Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 13, 2017

Scout Warrior: Will NATO Plus-Up Give Afghan Forces an Offensive Boost?

DoD News, Defense Media Activity With an increase in troops, the U.S. and NATO strategy in Afghanistan has a good chance of enabling Afghan security

With an increase in troops, the U.S. and NATO strategy in Afghanistan has a good chance of enabling Afghan security forces to do more to secure their country, the Resolute Support mission commander said during a news conference in Brussels this week.

Army Gen. John W. Nicholson told reporters that Afghan forces have proven their mettle in the time of the greatest risk to the Afghan government.

“We fought most of the year … at the lowest level of capability that we've ever had in the 16 years [of the Afghan conflict],” Nicholson said. “It was the lowest level of capability and the highest level of risk we've faced in this time.”

Part of the problem is the NATO train and assist mission was not completely resourced. “We were only at an 80 percent fill on our combined joint statement of requirements,” he said.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 13, 2017

‘I Serve Afghanistan!’: Afghan Soldiers Graduate To The Elite Ranks Of Special Forces -- Task & Purpose

Inside the US military’s plans to double the Afghan Air Force’s aircraft inventory -- Defense News

US wants to build 'tsunami of air power' in Afghanistan, but impact is years away -- Washington Post

Top U.S. General: Troops in Afghanistan Fought at Lowest Capacity, Highest Risk for ‘Most of the Year’ -- Breitbart

Marines bring HIMARS to Helmand to beef up security -- Defense News

Russia Is Preparing for a Nuclear or Chemical Attack as Tensions With NATO Build -- Newsweek

Blue Flag Exercise Has Dozens of Foreign Fighter Jets Over Israel Training For War -- The Warzone/The Drive

Eritrea's Military Got Help From U.A.E., Foreign Firms, UN Says -- Bloomberg

Source: UAE wants to buy 24 F-35s -- Defense News

UAE agrees $1.6 billion deal with Lockheed Martin to upgrade F-16 fighters -- Reuters

Canadian air chief looks to speed up up fighter buy -- Defense News

Despite obstacles, Saab still hopeful for future Gripen C sales -- Defense News

Ankara to Deal on Russian S-400 with Moscow Amid Failure to Get It From NATO -- Sputnik

Turkey's S-400 purchase not a message to NATO: official -- Al Jazeera

Monaco’s tiny military still packs a punch -- Stars and Stripes

European Union gives impetus to joint defence plan -- BBC

EU Agrees to Boost Military Cooperation but Doubts Remain -- Wall Street Journal

NATO not enough? EU launches own military alliance -- RT

Prince Harry is accused of breaking military rules by wearing a BEARD while on duty at the Cenotaph in army uniform -- Daily Mail

How NATO Could Accidentally Trigger a War with Russia -- National Interest

Don't reactivate the old frigates, internal US Navy memo recommends -- Defense News

On-site joint military team to investigate Niger attack: report -- The Hill

Recruits with history of depression, bipolar disorder can get waivers to join Army: report -- The Hill

Texas shooting puts scrutiny on military's criminal reporting system -- The Hill

This Marine lost both legs in Afghanistan. He just ran 31 marathons in 31 days -- Kansas City Star

'Humbling' mission: Agency toils to ID 82,000 soldiers still MIA -- UPI

Check Out The B-2 Stealth Bomber's First Visit To Edwards AFB's Massive Anechoic Chamber -- The Warzone/The Drive

Marines Are Buying "M007" Glocks For Special Agents And Its Elite Helicopter Unit -- The Warzone/The Drive

Are US naval assertions in the South China Sea necessary? -- Mark J. Valencia, Asia Times

How to Lose a Special Operations War in Africa -- Jonathan Marshal, National Interest