MILNEWS.ca Highlights – April 7, 2017

Syria

• “US strikes Assad targets; Canada mum on abrupt Syria shift”
• “U.S. blasts Syria base with 60 cruise missiles — Strike is in retaliation to a chemical weapons attack in the country on Tuesday …” – “The US Just Launched Tomahawk Missiles At Syrian Government Targets” – “Washington launches strikes against Syrian base after reported chemical weapon attack”
• Info-Machine Material   “Trump Orders Missile Attack in Retaliation for Syrian Chemical Strikes” (US DoD) – “Statement from Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis on U.S. strike in Syria” – “Comment from the Press Service of the President of Russia — The President of Russia regards the US airstrikes on Syria as an act of aggression against a sovereign state delivered in violation of international law under a far-fetched pretext …”
• “Russian and Iranian Basing in Syria: March 21, 2017” (ISW)
• “US Missile Strikes in Syria Cross Russian ‘Red Lines’. How Will Putin Respond?” – “US missile strikes at Syria base ‘in violation of international law’: Putin” – “Putin Calls U.S. Syria Strike Aggression, Ends Airspace Pact
• “U.S. launches missiles on Syria in response to deadly gas attack”
• “From airstrike to US intervention: How a chemical attack in Syria unfolded”
• “Trump remarks on US military strikes on Syria”
• “In abrupt shift on Syria, Trump turns to military advisers”
• “Analysis: Trump Sends Syria a Message, But One With Risks”
• “After Airstrike, Congress Wants To Hear the President’s Strategy” – “Rand Paul: Trump needs Congress to authorize military action in Syria”
• “ISW Analysts React to the U.S.’s Anti-Assad Strike in Syria” (ISW blog)
• “U.S. intelligence agencies suspect Assad kept some chemical weapons: official”
• “Trump cannot be like Obama in dealing with Assad atrocities”
• More coverage via Google News, Bing News and EMM
• RUS Media Response
• “Putin to Discuss US Missile Strikes in Syria With Russian Security Council”
• “Russia Suspends Memorandum With US on Flight Safety in Syria – Foreign Ministry”
• “US Commited a ‘Blatant Agression’ Act Against Syrian Army Base – General Staff”
• “US Actions in Syria Reminiscent of Military Intervention in Iraq – Lavrov”
• “US Failed to Warn Syria of Strike on Sha’irat Airfield in Homs – General Staff”
• “Pentagon’s Massive Airstrike in Syria ‘Resembles Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya’ “
• “Russia’s cruise missile-armed frigate heading for Syria’s Tartus — source”
• “Putin calls US strikes against Syria ‘aggression against sovereign country’ “
• “US missile attack on Syria: Trump’s allies react, China calls for political solution”
• “Russia was informed about US strikes in Syria — Kremlin The Kremlin stresses US strikes on Syria impair fight against terrorism”
• “Turkey pushes for no-fly zone in Syria The attack came as a response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Idlib on April 4”
• “Russian Defense Ministry says only 23 Tomahawk missiles hit targeted Syrian air base Russia is still expecting proof of chemical weapons’ use by the Syrian side from the States”
• “Death toll in US strike on Syria’s military base climbs to 10 — media”
• “Tillerson claims Russia failed to implement 2013 deal on destroying Syria’s chemical arms”

Internal Security

• “Le Canada veut rattraper son retard en termes de cybersécurité”
• “In Canada, Where Muslims Are Few, Group Stirs Fear of Islamists” – “La Meute Officiel”
• ” ‘Mock improvised explosive device’ causes hours-long flight delay at Pearson”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Indeed … “Why would Defence Construction Canada accept ammo bunkers that didn’t meet safety specifications?”
• From the “How Hard Up Do You Have to Be?” Files … “To fill urgent Indian Navy need, Centre eyes Canada’s used Sea King helicopters”
• Big Honkin’ Ships  “Allegations against military’s No. 2 spelled out after months of rumours” – “Vice-Admiral Norman’s e-mail spoke of ‘blatant politics’ of supply-ship contract” – “Le vice-amiral Norman aurait coulé de l’information secrète à Chantier Davie selon la GRC” – “Le vice-amiral Norman aurait coulé des informations au chantier naval de la Davie”
• “(Public Works Minister) Judy Foote taking leave of absence, cites personal and family reasons” – “Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on temporary changes to the Ministry” (PMJT Info-machine)
• F-35 Tug o’ War  “Boeing Wants to Build a ‘Super’ F/A-18E/F Super Hornet” – “Boeing working to fix problems with oxygen, pressure loss for Super Hornet”
• “Role-players sought to act in British military exercises at CFB Suffield”
• “Aéro Montréal Seminar on Royal Canadian Air Force Defence and Major Projects” (speech text)
• Wanted (Update): “Special Intelligence Advisor”
• Wanted:  “Anthrasil Immune Globulin … The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for the supply of a firm quantity of 168 vials of FDA licensed Anthrasil (50 ml) to be delivered on or before June 30, 2017 with an option to purchase an additional 168 vials …” – FDA.gov: “Fractionated Plasma Products > ANTHRASIL … Indicated for the treatment of inhalational anthrax in adult and pediatric patients in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs …”
• Wanted:  “Accommodation & Catering Services – Iqaluit, NU … To provide accommodations and catering services for 50 Junior Canadian Rangers (JCRs) (youth) and up to 15 adults.for Department of National Defence, CanadianRanger Patrol Group (CRPG) in Iqaluit, NU during the period April 19 to 24, 2017 … CRPG will hold its Nunavut Territorial Shoot for the time frame 21-24 April 2017 …”
• Wanted:  “Canopy Handling Course (CFSSAR) … The Department of National Defence Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR) is seeking highly qualified subject matter experts (SMEs) to teach advanced canopy handling techniques in support of Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) occupational training to ab-initio Restricted Team Members (RTM). Upon commencement, students will have completed a minimum of 70 static line/free fall jumps into open field and simulated/actual confined areas with and without equipment …”

Ukraine

• “PDF-report for journalists,war experts,diplomats and other – Guide about war in #Donbas” (partly funded by Government of Canada)
• More on #UKR DefMin Visit to #CAN  “In Ottawa Poltorak meets with President of Ukrainian Canadian Congress Pavlo Grod” (UKR MoD) – “UCC meets with Ukraine’s Defence Minister” (UCC Info-machine) – “Minister of Defence of Ukraine thanks diplomats of Embassy of Ukraine to Canada for successful initiatives” (UKR MoD) – “Stepan Poltorak awards representatives of Ukrainian community in Canada” (UKR MoD)
• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …”  “NATO PA President stresses solidarity with Ukraine in visit to Kyiv” – “(UKR) President met with the Prime Minister of Lithuania” (UKR Pres Info-machine) – “Lithuania ready to continue arms supplies to Ukraine – Defense Minister Caroblis” – “Lithuania ready to continue supplying arms to Ukraine after inspecting its reserves” – “(UKR) President met with the Prime Minister of Estonia” (UKR Pres Info-machine) – “President: Incresing defensive potential of Ukraine is a security of Europe and Transatlantic community” (UKR Pres Info-machine)
• “European Parliament approves abolition of visas for Ukraine”
• “OSCE extends mission’s mandate at two Russian checkpoints” – “The OSCE extended the mandate of the observers at Russian border checkpoints 2”
• “Ukraine insists on improving the monitoring procedure by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, in particular, regarding the representation of the parties, as was stated by the representative of Ukraine to the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group, Iryna Herashchenko …”
• “Massive Reserve Mobilization Assembly in the Donetsk People’s Republic” – “Largest ever mobilization assembly in DPR – Reservists get arms at home”
• “Donbass hands over evidence to International Criminal Court on Kiev’s war crimes”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 5 April 2017” – “Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, April 07, 2017” (UKR MoD) – “Donbas: 48 attacks on Ukrainian positions over 24 hours” – “LPR Command reports two ceasefire violations by Kiev forces over 24 hours” – “Donetsk command states 46 Ukrainian shellings over day” – “Ukraine promises to carry out the synchronic disengagement today – LPR People’s Militia”
• He Says, She Says … “LPR People’s Militia plans disengagement in Stanitsa Luganskaya area for today”  – “Kiev promises to withdraw forces in Stanitsa Luganskaya today” – “Militants stalled disengagement in Stanytsia Luhanska”   – “LPR People’s Militia ordered to disengage forces and facilities near Stanitsa Luganskaya today”
• “Poroshenko has signed the law on compensation of 50% of the cost of housing to veterans of the ATO and the internal refugees”
• “UkrOboronProm offers modern modular turret systems at LAAD 2017”
• “SBU foils terror attack planned by Russia’s FSB”
• “DPR MGB identifies mastermind of Motorola’s and Givi’s murders”
• “DPR creates “hot line” to monitor infrastructure objects’ state in Kiev-controlled territory”
• “IMF warns of consequences for Ukraine if level of corruption not reduced”

Cold War 2.0

• “State Duma’s committee to look into if VOA, CNN meddled in Russian elections”
• “One Chart Reveals The Range Of Russia’s Land-Based Missile Arsenal”
• “Why Are Russia and Turkey Holding Joint War Games in the Black Sea?”
• “Russian navy reigns in the Caspian Sea” (Pravda)
• “Estonia taps BAE Systems Hagglunds for vehicle support — BAE Systems has contracted with the Estonian Ministry of Defense to provide support and maintenance for the country’s CV90 combat vehicles …”
• “U.S. And NATO Special Ops Just Fought a Fake Guerrilla War in West Virginia”
• “G7 Next Week in Rome to Discuss Ukraine”
• “North Korea’s Ballistic Missiles Are Very Hard to Hit”
• “American & Japanese Naval Vessels Show Of Force In Philippine Sea”
• “Philippines’ Duterte orders occupation of isles in disputed South China Sea”
• “Chinese Navy Commissions Sub Killer Stealth Warship for Service in South China Sea”
• “China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier nears launch”
• “PLA Army commander meets Australian counterpart in Beijing”
• “A Network Of Russian-Language News Sites Is Secretly Owned By Kremlin, Investigation Finds”
• “Cyber security experts from the Baltics convene in Vilnius”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• “Peacekeeping Contributor Profile: Canada”
• Colonel Ted:  “A better way to do peacekeeping”
• “The Threat of US Cuts: Helping Peacekeeping Help Itself?”

Canada Into Africa?

• “At Security Council, new UN peacekeeping chief urges faster implementation of Mali peace deal”
• “Catastrophic drought has put Somalia on the brink of total collapse”

Other

• “Training for Invictus Games underway in (BC) capital region”
• “Department of National Defence commissions North Bay water test”
• “Canadian Army supports Canada 150 events throughout 2017”

World War One

• Royal Canadian Mint: “The Battle of Vimy Ridge – 1 oz. Pure Silver Selectively Gold-Plated Coin: First World War Battlefront Series (2017)”
• “Government of Canada recognized Sir Arthur William Currie as a national historic person”
• “Why Vimy matters: Peter Mansbridge on a battle that defined us”
• ” ‘The village was completely razed’: For the French, cafes and picnics among the bomb craters of Vimy Ridge”
• “Fightback Canada – 100 Years Since Vimy Ridge: Canada’s ‘founding myth’ Obscures Reality of Imperialist War” (“Marxist Voice of Labour and Youth”)

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