Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces gesture the "V" sign in Raqqa. REUTERS/Rodi Said
Jack Detsch, Al-Monitor: Raqqa win pulls US deeper into Syria conflict
As US-backed forces take victory laps in the Islamic State’s (IS) self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa, the Pentagon is considering extending its presence deeper into Syria, a move that could bring US troops into contact with pro-regime forces.
Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for the US-led mission fighting the terror group, told reporters that the international coalition is in talks with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commanders about continuing the campaign into IS-held areas along the Euphrates River following today’s victory in Raqqa. He said the more than 600 US troops currently training and assisting the SDF won’t be staying in Syria “indefinitely,” but acknowledged that “there still is fighting that is left to be done.”
Read more ....
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 18, 2017
No Clear End Game For U.S. Military In Iraq And Syria -- NPR
Analysis: Down, but not defeated: What is the future of ISIS after Raqqa? -- CBC
Russia receives second batch of Su-34 frontline bombers from Sukhoi -- Air Force Technology
Russia Testing New Silo-Based Ballistic Missile -- Sputnik
Troops in west Russia to get 1,000 modern weapon systems by yearend -- TASS
Russian Defense Ministry tests new missile for Iskander short-range system -- TASS
Is India Starting to Flex Its Military Muscles? -- Foreign Policy
Syrian General Responsible for Deir ez-Zor Defense Killed in Mine Blast - Staff -- Sputnik
Discussing 'red lines': Israel hedges military options in Syria -- The Jerusalem Post
Iran general mocks: No military threat by Trump because he ‘realizes our power’ -- Times of Israel
Embraer receives Super Tucano order -- UPI
Turkey arms exports: Should Germany send weapons at all? -- DW
Espionage case begins for Swiss bank spy accused of targeting tax fraud investigators in Frankfurt, Germany -- DW
Armenia Announces Big Military Spending Increase -- Eurasianet.org
Serbia to buy S-300 missile systems, MiG-29 jets from Belarus -- Defense News
NATO Members Train to Nuke a "Fictional" Enemy After Major Russian Drills -- Warzone
U.S. military under fire for resuming chopper flight in Okinawa -- Asahi Shimbun
US Troops Won’t Leave Stricken Somalia Any Time Soon - Pentagon -- Sputnik
Senators demand info on deadly Niger ambush -- The Hill
The Defense Department Is Looking Into Why Four U.S. Soldiers Died in Niger -- Time
Trump touts potential $2.4B Greek fighter jet deal at appearance with PM -- The Hill
Skyraider 2? The Air Force may bring back Vietnam-style combat plane -- Air Force Times
USS Ponce, Last of the Austin-class Amphibious warships, Decommissions -- USNI News
U.S. Senator Probes Pentagon on Russian Source Code Reviews -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Marines test system to 3D-print spare parts in the field -- UPI
Jim Mattis estimates 19 percent of military's worldwide property may be unneeded -- Washington Examiner
Trump touts 'historic' hike in military spending while budget still mired in uncertainty -- Washington Examiner
Senate confirms Trump Pentagon pick; moves defense bill to negotiations -- The Hill
McCain says he is on the rocks with Mattis and McMaster -- Defense News
A Simple Guide To Naming Your Military Operation, According To Winston Churchill -- Task & Purpose
Suit: U.S. Firms’ Bribes Funded Iraq Militia Attacks on Americans -- NBC
Is The U.S. Navy Suffering From A Catastrophic Morale Problem? [Infographic] -- Niall McCarthy, Forbes
How 4 Green Berets Took Down Joseph Kony’s Army With Tailored Messages -- Defense One
The Pentagon is worried about hackers causing a stock market crash -- Business Insider/Wolf Street
