Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 12, 2017

© Omar Sobhani / Reuters

Ciro Scotti, Fiscal Times: A Military Surge Would Push US War Costs in Afghanistan Over $2.16 Trillion

Faced with a resurgent Taliban, the Trump Administration is considering a ramp-up of the long-running war in Afghanistan.

Elements of the strategy under review include additional U.S. ground troops, with the Pentagon determining just how many more soldiers are needed. Right now, there are about 8,400 U.S. troops in-country, and The Washington Post said 3,000 more would initially be added under the plan. Other news organizations suggested the number might be as high as 5,000.

In addition, battlefield restrictions on American military advisers would be removed. NATO, which has about 5,000 non-U.S. troops in Afghanistan, is also “assessing a request from the alliance's military authorities to send more troops,” Reuters reported on Wednesday.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 12, 2017

Pentagon intelligence chief: US must ‘do something different’ in Afghanistan -- AP

'Noose Around the Neck of ISIS' as Carrier Airstrikes Move South -- Military.com

We Will Definitely Not Lose Any Guns To ISIS, U.S. Military Says -- FoxTrot Alpha

Saudi Arabia produces unmanned aerial vehicle -- UPI

Satellite image shows Chinese deployment of new aircraft to South China Sea -- Defense News

China's Aircraft Carriers and Nuclear Bastion Defense -- Robert Farley, The Diplomat

Duterte follows Xi's lead with military build-up in South China Sea -- CNN

France leads Guam military exercises amid China Sea fears -- AP

India seeks CBRN protective equipment -- UPI

Canada names David Vigneault as head of spy agency -- Reuters

Australian defence budget rises 8.3% -- Jane's 360

British defense review may come sooner as Brexit talks unfold -- Defense News

Turkey seeks to replenish severely depleted military -- Al-Monitor

North Korea military growing more powerful, survey shows -- UPI

US still boasts the most powerful military in the world, with Russia and China comfortably behind them, according to new global rankings of armed forces -- Daily Mail

State Dept. approves UAE for possible PAC-3 missile buy -- UPI

U.S. Military Offers Support, but Not Troops, to Aid France in Africa -- NYT

Norwegian Base May Become Marines' Hub in Europe -- Military.com

Officials: Troop buildup in Jordan is not for an invasion of southern Syria -- Military Times

The Pentagon would consider sending more US troops to Somalia -- Military Times

USS Abraham Lincoln is the Navy's First Carrier Equipped to Carry the F-35C Stealth Fighter -- National Interest

The Army Is Once Again Looking to Replace the 5.56mm Cartridge -- The Drive

Army Mulls Marine Corps’ Polymer Magazine Decision -- Kit Up!

Marine Unit in Norway First to Deploy with Rifle Suppressors -- Military.com

Navy should return to 'goddamned steam' on carrier, Trump says -- Navy Times

Trump May Have Just Derailed A Crucial Part Of America's Future Aircraft Carrier Fleet -- Foxtrot Alpha

US Army searches for mid-size cargo UAV -- Flight Global

Expiring spying law helped U.S. conclude Russia hacked election: NSA chief -- Reuters

CIA Director Sees Nothing To ‘Make Us Feel Better About’ North Korea -- Daily Caller

North Korea poses 'existential' threat, US intel chief warns -- AP

CIA director warns of Venezuela weapons transfers -- Reuters

Trump's intel agencies tell Congress that climate change poses national security threats -- Yahoo News

NYU Accidentally Exposed Military Code-breaking Computer Project To Entire Internet -- The Intercept

US military doubles number of recognized religions to 221 -- Columbus Dispatch