Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 12, 2021

 

Defense One: Biden: ‘I Will Never Politicize’ US Troops 

Biden also announced a new Pentagon-led review of military strategy towards China. 

In his first visit to the Pentagon as commander in chief, President Joe Biden vowed that he would never “politicize” U.S. troops, in a clear signal that he intends to set a different tone than his predecessor. 

"I will never dishonor you. I will never disrespect you. I will never politicize the work you do,” Biden said in an address directed at U.S. service members and delivered from a podium in the Pentagon press briefing room. 

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 Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 12, 2021 

Biden vows to 'never politicize' the military, honors Black troops in first Pentagon visit -- USA Today 

The Problem with Lloyd Austin’s ‘Stand-Down’ Order -- National Review 

Pentagon, Congress appoint panel members to rename Confederate base names -- The Hill 

Navy's First Black, Female Four-Star Admiral Joins Commission on Renaming Bases -- Military.com 

Pentagon puts some 3,600 more troops on standby to assist with Covid vaccination efforts -- CNN 

Former NSA director, retired top officers ask Supreme Court to declare military draft unconstitutional -- Military Times 

The Navy has no idea how many sailors it has booted for extremist activity -- Navy Times 

The U.S. Army’s New A4 Bradley Variant Could Be a Killer -- National Interest 

A Pentagon strategy for elevating the space mission -- Politico

Secretive New Skunk works UAS Set For Ground Testing Soon -- Aviation Week 

Costs Of Cruise Missile Defense May Top Benefits, Suggests CBO -- Breaking Defense 

Air Force: Don't Buy Old Combat Aircraft -- Forbes 

Space Force Building Plan to Combine Active-Duty and Reserve Service -- Air Force Magazine 

Space Force begins adding cyber warriors -- C4ISRNet 

Super Bowl Bomber Flyover Previews Future Tactics -- Air Force Magazine 

How the Air Force Pulled Off the First-Ever Super Bowl Flyover with All 3 Bombers -- Military Times 

Northrop Grumman Reveals Its "LongShot" Air-Launched Missile-Toting Drone Concept (Updated) -- Warzone/The Drive 

Joint Base Andrews commander says breach 'eroded' public trust in security -- The Hill 

Leaders Should Prioritize Troops Over Weapons Amid Defense Spending Cuts, Former Officials Say -- Defense One 

Mexico border mission funded through 2021, no current plans to draw down thousands of troops -- Military Times

State clears first three foreign military sales of Biden administration -- Defense News 

US and South Korea nearing agreement on cost sharing for American troops -- CNN 

US Navy Admirals Reject Beijing's Claim that Dual-Carrier Drills in South China Sea Were ‘Symbolic' -- military.com 

The Pentagon Needs Budget Agility to Compete with China -- Defense One 

China Supply Chain, Backdoor Money ‘Huge Priority’ For Biden Pentagon -- Breaking Defense 

China rapidly expanding military assets in South China Sea, admiral says -- Washington Times 

Russian Navy tests new life-saving gear for submariners -- TASS 

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Kick Off Drills Near Iraq Border -- Radio Free Europe

Iran Commander Tells U.S. 'Take a Lesson' From Military Drills Amid Nuclear Deal Standoff -- Newsweek 

A new study on the Middle East takes the wraps off Iran’s militia doctrine -- Arab News 

Turkey says its troops will stay in Libya as long as military deal active, government requests it -- Reuters 

Iraqis, Syrians still rely on coalition airpower as troop levels wane -- Air Force Times