Commander-in-chief. (Reuters/Damir Sagolj)
Zheping Huang, Quartz: As China’s big leadership revamp nears, Xi Jinping is carrying out a military reshuffle
China just set the date for its twice-a-decade leadership reshuffle: the ruling Communist Party will hold its 19th national congress on Oct. 18. As the big day nears, lots of the behind-the-scene political struggles are gearing up. As we’ve explained earlier, speculation is mounting that Chinese president Xi Jinping could break away from convention to hold onto power for 10 more years, rather than five.
Another key reshuffle is already underway in the run-up to the congress. In recent days, Xi has promoted favorites to top posts in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Xi chairs the Central Military Commission, a 11-member top decision-making body of the Chinese military, the world’s biggest. Since 2015, Xi has launched a string of military reforms including cutting troop numbers and regrouping existing military districts. He also waged war against allegedly corrupt military officials—prominent among them are two disgraced top generals, Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong. Under Xi, China has become more assertive in its territorial disputes, as its armed forces develop advanced technologies including aircraft carriers and stealth fighters.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 1, 2017
China names new commanders for army, air force in reshuffle -- Reuters
General seen as Xi Jinping’s keen supporter named new chief of Chinese army’s ground forces -- SCMP
Japanese Military Seeks More Missiles, Radars With Record Budget Request -- Sputnik
Military Exercises Are Tearing Up Russia's Infrastructure -- War Is Boring
The Russian Missile Program has Raised Concerns Among NATO Countries -- Novinite
Russia Concerned Over NATO Policy Towards Euro-Atlantic - Lavrov -- Sputnik
For Real Men! Russia's Ratnik Battle Gear Protects Groin From Sniper Fire -- Sputnik
Russia’s Defense Ministry gets Tu-160 strategic bomber after upgrade -- TASS
Russia to train Egyptian pilots for Mistral amphibious assault ship helicopters -- TASS
'Proud Boys' back in Canada military after crashing indigenous ceremony -- BBC News
RAF becomes first branch of British military to open every role to women -- The Telegraph
RAF Typhoons join 800 British troops to boost Nato strength in the Baltic and face down Russian aggression -- Daily Mail
US talks to Russia daily as ISIS battle begins shift to Euphrates River valley -- Military Times
US Gives Military Assistance to Pakistan, With Strings Attached -- New York Times
Seeking help with Afghanistan, US holds up $255M to Pakistan -- Defense News/AP
Goldfein: Air Force could see increased airstrikes, new deployments in Afghanistan -- Defense News
How Many US Troops in Afghanistan? Pentagon Changes How It Counts Them -- Defense One
USA V North Korea: This is the brutal US military arsenal poised to WIPE OUT Kim’s threat -- Express
USS Wasp departs to join 7th Fleet forces in Japan -- Navy.mil
MQ-25 Stingray Unmanned Aerial Tanker Could Almost Double Strike Range of U.S. Carrier Air Wing -- USNI News
As the service looks to fill capabilities gaps, the U.S. Navy is keeps an eye overseas -- Defense News
New LCS completes U.S. Navy acceptance trials -- UPI
Navy's deadly accidents stir questions, House panel to probe for answers next week -- CNBC
US Air Force announces date for X-37B launch -- Defense News
US military deploys thousands of troops to Texas -- CNN
Questions about the US military's evolving response to Hurricane Harvey, answered -- Washington Post
Watch a monstrous Cadillac Escalade tow a submerged military vehicle from Harvey floodwaters -- Business Insider
The Pentagon and the $25,000 Dog -- Bloomberg
Military scientists are working to help wounded warriors regrow their limbs -- Army Times
Killer robots are coming, and the US isn't the only buyer -- Jon Wolfsthal, Defense One
