Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 2, 2016

New York Times: James Mattis, Outspoken Retired Marine, Is Trump’s Choice as Defense Secretary

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump said on Thursday he had chosen James N. Mattis, a hard-charging retired general who led a Marine division to Baghdad during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, to serve as his secretary of defense.

Mr. Trump made the announcement at a rally in Cincinnati, calling General Mattis “the closest thing we have to Gen. George Patton.”

General Mattis, 66, led the United States Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East and Southwest Asia, from 2010 to 2013. His tour there was cut short by the Obama administration, which believed he was too hawkish on Iran.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 2, 2016

How Trump picking Mattis as Pentagon chief breaks with 65 years of U.S. history -- Dan Lamothe, Washington Post

Trump's pick of James Mattis to head the Pentagon sets up a spat in Congress -- L.A. Times

Mattis as Defense Secretary: Wartime Experience for a Country at War -- General Jack Keane, Cipher Brief

Trump's Defense Pick Accused of Delaying Aid to Wounded Soldiers -- NBC

Democrats could block Mattis nomination -- Politico

Iran Owns 4.5% Stake in German Company Behind Israeli Submarine Deal - Report -- Sputnik

S. Korea to begin preliminary design work for indigenous fighter jet in 2017 -- Yonhap

Japan Receives 1st F-35 Joint Strike Fighter -- The Diplomat

Japan to Boost Military Spending in 2017 Fiscal Year to

Record $46Bln -- Sputnik

Boris Johnson: UK won't block EU defence co-operation -- BBC

Anti-Daesh Coalition Loses Key French Aircraft Carrier to Maintenance -- Sputnik

Commander: More US Troops in Afghanistan Sent 'Strong Message' -- Military.com

US Coast Guard Chief Seeks Expanded Asia-Pacific Role -- VOA

Troubled $29 Billion U.S. Warship Sows Fresh Doubt on Worth -- Bloomberg

After Panama pit stop, Navy stealth ship steams toward San Diego -- San Diego Tribune

US Zumwalt Destroyers Will Get a Second Look From President Trump -- Sputnik

The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency Will Test-Fire its New Larger SM-3IIA Interceptor Missile in Space -- Scout Warrior

General: Army struggles to meet goal of 80,000 recruits -- The Arizona Republic

Congress Wants to Know Why Soldiers, Marines Don’t Use the Same Rifle Ammo -- Kit-Up!

Navy Shipbuilding, Uniforms Under Scrutiny in Defense Budget -- DoD Buzz

No Extra Fighter Jets in Compromise Defense Bill -- DoD Buzz

House Pushes Ahead with $611 Billion Defense Policy Bill -- AP

Trump Will Request More Troops, Ships, Planes: Thornberry -- DoD Buzz

Defense policy bill would bring the biggest organizational changes in 30 years -- Jaqueline Limas, Washington Examiner

White House: Obama supports registering women for military draft -- USA Today

Just one Trump transition aide for U.S. spy agencies: officials -- Reuters

What Is “Military Artificial Intelligence”? -- Brad Allenby, Slate