Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 18, 2018

North Korean soldiers photograph Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, in March as he visits the Joint Security Area inside the Korean Demilitarized Zone. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sean K. Harp/ Army)

CNBC: The Pentagon has no plans to scale back military operations in South Korea after threats from North Korea

* The Pentagon defended the ongoing joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises amid threats from North Korea to withdraw from upcoming talks with President Trump.
* "The scope of our exercises has not changed," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said, adding that the annual drills are "longstanding and defensive in nature."
* North Korea's state-run Central News Agency said the ongoing joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea are a "provocation" and a preparation for an invasion.

The Pentagon defended the ongoing joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises Thursday amid North Korean threats of withdrawing from a highly anticipated summit with President Donald Trump next month.

"The scope of our exercises has not changed," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said, adding that the annual drills are "longstanding and defensive in nature."

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 18, 2018

North Korean Leader Chairs Panel to Reshuffle Military – Reports -- Sputnik

N.Korea decides to strengthen military -- NHK

North Korea may never end nuclear program, says expert on the Koreas -- CNBC

North Korea Says U.S. 'Has Not Given Up' Plans to Rule World With Military Budget Targeting Russia and China -- Newsweek

North Korea’s Secret Army: How Operatives Abroad Aid the Regime -- WSJ

Resolution calls on North Korea to return spy ship USS Pueblo -- UPI

New team emerges to compete for South Korea’s Chinook upgrade -- Defense News

Russia Says Missile Ships Will Stay Near Syria, Challenging U.S. in Middle East and Europe -- Newsweek

Russian Military Reports Scrambling Jets Eight Times to Chase Away Spy Planes -- Sputnik

Russian Military to Move Supersonic Bombers to Protect Arctic Borders -- Sputnik

Russian regulator: $30B misused in space, defense industries -- UPI

Afghanistan: UK considers sending more troops -- BBC

Broken fighter jets, grounded helicopters and idled tanks: Germany's military is ailing -- L.A. Times

NATO chief thanks Trump for leadership on military spending -- Politico

Which three EU nations met Nato spending goals in 2016? -- Euronews

NATO Aims to Stay Capable, Agile to Meet Threats -- US Department Of Defense

How NATO’s Transformation Chief Is Pushing the Alliance to Keep Up in AI -- Defense One

US House lawmaker introduces bill to halt F-35 sale to Turkey -- The Hill

'Material Issue' Delays USS Ronald Reagan’s Upcoming Deployment -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes

USS Ronald Reagan Pilots Resume Field Carrier-landing Practice -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes

The Air Force Wants Hypersonic Weapons and Even More Deadly F-35s -- National Interest

Air Force Budget Request Builds on Momentum, Addresses Great Power Competition -- US Department of Defense

The Beretta M9A3: The Gun the Army Didn't Want -- National Interest

The U.S. Army Is Turning to Robot Soldiers -- Bloomberg

The U.S. Army Is Planning New, More Complex Battlefield Robots -- Fortune

Army 'Leans In' To Protect A Shooter's Brain From Blast Injury -- NPR

U.S. Special Forces Accused In Botched Terror Raid That Killed Somali Civilians -- Newsweek

Pentagon releases extended video of ambush on US-Nigerien forces -- Military Times

Trump budget won’t rebuild the military, and that’s dangerous, think tank says -- Defense News