Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 13, 2018

The Guardian: Trump's tweets run far ahead of US military's readiness to hit Syria

Pentagon not tactically prepared to back up president’s bellicose language with US firepower

Despite Donald Trump’s tweet suggesting that a US strike on Syria was imminent – and warning Russia to “get ready” – the US naval and other forces in the region suggest his rhetoric may have outpaced military readiness for anything but the most limited action.

Trump’s tweet – which he appeared to row back on on Thursday – appears to have given Syrian forces ample warning to move key assets, suggesting that any strike now would be largely symbolic and have little meaningful impact on the conduct of the war in Syria.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 13, 2018

U.S. Military 'Ready' To Show Trump Plans To Attack Syria, Russia Says It Will Fight Back -- Newsweek

Trump Reviews Syria Options as U.K. Cabinet Supports Response -- Bloomberg

Syria crisis: US concerned military strike would 'escalate out of control' -- The Guardian

The Pentagon Is Worried About Accidentally Killing Russian Troops During A Syria Attack -- Task & Purpose

US strikes on Syria pose risk of conflict with Russia -- Military Times

Russian jets cover Syria’s airspace after reports of US spy planes near coast -- AMN

Factbox - Russian military capabilities in event of Western strike on Syria -- Reuters

The Trump administration just confirmed the US military killed 'hundreds' of Russians in lopsided fight in Syria -- Business Insider

The German stance on Syria: Ready to help, but not militarily -- DW

Germany's military reluctance rooted in history -- DW

Russia’s top brass accepts Terminator tank support combat vehicles for service -- TASS

Spain to Deliver 5 Warships Worth $2.5Bln to Saudi Arabia - Defense Ministry -- Sputnik

Boeing establishes joint venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries for aircraft maintenance -- Defense News

China to stage surprise live-fire navy drill ‘to warn Taiwan and show support for Russia’ -- SCMP

China Reportedly Ramps Up Testing of New Long Range Air-Launched Missile -- Sputnik

German spy chief warns of dangers from Chinese hi-tech takeovers -- SCMP

US Navy’s new Pacific Command chief expected to step up drive to counter China’s submarine power -- SCMP

Navy May Not Deploy Any Littoral Combat Ships This Year -- USNI News

All eyes on US Navy bid to reform and boost readiness after collisions -- Asia Times

House Armed Services Panel Presses Top Military Aviators on Safety Concerns -- USNI News

Mattis on aviation accidents: ‘We cannot repair our way out’ -- Military Times

Portion of A-10 fleet to move into backup status in lead up to FY25 -- Defense News

Orbital ATK receives $115M to produce Army ammunition -- UPI

Army Triples Abrams Tank RPG-Killing Weapons Bound for Europe -- Warrior Maven

Here’s how the Army is trying to catch up to Russia and China on missiles, artillery -- Army Times

Mattis Says Pentagon in `Full Court’ Press to Cut F-35 Costs -- Bloomberg

Boeing to advance design process for new Air Force One -- UPI

Congressman to Mattis: Prepare for ‘a lean future’ as national debt continues to rise -- Defense News

Future Warfare: Protecting the Grid -- Tim Connors, RCD

New Pentagon Robotics Roadmap to Call for More Interoperability -- National Defense

The Pentagon is getting serious about AI weapons -- The Verge

The Only Thing That Could Beat the U.S. Marines (And Not Russia or China) -- Michael Peck, National Interest

Arms Control Hostage to Skripal and Syria Attacks -- William Courtney, RCD