Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 20, 2017

Russian and Chinese servicemen shake hands during the Russian-Chinese drill "Naval Interaction-2015" at the Klerk testing grounds in Russia's Primorye Territory. © SPUTNIK/ VITALIY ANKOV

The Hill: Russia, China making gains on US military power

Russia and China are increasingly challenging the military superiority that the United States has held since the early 1990s.

Since the end of the Cold War, America’s naval, air, land and space capabilities, paired with key bases in Europe and Asia, have created a strategic advantage over other major superpowers.

The United States still outspends its rivals on the military, with a roughly $600 billion budget that is three times as much as Beijing's and more than six times as much as Moscow's.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 20, 2017

The Russia-China Partnership Remains Strong, Despite America -- Stacy Closson, The Russia File

US and Russian Military Leaders Are Meeting Again, Breaking a Long and Dangerous Drought -- Defense One

China to ax military corps of disgraced generals amid downsizing of world’s biggest army – sources -- RT

China to disband over a quarter of its army corps, sources say -- South China Morning Post

Impenetrable: Russia Testing a New Taifun-Airborne APC -- Sputnik

Next-Gen Russian Subs 'Better and Cheaper' Than Newest US Subs -- Sputnik

North Korea engine test may be prelude to partial ICBM flight -- Reuters

Will North Korea Attack US? Rocket-Engine Means 'Meaningful Progress' For Intercontinental Missile: Analyst -- International Business Times

The American Military’s Real North Korea Nightmare Isn’t Nukes (Its Chemical Weapons) -- Bertil Lintner, National Interest

N. Korean propaganda TV shows image of burning U.S. supercarrier, bomber -- Yonhap News Agency

Singapore launches fourth Littoral Mission Vessel -- UPI

Afghan Air Forces Receive Four Light Attack Aircraft From US - Pentagon -- Sputnik

EU navies find training Libyan coast guard no easy task -- Defense News

Saudi General Hails US Pledge to Boost Intel, Military Support Against Iran -- Sputnik

Trump Demands Germany Pay for US Protection -- Stars and Stripes

Germany rejects Trump claim it owes Nato and US 'vast sums' for defence -- The Guardian

US Pays 22.1% of NATO Budget; Germany 14.7%; 13 Allies Pay Less Than 1% -- CNS

Trumps' Right About Germany And Defense But Not About The Economics Of Nato -- Tim Worstall, Forbes

Back to Europe: The Army is sending more troops, tanks and helicopters to deter Russia -- Army Times

After the M1A2 Abrams, the Army Wants a New Tank for 2030 -- Motley Fool

Delta IV rocket launches military communications satellite -- UPI

US Army tackling task of significantly boosting its ranks -- The Hill

America's Nuclear Bombers Are Old—and in Desperate Need of an Upgrade -- National Interest

This Army chaplain stopped a machete-wielding soldier during a hostage situation -- Army Times

NSA whistleblower's attorney dismisses Snowden-Bout spy swap as rumors -- TASS

Using Special Forces Against Terrorism, Trump Seeks to Avoid Big Ground Wars -- New York Times

‘Simplicate and Add Lightness!’ — Designing the F-45 Mustang II -- Mike Fredenburg, NRO

3 Cheap Weapons Systems President Trump (and the Pentagon) Would Love -- Motley Fool

The U.S. Army's Black Hawk Helicopter Could Serve for 50 Years (or More) -- Kyle Mizokami, National Interest

The White House doubts climate change. Here's why the Pentagon does not -- Shawn Snow, Military Times

Trump’s Phantom Defense Budget -- Gary Schmitt & James Cunningham, RCD