Japan Self-Defence Forces' (SDF) troops march during the annual SDF troop review ceremony at Asaka Base in Asaka, near Tokyo October 27, 2013. REUTERS/Issei Kato
VICE News: How Japan is rebuilding its military for the first time since WWII
For the first time in 70 years, Japan is rebuilding its military. And with tensions on the rise in the Pacific, the U.S. could be forced into a war.
After Japan was defeated in World War II, the country was forced to disarm and swear off military capability, outside of self-defense, ever again. Over time, that pacifism became part of the Japanese psyche. But with nationalism on the rise around the world, Japan hasn't been immune to the political tide.
In recent years, China has been amping up tensions with the U.S. and its allies by claiming, constructing, and militarizing islands in the nearby South China Sea. And with the looming threat from North Korea, Japanese nationalists are getting ready to protect their country.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 15, 2018
China Sea crisis: Japan to bolster military base on island idyll that could become front line in event of war -- The Independent
Japan sending military adviser to Malaysia, boosting regional presence in face of assertive China -- SCMP
Chinese Jets Drill at High Altitude Near Western Border After Engine Upgrades -- Sputnik
China to Commence Research on Sixth-gen Jet Based on J-20 Stealth Fighter -- Defense World
India to Fulfill Most of Its Fighter Jet Shortfall With Home-Grown Tejas -- Sputnik
Russia: The Counter-Intelligence State -- Stephen Blank, The Interpreter
Saudi crown prince says will develop nuclear bomb if Iran does: CBS TV -- Reuters
Saudi Arabia threatens Middle East nuclear arms race -- Arutz Sheva
Saudi crown prince threatens to develop a nuke as kingdom seeks foreign nuclear technology -- CNBC
Saudi Arabia beefs up plans for domestic defence industry -- Financial Times
Israel’s ‘Hannibal’ directive criticized in official report -- AP
Qatar signs $3.7bn deal to buy military helicopters -- Al Jazeera
Australian killed, another injured, in blast at Cambodian military base -- 9News
US Navy: No More Clashes in Gulf After Iran Makes ‘Change in Their Behavior’ -- Sputnik
U.S. military discloses firefight in Niger in December -- Reuters
US military reveals new firefight in Niger -- CNN
Milley: Army is pushing to get two-thirds of its brigades ready to deploy at any minute -- Army Times
USMC phases out expeditionary mortar system -- Jane's 360
Mali militia says it obtains U.S. military vehicle from Niger raid -- Reuters
Navy jet crashes off Key West, killing 2 crew members -- Navy Times/AP
CBO: 355-Ship Fleet Will Cost $6.7 Billion More Per Year Than Current Navy Budget Request -- USNI News
This is life on an active US Navy vessel -- CNN
Army Develops "Offensive" Electronic Attack for Drones -- Warrior Maven
Air Force has 79,000 waiting for security clearances, working with OPM on remedies -- Federal News Radio
Sen. Rand Paul says he opposes Trump's picks for secretary of State, CIA director -- CNBC
Ronald Gray, on Military's Death Row, Has Case Before Supreme Court -- Military.com
The Military Race for Space Will Turn on the Ability to Choose Commercial Services -- Defense One
Trump touting ‘space force’ puts Air Force in awkward spot -- Defense News
What Trump's 'Space Force' might look like – and when it would be ready -- CNBC
Nightmares are common but underreported in US military personnel -- Science Daily
The U.S. Military Tried to Build 'Flying Aircraft Carriers'. It Was a Total Disaster. -- Kyle Mizokami, National Interest
50 years ago, the My Lai massacre shamed the US military -- Canadian Press/AP