MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 19 July 2018

• “US, allies discussing evacuating rescue group from Syria … In the plans under discussion, the volunteer rescue workers, who are officially named the Syrian Civil Defense, would be resettled in several countries; two diplomatic sources mentioned the possibility of resettling some of the group in Canada and the United Kingdom, while another two sources said Germany is expected to take some rescuers …”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Bidders hoping to cash in on the federal government’s massive multibillion dollar warship procurement have until Friday to hand over their final proposals …”
• Wanted: “7.62mm (x 39) Non-Standard Ammunition” – Bid documents (PDF) 
• “The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for the supply of four (4) radio frequency sensors for Defence Research and Development Canada’s (DRDC) All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR) transmitter development …”
• “The Department of National Defence has a requirement for two (2) Aircraft Catering Trucks and ancillary items, including training …”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “UN says killings of almost 300 Malians this year could undermine July 29 poll”
• “Chinooks arrive in Mali — Three Boeing Chinook heavy lift helicopters have been deployed to Mali and are ready to begin operations, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on 18 July …”
• “Growing extremism threatens Mali’s July 29 elections”
• “Burkina Faso captures 60 extremists near Mali, Niger border”

Internal Security

• “Canada’s border agency is set to announce changes aimed at releasing more refugee claimants and other foreign nationals safely into the community while their immigration status is being resolved …”
• “The 2017-18 annual report of the Office of the CSE Commissioner (OCSEC) was made public on July 18th. To sum it up in a sentence, CSE didn’t do anything egregiously wrong in the last year, at least as far as OCSEC is concerned. So, good news there …” (Lux Ex Umbra blog)
• “An Anonymous hacktivist and former U.S. airman, who sought political asylum in Canada claiming torture by American officials over his access to secret government documents, is suing the U.S. prison bureau to reclaim time he served in Canada’s prisons. Matt DeHart spent 439 days in prison in Canada before his refugee claim was rejected and he was deported to the United States in 2015. Waiting for him in Tennessee were child pornography charges he claimed were a ruse to probe and curb his online activism …”
• “Oh, What Tangled Webs the CSIS Act Weaves: The Federal Court’s Latest Decision on CSIS’s Foreign Intelligence Mandate” (National Security Law Blog) – Redacted Federal Court Decision – Redacted Summary of Federal Court Decision

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Canada will issue $30 mln for new project of assistance to Ukraine”
• “Canada ready to host next Ukraine reform conference – Groysman”
• “Canada to allocate $30 million to Ukraine for entrepreneurship development”
• “Minister Bibeau announces support to improve economic opportunities for women and the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in Ukraine” (Global Affairs info-machine)

Way Up North

• “Russian Special Forces Just Practiced Invading an Island Near Finland”
• “More comfortable living for Russia’s Arctic elite soldiers — A number of new and modern housing blocks will be built in Sputnik – the base for the Northern Fleet’s naval infantry brigade …”
• “Britain’s new flagship polar ship launched — Britain’s new flagship polar ship, capable of breaking through meter-thick ice, was launched Saturday in a ceremony on the River Mersey, the largest civilian ship to be built in the UK for 30 years …” – “Sir David Attenborough launches the UK’s new polar ship”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “Why NATO?” (Saideman’s Semi-Spew)

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 18 July 2018

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter launches first operational deployment”
• “HMCS Ville de Québec deploys with new Cyclone helicopter in support of NATO on Operation REASSURANCE”
• “Opération REASSURANCE: le NCSM Ville de Québec part en mission avec l’hélicoptère Cyclone”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “U.S. Risks Legitimizing Russian Subversion in Ukraine” (ISW Blog)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “Canadian Troops Head to Mali, With In-Bedded Media in Tow” (antiwar.com)
• “Mali’s election overshadowed by violence”
• “MINUSMA : un accident fait un mort et 6 blessés”
• “UN Reports Alarming Surge of Violence in Mali’s Mopti Region”
• “The UN Human Rights Office is concerned about a spike in intercommunal violence in Mali which has led to serious human rights abuses by militia groups. The head of the UN Human Rights and Protection Division in Mali, Guillaume Ngefa, said there are targeted killings between communities …” (UN info-machine)
• “China upstages France in Francophone West Africa”

Internal Security

• From Today’s Federal Cabinet Shuffle  “… Bill Blair … becomes Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction. He will work to ensure Canada’s borders are managed in a way that promotes legitimate travel and trade while keeping Canadians safe and treating everyone fairly and in accordance with our laws … and will be the minister responsible for irregular migration.” (PMO info-machine)
• “UK Rendition and Torture: Lessons for Canada ” (Centre for International Policy Studies)
• “Two human rights organizations are calling on the Canadian government for answers amid “troubling revelations” of the U.S. Coast Guard’s alleged mistreatment of suspected drug smugglers at sea and Canada’s purported complicity … “We would like to know what the Canadian Armed Forces’ position is with respect to the human rights obligations that Canadian naval personnel carry out in the midst of a collaborative operation like that, and what safeguards are being put in place to scrupulously guard against the possibility Canadian naval personnel are drawn into complicity in human rights violations,” Alex Neve, Amnesty International Canada’s secretary general, told The Current …”
• “Donald Trump is Canada’s best hope for solving its border crisis”
• “U.S. to review uranium imports on national security grounds”
• “Canada could get caught in cross-fire of US uranium investigation”
• “Uranium is now in Trump’s tariff crosshairs — and Canada is the biggest supplier”
• “L’uranium pourrait être au coeur du prochain litige entre le Canada et les États-Unis”
• “U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation into Uranium Imports” (U.S. Commerce Dep’t info-machine)

Walt Alert

• “Wetaskiwin man facing charges after allegedly impersonating war veteran”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “This requirement is to establish a Regional Individual Standing Offer to procure slip-ons and legends badges for members of the Canadian Forces on an “as and when” basis …”

Way Up North

• “Presidents of Finland, Russia and the US discuss Arctic environmental issues”

The Koreas

• “Pompeo: N.K. nuclear deal ‘may take some time’ “
• “US targets Chinese and Russian missiles with THAAD upgrade in South Korea: military analysts”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 17 July 2018

#CANinIRQ – Op IMPACT

• “TAPVs for Canada’s new Iraq mission?”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “Almost 300 Malians Killed This Year in Militia Clashes: U.N.”
• “UN ‘deeply concerned’ as communal violence surges in Mali”

#CAN-#USA Stuff

• “Trudeau has harsh words for Putin after Helsinki summit, in contrast to Trump”

Internal Security

• “The U.S. and Canada Are Preparing for a New Standing Rock Over the Trans Mountain Tar Sands Pipeline”
• “We have a problem with border crossers — but this is no crisis”
• “Threading the Needle: Structural Reform & Canada’s Intelligence-to-Evidence Dilemma”

Other Military News

• “Le commandant entrant du 3e R22eR convaincu que son unité aura sa part des déploiements”
• “Investigation reveals glaring gap in data on military veterans dying by suicide”
• “How Australia, The US and Canada keep track of ex-military suicide rates”
• “National Defence turns attention to military families stressed by moves”
• “Defence minister announces new project for military families at CFB Gagetown”
• “How Canada’s military shapes media coverage of deployments” (rabble.ca)
• “The Context of Canadian Defence Policy” (CGAI paper)
• “Interview to Fox News Channel” (Putin info-machine)

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Through the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), the Government of Canada is connecting Canadian innovators with their vital first customer and helping generate sustainable economic growth in communities across the country. Today, Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna–Lake Country, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in a made-in-Canada military innovation. PRE Labs Inc. of Kelowna, British Columbia, received a $210,468 contract for its modular body armour plate system …”
• Wanted:  “… 436 (Transport) Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton, will be participating in conjunction with several other nations and units in Green Flag at Little Rock AK (GFLR) and will require hotel services for the duration of the exercise. 436 (Transport) Squadron personnel in addition to several other members from 8 Wing units will arrive at Little Rock, AK on 25 September 2018 and remain until 10 October 2018 …”
• “Why Spending More on ‘Defence’ Is Foolish” (TheTyee.ca)
• “HMCS Ville de Québec deploys with new Cyclone helicopter”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “One (UKR) Government Soldier Reported Killed In Eastern Ukraine”
• “Sputnik Repeats Russia’s False Tales About MH 17, Four Years Later” – “Poroshenko: Russia Must Be Held Accountable For ‘Terrorist Act’ Of MH17”  – RUS media:  “Russia has counter-evidence regarding probe into MH17 crash in Ukraine — diplomat”
• “Russian intelligence has acquired internal documents of the international team monitoring the conflict in eastern Ukraine, including dossiers with personal information about its hundreds of staff members, from a spy, likely a staff member …”
• “Donbass situation stabilises as “bread ceasefire” comes into effect – Pushilin” (rebel info-machine)

#LVA – Op REASSURANCE

• “No plans for Latvia to double defense spending at Trump’s behest”

#PRK

• “Trump: No time limit on N. Korea’s denuclearization”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 16 July 2018

#MLI/Africa – Op PRESENCE

• “A dozen Canadian peacekeepers arrive in Mali as year-long mission begins”
• “Canadian Army supports Mali mission by land, air” (The Maple Leaf)
• “Élection présidentielle : Le destin du Mali entre les mains de six candidats”
• “Insécurité au nord du Mali : La présidentielle menacée à Gao”
• “Mali: Préparation et réponse aux catastrophes : La Croix-Rouge Malienne et ses partenaires en concertation pour meilleure mieux répondre en urgence” (Croix-Rouge Malienne)
• “Mali: Civilians at Risk: Threats and Drivers of Mass Atrocity in Mali” (International Peace Institute)
• “Dans le centre du Mali, un mélange explosif entre jihadisme et conflits communautaires”
• “Mauritanian general to take over Sahel anti-terror force”
• “Mauritanian general to take over Sahel anti-terror force”
• “The interconnected terrorist threats in North Africa and the Sahel”
• “Deepening Military Ties Solidify China’s Ambitions in Africa”

Internal Security

• “MPs to debate emergency review on how Team Trudeau is handling surge in cross-border asylum seekers”
• “Emergency meeting on asylum seekers”
• 12 Russian Officers Indicted For Hacking DNC email (DOJ indictment)

What’s Canada Buying?

• Col. Ted on defence & trade wars:  “… Canada must choose its hardware carefully, based on what works and what can get the job done but, as I have also mentioned, defence procurement can, sometimes, very carefully, be used as a trade tool. Canada’s (and Europe’s) response to President Trump’s constant bullying might include giving preference to non-American equipment when it is both ‘good enough‘ and competitively priced.”
• “The (UK’s) Tempest! (fighter) … Current plans for the Tempest see it entering service around 2035. Given the typical delays in fighter development, it could be very well into the 2040s. Needless to say, the Tempest is not an option to replace the CF-18… But it could be the replacement for the replacement.” (The Best Fighter for Canada blog)
• Wanted:  “… The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for the development of comprehensive courseware training for various positions, including but not limited to, Leading Seaman Marine Technician (MARTECH) Specialist: Mechanical …”
• “New Canadian Forces radar worth more than $200 million can’t be linked in with NATO networks”

Other Military News

• “New Commander for the Canadian Army” (DND info-machine) – “Le lieutenant-général Lanthier arrive à la tête de l’Armée canadienne”
• “ON TARGET: Our soldiers can teach recruits how to fight, but not why”
• Fmr Def Min:  “CAF Pulling Its Own Weight”
• “Minister Sajjan and Premier Gallant to announce (tomorrow) their commitment to the Seamless Canada initiative” (DND info-machine)
• “Under Trudeau, Canada is being sucked into Trump’s wars”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “We will increase the defense of Mariupol – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Russia detains 148 ships in Azov Sea for inspection, – Ukraine” – ” “This can’t go on like that”: Kyiv preparing response to mass detentions of ships by Russian coast guards in Sea of Azov”
• “Military-strategic situation in the Black Sea region is very tense – President during the Sea Breeze 2018 military training” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• Putin: “U.S. could strongly insist on implementation of Minsk accords by Ukrainian leaders”
• “Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press point with the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko (NATO Summit Brussels), 12-Jul.-2018” (NATO info-machine)
• RUS media (with a sneaky Canadian mention):  “NATO instructors training Ukrainian snipers for operation in Donbass”

Putin-Trump Helsinki Summit

• “Trump, Putin Meet For Two Hours In Helsinki”
• “Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin Summit Transcript” (Time)
• More on Putin-Trump Summit (via Google News)

Baltics – Op REASSURANCE

• “Across Baltic From Trump-Putin Summit, NATO Troops Train for Battle”
• “Estonia: 1000 young men buying themselves free of conscription with fines”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 14 July 2018

#CAN in #IRQ – Op IMPACT

• “Prime Minister Trudeau announces Canada to lead NATO mission in Iraq”
• “Canada Offers to Lead NATO Training Mission in Iraq”
• “Canada offers to lead new North Atlantic Treaty Organisation operation in Iraq”
• “Canada to head NATO training and capacity building mission in Iraq; will send troops and armoury to Baghdad”
• “Second group of RCAF helicopters in Iraq to operate from Taji Military Complex”

Baltics – Op REASSURANCE

• “Canadian Forces to stay in Latvia until 2023”
• “Canada’s Trudeau extends Latvia mission by 4 years”
• “Canada extends mission in Latvia, adds more troops”
• “Trudeau in Riga: Canada to extend Latvia mission by four years”
• “Justin Trudeau adding more Canadian troops in Latvia, extending mission”
• “Cyberattacks targeting Canadian troops in Latvia seem to be easing off”
• “One year in, NATO’s Canada-led eFP Battle Group Latvia is better, faster, and stronger” (The Maple Leaf)
• “Media are invited to participate (Tuesday) in a one-on-one telephone interview with the Commanding Officer of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) St. John’s currently deployed on Operation REASSURANCE Maritime Task Force (ROTO 8), Canada’s support to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe …” (DND info-machine)
• “Headquarters of Multinational Division North to be established at Adazi military base”
• “NATO Multinational Division North to be headquartered in Ādaži”
• “Estonia, Latvia, Denmark to set up command of Multinational Division North”

#NATO Summit

• “Prime Minister announces increased support for NATO” (PMJT info-machine)
• “Trudeau insists Canada spending enough on defence, as Trump declares victory at NATO”
• “Trudeau Defends Canada’s Military Spending Plan To Trump At NATO Summit”
• “Trudeau touts Canada’s military commitment to NATO”
• “Canada distinguishes itself in military actions but could do more for NATO, says former NATO commander”
• “Sure, we could spend 4% of GDP on the military — with huge cuts or tax hikes”
• Col. Ted:  “… it isn’t doubling our defence budget that is needed, it is, probably, more like trebling it by, say, 2030 that will be needed. As I explained, the evolving global strategic situation, alone, should convince informed Canadians that our country needs to be ready to shoulder a greater burden in defence of our own values and vital interests …”
• “Why Canada should invest more – and now – in our own security”
• “Despite Past Commitment, Trudeau Says Canada Won’t Meet NATO Defence Spending Target” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• “Sommet 2018 de l’OTAN: une alliance qui reste divisée”
• “What Justin Trudeau had to say at the NATO summit”
• “When It Comes to NATO, Do Actions Count More Than Budgets?: the Canada Letter”
• “Notre expert militaire explique comment fonctionne l’OTAN et commente les demandes de Donald Trump” (podcast, in French)
• “NATO Commander claims Baltic presence is vital to counter Russian aggression”
• “Disinformation update on Latvian president and NATO summit”
• “President on the aftermath of the NATO Summit in Brussels: Nobody will manage to block Ukraine’s accession to NATO” (UKR Pres info-machine)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Roman Waschuk – NATO unready to commence membership talks with Ukraine”
• “Canadian ambassador waiting for consideration of Ukraine issue at NATO summit, but not in context of possible membership”
• “Canada to host 2019 Ukraine Reform Conference”
• “Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine: return of Russia to G7 is not discussed”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “In one Quebec farming town, Mali peacekeeping mission hits close to home”
• “Mali 2018 presidential election: Background to a critical election in an increasingly insecure country”
• “Liberia: Former Burkina Faso Prime Minister Ouedraogo to Head Observation Mission to Mali’s July 29 Presidential Vote”
• “Mali Crisis: French Peacekeepers Trapped in Inter-Ethnic Conflicts”
• “ROK Donates Mobile Hospital to Mali in Africa”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “The Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP), within the Department of National Defence (DND) is seeking Senior Project Leader/Executive consulting services. The Senior Project Leader/Executive consulting services will be required to assist and support the Project Management Office (PMO) in a number of Project Management areas requiring specialized, continuous and detailed staff action …”
• “Canada confirms spy planes acquisition plan — The Department of National Defence (DND), Canadian government department responsible for defending Canada’s interests and values at home and abroad, has confirmed plans to procure the three new Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft to support Special Operations Forces …” – More from MILNEWS.ca (5 Mar 2018) – More MILNEWS.ca takes on the idea

Toronto Threat

• “Threat of vehicle ramming attack near CN Tower prompted increase in police presence: source”
• “Toronto sous haute surveillance policière à cause d’une « menace potentielle » “
• “Toronto police back to ‘normal operations’ after ramping up security near CN Tower”
• “Informing public about potential threats a complex matter: experts”

Other Military News

• “RCAF Back in NATO AWACS program”
• “Canadian military still uses armoured vehicle with deadly fault”
• “What is ‘the backbone’ of the Canadian Army doing in a junk yard?”
• “A provincial court judge in Nova Scotia has been appointed to preside over the fatality inquiry into the deaths of Afghanistan war veteran Lionel Desmond and his family …”
• “The Canadian Detachment at the Western Air Defense Sector officially changed command Tuesday. Lt. Col. Michael Fawcett assumed command from Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, who finished a three-year tour of duty as the Canadian Detachment commanding officer …” (Pentagon info-machine)
• “Canadian Armed Forces teams depart for the 102nd annual International Four Days Marches Nijmegen”
• “Brass should come clean on case of Admiral Norman”
• “OCSEC-2017, part II: The circumstances are always exceptional “ (Lux Ex Umbra blog)

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On the road much of this week ….

… so drop by the sites in the Blog Roll until I get back – have a great week!

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 8 July 2018

• Op PRESENCE in #MLI
• “Canadian soldiers well-prepared for risk of injury or death in Mali mission, official says”
• “Troops depart CFB Trenton for Mali peacekeeping mission”
• “Canada deploying helicopters to Mali”
• “Canadian troops in Mali weigh in on peacekeeping mission”
• “Canadians arrive in Mali amid election prep”
• “Canadian troops arrive amid heightened tensions, raised hopes over Mali election”
• “Mali’s presidential campaigns begin under extremist threat”
• “Malijet Mali : début de la campagne pour l’élection présidentielle du 29 juillet”
• “France girds for long fight against Sahel militants”
• “Face au djihadisme au Mali, la France paye «son incompréhension du problème»”
• “Coopération Sino-malienne : Le chef de l’état inaugure le centre moderne de formation professionnelle”
• “Security and Diplomatic Challenges Abound for West African Counterterror Force”
• Elsewhere in Africa
• “Bravo Zulu to Colonel Cayle Oberwarth, who was awarded the French Médaille de la Défense nationale (Bronze) for his service to United Nations Mission in the DR Congo – Monusco in the DRC during Operation CROCODILE. The medal was presented by French MGen Bernard Commins. Colonel Oberwarth has been deployed for 12 months …” (CAF Operations FB)
• Over in the Baltics & #UKR
• #CAN commander of BG in #LVA: #RUS fake news decreasing a bit (for now?)
• “Destructive influence of Russian propaganda in Baltic states”
• “US Navy ships to particpate in Sea Breeze-2018 … Romanian and Turkish Navy ships, Moldavian and Georgian sea soldiers and special forces from Britain and Canada will also arrive in Ukraine …”
• “US 6th Fleet Flagship Enters Black Sea for Drills With Ukraine – Naval Forces”
• “Ukraine refutes reports of troubles with recently received Javelin ATGMs — The report by some Russian news agencies about the alleged troubles with recently received Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) does not correspond to reality, the Ukrainian officials said on 6 July …”
• #UKR’s first ambassador to #CAN, former USSR dissident, dies @ 89
  NATO, other meetings coming up
• “What Does Trump Want From NATO? (Besides More Money)”
• “Advice on how to handle Donald Trump from a former NATO representative”
• “Nato fears Donald Trump may pull troops out of Europe if countries do not increase defence spending”
• “After Crimea annexation and Donbas invasion, important for NATO to focus on defense – Merkel”
• “NATO leaders should champion nuclear restraint and dialogue” (Ceasefire.ca)
• “Putin Poised for Easy Victory Ahead of Summit with President Trump” (Institute for the Study of War)
• ” ‘Wolves of the Russian Spring’: An Examination of the Night Wolves as a Proxy for the Russian Government” (Canadian Military Journal )
• What else is up?
• “Canada fails to find buyer for surplus army tanks, final attempt to sell to Jordan Armed Forces fizzles”
• “Government highlights investments in defence infrastructure in Quebec”
• “Can Canada kill its own citizens in combat?”
• “Ottawa defends response to mystery attacks on Canadian diplomats in Cuba”
• ” ‘They’re being harassed’: Canadian anger after fishing boats stopped by U.S. patrol vessels in disputed waters”
• “Federal government advises against ‘non-essential’ travel to Haiti amid protests”
• “Re-enrollment initiative brings back retired sailors”
• Meanwhile, around #CHN & KOR …
• “US destroyers sailed through Taiwan Strait”
• “Two US destroyers sail into Taiwan Strait: Taiwan gov’t”
• “U.S. sends two destroyers through Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China”
• “Pompeo says ‘progress made’ on N. Korea’s denuclearization”
• “Pompeo: Sanctions will remain until N. Korea’s denuclearization”
• “N. Korea voices regret over U.S.’ attitude during denuclearization talks” – DPRK MFA statement (screen capture via archive.org)
• “Pompeo Brings ‘Rocket Man’ CD for Kim Jong-un”
• “Satellite imagery shows North Koreans still working on finishing new reactor at Yongbyon Nuclear Center”

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