Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 8, 2019

Image: Reuters

Michael Rubin, National Interest: Iran's Military Is Making Strides Into Twenty-First Century Technology

Iran’s military industries have not been able to field the robotic and autonomous systems that now populate American, Chinese, and Russian arsenals, but they may not remain far behind for long.

Recent Iranian ship interceptions highlight Iran’s military challenge and continue to drive a regional arms race. Whereas Gulf Cooperation Council states spend lavishly on high-end, off-the-shelf, U.S.-built platforms, decades of sanctions and post-revolutionary strategic decisions to be militarily self-sufficient has led Islamic Republic to focus more on its own indigenous industries. Direct comparisons of defense spending between Arab states and Iran is difficult. While a superficial reading of public statistics shows Saudi and Emirati spending far outstrips Iran’s as a proportion of GDP, it would be a mistake to take public Iranian statistics at face value. Still, post-revolutionary Iran has long embraced asymmetric strategies such as terrorism or perhaps nuclear technologies to counter enemies, both real or imagined.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 8, 2019

Iran's Navy Would Get Smashed by America in a War -- David Axe, National Interest

Don’t Underestimate Iran’s Ability to Fight a Bloody War -- Pouya Alimagham, The American Conservative

U.S. warns commercial ships Iran may be meddling with GPS -- UPI

Why Germany Resoundingly Rejected Joining a US-Led Mission Against Iran -- Gert Hilgers, Atlantic Council

US flexes military muscle in South China Sea with nuclear aircraft carrier port call in the Philippines -- SCMP

How the CIA Aims to Keep a Footprint in Afghanistan -- Foreign Policy

Former Acting CIA Director Mike Morell Warns Of Another 9/11 If We Leave Afghanistan -- FOX News

U.S. Air Force gets F-35A fighter airborne five hours after delivery -- UPI

First Female Marine Assigned to Fly F-35C -- Military.com/Erie Times-News, Pa.

U.S. military is eager to take advantage of smallsats at scale if price is right -- Space News

Atlas V rocket launches Air Force satellite at dawn in Florida -- UPI

Military lab, which handles Ebola and other dangerous pathogens, suspended after failing CDC inspection -- FOX News

Mattis returns to board of General Dynamics -- The Hill

A unique underwater memorial honors US military veterans -- CNN

NORAD intercepts two Russian bombers off coast of Alaska, Canada -- UPI

Russian Tu-95 Bombers Shadowed by US Jets During Routine Flight Over Bering Sea - Russian MoD -- Sputnik

Russian Navy Monitors Actions of USS Porter Destroyer in Black Sea -- Sputnik

Russia deploys anti-ship missile system near Norway border -- UPI

Russia's military has been rocked by a string of explosions and fires in recent weeks that have left dozens dead or wounded -- Business Insider

Russian paratroopers to get armored vehicle with unmanned combat module -- TASS

Russia has tripled military presence in Crimea for 'possible offensive operations' against Ukraine, says intel report -- Washington Examiner

Syria, Iran, and Venezuela take part in Russian tank 'biathlon' -- Euronews/AP

China Working on Bomber-Based Hypersonic Capability to ‘Paralyse Enemy in Minutes’ - Report -- Sputnik

South China Sea: Chinese ship leaves Vietnamese zone, but is it only refuelling? -- SCMP

German Agency Accidentally Spills State Secrets About Luftwaffe Defence Order -- Sputnik

South Korea approved to buy 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters -- UPI

Iraq Purchasing Russian S-400 Systems Would Require Parliament Approval - Lawmaker -- Sputnik

New Zealand Military Rejects Recruit Due to Plant-Based Diet -- VegNews

Not just a toy: Channel-hopping hoverboard draws military’s eye -- CSM