Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 23, 2014

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un uses binoculars to inspect a live-fire drill using self-propelled drones at an undisclosed location in North Korea, March 20, 2013. Press TV

North Korea: 1.2 Million Troops, Nukes -- And A 3,000-Strong Cyber-Elite -- Bloomberg

North Korea’s alleged ability to hack into Sony Pictures Entertainment is extending Kim Jong Un’sreach far beyond the range of his missiles.



While North Korea has kept Western defense officials guessing for years about a nuclear program that it may or may not ever use, the regime’s ability to wage cyber war adds a new dimension to its standing abroad.



“There is this image that North Korea never carries through on its threats,” said Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow on Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation in Washington and former deputy division chief for Korea at the Central Intelligence Agency. “But it sometimes does carry through. You can’t always dismiss North Korea threats as simply being words.”



Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 23, 2014

Expert: Sony Hack Used Black Market Malware -- Defense Tech



Inside the ‘Surprisingly Great’ North Korean Hacker Hotel -- Michael Daly, Daily Beast



South Korea's Presidential jet to be fitted with anti-missile defense systems -- Arirang



China's leader is telling the People's Liberation Army to prepare for war -- Kyle Mizokami, The Week



China’s Building Stealth Fighters Faster and Faster -- War Is Boring



Russian stealth jet technology surpassed by China: Global Times -- Want China Times



Russia Upgrades Supersonic Bombers, ‘Blackjack’ Bomber Could Beat Out U.S. B1 ‘Lancer’ in Skies -- Inquisitr



Russia plans more aircraft, helicopters at airbase in Belarus — defense minister -- ITAR-TASS



Reasons Why Russia’s Emerging Borei-Class Submarine Fleet is a Fearsome Nuclear Weapon at Vladimir Putin’s Disposal -- IBTimes



Russian nuclear forces to get more than 50 new missiles in 2015 — Putin -- ITAR-TASS



Russian Navy Still Strong Without Mistrals, C'est la Vie -- Sputnik



Putin notes growth in foreign intelligence activity in Russia -- ITAR-TASS



Syrian state media unveils IDF drone allegedly 'shot down' -- Jerusalem Post



The Israeli General With an Asterisk -- New York Times



Airbus Helicopters delivers aircraft to Spanish military -- UPI



Agency Backs More Abrams for Iraq in ISIS Fight -- DoD Buzz



Task force denies reports US engaged in ground combat with Islamic State -- Stars and Stripes/Tampa (Fla.) Tribune



Billion-dollar ISIS fight gets U.S. inspector general -- The Hill



USS Zumwalt nearing completion -- Visalia Times-Delta



Boeing, U.S. Navy in talks about stretching EA-18G jet production -- Reuters



Navy Pays Texas Ship Breaker a Penny to Dismantle Carrier Ranger -- USNI News



US Navy 2015: Congressional Clashes Over LCS, UCLASS & Carriers -- Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Breaking Defense



Army, Guard Set On Collision Course For 2015 -- Breaking Defense



Joint Chiefs warn: 'We can't do more with less' -- The Hill



Army general sent report on Bergdahl's disappearance -- Stars and Stripes



DoD Releases 2015 Military Pay and Compensation Rates -- US Department of Defense



Obama Gives Military 1 Percent Pay Raise -- Washington Free Beacon



Military gives Obama low approval marks -- USA Today



Rights Groups Want Special Prosecutor to Investigate CIA Torture -- VOA



More Than 500 Vets Died at VA Hospitals Due to Mistakes Since 2010 -- Washington Free Beacon



Military Hospital Care Is Questioned; Next, Reprisals -- NYT



Two military suicide bills, different results: The Jacob Sexton and Clay Hunt acts -- Dan Lamonthe, Washington Post



Maine entrepreneur builds sleek ship, but will military buy it? -- FOX News/AP



A Brief History of the CIA's Unpunished Spying on the Senate -- Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic



Hostage killings have given new impetus to even risky rescue attempts -- David S. Cloud and Zaid Ali, Stars and Stripes/Tribune Washington Bureau (TNS)