MILNEWS.ca Highlights – July 21, 2017

B.C. Forest Fires/CF Help

• “Canadian Forces sending 225 more troops to help with B.C. wildfires” – “Edmonton-based soldiers being deployed to assist with B.C. wildfires” – “Opération LENTUS: renfort militaire en provenance d’Edmonton pour la Colombie-Britannique” – “Canadian Armed Forces deploying Edmonton-based soldiers for Operation LENTUS” (CF Info-machine) – “Another 225 Canadian military personnel to help in BC forest fire response” – “Military helping exhausted police officers dealing with B.C. fires” – “More Canadian Armed Forces on their way to Williams Lake to assist with wildfire efforts” – “Canadian Forces sending more help to Williams Lake”
• “Inside Operation LENTUS 17-04”
• “B.C. wildfire state of emergency hits two-week mark”
• More on B.C. fires via Google News

#CANvsISIL

• “Ottawa may have no choice but to repatriate, prosecute captured Canadian ISIL members: experts”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Trump: Islamic State ‘Falling Fast’ “
• “No Peace Yet in Iraq (or Syria)”
• “Military setbacks don’t ensure Islamic State’s demise”
• “Army announces Iraq deployment for 2,100 soldiers” – “Over 2,000 Fort Polk soldiers will deploy to Iraq this fall” – “10th Mountain Division Soldiers To Deploy To Iraq” – “10th Mountain Division Soldiers Tapped For Fall Iraq Deployment”
• “UN Slaps Sanctions on 8 Linked to Islamic State, Al-Qaida” – “UN Security Council slaps sanctions on Islamic State” – “UN Security Council sanctions individuals, entities linked to IS, al-Qaida”
• “After Mosul: What’s next for the fight in Iraq”
• “ISIS sleeper cells threaten Iraq”
• “Post-ISIL Iraq: Breaking the cycle of violence”
• The Kurds  “Yezidis Won’t Miss This Historic Chance of Referendum: Official” – “Years before independence talk someone thought to standardize the Kurdish flag” – “(IRQ PM) Abadi: Iraqi army would be welcomed in Kurdistan, unlike former military” – “Barzani is using Kurdistan independence vote for personal gains: Gorran”

#Afghanistan

• “Trump Won’t Commit To Sending More Troops To Afghanistan As He Meets With DoD Leaders”

#Syria

• “Russian Airstrikes in Syria: Pre- and Post-Ceasefire” (ISW)
• “Ship Spotting: Watching Russia’s Syrian build-up from central Istanbul”
• “Syria rebels blindsided by U.S. move, say jihadists to benefit” – “As Syria Rebels Learn from Media the CIA Cut Them Off, Al Qaeda Goes on the Offensive”
• “Top (RUS) diplomat says work on Syria’s southern de-escalation zone will be completed soon”
• “Syria ceasefire brokered by US, Russia holding, but with flaws, ‘tricks’ in play”
• “CIA Chief Warns Russian, Iranian Aims in Syria Threaten the U.S.”
• “The Secrets of the Syrian War: the Druze Factor”
• “Hezbollah, Syria army launch offensive at Syrian-Lebanese border: pro-Assad commander” – “Hezbollah, Syrian Army Attack Insurgents Along Lebanese Border”
• “Israeli army reveals secret aid mission in Syria”
• “Russian military resumes aid to population of Syria’s Hama province”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “LTF Poland member shares his experience on working with Allies”
• “Lithuania willing to permanently deploy U.S. long-range air defense system: president” – “Baltics need anti-aircraft protection against Russia, Lithuania says” – “U.S. Missile Needed In Face of Russia Fears, Says Lithuania”
• “Lithuania′s fence on Kaliningrad border”
• “NATO: Russia Can Leave Trojan Horse In Belarus” – “U.S. general says allies worry Russian war game may be ‘Trojan horse’ “
• “Baltic military mission wins Czech parliament’s support”
• “Russian-Chinese naval exercises kick off in Baltic Sea” – “Royal Navy scrambles to shadow Chinese warships in English Channel as they head to Baltics for first war games with Russia”
  
• “Bullying In The Baltic Sea — On June 27, Defense News reported that a U.S.-flagged merchant ship, the MV Green Ridge, was harassed by the Russian Navy as it approached the Lithuanian port of Klaipėda …”
• “Russia’s New Military Plan Calls for Defense Against the U.S. Across the ‘World Ocean’ “
• “Russia’s ‘Husky’-Class Submarines Borrow from the U.S. Navy’s Playbook”
• “Homeless officers: vanishing hopes for housing of the Russian servicemen” (InformNapalm.org)
• “Russian Navy to use hypersonic missiles and robots after 2025”
• “Russia’s new advanced corvette to take part in Navy Day parade in Far East”
• “Russia to develop artillery reconnaissance drone — source”
• “Putin signs decree on Russia’s navy policy until 2030”
• “S-500 Will Be a Much More Versatile System Than THAAD”
• “Russia signs defence contracts with China and Vietnam”
• “Russian intelligence officers on trial in Montenegro over plot to overthrow the government”
• “Russia’s reluctant allies”
• “The Nazi-obsession of pro-Kremlin propagandists” (EU vs Disinformation)

#Ukraine

• U.S. military paper:  “Making Sense of Russian Hybrid Warfare: A Brief Assessment of the Russo–Ukrainian War”
• “The Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Could Be Escalating”
• “Ukrainian Ministry of Defense: Kyiv is ready to accept lethal weapons from the United States” – “US to Deliver Lethal Weaponry to Ukraine: Wise Decision or Foreign Policy Gaffe?”
• “Mandate of OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints extended by three months”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 19 July 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 21 Jul 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 07/20/2017” – “Five Ukrainian servicemen killed, 8 wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours” – “Ukrainian forces fire 85 artillery, mortar rounds at DPR over 24 hours” – “9 Ukrainian Soldiers KIA, 5 WIA, 1 Captured in Battle; 1 Separatist Fighter Killed; 5 UA Soldiers Injured in Training” – “41 ceasefire violations reported in DPR over 24 hours” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire 10 times over 24 hours” – “Ukraine reports 5 KIA’s, 8 WIA’s amid 29 attacks in Donbas in past 24 hours” – “OSCE satisfied with ‘harvest truce’ in Donbass” – “Eight Ukrainian Army fighters killed, one captured, 10 wounded in combat since midnight July 19, – ATO HQ” – “DPR intelligence: Ukrainian nationalistic squads recalled from Donbass to Kiev and its neighborhoods” – “Ukraine’s Armed Forces say 4 soldiers killed, 7 injured, 1 captured in 24 hour period” – “Ukrainian forces open fire at western Donetsk outskirts as OSCE monitors visit area – JCCC” – “Car explodes in Lugansk with Ukrainian military personnel”
• “Russia to Boost Military Contingent in Crimea as Part of Strategic Deterrence” – “Funds, arms for Donbas invasion “taken from annexed Crimea” – Strelkov aka Girkin” – “Ukraine has simplified the entry procedure into Crimea for lawyers and human rights advocates”
• “Kyiv: Coal from the separatist-held areas of Donbas may be exported to Turkey”
• “Belarus, Ukraine to consider offers on mutual electric power supplies”
• Mo’ on Malorossiya   ” “Malorossiya”: yet another Russian imperial myth salvaged from the garbage dump of history” – “Zakhar Prilepin: Malorossiya aims at creating a united state with Russia, Belarus” – “Kiev urges Moscow to condemn statement on Malorossiya’s creation” – “EU expects Russia to distance itself from militants’ statements on Malorossiya”
• “Poll shows majority of Russians back further aid to Donbass”
• “ICRC sends 180 tons of construction materials to Donetsk region”
• “Globe editorial: Russian meddling in Ukraine? When? Where?”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “U.S. to ban all tourists from travelling to North Korea” – “North Korea tourism: US ‘to ban Americans from visiting’ “ – “Tour Operators: U.S. Will Ban Travel to North Korea” – “U.S. bill would ban American tourist travel to North Korea”
• “North Korea likely to conduct another missile test in 14 days US intelligence” – “Sinpo South Shipyard: Preparations for a New SLBM Test?” (38 North)
• “Worst drought in 16 years threatens food supplies in North Korea: U.N.” – “North Korea drought: Children at risk in ‘worst crisis since 2001’ “ – “U.N. human rights envoy welcomes S. Korea’s push for engagement with N. Korea” – “DPR Korea’s food production hit by the worst drought since 2001” (FAO)
• “S. Korea urges N. Korea to accept dialogue offer” – “No response from North Korea as proposed talks loom: Seoul” – “No response from North Korea over Seoul-proposed talks” – “Seoul reiterates its offer on top military officials’ dialogue with South Korea”
• “Russia to maintain close contacts with China over Korean Peninsula”
• “Arabic press review: North Korean missiles head to Yemen”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• IND-CHN Tensions  “Carefully following India-China border standoff, says US” – “Why is the India-China border stand-off escalating?” – “Billions Of Lives Are At Stake As China Threatens India With War” – “India on standoff with China: Diplomats doing what they are best at – diplomacy” – “Sikkim standoff: India and China committed to peaceful solution for border dispute, (IND) govt tells Parliament” – “China troop movements along Tibet”
• “China commissions sixth Type 052D-class destroyer into East Sea fleet”
• “Chinese defense minister meets Britain’s national security advisor”
• “China leads in use of passive radar in military — China has made remarkable progress in developing passive surveillance radar system and the system has been successfully applied to military use, said a scientist at a State-owned company which developed China’s latest YLC-29 radar system …”
• “Professional PLA research paper of the day: Chinese Military Diplomacy, 2003–2016: Trends and Implications”

Way Up North

• “Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 concludes in Hay River, Northwest Territories”

Internal Security

• ” “Diaspora as Partners”: The Canadian Model of Countering Violent Extremism”
• “Does CSIS have a toxic workplace problem?”
• “An Egyptian man branded as a threat to Canada’s national security has failed in what could prove to be his final attempt at lifting the terrorist designation that has hung over him for the past 15 years …”
• “Alt-right group posts names, photos of ‘potentially dangerous’ Cornwallis protesters” – “Two-dozen people were doxxed for protesting a statue by this far-right Twitter troll”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Big Honkin’ Ships  “Davie Shipbuilding Unveils the Asterix — Davie Shipbuilding unveiled the Asterix, the first large naval ship to be built in Canada in over 20 years and the largest naval ship ever delivered from a Canadian shipyard …” – Colonel Ted’s take:  “More on ships: Project Resolve “unveiling” “
• Wanted:  “Halifax Class Marine Cranes”
• Wanted:  “Procurement of lounge furniture for the Canadian Forces”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Joint Personnel Support Unit welcomes new Commander”
• “Rolling Barrage riding across Canada for PTSD awareness”
• “Yarmouth youth rally for veterans without headstones”

Khadr Deal Fracas

• “Khadr’s war crimes appeal could hinge on bin Laden propagandist’s case”
• “Scheer says anti-Khadr campaign in U.S. media is fair game as NDP cry hypocrisy”
• Colonel Ted’s Take:  “If you can’t take the heat, etc. … perhaps a mature, responsible, thoughtful leader (as opposed to our “trust-fund kid” PM) would have considered the potential ramifications of trying to make a secret payoff to Omar Khadr because. as the article goes on to say, “The Conservatives, however, say any backlash in the United States resulting from the apology and settlement with Mr. Khadr, a former inmate at the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is Mr. Trudeau’s responsibility.” …”
• “Khadr settlement gives Tories a cause célèbre — but their comms plan is risky”
• “The Tories’ U.S.-based Khadr comms strategy is a really, really bad idea”
• “Trudeau Gov Faces Backlash Over Khadr Payout”
• “Outrage over Canada’s compensation for former Guantanamo child soldier is misguided”

Other

• “Ranger Health Care Entitlements” (CF Ombudsman)
• “Long-distance trucking added to Army Reserve toolbox”
• “Canada should invest in peace instead of war”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – July 20, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian special forces tasked with buying weapons for Kurds” – “Special forces take over ‘urgent’ weapons purchase for Kurds, but there’s no timeline”
• “Canada must choose which Iraq to support”
• “Winnipeg Yazidi refugee learns her 12-year-old son is alive after rescue from ISIS”
• “Canadian Women Who Joined ISIS Found in Tunnel Under Mosul’s Old City” – “Two Canadian women among ISIL fighters captured in Mosul: reports”

The Kurds

• “Kurdistan to Hold Parliamentary, Presidential Elections on November 1st” – “Barzani sets Nov. 1 for parliamentary and presidential elections in Iraqi Kurdistan … The call for the elections comes as the Kurdistan region will hold an independence referendum in September …”
• “Religious Components Reps Discuss Their Rights in Kurdistan Constitution”
• “Iraq’s Kurds, seeking independence, call vote hoping to ease row”
• “Barzani Slams Baghdad’s Anti-Referendum Stances”
• “Official: U.S. could play role in negotiation over referendum”
• “(IRQ PM) Abadi restates Kurdistan Region’s referendum ‘unconstitutional’ “
• “Group from electoral commission calls for elections with referendum”
• So, Which Is It?  “Turkey Recognises Independent Kurdistan Conditionally” – “Turkey reiterates its opposition to Iraqi Kurdistan independence vote”
• “Kurdistan seeks billions of dollars from Iraqi gov’t as compensation”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “The Comeback Caliphate: How ISIS Could Regain Control of Iraq”
• “Russia confirms deal to supply T-90 tanks to Iraq” – “Iraq to buy ‘large batch’ of advanced Russian T-90 tanks – Kremlin” – “Tanks: Russia to supply large batch of tanks to Iraq”
• “India Has Offered Military Assistance to Iraq in Fight Against ISIS: Iraqi Ambassador”
• “Iraq: Execution Site Near Mosul’s Old City — Investigate, Punish Those Responsible for Any War Crimes …” (HRW news release)
• “ISIS Is Deploying More Women Suicide Bombers”
• “World Bank to commence reconstruction and rehabilitation in Iraq”
• “Beyond Syria and Iraq , Faraway ISIS ‘Provinces’ Fight On”
• “How Al-Qaeda Survived Drones, Uprisings, and the Islamic State: The Nature of the Current Threat”
• “Eye on ISIS in Libya” July 19th, 2017

#Syria

• “CIA-backed aid for Syrian rebels frozen after Islamist attack – sources” – “Report: Trump ending secret CIA program to arm Syrian rebels” – “Trump ends covert CIA program to arm anti-Assad rebels in Syria, a move sought by Moscow” – “Senator says dropping CIA program in Syria may boost Russian-US cooperation” – “Donald Trump drops Syria programme ‘in bid to improve Russia ties’ “ – “Report: Trump to stop arming anti-Assad rebels in Syria” – “Donald Trump ends covert CIA aid to Syrian rebels in ‘win’ for Russia” – “Trump ‘ends programme to arm anti-Assad rebels’ in move sought by Russia” – “Trump cancels CIA program to arm, train Syrian rebels: report”
• From One NATO Ally to Another … “Turkey Just Blew Up US Military OPSEC In Syria, Potentially Endangering Troops” – “Pentagon ‘concerned’ after Turkey reveals secret locations of US bases in Syria” – “The US Is Furious Turkey Published Location Of US Troops In Syria”  – “Turkish state news exposes US military positions in Syria”
• “Dozens of Western ‘freelance fighters’ embedded with anti-ISIS forces in Syria”
• “Military Situation In Provinces Of Aleppo And Raqqah On July 20, 2017 (Syria Map Update)” (southfront.org, pro-RUS OSINT)
• “Exchange of experience gained during operation in Syria is one of the goals of the operational session of the Russian Armed Forces leadership” (RUS MoD)

#Afghanistan

• “The ‘Blackwater 2.0’ Plan for Afghanistan”
• “Trump Wants Troops To Tell Him How To Win In Afghanistan. Here Are Some Suggestions”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “N. Korea preparing for new ICBM test in 2 weeks: CNN” – “US intelligence shows North Korean preparations for a possible ICBM test” – “North Korea may be preparing for another IRBM/ICBM test along with a SLBM test”
• “Russia US duel at UN over whether N Korea long-range missile”
• “Moon Jae-in sets out plans for treaty with North Korea”
• “UN chief welcomes Seoul’s proposal to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang”
• “North Korea dismisses South Korean overtures as “deceiving public opinion” “
• “U.S. leaves out N. Korea from terrorism sponsors list”
• “US General Doubts North Korean Nuclear Capabilities” – “Top US general North Korea might have the range but lacks in accuracy” – “US Military North Korean Missiles Can Reach America Lack Guidance”
• “North Korean defector may have been abducted and returned to Pyongyang”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• CHN-IND Tensions  “Won’t talk until India withdraws troops: China” – “China trying to change status quo on border: India” – “Multiple military units are on the move today in Doklam as tensions continue to escalate between India and China “ – “Doklam Standoff: Misunderestimating Bhutan’s sovereignty” – “Doklam row: India-China bilateral talks ruled out till border standoff is resolved” – “Doklam plateau: No war, but skirmishes with China cannot be ruled out”
• “Chinese army mobilizes military assets to Tibet following live fire drills”
• “Report: U.S. Navy monitored China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning in the Taiwan Strait”
• “Chinese military monitoring waters around China”
• “(AUS) Defence Hosts Senior Chinese Military Delegation” (ADF info-machine)
• ” ‘Why China must do more to fight international terrorism’ “

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Estonian Defence Minister: Russia must invite observers to Zapad” – “Rinkevics calls on Minsk to ensure closer information exchange on Zapad 2017 exercise”
• “NATO, Russian Troops Rattle Swords Along Hundreds of Miles of Borderland”
• “NATO Is Staging War Rehearsals for the Ultimate Nightmare: A Russian Invasion”
• “European, U.S. Troops Conduct Joint Drills as Russia Tensions Grow”
• “U.S. and Russia clash over military exercises”
• “Estonian ambassador: Trump is right, Europe should pay for own defence”
• “Estonian President visits ‘Shabab Oman II’ in Tallinn”
• “Vilnius to host commemoration of US declaration condemning Baltics occupation”
• “Leadership of the state and the national defence system will observe multinational ground-based air defence Exercise Tobruq Legacy 2017 first time in Lithuania” (Lithuanian DefMin)
• “Northern Fleet’s ASW ships exercise in the White Sea” – “Russian Warships Conduct Military Drills in White Sea”
• “Chinese Navy ship group will arrive in Baltiysk to participate in the Naval Interaction 2017 exercise” (RUS MoD) – “Chinese warships to take part in celebrations to mark Russian Navy Day in St. Petersburg”
• “United Shield-2017 joint anti-terrorism drill wraps up in Belarus — The United Shield-2017 joint anti-terrorism drill, which was jointly held for the first time by the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force (APF) and the Internal Troops of the Belarusian Internal Ministry, wrapped up at a training center of the Internal Troops of the Belarusian Interior Ministry on July 18, 2017, local time …”
• “Russian Defence Ministry has plans to begin construction of an aircraft-carrying cruiser by 2025” (RUS MoD)
• “Russia’s Armata main battle tank may become operational in 2019”
• “Turkey to Take Out Russia’s Loan for S-400 Missile System Purchase”
• “Russia’s defense contractor ready to supply S-400 missile systems domestically and abroad”
• “Russian Capabilities in Electronic Warfare: Plans, Achievements and Expectations”
• From the Info-fight   Colonel Ted: “Lies, damned lies and politics … … my point, today, is … to remind readers that Soviet propaganda worked then and Russian proaganda will be used against us, in Canada, today.” – “Exploiting commemorations” (EU Disinformation Review) – “Children’s toy part of conspiracy against the Kremlin” (EU vs Disinformation)

#Ukraine

• “Exercise Sea Breeze 2017 Continues in Ukraine” (US DoD)
• “Russia to take mirror measures if USA ships lethal weapons to Ukraine”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 18 July 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 20 Jul 2017 –  UKR govt ATO map, 19 Jul 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 07/19/2017” – “Nine Ukrainian soldiers killed, five wounded in ATO zone in Donbas over past day” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire five times over 24 hours” – “Ukraine army’s heaviest casualties in past day: 9 KIA, 5 WIA in Donbas” – “30 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “In ATO killed nine Ukrainian military”
• “DPR prosecutors open criminal case against Ukrainian officer complicit in Donetsk resident’s death on 17 July”
• “Two Ukrainians get 5-year prison sentences for ‘Russian world’ anti-Ukraine social network groups” (Human Rights in Ukraine)
• Latest on Malorossiya Thing  “EU Condemns Declaration Of ‘Little Russia’ By Ukrainian Separatists” – “Birth of Malorossiya – restoring peace and order, creating sovereign people’s federation” – “Ukraine’s separatists propose a new country: Little Russia. Kremlin denies any involvement”  –  “Kremlin withholds comments about Malorossiya” – “Creation of state of Malorossiya is inevitable – Russian lawmaker”
• “Identified: Zaza Khasia, member of the Putin Martial Arts Club, who was previously spotted in Donbas” (InformNapalm.org)
• “Russia special services step up activities in Ukraine – Marchuk”
• Various Meetings/Talks  “The next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Ukraine will take place on August 2 in Minsk” – “The negotiations of the leaders of the Normandy Four countries in the teleconference format are planned on July 24” – “OSCE announces date of next Normandy Four phone talks” – “DPR confirms video talks on prisoners swap scheduled for July 31” – “Humanitarian subgroup to hold video talks on July 31” – “Investigation of MH17 crash, OSCE access, hostages swap and fake documents discussed during TCG meeting in Minsk”
• “OSCE Project Co-ordinator trains and equips Ukrainian cyber police” (OSCE statement)
• “The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) sent six trucks with the humanitarian aids to the uncontrolled by Ukraine territory of Donbas”
• “Kremlin TV: Singing from the same hymn sheet”

Way Up North

• “Arctic team in Northwest Passage bid — CHINA’S eighth Arctic expedition, which sets off tomorrow, will be the country’s first attempt to go through the Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans …” – “China’s ice breaker sets sail for Arctic rim expedition”
• “Historic Northwest Passage Voyage Begins — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Maple, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender homeported in Sitka, Alaska, departed on a historic voyage through the Northwest Passage on Wednesday …”
• “Big federal contract for Nunavut drone company — Transport Canada chooses Arctic UAV to help shape rules for future drone use in Canada …”

Internal Security

• “Six months after a deadly mass shooting, this Quebec City mosque is receiving a flood of hate mail”
• “Government revokes group’s charity status, audit cites possible funding of Pakistani militants” – “Canadian Islamist Groups Lose Charity Status Over Potential Militant Financing” (The Counter Jihad Report)
• “Graeme Gordon: Liberals let terrorists keep their citizenship, yet revoke citizenship for lesser offences”
• “Karim Baratov, alleged Yahoo hacker, to fight extradition in September”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Big Honkin’ Ships  “Supply ship at the heart of Mark Norman scandal to be unveiled Thursday” – “Federal shipbuilding strategy good for navy, Canadian jobs”
• Wanted:  “Request for Abbreviated Proposals for Inspection, Testing and Minor Repair of Turbine Generator Set at the Central Heating Plant – PA123120 , Petawawa, (Ontario)”
• Wanted:   “SNIC … Work under this requirement consists of the provision of all labour, supervision, materials, tools, fuel, travel expenses and equipment to conduct snow and ice control (SNIC) operations to include ploughing, sanding, salting, snow hauling and sweeping, for various locations at Garrison Petawawa and the Pembroke Armouries …”
• Wanted:  “Airfield SNIC … Work under this requirement consists of the provision of all labour, supervision, materials, tools, fuel, travel expenses and equipment to conduct Airfield SNIC operations to include plowing, sweeping, application of de-icers and snow hauling for all areas located within the General Restricted Area (GRA) of the Garrison Petawawa Heliport …”
• “CAE wins new military contracts with Lockheed Martin, L3 and Airbus”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Plaintiffs in Four National Class Actions Team Up to Take Canada to Court in Canadian Armed Forces” – “Veterans merge sexual-assault suits against Canadian military”
• “CAF presents innovative mobile app on sexual misconduct response and support” – “Une application des FAC pour l’intervention et le soutien en cas d’inconduite sexuelle”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Brig.-Gen. Brennan leaves JPSU job after less than three months, Misener to take over Thursday”
• “Military veteran protests use of antimalarial drug mefloquine”
• “Wounded Warriors event in N.B. gives Canadian Forces members place to relax, heal”
• “Opinion: Provincial collaboration needed to ease plight of military families”
• “IBM, DCC to teach veterans cybersecurity, fraud detection … The Veteran Employment Accelerator is offered at about 30 locations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom …”
• “(PEI) Veteran celebrates 101st birthday with trip across Confederation Bridge”

Khadr Deal Fracas

• “Scathing responses from constituents on conservative MP Poilievre’s unsolicited email” (freeomar.ca)
• “Liberals say Conservatives’ Khadr campaign could impact NAFTA talks”
• “Canada Stabs The United States, Again”
• “Respect for Parliament and Canadians: Another forgotten Liberal promise “
• “Khadr is to Trudeau what the census was to Harper”
• “With Khadr saga, Conservatives have stopped trying to help Trudeau with Trump”

Other

• “The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, to receive the title of honorary member of the Royal 22e Régiment” – “Justin Trudeau devient membre titulaire (honorifique) du Royal 22e Régiment”
• “Trudeau dodges ‘poodle’ label after caving in to Trump on arms build-up” (rabble.ca)
• “NORAD celebrates Canada 150”
• “#WeAreNATO – The Canadian engineer” (Pentagon Info-machine)
• “Avro Canada Museum rebuilding historic plane”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – July 19, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• “Two Canadians captured in Mosul: reports” – “German authorities probe identities of women found in Mosul tunnel” – “Female foreign fighters found in Mosul, victory celebrated in Baghdad” – “3 Turkish female ISIL suspects caught in Mosul in underground tunnel” – “Over 25 female ISIL terrorists captured in Mosul”
• “Mosul may be free, but Iraq’s complex war continues” – “After Mosul victory, senior UN officials detail Iraq’s political and humanitarian needs” – “With IS Gone, Iraq Shapes Plans for Rebuilding Mosul”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

The Kurds

• “Canadian court authorizes seizure of ship carrying oil from Kurdistan” – “Tanker with Kurdish oil seen in waters near Canada /US east coast”
• “UNAMI urges Kurdistan, Iraq to hold negotiations over independence referendum”
• “Senior Kurdish official says independence referendum cannot be postponed”
• “PUK: Uncertainties in post-IS Iraq led Kurdistan to schedule referendum”
• “US Ambassador to UN appreciates ‘legitimate aspirations’ of Iraq”
• “Kurdish Peshmerga Ask U.S. for Support as Iran-Backed Militias Threaten Iraq’s Stability”

#Syria

• “We’re already seeing a preview of the mess that will follow ISIS’s defeat in Syria”
• Settling In … “U.S., Russia and Iran Battle to Build Bases in Syria as ISIS Falls” – “Israel escalates threats against Iran — Ex-national security adviser warns that Israel must prevent Iranian infrastructure in Syria at any cost …” – “Russia’s upper house ratifies protocol to agreement for deploying air group to Syria — The protocol states that the agreement will be valid for 49 years …”
• “Russia in Syria Monitor” 11-18 July 2017 (Kennedy School of International Affairs)
• “The Campaign for Ar-Raqqa City: June 20 – July 17, 2017” (ISW)
• “US officials meet with Raqqa civilian council to discuss reconstruction”
• “Canada’s Involvement in Supporting Terrorism and Aggressive Warfare … Illegal sanctions against Syria amount to terrorism and create conditions that grow terrorism. Canada is guilty …” (globalresearch.ca)

#Afghanistan

• “Taliban seen with SCAR rifle commonly carried by American commandos”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canadian Army M777 artillery guns being sent to Latvia”
• “NATO, Russian Troops Rattle Swords Along Hundreds of Miles of Borderland”
• “NATO-Russia Tensions Rise, Arms Makers Benefit”
• “Russia Meddles in Western, Northern Europe”
• “Mariano Rajoy Visits Spanish Servicemen in Estonia”
• “Finland Beefs Up Border Guard to Fight Off ‘Little Green Men’ “
• More on CHN Navy in Baltics  “PLA navy ships to enter Baltic Sea for 1st time for exercises” – “The joint Russia-China drill to see 10 warships in the Baltic Sea”
• “Russian Pacific Fleet Accepts Chinese Navy for International Army Games”
• “Praiseworthy political dialogue between Belarus, Latvia”
• “RS-26 and other intermediate-range ICBMs” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog)
• “Russia’s Defense Ministry may get new cutting-edge amphibious helicopter”
• “America’s answer to Russian propaganda TV”

#Ukraine:  Malorossiya/Little Russia Update

• “Official Declaration of the Malorossiyan Federation [Full text, 07/18/2017]”
• “Malorossiya will not pay debts of Kiev authorities”
• “Ukraine Separatists Criticized Over Call For Creation Of ‘Little Russia’ “
• “U.S., Russian Envoy, OSCE Dismiss Ukraine Separatists’ ‘Little Russia’ Declaration”
• “US State Department voices concerns over ‘Little Russia’ project”
• “Senator McCain: Ultimate responsibility for “Malorossiya” lies with Putin’s Russia”
• ““Malorossiya” statement contradicts with Minsk agreement, – EU”
• “EU says Zakharchenko’s “Malorossiya” against Minsk peace accords”
• “President: “Novorossiya” project failed” (UKR President)
• “Novorossiya project ‘buried’, Ukraine to resume sovereignty over Donbas, Crimea – Poroshenko”
• “Big Russia Quashes Hopes of Little Russia in Ukraine”
• “Malorossiya project is personal initiative of self-proclaimed republic’s leader — Kremlin — The presidential spokesman stressed that Russia stays committed to the Minsk agreements … Russia’s chief negotiator in the Contact Group for settlement of the crisis in eastern Ukraine Boris Gryzlov said it should not be taken as manifestation of real politics …”
• “OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz concerned about latest “declaration” coming from the Donbas” (OSCE statement)
• “OSCE Chairperson-in-Office condemns “Malorossiya” claim”
• “OSCE chair cautions against actions breaching Minsk agreements in regard of statements on Malorossiya creation”
• “Surkov on Malorossiya: Donbass fights for entire Ukraine, not for its part”
• “The idea of Malorossiya has no unequivocal assessment in Donbass and Russia – Pushilin”
• “Little Russia” (Irrusianality blog)
• “Zakharchenko- Every DNR/LNR Resident Is Now an Independent Republic” (Russia Without BS blog)

#Ukraine:  Other News

• “U.S. military stand for providing lethal aid to Ukraine” – “U.S. Air Force supports idea to give Ukraine lethal weapons” – “Poltorak: Ukraine ready to accept lethal weapons from U.S. as soon as there is relevant decision”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 17 July 2017” – “Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 18 July 2017” – “Ukraine Conflict Monitor, 11-18 July 2017” (Kennedy School of International Affairs) – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, July 19, 2017” (UKR MoD) – “Two Ukrainian soldiers killed, four wounded in action in Donbas in past day” – “41 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Ukrainian army violates ceasefire 41 times over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” – “Defense Ministry: Militants shell Ukrainian army positions 23 times on Tuesday, 2 servicemen killed, 4 wounded” – “Ukrainian forces fire 219 rounds at DPR territory over 24 hours – Basurin” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire six times over 24 hours” – “Donbas: Two Ukrainian fighters killed, four wounded over 24 hours” – “DPR dismisses Kiev’s claims that Republican forces shelled Avdeyevka” – “Militants shell Ukrainian army positions 23 times on Tuesday, 2 servicemen killed, 4 wounded”
• “Ukrainian Military Suicides Reach 500 In Three Years”
• “Russian Occupation Army’s 7th Military Base as Vanguard of Russian Propaganda” (InformNapalm.org)
• “Moscow Cannot Afford a South Ossetian Strategy in Ukraine’s Donbas”
• “Russian defense industry substitutes 90% components from Ukraine”
• “Russian Citizenship for Ukrainians: Addressing Russia’s Population Decline”
• “Will Ukraine swing back to Russia’s orbit?”
• “Cyberattack on Ukrainian clinics, pharmacies worries experts”
• Really?  “LPR State Security foils terror plot to blow up foreigners in Lugansk sauna” – “MGB: Ukrainain 8th special operations regiment behind plotted attack on foreigners in Lugansk”
• “Nothing to Discuss in Ukraine’s Donbass Reintegration Plan – Russian Envoy”
• “Meeting of working subgroups of Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas taking place in Minsk”
• “Joint Ukrainian-Moldovan Border Checkpoint Opened In Breakaway Transdniester Region” – “Ukrainian and Moldovan border guards and custom officers started joint control at the border” (State Border Guard Service of Ukraine)

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• IND-CHN Tensions  “India, China should engage in dialogue to reduce tension” – “US Expresses Concern Over India-China Border Standoff” – “Doklam will prompt new thinking on India-China relations” – “How Pakistan is trying to escalate tensions between India, China using fake news” – “China slams ‘fake news’ saying 158 Indian soldiers killed by Chinese attack” –  “China Unusually Aggressive On Sikkim Stand-Off: (IND) Foreign Secretary To MPs” – “India’s assertive moves in South China Sea fuel growing tensions with China” (World Socialist Web Site)
• “China opposes US defense bill over Taiwan port visits option”
• “Chinese army chief meets with Chilean counterpart”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “Pyongyang says destroying US bases in South Korea will be an easy task”
• “North Korea conducts public executions for theft, watching South Korea media: report”
• “North Korean ship returns to China’s Jingtang coal port”
• “Pyongyang’s Construction Boom: Is North Korea Beating Sanctions? | 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea”
• “Trump to China: Rein in North Korea. But Is China Listening?”
• “S. Korea will take initiative in humanitarian dialogue with DPRK, says President Seoul informed U.S. and Japan of proposal to offer military, humanitarian talks in advance: Moon”
• “Sabre rattling turns to ‘sunshine’: Why South Korea wants to play nice with the North”
• “The Logic in North Korean ‘Madness’ “

Internal Security

• “A classified threat assessment says the dangers posed to Canada’s defence minister are “unique” “
• “It Could Happen Here: The Rise of the Far-Right in Canada” (NATO Association of Canada)
• “U.S.-bound travellers to face ‘enhanced security measures’ at all Canadian airports”

Khadr Deal Fracas

• “Tory MP Cheryl Gallant slams media for ‘fake news’ around Omar Khadr” – “Interview with Injured Soldier” (Cheryl Gallant YouTube channel)
• “Michelle Rempel on Fox News: Canadians ‘outraged’ by Khadr settlement”
• “NDP haven’t been all that vocal about Khadr deal and here’s why”
• “Former Canadian Prime Minister Called US Hero to Apologize for Trudeau’s Shameful Actions”
• “Injured U.S. soldier says Canada should have taken Omar Khadr lawsuit to courts”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Yarmouth-area students mark graves of forgotten soldiers”
• “Health trouble brought on by mould exposure ends sailor’s career”
• “Veterans Affairs audit finds funeral benefits not reaching some families”
• “Audit flags issues with vets’ funeral benefit”
• “Federal help to cover veterans’ funeral costs not reaching some families: audit”

Other

• “Letters: Why isn’t the army in BC helping to fight fires?”
• “Canadian military’s summary trial system is outdated and unfair, says lawyer”
• “Joint Personnel Support Unit Change of Command Ceremony (tomorrow)”
• “Flexing military might is capitulation to Trump, despite Liberal spin: McQuaig”
• “Submarine mission aims to recover Avro Arrow jet models from Lake Ontario”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – July 18, 2017

B.C. Forest Fires/CF Help

• “Military deploys to B.C. interior on Op Lentus”
• “Canada Musters Army to Fight Wildfires as 39,000 Flee Homes”
• “Canada wildfires: Australian firefighters deployed to fight British Columbia blazes”
• More on B.C. fires via Google News

CANvsISIL

• “Canadian model-turned-soldier taking it to ISIS”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “ISIS Sanctuary: July 18, 2017” (ISW)
• “A Pedigree of Terror: The Myth of the Ba’athist Influence in the Islamic State Movement”
• “The Jihadi Industry: Assessing the Organizational, Leadership, and Cyber Profiles”
• “New release of The Islamic State’s magazine: “Rome #11” “ (safe copy downloadable) – “Within the Pages of Rumiyah 11” (podcast, New Jersey DHS)
• Not Just ISIS/ISIL … “Al-Qa’ida Affiliates in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa” (NJ DHS)
• “Globe editorial: After IS is defeated, what comes next?”

#Syria

• “Lebanon Preparing for Military Operation Near Syria Border” – “Lebanese PM Reveals Army to Carry out ‘Studied’ Operation in Arsal”
• “Russia Deploys Terminator-2 in Syria: Unique Weapon with no Analogues in the World”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• Report: Malnutrition in North Korea military forcing parents to supply food” – “Defense Drill For Cruise Missile Attack: Soldiers Suffer From Malnutrition, Tuberculosis and Chaos”
• “Installation of Electric Fence at Border Makes Defection and Smuggling Impossible”
• One Testimony, One General, Two Headlines  “North Korea lacks capacity to hit U.S. with accuracy: U.S. general” – “General: North Korean missiles ‘clearly’ have range to reach US”
• “If necessary, U.S. will deploy military means to stop N. Korea: Sen. Gardner”
• “Russia delivers 2400 tonnes of aid to North Korea”
• “Russia reiterates its restrained stance on North Korean issue settlement”
• “Why Is South Korea Desperately Pushing For Talks With The North?”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• CHN-IND Tensions  “India should withdraw troops to avoid escalation of tension: Chinese FM” – “Sikkim stand-off: China unusually aggressive in its stand on Doklam, (IND) Foreign Secretary tells parliamentary panel” – “Pak media report on China attacking India is fake news: Chinese website” – “China dares India, says ready for ‘all-out confrontation'”
• “(U.S.) Gen. Paul Selva: New military operation in Philippines should be weighed”
• “Chinese peacekeepers holds field drill (in Mali) to brace for possible emergencies”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s returns from NATO Operation REASSURANCE”
• “Spain’s PM Rajoy Visits Spanish NATO Soldiers in Estonia”
• “Russia Sending TYPHOON-class Sub and Cruiser to the Baltic Sea” – “Russia and China to Send 10 Warships to Baltic for Military Drill” – “Chinese warships en route to Baltic Sea” – “Chinese warships to enter Baltiysk Port for joint maritime drills with Russia”
• “Russia-Belarus Military Drills to Involve Over 10,000 Troops”
• “Facing Russia threat, Ukraine and Georgia join in push West”
• “NATO exercises in Georgia start on July 30”
• “Russian Defense Ministry plans to begin purchases of MIG-35 fighter jets as of 2018”
• “Russian Defense Ministry hopes to get hypersonic airborne missiles in 2020 to 2022”
• “Russia’s MiG Company mulls single and twin-engine options for 5th generation warplane”
• “Russia mulls developing vertical take-off fighter jets for new aircraft carrier”
• “Estonian, Lithuanian, Slovak Foreign Ministers on S.Ossetia Borderization”
• “Russia is waging global cyberwar and the U.S. is silent”

Way Up North

• “China’s ice breaker to try Arctic rim expedition”

Khadr Deal Fracas

• “Moose Jaw MP comes out against Khadr settlement”
• “Omar Khadr payout gains traction in U.S. media after Conservative MP’s op-ed”
• “Omar Khadr: Canada pays ex-Gitmo detainee who killed US soldier millions, but soldier’s widow may never see a dime”
• “Omar Khadr might be no angel, but Canada still violated his rights”
• “This is why many Canadian veterans are troubled over the Khadr settlement”
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “Sometimes you just fight the good fight, even if you’re likely to lose … Is Prime Minister Trudeau right? Would we have lost the case in court? A lot of legal opinion seems to say we would have lost. But, we’ll never know, for sure, will we? We’ll never know because we never “fought the good fight.” …”

Internal Security

• “Montreal police issue warrant for imam who called for Jews to be killed – An arrest warrant has been issued for an imam who made several anti-Semitic statements during a sermon at a Montreal mosque last December …”
• “Canada has its own ‘alt right’ problem, and isn’t hesitating to act fast”
• “Anti-Fascists Disrupt Proud Boys Rally at Queen’s Park”
• “Edward Snowden’s ‘guardian angels’ seek fast-track refugee claim to Canada — Lawyers for seven who sheltered Snowden in Hong Kong say they face danger and call on Canada to speed up refugee applications …”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  1.2 Million x AK47 Rounds – Ammo specs (PDF)
• Wanted:  “TRAINING CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT”
• Wanted:  “Learning Services …Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), an Agency of the Department of National Defence (DND) requires the provision of learning services for training research, development, and evaluation on an as and when required basis …”
• “CAE Awarded Defence Contracts in Excess of C$175 million”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Graves of 45000 Canadian veterans in disrepair: audit”

World War Two

• “Canadian War Museum Acquires Dutch Liberation Wooden Shoes”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update as of 181245UTC July 2017

#Ukraine

• (Some) Separatists Declare New “Independent Young Federal State”
  
• “Donetsk rebels declare ‘successor state’ to Ukraine”
• “DPR Declares Creation Of State Of ‘Malorossiya’, Successor State To Ukraine”
• ” “DPR” leader announces new separatist entity in Donbas, would-be “successor to Ukraine””
• “Ukraine separatists proclaim new state of ′Little Russia′ “
• “Ukrainian separatists proclaim a new state”
• “Separatists in east Ukraine proclaim new state ‘Malorossiya’ “
• “Alexander Zakharchenko announces creation of new state”
• “Leader of DPR claims about creation of Malorossiya”
• “The head of the DPR declared the creation of the State of Little Russia” (in Ukrainian)
• “Donetsk Republic Declares Creation of New State of Malorossiya”
• “BREAKING NEWS: DONETSK AND LUGANSK REPUBLICS HAVE DECLARED TO BECOME ONE NATION, MALOROSSIYA !”
• “The head of the DNR announced the establishment of a new State of Little Russia” (in Ukrainian)
• “From Novorossia through the DNR to Little Russia” (in Russian)
• What Else They’ve Declared …
• “Militants to impose emergency state in Donbas, forbid parties”
• “Zakharchenko offered to cross over to state of emergency — ‘We think that emergency state is necessary to have till three years. New constitution will be adopted for this time’, head of the DPR said …”
• Official Donestk “Republic” Info-machine Content
• Map of Malorossia (in red, in Russian)
• “Representatives of the People’s Democratic Republic, the People’s Republic of Donetsk and the regions of Ukraine announced in Donetsk the creation of the Little Russia state” (DNR news service, in Russian)
• “Malorossia, a new state, has been proclaimed in Donetsk (photo)” (DNR page, in Russian & English)
• “Malorossia will become an independent young federal state — Alexander Zakharchenko (documents)” (DNR page, in Russian & English)
• And What’s the Other Separatist Republic Have to Say?
• “LPR denies participation in creation of Malorossiya declared by Zaharchenko”
• Official LNR Response (in Russian):  “…”The initiative to create Little Russia, put forward today in Donetsk, is not timely,” Daignego said. “We learned about it from the media, and nobody discussed this project with us,” he said …”
• “Statement by the press service of the administration of the head of the LNR on the meeting of delegates in Donetsk” (LNR, in Russian)
• “LNR did not participate in the meeting on the creation of Little Russia – Degtyarenko” (LNR, in Russian)
• Some Initial RUS Media Analysis
• ” ‘Creation of State of Malorossiya is Inevitable’, Here’s Why”
• “Ukraine collapses officially: Donetsk and Luhansk republics create their own state” (PravdaReport)
• Ukraine’s Response So Far?
• “Poroshenko denies idea of Malorossiya”
• “Novorossiya project ‘buried’, Ukraine to resume sovereignty over Donbas, Crimea – Poroshenko”
• “Poroshenko: Novorossiya project dead, Ukraine to retake Donbas, Crimea”
• “O. Turchinov: Statements of the Kremlin puppets on the creation of new state formations in eastern Ukraine – another proof of Putin’s aggressive plans” (UKR National Security & Defence Council, in Ukrainian)
• “Zakharchenko’s declaration on Malorossiya shows Putin’s aggressive plans, unwillingness to peacefully solve situation”
• “Zakharchenko’s statement on creation of Malorossiya may block Minsk process”
• “Berlin condemns Zakharchenko’s “initiative” and considers it absolutely unacceptable”
• “Kyiv expects OSCE’s evaluation of Zakharchenko’s statement about Malorossiya at TCG meeting on Wed”
• “Ukraine to raise issue of Zakharchenko claim about creation of Malorossiya at Minsk Talks”

In Other News from Ukraine …

• “Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk: Canadian Army also learning from our Ukrainian counterparts”
• “President: Ukraine wants to return the issue of an action plan for NATO membership to the agenda” (via UKR MoD)
• “Ukraine Lifts Energy Sector Emergency”
• “Shabla 2017 Exercise: Ukrainian military hit air target by two launches of S-300 guided missiles” (UKR MoD)
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 16 July 2017” – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, July 18, 2017” (UKR MoD) – UKR govt ATO map, 18 Jul 2017 – “Ukrainian army fires 196 mortar and artillery rounds over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” – “41 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire three times over 24 hours” – “Ukrainian forces fire 219 rounds at DPR territory over 24 hours – Basurin” – “ATO HQ: Ukrainian troops in Donbas forced to fire back 10 times in past day”
• “Ukroboronprom raises arms exports by 25%”
• “Minister of Defence of Ukraine determines five priority directions of the defence reform” (UKR MoD)
• MH17 Shootdown  “Poroshenko on MH17 crash: We must prove inevitability of liability to Russia” – “Ukrainian Canadian Congress urges to punish those responsible for MH17 tragedy” – “Ukraine wants Russia held to account over MH17 downing”
• “Press review: Moldova, Ukraine box in Transnistria …”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – July 17, 2017

B.C. Forest Fires/CF Help

• “Feds will support B.C. wildfire efforts ‘in every way possible’: Goodale”
• “Canadian Forces joining the wildfire efforts in BC”
• “BC wildfires by the numbers: From helicopters to hectares burned”
• More on B.C. fires via Google News

#Ukraine

• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …” (1)  “Commander of the Canadian Army visits soldiers on Operation UNIFIER” – “Almost 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained by Canada so far”
• MH17 Shootdown + 3 Years  “July 17 marks third anniversary of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) crash in Donbas” – “3 years on, families commemorate loved ones lost on MH17” – “On third MH17 anniversary, families to unveil ‘living memorial'” – “Three years after MH17 tragedy, facts clearer, but justice still far off” – “Three years since MH17 crash in east Ukraine warzone”
• “Statement of the Foreign Minister of Ukraine on the 3rd Anniversary of MH17” (UKR MFA)
• “MH17 – The Open Source Investigation, Three Years Later” (bellingcat) – “MH17 — What Happened?” – “Flight MH17 three years on: getting the truth out of Eastern Ukraine” (EU vs Disinformation)
• “Media: Russia closed its skies near Donbas 24h before the MH17 tragedy” – “Dutch unveil memorial for victims of Ukraine airplane crash” – “Netherlands to punish aggressor for MH17 tragedy – Poroshenko” – “MH17 monument to be opened in Amsterdam” – “MH17 and Hawk RQ4 Eyes in the Skies – Ukraine” (OdessaTalk) – “Ukraine wants Russia held to account over MH17 downing” – “Najib reiterates demand for MH17 justice” – “The Latest: EU calls for global help to solve plane downing”
• Full coverage MH17 – Google News
• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …” (2)  “U.S. Navy troops in Ukraine are among thousand of service members taking part in NATO exercises” – “President in Sea Breeze training: Ukraine’s participation in the planning of actions for 2017 has been increased significantly and this is our response to the organizers of hybrid wars” (UKR President info-machine) – “President got himself acquainted with the course of Sea Breeze 2017 training in Odesa region”
• “Ukrainian Prime Minister calls for peacekeepers in the Donbas”
• Updates from All Sides  “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, July 17, 2017” (UKR MoD) – UKR govt ATO map, 17 July 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 07/17/2017” – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 07/16/2017” – “Ukrainian military fires 240 munitions on Donetsk Republic districts over 24 hours” – “30 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Militants launched 16 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day” – “DPR soldier killed in Ukrainian shelling”
• “American drone carries out reconnaissance in Donbass” – “US drone conducts reconnaissance flight over the Donbas”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “82 artillerymen of the 291st Brigade carrying out Kremlin’s criminal orders in Ukraine” (InformNapalm.org) – “Russia delivers new military hardware and equipment to Crimea”
• Soooo, which is it, then?  “Russia seeking good-neighbourly relations with Ukraine – Lavrov” – “Ukraine Belongs To Russia, Ukraine Is Russia’s Business, Everyone Needs To Back Off !”
• One would hope … “President: I will not let anyone plunder from the army and line one’s pockets on deliveries to the Armed Forces” (UKR President info-machine)
• “Ukrainian Army to receive more than 10 000 units of weapons and equipment in 2017”
• “One billion hryvnias (CDN $48.8 million) will be allocated for construction of housing for contract servicemen” (Defence Intelligence of Ukraine)
• Really???  “Ukrainian fighters end up making human sacrifices in ‘ATO’ zone — The Vice-Commander of the DPR Operational Command reported on another fragrant savagery of Ukrainian radicals. According to the Republic’s reconnaissance, a human sacrifice was made by the AFU fighters professing Slavic paganism in the so-called ‘ATO’ zone. “On July 12, 2017, a group of servicemen of the 57th separate mechanized infantry brigade, formerly part of the nationalist Right Sector movement, professing Slavic paganism, celebrated the ancient Slavic feast “The choice of sacrifice to Perun,” said the Vice-Commander …”
• “British man sentenced to 5-years’ term for supporting Donbass Republics”
• “Coalminers in Kiev-controlled Lugansk region refuse to leave mine over wage arrears” – “Ukrainian miners strike underground due to non-payment of salaries”
• “Threat of right-wing organizations in Ukraine — How big is the danger coming today from right-wing extremists in Ukraine? There are different points of view on this topic …”
• “What Happened to Ukraine’s 5500 Lenin Statues?”
• Meanwhile, with the neighbours … “Ukraine, Moldova open joint checkpoint in Odesa region” – “Ukraine, Moldova introduce joint border control at Kuchurgan-Pervomaisk crossing” – “Poroshenko, Philip open checkpoint on Ukrainian -Moldovan border”

• Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canada funds Europe-based missile defence program but won’t join one at home”
  ‘Missile Palisade on Russian Borders: US Umbrella Will Cost a Rocket for E Europe”
• “Russian, NATO Pilots Test Wills In Skies Above Eastern Europe”
• NATO urges Turkey, Germany to settle air base row”
• “War games in Sweden — Aurora 17 is the largest military exercise in Sweden since 1993 …”
• “Russia Quietly Takes Another Slice of Georgia’s Territory”
• “Russian Program to Modernize Its Strategic Bomber Fleet off to a Modest Start”
• “Cash-Strapped Russia Can’t Afford to Modernize Its Only Aircraft Carrier”
• From the Info-fight  “Denmark to train NATO soldiers to combat Russian misinformation” – “Fighting Disinformation in the Baltic States”

CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Down But Not Out: West Faces Long War Against Islamic State”
• “Iraqi Military Ponders Multipronged Offensive to Wipe Out Islamic State”
• “Security Council extends mandate of UN Iraq Mission for one year”
• “ISIS terrorists calls on followers to kidnap kids in Europe”
• “ON TARGET: Not much to choose from between Iraq’s two sides”

Afghanistan

• “US kills third emir of Islamic State’s Khorasan province” – “ISIS-K Leader Killed in Afghanistan” (US DoD) – “Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White on death of ISIS-K leader in Afghanistan” – “GENERAL NICHOLSON STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF THE THIRD ISIS-K EMIR BY U.S. AND AFGHAN FORCES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS” (CENTCOM)
• “Pakistan launches military operation in tribal areas targeting Islamic State” – “Pakistan launches military operation near Afghan border”
• “Options for a Future Strategy for the Afghan Taliban” (Divergent Options)

#Syria

• “Dozens Of US Civilians Are In Syria Fighting Alongside Local Forces Against Islamic State”
• “U.N. ends round of Syria talks with focus on fight against terrorism”
• “Iranian troops will remain in Syria under government’s request: Ansari” – “Iran’s Role in Syria Not Subject to US-Russia Deals”
• “Syria says shells hit Russian embassy compound”
• “Concern for Irish troops in Syria as Russia and US plan safe zone”
• “Turkish-backed Forces Clash With Kurdish Fighters in Northwest Syria: Monitors”
• “Syrian forces find dozens of US anti-tank missile systems in Latakia “

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• IND-CHN Border Woes Continue … “Military standoff between China and India intensifies” – “(IND) Govt Briefs Opposition on Stand-off With China, Says Beijing ‘Breached, Encroached’ Territory in Doklam” – “China border row will be resolved peacefully, opposition told” – “Modi’s top ministers brief opposition on China stand-off, Kashmir” – “Opposition asks Centre to avoid conflict with China” – “Doklam standoff with China: Sashastra Seema Bal to get intelligence wing — The Centre has approved creation of 650 combatised posts for intelligence setup, a big boost to the operational efficiency of the border guarding force …” – “(IND) Government Seeks Consensus On China: Can Diplomacy End The Standoff?” – “Doklam stand-off: No room for negotiations, says China’s mouthpiece” – “With China flexing muscles, Indian Army test fires howitzer guns at Pokhran”
• Meanwhile, around Tibet … “PLA brigade holds live-fire military drills in Tibet: CCTV” – “China holds military drill near Arunachal border, ‘enemy’ aircraft the target” – “Changsha to boost bonus to students for military service in Xinjiang, Tibet — The government of Changsha, Central China’s Hunan Province, has announced it will give a one-off signing bonus of 20,000 yuan ($2,952) to each college graduate who serves a stint in the military in either Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region or Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region …”
• “Japan Air Self-Defense Force: Chinese Intercepts Down 50, Russia Up 60 Percent”
• “Chinese coast guard ships enter Japanese territorial waters” – “Japan should ‘get used to’ Chinese military in strait”
• “Asserting sovereignty, Indonesia renames part of South China Sea” – “Indonesia renames part of South China Sea”
• “Harvard professor says America and China are destined to go to war”
• “China’s Most Powerful Armed Drone CH-5 UAV Makes its First Flight” – “Successful Maiden Flight of China’s Mass-produced CH-5 Drone”
• “A fighter jet with new generation air-to-air missiles spotted in China” – “Chinese J-10 C Spotted Carrying PL-10 and PL-15 New Generation Air to Air Missile”
• “China shows off its revolutionary silent submarine engine”
• “China’s Second Aircraft Carrier”
• “PLA looks to modern era on eve of 90th founding anniversary”
• “China, Italy hold joint naval exercise”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “How North Korea Could Go to War”
• “South Korea to start production of air defense radar that detects N. Korean UAVs “
• “U.S. prepares new sanctions on Chinese firms over North Korea ties – officials”
• “North Korea’s ICBM Celebration Concert Reveals Never-Before-Seen Missile Imagery”
• “Exclusive: North Korea may have more bomb fuel than thought – U.S. think tank” – “North Korea’s Yongbyon Facility: Probable Production of Additional Plutonium for Nuclear Weapons” (38 North)
• “The US Puts More Pressure On China Over North Korea” – “Trump Wants China to Pay for Failing to Stop North Korea” – “As Exports Grow, China Defends Trade With Sanctions-Hit North Korea”
• “China up close: Xi Jinping’s empty North Korea promise pays off”
• “China’s Trade with North Korea Up 10%”
• “South Korea proposes military , family reunion talks with North Korea”

Way Up North

• Wanted:  “Call for Expressions of Interest for: TRS18005, Design-Build Services for Fire Protection System Repairs, CFS Alert, NU”
• “The Sibir nuclear icebreaker to be launched in September”

Internal Security

• “Canadian spies accuse bosses of homophobia, racism -lawsuit” – “EXCLUSIVE: Former CSIS director responds to allegations of toxic workplace culture” – “Statement from CSIS director on allegations of harassment”
• “Les avocats des protecteurs de Snowden mettent Ottawa en demeure”
• “Canada’s sordid history with white supremacists involves a Caribbean coup plot”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Big Honkin’ Ships  Colonel Ted’s latest take  “Ships (yet again) ~ this time Irving’s AOPS progress”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Canadian Forces’ sexual assault hotline to operate 24/7 despite staff shortage”
• A reminder:  considered innocent until proven guilty via due process/nothing proven in court yet  “Sexual assault charge laid against military member in Edmonton” – “Sexual assault charge laid against military member in Valcartier”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Motivating private sector to hire military veterans still a struggle”
• “Military veterans still struggle to find meaningful private sector work”
• “Canada’s shameful history of neglecting veterans”

Khadr Deal Fracas

• “This is why many Canadian veterans are troubled over the Khadr settlement”
• “Trudeau reminded of Khadr controversy, Canada Day gaffe at Calgary Stampede”
• “Khadr responses show right’s ugly side”
• “Gormley: Khadr pay off betrayed our values”
• “Canada’s Multi-Million-Dollar Pay-Out to a ‘Foreign Terrorist Fighter’ “
• “A Terrorist’s Big Payday, Courtesy of Trudeau”
• “Yes, sleep deprivation is torture”
• “Omar Khadr: a political inkblot test”
• “Did Canada pay Khadr too much, its veterans too little, or a bit of both?”
• “The charter was made for Canadians, not Canadians for the charter”
• “Omar Khadr settlement a victory for the rule of law” (ceasefire.ca)

Other

• “(CF) Ombudsman Message: Progress Report on Recommendations”
• “Royal Military College of Canada welcomes new Commandant”
• “Canada hosts NATO National Reserve Forces Committee”
• “Talented mid-level RCN leaders show the way”
• More Colonel Ted:  “The government is always right … It seems pretty clear to me that Prime Minister Harper was right, five years ago, and General Tom Lawson (amongst others) was wrong when he said, over a year later, that there was no fat left to cut. Not all the “fat” in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces is the result of empire building by admirals, generals and civil servants, but some is and there is, always, room to cut …” – “Everyman’s Strategic Survey: Israel and Europe ~ relations are (surprisingly) strong”
• “Expedition Launched to Recover Mississauga’s Avro Arrow”

World War Two

• “Dieppe 75: Media Accreditation for Events in France — The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada and Associate Minister of National Defence will lead an official Government of Canada delegation to Dieppe, France from August 16-21, 2017, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid …”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Cold War 2.0 Update as of 161200UTC July 2017

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• Royal Canadian Artillery Association News Brief:  “Deployment of a 1RCHA M777 Battery to Latvia — The Chief of Defence Staff has directed the deployment of a M777 Battery from the Canadian Army in support of the Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group (eFP BG), specifically for bi-lateral training with U.S. units in September 2017, and Exercise SILVER ARROW, occurring in October 2017 …”
• “Exercises of Russian troops in Belarus: what to expect”
• “Romania: US Patriot missiles only for defense”
• “NATO Member Turkey Turns to Russia for Air Defense Cooperation”
• “Russia’s Next Super Weapons: Big Aircraft Carriers and Nuclear-Powered Destroyers?”
• “(EST) Defense ministry announces competition for €400,000 in project support”
• “Hokkaido mayor axed from tour of disputed isles as payback for Ukraine sanctions”
• “Dependent media – Russia’s military TV Zvezda” (EU vs Disinformation)

#Ukraine

• “Australia says MH17 perpetrators may be tried in absentia” – “Australia Urges Russia To Cooperate With Initiatives To Prosecute MH17 Suspects” – “MH17 trial best option for justice, says Julie Bishop”
• “Ukraine’s new NATO ambassador: my goal is to make NATO look forward to our request”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 14 July 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 16 July 2017 – “1 Ukrainian Soldier Killed, 3 Wounded in Attack on Bakhmutka Highway; MP Reports Injury at Avdeyevka” – “Day in the ATO: one soldier killed, one wounded” – “DPR Command reports nearly 60 ‘silence regime’ violations over 24 hours”
• “British Nationals Fighting In The Donbass Region, Some Have Been Arrested, Some Not, Depending What Side Your Fighting For ! (VIDEOS)”
• “The Government of Ukraine has approved the Concept of the State Target Program for Physical, Medical, Psychological Rehabilitation and Social Rehabilitation of ATO Participants” (UKR DefInt, in Ukrainian)
• “$3.8mn dollars stolen by Ukraine during construction of ‘Wall’ on Russia’s border”
• “How the Ukraine War Spilled Into the U.S. Election”

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