Af/Pak & Other News (4/6/2021)

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Afghanistan: Who Is In, Who Is Out

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/afghan/articles/20210406.aspx



Afghanistan Wants More Female Police Officers, Soldiers

https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/afghanistan-wants-more-female-police-officers-soldiers



Why America Failed to Bring Liberal Values to Afghanistan

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/04/06/afghanistan-ngo-liberal-values-became-business/









2 Months After India-China Border Clash, Indian Army, ITBP & Air Force To Conduct Large-Scale Drills In Ladakh

https://eurasiantimes.com/2-months-after-india-china-border-clash-indian-army-itbp-air-force-to-conduct-large-scale-drills-in-ladakh/



India steps up anti-Maoist operations after 22 policemen killed

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/6/india-steps-up-anti-maoist-operations-after-22-policemen-killed









Iran prosecutor says 10 indicted for Ukraine plane shootdown

https://apnews.com/article/tehran-middle-east-iran-bb1dc57431067bd0c07a70ede6ba1ab6



The United States is trying to salvage the Iran deal. Here’s how both countries have violated the pact.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/04/06/iran-nuclear-deal-biden-sanctions-faq/



US, Iran expected to begin indirect nuclear talks in Vienna

https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-iran-iran-nuclear-united-states-tehran-3228f009dd4748c59eac7af34c14b3cb









Protests Against Government Corruption In Iraq Have Been Met With Violence

https://www.npr.org/2021/04/05/984527923/protests-against-government-corruption-in-iraq-have-been-met-with-violence



Iraq Moves To Exploit Its Massive Natural Gas Reserves

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Iraq-Moves-To-Exploit-Its-Massive-Natural-Gas-Reserves.html









Saudi-led coalition airstrikes destroy Houthi missile depot in central Yemen: military source

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-04/06/c_139862389.htm









Air Force JTACS training Syrians to help call in helo airstrikes raises questions

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/04/05/air-force-jtacs-training-syrians-to-help-call-in-helo-airstrikes-raises-questions/



In a Syrian Rebel Bastion, Millions Are Trapped in Murky, Violent Limbo

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/world/middleeast/in-a-syrian-rebel-bastion-millions-are-trapped-in-murky-violent-limbo.html



VP-46 P-8A Poseidon Draws Large “46” Over Eastern Med Sea On Its Way To The Area Of Operations Off Syria

https://theaviationist.com/2021/04/05/vp-46-p-8a-poseidon-draws-large-46-over-eastern-med-sea-on-its-way-to-the-area-of-operations-off-syria/









Jordan issues gag order as new audio backs prince’s claims

https://apnews.com/article/abdullah-ii-army-middle-east-coronavirus-pandemic-jordan-a21c487ea4dee18ca96b1694c21c60b8









Israeli Snoop-for-Hire Posed as a Fox News Journalist for a Spy Operation

https://www.thedailybeast.com/israeli-snoop-for-hire-posed-as-a-fox-news-journalist-for-a-spy-operation



https://www.thedailybeast.com/israeli-snoop-for-hire-posed-as-a-fox-news-journalist-for-a-spy-operation

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40065/israelis-new-surveillance-jet-combines-two-other-aircrafts-missions-into-a-single-airframe









Egypt: The New MICA Goes To Sea

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20210406.aspx



Egypt seeks settlement out of court for Suez Canal blockage

https://apnews.com/article/egypt-coronavirus-pandemic-suez-canal-2c6648ae25f356c510e408a2a257972b



U.S. Navy carrier strike group passes through Suez Canal

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/04/05/carrier-suez-navy/8761617638084/




In his first travel abroad, new Italian PM visits Libya

https://apnews.com/article/europe-africa-italy-libya-middle-east-14fde11cc7caf013e34f67c17cae90d7




Gunmen free more than 1,800 inmates in attack on Nigerian prison

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-prison-escape/gunmen-free-more-than-1800-inmates-in-attack-on-nigerian-prison-idUSKBN2BT0CQ




UN: Attack in Mali killed 4 UN peacekeepers and 23 attackers

https://apnews.com/article/antonio-guterres-united-nations-mali-c7fff8460dcca5f31e2fb9e548efd63b




At least 100 killed in border clashes between Ethiopia's Somali and Afar regions: official

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-security/at-least-100-killed-in-border-clashes-between-ethiopias-somali-and-afar-regions-official-idUSKBN2BT2BZ









Ukraine Urges NATO to Speed up Membership in ‘Signal’ to Moscow

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/06/ukraine-urges-nato-membership/



NATO chief sounds alarm over Russian activity in eastern Ukraine

https://warisboring.com/nato-chief-sounds-alarm-over-russian-activity-in-eastern-ukraine/



Are Russia and Ukraine Headed for War?

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/are-russia-and-ukraine-headed-war-182050



Russia State Media Gears Up for a War ‘Against the West’

https://www.thedailybeast.com/russia-state-media-gears-up-for-a-war-against-the-west?ref=home



Russia finalises new strategic bomber design

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russia-finalises-new-strategic-bomber-design/



Russia begins massive military exercise

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/russia-begins-massive-military-exercise.html



Russia designs Liana space intelligence and guidance system

https://airrecognition.com/index.php/focus-analysis-photo-report-aviation-defence-industry/aviation-defence-industry-technology/7145-russia-designs-liana-space-intelligence-and-guidance-system.html



Russian hackers break into State Department’s networks and steal thousands of emails

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/russian-hackers-break-into-state-departments-networks-and-steal-thousands-of-emails/



War Scare Is Putin’s Natural Element

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/04/06/war_scare_is_putins_natural_element_771488.html



Russia beefs up security at Navalny prison ahead of protest

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny/russia-beefs-up-security-at-navalny-prison-ahead-of-protest-idUSKBN2BT0T0



Alexei Navalny's Doctor Arrested as Vladimir Putin Critic Holds Prison Hunger Strike

https://www.newsweek.com/alexei-navalny-doctor-arrested-vladimir-putin-critic-holds-prison-hunger-strike-1581274



Navalny Says Continuing Hunger Strike Despite Cough, Fever

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/04/05/navalny-says-continuing-hunger-strike-despite-cough-fever-a73477



Navalny Is Moved to Infirmary as His Health Declines

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/world/europe/russia-navalny-health.html




Belgium: Nearly 28 tons of cocaine seized after police access encrypted network

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/06/europe/antwerp-belgium-cocaine-seizures-scli-intl/index.html




UK confirms joint Hawk unit with Qatar

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-confirms-joint-hawk-unit-with-qatar



RAF to ‘periodically’ deploy Voyager tanker to Qatar

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/raf-to-periodically-deploy-voyager-tanker-to-qatar/









Venezuela Says 8 Soldiers Killed in Clashes on Colombian Border

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/06/venezuela-clashes-colombian-border/



Venezuela creates military unit on Colombia border amid fighting

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-colombia/venezuela-creates-military-unit-on-colombia-border-amid-fighting-idUSKBN2BT01Y



Is Venezuela Preparing For A Military Strike On Colombia?

https://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-preparing-military-strike-colombia-200000391.html









China Adopts Kremlin's 'Information War' Tactics

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/china-adopts-kremlins-information-war-tactics



Inside China’s First Domestic Aircraft Carrier Shandong

https://navalpost.com/china-navy-pla-navy-shandong-17-aircraft-carrier/



Chinese Marine Corps releases photo of a group of marines in front of dismantled US Navy EP-3 Aries II on 20th anniversary of the Hainan Incident

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/chinese-marine-corps-releases-photo-of-a-group-of-marines-in-front-of-dismantled-us-navy-ep-3-aries-ii-on-20th-anniversary-of-the-hainan-incident/



Chinese Type 055 destroyer joins aircraft carrier group for first time

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3128484/chinese-type-055-destroyer-joins-aircraft-carrier-group-first



China's Bet U.S. Is Bluffing on Taiwan War Risks Dangerous Miscalculation

https://www.newsweek.com/china-bet-us-bluffing-taiwan-war-risks-dangerous-miscalculation-1581209



China says carrier group exercising near Taiwan, drills will become regular

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-taiwan-security/china-says-carrier-group-exercising-near-taiwan-drills-will-become-regular-idUSKBN2BT04D



China Just Practiced Its Wartime Bomber Encirclement Of Taiwan

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/04/06/china-just-practiced-its-wartime-bomber-encirclement-of-taiwan/





Taiwan Strait a 'Powder Keg' That Could Set Off World War, Military Expert Warns

https://www.newsweek.com/taiwan-strait-powder-keg-that-could-set-off-world-war-military-expert-warns-1581277





Panel: Japan Needs More Offensive Firepower to Counter Chinese Ambitions

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/06/panel-japan-needs-more-offensive-firepower-to-counter-chinese-ambitions



Japan to deploy F-35B stealth fighters from 2024 to step up defence of East China Sea islands

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3128378/japan-deploy-f-35b-stealth-fighters-2024-step-defence-east-china






Indian Tejas LCA tops Malaysia's tender for new fighter aircraft

https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2021/04/indian-tejas-lca-tops-malaysias-tender.html





Why North Korea Would Start a Nuclear War

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/why-north-korea-would-start-a-nuclear-war/





South Korea Sets KF-X Fighter Jet Price at 65 Million USD

https://fighterjetsworld.com/air/south-korea-sets-kf-x-fighter-jet-price-at-65-million-usd/25058/





RTAF decommissions two F-16, last five L-39ZA aircraft

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/rtaf-decommissions-two-f-16-last-five-l-39za-aircraft










Former director of the CIA James Woolsey says he was skeptical about aliens until a friend's aircraft was 'paused at 40,000ft' and he 'hopes we can be friendly to other creatures if they exist'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9439137/Former-CIA-chief-says-hopes-friendly-dealing-creatures-exist.html



Navy's Top Officer Says ‘Drones’ That Swarmed Destroyers Remain Unidentified

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40071/navys-top-officer-says-mysterious-drones-that-swarmed-destroyers-remain-unidentified



U.S. arrested two Yemenis on terror watchlist who tried to cross border from Mexico

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-border-security/u-s-arrested-two-yemenis-on-terror-watchlist-who-tried-to-cross-border-from-mexico-idUSKBN2BS1XO



After A Major Hack, U.S. Looks To Fix A Cyber 'Blind Spot'

https://www.npr.org/2021/04/06/983872116/after-a-major-hack-u-s-looks-to-fix-a-cyber-blind-spot



U.S. government steps-up cyber security to safeguard power grids and software from malicious hacker attacks

https://www.militaryaerospace.com/trusted-computing/article/14200740/cyber-power-grid-software



Thousands of US government agencies are using Clearview AI without approval

https://www.engadget.com/clearview-ai-law-enforcement-unauthorized-use-143130738.html



House Lawmakers Want Pentagon to Rethink Global Force Deployments

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/05/house-lawmakers-want-pentagon-to-rethink-global-force-deployments



Army Pursues New Evolving "Doctrine" for Future Warfare

https://defensemaven.io/warriormaven/land/army-pursues-new-evolving-doctrine-for-future-warfare-oGwwkImNHEKBT-3wIYbEUA



Navy one-star admiral fired over sexual harassment allegation

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-fires-admiral-sexual-harassment-allegation/



Why the Navy never put the F-22 on aircraft carriers

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/why-the-navy-never-put-the-f-22-on-aircraft-carriers/



Broken ARRW: Air Force's First Hypersonic Missile Fails During Inaugural Test

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40064/broken-arrw-air-forces-first-hypersonic-missile-fails-during-inaugural-test



Service Chiefs Confer After Air Force General Calls Army Hypersonic Missile Plan 'Stupid'

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/04/06/service-chiefs-confer-after-air-force-general-calls-army-hypersonic-missile-plan-stupid.html



AUSA Fires Back At Air Force: Long-Range Missiles Aren’t ‘Stupid’

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/ausa-fires-back-at-air-force-long-range-missiles-arent-stupid/



The U.S. Army Wants Long-Range Precision Weapons. The Air Force Disagrees.

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/the-u-s-army-wants-long-range-precision-weapons-the-air-force-disagrees/



These Are The Two Companies Competing To Build The Army's Next Arctic Combat Vehicle

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40057/these-are-the-two-companies-competing-to-build-the-army-next-arctic-combat-vehicle



Report to Congress on Navy Light Amphibious Warship

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/06/report-to-congress-on-navy-light-amphibious-warship-4



Northrop Grumman optionally-manned Firebird demonstrates operational flexibility

https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/april/7149-northrop-grumman-optionally-manned-firebird-demonstrates-operational-flexibility.html



Stealthy Valkyrie Drone Uses Weapons Bay For First Time To Launch Smaller Drone

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40068/xq-58a-valkyrie-uses-weapons-bay-for-first-time-to-launch-smaller-drone



BAE Systems successfully tests SABER technology for compass call upgrade

https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/april/7147-bae-systems-successfully-tests-saber-technology-for-compass-call-upgrade.html



Three Coast Guard cutters head to Europe, Bahrain

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/04/05/coastguard-cutters-nato-bahrain-5thfleet-6thfleet/6251617654063/



Navy ‘Struggling’ to Modernize Aging Cruiser Fleet As Tight Budgets Push Pentagon to Shed Legacy Platforms

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/05/navy-struggling-to-modernize-aging-cruiser-fleet-as-tight-budgets-push-pentagon-to-shed-legacy-platforms



The Navy’s Future Large Surface Combatant Is A Slow Boat To China. Too Slow.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2021/04/06/the-navys-future-large-surface-combatant-is-a-slow-boat-to-china-too-slow/