Military and Intelligence News Briefs -- August 14, 2018

VICE News: China is really not happy with Trump’s $716 billion defense spending bill

China has condemned the $716 billion defense spending bill signed by U.S. President Donald Trump Monday, claiming it “exaggerated Sino-U.S. antagonism.”

Beijing issued three separate statements about the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act inked by the president at Fort Drum, against the backdrop of an Apache helicopter and artillery pieces.

“America is respected again,” Trump said. “With this new authorization we will increase the size and strength of our military by adding thousands of new recruits to active duty.” In his 20-minute address, Trump refused to mention the name of terminally-ill McCain, who has been critical of president.

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Military and Intelligence News Briefs -- August 14, 2018

Beijing ‘strongly dissatisfied’ as Donald Trump signs defence act upping US support for Taiwan and scrutiny of foreign companies -- SCMP

China Leaving US Behind on Artificial Intelligence: Air Force General -- Defense Tech

Panel: Japan Still Needs U.S. Protection from North Korean, Chinese Aggression -- USNI News

China flexes its military might with series of naval exercises in local waters -- SCMP

China 'prepares for battles' against US, Japanese missiles in tense East China Sea -- Business Insider

China’s New Missile Force: New Ambitions, New Challenges -- Adam Ni & Bates Gill, RCD

Hong Kong military garrison mounts its ‘biggest’ anti-terror drill -- SCMP

Russia open to talks with US on strategic weapons -- The Hill

NATO’s Two Percent and Burden Sharing -- John Cappello, RCD

HMS Queen Elizabeth to sail to the United States for F-35 trials -- UK Defense Journal

Trump blocks fighter jet transfer amid deepening U.S.-Turkey rift --

Foreign Relations

US Defense Secretary Mattis Pitches Closer US-Brazil Ties -- AP

Work on Guam's $8.7 billion portion of Pacific realignment gaining momentum, officials say -- Stars and Stripes

Navy's New Amphibs Must Be Ready for a High-Tech Fight, 2-Star Says -- Defense Tech

Killer Angel On Your Shoulder: Army’s Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft -- Breaking Defense

Lockheed nabs another big hypersonic weapons contract -- Defense News

Air Force Doubles Down on Hypersonic Weapons Development with 2nd Contract -- Defense Tech

Space-based laser weapons could ultimately take out missile threats in boost phase -- Defense News

As the Pentagon moves to stand up a Space Force, budget fight looms -- Space News

Army Leaders Made ‘Hard Choices’ in 2020 Budget Blueprint -- National Defense

Army Secretary Wants to Boost Active-Duty End Strength Above 500,000 -- DoD Buzz

Army Special Forces Soldier Dies After IED Blast in Afghanistan -- Military.com

Pentagon spokeswoman investigated for misusing staff: report -- The Hill

New Marine awards push for superior fitness -- Marine Times

More public speaking, less PowerPoint for Army NCO schools -- Stars and Stripes

V-J Day: U.S. Military Power in Asia Grew After World War II, But Do We Still Need Bases There? -- Tom O'Connor, Newsweek

The Perfect Can Wait: Good Solutions to the ‘Drone Swarm’ Problem -- Joseph Hanacek, War On The Rocks