MILNEWS.ca Highlights – July 24, 2017

B.C. Forest Fires/CF Help

• “Canadian Armed Forces on way to Williams Lake”  – “Canadian Military Supports Fight Against British Columbia Wildfires”
• “Feds promise more funds for B.C. wildfire response” – “Federal government to supply more funds for B.C. wildfire response” – “Ottawa chips in with support for wildfire evacuees” – “Feds increase funds for BC wildfire efforts”
• More on B.C. fires via Google News

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian military aircraft have not flown in Syria for weeks: commander — Canadian military aircraft involved in the fight against Islamic State militants have not flown over Syria for the past few weeks, though a senior officer denied any links Friday to Russian threats …”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Mattis On ISIS leader Baghdadi: ‘Until I See His Body, I Am Going To Assume He Is Alive’ “ – “Pentagon Chief Says He Thinks IS Leader Baghdadi is Alive”
• “ISIS’s Global Campaign Remains Intact”
• “US special forces commander discusses support for Kurds in Iraq and Syria”
• “Iran and Iraq sign accord to boost military cooperation” – “Iran, Iraq sign MoU to boost defense, military cooperation”
• “Islamic State says Mosul defeat was “retreat”, blames treason” – “After Mosul victory, Iraq mulls future of Shiite militias”
• “IS evacuates headquarters in Tal Afar due to doubts over people cooperation with security” – “US-led coalition strikes last ISIS stronghold in Iraq’s Tel Afar”
• “350 civilians fled IS-controlled areas in western Anbar”
• “IS Executes Own High-ranking Official in Hawija”

The Kurds

• “PUK MP, advisor to KRG PM believed to have sought asylum in Canada”
• “An Independent Kurdistan Would Begin With a Clash”
• “Kurdistan cannot secede from Iraq, predicts former PM Maliki”
• “Army stays out of referendum dispute: Iraq defense chief”
• “Official: Only Iran is against referendum in Kurdistan Region”
• “KRG not giving into US influence to postpone referendum, top Kurdish diplomat”
• “BasNews Online Poll Shows Vast Majority Supports Kurdistan’s Independence”
• “Trump Unlikely to Get in Kurds’ Way for Independence: US Politician”
• “Referendum excuse from Kurdish leaders to remain in power, Shaswar Abdulwahid says”

#Syria

• “US-led coalition says more to do in Syria after IS loses Raqa” – “Syrian army, allies advance against Islamic State east of Raqqa” – “Anti-ISIS Coalition’s Deputy Commander meets Raqqa civilian council”
• “ISIS Continues to Lose Against the Advancing Syrian Army in Deir Ez Zour”
• “Former Al Qaeda affiliate now controls Syria’s Idlib city after rebel pull-out: monitor”
• “Russian Military Could Force The U.S. Out of Syria, Army Official Says … Special Operations Command chief Army General Raymond Thomas said that, while counterterrorism remained a priority for his forces, international law could prevent the U.S. from maintaining a long-term presence in Syria, where its intervention has been declared illegal by the government. Russia is also involved in the fight against the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) and other jihadists in Syria, but entered at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, something that Thomas said could allow Moscow to make a solid case for the U.S.’s departure …” – “A Top General Admits US Is in Syria Illegally and Russia Would Be Justified to Question Its Presence”
• “US reacts to disclosure of secret military bases in Syria”
• “General: Trump’s move to end Syria program ‘not a sop to the Russians’ “ – “US General confirms program to arm” – “U.S. general told Syria’s YPG: ‘You have got to change your brand’ “
• “The Secrets of the Syrian War: the Kurdish Factor”
• “US, allies must pay for wrecking Syria, UN told”
• “Hezbollah Making Advances at Syria-Lebanon Border” – “Hezbollah Says Battle With Nusra Front Almost Won at Syria-Lebanon Border” – “Lebanese military coordinates with Hezbollah, Syrian military in border operation” (FDD’s Long War Journal) – “Hezbollah has ‘about 7,000 fighters’ in Syria, US says” – “Hezbollah claims advances in border offensive near Syria” – “Hezbollah claims to have killed 46 Sunni militants near Lebanon-Syria border”
• “Jihadists entrenched in northern Syria”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Over 500 Russian mercenaries who fought in Donbas currently participate in hostilities in Syria” – “Over 500 Russian mercenaries, who earlier fought in Donbas, now taking part in Syria war” – “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) – “New Russian campaign medal For Peacekeeping Mission in Syria stigmatizes Russian military” (InformNapalm.org)
• “Chinese envoy urges unity of Syria, political solution to crisis”
• “Parents Of Marine Corps Vet Missing In Syria Since 2012 Hopeful He’ll Be Found Alive”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “Canada should be concerned as North Korean tensions increase: Prof”
• “People’s Republic of China Options Toward North Korea” (Divergent Options)
• “Test of missile defense vs. North Korea could be next weekend” – “US Urges China to Help Watch North Korea’s Submarine Missile Test Preps” – “North Korea warns South Korea for condemning ballistic missile test”
• “U.S. military chief says N. Korea capable of ‘limited’ missile attack” – “Dunford: Military option for North Korea not ‘unimaginable’ “
• “Hawaii announces preparedness plan for N.K. missile attack: reports”
• “Most Americans prefer diplomacy to military action on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue poll”
• “N Korea lambastes S Koreas parliament for resolution against ICBM”
• “S Korea vows to seek dialogue with and sanctions on N Korea”
• “North Koreans in China praise Kim Jong-un for standing up to US nuclear blackmail”
• “Strategic Weapons: North Korea Hustles To Get Paid”
• “South Korean Military Planning to Revamp Its Cyber and Counterintelligence Organizations”
• “China’s June gasoline exports to N.Korea fall y/y, but up from May”
• “China defends repatriation of North Koreans”
• “SEOUL SURVIVOR North Korean defector returns rejects South”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “Why China Built That Military Base in Africa”
• “Construction of barracks for Chinese peacekeeping helicopter detachment (in Sudan) completed”
• “Xi Jinping picks war games over military parade for Chinese army’s 90th birthday bash”
• “Trump just approved a plan for the US Navy to check Beijing in the South China Sea”
• IND-CHN Tensions  “AP Explains: India and China face off in border standoff” – “China’s defence spokesman warns India to ‘not take any chances’ over border dispute” – “China, India face off in Himalaya border dispute” – “Dispatch from Doklam: Indians dig in for the long haul in standoff with China” – “Chinese military units on the move in southern Tibet as tensions continue to mount in Doklam “ – “China-India conflict picking up steam—in the media” – “China urges India to abandon illusions” – “Ex-US Senator explains how US can help India deliver a devastating blow to China” – “Third party like US, China can help settle Kashmir issue: Farooq Abdullah”
• “South China Sea Dispute Smolders as Trump Administration Weighs Approach” – “In a show of authority, China opens theatre on South China Sea isle”
• “Australia detects Chinese ship near drills area” – “Australia says Chinese spy ship near war games”
• “Chinese naval fleet arrives in Greece for friendly visit”
• “International military collaboration duty of China’s military: spokesperson”
• “Chinese military developing unmanned supply truck”
• “(CHN) Military medical team heads to Laos”
• “US within reach: China shows off new and improved advanced missile system”
• “China’s Nuclear Submarine Force”
• “China’s Private Security Sector Booms as Overseas Investment GrowsChina’s Private Security Sector Booms as Overseas Investment Grows”  – “A peek into China’s top ‘bodyguard factories’ “

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Russia, Not North Korea, Greatest Threat to US, Says Pentagon’s Top Military Officer” – “U.S. Doesn’t Have Luxury of Choosing Challenges, Dunford Tells Aspen Crowd — While Russia remains the greatest nation-state threat, the United States doesn’t have the luxury of singling out one challenge, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado last night …”
• “Scaramucci: Trump still doesn’t accept intelligence conclusion on Russia” – “Scaramucci cites anonymous source on Russia, admits Trump is source”
• “NATO’s reaction to dangerous maneuvers of Russian fighters” – “Russia Is Testing NATO in the Skies”
• “Russian army logistics specialists arrive in Belarus for Zapad 2017 exercise” – “Russian Military Started To Arrive At Exercises West-2017”
• “Over 1,200 soldiers from 22 countries arrive in Russia for army games” – “Over 1,200 Military From 22 States Arrive in Russia for Army Games 2017”
• “White House ‘supports’ sanctions bill on Russia, N. Korea, Iran” – “US House to vote on Bill imposing sanctions on Russia Iran North Korea” – “Kremlin waiting for Washington to word clear position on further anti-Russian sanctions”
• “Mini-Battlegroups: How NATO Can Take On the Threats of the Future”
• “Commentary: How Russia sparked a Western military renaissance”
• “Lessons from Europe’s Fight Against Russian Disinformation”

#Ukraine

• “Traitors on the Inside: Russian Fifth Columnists Inside the Ukrainian Military Helped Russia Conquer the Crimea Without a Fight”
• “Ukraine’s military prosecutor arrested in absentia in Russia for illegal criminal charges”
• “US Special Representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker visits Donbas” – “U.S. Envoy Says ‘Astonishing’ Number Of Cease-Fire Violations In Ukraine ‘Hot War’ “ – “Russia to blame for ‘hot war’ in Ukraine: U.S. special envoy” – “There’s not frozen conflict, but hot war in Donbas, – US Special Representative” – “No data on US special envoy’s possible talks with DPR available yet”
• “Ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 arrive in Odesa”
• “OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) to hold media briefing in Odesa (Tuesday)”
• Updates from All Sides  “Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, July 24, 2017” (UKR MoD) – UKR govt ATO map, 24 July 2017 – UKR govt ATO map, 23 July 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 07/23/2017” – “Some 130 enemy ammos fired at DPR territory over day” – “45 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire ten times over 24 hours”
• “The Briefing: Minsk And Malorossia”
• “Donetsk filtering station de-energized, suspends work” – “Donetsk filtering station still offline, – State Emergencies Service” – “Electricity cut at Donetsk filtration station” – “Donetsk filtering station to resume operation until the end of day”
• “Oh, Those Russians …” “Chief of Ukraine’s General Staff: Russia masses strike forces on Ukraine border” – “Russia stations three motorized rifle divisions on Ukrainian border” – “Ukraine’s Def Minister says more Russian provocations possible in Donbas” – “Captured Russian soldier in Donbas says freed GRU officer killed after returning to Russia” – “Russian army officer exchanged for Savchenko is alive, – lawyer” – “SBU names number of Ukrainian hostages in Russia, occupied Donbas” – “Russia possibly implicated in latest armed abduction by Donbas militants” (Human Rights in Ukraine)
• From the Separatist Media  “Ukrainian military sell American drones to Donbass defenders” – “DPR says OSCE biased against People’s Republics”
• “Second delivery of anthracite coal comes to Ukraine from South Africa” – “2nd batch of anthracite coal from RSA delivered to Ukraine”
• “Belarus, Ukraine agree on direct delivery of humanitarian aid”
• “Transnistria condemns Moldova’s calls for withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers”

Way Up North

• “Canadian Rangers join in Franklin Expedition homecoming”
• “With More Ships in the Arctic, Fears of Disaster Rise”
• “The Bloom Comes off the Arctic Rose”
• “How China’s Arctic Empire Will Upset the Global Balance of Power”

Khadr Deal Fracas

• “9/11 victim’s wife disgusted by $10.5M Khadr deal”
• “Two courts differ on Omar Khadr payment”
• “Terry Glavin: Khadr’s payout looks to Canadians like it’s burying a Liberal scandal”
• “Between the devil and the deep blue sea”
• “Desperate Times for Canada’s Conservatives? … my problem is that the Conservatives are so desperate to take shots at Trudeau that they are undermining the Canadian national interest …”
• “Globe editorial: Liberals and Conservatives, playing politics with Khadr and NAFTA”
• “Krayden: Tories seize the moment as Trudeau stumbles over Khadr payout”
• “How Omar Khadr was caught in the American fog of war: Mallick”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “London 2017 International Ministerial (5-Eyes) Conference on Veterans’ Issues — On 19 and 20 July 2017, Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood welcomed delegations from the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to the International Ministerial Conference on Veterans’ Issues at the Royal Hospital Chelsea …”
• “Schukov: Military wife and mother giving back to wounded veterans”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Doctor practising at CFB Shilo accused of sexual, physical assault in connection with Ontario incident”
• “Canadian military shows ‘tremendous progress’ since days of homophobic law”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Canadian special forces to get new vehicles later this year”
• Big Honkin’ Ships  “Intellectual property could be key as Canada and U.S. compete for frigate-building bids” – “An intellectual fly in the ointment?” (Ted Campbell’s Point of View blog)
• Wanted:  “Search and Rescue Mission Management System Application … Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is requesting Industry feedback regarding the design, assembly, delivery and support of a Search and Rescue Mission Management System (SMMS) Web-based Application …”
• Wanted:  “PERSONNEL PARACHUTE, BACK” x 50

Other

• “Canadian Armed Forces teams complete the 2017 Nijmegen Marches”
• “Amherst (NS) fights to save local armoury as military prepares to divest buildings”
• “New commander for 4CDSG”
• “Ottawa artist captures eerie Cold War mood with stop-motion film”
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “Military education and training … there should be, just as an example, one, single, integrated primary flying school, where all helicopter pilots learn to fly a basic rotary wing aircraft. But Navy, Army and RCAF pilots (and, yes, each service should ave its own) should, then, be trained in their specific specialities by their own service specialists. Similar things should apply to many skills …”
• “Canada must champion non-military responses to global challenges” (Ceasefire.ca)

World War Two

• “Calgary veteran who survived Dunkirk causes a stir at movie premiere”
• “Dunkirk Myth vs. Reality – Operation Dynamo” (Quotulatiousness blog)
• “NB veterans win battle over ‘Battle of Dieppe’ commemorative coin”

World War One

• “Profile of Courage: Second Lieutenant Morley Roy Shier”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Cold War 2.0 Update as of 231215UTC July 2017

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “US Lawmakers Reach Accord on Russian Sanctions; Vote to Be Held Tuesday” – “U.S. lawmakers reach deal on Russia sanctions bill, creating limits for Trump” – “Congress strikes deal on bill to slap new sanctions on Russia” – “Congress agrees on sanctions for Russia, defying White House”
• “Moscow negatively views new US sanctions bill: Kremlin”
• “EU flags alarm over US sanctions on Russia”
• “Top U.S. General: Russia Just One Of Many Security Threats Facing Country”  – “Joseph Dunford says Russia most military capable country of those posing threat to US”
• RUS-CHN Co-op (1)  “China Russia joint Naval drills perturb NATO” – “Chinese naval ships enter Russian Baltic Sea port ahead of joint drills”
• RUS-CHN Co-op (2)  “Russian paratroopers on the landing site of the Airborne Forces PLA studied the venue of the match for landing accuracy during the contest “Landing platoon 2017” “ (RUS MoD, in Russian) – “Russian BMP-2 carried out a test drive on the Korla sweep of the PRC” (RUS MoD, in Russian) – “Russian paratroopers began acquaintance with the “Haodian” training ground of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) “ (RUS MoD, in Russian)
• “Baltic Russian warships pass Great Belt Bridge”
• “The USSR’s Air-Dropped Fighting Vehicles Tore Through Cold War Conflicts”
• “The Nazi-obsession of pro-Kremlin propagandists”

#Ukraine

• “Airborne Fighting Vehicles Rolled Through Hell in Eastern Ukraine”
• “How Kiev’s Pursuit of Western Money is ‘Adding Fuel’ to Donbass War”
• “French President To Hold Talks With Putin, Merkel, Poroshenko On Ukraine Conflict”
• “Putin orders intel services to achieve “reset of Ukraine’s ruling regime” – SBU chief”
• “Ukraine’s Envoy submits to UN letter on escalation in Donbas – Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko has sent to the UN secretary general and head of the Security Council a letter by MFA Ukraine with a demand toward Russia to put an end to provocations in Donbas …”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 21 July 2017” – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of 6 morning, July 23, 2017” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian) – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of 18.00, July 22, 2017” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian) – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of 0600, July 21, 2017” (UKR MoD) – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 07/22/2017” – “Situation in Donbas conflict zone remains calm, – Headquarters” – “1 Ukrainian Soldier Killed, 2 Wounded; 1 Separatist Fighter Killed” – “Ukrainian army’s positions in Donbas attacked by militant forces 29 times in past 24 hours” – “Ukrainian military more than 40 times violate ceasefire in Donetsk Republic – command” – “42 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Nine killed, 11 injured over the week in DPR by Kiev’s shelling” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire 10 times over 24 hours” – “Number of civilian casualties in Donbass increases twofold in 2017” – “Kiev failed 73rd disengagement attempt in Stanitsa Luganskaya area” – “Donetsk west under attack of Ukrainian army for several hours”
• “Mother of detained Russian soldier Ageev received a phone call from FSB”
• “Ukraine’s SBU encourages mothers of missing Russian soldiers in Donbas to undergo DNA tests — Chief of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak has called on mothers of Russian soldiers who have gone missing in Donbas to apply for the SBU’s hostage exchange center for DNA tests to determine the whereabouts of their sons …”
• “134 Ukrainians stay in militants’ captivity in Donbas”
• “Memorial ceremony for MH17 plane crash victims held in Australia”
• “Surkov on Malorossiya: Donbass fights for entire Ukraine, not for its part”
• “Kiev believes Donbass reintegration will take decades”
• Elsewhere in the ‘Hood  “Moldova Asks Russian Troops To Quit Transnistria” – “Breakaway Transdniester Assails Moldova Lawmakers’ Call For Russian Troop Pullout”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Cold War 2.0 Update as of 221545UTC July 2017

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• RUS-CHN Co-op in Baltic …  “Chinese Warships Dock At Russian Baltic Ports For War Games” – “China and Russia unite in show of power as Chinese warships to begin first ever naval exercises with Russia in the Baltic” – “China in Baltic navy drill with Russia” – “Ships of the Chinese Navy arrived in Baltiysk to participate in joint exercise” (RUS MoD) – “Leadership of the Naval Interaction joint Russian-Chinese exercise arrived in Baltiysk” (RUS MoD)
• … and Elsewhere  “Russian servicemen arrived in China to participate in the International Army Games” (RUS MoD) – “Team of the Russian Armed Forces has left for China to participate in the Gunsmith Master international contest” (RUS MoD)
• ” ‘Trojan horse’: Top US commander in Europe says Russia might use Belarus drills to move weapons” – “Russia Calls Charges It Might Leave Military Equipment In Belarus ‘Buffoonery’ “
• “Belarusian army teams off to Russia for International Army Games 2017”
• “Asian Defence News: Russian submarine Dmitriy Donskoi (TK-208) in Danish waters near Djursland Peninsula”
• “New Dutch rotation eFP in Lithuania Fully Operational Capable in record time” (Lithuanian DefMin)
• “Lithuania’s Deployment of US Missile Systems May Create Threat for Russia — Lithuania’s possible deployment of US Patriot missile systems on a long-term basis may prove harmful for Russia and create an additional threat to the nation’s security, the Russian Embassy in Lithuania said Friday …” – “Finances Over Security: Why Lithuania Really Needs Outdated US’ Patriot Systems”
• Pot Calling the Kettle Black???  “Nasty Habit: EU, NATO Use Far Right Sentiment in Baltics for War With Russia”
• “Moscow, Baghdad Sign Huge Arms Deal”
• “President Trump Names New European-Eurasian Affairs Point Man” – “Former DNI James Clapper: Trump is ‘making Russia great again’ “
• “Here’s How The US Can Retaliate Against Russian Hacking And ‘Kick Them In The Balls’ “
• “Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with «NBC», Moscow, July 21, 2017” (RUS MFA)
• “Russia in Review” 14-21 July 2017 (Russia Matters)

#Ukraine

• “Russia opposes SMM deployment along whole border line, wants to continue arms supplies to occupied Donbas – MFA Ukraine” – Comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Adoption of the OSCE Permanent Council Decision on the Extension of the Deployment of OSCE Observers to Two Russian Checkpoints “Gukovo” and “Donetsk” … We regret over the position of the Russian Federation that remains alone in the OSCE in opposing expansion of the mandate of the Mission to all sections of the border adjacent to certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine that are temporarily not under control of the Ukrainian authorities …” (UKR MFA)
• UKR-BLR Meet  “Kiev hosts meeting of Presidents of Belarus and Ukraine” –  “Lukashenko offers help in organizing humanitarian convoys to Donbas” – “Ukrainian-Belarusian border never to be border of war: Poroshenko-Lukashenko meeting” – “Meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and Belarus: The Ukrainian-Belarusian border will never be a border of war” (UKR President)
• Updates from All Side  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 20 July 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 22 Jul 2017 – “OSCE observers indicate military-type vehicles coming to and from UA-RF border in Donbas” – “One Ukrainian serviceman killed, two injured in ATO zone” – “45 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “24 hours in Donbas: 11 shellings, one Ukrainian soldier killed” – “59 civilians became victims of Russian aggression in Donbas in 2017,- OSCE” – “Poroshenko says 11,000 people killed since beginning of conflict in Donbas” – “Ukraine’s defense ministry: Six “DPR” militants eliminated in Krasnohorivka battle on July 20″ – “Kiev forces shell Yuzhnodonbasskiy duct as OSCE’s Hug inspects the area”
• “Poroshenko Blames Russia For Recent Deaths Of Eight Soldiers In Country’s East”
• “Militants don’t let OSCE observers into Novoazovsk” – “Militants blocking OSCE SMM access to occupied Novoazovsk” – “OSCE observers not permitted to Novoazovsk”
• “DPR, LPR full-scale membership to improve JCCC operation – Pushilin”
• “Mother of detained Russian soldier comes to Ukraine” – “Mother of captured Russian soldier comes to Ukraine to see her son”
• “International Court of Justice handed plenty of evidence of Russia’s financing terrorism in Donbas, Crimea”
• “Russian Citizenship for Ukrainians: Addressing Russia’s Population Decline”
• “U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Volker to visit Ukraine again by end of July” – “US Special Representative to visit Kiev, Donbass to check Ukraine’s ‘integrity’ “
• “Poroshenko to demand real ceasefire in Donbas, tougher sanctions during Normandy format phone talks on July 24” – “Poroshenko to demand full ceasefire in Donbas at Normandy phone talks on July 24” – “President will demand ceasefire regime during the phone conversations in the Normandy format” (UKR President) – “Kyiv accuses Russia of impeding Contact Group’s security subgroup”
• “Turchynov, Balan discuss Russia’s hybrid aggression against Ukraine, Moldova”

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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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