Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 6, 2017

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the Masikryong ski competition-2016 in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) December 20, 2016. KCNA via REUTERS

Reuters: Nuclear, missile tests show 'qualitative' improvement in North Korea capabilities: U.S.

The United States said on Thursday North Korea had demonstrated a "qualitative" improvement in its nuclear and missile capabilities after an unprecedented level of tests last year, showing the needed to sustain pressure on Pyongyang to bring it back to disarmament negotiations.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a joint news conference after a meeting with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts that North Korea had conducted 24 missile tests in the past year, as well as two nuclear tests, and learned from each one.

"Even a so-called failure is progress because ... they apply what they have learned to their technology and to the next test. And in our assessment, we have a qualitative improvement in their capabilities in the past year as a result of this unprecedented level of activity," he said.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 6, 2017

North Korea's nuclear capability 'improving', US says -- ABC News Online

US can defend itself from N.Korea missile attack: Pentagon -- AFP

China Hopes to Find Settlement With South Korea Over THAAD Deployment -- Sputnik

South Korea minister says China indirectly retaliating against THAAD -- Reuters

Seoul vows to proceed with THAAD deployment, slams China’s ‘reprisals’ tactics -- RT

South Korea to form brigade to remove North's leadership in war -- AP

Chinese Media: If India Makes More ICBMs, Beijing Will Help Pakistan Respond -- Sputnik

Indonesia denies halting all military cooperation with Australia -- South China Morning Post

Philippine President Goes Aboard Russian Destroyer in Manila -- Sputnik

Triumph in the Sky: Russia Blankets Syria With S-300, S-400 Air Defense Network -- Sputnik

Israel retires F-16A fleet -- Flight Global

What is happening to Poland's military? -- Emily Tamkin, Foreign Policy

General Atomics Wins Contract to Expand Spain's Fleet of Reaper Drones -- Sputnik

UK Air Force Picks Airbus to Support A400M Fleet in $500M Deal -- Defense News

No charges in French military child sex abuse inquiry -- DW

Amnesty International report: Shiite militias using U.S. weapons for war crimes -- UPI

U.S., European weapons used to commit war crimes in Iraq: Amnesty -- Reuters

Turkey Questions Use of Airbase by US, Others Not Backing Anti-Daesh Effort -- Sputnik

US appreciates Turkish base access, hopes will continue: Pentagon -- Hurriyet Daily News/Reuters

US Dispatches Advanced Reconnaissance Planes to Japan -- Defense Tech

Marines May Return to Afghanistan as Advisers This Spring -- Military.com

More U.S. troops are being wounded in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon quietly acknowledges -- Military Times

Recent F-35 Fire Unrelated to Previous Problems: General -- Defense Tech

U.S. Air Force contracts BAE Systems for intelligence sharing -- UPI

Pentagon approves $128 billion nuclear submarine project as Obama leaves office -- RT

Budget Office: Shipbuilding Costs May Cause Navy Problems -- DoD Buzz

Pentagon’s DARPA Develops Kit Turning Aircraft Into Drones -- Sputnik

Trump selects former Sen. Coats for top intelligence post -- AP

McCain: Russia Hack Should Spark National Cyber Policy -- Defense News

Mattis clashing with Trump transition team over Pentagon staffing -- Washington Post

Military welcomes first women infantry Marines -- CNN

Only 8% of Marines are women — and the Marine Corps is struggling to change that -- VICE News

U.S. Army eases rules on beards, turbans for Muslim, Sikh troops -- Reuters

Here's What The Military Will Look Like In 2017: Transgender Troops, Hijabs, Turbans And Beards Welcome -- IBTimes

The U.S. Should Form a Closer Military Alliance with Israel -- James Stavridis, Time

America's Military Has a Big Problem: It's Dead Broke -- Tom Spoehr, National Interest

Pentagon Should Stop Whining and Start Prioritizing -- Susan Shaer & Tony Shaffer, National Interest