Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 19, 2017

David Schmerler, CNN: North Korea's military parade: What we didn't see

If North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hoped the successful launch of a missile Sunday would be a powerful footnote to Saturday's military parade, he would have been sorely disappointed.

The missile blew up almost immediately, providing observers with few clues as to what the regime was attempting to achieve with the launch, beyond a show of force.

Saturday's parade to mark the "Day of the Sun" was different, however.

During similar parades in the past, North Korea has shown off its military hardware as a sign of strength and defiance to those who oppose the state.

This year we were expecting to see a new missile, but what we got was something of a scale never seen before.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 19, 2017

'Sword Stands Ready' Against North Korea, Pence Tells Troops in Japan -- Militay.com

South Korean missile interceptor in final development -- UPI

South Korea Pushes to Make THAAD Operational Against North’s Threat -- Defense Tech

Here’s just how risky it is to fight North Korea -- USA Today

Trump Mulls U.S. Military Options for North Korea, All Grim -- Bloomberg

Hundreds of US troops begin joint South Korea military exercises as North Korea threatens 'thermonuclear war' -- The Independent

Trump's "armada" finally heading to Korea – and may stay a while -- Virginia-Pilot/Washington Post

North Korea tension: US 'armada' was not sailing to Korean peninsula -- BBC

Did Trump and military get it wrong about San Diego warships rushing to North Korea? -- Carl Prine, San Diego Union Tribune

Russian Bombers Fly Near Alaska; Air Force Scrambles Jets -- FOX News

US F-22 fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian strategic bombers near Alaska -- TASS

Russia's military buildup in Arctic puts U.S. on alert -- CBS

Russia conducting munitions tests for T-50 aircraft -- UPI

Russia to start developing new generation carrier rocket -- TASS

Russian Navy expects to recieve 40 new ships in 2017 -- TASS

China's Xi restructures military, consolidates control -- Reuters

China rapidly expands port, military base in Djibouti -- UPI

Taiwan to increase military presence on South China Sea island -- UPI

The Royal Navy's Only Operational Aircraft Carrier Could Be Sold To Brazil -- The Drive

Iran shows off newest long-range missiles at Army Day parade -- RT

U.S., Middle East allied forces complete Eagle Resolve exercises -- UPI

Mali too hot for half of Bundeswehr MINUSMA vehicles -- DW

US seals arms deal with Nigeria to fight Boko Haram -- Al Jazeera

Marines headed to southern Afghanistan, where Taliban are reversing previous victories -- Marine Times

Russian tank becomes U.S. Army unmanned target vehicle -- UPI

Defiant delayed: Joint multi-role demonstrator won’t fly in 2017 -- Defense News

Air Force looks to upgrade Reaper drones -- C4ISRNet

MQ-8C Fire Scout takes first flight from littoral combat ship -- UPI

Military Is Ramping Up Preparation For Major U.S. Power Grid Hack -- Vocativ

Trump's challenges in asking Congress for authorization for use of military force -- CBS

Trump 'Buy America' order could drive costs in defense supply chain -- Defense News

Navy officer charged with hazing, maltreatment -- The Virginian-Pilot

Newly Colorized Photos Mark 75th Anniversary of Doolittle Raid -- Military.com

How Spy Agency Hackers Pose As – Anybody -- Levi Maxey, The Cipher Brief

Mobilization: The Army’s Achilles’ Heel -- Christopher Petty, War on the Rocks

You Go to War With the Army You Inherit -- Fred Kaplan, Slate