Af/Pak & Other News (4/1/2021)

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Taliban Destroys the Myth of Power Sharing With Afghan Government

https://sofrep.com/news/taliban-poised-to-take-it-all-in-afghanistan/



Taliban ask for 7,000 prisoners and removal from sanctions as US seeks troop extension

https://news.yahoo.com/taliban-ask-7-000-prisoners-160114501.html



Human Rights Watch Accuses Taliban of Targeting, Killing Journalists

https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/human-rights-watch-accuses-taliban-targeting-killing-journalists



NDS kills Al Qaeda commander in eastern Afghanistan

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/03/nds-kills-al-qaeda-commander-in-eastern-afghanistan.php



Biden’s Afghanistan Dilemma

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/briefing/california-shooting-new-york-weed-biden-infrastructure.html



Pakistan intelligence planning to launch war through Taliban: Afghanistan

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pak-intelligence-planning-to-launch-war-through-taliban-afghanistan/articleshow/81784234.cms









India’s Indigenous TEBDF will have better payload capability then MIG-29K / RAFALE-M

https://www.defenceaviationpost.com/2021/04/indias-indigenous-tebdf-will-have-better-payload-capability-then-mig-29k-rafale-m/



The US and Indian Navies fought a fake battle you didn’t hear about

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/the-us-and-indian-navies-fought-a-fake-battle/



Three More French Rafale Jets Land in India

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29261/Three_More_French_Rafale_Jets_Land_in_India









Is Iran Being Turned into a Chinese Gas Station?

https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/03/is-iran-being-turned-into-a-chinese-gas-station/









Saddam Hussein had a gold-plated jewel-encrusted personal Spitfire aircraft and you can buy it

https://hushkit.net/2021/04/01/saddam-hussein-had-a-gold-plated-jewel-encrusted-personal-spitfire-aircraft-and-it-you-can-buy-it/



Eisenhower strike group launches missions against Islamic State

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/03/31/eisenhower-strikegroup-mediterranean-missiles-IS/9981617217061/









Qatar, Saudi Arabia and U.K. will operate the AH-64E V6

http://alert5.com/2021/04/02/qatar-saudi-arabia-and-u-k-will-operate-the-ah-64e-v6/




Yemen's Houthis say they attacked Saudi capital with drones, no confirmation

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-yemen-attacks/yemens-houthis-say-they-attacked-saudi-capital-with-drones-no-confirmation-idUSKBN2BO4ZB



Beyond Suez: How Yemen’s War Can Imperil Red Sea Shipping

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/beyond-suez-how-yemen%E2%80%99s-war-can-imperil-red-sea-shipping-181647









Lebanon presents arms program for improvement of Air Force capabilities

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/49140









Israeli Air Force Details How F-35I “Adir” Stealth Jet’s Coating Is Cleaned To Preserve Low Observability

https://theaviationist.com/2021/04/01/israeli-air-force-details-how-f-35i-adir-stealth-jets-coating-is-cleaned-to-preserve-low-observability/



Jaysh al-Ummah emir offers solution to ‘Palestinian case’, derides ‘Resistance’ leaders

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/04/jaysh-al-ummah-emir-offers-solution-to-palestinian-case-derides-resistance-leaders.php









Ever Given Stuck Again As Estimates of Shipping Stall Total $1 Billion

https://www.newsweek.com/ever-given-stuck-again-estimates-shipping-stall-total-1-billion-1580599




Nigerian Air Force jet goes missing during support mission

https://www.aerotime.aero/27598-nigerian-air-force-jet-goes-missing-during-support-mission



Nigerian Navy receives final two C-Falcon interceptors from France’s Ocea

https://defbrief.com/2021/03/31/nigerian-navy-receives-final-two-c-falcon-interceptors-from-frances-ocea/




France faces rising calls to investigate Mali air strike

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-security-france/france-faces-rising-calls-to-investigate-mali-air-strike-idUSKBN2BO5UX



France Defends Army's 'Honour' After UN Says Mali Civilians Killed

https://www.barrons.com/news/france-defends-army-s-honour-after-un-says-mali-civilians-killed-01617301807?tesla=y




Mozambique: Why IS is so hard to defeat in Mozambique

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56597861




Mahbere Dego: Clues to a Clifftop Massacre in Ethiopia

https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2021/04/01/mahbere-dego-clues-to-a-clifftop-massacre-in-ethiopia/




Ivory Coast’s Su-25s - The Sharks Won’t Bite Again

https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/08/cote-divoires-su-25s-sharks-wont-bite.html









Russian Armor Floods Toward Border With Ukraine Amid Fears Of An "Imminent Crisis"

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40016/russian-armor-floods-toward-border-with-ukraine-amid-fears-of-an-imminent-crisis



Ukraine’s foreign minister: Russia’s current escalation is largest in recent years

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/ukraines-foreign-minister-russias-current-escalation-is-largest-in-recent-years.html



U.S. defense officials reassure Ukraine of support amid tension with Russia

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/04/01/Ukraine-Russia-Austin-Millie-diplomacy/2301617306618/



Kremlin says military movements near Ukraine are defensive, pose no threat

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-kremlin/kremlin-says-military-movements-near-ukraine-are-defensive-pose-no-threat-idUSKBN2BO51M



New Russia Threat Amid Rising Tensions With Ukraine

https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-systemic-aggravation-east-fighting/31181879.html



Russia: This Is No Joke

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/russia/articles/20210401.aspx



Russia Fires Back at U.S. Alarm Over Ukraine

https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2021-04-01/russia-fires-back-at-us-concerns-over-ukraine-this-should-not-bother-anyone



US and NATO meet to discuss 'Russia’s recent large-scale military activities' near Ukraine

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-and-nato-meet-to-discuss-russias-recent-large-scale-military-activities-near-ukraine/ar-BB1fdxA3



Russia sends more weapon to its proxies in Eastern Ukraine

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/russia-sends-more-weapon-to-its-proxies-in-eastern-ukraine.html



Russian FM says relations with West have ‘hit the bottom’

https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-moscow-vladimir-putin-sergey-lavrov-europe-04329cd1a5894ec00920e2a292181487



Russia's Navy is making a big bet on new, smaller warships loaded with missiles

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russias-navy-is-making-a-big-bet-on-new-smaller-warships-loaded-with-missiles/ar-BB1fcI5C



Russian 'Magistr-SV' Automated Air Defense Fire Control System Passes State Tests

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29256/Russian__Magistr_SV__Automated_Air_Defense_Fire_Control_System_Passes_State_Tests



Russia and China Seek to Tie America’s Hands in Space

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/31/russia-china-space-war-treaty-demilitarization-satellites/



Russian Spies Augment Effort to Grab NATO Secrets, Say Western Officials

https://www.voanews.com/europe/russian-spies-augment-effort-grab-nato-secrets-say-western-officials



Nord Stream 2 warns of security risks to pipeline from warships, planes

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nordstream2-security-idUSKBN2BO5YU




U.S. Navy sets up shop in Putin's 'backyard' with Sea Shield exercise

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/31/navy-sea-shield-exercise-black-sea-sends-russia-me/



Air Force deploys MQ-9 Reaper drones close to Russia

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/air-force-deploys-mq-9-reaper-drones-close-to-russia/




Belarus deploys troops to border with Ukraine

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/belarus-deploys-troops-to-border-with-ukraine.html




The U.S. Army Goes to School on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/30/army-pentagon-nagorno-karabakh-drones/




How will Europe deal with suspected Russian spies?

https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2021/4/1/how-will-europe-deal-with-suspected-russian-spies



Suspected Italian spy gave Russia highly confidential material -source

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-russia-spies/suspected-italian-spy-gave-russia-highly-confidential-material-source-idUSKBN2BO5BA



In Italy spy story, Navy captain struggled with mortgage

https://apnews.com/article/navy-rome-italy-russia-espionage-ac9e9694cdec832ea2ae7e28e21aa907




Report of Russian navigation gear on German submarines has lawmakers on alert

https://www.c4isrnet.com/global/europe/2021/04/01/report-of-russian-navigation-gear-on-german-submarines-has-lawmakers-on-alert/



German Army Leopard 2A7 MBTs to be fitted with Trophy APS

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2021_global_security_army_industry/german_army_leopard_2a7_mbts_to_be_fitted_with_trophy_aps.html




Naval Group, Chantiers de l'Atlantique and TechnicAtome to Build French Aircraft Carrier

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29260/Naval_Group__Chantiers_de_l_Atlantique_and_TechnicAtome_to_Build_French_Aircraft_Carrier




Air Force Shows Off Squadron Logo Highlighting Stockpile Of Nuclear Bombs In Belgium

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40008/air-force-shows-off-squadron-logo-highlighting-stockpile-of-nuclear-bombs-in-belgium




UK stands-up Space Command

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-stands-up-space-command



NATO assets to cover UK’s AEW gap until 2023

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/nato-assets-to-cover-uks-aew-gap-until-2023/143132.article



This Is The Early Warning Radar Helicopter The Royal Navy Could Have Had

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40027/this-is-the-early-warning-radar-helicopter-the-royal-navy-could-have-had



UK launches MLRS project

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-launches-mlrs-project



UK ‘Absolutely’ Will Buy More F-35s, Procurement Minister Says

https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/03/uk-absolutely-will-buy-more-f-35s-procurement-minister-says/173055/



UK acquires 'second operating location' Reaper UAV

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-acquires-second-operating-location-reaper-uav









Venezuelan military offensive sends thousands fleeing, recharging one of the world’s worst refugee crises

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/04/01/venezuela-military-offensive-forces-migrants-refugees-into-colombia/









China Floats U.S. Military Lab as Possible COVID Origin Point, Urges WHO to Investigate

https://www.nationalreview.com/news/china-floats-u-s-military-lab-as-possible-covid-origin-point-urges-who-to-investigate/



OSINT: China Censors Numbers On Navy Plane

http://www.hisutton.com/China-Censors-Numbers-On-Planes.html



Chinese Police Dismantle ‘World’s Largest’ Video Game Cheating Operation

https://www.vice.com/en/article/93weq8/chinese-police-dismantle-worlds-largest-video-game-cheating-operation



Chinese Drones Spotted Gathering Intel Around Taiwan Islands

https://www.newsweek.com/chinese-drones-spotted-gathering-intel-around-taiwan-islands-1580348



Chinese fishing vessels moored at Whitsun Reef disperse to nearby areas

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/chinese-fishing-vessels-moored-at-whitsun-reef-disperse-to-nearby-areas



Is China Preparing for War Over Taiwan? The Evidence Looks Scary.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/china-preparing-war-over-taiwan-evidence-looks-scary-181621





Taiwan Is Deploying Defenses Against China’s Stealth Fighters—How Many Of The Planes Do Air-Defenders Need To Shoot Down?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/04/01/taiwan-is-deploying-defenses-against-chinas-stealth-fighters-how-many-of-the-planes-do-air-defenders-need-to-shoot-down/



Kang Ding Complications

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20210401.aspx



Don't Tell China. Did North Korea Help Taiwan Build Submarines?

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/dont-tell-china-did-north-korea-help-taiwan-build-submarines-181713



Taiwan plans to acquire MSE variant of PAC-3 air-defence missile

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/taiwan-plans-to-acquire-mse-variant-of-pac-3-air-defence-missile





U.N.: 'Highly likely' North Korea can mount nuclear warheads on missiles

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/04/01/nkorea-un-report-North-Korea-nuclear-weapons-missiles/3881617253058/



North Korea’s Dangerous Pursuit of Tactical Nuclear Weapons

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/north-koreas-dangerous-pursuit-of-tactical-nuclear-weapons/



North Korea showcasing ‘developing capability' to deliver ‘tactical and strategic nuclear weapons', says UN expert panel

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/north-korea-showcasing-developing-capability-to-deliver-tactical-and-strategic-nuclear-weapons-says-un-expert-panel



North Korean hackers return, target infosec researchers in new operation

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/04/north-korean-hackers-return-target-infosec-researchers-in-new-operation/



Pyongyang's Secret: There Is No Strategy

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/04/01/pyongyangs_secret_there_is_no_strategy_770840.html



Russian diplomats complain of acute shortages in North Korea causing foreign exodus

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-northkorea-diplomats/russian-diplomats-complain-of-acute-shortages-in-north-korea-causing-foreign-exodus-idUSKBN2BO5EG





South Korea to obtain 36 new attack helicopters for army

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/south-korea-to-obtain-36-new-attack-helicopters-for-army/143148.article





Philippines demands China remove vessels at 6 islands, reefs

https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-china-manila-coral-reefs-20e60c5b2d952e9d23da976ba7381ce2



Philippines says illegal structures found on reefs near where Chinese boats gathered

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/01/asia/philippines-south-china-sea-structures-intl-hnk-scli/index.html





New Civilian Government Formed in Myanmar to Counter Military Regime

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/new-civilian-government-formed-myanmar-counter-military-regime



Myanmar military charges Suu Kyi with breaking official secrets law

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/04/01/Myanmar-military-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-new-charge/7001617298243/



Threat of Civil War Looms in Myanmar as Protests, Violence Continue

https://www.newsweek.com/threat-civil-war-looms-myanmar-protests-violence-continue-1580470





Australia Re-Establishes Domestic Missile Manufacturing Base

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/australia-re-establishes-domestic-missile-manufacturing-base



Boeing awarded contract modification to build two more P-8A aircraft for RAAF and nine for USN

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/boeing-awarded-contract-modification-to-build-two-more-p-8a-aircraft-for-raaf-and-nine-for-usn









Bird strike blamed for fatal crash of Royal Canadian Air Force ‘Snowbird 11’ aircraft

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/bird-strike-blamed-for-fatal-crash-of-royal-canadian-air-force-snowbird-11-aircraft/143144.article



Canada on track to pick new fighter jet next year despite COVID-19

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-on-track-to-pick-new-fighter-jet-next-year-despite-covid-19-1.5370950










April Fool? Russian Sub Appears On U.S. Navy Poster

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2021/04/01/april-fool-russian-sub-appears-on-us-navy-poster/



USS Johnston, world’s deepest shipwreck re-located 6,4km below surface

https://defbrief.com/2021/04/01/uss-johnston-worlds-deepest-shipwreck-re-located-64km-below-surface/



Northern Command Leads Global Wargame to Test AI Capabilities

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/3/31/northern-command-leads-global-wargame-to-test-ai-capabilities



Marines Lack Trust in Artificial Intelligence

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/4/1/marines-lack-trust-in-artificial-intelligence



Feds say man broke into public water system and shut down safety processes

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/04/man-indicted-for-allegedly-tampering-with-computer-at-public-water-plant/



20th anniversary of Hainan EP-3 incident

http://alert5.com/2021/04/01/20th-anniversary-of-hainan-ep-3-incident/



Military scientists are looking to salamanders to help regrow limbs on wounded troops

https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/salamanders-to-help-regrow-limbs/



Anduril buys tube-launched drone developer Area-I

https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2021/04/01/anduril-buys-tube-launched-drone-developer-area-i/



Ryanair to order and help build the second Antonov An-225 Mriya

https://www.aerotime.aero/27588-ryanair-to-build-2nd-antonov-an-225-mriya



The RQ-180 Drone Will Emerge From The Shadows As The Centerpiece Of A Warfighting Revolution

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39882/how-the-rq-180-drone-will-emerge-from-the-shadows-as-the-centerpiece-of-a-warfighting-revolution



NORAD: Russians Stay in Airspace ‘For Hours’ During Flight Operations Near Alaska

https://news.usni.org/2021/03/31/northcom-russians-stay-in-airspace-for-hours-during-flight-operations-near-alaska



How a little-known Pentagon agency trains troops to escape the enemy and get home safely

https://www.businessinsider.com/joint-personnel-recovery-agency-trains-troops-to-get-home-safely-2021-3



SpaceX's exploding Starship: Why this massive rocket keeps blowing up

https://www.cnet.com/videos/spacex-starship-exploding-why-this-massive-rocket-keeps-blowing-up/



Sensor Tech Key to Effective Missile Defense

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/4/2/sensor-tech-key-to-effective-missile-defense



Army inks $49.9M deal to buy 2,800 MK22 MRAD rifles from Barrett Firearms

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/04/01/Barrett-MK22-MRAD-rifles-Army/9831617302411/



It’s still Valor vs Defiant in second phase of Army FLRAA program

https://verticalmag.com/news/still-valor-vs-defiant-second-phase-army-flraa-program/



Army Makes Gargantuan Bet On New Augmented Reality Goggles For Its Soldiers

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40023/army-makes-gargantuan-bet-on-new-augmented-reality-goggles-for-its-soldiers



U.S. Marine Corps Envisions Arming Loyal Wingman With LRASM

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/us-marine-corps-envisions-arming-loyal-wingman-lrasm



Marines' Drone-Killing Lasers Get Even More Powerful After Upgrades

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/04/01/marines-drone-killing-lasers-get-even-more-powerful-after-upgrades.html



USAF IDs F-35 For Starlink Internet Experiment

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/sensors-electronic-warfare/usaf-ids-f-35-starlink-internet-experiment-0



Big Coast Guard Choppers Go To Sea As America Eyes New Polar Challenges

https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2021/03/31/big-coast-guard-choppers-go-to-sea-as-america-eyes-new-polar-challenges/



Harpoon: The Old Missile Every Navy Fears in a Fight

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/harpoon-the-old-missile-every-navy-fears-in-a-fight/



US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet successfully executes the final shot in the Integrated Test Program of the AIM-120D SIP-3

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/us-navy-f-a-18f-super-hornet-successfully-executes-the-final-shot-in-the-integrated-test-program-of-the-aim-120d-sip-3/



Maritime War: How an F-35 Might Attack China if Major War Broke Out

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/sea/maritime-war-how-an-f-35-might-attack-china-if-major-war-broke-out-BdOqUfn0AkiKeE0mUjklCw



Austal USA Launched the 30th Littoral Combat Ship for the US Navy

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/04/austal-usa-launched-the-30th-littoral-combat-ship-for-the-us-navy/



Navy’s Aviation Boss Lays Out Big Vision For Drone-Packed Carriers Of The Future

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40007/navys-aviation-boss-lays-out-big-vision-for-drone-packed-carrier-air-wings-of-the-future