Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 18, 2020


Anti-war.com: US, China Drive Surge in Global Military Spending

Biggest increase in spending in 10 years

New data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has shown a roughly 4% increase in military spending for 2019, the single largest rate of growth seen in the past 10 years.

The increase is being driven in large part by the two largest military spenders in the world, the United States and China. Both nations increased their respective spending by 6.6%. The US alone increased spending $53.4 billion, which is itself almost as much as other major nations, like Britain, spend on their entire national defense budget.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 18, 2020

US-China strategic rivalry and new technology propel global surge in military spending, IISS report says -- SCMP/AFP

Europeans crank up defense spending amid doubts over US backing -- Defense News

Graham tells Defense Secretary Esper he could 'make your life hell' in battle over Trump Africa policy -- NBC

Graham warned Pentagon chief about consequences of Africa policy: report -- The Hill

Lawmakers push back at Trump's Pentagon funding grab for wall -- The Hill

US Successfully Tests Trident II Ballistic Missile Capable of Carrying Nuclear Warhead -- Sputnik

Roosevelt, America strike groups unite for Pacific operations -- UPI

DoD: We’re retiring 44 A-10s. Arizona lawmakers: fight me -- Task & Purpose

DARPA Wants Millions To Design An Unmanned 'Flying Gun' Under Its New Gunslinger Program -- Warzone/The Drive

The Army is doubling down on a brand new sniper rifle -- Task & Purpose

Life of a C.I.A. Coder: Nerf Guns, Pranks and Fat Jokes -- The New York Times

Report: U.S., South Korea defense talks on shaky ground -- UPI

Ending Philippines-US military pact will affect South China Sea disputes: analysts -- SCMP

Allies show US the price of reducing common defense funding -- Dov S. Zakheim, The Hill

Esper to allies: Picking Huawei risks intel and security ties with the US -- Defense News

‘It is dangerous’: France’s Macron startles allies and angers US officials with defense proposals -- Washington Examiner

Without Britain, the European Union Lurches Towards Its Own Army -- Bill Wirtz, American Conservative

Cyprus buys missiles, partners with France for exercises to thwart Turkey -- UPI

Germany wants another crack at a EU mission in the Strait of Hormuz -- Defense News

Despite suggestion, shorter skirts not the way the Canadian military is trying to recruit more women -- CTV News

US Plans to Deploy Weapons in Space Would Destroy Current Security Balance - Moscow -- Sputnik

US Paving Way to Deploy Intermediate and Short-Range Missiles in Europe and Asia - Lavrov -- Sputnik

Russia’s Next Aircraft Carrier Will Likely Be Nuclear -- Forbes

More Than a Decade After Military Reform, Hazing Still Plagues the Russian Army -- Moscow Times

Afghan forces facing an increase in insider killings -- Army Times

China to fast-track biosecurity law in coronavirus aftermath -- SCMP

Taiwan's Military Is a Hollow Shell -- Foreign Policy

Australian navy begins three-week fleet certification exercise -- UPI

Italy in talks to sell frigates to Egypt -- Defense News

Why is Egypt seeking African military force? -- George Mikhail, Al-Monitor

Israel rolls out new wartime plan to reform armed forces -- Defense News

AI a new and ‘frightening’ battlefield in cyber war, experts warn -- Shoshanna Solomon, Times of Israel

This Israeli Cyber Billionaire Battles Hackers In China, Russia And Iran: ‘It Will Only Get Worse’ -- Forbes

WWI-era helmets as good for shock wave protection as modern versions -- UPI

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pressure continues to be turned up on Attorney General William Barr. The independent Federal Judges Association is convening an emergency meeting Tuesday to address concerns about how the Justice Department and President Trump have intervened in high-profile political cases, reports USA Today. (Two recent examples were the cases of Trump allies Roger Stone and Michael Flynn.) The move comes days after more than 1,000 former Justice Department officials demanded that Barr resign. More on what's happening:

Significance: The move by the judges' group "is another example of the scrutiny Barr is facing from not only Democrats but also members of the legal community—from both sides of the political aisle," per Axios.
Why: "We just could not wait until April to discuss matters of this importance," said Philadelphia US District Judge Cynthia Rufe, the group's president and an appointee of George W. Bush. "There are plenty of issues that we are concerned about." She also voiced support for the federal judge in the Stone case, Amy Berman Jackson, who was criticized online by Trump. Critics including Hillary Clinton said that amounted to intimidation.

Anonymous said...

"Critics including Hillary Clinton said that amounted to intimidation."

Wow, now if a CLINTON says so, it must be true. lol Fred is that you with your little bird brain again?

Anonymous said...

Hillary Clinton - a former failed (twice!) presidential candidate who said "civility will only be restored when we are back in power" - that crazed lady who ran the most sexist campaign - with all those connections and that entitlement thinking and corrupt pay for play scheme (Clinton foundation collapsed once she didn't become president suddenly no other nations donated anymore. .ohhhh so weird)..that scum of the Earth who lost despite having all the advantages and establishment on her side is who you trust? Omg you get dimmer the older you get

Anonymous said...

Meduza.io:
Putin officially fires top political aide Vladislav Surkov Find
20 minutes ago
Mairead McArdle / National Review:
Trump Pardons Former 49ers Owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. in Gambling Fraud Case Find
20 minutes ago
Justice News:
Massachusetts State Representative Charged with Embezzling Campaign Funds, Bank Fraud and Tax Fraud Find
25 minutes ago
Dan Mangan / CNBC:
Trump pardons Michael Milken, face of 1980s insider financial scandals Find
30 minutes ago
Kaitlan Collins / CNN:
Trump commutes sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Find

Anonymous said...

Why Do My Fellow Republicans Make Excuses for Trump’s Deficits?

He is driving the country to financial ruin. And his own party is letting it happen.

Bob Huntley said...

Trump has the bit in his mouth and is heading for the barn.