#Afghanistan
- “Donald Trump vows to keep fighting in Afghanistan. How does this affect Canada?”
- Former CAN envoy to AFG: “The world must finish its job—and protect its legacy—in Afghanistan”
- Commentary “John Ivison: Canada would be wise to steer clear of a return to ‘graveyard of empires’ “ – “Donald Trump’s flawed recipe for endless, unwinnable Afghan War: Walkom” – “Trump’s Afghanistan war strategy: A ‘realistic but undefined’ policy U-turn”
- “James Mattis: DoD to Determine Total Number of Ground Troops in Afghanistan”
- “Tillerson accuses Russia of arming Taliban”
- “For Valour, for sale: Historic Canadian Victoria Cross up for auction” – “Impress your friends? Historic Canadian Victoria Cross up for auction”
- “New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Zabīh Allah Mujāhid: “Remarks Concerning Trump’s Strategy” “ (safe link via statement-monitoring blog)
- “We Won the War in Afghanistan—And Then Lost It” (War Is Boring blog)
- “Did a Canadian company sell the wrong camouflage to Afghanistan?”
#CANvsISIL
The Kurds
- “U.S. defense secretary arrives in Iraq for unannounced visit to meet Iraqi leaders” – “Mattis Praises Defeat-ISIS Efforts in Meetings With Iraqi Leaders”
- “Mattis confirms U.S. support to preserve Iraq’s unity” – “US backs Iraq’s territorial integrity: Defense minister”
- “Mattis Asks Iraqi Kurds to Put Off Vote on Independence” – “US: Kurdish referendum threatens Iraq’s territorial integrity “
- “Barzani: Kurdistan will not postpone independence vote a minute” – “Despite objections Iraq’s Kurds plan to hold independence referendum” – “To delay referendum, Kurdistan needs firm guarantees on independence: Barzani”
- “Iraq’s Christians wary of planned Kurdish regional poll”
- “Kurdish state an insult to Kurds: Erdogan”
Everyone Else Vs. ISIL
- ” Iraqi forces close in on Daesh-held Tal Afar”
- “Military chief says ISIS too weak to plot terror attacks from Iraq”
- “Interring the Islamic State in Iraq”
- “Radical Islam: We Must Talk About More Than ISIS”
#Syria
- “2 North Korean arms shipments en route to Syria intercepted — A North Korean company attempted to send two arms shipments to Syria but UN member states prevented the goods from reaching their destination, according to a confidential UN report that was recently submitted to the UN Security Council …” – “Two North Korean shipments to Syrian chemical weapons program intercepted”
Cold War 2.0: The Koreas
- “N.K. leader orders more production of solid-fuel engines, ICBM warhead tips” – “Kim Jong Un Inspects Chemical Material Institute of Academy of Defense Science — Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, gave field guidance to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science … After looking round the newly-built room for the education in the revolutionary history and exhibition hall of scientific and technological achievements, he learned about the processes for manufacturing ICBM warhead tip and solid-fuel rocket engine … He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips by further expanding engine production process and the production capacity of rocket warhead tips and engine jets by carbon/carbon compound material …” (PRK MFA) – PDF of statement screen capture
- “North Korea won’t give up its nukes: N. Korean diplomat”
- “Liberals agree to hold emergency meeting on North Korea threat” – “(CAN) Parliamentary committee ponders how to cope with nuclear threat from North Korea” – “It may be time for Canada to embrace U.S. ballistic missile shield: MP” – “Corée du Nord: le débat sur le bouclier antimissile relancé” – “Des élus fédéraux discutent de la menace nord-coréenne”
- “Canada sending 15 troops to participate in South Korean, US military exercise”
- “Tillerson We could still talk to North Korea”
- “US imposes new sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies to cut off North Korea support — The sanctions affect Dandong Rich Earth Trading Company, which the US accused of buying vanadium ore from Korea Kumsan Trading Corporation …” – “U.S. sanctions 16 entities, individuals over N. Korea’s nuclear program” – “US Sanctions Russian Chinese Firms for Helping North Korea Militarize” – “US slaps sanctions on Chinese Russian entities for backing N-Korea nuclear programme” – “North Korea Designations; Non-proliferation Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations Removals and Update; Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations Removals and Update; Counter Terrorism Designation Removal; Cuba Designation Removal” (U.S. Treasury)
- “China says US sanctions against North Korea will not help, calls situation ‘extremely tense’ “ – “China warns US sanctions ‘will not help’ Trump secure cooperation over North Korea”
- “Comment by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on new US anti-Russia sanctions” (RUS MFA)
- “Trump doesn’t have enough diplomats to deal with North Korea”
- “U.S. Will be to Blame for Consequences from Joint Military Drill: KPA Panmunjom Mission” (PRK MFA) – “Joint drill dangerous game for Peninsula” (CHN military media)
- “U.S., North Korea clash at U.N. forum over nuclear weapons”
- “S. Korea to pursue peaceful resolution to N.K. issue, ‘turning point’ for permanent peace”
- “Ukraine observes its undertaken international obligations in good faith and in a consistent manner – the President instructed the Foreign Ministry to initiate hearings within the UN Security Council to prove Ukraine’s noninvolvement in the North Korea’s m(issiles?)” (UKR pres info-machine)
- “Poroshenko initiates UN SC consideration of Ukraine’s non-involvement in North Korea’s missile program”
- “(JPN) Defense Ministry to ask for record ¥5.2 trillion (CAN $60 million) budget amid North Korea concerns”
Cold War 2.0: China/Asia-Pacific
- “China’s 2nd aircraft carrier to undergo trial soon: Report” – “Chinese first home-built aircraft carrier to start its first sea trials in autumn”
- “China’s New H-6N Bomber Can Carry DF-21D to Kill Carrier Further Away”
- “Beijing warns US ahead of Taiwan defence minister’s visit”
- “China Calls U.S. ‘Arrogant’ After Ship Collision”
- “U.S. Landpower In The South China Sea”
- IND-CHN Border Tension “We are human too, India and China have to start talking and stop using us soldiers as cannon fodder” –“China urges India to act rationally amid standoff”
- “5th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali pass equipment inspection” (CHN military media)
- “China in the Red Sea: The Djibouti Naval Base and the Return of Admiral Zheng He”
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
- “Russia names Anatoly Antonov, diplomat sanctioned by the EU and Canada, as U.S. ambassador –Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed a hard-line critic of the U.S. who’s blacklisted by the European Union over the Ukraine crisis as his new ambassador to Washington …”
- “No U.S.-Russia cyber unit without Trump notifying Congress, bill says”
- “Are Cyber Weapons Too Dangerous to Use?”
- “Moldova asks UN to withdraw the Russian troops from Transnistria”
- “Russian bomber Tu-95 spotted above Baltic Sea, Denmark’s fighter jets escort it” – “Watch Danish Forces Flank Russian Bomber Over Baltic Sea”
- Zapad 2017 Latest “Belarus Invites Observers To Monitor ‘Zapad 2017’ Exercises, But NATO Critical” – “Two Ukrainian observers to be present in West-2017 drills in Belarus” – “Ukraine sends verifiers for observing West 2017 drills in Belarus” – “NATO slams observation format of Russia-Belarus military drills” – “Oleksandr Turchynov: “Zapad-2017” – reality and threats” (UKR Nat’l Def & Secur Council) – “Is Russia Using Belarus Wargame to Deploy Permanent Units Along Poland’s Border?”
- “Why the Russian Navy Is a More Capable Adversary Than It Appears”
- “Leaving US Nuclear Weapons In Turkey Is Just Poor Strategy”
- “Poland marks European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism” – “EU chiefs condemn nationalism on Remembrance Day” – “Baltic states mark day of infamy and triumph”
- ” ‘Forest brothers’ in the CIA archives – Anti-Soviet sentiment across the Baltics”
#Ukraine
- Let’s see how long THIS ceasefire lasts … “New Ukraine Truce in Offing” – ” “Normandy Four” leaders back ceasefire in Donbas of Ukraine” – “Normandy format leaders support cease-fire on academic year start” – “Normandy format leaders agree to support ceasefire in Donbas” – “Putin, Merkel, Macron back new ceasefire deal in Ukraine” – “Contact Group to support ‘school truce’ in Donbas on occasion of new school year” – “The leaders of the Normandy format expressed resolute support to the cease-fire regime on the occasion of the beginning of a new school year” (UKR president info-machine) – “Statement by the representative of the People’s Republic of Lugansk at the Minsk negotiations, Vladislav Deynego, on the issue of a truce” (LNR, in Russian) – “Statement by the representative of the People’s Republic of Finland at the Minsk talks Vladislav Deynego on the issue of diluting (withdrawing? disengaging?) forces” (LNR, in Russian) – “Normandy Four leaders support ceasefire in Donbas ahead of school year” – “LPR ready to stick to ceasefire as the new academic year begins – Deinego’s statement”
- “Poroshenko demands again UN peacekeepers and armed OSCE mission for Donbass” – “Poroshenko to raise issue of bringing UN peacekeepers to Donbas at UN General Assembly session” – “Poroshenko to present to UNGA idea of peacekeepers’ deployment in Donbas”
- Updates from All Sides “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 21 August 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 23 Aug 2017 – “(Separatist) Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 08/23/2017” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire seven times over 24 hours” – “OSCE records Ukrainian forces’ strikes at LPR in Stanitsa area – People’s Militia” – “The Kiev siloviki violated the “silence regime” seven times a day” (LNR, in Russian) – “Ukrainian forces fire over 370 artillery, mortar rounds at DPR over 24 hours – Basurin” – “Ukrainian security officials released over 370 mines and shells for the day – Basurin” (DNR, in Russian) – “The Donetsk command declared 45 violations of the “silence regime” by the APU for 24 hours” (DNR, in Russian) – “Donetsk Command reports 45 ceasefire violations over 24 hours” – “Militants shell 28 times in Donbas, four Ukrainian soldiers injured” – “Militants launched 28 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day” – “Four Ukrainian soldiers wounded in ATO zone over last day” – “Donbas militants engage heavy weapons, 4 WIA in last day” – “Kyiv reports 28 attacks on Ukrainian army positions, 4 wounded troops” – “Ukrainian gunmen launch 370 shells onto DPR over past 24 hours” –
- “Parade in Kyiv: Without equipment, but with NATO military” – “Military parade marking 26th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence … The military parade will be attended by about ten units from different countries (Britain, Georgia, Canada, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, the United States, Latvia, Romania, and Estonia), nine of which are members of the North Atlantic Alliance …” – “Nine defense ministers of partner countries to take part in parade on Independence Day – Poltorak”
- “Ukraine’s Poroshenko Wants Weaponry of ’21st Century’ Amid Donbass War” – “We start the program of armed-technical modernization of the army to the level of the 21st century – the President” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian) – “Ukraine purchases military equipment, weapons 10 times more than before, – Poroshenko” – “Poroshenko announces modernization of Armed Forces” – “Ukraine launching program of army’s military-technical modernization”
- “In the DNR, a criminal case was brought against the officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who commanded the bombardment of Donetsk on August 20” (DNR, in Russian) – “DPR launches criminal investigation against Ukrainian officer in charge of August 20 shelling of Donetsk”
- Update on Talks of All Kinds “DPR, LPR Representatives’ meeting with OSCE coordinator begins in Minsk” – “Contact group on Ukraine reconvenes in Minsk” – “Talks between Volker and Surkov started too early” – “US wants to restore Ukraine’s integrity and sovereignty – Volker” – “US wants to restore Ukraine’s integrity and sovereignty – Volker” – “Minsk process can’t end Donbas war, format should be expanded – Kravchuk”
- “68th Russian humanitarian convoy to arrive in DPR on August 24”
Way Up North
- “Defence Minister to visit troops deployed on Operation NANOOK 2017” – “Photos from OP Nanook“
- “Warming Arctic spurs battles for riches, shipping routes”
Internal Security
- “Canada looking into possible illicit causes behind asylum spike” – “Trudeau, border crossers task force to meet, review next steps in coping with asylum seekers” – “NDP’s Jenny Kwan says Liberals are misleading asylum seekers over border”
- “Federal advertising ‘blacklist’ of websites includes far-right outlets” – “How should Canadians respond to the alt-right?” – “Quebec village refuses to remove swastika-emblazoned anchor from park” – “Ottawa veut unir ses alliés contre l’extrême droite”
What’s Canada Buying?
- Wanted: “R&D Animation Video … Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) requires the services of a Contractor to use their existing or in development tools to process 3D LIDAR, hyperspectral imaging and WAMI imaging data to create 3D complex scenes representing a real or imagined city to simulate sensors mounted on different mobile platforms and to create and execute software control tactical scenarios on 3D scenes …”
- Wanted (update): “Advanced Combat Uniforms … The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for Commercial-Off-The-shelf Advanced Special Operations Forces (SOF) Combat Uniforms (ASCU) to be supplied in accordance with DND specifications …”
- Wanted: “Defence Construction Canada – Request for Abbreviated Proposals for Consulting Services – Technical UXO Services: N000437, Geophysical Survey, Nicolet, Quebec”
Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)
Other
- “Double homecoming for deployed ships”
- “Pilot program well-suited for women considering joining the Forces” (DND info-machine)
- “Dedication ceremony for Highway of Heroes Durham LAV Monument draws crowds”
- “Removing monuments to Canadians who helped conquer Africa — Some good might come in Canada from neo-fascists marching in Charlottesville, Virginia. Taking advantage of media interest in protests over monuments to historical figures with racist views activists in Halifax are pushing to remove commemorations to two individuals who helped conquer Africa. And there’s no lack of other such memorials to target across the Great White North …” (rabble.ca)
World War Two
- ” ‘Tremendous bravery and fortitude’: Solemn ceremony pays tribute to Dieppe raid’s fallen” – “Prime Minister joins Canadian delegation to mark the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid”
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