Af/Pak & Other News (4/12/2021)

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Taliban rejects U.S. peace plan, six month extension in withdrawal deadline

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/04/taliban-rejects-u-s-peace-plan-six-month-extension-in-withdrawal-deadline.php



Insurgent Tactics – The Complex Ambush

https://sofrep.com/news/opfor-tactics-the-complex-ambush/



Taliban pushes Osama bin Laden truther conspiracy theories

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/04/taliban-pushes-osama-bin-laden-truther-conspiracy-theories.php



Why America Can't End Its 'Forever Wars'

https://www.newsweek.com/why-america-cant-end-its-forever-wars-1582749









IAF Lost 26 Fighter Jets From 2014 to 2019

https://fighterjetsworld.com/air/iaf-lost-26-fighter-jets-from-2014-to-2019/25508/



Explainer | Why did the US conduct a freedom of navigation operation against India, and what will the fallout be?

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/explained/article/3129268/why-did-us-conduct-freedom-navigation-operation-against-india



LRSAM system to equip the future Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/april/9973-lrsam-system-to-equip-the-future-indian-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant.html









Iran Vows 'Revenge Against Israel' After Natanz Uranium Plant Sabotage

https://www.newsweek.com/iran-vows-revenge-against-israel-after-natanz-uranium-plant-sabotage-1582874



Iran has identified person who caused power outage at Natanz nuclear site - report

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-natanz-outages/iran-has-identified-person-who-caused-power-outage-at-natanz-nuclear-site-report-idUSKBN2BZ0PH



EXPLAINER: Iran atomic sites targeted by diplomacy, sabotage

https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-sites-target-diplomacy-sabotage-explained-eeb9a0e8f215ec2516216380ec786ad6



Iran says Natanz was hit by ‘small explosion,’ claims it’s quickly repairable

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-april-12-2021/



What exactly is Iran’s shadowy Quds Force?

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/what-exactly-is-irans-shadowy-quds-force/



Iran tried luring Israelis abroad to kidnap them via fake Instagram pages

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/shin-bet-mossad-reveal-iranian-methods-for-luring-israelis-online-664920









Canadian special forces supported major Iraqi military assault on ISIS last month

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canadian-special-forces-supported-major-iraqi-military-assault-on-isis-last-month-1.5383073









Yemen rebels claim massive aerial attack on Saudi Arabia

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-rebels-claim-massive-aerial-attack-on-saudi-arabia/2206065



Greek Patriot Missiles to be Deployed in Saudi Arabia: Report

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29325/Greek_Patriot_Missiles_to_be_Deployed_in_Saudi_Arabia__Report



Yemen: Iran Demands More

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/yemen/articles/20210412.aspx









Syrian air force may have dropped chlorine bomb on town in rebel area in 2018: chemical arms watchdog

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chemicalweapons-syria/syrian-air-force-may-have-dropped-chlorine-bomb-on-town-in-rebel-area-in-2018-chemical-arms-watchdog-idUSKBN2BZ17I



Smaller Is Better

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htintel/articles/20210412.aspx




Lebanese minister expands claim in maritime area dispute with Israel

https://www.reuters.com/article/lebanon-israel-maritime-int/lebanon-minister-says-signs-amendment-expanding-claim-over-disputed-maritime-area-with-israel-idUSKBN2BZ0YM









Israel Unprepared for Drone Threat, State Watchdog Warns

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-unprepared-for-drone-threat-state-watchdog-warns-1.9704158



Amid leaks, Gantz orders probe into ‘chatter’ on alleged Israeli strikes on Iran

https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-leaks-gantz-orders-probe-into-chatter-on-alleged-israeli-strikes-on-iran/









Has Morocco Carried Out Its First Drone Strike In the Western Sahara?

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/12/morocco-reported-drone-strike-western-sahara/




Rebels Attack Northern Chad On Presidential Poll Day

https://www.barrons.com/news/rebels-attack-northern-chad-on-presidential-poll-day-01618239306









Ukraine says Russia has moved 80,000 troops to border and Crimea, and Putin won't talk

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-news-putin-moves-russian-troops-to-border-and-crimea/



Ukraine's President heads to the trenches as Russia masses its troops

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/12/europe/ukraine-zelensky-front-lines/index.html



Target Mariupol: The Sea Port in Ukraine Just Beyond Russia’s Grasp

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/target-mariupol-sea-port-ukraine-just-beyond-russia%E2%80%99s-grasp-182522



Unprecedented footage shows front line of Ukrainian conflict with Russia

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2021/04/12/zelensky-ukraine-matthew-chance-pkg-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn



Russian Caspian Flotilla amphibious vessels transfer to Black Sea

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/russian-caspian-flotilla-amphibious-vessels-transfer-to-black-sea



British surveillance aircraft monitoring Ukraine-Russia border

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-surveillance-aircraft-monitoring-ukraine-russia-border/



Russia’s Arctic activity to increase with fresh strategy and more capability tests

https://www.defensenews.com/smr/frozen-pathways/2021/04/11/russias-arctic-activity-to-increase-with-fresh-strategy-and-more-capability-tests/



Artificial intelligence to assist MiG-35's pilot in decision-making and target recognition

https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/april/7170-artificial-intelligence-to-assist-mig-35-s-pilot-in-decision-making-and-target-recognition.html



A Unique Submarine: New Concept From Russia's Famous Rubin Design Bureau

http://www.hisutton.com/Sentry-Submarine-Concept.html



Russia Tests Igla MANPADS, Buk Missile Systems Against Combat UAVs

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29324/Russia_Tests_Igla_MANPADS__Buk_Missile_Systems_Against_Combat_UAVs



Russia marks 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering space mission

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210412-russia-marks-60th-anniversary-of-yuri-gagarin-s-pioneering-space-mission



Russian prison threatens to force feed hunger-striking Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny: allies

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny/russian-prison-threatens-to-force-feed-hunger-striking-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-allies-idUSKBN2BZ1MU



Alexei Navalny's Hunger Strike Reaches 12th Day as Putin Officials Put Candy in His Pockets

https://www.newsweek.com/alexei-navalnys-hunger-strike-reaches-12th-day-putin-officials-put-candy-his-pockets-1582898




Airborne Early Warning Aircraft Proliferation Continues

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/airborne-early-warning-aircraft-proliferation-continues




JSM successfully released from F-35A

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/update-jsm-successfully-released-from-f-35a




Midnight Hawks Aerobatic Team Jets Damaged After Contacting Each Other In Mid-air

https://fighterjetsworld.com/latest-news/aircraft-crash/midnight-hawks-aerobatic-team-jets-damaged-after-contacting-each-other-in-mid-air/25482/









What the Whitsun Reef incident tells us about China’s future operations at sea

https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2021/04/whitsun-reef-incident-china



Chinese Navy’s Promo Video For Recruiting Officers

https://navalpost.com/chinese-navy-promotional-video-for-recruiting-officiers/





Taiwan reports largest incursion yet by Chinese air force

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-china-defense/taiwan-reports-largest-incursion-yet-by-chinese-air-force-idUSKBN2BZ1L1



Taiwan reconfirms intention to buy 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2021_global_security_army_industry/taiwan_reconfirms_intention_to_buy_108_m1a2t_abrams_tanks.html



Taiwan Defense Ministry Publication "leaks" Images of Locally-made Stealth Detecting Radar

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29322/Taiwan_Defense_Ministry_Publication__leaks__Images_of_Locally_made_Stealth_Detecting_Radar





North Korea believed to have completed build of new Sinpo-C submarine

https://defbrief.com/2021/04/12/north-korea-believed-to-have-completed-build-of-new-sinpo-c-submarine/





Philippine Navy has released fund project to acquire torpedoes for Jose Rizal-class frigates

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/april/9972-philippine-navy-has-released-fund-project-to-acquire-torpedoes-for-jose-rizal-class-frigates.html



Philippines, US to Hold Joint War Games as Tensions Grow in South China Sea

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/12/philippines-us-joint-war-games/



Philippines shows interest in US Cyclone-patrol vessels

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/april/9966-philippines-shows-interest-in-us-cyclone-patrol-vessels.html










Fire-ravaged Bonhomme Richard will be decommissioned, then towed away for scrapping

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2021-04-09/decommission-bonhomme-richard



Air Power Advocates Are Attacking Army Long-Range Strike Plans. Here’s Why They’re Wrong.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2021/04/12/air-power-advocates-are-attacking-army-long-range-strike-plans-heres-why-theyre-wrong/



DoD’s New Pushback Against Chinese Money In US Defense Industry

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/dod-pushes-back-against-prc-money-in-us-supply-base/



General Atomics wins DARPA contract to develop nuclear reactor to power missions to the moon

https://spacenews.com/general-atomics-wins-darpa-contract-to-design-nuclear-reactor-to-power-missions-to-the-moon/



Pentagon Consolidates Counter-UAS Programs as Menace Grows

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/4/12/pentagon-consolidates-counter-uas-programs-as-menace-grows



BAE Systems Tests SABER Technology For The New EC-37B Compass Call

https://theaviationist.com/2021/04/12/bae-systems-tests-saber-technology-for-the-new-ec-37b-compass-call/



A US Air Force war game shows what the service needs to hold off — or win against — China in 2030

https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2021/04/12/a-us-air-force-war-game-shows-what-the-service-needs-to-hold-off-or-win-against-china-in-2030/



Electronic Warfare Apps On Horizon For F-15s, Plus

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/electronic-warfare-apps-on-horizon-for-f-15s-plus/



US reveals image of fighter that will replace the F-22

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/us-reveals-image-of-fighter-that-will-replace-the-f-22/



US Navy seeks GPS alternatives for hypersonic weapons

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-navy-seeks-gps-alternatives-for-hypersonic-weapons



As the US Navy scrambles to field more missiles in Asia, a tough decision looms for aging cruisers

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/04/12/as-the-us-navy-scrambles-to-field-more-missiles-in-asia-a-tough-decision-looms-for-aging-cruisers/



Could Ford-Class Carriers Serve Out the Century to 2110?

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/could-ford-class-carriers-serve-out-the-century-to-2110-GbiCra-4-EayocfJQIAFjw



This U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Might Have Its Name Changed

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/us-navy-aircraft-carrier-might-have-its-name-changed-182517



Joe Biden Wants To Spend Big On U.S. Navy Submarines

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/04/12/joe-biden-wants-to-spend-big-on-us-navy-submarines/