Af/Pak & Other News (4/28/2021)

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Inside Afghanistan as troops prepare to leave after the US’s longest war

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2021/apr/28/inside-afghanistan-as-us-troops-prepare-to-leave-after-americas-longest-war-podcast



US diplomats being pulled out of Kabul as security deteriorates in Afghanistan

https://warisboring.com/us-diplomats-being-pulled-out-of-kabul-as-security-deteriorates-in-afghanistan/



The U.S. Built Afghanistan's Military Over 20 Years. Will It Last One More?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/world/asia/afghanistan-security-forces.html



Hundreds In Afghan Jails Are Members Of Islamic State, Afghan Security Chief Says

https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghan-jails-islamic-state-militants/31227151.html



Al-Qaeda 'shadow of former self' decade after Bin Laden death

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210428-al-qaeda-shadow-of-former-self-decade-after-bin-laden-death



First Ones In, Last Ones Out: Special Operation Troops to Cover Afghanistan Withdrawal

https://sofrep.com/news/first-ones-in-last-ones-out-special-operation-troops-to-cover-afghanistan-withdrawal/



Secretary of State Anthony Blinken admits Afghanistan could be taken over by Taliban or descend into civil war when US withdraws troops by 20th anniversary of 9/11

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9519255/Anthony-Blinken-admits-Afghanistan-taken-Taliban-descend-civil-war.html



Blinken says US withdrawal from Afghanistan will concentrate the minds of 'free riders' in the region

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/27/politics/blinken-tapper-the-lead/index.html



Allies will make the difference in exiting Afghanistan, dealing with Iran

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/550650-the-us-needs-a-multilateral-approach-to-afghanistan-and-iran?rl=1



Enough is enough — Pakistan not happy with Afghan Taliban

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/827112-enough-is-enough-pakistan-not-happy-with-afghan-taliban









LCA Tejas cleared to carry Python-5 air-to-air missile

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/drdo-conducts-maiden-trial-of-python-5-air-to-air-missile-from-lca-tejas/articleshow/82289789.cms



India receives first full squadron of Rafale fighter jets

https://www.aerotime.aero/27792-india-receives-first-full-squadron-of-rafale-fighter-jets











U.S. General: Iran Forces Acting Without Supreme Leader Pose 'Greatest Threats' at Sea

https://www.newsweek.com/us-general-iran-forces-acting-without-supreme-leader-poses-greatest-threats-sea-1586965



Navy Patrol Craft Fired Warning Shots At Harassing Iranian Boats In the Persian Gulf

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40357/navy-patrol-craft-fired-warning-shots-at-iranian-boats-in-the-persian-gulf



U.S. And Israel Concerned Over Growing Drone Threat From Iran

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2021/04/28/us-and-israel-concerned-over-growing-drone-threat-from-iran/



Four-Star General Jack Keane Unsurprised by John Kerry Iran Allegations, Calls it 'Horrific Behavior'

https://www.newsweek.com/four-star-general-jack-keane-unsurprised-john-kerry-iran-allegations-calls-it-horrific-behavior-1586806









Turkish jets, troops hit PKK targets in new Iraq incursion

https://apnews.com/article/turkey-caves-middle-east-europe-iraq-ec51668c14edad4178a7eb9f29e69083



Iraqi Kurds Fear Escalation of Iran-Backed Rocket Attacks

https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/iraqi-kurds-fear-escalation-iran-backed-rocket-attacks









Yemen's Houthis say fired drone at southern Saudi air base

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemens-houthis-say-fired-drone-southern-saudi-air-base-2021-04-28/



The US may still be helping Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war after all

https://www.vox.com/2021/4/27/22403579/biden-saudi-yemen-war-pentagon




Turkey’s ULAQ Getting Ready For Fire Tests

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/04/28/turkeys-ulaq-getting-ready-for-fire-tests/









Russia's path to newfound power has been through Syria

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/550280-russias-path-to-newfound-power-has-been-through-syria?rl=1



Russian Military Intervenes to Halt Clashes in Syrian City

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-04-27/russian-military-intervenes-to-halt-clashes-in-syrian-city



France seeks foothold in northeast Syria

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/04/france-seeks-foothold-northeast-syria



US military chief warns radicalisation of children in Syrian camps is major threat

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-islamic-state-children-radicalisation-top-concern-us-centcom-commander









How Israel and the US are taking Iran’s drone threat seriously - analysis

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/israel-and-the-us-are-taking-irans-drone-threat-seriously-666546



These Israeli Weapons Systems Can Go A Long Way On The Modern Battlefield

https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2021/04/28/these-israeli-systems-can-give-their-operator-a-decisive-edge-on-the-modern-battlefield/









26 Militants ‘Neutralized’ in French-Malian Army Operation

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/28/26-militants-neutralized-mali/




Nigeria: False Hope In Foreign Aid

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/nigeria/articles/20210428.aspx



Boko Haram fighters have hoisted flag and forcefully acquired wives in Nigerian town, governor says

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/27/africa/bokoharam-hoists-flag-nigeria-intl/index.html









Ukraine soldiers on alert despite Russia's drawdown

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210427-ukraine-soldiers-on-alert-despite-russia-s-drawdown



In Ukraine’s East, Fears Grow of New Russian Power Play

https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-ukraines-east-fears-grow-of-new-russian-power-play-11619602285



Russian FM: US-Russia ties worse than during Cold War

https://apnews.com/article/world-news-election-2020-russia-cold-war-europe-250888a5aac751a90db9e22650364dbb



Russia Will Do What Is 'Necessary' to Secure Borders, Despite Troop Pullback: Defense Minister

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-will-do-what-necessary-secure-borders-despite-troop-pullback-defense-minister-1587125



Russia Is Rapidly Growing Missile Defense Network

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russia-rapidly-growing-missile-defense-network-183853



Russia Unveils A New Tactic To Deter Dissent: CCTV And A 'Knock On The Door,' Days Later

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-dissent-cctv-detentions-days-later-strategy/31227889.html



Russia Calls Baltic Nations, Slovakia 'Openly Hostile' Amid Retaliation, Expulsion of Diplomats

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-calls-baltic-nations-slovakia-openly-hostile-amid-retaliation-expulsion-diplomats-1587150




U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Enters The Tense Black Sea Highlighting The Service's Overseas Presence

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40360/u-s-coast-guard-cutter-enters-the-tense-black-sea-highlighting-the-services-overseas-presence




Bulgaria Probes Possible Russian Involvement in Arms Depot Blasts

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-04-28/bulgaria-probes-possible-russian-involvement-in-arms-depot-blasts




German spies monitor anti-lockdown activists for suspected sedition

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/german-spies-monitor-anti-lockdown-activists-for-suspected-sedition/ar-BB1g8C8t




France Carries Out Unusual Ballistic Missile Test As An American Spy Plane Looks On

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40365/frances-carries-out-unusual-ballistic-missile-test-as-an-american-spy-plane-looks-on




Royal Navy Is Painting Its Patrol Boats In WWI-Style Dazzle Camouflage

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40355/royal-navy-is-painting-its-patrol-boats-in-wwi-style-dazzle-camouflage



More frigates to be built in Scotland

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/more-frigates-to-be-built-in-scotland/



Spirit AeroSystems shares new rendering of LANCA “loyal wingman” for RAF

https://defbrief.com/2021/04/28/spirit-aerosystems-shares-new-rendering-of-lanca-loyal-wingman-for-raf/









China puts Feilong-1 endurance drone through high-altitude paces

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3131428/china-puts-feilong-1-endurance-drone-through-high-altitude



China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Has An Engine Problem (Or Not?)

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/chinas-j-20-stealth-fighter-has-an-engine-problem-or-not/



Is a New Version of China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Coming Soon?

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/is-a-new-version-of-chinas-j-20-stealth-fighter-coming-soon/



China to launch Heavenly Harmony space station core module

https://apnews.com/article/space-exploration-china-science-technology-business-41f45cbb3d3f9465d9990268da0d2d9e



It’s Time to Talk About J-15, China’s First Carrierborne Fighter

https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/its-time-to-talk-about-j-15-chinas-first-carrierborne-fighter/





Why Taiwan's Defense Strategy Calls for a Reassessment of Priorities

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/why-taiwans-defense-strategy-calls-reassessment-priorities-183848



Taiwan and Lithuania getting Javelin missiles under $175.9M Pentagon contract

https://defbrief.com/2021/04/28/taiwan-and-lithuania-getting-javelin-missiles-under-175-9m-pentagon-contract/



Lockheed Martin to provide Taiwanese Air Force with improved AGM-88 missiles

https://defence-blog.com/news/lockheed-martin-to-provide-taiwanese-air-force-with-improved-agm-88-missiles.html



Taiwan catches PLA plane trying to sneak below radar at only 30 meters

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4188046



The Need for Taiwan's Forthcoming Submarine Program Is More Than Pressing

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/need-taiwans-forthcoming-submarine-program-more-pressing-183837





North Korea sunk Cheonan warship, Seoul says after suspended reinvestigation

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/04/28/North-Korea-Cheonan-warship-Suh-Wook/8771619614756/





New Japanese Diplomatic Bluebook Shows Significantly More Concern About China than Earlier Editions

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/04/28/new-japanese-diplomatic-bluebook-shows-significantly-more-concern-about-china-than-earlier-editions/





Myanmar junta launches fresh air raids in rebel territory

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210428-myanmar-junta-launches-fresh-air-raids-in-rebel-territory





Australia to Upgrade Military Bases With Eye on Pacific Tensions

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/28/australia-upgrades-military-bases/










4 possible explanations for why a mysterious Florida company is managing a huge chunk of Pentagon internet addresses, according to cybersecurity experts

https://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-internet-ip-address-florida-company-possible-explanations-cybersecurity-experts-2021-4



U.S. investigators raid Giuliani apartment in New York

https://news.yahoo.com/u-investigators-raid-giuliani-apartment-162933657.html



Soldiers are refusing the vaccine out of spite: ‘This is the first time I get to tell the Army no!’

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/fort-carson-coronavirus-vaccine-reasons/



Deepfake satellite images pose serious military and political challenges

https://www.engadget.com/deepfake-satellite-imagery-144145142.html



DARPA Looking to Infuse Aerial Systems with AI

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/4/28/darpa-looking-to-infuse-aerial-systems-with-ai



Robots Hunted A Mock Chinese Ship—Then a U.S. Navy Destroyer Lobbed A $5-Million Missile At It

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/04/28/robots-hunted-a-mock-chinese-ship-then-a-us-navy-destroyer-lobbed-a-5-million-missile-at-it/



Report to Congress on Hypersonic Weapons

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/28/report-to-congress-on-hypersonic-weapons-2



Next-gen intercontinental ballistic missile interceptor estimated cost? Nearly $18B

https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2021/04/27/next-gen-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-interceptor-estimated-to-cost-nearly-18-billion/



The Marines Are Already Ditching Their Young RQ-21 Blackjack Drones

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40352/the-marines-are-ditching-their-relatively-young-rq-21-blackjack-drones



Podcast: Explaining the F-35’s Cost and Programmatic Issues

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/podcast-explaining-f-35s-cost-programmatic-issues



Switchblade 600 loitering missile to equip US Naval Special Warfare craft

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/switchblade-600-loitering-missile-to-equip-us-naval-special-warfare-craft



MQ-8B Fire Scout Crashes Into Littoral Combat Ship USS Charleston On Deployment

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/27/mq-8b-fire-scout-crashes-into-littoral-combat-ship-uss-charleston-on-deployment



Navy SEALs to shift from counterterrorism to global threats

https://apnews.com/article/politics-osama-bin-laden-china-russia-government-and-politics-8f277ce1a284b227afcdcffabfb51ffc



Task Force Smuggler

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htcbtsp/articles/20210428.aspx



The U.S. Navy's Master Plan For Its New Constellation-Class Frigates

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-navys-master-plan-its-new-constellation-class-frigates-183883



Navy Chief Aiming for 355-Ship Fleet Despite Calls for Larger Force

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/4/27/navy-chief-aiming-for-355-ship-fleet-despite-calls-for-larger-force



EMALS, AAG complete 8,000 aircraft recoveries, launches on USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/emals-aag-complete-8000-aircraft-recoveries-launches-on-uss-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier/