Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 14, 2021

 

The National: CIA says Russia’s military build-up now enough to launch incursions into Ukraine 

The director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns told the US Senate on Wednesday that Russia has amassed sufficient military forces and equipment on the border of Ukraine to allow a Russian incursion into the country. 

Mr Burns expressed serious concern over an ongoing Russian military build-up in the Crimea and Donbass region over the last four weeks. 

The CIA director, who served as a former ambassador to Russia, said that experience taught him “not to underestimate the ways in which President [Vladimir] Putin and the Russian leadership can throw its weight around".  

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 14, 2021  

U.S. spy chiefs say China is 'unparalleled priority' -- Reuters  

China, other countries now top U.S. intel's global threat list, not terrorist groups -- NBC  

Wray: FBI opens investigation into China every 10 hours -- The Hill  

CIA chief highlights loss of intelligence once U.S. troops leave Afghanistan -- Reuters  

US troop withdrawal invites 'significant risk' of terrorism resurgence in Afghanistan, CIA director warns -- ABC News  

US intel chief says spy agencies still do not know 'where, when or how' Covid-19 was initially transmitted -- WNEY News

US intel chief says spy agencies still do not know 'where, when or how' Covid-19 was initially transmitted -- CNN  

US intelligence community warns of devastating long-term impact of coronavirus pandemic -- CNN  

Biden names 2 ex-NSA officials for senior cyber positions -- AP  

Biden names former NSA officials to key cybersecurity positions -- Politico  

No Domestic Surveillance Authorities Needed, NSA Director Reiterates -- NextGov  

Crucial F-35 Combat Test Risks a Delay to 2022, Five Years Late -- Bloomberg  

Today's F-35As Not Worth Including In High-End War Games According To Air Force General -- Warzone/The Drive

Nellis AFB is ‘centerpiece’ for Air Force modernization -- US Air Force  

The KC-46 has a messy problem with its palletized toilet -- Defense News  

New Army tech 'sees' through battlefield blind spots -- Army Times

BAE, Oshkosh to build prototype cold-weather vehicles for U.S. Army -- UPI 

How the Pandemic Changed Military Recruiting Forever -- Military.com  

Biden admin moving ahead with UAE F-35, drone sales for now -- Defense News  

Germany Backs 3 Billion Euro Contract for European Military Drone -- US News and World Report/Reuters  

French Navy Exercise Combines Ships from 5 Navies on Short Notice -- USNI News  

UK official: American warhead decision won’t impact British nuclear plans -- Defense News  

US Committed to 'Assisting Ukraine With Its Self-Defense Needs', Pentagon Chief Says -- Sputnik  

Russia, Ukraine hold military drills, NATO criticises Russian troop build-up -- Reuters  

Ukrainian forces wary of Russian troop movements near eastern front line -- France 24  

Ukraine’s military poses a tougher challenge for Russia than in 2014 -- Politico  

Beijing shows it’s ‘not taking its foot off the gas’ with latest incursion into Taiwan airspace -- SCMP  

Chinese, US Military Exercises Are New Norm in Disputed Asian Sea -- VOA  

U.S.-Japan navy chiefs cite alliance as 'a cornerstone' of Indo-Pacific security -- UPI  

PLA to hold live-fire drills off Taiwan as US delegation visits island -- SCMP  

Former CIA Acting Director Praises Bitcoin Technology as ‘Boon for Surveillance’ -- Sputnik