Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 8, 2014

The New U.S. Military Mission In Iraq: What We Know Now -- Washington Post

President Obama said Thursday night that he has authorized two new, major actions by the U.S. military in Iraq: airstrikes against militants with the Islamic State if U.S. interests or personnel are threatened, and humanitarian assistance for thousands of civilians who have fled the Islamist advance in northwest Iraq and are now trapped on a mountain.



Even those two specific missions are more complicated than that, however.



First, the U.S. humanitarian mission on Mount Sinjar began Thursday with airdrops by military aircraft, but it could require targeted airstrikes in order to “break the siege” at the base of the mountain and allow authorities to provide more assistance to the civilians, Obama said. They would be conducted in coordination with the Iraqi government and Iraqi Kurdish security forces known as pesh merga.



Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 8, 2014

US military launches airstrikes on terror targets in Iraq -- FOX News



Pentagon air drops humanitarian supplies to Iraq’s religious minorities -- Washington Times



US strikes could reach outside Baghdad -- The Hill



As Strikes Begin in Iraq, Many Options for Pentagon -- Defense News



Republicans Endorse Obama's Iraq Airstrikes - But With Sharp Criticism -- Defense News



Boehner ‘dismayed’ with Obama’s Iraq strategy -- The Hill



Russian fighter-bombers fly along northern sea route at first time -- ITAR-TASS



Russia to Conduct Military Drills on Conflict of Two Imaginary Nations -- RIA Novosti



Israel’s military policy sparks dissent among troops -- RT



Some in Israel are questioning the military's Hannibal Doctrine -- PRI



How will the Lebanese military deal with Arsal? -- Esperance Ghanem, Al-Monitor



Iran to unveil new defense system similar to Iron Dome – military commander -- RT



S. Korea sends destroyer to Libya for evacuations as security situation implodes -- Washington Times



India offers to buy more U.S. helicopters, hopes to drive down costs -- Reuters



Female Warship Commander In Royal Navy Stripped Of Captainship Over Alleged Affair -- IBTimes



NATO To Set Eastern European Measures at Summit -- Defense News



NATO set to cut three aircraft from AWACS fleet -- Janes 360



Poland Retains Su-22s, Wants New Attack Helicopters -- AIN Online



Assessing China's airborne early warning and control systems -- Want China Times



Chinese navy sending 3 ships to San Diego -- San Diego 6



ISAF Suspends Afghan Mission Following Killing of US General - Reports -- RIA Novosti



US Missile Cruiser Vella Gulf Enters Black Sea -- RIA Novosti



Senate Blocks F-22 Cut, Little Else for USAF Reprograming -- Defense News



Why pilots couldn’t stop a Marine Corps drone helicopter from crashing -- Washington Post



You won't see it on the runway, but Army's new camo pattern makes its debut -- al.com



The Strange, Sad Story of the Army's New Billion-Dollar Camo Pattern -- Gizmodo



Monster Machines: This Floating US Special Forces Base Sure Doesn't Look Like One -- Gizmodo



5 Ways U.S. Army Uses 3D Printing -- Benzinga



Pentagon’s breakthrough human brain-inspired computer chip to power drones -- Washington Times



CIA Vaults a Woman into Top Spy Ranks -- Newsweek



Golden Hammer: Congress loads military budget with $20 billion in pet projects -- Washington Times



Navy Report: Skipper Retreated to Cabin for Weeks -- AP



Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl wraps up second day of interview with Army General -- KENS 5



Pentagon: Bibles OK at Military Recruiting Station -- Military.com



The U.S. military has pain rays and stun guns. So why aren't they being used? -- Dan Lamonthe, The Week/War Is Boring