Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 28, 2017

South Korean Army K1A1 and U.S. Army M1A2 tanks fire live rounds during a U.S.-South Korea joint live-fire military exercise, at a training field, near the demilitarized zone, separating the two Koreas in Pocheon, South Korea April 21, 2017.

CNN: US aims to be 'more discreet' about military exercises related to North Korea

A senior administration official told CNN that the Trump administration is planning to be "more quiet" and "more discreet" about speaking publicly on US military exercises with the Republic of Korea and Japan aimed at demonstrating military capability against North Korea.

Two other administration officials confirmed that decision to CNN separately.

The decision not to talk about exercises is intended to give US diplomats more leeway in ongoing sensitive talks in the region in hopes of defusing the crisis, the senior official said.

President Donald Trump has often made statements critical of the North Korean regime and its leader, Kim Jong Un, whom the President has labeled "Little Rocket Man." The plan to tone down public comments on US military exercises with South Korea and Japan indicates at least some who report to the President are leaning toward tamping down rhetoric that could be perceived as belligerent, at least concerning any upcoming exercises.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 28, 2017

With submarine program, N. Korea signals surge toward full nuclear deterrence -- CSM

North Korea's Kim Jong Un Spent Most of 2017 Overseeing Military Activities -- Newsweek

China brings People’s Armed Police under control of top military chiefs -- SCMP

China to bring paramilitary police force under military's wing -- Reuters

Taiwan president says China military causing regional instability -- Reuters

Threats and military exercises fuel tension between China and Taiwan -- Defense News

Russia slams US plan to sell anti-missile system to Japan -- CNN

Putin: Syrian campaign showed off Russia's military might -- FOX News/AP

General Reveals How Russian S-300 Missile System Tracked US Jets in East Syria -- Sputnik

Russia’s new armament program to focus on precision weapons -- TASS

Russia to deny US observation planes stopovers at 3 airfields amid Open Skies row -- RT

Russia says embarrassing $58 million satellite launch failure due to 'human error' -- ABC News Online

Communication with AngoSat satellite restored -- TASS

Russia expects to ink S-400 missile deal with India soon -- TASS

Military expert says Putin not to withdraw from Crimea any time soon -- UNIAN

India Stocks Up on Attack Choppers After Claims of Military Unpreparedness -- Sputnik

Pakistan shops for warships to replace British frigates, modernize Navy -- Defense News

Israeli Teens Refuse to Serve in Military, Take Part in Occupation -- Newsweek

Nigeria says U.S. agrees delayed $593 million fighter plane sale -- Reuters

Turkey’s Erdogan decrees sweeping defense procurement takeover -- Defense News

Sweden would militarily back allies, but expects the same in return, says defense report -- Defense News

Canada's military seeks major cyber defence upgrade -- Toronto Star

Five US, European players apply for Poland's fighter jet tender -- Defense News

U.S. Participation in Search for Sunken Argentine Submarine Ends Today -- USNI News

Lockheed Martin receives another $553M for THAAD -- UPI

General Atomics receives more than $328.8M for drone systems -- UPI

Navy contracts Raytheon for changes to Sidewinder missiles -- UPI

Pentagon Leaders Looking to Make a Culture Shift Within the Military -- Military.com/The Fayetteville Observer

Trump’s promised military buildup set to begin in 2018 budget fights -- Military Times

US Military scientists develop state-of-the-art weapons and tanks fuelled by soldiers’ PEE -- The SUN

McCain’s health a major question for defense policy in 2018 -- Military Times

Year in review: Top stories from 2017 -- Defense News