will respect election result: Army chief Chalermchai -- Bangkok Post

Venezuela military trafficking food as country goes hungry -- AP

Is support for African military mission in Somalia waning? -- DW

Marines' Africa Crisis Task Force Gears for Change as It Shrinks -- Military.com

Pentagon Wants a 355-Ship Navy. But Who Will Build It? -- FOX News

F-35 Trains With A-10s, F-15s & Navy SEALs -- Scout Warrior

What The Latest Marine Aviation Mishap Says About Pilot Readiness -- Task & Purpose

Air Force Opens $16 Billion Trainer Aircraft Competition -- DoD Buzz

New T-X Request for Proposals Tees Up Major Fight Among Defense Primes -- Defense News

Air Force Launches $6.9 Billion JSTARS Competition -- Defense Tech

Lockheed Martin wins $450 million Pentagon contract: statement -- Reuters

Army Names Top 10 Modernization Efforts of 2016 -- Defense Tech

First Female Infantry Marines to Graduate Boot Camp in January -- Military.com

Obama’s only Navy secretary pushed an agenda of social change. Now, he leaves with a warning. -- Washington Post

New in 2017: Future of Marines' gender integration plan uncertain -- Marine Times

Pentagon Review Could Help Veterans Shed 'Bad Paper' Discharges -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes

Defense Department’s Environmental Agenda to Come Under Fire -- National Defense

Five hot issues for the CIA confirmation hearings -- The Hill

Honored guests: MoH recipients reflect on heroism, brotherhood at Military Bowl reception -- Military Times

The Legendary Rifle That Fought World War II -- Popular Mechanics

Mattis as defense secretary: What it means for us, for the military, and for Trump -- Thomas Ricks, Foreign Policy

USA vs. Russia: If There Is War, Who Has The Stronger Military Most Nuclear Weapons? -- Jason Le Miere, International Business Times