Af/Pak & Other News (4/22/2021)

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Afghan War: Do Americans support Biden pulling out?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56823213



Pentagon Seeks Carrier Deployment as It Exits Afghanistan, in Sign It’s Readying for a Fight

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/us/politics/afghanistan-withdrawal-pentagon.html



US troops in Afghanistan begin packing gear in pullout prep

https://apnews.com/article/asia-pacific-business-afghanistan-1f772cb86c6fe408c56b98116172eb35



Afghanistan: The Long, Painful Retreat

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/afghanistan-the-long-painful-retreat/



Top General Breaks With Biden on Afghanistan Withdrawal

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2021-04-22/top-us-general-afghanistans-military-may-not-hold-on-after-we-leave



Afghanistan Pullout Gives Guantánamo Detainees Hope for Release

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/us/politics/afghanistan-war-guantanamo-prison.html



Deadly Blast Hits Pakistan Hotel, Missing China’s Envoy by Perhaps Just Minutes

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/world/asia/pakistan-hotel-bombing-china-ambassador.html



Pakistani Taliban claims suicide bombing in Quetta

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/04/pakistani-taliban-claims-suicide-bombing-in-quetta.php



What Is the Significance of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s Latest Attack in Quetta?

https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/what-is-the-significance-of-tehreek-e-taliban-pakistans-latest-attack-in-quetta/









Iran’s IRGC releases drone footage of US aircraft carrier and ‘suicide drone test’

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/04/22/Iran-s-IRGC-releases-drone-footage-of-US-aircraft-carrier-and-suicide-drone-test-



Iran giving Houthis ‘significant’ and ‘lethal’ support: US envoy

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/21/iran-giving-houthis-significant-and-lethal-support-us-envoy



Iran moves closer to a diplomatic breakthrough that may upset Israel

https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/549600-iran-moves-closer-to-a-diplomatic-breakthrough-that-may-upset?rl=1









Yemen's Houthis claim fresh drone attack at Saudi airbase

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-04/22/c_139898275.htm









US troops in Syria seem to be getting hit with directed-energy attacks, and the Pentagon suspects Russia is doing it, report says

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-troops-in-syria-seem-to-be-getting-hit-with-directed-energy-attacks-and-the-pentagon-suspects-russia-is-doing-it-report-says/ar-BB1fVElN?li=BBnb7Kz



Pentagon investigated suspected Russian directed-energy attacks on U.S. troops

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/22/pentagon-russia-attacks-us-troops-484150



‘Aerial Minefields’? Russia Tests Miniature Kamikaze Drones in Syria

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/%E2%80%98aerial-minefields%E2%80%99-russia-tests-miniature-kamikaze-drones-syria-183368



Russia Builds Electronic Warfare Dome to Defeat Drones in Syria

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29409/Russia_Builds_Electronic_Warfare_Dome_to_Defeat_Drones_in_Syria



Israel strikes targets in Syria after missile lands near nuclear reactor

https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210422-israel-strikes-targets-in-syria-after-missile-lands-near-nuclear-reactor



Top US general: Syrian ‘incompetence’ behind missile that landed in Israel

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-april-22-2021/









Israel, Syria trade strikes targeting nuclear reactor, air-defense systems

https://thehill.com/policy/international/549652-israel-syria-trade-strikes-targeting-nuclear-reactor-air-defense-systems?rl=1



IDF probing why air defenses didn’t intercept Syrian anti-aircraft missile

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-probing-why-air-defenses-didnt-intercept-syrian-anti-aircraft-missile/



Israel: Working With The Enemy

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/israel/articles/20210422.aspx



Israel intensifying air war in Syria against Iranian encroachment

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israel-intensifying-air-war-in-syria-against-iranian-encroachment/ar-BB1fUTkR









Where Did Chad Rebels Prepare for Their Own War? In Libya.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/world/africa/chad-rebels.html




Explainer: Who are the rebels threatening to take Chad's capital?

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/who-are-rebels-threatening-take-chads-capital-2021-04-21/




Armed group takes control of county in western Ethiopia - rights commission

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-rights-commission-said-armed-group-has-taken-control-county-2021-04-21/









Russia Abruptly Claims it Is Ordering Troops to Pull Back From Ukraine’s Border

https://www.thedailybeast.com/russia-abruptly-claims-it-is-ordering-troops-to-pull-back-from-ukraines-border?source=world&via=rss



Russia Troops Withdraw From Ukraine Border After NATO F-16s Intercept Jets Over Baltic

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-troops-withdraw-ukraine-border-nato-f-16s-baltic-1585646



Russia orders troop pullback, but keeps weapons near Ukraine

https://apnews.com/article/world-news-russia-government-and-politics-crimea-ukraine-e6e8d6c0792517f753fc774713d1fe44



Ukraine "monitoring the situation" after Russia's order to withdraw forces

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-return/ukraine-monitoring-the-situation-after-russias-order-to-withdraw-forces-idUSKBN2C91X4



Ukraine to allies: West must act now to ensure no new Russia military offensive

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ukraine-allies-west-must-act-204135955.html



Ukraine Grateful for U.S. Military Aid Plan to Counter Russia Threat

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-us-military-aid-plan-russia-threat-1585605



Russian Arrested In Crimea Accused Of Spying For Ukraine

https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-crimea-accused-spy-for-ukraine/31216922.html



Russia plans to launch its own space station after quitting ISS

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/22/europe/russia-space-station-iss-scli-scn-intl/index.html



This Is Our First Ever Look At A Top Secret Soviet Space 'Missile'

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40285/this-is-our-first-ever-look-at-a-top-secret-soviet-space-missile



Russian Tu-95 And Tu-160 Bombers Conduct Cruise Missile Exercise In “Surge” Of Military Drills Across The Country

https://theaviationist.com/2021/04/22/russian-cruise-missiles-ex/



Russia tries to jam signals from U.S. Air Force RQ-4 surveillance drone

https://defence-blog.com/news/russia-tries-to-jam-signals-from-u-s-air-force-rq-4-surveillance-drone.html



Russia Plunges Into Era of ‘Dictatorship’ as Putin Looms Over Eastern Europe

https://www.thedailybeast.com/russia-plunges-into-era-of-dictatorship-as-putin-looms-over-eastern-europe?ref=home



Russia's opposition movement is facing an existential threat

https://news.yahoo.com/russias-opposition-movement-facing-existential-103559346.html



Kremlin downplays pro-Navalny rallies after nearly 1,800 detained

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210422-kremlin-downplays-pro-navalny-rallies-after-nearly-1-800-detained



Vladimir Putin Flaunts Immunity Over Alexei Navalny's Demise

https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-putin-flaunts-immunity-over-alexei-navalny-demise-protests-ukraine-1585620



Putin Has Huge Problem If Navalny Dies, Says Harman

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2021-04-21/putin-has-huge-problem-if-navalny-dies-says-harman-video





A new deal with Norway allows the US to keep an eye on Russian subs closer to Russia's home turf

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-new-deal-with-norway-allows-the-us-to-keep-an-eye-on-russian-subs-closer-to-russia-s-home-turf/ar-BB1fUfPO




Italy Outlines Priorities for Army Modernization

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/04/22/general-serino-outlines-main-policies-for-italian-army-modernization/




Dagger and Cutlass are the names of two new UK patrol boats that will guard Gibraltar

https://defbrief.com/2021/04/21/dagger-and-cutlass-are-the-names-of-two-new-uk-patrol-boats-that-will-guard-gibraltar/



British Spy Agency MI5 Joins Instagram To Get Past ‘Martini-Drinking Stereotypes’

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/04/22/british-spy-agency-mi5-joins-instagram-to-get-past-martini-drinking-stereotypes/









Brazil crime: One of world's biggest arms traffickers recaptured

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56843269




Mexican Cartel Injures Police Officers With Drone Bomb Attack

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2021/04/22/mexican-cartel-injures-police-officers-with-drone-bomb-attack/









China’s new nuclear reactors could yield weapons-grade plutonium, warns US commander

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3130518/chinas-new-nuclear-reactors-could-yield-weapons



Chinese Developer Claims Its Stealth Drone Rivals US B-21 Raider

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/22/china-claims-drone-rivals-b21/



China State Media Goes After WHO for Investigating COVID Lab Leak Theory: 'Extremely Irresponsible'

https://www.newsweek.com/china-state-media-goes-after-who-investigating-covid-lab-leak-theory-extremely-irresponsible-1585491



How China's copycat culture led to the development of the Shenyang J-31, the Chinese F-35

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/how-chinas-copycat-culture-led-to-the-development-of-the-shenyang-j-31-the-chinese-f-35/



China Will 'Unify' Taiwan Within 30 Years: Analyst

https://www.newsweek.com/china-unify-taiwan-within-30-years-analyst-1585279



South China Sea: Chinese boats keep up steady presence at disputed Whitsun Reef, says US ship tracker

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3130676/china-present-whitsun-reef-and-surrounds-2019-says-us-group





Taiwan Probably Won’t Get Stealth Fighters—Stealth Missiles Could Be The Next Best Thing

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/04/22/taiwan-probably-wont-get-stealth-fighters-stealth-missiles-could-be-the-next-best-thing/



Taiwan's Upgraded Radar to Monitor Increasing Chinese Aircraft Flying by Island

https://www.newsweek.com/taiwans-upgraded-radar-monitor-increasing-chinese-aircraft-flying-island-1585060





Analyst: North Korea's satellites in orbit not transmitting data

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/04/22/nkorea-North-Korea-Kwangmyongsong4-no-data/7071619096630/





South Korea to begin full-scale development of 6×6 Unmanned Surveillance Vehicle

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/south-korea-to-begin-full-scale-development-of-66-unmanned-surveillance-vehicle





Missing Indonesian Submarine: Warships Join Search Amid Fears Vessel 'Too Deep' To Rescue

https://www.newsweek.com/missing-indonesian-submarine-deep-rescue-warships-search-1585650



3 Submarine Rescue Ships Hunting for Missing Indonesian Submarine

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/22/3-submarine-rescue-ships-hunting-for-missing-indonesian-submarine



Likely CAUSES of Indonesian Submarine Nanggala's Sinking

https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/04/indonesian-submarine-nanggala-likely.html



Sailors on Missing Submarine Will Run Out of Oxygen Saturday: Indonesian Navy Chief

https://www.newsweek.com/sailors-missing-submarine-will-run-out-oxygen-saturday-indonesian-navy-chief-1585694





1st RAAF Triton may initially be based on US island of Guam.

https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/04/1st-raaf-triton-may-initially-be-based.html










William T. Cooley Becomes First Ever Air Force General to Face Court-Martial Over Sexual Assault Charges

https://www.newsweek.com/william-t-cooley-becomes-first-ever-air-force-general-face-court-martial-over-sexual-assault-1585558



Watch This CV-22 Osprey's Rotor Downwash Absolutely Demolish A Hospital's Helipad

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40289/watch-this-cv-22-ospreys-rotor-downwash-absolutely-demolish-a-hospitals-helipad



Congested orbits a top concern for U.S. Space Command

https://spacenews.com/congested-orbits-a-top-concern-for-u-s-space-command/



Space: The Last Starfighter

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htspace/articles/20210422.aspx



Is DARPA’s Nuclear-Propelled DRACO Demonstrator The First Step Toward A Star Wars-Like Starfighter?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2021/04/22/is-darpas-nuclear-propelled-draco-demonstrator-the-first-step-toward-a-star-wars-like-starfighter/



AFRL has release a video on its space solar power beaming research

http://alert5.com/2021/04/22/afrl-has-release-a-video-on-its-space-solar-power-beaming-research/



The Army wants a new special operations parachute for higher jumps

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/the-army-wants-a-new-special-operations-parachute-for-higher-jumps/



Lockheed Martin, Thales Australia team for surface-launched LRASM-development

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/update-lockheed-martin-thales-australia-team-for-surface-launched-lrasm-development



Boeing unexpectedly delivers second F-15EX ahead of deadline

https://www.aerotime.aero/27747-Boeing-unexpectedly-delivers-second-F-15EX%20



Sparrowhawk: Here's Why This Drone Is Such a Big Deal

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/sparrowhawk-heres-why-drone-such-big-deal-183334



A third fast-response Coast Guard cutter heads to Guam as tensions simmer with China

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/a-third-fast-response-coast-guard-cutter-heads-to-guam-as-tensions-simmer-with-china-1.670698



US Navy funds LRASM integration onto P-8A Poseidon MPA

https://defbrief.com/2021/04/22/us-navy-funds-lrasm-integration-onto-p-8a-poseidon-mpa/



Navy Destroyers Sport Large Satcom Domes On Their Flight Decks For Big Drone Exercise

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40266/navy-destroyers-seen-sporting-large-satcom-domes-on-their-flightdecks-for-big-drone-focused-exercise