MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 23, 2017

Attacks on CF in Canada

• “Patrice Vincent, Nathan Cirillo: trois ans déjà”
• “Anniversary of attack on Hill passes quietly”
• “Three years after Parliament Hill attacks, terror threat persists”
• “Cpl. Nathan Cirillo remembered on third anniversary of the terrorist attack”
• “Commemorative plaque unveiled in honour of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent” –“Une plaque en l’honneur de l’adjudant Patrice Vincent”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas 

• “World War 3: North Korea could hit CANADA with its nuclear-tipped missiles, experts warn”
• “Trump says US totally prepared for potential North Korea threat” – “Trump: U.S. ‘totally prepared’ for N. Korea threat”
• “Ex-CIA director says nuclear war with N. Korea unlikely”
• “South Korea seeking to boost protection of military facilities”
• “S. Korean defense chief to focus on N. Korea in ASEAN security forum”
• “After Six Tests, The Mountain Hosting North Korea’s Nuclear Blasts May Be Exhausted” – “North Korea Needs a New Nuclear Test Site; Old One All Used Up” – “N. Korea seen suffering post-test trouble in Punggye-ri site: source”
• “North Korean Official Says US Must Put Up with Pyongyang Nuclear Weapons”
• “With sister’s promotion, Kim Jong-un consolidates family’s control over North Korea”
• “NY Times: (Former U.S. president) Carter Willing to Travel to North Korea”
• “Heated debate on North Korea policy in South’s National Assembly”
• “Pyongyang won’t return to six-party talks until change in Washington’s attitude: N.K. diplomat”
• “N. Korea says Moon actively taking part in provoking Pyongyang”
• “U.S. Bullying Diplomacy Can Never Work: KCNA Commentary” (via Anglo-Peoples Korea/Songun blog)
• “If Kim Jong-un Suddenly Dies, Don’t Ask Me About It, Says CIA chief”
• “North Korea’s deadliest weapon? Its hackers”
• “How America’s Colonel Kurtz Beat Back North Korea”

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

The Kurds

• “Kurdish Troops Halt Iraqi Forces on the Kurdistan Border”
• “Iraq Kurds: Army claims full control of Kirkuk province”
• “Iraqi, Kurdish Forces Battle for Remaining Disputed Territories”
• “Heavy clashes between Peshmerga, Shia militia south of Erbil”
• “Death toll from Iraqi-Kurdish clashes reaches 31”
• “Bafel Talabani: PUK chose ‘tactical withdrawal’ from Kirkuk after casualties”
• “Kurd disarray highlights Iraq army’s newfound prowess”
• “Peshmerga commander accuses PUK official of being ‘traitor’ amid Baghdad-Erbil crisis”
• “Iraqi army: Peshmerga used German weapons attacking forces in Kirkuk”
• “Peshmerga refutes PMF claim of using German MILAN weapon while defending against them”
• “Kurdistan Parliament to discuss Shia militia attacks, rescheduling of elections” – “Kurdistan Parliament to Convene over Baghdad’s Offensives” – “Kurdish political parties meet in Erbil over Baghdad military operation”
• “KRG welcomes Iraqi PM’s call for negotiations to resolve disputes” – “Kurdistan Region ready for unconditional talks with Baghdad” – “KRG welcomes US State Department call for dialogue between Erbil – Baghdad”
• “US State Department calls on Baghdad to coordinate with KRG” – “Tillerson: Kurdish expectations not met by Iraq, KRG boundaries must be respected”
• “Kurds gather in front of Russian consulate, ask for support in wake of US inaction”
• “Kurds expect more from US as its tanks, once directed at IS, now attacking Kurdistan: Governor”
• Iran Links???  “Peshmerga Command: Shia militia attacks Peshmerga with US weapons, Iranian artillery” – “Iran’s Quds Force Opens Bases, Headquarters in Kirkuk” – “Iran Pressures PUK to Appoint an Iranian-affiliated Member As Kirkuk Security Chief” – “Iraq’s KRG condemns attack on Iran’s consulate in Erbil” – “Iran condemns attack on Consulate General in Erbil”
• “Backgrounder on Iraq and its History of Problems With the Kurds”
• “Who Betrayed the Kurdish People?”
• “The Kurds: Neither the Twin of Palestine Nor the Clone of Israel”
• “What Iraq’s recent moves against Kurds mean for Israel and region”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Syria & Iraq update: October 13-20, 2017” (ISW)
• “Unwanted at home in Europe, foreigners who joined ISIS are faced with almost certain death in liberated Raqqa”
• “Go home, Tillerson tells Iranian-backed militias in Iraq” – “Iraq’s Shia militia ‘must go home’, says Tillerson”
• “Raqqa Close to Liberation as ISIS ‘Caliphate’ Crumbles” – “Iran’s military chief: ISIS in Syria nearing it’s end” – “Raqqa’s liberation does not spell downfall of IS, expert says”
• “US-backed Forces Take Syria’s Largest Oil Field From IS”
• “Turkey’s Incursion into Syria: Making Things Better or Worse?”
• “Coalition wants Raqqa to be a Syrian center beyond Assad’s control — Russian senator”
• “ISIS Just Suffered A Major Defeat In The Philippines”

Afghanistan

• “American woman tortured and raped in captivity in Pakistan breaks her silence from hospital to reveal how thoughts of home got her through the ‘dark days’ as her three children adapt to their new lives in the West” – “CIA contradicts Pakistan army , says ‘hostages held in Pak for 5 years’ “
• “CIA Expanding Its Covert Operations in Afghanistan Into Paramilitary Ops It Previously Avoided”

Canada Into Africa?

• “Mattis Discusses Niger Operation, Asks Media to Stop Second-Guessing” (DoD info-machine) – After Niger attack, a look at clandestine jihadis posing a growing danger to U.S. forces in Africa” – “How The Media Is Making The Situation In Niger Worse”
• “The U.S. Will Invade West Africa in 2023 After An Attack in New York — According to Pentagon War Game”
• “Canada may have to answer for its role in Libya”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “NATO refutes information by Der Spiegel on weakness of the Alliance”
• “Latvia detects Russian warships near its borders”
• “Why Has Russia’s Military Joined India for North Korea Border Drills?”
• “Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy is traveling to Ukraine and Estonia to host meetings on the war in Ukraine, Russian aggression and other issues …”
• “Russian defense contractor delivers second regiment set of S-400 missile systems”
• “Explaining why those monuments are lying”

Ukraine

• “New clashes near Verkhovna Rada: Security forces blocked car of protesters”
• “Thousands of anti-government protesters rally in Ukraine”
• “Saakashvili presents his “rescue plan for Ukraine” to hundreds of protesters in Kyiv”
• Updates from All Sides
• “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, October 23, 2017” (UKR MOD)
• UKR govt ATO map, 23 Oct 2017
• “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/22/2017” (pro-separatist)
• “Essence of Time unit in Donbass report. October 22” (pro-separatist)
• “Ukraine reports 12 violations of Donbas ceasefire in past day, one soldier wounded”
• “Ukrainian military fire almost 80 shells, mines on Lugansk Republic – militia”
• “Ukraine reports five militant attacks, 1 WIA on Oct 22”
• “One civilian and one DPR serviceman wounded in shelling by Ukrainian troops – DPR command”
• “Donbas: 12 attacks on Ukrainian positions”
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire three times over 24 hours”
• “Donbas conflict: Militants opened fire five times, one Ukrainian soldier wounded”
• “Civilian wounded, almost 30 ‘silence regime’ violations reported in DPR “
• “ATO HQ reports 12 violations of Donbas ceasefire in past day, one soldier wounded”
• “Ukraine’s Army fires over 930 ammunition at DPR in a day – JCCC”
• “ATO HQ reports 15 enemy attacks in Donbas over last day”
• UKR Pres Drops By Avdiivka  “President in Avdiivka: I will do everything possible to finally bring peace to the Ukrainian land” – “President: Ukrainian warrior is a guarantor of our state’s independence” (UKR MoD) – “President held a meeting in Avdiivka on the situation on the frontline” (UKR MOD)
• “Armed Forces brigades in Donbas soon to be replaced by other units – Poroshenko”
• “Cabinet determines order of depriving combatant status”
• “Most UN member countries support bringing peacekeepers to Donbas, – Poroshenko” – “Peskov: extremists may follow monitors to DPR and LPR”
• “Donbass Reunification Programme participants bullied in Ukraine”
• “Ukrainian invaders use Severodonetsk boarding school as children’s brothel”
• “East Ukraine: Population Density Distribution, 18 October 2017” (REACH Initiative)
• “Expert: Russian troops will be in Transnistria until it is beneficial to Russia”

Way Up North

• “Government of Canada Announces Contract Awards for All Domain Situational Awareness Science & Technology Program”  – “Nouveaux contrats pour le renseignement, la surveillance et la reconnaissance dans l’Arctique”
• “New Canadian Ranger Patrol Named in Nibinamik First Nation”
• “(RUS) Defense Ministry’s logistics company participates in northern city’s LNG complex project”
• “Arctic link reveals the full scope of China’s belt and road ambitions — Tristan Kenderdine says the world should take note of China’s vision of integrating an Arctic route for trade with Europe into its massive Belt and Road Initiative – but its ambitions need not be seen as a threat …”
• “China’s plan for the Arctic – and a shipping centre to rival Singapore”

Internal Security

• “FBI agent who helped nab Via Rail plotters worries sleeper soldier in U.S. may have gotten away” – “FBI agent who helped Canada nab railway terror plotters has one big regret”
• “Goodale asks U.S. to help stop illegal border crossings into Canada” – “Canada granting asylum to US border crossers at higher rates: data” – “Canada giving refugee status to border-crossers at rising rates” – “The Trump administration is driving Americans to seek asylum in Canada”
• “It’s not Isil’s returning terrorists we should worry about. It’s those who are already here”
• “DHS-FBI Guide: Handling Threats to Private Citizens and Locations Named Online by Violent Extremists”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Nouvel uniforme distinctif pour les forces d’opérations spéciales” – “(SOF) Distinctive Service Uniforms” (bid update)
• “Canadian consumers are paying the price for Ottawa’s aerospace subsidies”
• “Major amendments needed to Canada’s Arms Trade Treaty legislation” (Ceasefire.ca)
• “Irving Shipyard union questions hiring practices”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Calgary military charity switches focus from food to jobs for veterans”
• “Desmond family brings call for inquiry into military murder-suicide to Ottawa” – “Family of Lionel Desmond wants answers from feds over veteran’s murder-suicide”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “DND sex assault conviction rate lower than civilian courts”

Other

• “CAF task force to NATO mission in Kosovo welcomes new Commander”
• “Royal Canadian Navy Victoria-class HMCS Chicoutimi (SSK 879) arrives in Japan at Yokosuka Naval Base” (Asian Defence News blog)
• “HMCS Montréal welcomes U.S. Navy Captain during NATO exercise”
• “Relaxing universality of service rule risks creating a system of two-tiered military service”
• “Halifax pitches abandoned military site for Amazon campus in declassified report”
• “The body of Canadian Forces medic Betiana “Betty” Mubili is on its way back to her homeland in Africa, bringing an end to a bitter court battle over the young woman’s remains. For nearly two months, since the 29-year-old Mubili was killed in a recreational skydiving mishap in Petawawa on Aug. 27, her father, Viktor Mubili, has been fighting to have his daughter buried in her adopted country of Canada …”
• “Saideman’s Semi-Spew: Advising and Assisting: Lessons from Omelets”
• “Un ExécuTrek mémorable pour des employeurs avec le 438e escadron tactique d’hélicoptères”
• ” ‘I’ll never stop fighting’ says Kitchener Rohingya man after 2-week stint in Bangladesh camps”
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “Everyman’s Strategic Survey: Early Warning from Beijing”
• “Living and loving the Cold War: The wild ride of a Canadian diplomat and spy”

Remembering

• “Kirkland military monument aims to draw attention to invisible scars of war”
• “Calgary hosts First Poppy ceremony to launch annual campaign of remembrance”
• “West Island monument honouring veterans, returning soldiers, unveiled”
• “The horror that was Passchendaele still resonates today”
• “Canada Doesn’t Need Yet Another Military Memorial”

---

Advertisements

MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Eastern Europe Update as of 221040UTC October 2017

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “NATO Faces Serious Shortcomings in Command Revamp” – “Report: NATO Insufficiently Ready In Case Of Russian Attack” – “NATO not ready to confront hypothetical attack by Russia, – Der Spiegel” – “L’Otan n’est pas en mesure de contrer une agression russe à l’est tant sa capacité militaire s’est « atrophiée » depuis la fin de la Guerre froide, affirme Der Spiegel, s’appuyant sur un rapport confidentiel de l’alliance …” – “NATO rejects media claims alliance unable of quick deployment” – “Report: NATO Insufficiently Ready In Case Of Russian Attack” – “NATO report casts doubt on ability to defend against Russian attack on eastern flank”
• “Zapad 2017 Lessons Learned – a new report of Warsaw Institute” – “Zapad 2017 Lessons Learned” (Warsaw Institute Russia Monitor)
• “Will Russia & America go to War?”
• “Hundreds Rally In Minsk To Condemn Hazing In Army And Tax On ‘Social Parasites’ “ – “Belarusian opposition activists rally urging leader to go”
• “Russia in Review, Oct. 13-20, 2017” (Harvard Belfer Center)
• “Minister of Defence of Belgium to conduct a visit in Lithuania, meet with Belgian soldiers serving in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group” (Lithuanian MoD)
• “If Russia Ever Invades the Baltics, This Is the Plan to Make It as Painful as Possible”
• “1,500 troops taking part in joint military exercises in Kazakhstan”
• “Slovak military inspect artillery brigade of Belarusian Armed Forces”
• “Lithuania goes online with files local spies wrote for KGB”
• “NATO Is Building A ‘Silver Bullet’ To Destroy Russia’s New Tanks”
• “BMD-modified SMART-L tested in ‘Formidable Shield 2017’ “
• “Russian planemaker Sukhoi may start exporting jets to Africa in 2019”
• “No comment on border posts at Belarusian-Russian border during 2018 FIFA World Cup” – “Russian diplomat says temporary checkpoints may appear on border with Belarus”
• “Russia-NATO Council To Meet For Second Time This Year”
• “Does Russia interfere in Czech, Austrian and Hungarian elections?”

#Ukraine

• “Ukraine to enhance security at military bases to protect assets from aerial threats”
• “Putin: Russia to grant its citizenship to millions Donbass refugees”
• “U.S. envoy Volker to visit Ukraine Oct 27 – media” – “Poroshenko to meet Volker next week”
• “Ukraine needs further NATO support, Vice Minister of National Defence V. Umbrasas says “ (Lithuanian MoD) – “Lithuanian delegation visits east of Ukraine” (UKR MoD)
  
• “Conflict in Ukraine to be discussed at Russia-NATO Council meeting in Brussels on Oct 26”
• Updates from All Sides
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 20 October 2017”
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 19 October 2017”
• UKR govt ATO map, 21 Oct 2017
• “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/21/2017”
• “Donetsk Defence: Weekly Situation Report, 10/20/2017”
• “Ukraine reports 9 attacks on its troops in Donbas Oct 20”
• “DPR Command: Ukrainian forces shell Republic with almost 1,300 rounds this week”
• “Russian proxies attack Ukraine 14 times, 1 WIA in last day”
• “Two DPR soldiers killed, two civilians wounded by Kiev’s shelling this week”
• “ATO report: Donbas militants violate truce 24 times in last day”
• “Two DPR soldiers perish due to Ukrainian shelling over past week”
• “One soldier wounded in Donbas over 24 hours”
• “DPR Command reports 22 ceasefire violations over past 24 hours”
• “Day in Donbas: militants used grenade launchers, one Ukrainian military wounded”
• “DPR serviceman dies in Ukrainian army’s shelling over 24 hours”
• “Donbas conflict: militants shell Ukrainian positions nine times, no losses”
• “ATO HQ reports 24 enemy attacks in Donbas over last day”
• “OSCE SMM again urges conflicting sides in Donbas to disengage”
• MH17 Shootdown  “New MH17 Photograph Geolocated to Donetsk” (bellingcat)
• “The case of the downed Il-76 against the leader of the LPR Plotnitsky transferred to the High Specialized Court of Ukraine”
• “69 border guards died since beginning of Donbas Conflict, – Poroshenko”
• Kiev Protest Latest  “Situation near Rada calm, Hrushevskoho Street still closed to traffic” – “In Ukraine, people power rattles another government”
• “Russia steadfast on remaining guarantor of Minsk Accords on Donbass”
• “Switzerland sends medical equipment to Luhansk region hit by tuberculosis outbreak”
• Elsewhere in the ‘Hood  “Ukraine seeking to intensify 5+2 talks on Transdniestria”

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 20, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

The Kurds

• “Iraq and Iran compel Kurdish withdrawal from Kirkuk” (ISW)
• “Iraq army seize Kirkuk area, Peshmerga say 26 fighters killed in 4 days”
• “Iraq army takes last Kurd-held area of Kirkuk province: army”
• “Iraq orders arrest for Kurdistan VP for anti-army remarks”
• “ISIS Seizes Villages South of Kirkuk as Iraq Focuses on Kurds”
• “Kurdish traders in Iraq consider fallout of border closings”
• “Russia to Control Iraq Kurdistan’s Main Oil Pipeline”
• “Iraq warns foreign oil companies against bypassing government”

#Afghanistan

• “Joshua Boyle, family held in Pakistan after kidnapping in Afghanistan: CIA”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canada approves anti-Russian law sponsored by Russophobes” (Pravda)
• “L’Otan ouvre un centre de contre-espionnage en Pologne” – “NATO Opens New Espionage Center in Krakow, Fearing ‘Russia’s Threat’ “
• “Total Defense: How the Baltic States Are Integrating Citizenry Into Their National Security Strategies”
• “Russia Tests New Missile for Iskander Complex” – “New missiles for Russia’s Iskander-M system to help counter nuclear threat – (RUS) senator”
• “Washington’s steps to set up missile defense system undermine strategic stability — Lavrov”
• “Russia Declares Victory in Syria, but Its Open-Ended Commitment Will Not End”
• “Russia-India military drills Indra-2017 kick off in Vladivostok”
• “Russian Pacific Fleet warships call at Philippines’ Manila”
• “Russian large antisubmarine warfare ship calls at Egyptian port”
• “Russia stands by promise to deliver six MiG-29 fighter jets to Serbia”
• “Russia’s Zapad 2017 war games ‘more precise’ than in 2013 says expert”
• “Japanese delegation to visit Kuril Islands next week — top diplomat”

#Ukraine

• Kiev Protest Latest  “Kiev police fail to make protesters pack up tents from streets” – “Part of Kiev protesters refuse to leave tent camp near Rada” – “Journalist says about being attacked by protesters near Ukrainian Parliament” – “Right Sector preparing to storm Verkhovna Rada” (separatist media)
• MH17 Shootdown  “Bellingcat: No doubt MH17 downed by Russian Buk missile” – “Bellingcat publishes new evidence on downed MH17 flight case”
• “OSCE extends monitoring mission mandate on two Ukraine-Russia border checkpoints” – “Mandate of OSCE Observer Mission at two Russian Checkpoints extended to end of January 2018” (OSCE) – “OSCE extends observers’ mandate at two checkpoints on uncontrolled border part with Russia, Ukrainian delegation saddened by refusal to expand mandate”
• Updates from All Sides
• “OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to hold news briefing in Kyiv (today)”
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 18 October 2017”
• UKR govt ATO map, 20 Oct 2017
• “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/19/2017” (separatist media)
• “Essence of Time unit in Donbass report. October 19” (separatist media)
• “Ukraine reports 15 enemy attacks in Donbas over last day”
• “ATO HQ reports 15 enemy attacks in Donbas over last day”
• “Militants shell Ukrainian army positions 53 times on Wednesday”
• “Ukrainian military commit 33 ceasefire violations in 24 hours”
• “Ukrainian forces launch over 300 shells onto DPR over past 24 hours”
• “DPR command reports 50 ceasefire violations on Ukrainian part over past 24 hours”
• “Ukrainian forces fire more than 300 artillery, mortar rounds at DPR over 24 hours”
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire six times over 24 hours”
• “Ukrainian Army violates ceasefire 9 times during one day”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Russia determined to contribute to Ukraine’s unification — Putin” – “Ukraine’s PGO suspects Russian general of involvement in shelling Avdiyivka” – “Prosecutor General’s Office charges Russian army general with terrorist act in Avdiivka” – “Russia simulates airstrike on Ukraine Navy warning against attempts to recover seized oil rigs off Crimea coast” – “Russian parliamentarian says Ukraine owes Russia compensation for Crimea” – “Kremlin comments on presidential aide’s unveiling statue to Donbass heroes — The Kremlin spokesman doesn’t think that this could discredit Russia as a mediator in the Ukrainian conflict settlement …” – “Russian neo-Nazi who fought against Ukraine in Donbas now seen in Syria – media” – “Ukraine reports on Russian private military companies’ crimes to EP”
• From the Separatist Media  “Nearly 30 foreign mercenaries deployed in Novotroitskoye kindergarten’s territory” – “30 foreign mercenaries stationed on Novotroitskoye kindergarten premises – Basurin”
• “Casper and Sauron for Ukrainian Army” (UKR MoD) – “Ukrainian military present Sauron, new drone detection and surveillance system”
• “Ukrainian military to receive 40 medical Humvees”
• “State Border Service strengthens border with EU, Moldova with additional border guard units”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas 

• “U.S.: N.Korea Months Away from Being Able to Hit U.S. with Nuclear Missile” – “CIA chief: N. Korea ‘months’ from ability to nuke U.S.”
• “U.S. puts top priority on coordination with S. Korea over N.K. nukes: envoy”
• “(KOR) Air Force set to create new ISR unit with Global Hawk” – “New Army Unit to Operate Drones to Counter N.Korean Threats”
• “New Sinpo-C-class SSB Submarine for North Korea?”
• “(PRK) Military ordered to gather its own rice”
• “Situation surrounding North Korea highly dangerous, Putin says”
• “Lavrov urges support for Russian-Chinese settlement plan for Korean Peninsula”

Internal Security

• “CSIS, RCMP accused of neglecting far-right threat”
• “How terrorists use propaganda to recruit lone wolves”
• “Canada’s ‘super secret spy agency’ is releasing a malware-fighting tool to the public”
• ” “Islamophobia” motion under review at hearings in Ottawa”

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War  “Feds have until end of year to decide on Boeing Super Hornet fighter jets”
• Report:  “Canada – Defense and Security: Truncated spends for military supremacy (Strategy, Performance and Risk Analysis) — The aircraft category remains one of the key growth drivers of the Canadian defense and security industry accounting for 46.9% of capital expenditure in 2016; followed by the C4ISR category with 8.0%. Overall, Canadian defense and security CAPEX posted a CAGR of 17.3%, rising from US$3.1 billion in 2012 to US$5.9 billion in 2016, owing to modernization plans outlined in the Canada First Defense Strategy (CFDS) …”
• Wanted:  “Firefighting Simulation System … The Department of National Defence has a requirement for the supply and delivery of a Multi-Sensory Firefighting Simulation System …”
• Wanted:  “CT 1 Parachutes & Associated Spares”
• “Ontario man found guilty in scheme to supply U.S. with shoddy armoured vehicles for Iraq”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Veterans Ombudsman Commendation National Organization Recipient is having a Positive Impacting on Canadian Veterans”
• “(Nova Scotia) MP collects cards of thanks from local veterans”

Omar Khadr, Continued …

• “Schwisberg: Time to properly evaluate the Khadr payout”

Other

• “Canada deploys submarine to Japan for the first time in a half century”
• “HMCS Montréal welcomes U.S. Navy Captain during NATO exercise”
• “Canadian Forces major missing since Oct. 7 – police ask for help finding him” – “Disparition d’un major étudiant au Collège des Forces canadiennes: l’aide du public sollicitée” – “Major Steve Holland, a student attending the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, has still not been found after an extensive search by Ottawa Police Service which began on 8 October …” (Commandant of the CF College statement)
• “First Indigenous spiritual advisor reflects on anniversary”
• “New Ontario cenotaph honours fallen members of storied RCAF squadron”
• Col Ted’s take: “Defence policy”

World War One

• “Government of Canada to commemorate 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele”

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 19, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

The Kurds

• “L’ambassadeur d’Irak critique la GRC après une manifestation à l’ambassade”
• “Germany reauthorizes troop deployment in Kurdistan Region”
• “Internal tensions could formally split Kurdistan into two administrations: Mala Bakhtiar”
• “IS takes advantage of withdrawal of forces to attack Kurdish villages near Kirkuk”
• “The ‭Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) never intended to engage in a war with the Iraqi army, Kurdish foreign minister Falah Mustafa Bakir told broadcaster CNN in an interview …”
• “Peshmerga casualties in Kirkuk turmoil at 246: medics”
• “Peshmerga Ministry Reorganizing Forces: Official”
• ” Abadi orders “armed groups” other than police to leave Kirkuk”
• “Erbil Perfectly Secured: KRSC”
• “Hashd Al-Shaabi Militias Looting, Burning Kurds’ Houses in Kirkuk”
• “People in Disputed Areas Rise Against Hashd Al-Shaabi”
• “Kurds in Khanaqin Uprise Against Baghdad-backed Militias”
• “Hashid al-Shaabi withdraws from several places in Kirkuk”
• “Hashd al-Shaabi Invasion of Kirkuk Displaces 90,000 Kurds”
• “Over 60,000 People Displaced Due to Iraq’s Assault on Kirkuk”
• “UN urges Kurdish political parties to hold regional elections”
• “Kurds Suspend Elections, Withdraw to “Pre-ISIS” Borders”
• “Oil prices buoyed by Kurdish and Iraq tension, say leading traders”
• “Kremlin oil major piles up investments in Iraq’s Kurdistan amid crisis”
• “Russia’s Rosneft signs Kurdistan oil sharing deal”
• “Iraq calls on BP to ‘quickly’ develop disputed oilfields after seizing areas of Kirkuk”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “OIR Spokesman: ISIS Faces Devastating Defeat on 3rd Anniversary of Operations”
• “Down, but not defeated: What is the future of ISIS after Raqqa?”
• “Al-Qaeda Set to Gain As ISIS Disintegrates”
• “OPCW chief warns threat of chemical terrorism very real”

#Afghanistan

• “Pence praises Pakistan over recovery of US- Canadian family”
• “U.S. Navy SEALs first spotted Boyle family in captivity and pressured Pakistan to make a move or they would” – “Navy SEALs Were Ready If Pakistan Failed To Free Family Held As Hostages”
• “Joshua Boyle Says His American Wife Was Rushed to Hospital” – “La femme de l’ex-otage Joshua Boyle amenée d’urgence à l’hôpital”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “U.S. aircraft carrier patrols off Korean peninsula in warning to Pyongyang”
• “Allies to mobilize Apache to block N. Korean special forces “
• “Army confident of destroying N. Korea with ballistic missiles at war “
• “North Korea plans to launch many more satellites”
• “North Korea threatens US with ‘unimaginable’ strike”
• “North Korea Warns States Dont Join Any US Action and You’re Safe”
• “Top N.Korean Diplomat Arrives in Moscow for Possible Back-Channel Talks”
• “South Korean diplomat to visit Moscow to discuss North Korea”
• “Nuke envoys of S. Korea, Japan discuss cooperation on N.K. issue “
• “U.S. expert accuses China of ‘weaponizing’ N. Korea”
• “Kim Jong-un lacks confidence, will not start war, says senior N. Korean defector”

#Ukraine

• Kiev Protests Continue  “Ukrainian Parliament Set To Consider Lifting Lawmakers’ Immunity Amid Protests” – “Protesters outside Ukraine’s parliament mount pressure on MPs to reform laws” – “700 protesters present near Rada building in the morning Thursday, – Interior Ministry” – “Protesters Remain Camped Outside Ukrainian Parliament”  –  “Police detain 11 protesters in Kyiv on Wednesday, two of them already released” – “Protesters, Police Clash At Tent Camp Outside Parliament In Kyiv” – “Police clash with protesters near Rada, block streets leading to tent camp” – “Clashes between police and protesters occurred as the latter looted equipment, – Police” – “Violence In Downtown Kiev As Ukraine Junta Police Battle With Protesters, The New Forces Movement Led By Ex President Of Georgia Miikhail Saakashvili Demanding Poroshenko’s Resignation !” – “Anti-government protests in Ukraine” – “Poroshenko’s administration security prepares for a long siege”
• “National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine to create special unit for investigation within Ministry of Defense” – “The SBU detained a bribe officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” (UKR mil portal, in Ukrainian)
• Updates from All Sides
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 17 October 2017”
• “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, October 19, 2017” (UKR MoD)
• UKR govt ATO map, 19 Oct 2017
• “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/18/2017” (pro-separatist)
• “Essence of Time unit in Donbass report. October 18” (pro-separatist)
• “Donbas: Three Ukrainian soldiers wounded”
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire nine times over 24 hours, use large calibre artillery”
• “One Ukrainian soldier injured in Donbas amid 22 attacks”
• “DPR Command reports almost 50 AFU violations of ‘silence regime’ over day”
• “Militants launched 53 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day”
• “OSCE states a 5% increase in ceasefire violations in Donbass”
• “Three Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas over past day”
• “Donbas escalation: Ukraine reports 3 WIAs amid 53 militant attacks in last day”
• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …”   “Rada holding hearing on Ukraine’s approximation to NATO standards” – “450 NATO military instructors work in Ukraine”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Ukraine severs another defense agreement with Russia” – “Peacekeeping operation in Donbass unacceptable – Russian envoy to OSCE” – “Wagner mercenaries Putin’s private army in Donbas – media” – “Kyiv court rules to seize Gazprom’s property, funds worth UAH 171 bln (CDN $8 billiion)” – “Court permits to recover UAH 171 bln fine from Gazprom from all of its property”
• Some Political Movement in Occupied UKR  “Donetsk Republic movement newly elected political council includes ministers and mayors” – “DPR President Alexander Zakharchenko Has Announced To Run For DPR Leadership Elections In 2018 !” – “Volkova replaces Pushilin as “Donetsk Republic” Central executive Committee’s head” – “DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko announces DPR leadership bid” – “Volkova succeeds Pushilin Donbass Republic movement Executive Committee head”
• “The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups in Minsk on 18 October 2017 …” (OSCE info-machine) – “Kiev refuses Minsk discussion of full-fledged Donbass status law – DPR MFA” – “152 hostages illegally held in ORDLO – spokesperson for Ukraine’s representative in TCG” – “Ukrainian side in Minsk urges to repeal Putin’s decree on recognition of ORDLO “documents” “

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Is Kaliningrad on the Brink of Inter-Ethnic Conflict? — Rather unexpectedly, Kaliningrad oblast—Russia’s westernmost, physically detached region on the Baltic coast—experienced a surge in inter-ethnic tensions arising from discrimination directed at the local Islamic community …”
• “Troops in west Russia to get 1,000 modern weapon systems by yearend”
• “Indian warships enter Vladivostok for Indra international drills”
• “The Baltic Way: Sedition, Propaganda and Discontent in Latvia” (bellingcat)

Canada Into Africa?

• “Alleged Amanda Lindhout kidnapper tries to explain inconsistencies, despite taped evidence”

Way Up North

• “Scientists blame Arctic ice melting for cold summer in Russia”
• “New (RUS) research stations to open in Sabetta, Bely Island in 2018”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “The Canadian Super Hornet: An Obituary”
• “CSeries planes — controlled in Europe, built in Alabama, subsidized in Canada” – “Bombardier wins. Airbus wins. Taxpayers? Your money is now airborne”
• “Will the Canadian Forces switch to multicam?”

Internal Security

• “Terrorism by illegal refugees a concern”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “St. Thomas Police Look For Missing Veteran”
• “Wounded Warriors tackle trauma in Greater Victoria”

Other

• “Liberals limit Remembrance Day wreaths for MPs”
• “Wainwright soldier pleads not guilty to online luring, child porn”

World War One

• “War flowers: Letters home from WWI on display at Canadian War Museum”
• “Canadian Army Officers’ Mess once home of Canada’s poppy lady – an apt circumstance”

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 18, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• “Fighting in Kirkuk threatens US, Canadian efforts to defeat ISIS”
• “Despite fighting between Iraqis and Kurds, Canada still training and supplying Kurdish forces”

The Kurds

• “Iraq’s military declares mission accomplished in Kirkuk”
• “Kurdish Officials Blame Iran as Disputed Territories Fall to Iraqi Forces”
• “President Masoud Barzani addresses Kurdistan following Iraqi forces advance in Kirkuk”
• “President Barzani’s Statement on the Recent Events in the Kurdistan Region” (KRG info-machine)
• “Barzani blames “domestic parties” for Kirkuk’s fall to Iraqis”
• “Govt. Forces Continue Advance on Kurds in Iraq”
• “Civilians return to Kirkuk as Iraq’s Kurds lose more ground”
• “With Kirkuk retaken, Iraq PM Abadi says Kurdistan referendum is “history” “
• “CJTF-OIR: Kirkuk a ‘misunderstanding’ attributed to ‘limited visibility conditions’ “
• “Peshmerga, Iraqi forces agree on pre-Mosul operation borders: Peshmerga Ministry”
• “Iraqi Troops Capture Town of Sinjar from Kurdish Forces”
• “Ezidi Peshmerga, Hashd al-Shaabi agree to peacefully hand over Shingal”
• “Is the Dream Of Kurdish Independence Now Over?”
• “Kurds face transformation of Iraq’s political map as they lose territory in face of government advance”
• “Turkmen party: Shiite militia, Iraqi Turkmen Front looted our offices in Kirkuk”
• “US Not Taking Sides in Iraqi-Kurdish Skirmishes”
• “Trump claims neutrality in Iraqi-Kurdish clash, but meets substantial criticism”
• “Macron calls Abadi as Iraq concludes Kirkuk takeover”
• “Before They Attacked the Kurds, Shia Militias Undermined the Campaign for Mosul”
• “Iraq takes oil fields from the Kurds, but the conflict still threatens crude flows”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “The Siege of Raqqa Is Almost Over — And ISIS Lost”
• “The Death Throes of the Caliphate: ISIS Is On the Verge of Collapse”
• “Eye on ISIS in Libya” (18 Oct 2017)
• “Iraq’s Shia Militia Problem Always Felt a Lot Like 2007”
• “Al-Qaida set to gain as Islamic State disintegrates”
• “Kurdish-led SDF forces announce ‘full victory’ against IS in Raqqa”
• “Only foreign IS fighters remain in Raqqa: SDF Spokesperson”
• “Raqqa win pulls US deeper into Syria conflict”
• “ISIS down to 6,500 fighters, holds only 3 percent of Iraq”
• “Islamic State Group Loses Emblematic Syria Stronghold Raqa”
• “No Clear End Game For U.S. Military In Iraq And Syria”
• “Syrian anti-aircraft missile hit Israel’s F-35 Stealth Fighter?”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canada and Russia: No Room to Manoeuvre” (CGAI)
• “Soldier from The Rifles armoured infantry regiment currently serving with the eFP BG in Estonia are in Adazi conducting a platoon exchange with their Canadian counterparts from the Princess Patricia*s Canadian Light Infantry deployed with the eFP BG in Latvia …” (NATO info-machine via FB)
• “The Return of ASW: Shaping a 21st Century Approach in the North Atlantic”
• “12 NATO countries to hold military drill in Lithuania”
• “Sweden Eyes Russia While Holding Its Own War Games”
• “Romania takes key role as NATO prepares to face off with Russia”
• “Russian hackers may have a new target — NATO soldiers’ smartphones”
• “Did Russian war games cause mobile phone outages in Latvia?”
• “About 1,500 troops involved in post-Soviet security bloc’s drills in Kazakhstan”
• “Russia in Syria Monitor, Oct. 10-17, 2017” (Harvard Belfer Centre)
• “Russia Renews Targeting Civilians (in Syria)” (ISW)
• “Russia’s Military Explores Way out of Syria”
• “Russia’s Air Defenses in Syria: More Politics than Punch”
• “Command Rokirovka — Rokirovka (рокировка) appears often in the Russian press. Borrowed from chess, it means castling in the strictest sense. In political and administrative terms, it’s when people shift places in an organization or hierarchy. The Russian military seems poised for a command rokirovka …” (Russian Defense Policy blog)
• “How Russia Is Trying to Make America’s F-22 and F-35 as Obsolete as Battleships”
• “All Active Combat Brigades Trained Vs. New Russian Tactics: FORSCOM”
• “Watch out: Russia’s tactics will evolve”
• “Russia to Build Nature Protection Fleet”
• “Lithuania starting publishing reports of KGB agents”

#Ukraine

• “Protesters Block Street Near Ukrainian Parliament With Tents” – “Protesters In Kyiv Demand Electoral Reforms” – “Protesters block traffic on Hrushevskoho Street in Kyiv by tents” – “Poroshenko says “respects” Kyiv protests, calls for peaceful rally” – “President: Peaceful manifestations are an extremely important element of democracy” (UKR pres info-machine) – “About 200 protesters opposite Rada, situation under contro(l)” – “Military equipment, troops deployed to Poroshenko’s residence” – “Tents won’t be pulled down – National Police” – “Ukraine faces new Maidan: tents pitched right on roadway” – “Ukraine won’t survive another Maidan revolution, politicians warn”
• “Latvian cabinet approves enlarged Ukraine OSCE observer mission — On 17 October, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers made a decision on the appointment of two Latvian civilian experts to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine …”
• “Vice Minister of National Defence V. Umbrasas to conduct a visit in Ukraine” (Lithuanian MoD) – “Ministry of Defence of Ukraine hosts delegation of Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence” (UKR MoD)
• Updates from All Sides
• “Ukraine Conflict Monitor, Oct. 10-17, 2017” (Harvard Belfer Centre)
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 16 October 2017”
• “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, October 18, 2017” (UKR MoD)
• UKR govt ATO map, 17 Oct 2017
• “Ukrainian Officials Say Two Soldiers Killed, Four Wounded In East”
• “Ukrainian army fires over 1,000 rounds in 24 hours at DPR”
• “Ukraine reports 44 enemy attacks, 2 KIAs, 4 WIAs in last day”
• “Ukrainian units launch over 1,000 ammos on DPR in 50 ceasefire violations – JCCC “
• “Ukraine reports 1 KIA amid 19 militant attacks in Donbas on Oct 17”
• “13 DPR localities undergo Ukrainian shelling over past 24 hours”
• “Donbas: Two Ukrainian servicemen dead, four wounded over 24 hours”
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire nine times over 24 hours”
• “Donbas: One Ukrainian serviceman dies in skirmish”
• “Militants increase attacks on ATO positions since week start”
• “Ukraine reports 44 enemy attacks, 2 soldiers killed, 4 wounded in last day”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Russia erects memorial to Donbas mercenaries Ukraine wanted to see tried for war crimes” (Human Rights in Ukraine) – “Ukraine Struggles to Retain Presence in Azov Sea With Plans for New Canal Around Crimea”
• “Ukroboronservice sees Special Operations Forces as major customers of M4 assault rifles”
• “General Staff Col. – dept head of planning radiation, chemical, biological protection detained taking bribe”
• “(Separatist) Donbass Volunteers set up anonymous aid system for Ukraine’s prisoners, bypassing SBU”
• MH17 Shootdown  “Georgia hands Buk missile over to the Netherlands to help MH17 probe”
• “Poroshenko doesn’t rule out that Ukraine’s national police may be headed by foreigner”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas 

• “US pre-emptive strike on NK would greatly damage NK neighbors: Chinese expert”
• “North Korea Warns United Nations of Possible Nuclear War”
• “White House announces plans for Donald Trump’s visit to China with North Korean nuclear programme set to top the agenda”
• “As North Korea threatens US gives diplomacy another shot”
• “U.S. and Japanese Officials Arrive in Seoul for Talks on N.Korea”
• “Senior diplomats of S. Korea, U.S., Japan meet in Seoul to discuss N.K. nuclear issue”
• “S. Korea ‘continuously’ mulling unilateral sanctions on N. Korea”
• “S. Korea, U.S., Japan agree to seek all possible diplomatic options on N.K.”
• “U.S., Japan agree to maximize pressure on N. Korea over nuclear program”
• “Vladimir Putin Slaps New Sanctions on North Korea”
• “North Korean diplomat arrives in Moscow”
• “Crippled by sanctions, North Korea may not last a year, says its ex-head of moneymaking network”
• “North Korea sends message of congratulations to China over party congress despite growing tensions between old allies”
• “Report: North Korea hiding behind Hong Kong shell companies”
• “North Korea likely behind Taiwan SWIFT cyber heist”
• “Significant Food Shortages Likely in North Korea” (38 North) – “Food insecurity riles North Korea’s poorest provinces”

Afghanistan

• “Bergdahl Enters Guilty Plea To Desertion, Misbehavior Charges Without Plea Deal’

Canada Into Africa?

• Colonel Ted’s take:  “Everyman’s Strategic Survey: Congo”

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War  “Boeing’s Attack on Bombardier Backfires” – “Airbus to enter into partnership with Canada’s Bombardier’ – “800-pound gorilla thwarted by Bombardier’s savvy move: Don Pittis”
• Big Honkin’ Ships  “Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship has Launched”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Veterans Ombudsman releases Continuum of Care: A Journey from Home to Long Term Care” – “Release Of Continuum Of Care: A Journey From Home To Long Term Care”
• “City of Peterborough seeking names of veterans missing from Wall of Honour”

Other

• “Canada and North Atlantic Defense: The Modernization of the CP-140”
• “NZ Defence Force convoys prepare for military exercise — Preparations are in full swing for the NZ Defence Force-run multinational exercise Southern Katipo 2017 … Also taking part are Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, New Caledonia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Britain and the United States …”
• “HMCS Charlottetown participates in Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 17”
• “Meet the Indigenous Advisor to the Chaplain General”
• “Operation HAMLET: 13 years of supporting peace in Haiti”
• Col. Ted’s take:  “Everyman’s Strategic Survey: China’s Belt and Road Initiative explained.”

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 17, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian troops safe after allied Iraqi, Kurdish forces open fire on each other near Kirkuk”
• “Kurdistan irakien: tous les membres des Forces canadiennes sains et saufs et en lieux sûrs”
• “Tout le personnel militaire du Canada en Irak est sain et sauf après un échange de coups de feu entre les forces kurdes et irakiennes près de Kirkouk, ont confirmé des représentants de la défense …”
• “Iraqis seize Kirkuk, 30 dead, Canadian military personnel safe”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

The Kurds

• “Germany suspends training of Peshmerga forces: spokeswoman”
• “Coalition Threatens Downing Iraqi Jets If Fly to Attack Kurds: MP”
• “The Resurgent Conflict Between The Iraqi Government And The Kurds, Explained”
• “Iraqi Forces Move Into Kirkuk in Defeat-ISIS Fight, Spokesman Says” – “Iraq’s reconquest of Kirkuk checks Kurdish secession” – “President Barzani to publish statement post-Kirkuk crisis, avoid ‘civil war’ “ – “Iraqi forces take Kirkuk, lower Kurdistan flag” – “Kirkuk Shuttered as Iraqi Forces Advance on Kurdish Peshmerga” – “Thousands Flee as Iraqi Forces Advance in Kirkuk” – “Uncertainty reigns in Kirkuk as Iraqi forces surround, take city” – “Peshmerga withdraw from Makhmour, Gwer towns south of Erbil”
• “Iraqi forces enter Sinjar from two axes” – “Iraq: After losing Kirkuk, Kurdish forces pull out of Sinjar” – “Iraq’s Kurds continue retreat, pulling out of Sinjar without a fight while Shiite militias move in” – “Iraqi forces take Yazidi town of Sinjar after Kurdish Peshmerga withdrew ‘without a fight’ “
• ‘Attack on Kirkuk ‘declaration of war’ on people of Kurdistan: Peshmerga General Command”
• “Peshmerga Ministry to Coalition: We will not be silent in defending Kurdistan”
• “Kurdish leaders reject Baghdad’s demands referendum results be cancelled”
• “Gorran calls on KRG to establish interim national government”
• “Fight for Iraq’s Future Targets 90-Year-Old Kirkuk Oil Field” – “Kirkuk secure, oil exports continue: Kurdish Governor”
• “Turkey supports Iranian-backed Iraqi offensive against Kurds”
• “Trump says U.S. ‘not taking sides’ between Iraqi forces, Kurds”
• “Russia stands for finding peaceful solution to Iraqi Kurdistan issue — Kremlin”

Afghanistan

• Boyle-Coleman Release  “Freed hostage Joshua Boyle on why he went to Afghanistan and what his kidnappers wanted” – “Behind the dramatic rescue of American-Canadian couple from Haqqani captivity” – “Taliban denies Canadian’s claim its fighters raped his wife and killed his baby” – “Canadian hostage reveals why couple had kids in captivity” – “After a lifetime in captivity, the children of Joshua Boyle and Caitlan Coleman begin to heal” – More via Google News
• “Former JBER soldier Bowe Bergdahl pleads guilty to desertion while serving in Afghanistan”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “North Korea Says Nuclear War ‘May Break Out at Any Moment’ but It Wouldn’t Be to Blame” – “North Korea says ‘a nuclear war may break out any moment’ “ – “North Korea: Nuclear war may break out at ‘any moment’ “
• “North Korean delegation considers nuclear weapons only way to ensure security — (RUS) lawmaker”
• “North Korean official says diplomacy is off the table until it builds a missile that can hit the east coast of the US”
• “General: Aiming Nuclearized ICBM at US May Trigger Preemptive Strike on N. Korea”
• “U.S. military options for N. Korea are last resort: (KOR) envoy (to USA)”
• “The Book Mattis Reads To Be Prepared For War With North Korea”
• “Trump’s security advisor warns North Korea of annihilation”
• “Moon, Trump to Hold Summit in Seoul Next Month”
• “EU should host US-China contingency talks on North Korean nuclear crisis”
• “US Treasury Designates Chinese Firm That Transferred ICBM-Toting Heavy Trucks to North Korea”
• “North Korea was Behind the Global Cyber Attacks with the Virus WannaCry”
• “EU endorses new sanctions on N. Korea”

#Ukraine

• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …” (1)  “Operation UNIFIER: next training phase at the Military Police 25 Training Centre” – “Harjit Sajjan: Canada supports Ukraine today, will support it tomorrow and in the future” (UKR MoD) – “Canada’s support for Ukraine sends signal of deterrence to Russia – defense minister … Active cooperation between Ukraine and Canada helps deter Russia’s aggressive behavior, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan has said … “ – “Canada welcomes idea of peacekeeping mission in Donbas – defense minister”
• “West should provide Ukraine with weapons and deploy peacekeepers to Donbas – Rasmussen” – Anders Fogh Rasmussen: “Peace in Ukraine requires a ‘carrot and stick’ approach”
• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …” (2)  “US intends to train four more Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions in 2018” – “Through Tears, Ukraine Celebrates the Arrival of US Coal”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Ukraine attacked Donbass, Lavrov”
• Updates from All Sides
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 15 October 2017”
• “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, October 17, 2017” (UKR MoD)
• UKR govt ATO map, 17 Oct 2017
• “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/17/2017”
• “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/16/2017”
• “Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas over past day”
• “Ukrainian army fires over 100 rounds at DPR over 24 hours”
• “Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas over past day”
• “AFU units launch almost 1,000 ammunition on DPR in a day – JCCC”
• “Militants shell Ukrainian army positions 36 times over past day”
• “Ukrainian forces fire nearly 1,000 rounds at DPR territory over 24 hours – JCCC”
• “Day in Donbas: 12 shellings of militants, more than half in Donetsk direction”
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire ten times over 24 hours”
• “Donbas conflict: two Ukrainian soldiers killed, two more injured”
• “Alarm: Ukrainian aircraft detected over DPR border”
• ‘Militants launched 28 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day”
• “Escalation in Donbas: 36 attacks on Ukraine troops, 2 KIAs, 2 WIAs in last day”
• From the UKR Mil-Ind Machine  “UkrOboronProm unveils new BRDM-NIK armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle” – “Ukraine touts locally-built AR-15 assault rifle variant”
• “Zakharchenko says members of squad behind Motorola’s murder detained”
• MH17 Shootdown  “MH17 prosecutor: trial could start within months” – “No need to search for other Buks if we know which Buk fired from where, – MH17 prosecutor Westerbeke” – “Truth is not negotiable, – MH17 prosecutor on possible sanctions ease in exchange for aid with investigation”
• “Ukraine’s Security Service Warns Of Potential Violence; Saakashvili Pledges Peaceful Protest” – “Saakshvili Calls For ‘Calm And Peaceful’ Protest In Kyiv” – “Saakashvili believes the Ukrainian authorities may try to eliminate him” – “Thousands Of Protesters Rally With Saakashvili In Kyiv, Amid Heavy Police Presence”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Silver Arrow, biggest military drills of year, begin in Latvia … In total more than 3,500 soldiers from Albania, USA, Estonia, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Great Britain, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Germany will participate …” – “More than 3 500 troops to take part in the multinational military exercise “Silver Arrow 2017” “ – “Silver Arrow, year’s major military exercise, begins in Latvia”
• “Nearly 800 NATO soldiers serving at Tapa received mission medals” (EST MoD)
• “Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States’ borders on October 9-15, 2017” (Lithuanian MoD)
• Zapad 2017 Watch  “Russia Jammed Phones and GPS in Northern Europe During Massive Military Drills — The electronic attacks offer the Kremlin a surprisingly low risk way to harass NATO members and other opponents …” – “Scenario of Zapad drills was oriented towards aggression, not defense”
• “Kaliningrad – Lithuania border station commissioned”
• “Border agencies of Belarus, Latvia sign agreement on cooperation”
• “Slovak military inspect Belarusian army unit”
• “Russian naval destroyer passing through Suez Canal on its way to Mediterranean Sea”
• “Russian Defense Minister in Tel Aviv, Dodges Commenting on Israeli Airstrike in Syria”
• “Briefing “SYRIAN CHEMICAL DOSSIER: THE RUSSIAN VIEW” by Ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov Head of the Russian delegation in UNGA First Committee, Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the MFA of Russia on the margins of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly” (RUS MFA)
• “Russia showcases all-terrain tracked carrier at military exhibition in Bahrain”
• “Russian Navy’s aviation to get 10 upgraded antisubmarine warfare helicopters a year”
• “Russia’s tactics against West to evolve – expert”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?/Canada Into Africa?

• “Canada refuses to say if it will join U.N.’s most dangerous peacekeeping mission”
• “Saskatoon families mourn victims of Somalia attack” – “Mogadishu truck bomb: 500 casualties in Somalia’s worst terrorist attack” – “The terror group as brutal as Islamic State” – “Somalia attack: 165 unidentified bodies buried” – ” ‘People turned into charcoal’: Somali-Canadians recount horror of Mogadishu attack” – “After Mogadishu ‘devastated’ by attack, Canadian nurse practitioner scrambles to save lives”

Internal Security

• “(Calgary) Imam warns youth that Islamic State is ‘still recruiting’ — Syed Soharwardy holds meetings in order to combat the influence of terrorist organizations …”
• “NYC terror case records unsealed after Canadian man’s plea for help from Omar Khadr’s lawyer”

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War  “Plan to buy used fighter jets from Australia far from straightforward, experts say — ‘If the government of the U.S. didn’t want the aircraft to be sold, it would be very difficult to get them’ …” – “Lockheed Martin hires former RCAF commander and F-35 ally as lobbyist”
• “Airbus to enter into partnership with Canada’s Bombardier”  – “Minister Bains comments on Airbus/Bombardier strategic partnership”
• Big Honkin’ Ships  “MS Asterix of the Royal Navy of Canada began running tests” (UKR mil portal, in Ukrainian) – Col. Ted’s take:  “Asterix afloat”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Veterans ombudsman says more ex-soldiers will need assisted living help”
• “Wounded Warriors Canada is proud to announce the launch of the Wounded Warriors Canada Trauma Resiliency Program (TRP): a group-based training program combining the power of a team approach with effective, trauma-resilient skills development …”
• “Dozens of injured veterans and their supporters gathered in Burnaby’s Central Park on Sunday to raise money for their ongoing legal battle with the federal government …”
• “Metis National Council calls on feds to recognize their Second World War veterans”

Other

• “Keep live pigs for combat first-aid training, medics say as simulators take over trauma instruction — ‘The first time a medic gets blood on their hands and tries a life-saving procedure should not be on a fellow soldier with their friends looking on’ …” – “The Value of Live Tissue Training for Combat Casualty Care: A Survey of Canadian Combat Medics With Battlefield Experience in Afghanistan” (Military Medicine journal)
• “Canadian Army to conduct a Joint International Counter Explosive Threat Exercise” – “L’Armée canadienne mènera un exercice interarmées de lutte contre les menaces d’explosions”
• “Régiment de Hull: nouveau commandant et nouveau véhicule de patrouille blindé tactique”
• Robert Thomas James Mitchell, 1973-2006, R.I.P.  “New respite site named after late Cpl. Mitchell”
• “Invitation to media – Symposium on the Canadian Defence and Security Market”
• “New special forces uniform a throwback to Second World War Devil’s Brigade”
• Col. Ted’s Take:  “Special Forces … If the government wants to use more and more Special Forces in a variety of roles then it needs, above all, to maintain a large enough, high quality base from which to create and sustain them …”

World War Two

• “Battle of Britain heroes honoured in National Capital Region”

 

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 16, 2017

Afghanistan

• “Canadian says couple were kidnapped because wife was pregnant” – “Freed Canadian hostage says baby was killed, and wife raped” – “AP report: Family freed returns to Canada , says 1 child killed” – “Kidnappers killed 1 child, raped wife, freed hostage says” – “Family freed returns to Canada, says 1 child killed”
• “Taliban reject rape, murder claims of freed Canadian hostage” – “Les talibans nient les allégations de l’ex-otage canadien Joshua Boyle qui les accuse de meurtre et viol” – “Les talibans nient les allégations de l’ex-otage canadien”
• “Allegations against Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate by Canadian detainee are baseless” (Taliiban Info-machine) – Taliban statement @ archive.org – Text of statement (PDF) at non-terrorist site
• “Kids freed from Taliban explore ‘wonderland’ of new Canadian home”
• “Canadian -American couple’s mysterious rescue raises new questions”
• ” ‘They ran like cowards’ Family reveals dramatic detail on rescue from Taliban terror group”
• “Bombs kill Pakistani soldiers hunting US-Canadian family’s kidnappers — Bomb blasts killed a Pakistani army officer and three soldiers searching for the kidnappers of a freed US-Canadian family in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan, Pakistani and US officials said. Pakistan’s army said the attacks in Kurram tribal district on Sunday also wounded three soldiers during the search for those who held American Caitlan Coleman, her Canadian husband, Joshua Boyle, and their three children hostage …” – “Roadside Bomb Kills Four Security Troops In Northwestern Pakistan” – “(PAK) Nation proud of its army’s heroic operation” – “Pakistan, US Upbeat About Future Ties After Hostage Rescue”
• Commentary  “A fool’s homecoming”

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian military facing tough choices in Iraq”

The Kurds

• “Iraq: Government Forces Move Into Disputed Kurdish Territory” – “Iraqi Kurds pull back in Kirkuk, civilians flee” – “Kurdish Forces Withdraw From Edges of Disputed Iraqi Region” – “Iraq’s Kurds beef up, move back defence line around oil-rich Kirkuk” – “Iraqi forces, Iranian-backed militia attack Kirkuk using US military equipment: Kurdistan Security” – “Latest from Kirkuk: Iraq says captures positions south of Kirkuk including airbase”
• “Peshmerga: Baghdad did not grant troops 48 hours to leave Kirkuk”
• “Military balance: Iraqi Army vs Peshmergas” (OSINT blog)
• “Kurds reject Baghdad ploy to divide Kurds with military threats”
• “KRG calls on UN, US, Coalition, EU, Sistani to prevent war between Peshmerga, Iraqi forces”
• “Autonomy not enough to protect people of Kurdistan: Security Chief”
• “Kurds reinforce oil-rich Kirkuk amid tension with Iraq government”
• “Why is Israel supporting Kurdish secession from Iraq?”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Return of Signature Iranian Explosive Could Signal Escalation in Iraq” (ISW)
• “The “War after ISIS” begins in Iraq” (ISW)
• “Syria demands immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from its territory”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• “National Defence looking at peacekeeping missions as summit looms”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “US, South Korea to hold joint naval exercises amid heightened tensions with North Korea” – “S. Korea and US begin naval drills amid North Korean threat”
• “Military options for N. Korea ‘under constant refinement’: McMaster”
• “U.S. forces, families to hold regular evacuation training”
• “North Korea About to Launch Ballistic Missile”
• “The World Once Laughed at North Korean Cyberpower. No More.” – “Expert Warns of North Korea Growing Cyberwar Capabilities”
• “Seoul, Beijing Extend Currency Swap Despite THAAD Spat”
• “Gormley: What does North Korea really want? Let’s start with survival”
• “Russia denounces North Korea’s actions to develop nuclear program” – “Russian top diplomat slams Pyongyang’s violation of UN resolutions”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Silver Arrow, biggest military drills of year, begin in Latvia”
• “Russia ready for cooperation with US, NATO — Lavrov”
• “Turkey could look for new partner if Russia does not transfer S-400 technology” – “Why Sell S-400s to the Other Side’s Allies?”
• “New 36th Army Commander” (Russian Defense Policy)

#Ukraine

• “Russia decided to send troops to Crimea even before receiving Yanukovych letter – witness testimony”
• UKR govt ATO map, 16 Oct 2017
• UKR govt ATO map, 15 Oct 2017
• “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/15/2017”
• “Essence of Time unit in Donbass report. October 15” (pro-separatist)
• “Ukraine says 2 wounded in ATO zone in past 24 hours”
• “Two Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas over day”
• “35 ceasefire violations reported in DPR over 24 hours”
• “Donbas militants active in Luhansk sector, 1 WIA on Oct 15”
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire eight times over 24 hours”
• “Day in Donbas: Militants violated truce nine times”
• “People’s lives continue to worsen, but they live with hope, says UN official in Ukraine”

Internal Security

• September 2017 Edmonton Terror Attack  “Takeaways so far from the terrorist attack in Edmonton”
• “CSIS and RCMP accused of entrapping terrorism suspects”
• “Liberals prepare to reveal 2018 immigration plan they say will boost economy, help refugees”

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War  “US F-35 Fighter Aircraft To Undergo Cold Weather Testing In Alaska” – “F-35 fighter jet undergoes equipment testing in Fairbanks” – “The F-35 and F/A-18 Super Hornet: The Ultimate Military Combination?”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Seamus O’Regan – here is an example of how screwed up your Veterans Affairs department really is”
• “A Local Organization Making a Difference for Veterans — Learn more about the inspiration behind this year’s Veterans Ombudsman Commendation Local Organization recipient, the Vancouver-based, New Chelsea Society …” (Vets Ombudsman)
• ” Minister O’Regan engages youth on Canadian military heritage” (VAC Info-machine)

Other

• ” ‘Morphing skin’ of octopus inspires robotic camouflage — Soft 3D material can be programmed to change its shape, appearance …”
• “New special forces uniform a throwback to Second World War Devil’s Brigade”
• “This is National Defence?” (The Vimy Report)
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “A strategic choice: Wise words about China from a couple of trusted sources”

---