Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 19, 2019

Locals say dozens, maybe hundreds, of Chinese soldiers have been posted for three years at one of these outposts near Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan. The Washington Post/Gerry Shih

Stars and Stripes/Washington Post: Chinese troops sit on Afghanistan's doorstep

NEAR SHAYMAK, Tajikistan — Two miles above sea level in the inhospitable highlands of Central Asia, there's a new power watching over an old passage into Afghanistan: China.

For at least three years, Chinese troops have quietly monitored this choke point in Tajikistan just beyond China's western frontier, according to interviews, analysis of satellite images and photographs, and firsthand observations by a Washington Post journalist.

While veiled in secrecy, the outpost of about two dozen buildings and lookout towers illustrates how the footprint of Chinese power has been expanding alongside the country's swelling economic reach.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 19, 2019

China's Antics in South China Sea Could Change Deployments for US Troops -- Military.com

Trump officially organizes the Space Force under the Air Force ... for now -- Defense News

Trump to approve lean Space Force -- Politico

Pentagon seeking proposals for how to use sensors in space to quickly target enemy missiles -- Space.com

Air Force Wants Eight Upgraded Boeing Fighters Along With F-35s -- Bloomberg

Air Force Base Saves $1 Billion by Reusing Old Equipment -- Military.com

Meet the Falcon, a new short-range air defense system -- Defense News

How Do U.S. Soldiers Prepare For An Unpredictable Future? Army Leaders Have A Plan. -- Loren Thompson, Forbes

Army stepping up recruitment with rap video for young potential enlistees -- FOX News

US officials sound the alarm over daily conflicts -- C4ISRNet

Intelligence Community Migrates to Cloud at Lightning Speed-Says it "Transforms" -- Warrior Maven

Pelosi says US needs NATO 'more than ever' -- DW

Pence: ‘We will not stand idly by’ as Turkey purchases S-400 -- Defense News

U.S. destroyer Cook, NATO ships enter Black Sea ahead of exercise -- UPI

Russia's latest 'wonder weapon' is more propaganda than power -- James R. Holmes, The Hill

Russia’s Kalashnikov unveils kamikaze drone -- Defense News

Channel storm damaged Russian S-400 missiles bound for China -- BBC

Russia to ship to China S-400 missiles instead of those damaged during delivery -- TASS

China’s Far Seas Naval Operations, from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Pig -- Ryan D. Martinson, CIMSEC

Check out what China brought to one of the world’s largest defense exhibitions -- Defense News

Why China won’t sign up to save a cold war nuclear missile deal -- Liu Zhen, SCMP

Google Maps military security breach not a big risk for Taiwan, expert says -- SCMP

Boeing’s T-X could be coming to the Middle East — and not just as a trainer jet -- Defense News

Germany’s ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi’s killing is having a bigger impact than expected -- The Washington Post

BAE Systems Signs agreement with Emirati repair and overhaul center for F-16 tech transfer -- Defense News

UAE announces more than $3B in defense deals at IDEX conference -- UPI

Why No Nation Should Mess with India's Aircraft Carriers -- Robert Farley, National Interest

Singapore’s first new submarine christened at Thyssenkrupp shipyard -- Defense News