Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 29, 2021

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley speaks during a virtual McCain Institute event on April 28, 2021. Screenshot photo.  

Air Force Magazine: Milley: Afghanistan’s Future After U.S. Withdrawal Difficult to Predict 

The military’s top uniformed officer said April 28 it’s difficult to predict what will play out in Afghanistan as Afghan forces prepare to take sole responsibility for the country’s security following the U.S. withdrawal. 

 “It’s not a foregone conclusion that there’ll be an automatic fall of Kabul, so to speak,” said Gen. Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a virtual McCain Institute event. “I think that we, the United States, are going to continue to support diplomatic efforts to come to a negotiated outcome between the insurgents and the regime, and that would be best for the people of Afghanistan and best for our region. 

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 Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 29, 2021  

US troops begin leaving Afghanistan -- The Hill  

Biden touts Afghan withdrawal: 'American leadership means ending the forever war' -- The Hill  

Biden to Xi: US Will Maintain Strong Military Presence in Indo-Pacific -- Sputnik  

Biden budget delay blows up Hill defense schedule -- Defense News  

Biden budget delay pushes back annual defense policy bill -- The Hill  

Army Eyes Autonomous Robotic Arm to Rapidly Resupply its Futuristic Long-Range Howitzer -- Military.com  

The Air Force Is Testing Ways to Use the MQ-9 Drone in Island-Hopping Missions -- Military.com  

About 60% US Special Forces Focus on Great Power Competition, Commanding General Says -- Sputnik 

Fort Drum Commander Fired over Alleged Misconduct -- Military.com  

Gunfight at Syrian checkpoint leads to charges against sergeant first class -- Army Times  

Senate Moves Toward Major Shift in Military Law After Years of Failure to Combat Sexual Assault -- Military.com  

Despite littoral combat ship’s myriad issues, the CNO is ‘bullish’ on their future -- Navy Times  

USS Port Royal returns to Pearl Harbor after deployment -- UPI  

Marines Fire Anti-Ship Missile from Back of Unmanned Truck to Hit Target at Sea -- Military.com  

Successful test of land-based Naval Strike Missile announced by Raytheon -- UPI  

Watchdog expresses concern over using US Navy interceptor for homeland missile defense -- Defense News  

Navy at ‘unacceptable risk’ from missiles, Pentagon tester warns -- Bloomberg  

US Army-led NATO military exercises launched in Albania -- Army Times/AP  

U.S., Britain, France, Australia wrap mine countermeasure exercise -- UPI  

Top Biden officials plan Mideast trip over Iran, F-35 concerns -- Bloomberg  

F-15E Strike Eagle Smart-Bomb Transports Are Hauling Munitions Around The Middle East -- Warzone/The Drive  

China says US increasing military activity directed at it -- AP  

China launches core module of space station on Long March 5-B rocket -- The Hill  

Australia Will Invest Millions to Upgrade Military Sites Where US Marines Train -- Military.com  

Watch: France Tests New Version of M51 Ballistic Missile, But Atypical Trajectory Questions Remain -- Sputnik  

Forthcoming French Atlantic Ocean Missile Test Suspected as Hypersonic Weapon Debut - Report -- Sputnik 

 State Department approves $1.94B in military sales to Australia -- UPI  

Israeli Security Agency Claims Hackers Planning Massive Attacks to Mark Iran's Quds Day - Report -- Sputnik

Blinken, US Security Aides Meet With Israel Spy Chief to Discuss Iran - Reports -- Sputnik