TOP NEWS USAF to launch fifth AEHF communications satellite Air Force Technology Macron did not invite Iran’s Rouhani to G7 summit Reuters U.S. hopes for North Korea nuclear talks despite missile tests Military Times U.S. Nuclear Policy A rare look inside the heavily guarded compound where Lockheed Martin builds the THAAD missile CNBC8/6/19 For the first time, Lockheed Martin opens to the media its heavily guarded compound where it builds America’s THAAD missile defense system. USAF to launch fifth AEHF communications satellite Air Force Technology8/7/19 United Launch Alliance is set to launch a fifth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is getting a new leader Defense News8/7/19 Major General Daniel Karbler, who is the chief of staff at U.S. Strategic Command, will depart Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, to take up command at Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, several sources have confirmed to Defense News. Middle East Europe’s non-nuclear demands may be to blame for deadlock talks Financial Tribune8/7/19 The dragged-out negotiations between Tehran and the remaining signatories to the nuclear deal are unlikely to make progress on issues such as INSTEX, particularly because Europe wants further concessions from Iran in return for helping its economy. Iran to showcase own version of S-300 missile system AMN Al Masdar News8/7/19 Tehran on August 22 intends to present its own version of Russia’s S-300 surface-to-air missile system, dubbed Bavar 373, Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami said in a statement on Wednesday. Macron did not invite Iran’s Rouhani to G7 summit Reuters8/7/19 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has not been invited to this month’s G7 summit, a French diplomat said on Wednesday, denying a media report published as European leaders seek a way to defuse a brewing confrontation between Tehran and Washington. Russia Russia’s military drone makes successful maiden flight Associated Press8/7/19 The Russian military says a heavy drone it’s developing has made a successful maiden flight. East Asia U.S. hopes for North Korea nuclear talks despite missile tests Military Times8/7/19 The U.S. is still hoping to hold another round of nuclear talks with North Korea despite the country’s recent missile tests, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. South Asia Kashmir crisis: Will nuclear-armed Pakistan go to war with India again? The Telegraph8/8/19 Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic ties with India and suspended trade with its neighbor as the political row over the disputed territory of Kashmir escalates. Opinion/Analysis/Commentary Changes in the Arctic: background and issues for Congress Congressional Research Service8/2/19 The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. Should the DoD shift focus toward passive missile defense? Defense NewsJen Judson 8/7/19 The Pentagon’s leaders in missile defense want to adjust missile defense development efforts to passive missile defense, non-kinetic means of taking out threats and defeating those threats before they even launch. The small sat solution to hypersonic weapons, explained C4ISR NetNathan Stout 8/7/19 With speeds surpassing Mach 5 and the ability to maneuver mid-flight, hypersonic weapons defy the missile defense status quo, potentially making the United States’ current defenses obsolete.