Roman Goncharenko, DW: Russian deaths in Syria: Mystery surrounds aftermath of US attack
Russian mercenaries reportedly died in a US attack in Syria, marking the biggest confrontation of the two former Cold War opponents in decades. The incident is explosive in every respect, but what really occurred?
What exactly happened a week ago in the village of Khusham in eastern Syria? Have hundreds of Russian mercenaries been killed in an operation by the US military, as has been speculated for days in Russia? Or are such reports just a fake news campaign, which is how it has been represented by Moscow? The answer to this question will determine whether the already strained relationship between the US and Russia will be put to the test again, with unpredictable consequences. The search for the truth is particularly difficult, because there are no reliable findings.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 15, 2018
Pentagon, Kremlin tight-lipped over deadly Syrian assault -- Washington Times
China has built seven new military bases in South China Sea, US navy commander says -- SCMP
China’s air force gets a lift with pilot’s promotion to top military job -- SCMP
Superpower US still feels “insecure”, Beijing jibes -- Asia Times
India launches defense programs worth $2.48 billion -- Defense News
Pakistan slipping out of US influence, say intelligence agencies -- DAWN
Philippines terminates $234M helicopter contract with Canada -- Defense News
Modernized Tu-160 to boost Russia’s long-range striking power -- Defense News
Russia's Future Soldier Looks Like Something Straight Out of Ghost Recon -- Sputnik
NATO’s tanker, AWACS programs see membership increase -- Defense News
UK blames Russian military for 'malicious' cyberattack -- ABC News/AP
Airbus takes $1.6 billion charge on A400M military plane -- CNBC/Reuters
German military short on tanks for NATO mission -- DW
German military: combat ready? -- Financial Times
Changing Europe revives interest in an EU military -- DW
NATO chief urges defense budget hike amid command expansion -- Military Times/AP
In long Afghan war, U.S. Army tries new way to deploy trainers -- Reuters
White House budget chief: Military was more important than deficit cutting -- Defense News
Air Force to station fighter jets at Fort Lauderdale airport to protect Trump during Mar-a-Lago visits -- Washington Examiner
The Navy’s stealth destroyers to get new weapons and a new mission: killing ships -- Defense News
US F-15E Strike Eagles Can Now Carry Extended-Range Standoff Attack Missiles -- Sputnik
The Army is testing a replacement for the Hellfire missile — and pilots like what they see -- Business Insider
Missile Defense Agency asks for $700 million to bolster hypersonic defense -- C4IRSNet
Army mulls pulling back on missions to reduce demand on force -- Defense News
Pentagon issues warning for non-deployable personnel: 'Deploy or be removed' -- FOX News
Thousands of service members could lose jobs under new Pentagon policy -- ABC News
The Looming National Security Crisis: Young Americans Unable to Serve in the Military -- Heritage Foundation
Court determines military burn pits caused lung disease in service members -- FOX News
Climate change revealed this U.S. military secret -- Popular Science
McCain second-in-command found guilty of dereliction charge -- Navy Times
2 freed after shots fired at SUV in NSA campus confrontation -- SCMP
Should an Army Accused of Ethnic Cleansing Be Allowed to Join U.S. Military Exercises? -- Eli Meixler, time
5 Reasons The Army Must Keep Modernizing Today's Weapons While It Tries To Leap Ahead -- Loren Thompson, Forbes
