Af/Pak & Other News (2/25/2021)

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Afghan Taliban Ask Fighters Not to Harbor ‘Foreign’ Militants as US Reviews Peace Deal

https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/afghan-taliban-ask-fighters-not-harbor-foreign-militants-us-reviews-peace-deal



Is Moscow Creating Roadblocks For The U.S. In Afghanistan?

https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/russia-kabulov-afghanistan-taliban-united-states/31120105.html



A Top Democrat Warns Against a Hasty Withdrawal of U.S. Troops From Afghanistan

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/24/world/asia/afghan-troops-withdrawal-senator-reed.html









India and Pakistan announce cease-fire for first time in nearly 20 years

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-pakistan-ceasefire-kashmir/2021/02/25/02335b38-773c-11eb-9489-8f7dacd51e75_story.html









Iran Police Arrest ‘Bomber’ Plotting Attacks in Tehran

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/02/24/iran-arrests-bomber/



Iran’s Latest Indigenous Drone Is A Predator Lookalike

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39428/irans-latest-indigenous-drone-is-a-predator-lookalike



IAEA Weakens Iran Nuclear Safeguards

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/02/24/iaea-weakens-iran-nuclear-safeguards/



Oil Tanker That Was a Symbol of U.S.-Iran Tension Slips Quietly Away

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/oil-tanker-that-was-a-symbol-of-us-iran-tension-slips-quietly-away/ar-BB1e0oM5









IDEX 2021 : Al Seer Marine showcases UGV Type 4

https://armyrecognition.com/idex_2021_news_official_online_show_daily_media_partner/idex_2021_al_seer_marine_showcases_ugv_type_4.html



IDEX 2021: UAE confirms order for Denel Seeker UAV

https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2021/02/idex-2021-uae-confirms-orders-for-denel-seeker-uav



IDEX 2021: Rosoboronexport displays Kord 6P68 assault rifle

https://armyrecognition.com/idex_2021_news_official_online_show_daily_media_partner/idex_2021_rosoboronexport_displays_kord_6p68_assault_rifle.html





Recent drone attack on Saudi royal palace launched from Iraq

https://apnews.com/article/yemen-iran-saudi-arabia-riyadh-middle-east-ab3a83c9090c31f772bad7556bd482f1



Saudi Arabia Negotiating S-400, Su-35 Buy

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29050/Saudi_Arabia_Negotiating_S_400__Su_35_Buy



Houthis again delay expert examination of tanker off Yemen

https://apnews.com/article/environment-yemen-red-sea-united-nations-1c2ed05129eaea31d8eaad8c7b1bddd7




TAI Hands Over First Upgraded ATAK Helicopter to Turkish Security Forces

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29055/TAI_Hands_Over_First_Upgraded_ATAK_Helicopter_to_Turkish_Security_Forces



Turkey: The Hard Line Goes Limp

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/turkey/articles/20210225.aspx



Turkish Navy Receives New Long-Range Anka Drones

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29054/Turkish_Navy_Receives_New_Long_Range_Anka_Drones









Coalition Plans To Expand Giant ISIS Prison In Syria

https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/02/coalition-plans-expand-giant-isis-prison-syria/172270/



Iranian forces form new groups to boost influence in east Syria

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/02/iran-groups-east-syria-presence-influence-recruitment.html




Analysis: Hezbollah renews threats in publication, fails to make an impression

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/02/analysis-hezbollah-renews-threats-in-publication-fails-to-make-an-impression.php









Defense Ministry chooses CH-53K as IDF’s new heavy-lift helicopters

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-ministry-chooses-ch-53k-as-idfs-new-heavy-lift-helicopters-660219



A soccer field-sized dig, stories deep: Israel expands Dimona nuclear facility

https://www.timesofisrael.com/soccer-field-sized-and-stories-deep-israel-expands-dimona-nuclear-facility/



Rafael marks milestone in development of I-Derby ER air-to-air missile

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/rafael-marks-milestone-in-development-of-i-derby-er-air-to-air-missile-660200









Egypt becomes the first international customer for MBDA’s VL MICA New Generation surface-to-air system

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/february/9745-egypt-becomes-the-first-international-customer-for-mbda-s-vl-mica-new-generation-surface-to-air-system.html




Libya’s new PM to unveil transitional government

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/25/libyas-new-pm-to-unveil-team-in-first-hurdle-of-transition



Rights group: Libya fails to hold war criminals accountable

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/watchdog-libya-fails-hold-war-criminals-accountable-76105269









Ukraine says Russia hacked its document portal and planted malicious files

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/02/ukraine-says-russia-hacked-its-document-portal-and-planted-malicious-files/



Russian Army orders more Chinese SUVs

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/russian-army-orders-more-chinese-suvs.html



Russia’s Project 09852 Special Mission Submarine ‘Belgorod’ Prepared for Sea Trials

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/russias-project-09852-special-mission-submarine-belgorod-prepared-for-sea-trials/



Russian Kamikaze Drone to Complete Tests This Year

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/02/25/russia-kyb-drone-to-complete-tests/



No, Russia Does Not Have an S-600 or S-700 Anti-Air System

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/no-russia-does-not-have-s-600-or-s-700-anti-air-system-178792



Russia receives requests for Su-57E fighters from foreign customers

https://defence-blog.com/news/russia-receives-requests-for-su-57e-fighters-from-foreign-customers.html



Russia jails man for eight years for handing over secrets to China: TASS

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-security-treason/russia-jails-man-for-eight-years-for-handing-over-secrets-to-china-tass-idUSKBN2AP0S2



Space: Russia Goes Down

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htspace/articles/20210225.aspx



S-400 Missile Transporter in Massive Accident near Moscow

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29053/S_400_Missile_Transporter_in_Massive_Accident_near_Moscow



Russians Accuse Pashinyan of Lying About Iskander Missiles

https://asbarez.com/200700/russians-accuse-pashinyan-of-lying-about-iskander-missiles/




Armenian PM Pashinyan calls military’s demand he resign ‘an attempted coup’

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210225-armenian-pm-pashinyan-calls-military-s-demand-he-resign-an-attempted-coup



Russian Iskander missile system was completely useless, says Armenian Prime Minister

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/russian-iskander-missile-system-was-completely-useless-says-armenian-prime-minister.html




Are There Enough European Requirements For Two Sixth-Gen Fighters?

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/are-there-enough-european-requirements-two-sixth-gen-fighters



Bad Idea? NATO Tanks To Go Green—Add Solar Panels

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/bad-idea-nato-tanks-go-green%E2%80%94add-solar-panels-178751




US troops just got their asses handed to them by Lithuanian infantrymen

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/us-army-lithuania-training-infantry/




German man charged with giving Bundestag floor plans to Russian intelligence

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-security-russia/german-man-charged-with-giving-bundestag-floor-plans-to-russian-intelligence-idUSKBN2AP11E




Chief of Staff of Italian Air Force flies aboard E-550 CAEW 'Extraordinary multi-sensor system'

https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2021/02/italian-air-force-e550-caew.html




French minister: Mafia-type gangs likely behind cyber attacks on hospitals

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-cyber/french-minister-mafia-type-gangs-likely-behind-cyber-attacks-on-hospitals-idUSKBN2AP0O5









Bell Announces Sale of Six Bell 505 Helicopters to Jamaica Defence Force

https://defpost.com/bell-announces-sale-of-six-bell-505-helicopters-to-jamaica-defence-force/









China’s Naval Strength Gives It Crucial Clout in Negotiations around Asia

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/voa-news-china/chinas-naval-strength-gives-it-crucial-clout-negotiations-around



China’s KJ-600 Early Warning Aircraft Cannot Operate from Current Aircraft Carriers

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29046/China___s_KJ_600_Early_Warning_Aircraft_Cannot_Operate_from_Current_Aircraft_Carriers



New report flags Chinese push to field support ships, planes for greater reach

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/02/25/new-report-flags-chinese-push-to-field-support-ships-planes-for-greater-reach/



The Dragon Dances with the Ballistic Missiles Shield

https://www.boloji.com/articles/52380/the-dragon-dances-with-the-ballistic-missiles-shield



China stole NSA zero day—4+ years before Shadow Brokers leak

https://techbeacon.com/security/china-stole-nsa-zero-day-4-years-shadow-brokers-leak





Navy sends another guided-missile destroyer through contentious Taiwan Strait

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/navy-sends-another-guided-missile-destroyer-through-contentious-taiwan-strait-1.663511





China's ships are getting bigger and more aggressive, and Japan is scrambling to keep up

https://www.yahoo.com/news/chinas-ships-getting-bigger-more-140353543.html



Japan could fire at foreign official vessels aiming to enter waters near Diaoyu Islands

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3123170/japan-could-fire-foreign-official-vessels-aiming-enter-waters





Supporters of Myanmar military coup rampage in Yangon

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/supporters-of-myanmar-military-coup-rampage-in-yangon-idUSKBN2AP05L





Australia should ‘look carefully’ at cancelling French submarine contract

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6235139676001



DroneShield shares a video of its counter-drone tech in action

https://dronedj.com/2021/02/25/droneshield-shares-a-video-of-its-counter-drone-tech-in-action/










FAA Releases Statement On Airliner's Encounter With Unidentified Object Over New Mexico

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39441/faa-releases-statement-on-airliners-encounter-with-unidentified-object-over-new-mexico



Twitter reveals state-backed influence operations from Armenia, Iran and Russia

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/23/twitter-reveals-state-backed-influence-operations-/



Democrats Ask Biden to Give Up His Unilateral Power to Launch Nukes

https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjp57d/democrats-ask-biden-to-give-up-his-unilateral-power-to-launch-nukes



Commandos Confront a World After the Forever War

https://thediplomat.com/2021/02/commandos-confront-a-world-after-the-forever-war/



CIA to use AI against China

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/24/william-burns-backs-cia-ai-to-counter-china/



Pentagon’s dated budget process too slow to beat China, new report says

https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/02/25/pentagons-dated-budget-process-too-slow-to-beat-china-new-report-says/



How The World's First Privately Owned Fleet Of F-16 Aggressor Jets Became A Reality

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39397/how-the-worlds-first-privately-owned-fleet-of-f-16-aggressor-jets-became-a-reality



Hyten wants a greater ‘focus’ with cruise missile defense

https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2021/02/24/hyten-wants-a-greater-focus-with-cruise-missile-defense/



Hyten: U.S. ‘Not In A Very Good Position’ Due to Chinese and Russian Missile Capabilities

https://news.usni.org/2021/02/24/hyten-u-s-not-in-a-very-good-position-due-to-chinese-and-russian-missile-capabilities



Glimpses of the Next Air Force One in New Documentary

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/glimpses-next-air-force-one-new-documentary



Check Out The Mystery Drone Model On The Desk Of This General Atomics Executive

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39442/check-out-the-mystery-drone-model-on-the-desk-of-this-general-atomics-executive



Want To Seize A U.S. Embassy? Do It In Two Hours Or Less, Study Finds

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2021/02/24/want-to-seize-a-us-embassy-do-it-in-two-hours-or-less-study-finds/



Military re-learns the importance of electronic warfare (EW); Top commanders seek to embed EW capability at virtually all echelons as warfighters seek to make up for years of lost time.

https://www.militaryaerospace.com/rf-analog/article/14198263/electronic-warfare-unmanned



DARPA orders six satellites from Blue Canyon Technologies for Blackjack program

https://www.intelligent-aerospace.com/satcom/article/14198262/blackjack-darpa-blue-canyon-technologies



Pentagon Pursues Semi-Autonomous Hypersonic Weapons

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/future-weapons/pentagon-pursues-semi-autonomous-hypersonic-weapons-LzJVC0JYgE2dTNlvgK9uSA



US Army to test new microwave weapon for defeating drones

https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2021/02/24/us-army-to-test-new-microwave-weapon-for-defeating-drones/



U.S. Marine Corps uses its newest ACVs during exercise in Twentynine Palms

https://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-marine-corps-uses-its-newest-acvs-during-exercise-in-twentynine-palms.html



Marine Corps Conducting Fleet Flight Tests of CH-53K Ahead of IOT&E This Summer

https://news.usni.org/2021/02/24/marine-corps-conducting-fleet-flight-tests-of-ch-53k-ahead-of-iote-this-summer



Stinger SAM-Armed Marines Riding In Rubber Rafts Were Featured In Recent Pacific Exercise

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39432/stinger-sam-armed-marines-riding-in-rubber-rafts-were-featured-in-recent-pacific-exercise



Skyborg Set For Flying Debut At Orange Flag

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/skyborg-set-flying-debut-orange-flag



US Air Force envisions additional Vanguard S&T programmes in the future

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/afa-winter-2021-us-air-force-envisions-additional-vanguard-st-programmes-in-the-future



Head of PACAF wants E-7s to replace E-3s immediately

http://alert5.com/2021/02/25/head-of-pacaf-wants-e-7s-to-replace-e-3s-immediately/



GA-ASI Flies MQ-9A Equipped with New Centerline Avionics Bay

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29051/GA_ASI_Flies_MQ_9A_Equipped_with_New_Centerline_Avionics_Bay



AFRL Pushes Laser “SHiELD” Flight Test Back, Again

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/02/afrl-pushes-laser-shield-flight-test-back-again/



US Air Force’s KC-46 starting limited ops despite lingering issues

https://defbrief.com/2021/02/25/us-air-forces-kc-46-starting-limited-ops-despite-lingering-issues/



B-21 Completes Redesign With No Cost, Schedule Impact: USAF

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/b-21-completes-redesign-no-cost-schedule-impact-usaf



After 20 Years, The F-35 Stealth Fighter Is Still Stuck In Testing

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/02/25/after-20-years-the-f-35-stealth-fighter-is-still-stuck-in-testing/



F-35 costs, testing issues under fire as full-rate production decision nears

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/02/24/f35-costs-production-testing-delays/1211614195806/