Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 27, 2014

Kurdish refugees from Kobani watch as thick smoke covers the Syrian town of Kobani during fighting between Islamic State and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, as seen from the Mursitpinar crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border in Sanliurfa province October 26, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

US Struggles to Turn the Tide in War Against Islamic State -- NDTV/AFP

Washington: After more than two months of air strikes, a US-led coalition has prevented the fall of a northern Syrian town to Islamic State jihadists but is still struggling to halt the group's advances on other fronts, experts say.



Since the air war on the IS militants began on August 8, the United States and its allies have few concrete successes to point to as the IS group has continued to roll ahead in western Iraq and tighten its grip elsewhere.



But US officials insist it is too early to draw conclusions, and that a methodical effort will eventually bear fruit, as Iraqi and Kurdish forces build in strength.



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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 27, 2014

Islamic State fight now costing U.S. $8.3 million per day -Pentagon -- Reuters



More than 1,700 bombs dropped in US-led air war on Islamic State -- AFP



U.S., partners conduct 11 more strikes in Syria, Iraq against Islamic State: CENTCOM -- Reuters



US: Washington sees Syria rebels in political, not military solution -- Jerusalem post



US calls for united Internet front against Islamic State -- Times of Israel



NATO: Russia Ramping Up Military Probing in Baltics -- VOA



Czech secret service sees 'extremely high' number of Russian spies -- Reuters



France to Deliver First Mistral to Russia Around Mid-November: French Wharf Union -- RIA Novosti



China tests new generation of military aircraft: Report -- Economic Times



Report: China To Keep Closer Eye On Military Spending -- Defense News



China media: Military spending -- BBC



China to Amend Anti-terror Law and to Set Up National Anti-terrorism Intelligence System -- RIA Novosti



Israeli Firm Adapts Iron Dome for Intercepts at Sea -- Defense News



French Navy Plans To Dominate Above, On and Below the Seas -- Defense News



Brazil Signs Delivery Deal for Swedish Saab Gripen Fighters: Company -- RIA Novosti



Last international forces airlifted from key base in Afghanistan -- Reuters



Marines, UK combat troops give key command post to Afghan military, as mission draws to close -- FOX News



NATO promises Afghans air support after 2014 as it shuts key base -- Stars and Stripes



ISAF: Level of air support for Afghan forces yet to be decided -- Stars and Stripes



U.S. Ebola fighters head to Africa, but will the military and civilian effort be enough? -- Washington Post



Volcanoes a threat to US bases in Japan -- Stars and Stripes



Sequestration Will Give US Army 'Real Problems' Meeting Increased Demands, Officials Say -- Defense News



Navy falls behind on maintenance of its ships, deployments -- Stars and Stripes/The Virginian-Pilot (MCT)



Navy’s Newest Sub, USS North Dakota, Joins Fleet -- CBS



BAE points electromagnetic projectile at US Army -- The Register



US Navy commander dies in Qatar -- Stars and Stripes



DOD: Marine's death 1st in Iraq, 2nd since start of US campaign against Islamic State -- Stars and Stripes



Blackwater and the Role of Military Contractors -- NYT



The Army Wants To Fully Integrate Conventional and Special Operations Force -- Col. Michael Rauhut, Defesne One/Council on Foreign Relations



The Pentagon Still Needs More Eyes in the Sky -- Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One