A B-2 stealth jet taxis at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Jan. 8. The U.S. has been deploying bombers and aircraft carriers to Guam, raising speculation it is preparing for a military conflict. U.S. AIR FORCE
Japan Times: Some see U.S. already on North Korea war footing, waiting for allies to get onboard
Is a war pitting the U.S. and its allies against nuclear-armed North Korea on the horizon?
While most analysts, regional security experts and government officials say the odds of conflict erupting on the Korean Peninsula remain low, observers say there has in recent months been a noticeable but discreet uptick in not only heated rhetoric, but also in military preparations by the United States as well as moves by Japan to limit the fallout from any potential conflict.
As Seoul and Pyongyang continue to lay the groundwork for rare intra-Korean cooperation in next month’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the U.S. has quietly been deploying an assortment of powerful weapons — what it calls “strategic assets” — to the region. The military has sent nuclear-capable bombers, including three stealth B-2s and six of its workhorse B-52s, to the U.S. territory of Guam, a key logistics hub and outpost some 3,400 km from North Korea. Those planes join six B-1B bombers, which like the others would likely play a critical role in any strikes originating from Guam on nuclear, missile and leadership sites in the North.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 19, 2018
US lawmakers: 'Bloody nose' strike would spark massive war -- Defense News
US Lawmakers call for military-to-military communications with North Korea -- The Hill
War with North Korea Would Be Trump's Worst Decision Yet -- Jerrod A. Laber & Lucy Steigerwald, RCD
How Far Will China Go to Achieve Its Military Goals for the 2049 ‘China Dream’? -- Pravin Sawhney, The Wire
Russia begins delivering S-400 air defence systems to China, says report -- Janes
Russia tests robotic strike vehicle in conditions close to real combat -- TASS
Russia to Decommission Two Largest Nuclear Subs in the World - Source -- Sputnik
Russia Doesn't Plan to Join Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons - Lavrov -- Sputnik
NATO denies claims that Qatar has become an ally -- Arab News
New Special Forces Vehicles to Enter Service in New Zealand This Year -- Sputnik
France, Italy, Britain renew arms contract with Eurosam -- UPI
Japan criticizes U.S. for military flights over school in Okinawa -- Reuters
US Military Escalates War Efforts in the Philippines -- Wall Street Journal
Pentagon Shadowing Russian Spy Ship -- Washington Free Beacon
New cold weather gear coming for Marines -- Marine Times
Navy, Marines Eyeing Ship Capability Upgrade Plans that Focus on Weapons, C5I -- USNI News
A-10 Wing Replacements Depend on Budget, Air Force Says -- Military.com/DoD Buzz
Failure to Pass Appropriations Bill Could Delay B-21 Program: Official -- DoD Buzz/Military.com
The Air Force may not get B-21 bombers on time under long-term continuing resolution -- Defense News
Security risks remain unresolved in new system for tracking US military aircraft -- Stars and Stripes
NSA surveillance programs renewed by Senate -- CNet
Navy chief: On scale of 1 to 10, adequate funding 'scores an 11' -- The Hill
Ryan: Budget fights have pushed military 'past the breaking point' -- The Hill
Trump Visits Pentagon to Show Support for Military -- VOA
Here’s How A US Government Shutdown Would Impact Military Pay And Benefits -- Task & Purpose
Pentagon: Military-civilian disconnect could endanger all-volunteer force -- Stars and Stripes
Pentagon nominee Griffin promises stronger DoD leadership in advancing technology -- Space News
FBI created job for suspected spy Jerry Lee to lure him to U.S. -- NBC
Stansfield Turner, who led major CIA reforms, dies -- National Post/AP
When a Career Goes Up in Flames -- John R. Liddle, RCD
Trump’s Pentagon Tries to Move on from the War on Terror -- Nicholas Schmidle, New Yorker
What Makes a Reliable Ally? A Fresh Perspective on NATO, Strategic Culture and Collective Defense -- Bryan Frizzelle, War On The Rocks
Here’s How to Stop Squelching New Ideas, Eric Schmidt’s Advisory Board Tells DoD -- Patrick Tucker, Defense One
Do You Speak Military? Then Enter This Simple — But Difficult! — New Contest -- Task & Purpose