Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 25, 2017

Nigerien soldiers train with US Marines on March 12, 2006.DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell

DW: US military engagement in Niger and Africa: 3 things to know

The attack on US troops in Niger that left four soldiers dead earlier this month has triggered a broader discussion about Washington's military engagement in Africa and the public's knowledge about it.

What exactly happened in the Niger ambush against US troops?

The details about the mission and the precise sequence of events that led to four US and five Nigerien soldiers being killed in an attack reportedly carried out by local militants likely linked with the "Islamic State" group on October 4 in Niger remain sketchy and subject to change as General Joseph Dunford, the US highest ranking military officer, said during a press conference on Monday.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 25, 2017

Four Americans Killed in Niger Battle Had Limited Combat Experience -- WSJ

This timeline shows how the Niger ambush that left 4 American Green Berets dead unfolded -- Business Insider

US Suspects Niger Villager Betrayed Army Troops -- VOA

Niger is a central hub for US counterterrorism ops in West Africa -- Military Times

North Korea Has Tested a New Solid-Fuel Missile Engine -- The Diplomat

Aboard aircraft carrier, S. Korean, U.S. commanders send warning to N. Korea -- Yonhap News Agency

U.S. military strike won't destroy all N. Korean nuclear capabilities: U.S. expert -- Yonhap News Agency

Former top US military official 'increasingly concerned' about N. Korea -- France 24

3 US Carrier Strike Groups Enter Asia-Pacific Ahead of Trump's Visit -- The Diplomat

How China Is Making Moves To Be The Dominant Player In The Asian Pacific Region -- NPR

Xi Jinping ‘plots shake-up’ of men running China’s massive military machine -- SCMP

Beijing Beefing Up Fighting Capacity in Disputed South China Sea -- Sputnik

China claims U.S. Navy accidents in Pacific due to overstretched fleet -- Washington Times

In response to China, Indian Navy expanding its footprint across Indian Ocean -- Times Now

Philippines, Russia sign two military deals -- Reuters

Russia to Boost Military Potential If NATO Creates New Units – Senior Lawmaker -- Sputnik

This Plane Could Make the Russian Air Force Even More Lethal -- National Interest

Iran, Syria Make Plans for Closer Military Cooperation -- VOA

Mozambique's president dismisses head of intelligence and army chief -- Reuters

Haley: Africa's Violence Could Become US Security Threat -- VOA

Mattis praises Philippine army on winning fight in Marawi without rights abuse -- Reuters

'We can't perform our mission if we're not aggressive': CIA expanding its Taliban hunt in Afghanistan -- National Post/NYT

US to close CIA division’s UK intelligence monitoring unit -- Financial Times

Kaspersky says it obtained suspected NSA hacking code from U.S. computer -- Reuters

What's Next for the US Navy After Its Ship Collisions? -- The Diplomat

Why the U.S. Navy's America-Class Amphibious Assault Ships are One of a Kind -- National Interest

US lawmakers seek vote to abandon Saudi-led war in Yemen -- Defense News

Judge to weigh U.S. Army deserter Bergdahl's punishment at hearing -- Reuters

Sex Scandals Are Rife in the US Military, Investigation Finds -- Newsweek

Military poll: 48% of enlisted troops approve of Trump, just 30% of officers agree -- Hot Air

It’s Time To Address The Staggering Rate Of Suicide Among Servicewomen And Female Vets -- Kate Hendricks Thomas and Kyleanne Hunter, Task & Purpose

The U.S. Military Was Supposed To Get Much Bigger Under Trump. Here’s Why It Hasn’t -- Zachary Fryer-Biggs, Newsweek

Is Trump Laundering Spaceflight Money Through the Air Force? -- Neel Patel, Slate

Could Iran's Submarines 'Sink' the U.S. Navy in a War? -- Sebastien Roblin, National Interest