Af/Pak & Other News (12/16/2021)

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What the Taliban really want from the world, in their own words

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/15/1064001076/taliban-afghanistan-girls-education-womens-rights



Afghanistan: Inside the Taliban's Emirate

https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/reporters/20211216-afghanistan-inside-the-taliban-s-emirate



Examining the Taliban’s Words, Thoughts and Deeds, Part II: Hostage Diplomacy

https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/examining-the-talibans-words-thoughts-and-deeds-part-ii-hostage-diplomacy/



Afghanistan’s health care system on the brink of collapse

https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-united-nations-e0af78275ef9665c0b26fb7f5d6b4391



Pakistani Taliban emir says his group “is a branch of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/12/pakistani-taliban-emir-says-his-group-is-a-branch-of-the-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan.php









Iran says UN can’t see images from cameras at nuclear site until sanctions end

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-december-16-2021/



Ukraine, Canada, U.K., Sweden Set Deadline For Settlement With Iran Over Downing Of Airliner

https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-airliner-downed-settlement-deadline/31612801.html



Iran’s Drive to Modernize Navy Faces Latest in String of Setbacks

https://news.usni.org/2021/12/16/irans-drive-to-modernize-navy-faces-latest-in-string-of-setbacks









Kurdish forces find mass grave of ‘ISIS victims’ in Iraq

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/12/16/Kurdish-forces-find-mass-grave-of-ISIS-victims-in-Iraq



How a Night Stalker pilot survived being shot down in Iraq and teamed up with Delta Force to go after the shooter

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/how-a-night-stalker-pilot-survived-being-shot-down-in-iraq-and-teamed-up-with-delta-force-to-go-after-the-shooter/ar-AARSnwe









US Navy rescues drug smugglers from burning ship off Oman

https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-fires-dubai-united-arab-emirates-1c314642b8fdbb1a97b92cba2ec739f3




Arab Coalition intercepts two Houthi missiles targeting Abha in Saudi Arabia

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2021/12/16/Arab-Coalition-intercepts-two-Houthi-missiles-targeting-Abha-in-Saudi-Arabia









U.S. and allies shoot down drone near U.S. base in Syria

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/us-military-shoots-drone-us-base-syria-rcna8954



British Typhoon Fighter Downed A Drone Over Syria For Its First Air-To-Air Kill

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43547/british-typhoon-fighter-downed-a-drone-over-syria-for-its-first-air-to-air-kill



Drone attacks on US in Syria are designed to harass America into leaving - analysis

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/drone-attacks-on-us-in-syria-are-designed-to-harass-america-into-leaving-688872









Arab Israeli, Gazan worker spied on Iron Dome batteries for Hamas, Shin Bet says

https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-israeli-gazan-worker-spied-on-iron-dome-batteries-for-hamas-shin-bet-says/









Armed groups deploy around key sites in Libya’s Tripoli

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/north-africa/2021/12/16/Armed-groups-deploy-around-key-sites-in-Libya-s-Tripoli




Leaving Timbuktu: What next as France redeploys in northern Mali?

https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-debate/20211215-leaving-timbuktu-what-next-as-france-redeploys-in-northern-mali



Europe Builds Up Mali Force as France Draws Down Troops

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/12/16/europe-builds-mali-force/



U.S. alarmed by potential deployment of Russia-backed group in Mali -State Department

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-alarmed-by-potential-deployment-russia-backed-group-mali-state-department-2021-12-15/









Russia could invade us ‘in the blink of an eye,’ Ukrainian foreign minister warns

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/16/russia-could-invade-ukraine-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-ukrainian-foreign-minister.html



Vladimir Putin Wants to Wipe Ukraine From the Map, Ambassador Warns

https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-putin-accept-half-way-victory-ukraine-russia-ambassador-warns-vadym-prystaiko-1659612



The Ukraine Mess: How We Got Here And How To Deal With Putin’s Threats

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelkrepon/2021/12/16/the-ukraine-mess-how-we-got-here-and-how-to-deal-with-putins-threats/



EU hopes to avoid Ukraine war with talks, sanctions threat

https://apnews.com/article/business-russia-france-ukraine-germany-56b82497fc5c992df96a92851536f603



British Military Assistance to Ukraine – what’s involved?

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-military-assistance-to-ukraine-whats-involved/



With Russia Poised to Invade, Joe Biden's Caution Frustrates Ukraine

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-poised-invade-joe-biden-caution-frustrates-ukraine-1659255



Do Russian Military Officers Have A Morale Problem? Some Say Yes.

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-military-officers-morale-problem/31612793.html



Russia: Always Look On The Bright Side of Strife

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/russia/articles/20211216.aspx



Russia and China’s Dangerous Decline

https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-and-china-dangerous-population-decline-indo-pacific-pivot-research-development-taiwan-ukraine-11639497466



Russian Politician Calls for Kidnapping of U.S. Congressman on Live TV

https://www.thedailybeast.com/russian-politician-aleksei-zhuravlyov-calls-for-kidnapping-of-us-congressman-ruben-gallego-on-live-tv?ref=home





EU leaders worried about Russia military buildup, some say Nord Stream 2 should be included in sanctions

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/eu-leaders-worried-about-russia-military-buildup-some-say-nord-stream-2-should-be-included-in-sanctions/vi-AARSytX




Baltic leaders urge EU to consider new Russia sanctions amid ‘series of attacks’

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20211216-baltic-leaders-urge-eu-to-consider-new-russia-sanctions-amid-series-of-attacks




Serbia plans helicopter shopping spree, including Cypriot Mi-35s

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/serbia-plans-helicopter-shopping-spree-including-cypriot-mi-35s/146866.article




Saab Receives Further Order on Heavyweight Torpedo System

https://navalpost.com/saab-torpedo-62/




Germany expels Russian diplomats after court declares 2019 killing 'state terrorism'

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/12/15/German-expels-two-Russian-diplomats-2019-killing-state-terrorism/9041639609645/




The end of the MAWS programme

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/the-end-of-the-maws-programme



France wants to transform its ‘beautiful’ army for high-intensity warfare

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/12/france-wants-to-transform-its-beautiful-army-for-high-intensity-warfare/



France may offer Barracuda class submarines to India

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/december/11123-france-may-offer-barracuda-class-submarines-to-india.html




U.S. Air Force’s First European-Based F-35s Have Arrived In England

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43532/u-s-air-forces-first-european-based-f-35s-have-arrived-in-england



“Complex Combination” Of Institutional Weaknesses Allowed Ajax-Related Hearing Injuries

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/12/16/complex-combination-of-institutional-weaknesses-allowed-ajax-related-hearing-injuries/




A future with ‘killer robots? Global treaty hopes dim as nations meet in Geneva

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3159889/future-killer-robots-global-treaty-hopes-dim-nations-meet-geneva









Remaining U.S., Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti have been released

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/16/haiti-missionaries-released/









Pentagon Worries About Chinese Buildup Near India

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/12/15/pentagon-india-china-border-buildup/



China and Russia pledge to step up efforts to build independent trade network to reduce reliance on US-led financial system

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3159941/china-and-russia-pledge-step-efforts-build-independent-trade



U.S. blacklists 34 Chinese entities, citing human rights abuses and 'brain-control weaponry'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u-s-blacklists-34-chinese-entities-citing-human-rights-abuses-and-brain-control-weaponry/ar-AARSWvs



China Holds Nuclear, Chemical, Biological Warfare Exercises

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/12/16/china-nuclear-chemical-biological-exercise/



UK independent body: China committed genocide in Xinjiang

https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-china-genocides-xi-jinping-9f20b0f7a77b1071ad32c81241678f3b





Taiwan Plans to Equip its Soldiers With Powered Exoskeleton Suits for Future Missions

https://thedebrief.org/taiwan-plans-to-equip-its-soldiers-with-powered-exoskeleton-suits-for-future-missions/





Analysis: N.Korea after 10 years of Kim Jong Un - better armed but more isolated than ever

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-after-10-years-kim-jong-un-better-armed-more-isolated-than-ever-2021-12-15/



Report on North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons, Missile Programs

https://news.usni.org/2021/12/16/report-on-north-koreas-nuclear-weapons-missile-programs-2





A Declaration to End the Korean War: Why Now?

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/12/a-declaration-to-end-the-korean-war-why-now/



Latest Details on South Korea’s Arsenal Ship Project

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/12/latest-details-on-south-koreas-arsenal-ship-project/



South Korea deploys new SPAAG system

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/weapons-headlines/latest/south-korea-deploys-new-spaag-system



S Korean nuke sub Reactor likely to be French K15 Variant

https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/12/s-korean-built-nuke-sub-reactor-likely.html





Japan: The Island Paradise Near the Front Line of Tensions Over Taiwan

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/16/world/asia/ishigaki-japan-missiles-taiwan.html










Truth is in here: $770B defense bill includes agency to investigate UFOs

https://nypost.com/2021/12/15/770b-defense-bill-includes-agency-to-investigate-ufos/



The Marines' Amphibious Assault Vehicles Just Got Banned From Going In The Water Indefinitely

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43534/the-marines-amphibious-assault-vehicles-just-got-banned-from-going-in-the-water-indefinitely



New Documents on JFK Assassination Shed Light on Lee Harvey Oswald's Ties to Cuba, Russia

https://www.newsweek.com/new-documents-jfk-assassination-shed-light-lee-harvey-oswalds-ties-cuba-russia-1659902



How brothers in arms plotted theft, sale of US Army weaponry

https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-business-florida-north-carolina-theft-5fe1ad681d89dfc063c1d0d10b95b870



Whose Life Is Worth What?

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/articles/20211216.aspx



The CIA Once Wanted to Use Dolphins to Sink Enemy Ships

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a38463302/cia-dolphins-sink-enemy-ships/



Defense Highlights Of 2021

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/defense-highlights-2021



DARPA Runs Final Test for OFFSET Program Drone Swarm

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/12/16/darpa-runs-final-test-for-offset-program-drone-swarm/



US Develops Tool to Predict China Response to Military Actions

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/12/16/us-tool-predict-china-response/



The story of how TOPGUN integrated the F-22 Raptor flights into its syllabus

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-how-topgun-integrated-the-f-22-raptor-flights-into-its-syllabus/



Loyal Wingmen Could Be Used To Break Open Enemy Defences

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/12/16/loyal_wingmen_could_be_used_to_break_open_enemy_defences_808175.html



The National Guard’s COVID-19 vaccine mutiny has spread to 6 states

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/national-guard-covid-19-vaccine-mutiny-6-states/



Army Commanders Relieved Over Vaccine Refusal

https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/12/army-commanders-relieved-over-vaccine-refusal/359880/



StormBreaker Mini Glide Bombs Take Longer To Load Onto Strike Eagles Due To Their Data Links

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43529/stormbreaker-mini-glide-bombs-take-longer-to-load-onto-strike-eagles-due-to-their-data-links



In A Single Day, The U.S. Air Force Flew Almost Half Of Its Best Available Spy Planes Near Russia

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/12/16/in-a-single-day-the-us-air-force-flew-almost-half-of-its-best-available-spy-planes-near-russia/



USAF, Raytheon ready AIM-120D-3 for guided live-fire test campaign

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/defence/latest/usaf-raytheon-ready-aim-120d-3-for-guided-live-fire-test-campaign



US Air Force Research Lab Tests GPS-independent AgilePod

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/31015/US_Air_Force_Research_Lab_Tests_GPS_independent_AgilePod#.Ybt8klmIZPY



BAE Systems to upgrade electronic warfare system for Block 4 F-35

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/c4isr-command-tech/latest/bae-systems-to-upgrade-electronic-warfare-system-for-block-4-f-35



Navy starts building hub for surface, subsurface drones

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/12/navy-starts-building-hub-for-surface-subsurface-drones/



US Navy Triton UAV returns from Guam, ahead of transition to more capable variant

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/12/16/us-navy-triton-uav-returns-from-guam-ahead-of-transition-to-more-capable-variant/



Damaged Submarine USS Connecticut Has Left San Diego On Its Voyage Home

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43536/damaged-nuclear-submarine-uss-connecticut-has-left-san-diego-on-its-voyage-home



Navy to pick new torpedo in March 2022 following delay

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/12/navy-to-pick-new-torpedo-in-march-2022-following-delay/



Raytheon set to build more RIM-162 ESSM Block 2 shipboard missiles that offer increased maneuverability

https://www.militaryaerospace.com/sensors/article/14222447/missiles-maneuverability-shipboard



How an undersea volcano nearly sidelined this Navy ship

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/12/15/how-an-undersea-volcano-nearly-sidelined-this-navy-ship/