Af/Pak & Other News (12/12/2020)

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Rocket attacks target various parts of Kabul

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/rocket-attacks-target-various-parts-of-kabul/vi-BB1bS5E7



Report: Afghans Losing Hope for Peace Process Amid Violence

https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/report-afghans-losing-hope-for-peace-process-amid-violence/









The Shadow War Inside Iran

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/12/ep-35-the-shadow-war-inside-iran.php



Iran’s options to hit Israel for nuke chief’s killing reach far beyond Hezbollah

https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-options-to-hit-israel-for-nuke-chiefs-killing-reach-far-beyond-hezbollah/



U.S. Warns Iran Moving Closer to Nuclear Weapon

https://freebeacon.com/national-security/u-s-warns-iran-moving-closer-to-nuclear-weapon/









Two coalition convoys hit in Iraq: security sources

https://www.spacewar.com/reports/Two_coalition_convoys_hit_in_Iraq_security_sources_999.html



Protests flare in Iraq’s Kurdish north, adding new front in national crisis

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iraq-kurdistan-protests-north/2020/12/12/72e75066-3be4-11eb-aad9-8959227280c4_story.html









U.S. B-52 Bombers Escorted by Saudi F-15SAs Over Saudi Arabia During “Deterrence Mission” To The Persian Gulf

https://theaviationist.com/2020/12/11/u-s-b-52-bombers-escorted-by-saudi-f-15sas-over-saudi-arabia-during-deterrence-mission-to-the-persian-gulf/



The Pitiful Endgame of Saudi Arabia’s Qatar Blockade

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/12/11/the-pitiful-endgame-of-saudi-arabias-qatar-blockade/









Chemical weapons watchdog criticizes Syria over 19 issues

https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-chemical-weapons-united-nations-syria-russia-e48a3b74986325e7cb56ab654cb4172d



Chemical weapons watchdog criticizes Syria for failing to declare facility; Russia accuses organization of ‘political crusade’ against its close ally during clash at UN Security Council meeting

https://www.timesofisrael.com/chemical-weapons-watchdog-criticizes-syria-for-failing-to-declare-facility/


Given gaps, inconsistencies, Syria’s declarations on chemical weapons programme not considered ‘accurate and complete’

https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079882









Israel establishes diplomatic relations with Bhutan

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/12/12/Israel-establishes-diplomatic-relations-with-Bhutan/9521607801208/









'We refuse any deal that would involve Haftar,' Libya’s defence minister tells FRANCE 24

https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-interview/20201211-we-refuse-any-deal-that-would-involve-haftar-libya-s-defence-minister-tells-france-24




Operation Barkhane: France to deploy Spy Ranger mini-drone system

https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2020/12/operation-barkhane-france-to-deploy-spy-ranger-mini-drone-system




Shadowy Ethiopian massacre could be 'tip of the iceberg'

https://apnews.com/article/sudan-ethiopia-massacres-d16a089f8dcb0511172b5662b9244f78




U.S. launches airstrikes as it argues Shabaab is ‘contained’ in Somalia

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/12/u-s-launches-airstrikes-as-it-argues-shabaab-is-contained-in-somalia.php




Hackers leaks data of Nigeria’s A-29 Super Tucano

https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2020/12/hackers-leaks-data-of-nigerias-a-29-super-tucano









Russian Submarine Vladimir Monomakh Conducts Salvo Launch of Four Bulava Ballistic Missiles

https://defpost.com/russian-submarine-vladimir-monomakh-conducts-salvo-firing-of-4/



No, Russia Really Doesn’t Need A New Single-Engine Fighter

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38114/no-russia-really-doesnt-need-a-new-single-engine-fighter



Russian Air Force Scrambled MiG-31 Fighter To Intercept U.S. Air Force Spy Plane

https://fighterjetsworld.com/air/russian-air-force-scrambled-mig-31-fighter-to-intercept-u-s-air-force-spy-plane/24101/



Russian Prepares for Total War With the West

https://jamestown.org/program/russian-prepares-for-total-war-with-the-west/



Russia's FireEye Hack Is a Statement—but Not a Catastrophe

https://www.wired.com/story/russia-fireeye-hack-statement-not-catastrophe/




Hackers Accessed Covid Vaccine Data Through the EU Regulator; The European Medicines Agency has released limited details about the cyberattack.

https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-accessed-covid-vaccine-data-through-the-eu-regulator/




Caspian Amphibians - Azerbaijan’s Elusive Fleet Of Beriev Amphibious Aircraft

https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/12/caspian-amphibians-azerbaijans-elusive.html




Dutch NH90 lost lift after downwind turn, causing crash that killed two

https://verticalmag.com/news/dutch-nh90-lost-lift-after-downwind-turn-causing-fatal-crash/



New Anti-Tank Weapons and Fennek Upgrade for Dutch Army

https://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/214796/new-anti_tank-weapons-and-fennek-upgrade-for-dutch-army.html




Austrian police seize haul of weapons intended for German extremists

https://www.reuters.com/article/austria-arms/austrian-police-seize-haul-of-weapons-intended-for-german-extremists-idUSKBN28M0O5




European 6th-Gen Fighter Jet: After Germany & France, Spain Awards Contract To Airbus To Develop FCAS Aircraft

https://eurasiantimes.com/european-6th-gen-fighter-jet-spain-joins-germany-france-to-award-contract-to-airbus-to-develop-fcas-aircraft/




France debates human rights at home while still selling weapons to oppressive regimes

https://www.france24.com/en/france/20201211-france-debates-human-rights-at-home-while-still-selling-weapons-to-oppressive-regimes




The UK Navy is preparing to mobilize armed ships against French fishermen if negotiators can't strike a Brexit deal

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-uk-navy-is-preparing-to-mobilize-armed-ships-against-french-fishermen-if-negotiators-cant-strike-a-brexit-deal/ar-BB1bSiXW



Tempest: Everything we know about the UK’s 6th-gen fighter

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/tempest-everything-we-know-about-the-uks-6th-gen-fighter/



UK Could Buy More F-35 Fighter Jets After All

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/uk-could-buy-more-f-35-fighter-jets-after-all-174385



Royal Navy’s Fifth Astute Class Submarine Named HMS Anson

https://defpost.com/royal-navys-fifth-astute-class-submarine-named-hms-anson/









Marine found guilty of smuggling guns to Haiti in purported plot to become president

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article247759125.html









China Seeks A Better Battle Robot

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htarm/articles/20201212.aspx



China Is Both Weak and Dangerous

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/12/07/china-weak-dangerous-china-nightmare-dan-blumenthal-review/





PLA aircraft operating just off the coast of Taiwan today

http://alert5.com/2020/12/12/pla-aircraft-operating-just-off-the-coast-of-taiwan-today/





Thai Air Force turns to drones to detect illegal crossings

https://dronedj.com/2020/12/11/thai-air-force-turns-to-drones-to-detect-illegal-crossings/





Australia Grounds Entire Fleet Of US-Origin F-18 Super Hornets

https://eurasiantimes.com/australia-grounds-entire-fleet-of-us-origin-f-18-super-hornets/





Japan: F-15JSI integration with JASSM in doubt as costs increase five times

http://alert5.com/2020/12/13/f-15jsi-integration-with-jassm-in-doubt-as-costs-increase-five-times/





​Manila eyes order for 16 additional S-70is

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/manila-eyes-order-for-16-additional-s-70is/141571.article










How radio frequency waves ended a CIA officer’s career

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-radio-frequency-waves-ended-a-cia-officers-career



Al-Qaeda terrorist who bombed US embassies is released from prison early because of COVID-19

https://warisboring.com/al-qaeda-terrorist-who-bombed-us-embassies-is-released-from-prison-early-because-of-covid-19/



‘This can’t be my Army’ — The Fort Hood report is a long-overdue wake-up call for Army leaders

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-leaders-respond-fort-hood-report/



US Space Force destroys every other military service in a 'Call of Duty' tournament

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-space-force-call-of-duty-tournament-2020-12



Congress Passes 2021 Defense Budget, With Veto-Proof Majority

https://sofrep.com/news/congress-passes-2021-defense-budget-with-veto-proof-majority/



Congress Wants to Beef Up Army Effort to Develop Counter-Drone Weapons

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/11/congress-wants-beef-army-effort-develop-counter-drone-weapons.html



The Pentagon Is Ill-Organized to Improve Its Use of Electromagnetic Spectrum, GAO Says

https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2020/12/pentagon-ill-organized-improve-its-use-electromagnetic-spectrum-gao-says/170718/



Rocket motor fails to ignite on Virgin Galactic test flight

https://apnews.com/article/space-tourism-new-mexico-us-news-coronavirus-pandemic-bccddfbcb8019dd7e3a58c320d5f79c4



Watch: The U.S. Space Force “Origins” Video is Pretty Impressive

https://thedebrief.org/watch-the-u-s-space-force-origins-video-is-pretty-impressive/



Boeing delivers first batch of upgraded Compact Laser Weapon System to US Department of Defense

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2020_global_security_army_industry/boeing_delivers_first_batch_of_upgraded_compact_laser_weapon_system_to_us_department_of_defense.html



Army Gung-Ho on 3D Printing Spare Parts

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2020/12/11/army-gung-ho-on-3d-printing-spare-parts



U.S. Army finished operational testing of a new heavy assault bridge

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/u-s-army-finished-operational-testing-of-a-new-heavy-assault-bridge.html



Light tank prototypes arrive at Fort Bragg for soldier evaluation

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/12/11/light-tank-prototypes-arrive-at-fort-bragg-for-soldier-evaluation/



The Marine Corps is full speed ahead with its first new amphibious vehicle since the Vietnam War

https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/marine-corps-amphibious-combat-vehicle-full-rate-production/



DARPA's Gremlins Drones Were "Just Inches" From Successfully Being Recovered In Flight

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38125/darpas-gremlins-drones-were-just-inches-from-successfully-being-recovered-in-flight



Joby Aviation receives first airworthiness approval from U.S. military for electric VTOL aircraft

https://verticalmag.com/news/joby-aviation-receives-first-airworthiness-approval-electric-vtol-aircraft/



Loading of AGM-183A on B-52H

http://alert5.com/2020/12/13/loading-of-agm-183a-on-b-52h/



Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles Are Getting Replacement Wings Ripped Off Saudi F-15S Jets

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38100/air-force-f-15e-strike-eagles-are-getting-replacement-wings-ripped-off-saudi-f-15s-jets



US Navy’s Next Generation Jammer Low Band to enter EMD phase

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/us-navys-next-generation-jammer-low-band-to-enter-emd-phase/141580.article



Future Navy Drone Boats Will Get Advanced Weapons & Radar

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/future-navy-drone-boats-will-get-advanced-weapons-radar-CRosw6xzx0WXlU3HNM3wtg



Navy Expands Missile Killing Radar on Growing Fleet of Drone Ships

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/navy-expands-missile-killing-radar-on-growing-fleet-of-drone-ships-59tq1Q6kkUaD2iUcJL1efg



U.S. Navy plan calls for 82 new ships, at $147B, by 2026

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/12/11/US-Navy-plan-calls-for-82-new-ships-at-147B-by-2026/7151607717931/



Navy Streamlines Ship Attack, Merges Air Defenses Against Aircraft & Missiles

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/navy-streamlines-ship-attack-merges-air-defenses-against-aircraft-missiles-yfm4fUVpZEitDCkKxMV01w



Navy's Future Light Amphibious Ships Will Be Designed to Operate Off China's Coast

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/11/navys-future-light-amphibious-ships-will-be-designed-operate-off-chinas-coast.html



Navy Arms First New Flight III Destroyer With Next-Gen Weapons

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/navy-arms-first-new-flight-iii-destroyer-with-next-gen-weapons-6uOpgXUIY0SxluhdJMYL2A



Navy Large Surface Combatant(LSC)Program: Background and Issues for Congress

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11679