Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 13, 2015

Brian Bremner, Bloomberg: Japan Gets Ready to Fight

Abe wants to unshackle Japan from its postwar pacifism

Japan’s shock, grief, and anger over the recent beheadings of two of its citizens by Islamic State has drawn into sharp focus the country’s ambivalence about the use of its military to protect its citizens and its interests. For decades, Japan was bound by its 1947 constitution to mobilize troops solely for self-defense. The country didn’t have the legal right to send armed troops abroad to protect its own people or back up allies who come under attack.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 13, 2015

With eye on Japan, China plans big military parades under Xi: sources -- Reuters

China’s army: Lifting the veil, Xi Jinping is bringing a corrupt army to heel. Now he must make it behave responsibly -- The Economist

As the US mission winds down, Afghan insurgency grows more complex -- Stars and Stripes/Washington Post

Russia’s new generation strategic bomber to make first flight in 2019 — Air Force -- ITAR-TASS

Three Combat Ships Join Russia's Mediterranean Task Force -- Sputnik News

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu signs military-technological cooperation agreements in Nicaragua -- RBTH

Elements of European missile defense system to be deployed in Poland by 2018 — ambassador -- ITAR-TASS

Iran Rolls Out ‘Smart Missile’ Drones -- Sputnik

Egyptian army struggles to address terrorism in Sinai -- Al-Monitor

France's Hollande says Egypt to buy Rafale fighters, frigate -- Reuters

France wins deal to sell Rafale combat jet to Egypt -- BBC

Colombian Farc: No recruitment of soldiers under 17 -- BBC

129 U.S. Army battalion, brigade commanders fired since 2003 -- Army Times

Army rejects Beretta's pitch for upgraded M9 -- Army Times

Seeking bigger budget, Pentagon keeps wary eye on risk of cuts -- Reuters

USAF Budget: Hardest Choices Yet to Come -- Defense News

Reform Pentagon Acquisition By Slowing Down the F-35 -- William Hartung, Defense One

U.S. Senate confirms Ashton Carter as new Pentagon chief -- FOX News/EFE

Ash Carter's Team Taking Shape -- Defense news

US Army Developing Missile Defense Dashboard -- Defense News

US Army Tests Soviet-Designed Rocket Launcher -- Military.com

Lawmakers Get Lost in the Math of Reforming Military Benefits -- Defense One

Military says 22 Marines hurt in Southern California training accident; some hospitalized -- FOX News/AP

The Human Cost of the Military’s Toxic Burn Pits -- Matthew Gault, War Is Boring

The U.S. Army Tested a Helicopter Shotgun With 1,200 Barrels: Let’s just say … it didn’t work -- Joseph Trevithick, War Is Boring

DoD, Twitter work to strengthen accounts -- Defense News

Military approves hormone therapy for Chelsea Manning -- USA Today

Commentary: A Balanced US Navy of the Future -- Mark Seip, Defense News

So many scandals in the US military: signs of rot or reform? -- Fabius Maximus

A Military Manual for Nonviolent War -- Tina Rosenberg, NYT

'American Sniper' And The Real Qualities Of The U.S. Military -- Michael Leeden, Forbes