Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 29, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (file photo)

NBC: Top U.S. officials were briefed on an active threat against Pentagon leaders, say five officials

Some officials said the briefings suggested the threat may be potential retaliation for the U.S. military's killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

WASHINGTON — U.S. military, intelligence and law enforcement officials were briefed late last month on a threat against the Pentagon's most senior leaders while they are on American soil, not just traveling overseas, according to five senior U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the matter.

Some officials said the briefings suggested the threat, which remains active, may be potential retaliation for the U.S. military's assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January, although the information provided did not draw a definitive link.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 29, 2020

Biden White House Seen Revamping Strategy for Nuclear Weapons -- Blooomberg

Dems Likely To War Over Defense After Election; Navy A Big Target: HASC Chair Smith -- Breaking Defense

A Biden Administration Would Rewrite NDS, Toss 500-Ship Navy Overboard, Lawmaker Says -- Military.com

Trump has ‘no plan’ to exit Afghanistan by Christmas, key lawmaker says -- Defense News

U.S. Air Force wants to transform its transport planes into cruise missile carriers -- Defence-Blog

Shortfalls of Defensive Hypersonic Weapons Must Be Addressed, NORAD General Says -- US Department of Defense

How a Pacific missile test site is keeping up with challenging tests in a pandemic -- Defense News

Ford sailors test positive for COVID-19 -- Navy Times

Another littoral combat ship breaks down on deployment -- Defense News

U.S. Army begins testing new version of Bradley fighting vehicle -- Defence-Blog

U.S. Army unveils new laser gun system for the first time -- Defence-Blog

The best combat boots according to special operators -- SOFREP

U.S. State Department approves possible $10.4 billion sale of F-35s to UAE -- Defence-Blog

US Defense Secretary Meets With Bahraini, U.S. Military Leaders -- US Department of Defense

Mark Esper Awaits the End of Trump's Term -- New York Times

Trump Admin Sets Allied Defense Spending Targets, Taiwan Deals Lead Way -- Breaking Defense

SecNav Says China Poses 'Threat Beyond Any Comparison' to American Way of Life -- Military.com

Chinese, U.S. military chiefs hold crisis communication, says China defence ministry -- Reuters

A Chinese Database Is Tracking American Nuclear Scientists and Military Officers -- Popular Mechanics

China ramps up pilot training to boost drone operator ranks as unmanned vehicles rise in military importance -- SCMP

Russia Equips Chinese Special Forces With Latest Helicopters As It Battles India In The Eastern Ladakh -- EurAsian Times

Russia successfully test-fires new ABM interceptor missile -- TASS

Russian Navy tracking NATO warships in Black Sea -- TASS

Russia’s defense chief highlights tension along borders with NATO countries -- TASS

Pakistan, China ‘Seriously Concerned’ After India Signs Geospatial Pact With The United States -- EurAsian Times

India will get access to U.S. satellite data that can make military missiles more precise -- CNBC

Italy defense budget rebounds despite coronavirus crisis -- Defense News

Iran puts air defense assets on display -- Military Times

Is Iraq’s Military Good Enough for US Troops to Leave? -- Katie Bo Williams, Defense One

Will COVID-Stressed Countries Slow Their Arms Buys? -- Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One