MILNEWS.ca Highlights – February 15, 2019

Internal Security

• “Canadian woman guilty of terror charges sentenced to 7 years in prison”
• “Canadian Tire attacker sentenced to 7 years in prison”
• “Woman guilty of terror charges in Canadian Tire attack sentenced to 7 years in prison”
• “Woman found guilty of terror charges sentenced to 7 years in prison”
• “Canadian woman jailed for attack in name of IS group”
• “Today in Ontario Superior Court, Ms. Rehab Dughmosh was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison after being found guilty last month of the offences of leaving Canada to participate in the activities of a terrorist group, namely ISIS, contrary to section 83.181 of the Criminal Code, two counts of assault with a weapon, and carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose, all for the benefit of a terrorist group, namely ISIS, contrary to s. 83.2 of the Criminal Code …” (Public Prosecution Service of Canada info-machine)
• “Crown appeals privileges for military centre stabber”
• “Crown fights education privileges for Toronto military centre stabber”
• “What to do with suspected Canadian ISIS fighters and their families detained in Syria?”
• “There are Canadian women fighting for Islamic State – and Ottawa needs a plan”
• “Toronto charity disputes CRA accusation it was formed to spread ‘Iranian revolutionary ideology in Canada’ “
• “Most Canadians trust media, but a similar share worry about fake news being weaponized: survey”
• “Terrorism Prevention Programs Need Strengthening If They Are to Be Effective” (RAND)

Way Up North

• “Is the next big fight over the Northwest Passage coming?” (Policy Options)
• “Soldiers learn Arctic survival from northern neighbors” (US Army info-machine)
• “… Canada regularly, even routinely sends sailors, soldiers and air force elements into the Arctic, for training, but, in my opinion, that is far, far from enough. I would like to see three (small) Arctic bases, one at or near Tuktoyaktuk in the Western Arctic, one at or near Nanisivik in the Centre and one at or near Iqaluit in the East … each needs to be a bit bigger and better than just a refuelling station for ships. Each should have a modern, jet fighter and C-130 capable airfield and storage facilities and austere accommodation for about 1,000 soldiers to use while they prepare to deploy onto the land …” (Col. Ted)
• “Stoltenberg condemns GPS jamming from Kola”
• “British soldiers training in the Arctic set up a bizarre igloo shrine to Harry and Meghan for the prince’s visit”
• “Prince Harry joins armed forces on winter survival training in Arctic Circle”
• “UK’s Prince Harry Visits Marines in the Arctic on Valentine’s Day”
• “Russia’s Military Vows to ‘Prevent Invasion’ of Polar Bears in Arctic Town”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Strengthening naval partnerships in the Middle East” (RCN info-machine)
• “GWYNNE DYER: The End of ISIS”
• “It’s too early to declare that Daesh is defeated”
• “US plans observer force for Northeast Syria” (Kurdish media)
• “Iraqi security cracks down on ISIS sleeper cells in separate operations”
• “The leaders of Iran, Russia and Turkey have signed a 17-point final communique outlining their trilateral approach to stabilizing Syria but Moscow says there will be no new offensive in the north …”
• “Jihadist defeat, US Syria pullout on table at coalition talks”
• “The State of Syria, January 2019” (Armed Conflict Location and Events Dataset)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “US, Canada Must Upgrade Missile Defenses Against Russia – NORAD Commander”
• “Objects of infrastructure developed on U.S. funds transferred to the Lithuanian Armed Forces” (LTU MoD)
• “Baltic states: Beneath a Russian veil in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia”
• “Putin Dismisses Nine High-Ranking Generals” (Warsaw Institute)
• “Russia To Soldiers: Stop Giving Away Your Locations Online”
• “Syrian Experience Provides New Impetus for Russia’s UAV Strategy (Part One)” (Jamestown Fdn)
• Latest Big NATO Meeting
• “NATO Defence Ministers conclude two days of discussions in Brussels” (NATO info-machine)
• “Shanahan: NATO Allies Unified in Face of Security Threats” (US DoD info-machine)
• “Shanahan Joins NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels to Discuss Alliance Deterrence” (US DoD info-machine)
• “On Wednesday (13 February 2019), the Defence Ministers from Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a Regional Special Operations Component Command (R-SOCC) in the margins of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels. Partner nation Austria will sign the LOI immediately following the NATO Defence Ministerial Meeting …” (NATO info-machine)
• “… Headquarters Multinational Division North (HQ MND-N) will constitute part of the NATO troop structure which links up the military units of Estonia’s region to the alliance’s higher command structure, spokespeople for the Ministry of Defence said …”
• “The ministers of defense of Estonia, Latvia and Denmark during a meeting in Brussels on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of Headquarters Multinational Division North of NATO, which will serve as basis for the functioning of the new international division of the alliance …”
• “Putin: Europe does not want to host US missiles, but won’t dare to object”
• “NATO allies pressured like Warsaw Pact” (CHN Communist Party media)
• @DarthPutinKGB (satire account) on Twitter: “Da. NATO forces people to join and invades those that try to leave. Like they did to France that time …”
• “Trump’s Warsaw ‘Peace’ Conference an Orwellian Parody” (Strategic Culture Fdn, pro-RUS think tank)
• How’s #RUS & #BLR Getting Along?
• “Putin positive on outcome of talks with Lukashenko” (RUS state media)
• “Lukashenko: Sovereignty is sacred … “Why would we raise the question of sovereignty of Belarus and Russia? It is a sanctuary, it is sacred. We have no problem with sovereignty [in relations between the two states],” Alexander Lukashenko said …” (BLR state media)
• “Kremlin: Putin and Lukashenko to play ice hockey in Sochi after bilateral meeting”
• “Putin and Lukashenko in one team hitting ice in Sochi for ice hockey match”
• “Putin, Lukashenko play hockey in Sochi” (BLR state media)
• “Beyond Lies: A New Stage in the Belarus-Russia Information War” (Jamestown Fdn)

Afghanistan

• “No unilateral US pullout from Afghanistan, says Pentagon chief”
• “Pakistan to Host Next Round of US-Taliban Peace Talks”

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Some of Taiwan’s most sensitive military sites – including its facilities for the US-made Patriot missiles – have been accidentally revealed to the public through Google’s latest 3D-rendered maps …”
• “China considers criminal charges, including jail time, for military rumour-mongers”
• “Two Tupolev-95MS bombers carry out flight over Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk”
• “Media reveals PLA Navy’s guided-missile destroyer Lhasa” (CHN mil media)
• “Xi signs order on trial regulation to supervise military training” (CHN Communist Party media)
• “A terror strike on Indian security forces in the country’s restive Jammu and Kashmir province has raised questions in India on China’s continued protection of the Pakistan-based terror outfit behind the attack, threatening to unravel a thaw between the Asian giants forged last year …”
• “China and Norway face off over ‘ridiculous’ claims Beijing is using Huawei to spy on Scandinavian host”
• “PLA Daily: Fight against Islamic State is moving to Africa” (CHN mil media)

The Koreas

• “North Korea last year built massive monuments where it test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile and a medium-range ballistic missile. The regime has been building monuments to these achievements since 2017, when regional tensions were at a peak after a series of North Korean missile tests …”
• “Pentagon Denies Link Between USFK Presence and Peace Treaty”
• “U.S. Troops ‘Will Stay in S.Korea Until Peace Treaty Is Signed’ “
• “Defectors to educate South Korean soldiers on North Korean military, life”
• “The sanctions relief that North Korea might be asking for” (North Korean Economy Watch blog)

Big Honkin’ Ship Document Leak Case

• “Federal government official at centre of Mark Norman case charged for allegedly leaking information”
• “RCMP charges another official in connection with alleged shipbuilding leak”
• “Procurement official with links to Mark Norman case charged with breach of trust”
• “Nouvel accusé dans l’affaire Norman: un fonctionnaire fédéral aurait divulgué des informations confidentielles”
• “RCMP charges another official in connection with alleged shipbuilding leak”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Veterans get new option on pensions — and Veterans Affairs gets out of a cash crunch”
• “Mental health first aid course offered for veterans and their supports”

Other Military News

• “Shortage of sailors a cause for concern for Royal Canadian Navy”
• “RCAF family advocate visits Luke AFB” (RCAF info-machine)

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update as of 141725UTC February 2019

• “Canadian election observers arrive in Ukraine amid fears of Russian meddling” (The Canadian Press, wire service)
• “Gerashchenko: Elections without Russian observers do not contradict international obligations” (UKR media)
• “Klimkin about Russian election observers in Ukraine: Martians have better chances” (UKR media)
• “Kremlin: Russia to send election observers to Ukraine on voting day” (UKR media)
• “Kremlin slams Kiev’s ‘Russian hacker’ plot as tool of global Russophobic echo chamber” (RUS state media)
• “Ukrainian official: Hacking intensifies as election nears” (Associated Press, US wire service)
• “Oligarchs and Their Media Outlets Influence Ukrainian Presidential Elections” (Jamestown Foundation)
  

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• “Defense ministers of Ukraine and Canada discuss main priorities of cooperation” (UKR media)
• “In Brussels, Defense Ministers of Ukraine and Canada discussed key priorities and focus of efforts” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “At NATO Headquarters, the Defense Ministers of Ukraine, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Lithuania and Poland met in QUINT format” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Speech by Stepan Poltorak on the results of a working visit to NATO Headquarters” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Kyiv offers NATO to make aid package for Ukraine’s naval forces” (UKR media)
• “NATO will significantly increase its naval presence in Black Sea – Poltorak” (UKR media)
• “Britain to continue supporting Ukraine, encourage all allies to do this – Secretary of Defense Williamson” (UKR media)
• “NATO set to improve dynamics of cooperation with Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Poltorak: NATO will significantly increase its naval presence in Black Sea” (UKR media)
• “Stoltenberg: NATO ships to enter Black Sea in a few days to conduct exercises” (UKR media)
  

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• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 13 February 2019”
• “JFO: МAP – 14.02.2019” (UKR MoD info-machine)
• “A summary of the situation in the area of ​​the United Nations forces operation as of 18:00 on February 14, 2019” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Summary of the squad “The Essence of Time” for February 11-13″ (with maps, pro-RUS site, in Russian)
  

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• “Donbas war: One Ukrainian serviceman sustains injuries” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian forces shell DPR with 450 rounds over 24 hours, damage shop, utility shed – JCCC” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Donbas: 6 cases of ceasefire violation, one Ukrainian soldier wounded” (UKR media)
• “Three Ukrainian servicemen killed in mortar explosion as they fire at Gorlovka – spokesman” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Ten attacks against Ukraine army in past day: one Ukrainian soldier wounded, two terrorists destroyed, – JFO center” (UKR media)
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire seven times over 24 hours” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Donbas update: Ukraine reports one WIA in past day” (UKR media)
• “Four militiamen killed in shelling by Ukrainian forces in southern DPR” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Russia-led occupation forces violate cease-fire 10 times in Donbas, one WIA – JFO HQ” (UKR media)
• “Almost 100 mortar rounds in an hour: Kiev forces shelling DPR on all axes” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
  

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• “Press Statement of Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sajdik after Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 13 February 2019”
• “OSCE SMM needs access to Crimea and Ukrainian-Russian border – EU” (UKR media)
  

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• “More than 500 Black Sea Fleet troops take part in tactical drills in Crimea” (RUS state media)
• “Kiev reinforces military presence in Donbass — Russia’s envoy” (RUS state media)
  

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• “In two years more than 50 thousand items of military equipment previously supplied by Russia were substituted – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Ukraine allocates UAH 3 bln (CAN $146 million) for modernization of state-owned defense enterprises in 2018 – Groysman”
• “General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces plans to complete structural reforms by end of 2019” (UKR media)
  

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• “Russia’s envoy slams Kiev’s attempts to rewrite Minsk accords as inadmissible” (RUS state media)
• “Trilateral contact group on Ukraine in Minsk welcomes handover of 33 captives” (BLR state media)
• “Russia calls on OSCE to urge Kiev to fulfill its commitments — Contact Group envoy” (RUS state media)
  

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• “US senators propose ‘Azov sanctions’ bill against Russia” (UKR media)
• “No ‘internal strife’ in Ukraine, its part occupied by Russian soldiers – German envoy to UN” (UKR media)
• “U.S. in UN:  Withdrawal of Russian troops “only acceptable outcome” of Donbas conflict” (UKR media)
• “US wants Russia to return Crimea, forget Donbass” (pravdareport.com)
  

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• “Russia’s Zakharova dubs reports on readiness to plead guilty to MH17 crash “fantasy” ” (UKR media)
  

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• “President: Russia no longer has economic levers of influence on Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Russia has no levers of pressure on Ukraine and will never have – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
  

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• “Donetsk district deputy head charged with bribery – Prosecutor General’s Office” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
  

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• “Ukraine Deports Russia-Aligned Priest, Strips Citizenship, In Church Rift” (US govt funded media)
• “UOC (MP) priest Gedeon (Kharon) deported from Ukraine to US” (UKR media)
• “A Bishop of the Moscow Patriarchate Will Be Deported From Ukraine” (pro-RUS media)
• “The Case of Bishop Gedeon: The SBU’s New Shady Scheme to Forbid Any Ukrainian Citizen From Re-entering Ukraine” (pro-RUS media)
• “Border Guard Service denies deportation of bishop; he voluntary flew to Germany” (UKR media)
• “Russia moves to crush Orthodox Church of Ukraine in occupied Crimea” (Human Rights in Ukraine)
  

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• “Six more educational institutions will be under quarantine in Lviv. In other words, in 27 educational institutions, the educational process will be put on hold from tomorrow. The press service of the City Council of Lviv reports this. The decision to suspend the educational process was taken due to increasing of illnesses of measles, flu, and URTI among children …” (UKR media)
• “Are Russian Trolls Saving Measles From Extinction?” (US govt funded media)

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – February 13, 2019

NATO DefMins Meet

• “The Coalition and its partners need to address the causes for the rise of the so-called Islamic State and ensure that the group does not re-emerge, a Canadian official said on Wednesday. Canada’s Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan made the comments ahead of meetings with other defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 13 and 14 …” (Kurdish media)
• “(ROM) DefMin Les meets counterparts of Canada and Georgia in Brussels” (ROM media)
• “NATO Defence Ministers meet to address Russia’s violation of the INF Treaty” (NATO info-machine)
• “NATO Defence Ministers meet in Brussels” (NATO info-machine)
• “New NATO hub will gather the Alliance’s cyber defenders” (NATO info-machine)

Way Up North

• “Canada, U.S. must do more to check Russian military in the Arctic, says NORAD chief”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “NATO Chief Says Allies Keen to Avoid Arms Race With Russia”
• “UK to deploy deadly Apache helicopters in Estonia”
• “Apache and Wildcat to touch down in Estonia as UK bolsters its commitment to NATO” (UK MoD info-machine)
• “Chinese embassy refutes Lithuania’s hype of “China Threat”: ridiculous and absurd” (CHN mil media)
• “America the Mercenary: Trump’s plan to bill NATO” (European Council on Foreign Relations)
• “Moscow Orders Ground-Based Kalibr Cruise Missiles”
• “Russian anti-material sniper rifle spotted in Yemen”
• “Russian army to get newest Proryv-3 tanks by 2020”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Iraq Will Not Accept Foreign Military Bases on Its Soil”
• “US defence chief says Washington will respect Iraqi sovereignty”
• “(IRQ) PM says Iraq to repatriate Iraqi IS fighters held in Syria”
• “UK fighters returning from Syria face up to 10 years in jail”
• “Germany says it has arrested two former Syrian intelligence officers alleged to have been involved in torturing critics of President Bashar al-Assad …”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Alleged Torture Case Renews Focus on Russian Military Contractors in Central Africa”
• “US gives lift to French forces (in Africa)” (US Army info-machine)
• “Rebel incursion risks Chad’s partial withdrawal from regional counter-terrorism operations, but unlikely to threaten president’s position”

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “US ‘must use all military and diplomatic means’ to defend Taiwan against Beijing”
• “Huawei, US-China tensions and West’s 5G fears on the agenda as Beijing joins security talks”
• “China’s Huawei Soft Power Push Raises Hard Questions”
• “Former British surveillance head says calls to freeze Chinese companies out of 5G telecoms in Western countries are ‘short on technical understanding’ “
• “Rules aim to build up PLA combat abilities” (CHN mil media)

Internal Security

• “Snowden Reveals Extent of Canada’s Spying on Behalf of NSA” (pro-RUS think tank)
• “More Threats From Yellow Vesters. More History of Criminal Conduct” (Anti-Racist Canada)

What’s Canada Buying?

• “F-15X?” (http://bestfighter4canada.blogspot.com)

Mental Health in the CAF

• “Virtual reality to help more military and other public safety workers cope with PTSD is central to the work of a new group launched in Edmonton. Heroes in Mind, Advocacy & Research Consortium (HiMARC) is made up of those who want “to serve the men and women in uniform who have served us and continue to serve us daily,” Bob Haennel, dean of the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, said in a Wednesday release …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Mental health course offered for veterans , families”

Other Military News

• “Renewable energy system takes first Defence Innovation Challenge prize” (DND info-machine)

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update as of 131915UTC February 2019

• Really???  “A Ukrainian Lawyer Discovered That the Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Andrey Shevchenko Recognised Crimea as Russian” (pro-RUS site)

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• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 12 February 2019”
• “JFO: МAP – 13.02.2019” (UKR MoD)
• “A summary of the situation in the area of ​​the operation of the United forces as of 07:00 on February 13, 2019” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
  

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• “Militants shell Zaitseve residential sector in Donbas combat zone” (UKR media)
• “Kiev forces launch mortar strikes on DPR – JCCC” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Russian mercenary eliminated by precise sniper shot in Donbas – Ukrainian officer” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian forces fire 20 heavy mortar shells on DPR in 30 min” (pro_RUS rebel info-machine)
• “One Ukrainian serviceman wounded in Donbas over 24 hours” (UKR media)
• “JCCC: Kiev forces fire 214 shells on DPR in 24 hours” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “OSCE spots new Russian Torn radio intelligence systems in the Donbas” (UKR media)
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire eight times over 24 hours” (pro_RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Militants launched five attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day” (UKR media)
  

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• “General Staff: Ukraine Army shifting away from Soviet-style training routine” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine army in Donbas conducts drills to defend airfield from potential adversaries’ assault force” (UKR media)
• “The training of the air defense of one of the airfields of the Video took place in the Donbass” (UKR mil portal, in Ukrainian)
• “Roundtable on suicide prevention and unauthorized leaving of service places took place in Odesa” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
  

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• “Statement by Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, on occasion of fourth anniversary of signing of “Package of Measures for Implementation of Minsk Agreements” ” (OSCE)
• “Talks on Ukraine resume in Minsk” (BLR state media)
• “Talks on Donbass underway in Minsk” (BLR state media)
• “Ukraine at Minsk talks offers Russia two formats of detainee swap – Gerashchenko” (UKR media)
• “DPR determined to protect Donbass interests till Kiev fulfills Minsk-2” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “U.S. to lift sanctions from Russia if it abides by Minsk agreements, passes Crimea back to Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Morozova blames Kiev for derailing discussion of POW swap” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Volker: Russia has been violating the Minsk Agreements every day for the last four years” (UKR media)
• “In Kiev, proposing to abide by Minsk Accords is treason” (pro-RUS site)
• “Contact Group begins Minsk meeting on settling Donbass crisis” (RUS state media)
• “Russia Urges Western to Influence Ukraine to Settle Dispute” (Cuban state media)
  

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• “(UKR secur svc boss) Avakov presents strategy for Donbas de-occupation at US Institute of Peace”
• “Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, U.S. Dept. of State, 16 ambassadors, leading experts formulate main paradigms of Donbas De-Occupation Plan – Avakov” (UKR media)
• “Avakov’s plan on Donbass aims at eliminating Donbass population – People’s Militia” (pro_RUS rebel info-machine)
  

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• “UK says keeps looking into possible sanctions over Kerch Strait incident” (RUS state media)
• “Stoltenberg: NATO intends to increase military presence in the Black Sea” (UKR media)
• “Russia’s hybrid strategy in the Sea of Azov: Divide and antagonize (part one)” (UKR media)
• “Russia’s hybrid strategy in the Sea of Azov: Divide and antagonize (part two)” (UKR media)
  

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• “Russia says Crimea’s return is “out of question” ” (UKR media)
  

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• “Over 70% of Ukrainians see events in Donbas as war with Russia” (UKR media)
• “Almost half of Donbas residents oppose pardon for militants” (UKR media)
  

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• “Poltorak to visit NATO Headquarters Feb 13-14” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister Zerkal holds number of meetings at NATO Headquarters” (UKR media)
  

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• “Civilians ‘continue to pay highest price’ in Ukraine conflict, with peace prospects losing ‘momentum’ ” (UN info-machine)
• “UN Official Says Peace Negotiations For Ukraine Have ‘Lost Momentum’ ” (US govt funded media)
• “Five EU members states support Ukraine prior to UNSC meeting” (UKR media)
• “U.S. envoy at UNSC: Russia must end conflict by withdrawing its troops from eastern Ukraine, Crimea” (UKR media)
• “US Encourages, Covers Up Ukraine’s Provocations – Russia’s UN Envoy” (RUS state media)
  

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• “Over two thousand Russian soldiers train mercenaries in Donbas, almost 88 thousand Russian soldiers present at Ukrainian-Russian border, – Yelchenko” (UKR media)
• “Only Facts: The OSCE Refuted Ukraine’s Statements About Russian Troops in Donbass” (pro_RUS site)
  

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• “Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference ‘ATO veterans, volunteers, and patriots for honest and transparent election without fraud’ ” (UKR media)
• Russia to send short-term election observers to Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Russia to send short-term observers to Ukraine as part of OSCE mission” (RUS state media)
• “Without Crimea and part of Donbas: CEC lists districts where presidential vote not to be held” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine’s election commission registers 90 OSCE observers, no Russians among them” (RUS state media)
• “CEC registers 90 more OSCE observers” (UKR media)
  

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• “Ukraine joins EU decision to sanction nine organizers of “elections” in Donbas” (UKR media)
  

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• “US$162 Million urgently needed as millions in Eastern Ukraine struggle to make ends meet” (United Nations in Ukraine)
• “UN establishes Humanitarian Pooled Fund for Donbas victims” (UKR media)
• “Government of Ukraine pays UAH 17.2 mln (CAN $840,000) in financial aid to liberated captives, families of political prisoners” (UKR media)
  

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• “Transnistria cannot open diplomatic office in Ukraine, – Foreign Ministry” (UKR media)

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – February 12, 2019

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “La ministre des Anciens Combattants, Jody Wilson Raybould quitte le cabinet”
• “Sajjan acting veterans affairs minister after Wilson-Raybould’s resignation”
• ” ‘Revolving door’ of ministers in the veterans affairs department causing worry”
• “Read Jody Wilson-Raybould’s resignation letter”
• “La démission de Wilson-Raybould «incompatible» avec ses propos, dit Trudeau”
• “Trudeau says he’s surprised, puzzled by Wilson-Raybould’s resignation”
• “PM Trudeau ‘surprised and disappointed’ by (VAC Minister) Wilson-Raybould’s resignation”
• “Big news and more tangled webs (this is #5, I think)” (Col. Ted)

Big Honkin’ Ship Document Leak Case

• “Vice-Admiral Mark Norman’s pretrial judge questions independence of public prosecution service”
• “Alleged political interference in Mark Norman case ‘more concerning’ than SNC-Lavalin accusations: defence”
• “Canada’s top prosecutor insists her office is independent”
• “In light of comments made in the press regarding the prosecution of Vice Admiral Mark Norman, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada would like to clarify the context of the conversations between PPSC counsel and counsel for the Privy Council Office …” (PPSC info-machine)
• “Cost to taxpayers for Mark Norman prosecution may never be known, already estimated at more than $10M”

Way Up North

• “Canada, U.S. must do more to check Russia’s military moves in the Arctic, says NORAD chief”
• “Norad chief urges speedy defensive upgrades amid spectre of new Cold War”
• “États-Unis et Canada à l’heure des choix pour le futur du NORAD”
• “Finnish President to speak about Arctic Security at Munich Conference”
• “Canada’s new Arctic policy could be done by June, minister says”
• “Russian jets led mock attack on Arctic Norway radar, (NOR) intel director says”
• “UK Apaches complete Arctic training”
• “Russia’s top brass ready for serious dialogue with Finland on alleged GPS signal jamming”
• “New bases and helipads to make tours to Russian Arctic five times cheaper”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Stoltenberg: NATO will not eliminate nuclear weapons unless Russia and China do so”
• “NATO chief claims alliance preparing defensive measures for INF-free world”
• “Lithuanian-led arms control inspection team to conduct evaluation visit to a Kaliningrad-based military unit” (LTU MoD)
• “Elections in Lithuania: Expectations of Ukraine, the West and Russia” (UKR commentary)
• “The European Court of Human Rights will examine a lawsuit filed by a Saudi national who claims he was held in a secret CIA prison in Lithuania. The United States considers Mustafa al-Hawsawi, currently being held at the U.S. military’s Guantanamo Bay prison, a suspect in the 9/11 attacks …”
• “Russian Military Innovation Technopolis Era will start work on the creation of arms based on new physical principles and of systems for detecting underwater objects, the office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, who is in charge of the defense industry, told Sputnik on Wednesday …”
• “U.S. Permanent Military Base in Poland: Added Value for Defense and Deterrence” (Warsaw Institute)
• “Permanent U.S. Base: Strengthening NATO‘s Defensive Potential on its Eastern Flank” (Warsaw Institute)
• “US Basing in Poland and NATO’s Mobility Challenge” (Warsaw Institute)
• “Russian, Chinese lasers threaten US satellites: Pentagon”
• “US defence agency report on Chinese space programme is smokescreen to hide arms race, Beijing says”
• “Challenges to Security in Space” (Def Int Agency, PDF, 46 pgs)
• “Why Anti-China Spy Wave Starts in Europe?”

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “PLA spokesman urges US to stop provocative actions in South China Sea” (CHN mil media)
• “US Submarine to Participate in Japan’s Naval Competition – US Navy”
• “China targets military training in renewed combat readiness mission”
• “Xi signs order on trial regulation to supervise military training” (CHN military media)
• “China ‘likely’ to boost defense budget” (CHN mil media)
• “Indo-Pacific Command Worried About China’s Path”
• “China Sends Air NZ Flight Home Over Mention of ‘Taiwan’: Local Media”

The Koreas

• “US commander sees no change in North Korea military threat”
• “U.S. Forces Korea Commander: Tensions Down, But Guard Still Up”
• “Pyongyang holds public execution of chief of state guesthouse for embezzling $3 million: report”
• “N.Korea’s State Guesthouse Chief Executed in Public”
• “N.Korea Asks Russia for Free Wheat”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• ” ‘Urgent need’ to stop Mali violence with ‘effective’ military response: UN expert” (UN info-machine)
• “Estonian Minister of Defense Juri Luik awarded mission medals to the approximately 50 members of the Estonian defense forces who served as part of the French-led anti-insurgent mission Barkhane in Mali …”
• “China, it was revealed last week, has been “an exemplary partner” to the African Union (AU) providing $180 million worth of funding to the continental body’s peace and security efforts …” (CHN mil media)

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Acting U.S. defense chief Patrick Shanahan told Iraqi leaders that Washington understood its forces were in Iraq at Baghdad’s invitation, aiming to steady relations after President Donald Trump said U.S. troops were needed to keep an eye on Iran …”
• “(IRQ) PM to Pentagon chief: Iraqi decision is independent, not affected by any dictates”
• “Pentagon leader in Iraq for talks on U.S. military presence”
• “Israel confirms strike in Syrian Golan, further cracking ambiguity policy”
• “Turkey, Russia at Odds Over Syria Ahead of Key Summit”
• “Netanyahu confirms Syria strike: Israel operating constantly against Iran in Syria”
• “Netanyahu confirms latest Israeli strike in Syria”
• “ISIS makes its last stand with a surprise counter-attack in Syria”

Afghanistan

• “Russia ready to take steps for lifting UN sanctions on Taliban”
• “China to Fund Installation of Modern Facilities at Pakistan-Afghan Border Crossings”

Internal Security

• “Canadian ISIS fighter detained (in SYR)”
• I guess he’s been too busy to read the latest Criminal Code updates  ” ‘I broke no laws there’: Canadian ISIS fighter wants help to return home”
• “Calgary police have charged three people in a drug trafficking investigation that turned up Canada Post, Telus and Canadian military uniforms along with several weapons and credit card forging equipment …”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Future Fighter Capability Project – Suppliers List Invitation (W847A-180210/A) – Buyandsell.gc.ca
• “Calian Group Awarded IT and Software Development Services Contract” (Calian Gp info-machine)

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Victims of improper sexual conduct in Canadian Forces aren’t well supported, MPs told”

Other Military News

• “Chief of the Defence Staff announces Canadian Armed Forces General and Flag Officer senior appointments, promotions, and retirements” (DND info-machine)
• “Nominations, promotions et départs à la retraite d’officiers généraux des Forces armées canadiennes”
• “Minister Sajjan to travel to Europe for Official Meetings” (DND info-machine)
• “Leadership immersion: Intensive summer training offers Regular and Reserve leaders a different perspective” (Canadian Army Today)

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update as of 122100UTC February 2019

• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 10 February 2019”
• “Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 12 February 2019”
• “JFO: МAP – 12.02.2019” (UKR MoD)
• “A summary of the situation in the area of ​​the operation of the United forces as of 18:00 on February 12, 2019” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Summary of the squad “The Essence of Time” for February 7-10″ (with maps, pro-RUS site, in Russian)

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• ” 12 attacks against Ukraine army in past day: one Ukrainian soldier wounded, one terrorist destroyed, – JFO center” (UKR media)
• “Kiev forces fire 530 rounds at LPR territory over week – People’s Militia” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Militants launched 12 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day” (UKR media)
• “Two DPR militiamen killed in shelling by Ukrainian forces over 24 hours” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Donbas: one Ukrainian soldier wounded” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian army fires some 5,000 rounds at DPR since beginning of “Christmas ceasefire” – Yakubov” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Donbas war update: Ukraine reports one WIA in past day” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian forces fire nearly 300 rounds at DPR over 24 hours – JCCC” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Donbas war: One Ukrainian soldier gets injured” (UKR media)
• “Kiev forces violate ceasefire five times over 24 hours” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Russian-led forces’ log and dirt bunker destroyed in Donbas” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian forces deliver massive mortar strike at western Gorlovka outskirts – JCCC” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Donbas: one Ukrainian soldier wounded” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian heavy artillery violates ceasefire against Lugansk People’s Republic 8 times over 24 hours” (pro-RUS site)

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• “Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference ‘Lifting Economic Blockade from Donbas – Step towards Peace’ ” (UKR media)
• “The Verkhovna Rada should lift the economic, energy, and transport “blockage” of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions not currently controlled by Kyiv, presidential candidate Oleksandr Vilkul, deputy head of the Opposition Bloc faction, has said …” (UKR media)

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• “MFA Ukraine on fourth anniversary of “Minsk-2″: Ukraine positions in Donbas shelled daily” (UKR media)
• “Kiev continues to stall Minsk process four years after signing Package of Measures” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “DPR, LPR to call for more ceasefire control measures at Minsk talks as Ukrainian strikes increase” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “LPR People’s Militia urges intl community to make Kiev implement Minsk Agreements” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “EU demand to Russia on Minsk Agreements is unsustainable, – Lavrov” (UKR media)
• “Fourth anniversary of Minsk agreements signature observed” (UKR media)
• “Russia not implementing Minsk agreements for four years – U.S. embassy” (UKR media)
• “Four years after Minsk-2 deal, Kiev continues to breach accord, says opposition MP” (RUS state media)
• “Ukrainian forces intensify Donbass shellings ahead of Minsk talks — DPR people’s militia” (RUS state media)

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• Iskanders deployed along Ukraine border mean Russia preparing to create “land corridor” to Crimea – expert” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian artillery crews practice in government-held area of Donbas” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian military conducts drills with Uragan multiple rocket launchers in Donbas” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine to unveil new counter-battery radar during India Show 2019” (defence-blog.com)

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• “Ukraine will not allow Russia to occupy Azov Sea – Poroshenko” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine was and will remain a maritime state, despite the aggression of Russia and the annexation of part of Ukraine’s territory – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Poroshenko: Russia not to be able to oust Ukraine from Black Sea coastal area” (UKR media)
• “Russia calls US-Ukrainian plans to conduct exercises in the Black Sea ‘a dangerous idea’ ” (Defence Blog)
• “Moscow court upholds ruling on extension of arrest for another four Ukrainian captive sailors” (UKR media)

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• “UNGA to discuss situation in occupied territories of Ukraine Feb 20” (UKR media)
• “Russia calls UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine” (UKR media)

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• “Why Are Ex-British Soldiers Fighting With The Ukrainian Army?” (UK MoD’s forces.net)

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• “Ukraine can not ask Russia to extradite Nord vessel captain, – Deputy Prosecutor General” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine cannot demand extradition of Russian ship’s captain — prosecution — According to earlier reports, captain of the Nord fishing vessel Vladimir Gorbenko, who was under investigation in Ukraine, has returned to Crimea …” (RUS state media)
• “No concerns about condition of Nord fishing vessel’s captain, says ship owner” (RUS state media)
• “Stoltenberg: NATO helps Ukraine move towards Euro-Atlantic integration” (UKR media)
• “Foreign Affairs: Putin’s game plan in Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian police launch ‘I am Bandera’ flash mob after Nazi collaborator’s name is ‘misused’ ” (RUS state media)

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• “Over 300 parishes of former UOC-MP join new Orthodox Church of Ukraine”

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• “Ukraine’s SBU to block websites threatening national security” (UKR media)
• “Poroshenko, Timoshenko plans for Donbass have no future, says Ukraine politician” (RUS state media)
• “Poroshenko plans to disclose data on Russian intervention in Ukraine’s elections” (UKR media)
• “Russia continues to interfere in the electoral process to stop the movement of Ukraine to the West – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)

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• “Over 3,100 measles cases registered in Ukraine in past week, 7% down on previous week” (UKR media)

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• “Ukraine’s constitutional amendments on future NATO and EU accession reduce likelihood of Donbass conflict resolution” (Jane’s 360)
• “Ukraine complains over ‘fake republic’ office in Italy” (EUobserver.com)
• “Moldovan president refutes media reports about allegedly plotted coup” (RUS state media)
• “Russian Foreign Ministry: the United States is preparing the fate of Ukraine Moldavia” (pro-RUS rebel site, in Russian)
• “Transnistria hopes to open embassy in Kyiv” (UKR media)

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – February 11, 2019

Way Up North

• “Russia expands reach in Arctic with no answer from Canada”
• ” ‘Strategic messaging’: Russian fighters in Arctic spark debate on Canada’s place”
• “Canada Should Not Ignore Russia Sending Fighter Jets To Arctic: Expert”
• “Editorial: Why Canada needs to make the Arctic a national priority”
• “Canada Should Not Ignore Russia Sending Fighter Jets To Arctic: Expert”
• “UK Sends Fleet of Apaches to Arctic as Message to ‘Whole Range of Adversaries’ “
• “Britain attempts to intimidate Russia by sending helicopters to Arctic” (pro-RUS site)
• “New more powerful tank rolls into (RUS) Northern Fleet garrisons”
• “Moscow accuses Norway of northern military buildup – Here is map of submarine ports”
• “(RUS) Northern Fleet fears saboteurs, steps up protection of surface vessels”
• “For the first time in the main base of the Northern Fleet, a new detachment against underwater saboteurs took up combat duty on combat duty.” (RUS MoD, in Russian)
• “Why China’s Arctic claims cut no ice”
• “Norway wary of China’s growing presence in Arctic Russia”
• “How the Pentagon Countered China’s Designs on Greenland”
• “GPS jamming hindering construction work in Arctic Norway”
• “Construction workers frustrated with GPS jamming near border to Russia”

Internal Security

• “Appeal court upholds stiff sentence for Canadian trying to join terrorist group”
• “The Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision today on the conviction and sentence appeal of Mohamed Hassan Hersi, 32. The Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the conviction and sentence …” (Public Prosecution Service of Canada)
• “T.O. ISIS bride nabbed: ‘I believe in Sharia, wherever Sharia is’ “
• “Police in Ontario free 43 Mexicans brought to Canada by alleged human traffickers”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Rwanda, 25 years later: A primer on the genocide and Canada’s mission”
• “The forgotten Rwanda mission: How Canada remembered genocide and failure, but ignored the successes that came after”
• “The United Nations in Mali: A New Approach to Peacekeeping?”
• Région de Tombouctou : Des adductions d’eau pour faciliter la vie des habitants et le retour des déplacés” (MINUSMA)
• “Rapport mensuel de monitoring de protection N° 12 – Decembre 2018” (Mali — UN High Commissioner for Refugees)
• “Security Report Reveals Surge in Terrorist Attacks in Africa’s Sahel”
• “Terrorism ‘expanding’ in Sahel, African Union security chief warns”
• “Sahel Islamist groups’ networking skills growing”
• “Ansaroul Islam and the Growing Terrorist Insurgency in Burkina Faso” (Combating Terrorism Center at West Point)
• “Service and sacrifice of African peacekeepers ‘at the forefront of our minds’: UN chief” (UN info-machine)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Tomahawks in the Baltic States? Russia Is Making a Fuss” (Warsaw Institute)
• “Russian Foreign Ministry says US has not responded to all Moscow’s concerns on INF Treaty” (TASS)
• “U.S. Permanent Military Base in Poland: Favorable Solution For the NATO Alliance” (Warsaw Institute)
• “NATO may consider deploying missiles in Czech Republic in response to Russia’s violation of INF treaty”
• “Metnar has not ruled out discussions about the location of the American base in the Czech Republic” (RUS state media, in Czech)
• “Defense Minister Metnar did not exclude the US base in the Czech Republic.” (SVK media, in Slovak)
• “The United States, after withdrawing from the INF, will force Europe to deploy US mid-range and short-range missiles aimed at Russia. And Moscow will have to react symetrically, said Igor Korotchenko, Editor-in-Chief of the National Defense magazine …” (RUS state media, in Czech)
• “U.S. sends additional helicopters to Latvia as part of next rotation of troops”
• “USA deploys more than a dozen combat helicopters in Latvia”
• “Introducing comprehensive national defense among biggest challenges for coming years – (LVA DefMin) Pabriks”
• “NATO fighter jets to conduct training flights in Estonian airspace”
• “Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States’ borders February 4 – 10, 2019” (LTU MoD)
• “Estonian Army Officer, Father Jailed For Spying For Russia”
• “Estonia to install radar towers with cameras on border with Russia”
• “Poland announces purchase of HIMARS rocket systems from U.S. – media”
• “U.S. military to inspect Belarusian army unit” (BLR state media)
• “US Admiral Wants To ‘Push First’ Against Russian Ships – Reports”
• “Putin dismisses nine generals”
• “Latvia and Lithuania resolve disagreements over air navigation over Baltic Sea”
• “Chinese Intelligence Operations Getting Aggressive In Baltics”
• “S-300PS surface-to-air missile systems repel heavy air attack during drills” (TASS)
• “Russian strategic bombers carry out missile strike during military drills” (TASS)
• “Russia wraps up state trials of advanced shipborne air defense missile system” (TASS)
• “One of Russia’s Neighbors Has Security Lessons for the Rest of Us — Estonia’s online militia offers advice to the U.S. and Europe on preparing for increasingly digital war …”
• “Lithuania set to ban fake news from Russia”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “As the Threat of ISIS Recedes, Iraq Looks to Its Neighbors to Spur a Recovery”
• “Russia repatriates 27 children of IS members from Iraq”
• “U.S. Commander: Syria Pullout Likely To Begin Within Weeks”
• “US Defense Chief: ‘Significant Progress’ Against Islamic State in Syria”
• “Islamic state in Syria: US-forces attack caliphate in eastern province”
• “Fears of ISIL regrouping in Afghanistan after Syria defeat”
• “US-backed Syrian forces battle to capture last ISIL enclave”
• “US-Allied Syrian Kurds Reportedly Sell Oil to Damascus Government”
• “Russia to upgrade Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ attack helicopter considering Syrian experience” (TASS)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “China Says US Aims to ‘Stir Up Trouble’ With Naval Sail-By”
• “UK to send new aircraft carrier loaded with F35 jets into South China Sea – CNBC”
• “China participates in Pakistan’s naval drills in a big way” (CHN mil media)
• “What Will The China-India Relationship Look Like In 2019?” (CHN mil media)
• “China eyes building next-generation fighter jets by 2035” (CHN mil media)
• “China’s EU mission calls ‘spying’ report groundless” (CHN Communist Party media)

#VEN Crisis

• “A Short Guide for Canadian Anti-Imperialists on the Current Crisis in Venezuela” (socialistproject.ca)
• “Alternative Futures: United Kingdom Options in Venezuela” (Divergent Options paper)

Afghanistan

• “ON TARGET: More than a decade later, Taliban talks prove Jack Layton right”

Big Honkin’ Ship Document Leak Case

• “Norman’s defence accuses Trudeau PMO of attempting to direct prosecution”
• “Mark Norman lawyers protest ‘strategy’ talks between Crown, federal lawyers”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Design unveiled for the future Canadian Surface Combatants” (RCN info-machine)
• “L3 Technologies key member of team for Canadian combat-ship program”
• “CMS 330 selected for Canadian JSS”
• “More on the major warship contract” (Col Ted)

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “N.L. judge says DND not liable for 1970 cadet sex abuse incident at CFB Greenwood”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Finding solutions to support families of serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces and first responders suffering with post-traumatic stress (PTS)” (Medavie Blue Cross info-machine)

Other Military News

• “Assault Pioneers returning to the Canadian Army” (DND info-machine)
• “Canada’s Air Force is losing too many experienced pilots — and the clock is ticking”
• “Royal Canadian Air Force wants more than a few good pilots as it’s losing many of them to commercial jobs”
• “$227M Coast Guard ship making crews too seasick to work”
• “Military to conduct training exercise in Campbell River, Quadra Island, Nanaimo and Comox”
• “Military disaster training exercise coming to eastern Vancouver Island”
• “NORAD: Beyond Modernization” (U of Manitoba paper, PDF)

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