MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – 28 Feb 12

• “People in the Britain, the United States and Canada hold unfavourable views on Iran and believe the country is attempting to develop nuclear weapons, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found. In the online survey of representative national samples, 70 per cent of Britons, 77 per cent of Americans and 81 per cent of Canadians say they have an unfavourable opinion of Iran. More than two thirds of respondents in the three countries (Britain 69%, Canada 72%, United States 79%) believe the Government of Iran is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. When asked about possible courses of action, 30 per cent of Americans, 35 per cent of Canadians and 43 per cent of Britons say they would prefer to engage in direct diplomatic negotiations with Iran. One-in-four Canadians and Americans (25% each)—and one-in-five Britons (20%)—would impose economic sanctions against Iran. The option of launching military strikes to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities is endorsed by 15 per cent of Americans, 11 per cent of Canadians and six per cent of Britons. A full-scale invasion of Iran to remove the current government is supported by 10 per cent of Canadians, six per cent of Americans and five per cent of Britons ….”  Meanwhile, a bit of discussion on the state of affairs in Iran in the House of Commons yesterday here.
• “The case of a Canadian navy intelligence officer accused of passing information to a foreign entity is scheduled to resume today. Sub.-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle faces two charges of violating the Security of Information Act that deal with communicating information that could harm national interests. Court documents say one of the alleged offences happened between July 6, 2007, and Jan. 13, 2012, while the other offence is alleged to have happened between Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 of this year. The Halifax man also faces a breach of trust charge under the Criminal Code that is alleged to have happened between July 6, 2007, and Jan. 13, 2012. All the offences are alleged to have happened in or near Halifax, Ottawa and Kingston, Ont. Delisle’s case is due in Halifax provincial court, where a bail hearing date is expected to be set ….”
• Afghanistan  Former OMLT’eer Bruce Ralston on how give-away Korans just don’t work.
• “Canada’s glitch-prone, second-hand submarines will be with the navy until at least 2030, but defence planners will begin drawing up a replacement program within the next four years. Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison, head of the Royal Canadian Navy, told a Senate committee Monday that losing the capability of underwater surveillance and attack would be a “dire day for Canada.” With the federal government in deficit-slashing mode, Ottawa has been awash in rumours about the future of submarine program and that the navy might be asked to give up one — or more — of the boats. “In terms of surveillance of our ocean approaches and the protection of our own sovereignty, I would consider a submarine capability critical and so to lose that for a G8 nation, a NATO country like Canada, a country that continues to lead internationally, and aspires to lead more, I would consider that a critical loss,” Maddison said ….”
• Speaking of subs, this column says it’s time to shut ‘er down:  “…. These subs have proven themselves to be lemons, they are already past mid-life and the odds are against us having even three boats with operational capacity at any one time. Gen. Natynczyk characterizes the HMCS Victoria’s undersea trials as “the end of the beginning.” There would be nothing Draconian about Mr. Flaherty deciding that, for Canada’s submarine program, it is simply the end.”
• F-35 Tog o’ War  The usual message from Associate Minister Julian Fantino during Question Period (here, too): “The Royal Canadian Air Force plays an important role in protecting our sovereignty and defending our interests at home and abroad. Canada’s CF-18s are nearing the end of their lives and we have set a budget to replace them. We have been clear that we will operate within that budget. We will make sure that the air force has the aircraft necessary to do the job we ask of it. We intend also to ensure that Canadian taxpayers are well served by these decisions …. we are always discussing these issues with our allies and partners in the multinational Joint Strike Fighter program. We agreed that it would be beneficial to be updated in person on the progress and challenges of the program. Canada will be hosting this update as soon as March 2. This is the responsible leadership role that we have taken.”
• Blogger/info curator Mark Collins on the RCAF maybe coveting a plane that could be on the market soon (then again, assuming the makers will let them go on sale), and back-and-forthing on the need for a naval strategy/gunboat diplomacy.
• An updated reminder of Canada’s defence links to & history with the U.K., courtesy of the CF Info-Machine.
• Former Conservative cabinet minister, former Liberal cabinet minister & others to study Canada’s aerospace industry.

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