MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 13, 2018

Internal Security:  #HuaweiCFOArrest + Spinoff

• “Ex-Canadian envoy detained – China’s Foreign Ministry said that the organization a former Canadian diplomat (Michael Kovrig) works for has not registered in the Chinese mainland, indicating that its employees’ activities in the mainland have violated Chinese laws …” (CHN nationalist tabloid)
• “Coercive measures have been taken against two Canadians on suspicion of jeopardizing China’s national security, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Thursday …” (CHN Communist Party media)
• “China Confirms Holding Two Canadians in ‘National Security’ Investigation”
• “Canada says second person questioned in China after detention of ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig”
• “China Confirms Detention of Second Canadian”
• “Affaire Huawei: deux Canadiens soupçonnés en Chine de menace à la « sécurité nationale »”
• “Two Canadians Suspected Of Endangering Сhina’s State Security – Beijing”
• “US, Canada risk opening Pandora’s box” (CHN nationalist tabloid)
• “China won’t tolerate bullying of citizens: FM” (CHN nationalist tabloid)
• “Canada can end Huawei case, but will it?” (CHN nationalilst tabloid)
• “China to Canada: Trampling on the rights of Chinese citizens comes with a high cost” (CHN Communist Party media)
• “China will never sit by and watch any bullying act against Chinese citizens: FM” (CHN Communist Party media)
• “Canada Has Chosen “Soft” Scenario for Ending the Huawei Crisis – Scholars”
• “Scheer blames Trudeau’s ‘naive approach’ to China for Huawei crisis”
• “Michael Spavor, the Canadian idealist who soared on his hopes for a better North Korea brought crashing back to earth in China”
• “Biographical sketches of 2 Canadians detained in China”

Internal Security:  Other Stuff

• “AP Analysis Reveals Iran Hackers Hunt Nuclear Workers, US Targets”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Turkey conducts airstrikes against PKK targets in Iraq”
• “Turkish jets carry out bombardment in Shingal, Makhmour district”
• ” US forces and Iraqi fighters are facing each other in a ‘Wild West situation’ on the Iraq-Syria border”
• “Amnesty International: Islamic State Wrought Havoc in Rural Iraq”
• “Amnesty: Iraq should use oil revenue to fund reconstruction of war-torn areas”
• “Amnesty says ISIL ‘annihilation’ of rural Iraq is a war crime”
• “Amnesty Says ISIS Destructive Legacy Decimated Rural Iraq”
• “Iraq: Islamic State’s destructive legacy decimates Yezidi farming” (Amnesty International)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Suspected jihadists kill 42 in Mali’s nomadic Tuareg camps”
• “Suspected jihadists kill dozens in attacks on nomadic Tuareg camps in Mali”
• “Mali: des dizaines de tués dans une attaque près de la frontière nigérienne”
• “Mali : 5 djihadistes tués”
• “Sweeping Change to US Policy for Africa Announced”
• “US Rethinking Peacekeeping Role in Africa”
• “US-Africa: Bolton unveils plan to counter Russia and China influence”
• “Reprise des opérations du G5 Sahel”
• “Niger: Escalating violence uproots farmers and herders in Niger” (UN High Commissioner for Refugees)
• “The death of a jihadist: A chance to curb Mali’s conflict”
• “Gunmen kill more than 40 Tuaregs in ongoing Mali violence”
• “Mali: 47 civils tués par des inconnus armés près de Ménaka”
• “Several dozen killed near Mali’s border with Niger”
• “Mali : démantèlement d’une cellule terroriste”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Kiev Aggression on Donbass Imminent” (Pravda RUS media)
• “Moscow Warns That Kiev is Preparing Military Offensive Against Donbass” (pro-RUS site)
• “Don’t Let Ukraine Drag America Into War” (pro-RUS site)
• “DPR says Ukraine amassed chemicals at central Mariupol factory” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “DPR urges UN, OSCE, ICRC to prevent chemical attack in Mariupol” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Ukraine Wants Nuclear Weapons: Will the West Bow to the Regime in Kiev?” (pro-RUS think tank)
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 12 December 2018” (OSCE info-machine)
• “Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, December 13, 2018” (UKR MoD info-machine)
• UKR mil info-machine map, 13 Dec 2018
• Pro-RUS rebel info-machine map, 10-12 Dec 2018 (in Russian)
• “NATO Secretary General and President Poroshenko discuss developments in and around the Sea of Azov” (NATO info-machine)
• “Stepping up NATO presence in the Black Sea will prevent further escalation and ensure security in the region – meeting between the President of Ukraine and the Secretary General of the Alliance” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “NATO concerned by heightened Russia-Ukraine tensions, – Stoltenberg”
• “NATO Pledges Support For Ukraine Over Sea Of Azov Incident” (US-funded media)
• “NATO to keep an eye on situation in Sea of Azov — Poroshenko”
• “Bolton: No Trump-Putin Meeting While Russia Holds Ukrainian Ships, Sailors” (USA-funded media)
• “No Trump-Putin meeting while Russia holds Ukraine ships – Bolton”
• “Russia Says No to OSCE Monitors in the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait”
• “Some Lessons From Germany’s Failed Proposal on the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait”
• “Conflict in the Kerch Strait, Information War, and Destabilization of Ukraine” (InformNapalm.org)
• “EU Leaders Prolong Economic Sanctions On Russia”
• “Donbass Brothers: How Serbian Fighters Were Deployed in Ukraine”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Poland to take lead in NATO Baltic Air Policing mission”
• “Rencontre entre le chef d’état-major russe et un haut responsable de l’Otan”
• “Russian military chief accuses Nato of buildup on borders”
• “Increasing NATO Forces Near Russian Borders Will Only Increase Tensions – (RUS) MoD” (RUS state media)
• “Here’s How A Conventional War Between NATO And Russia Could Go Down” (Task & Purpose blog)
• “War With Russia Could Look a Lot Like War With the Soviets Did” (War is Boring blog)

Way Up North

• “Shipbuilders lay down icebreaker for Russian Navy”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Christie Blatchford: The shipshow prosecution that Mark Norman is facing”
• Col. Ted on VADM Norman prosecution: “… this prosecution looks, to me, to have gone from nasty and unnecessary to desperate …”

Other Military News

• “Agent Orange Investigations at Base Gagetown” (DND info-machine, updated 13 Dec 2018)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Russian ambassador to China hails Russian-Chinese military cooperation” (CHN mil media)
• “Can South China Sea conflict between Washington and Beijing be avoided?”

---

Advertisements

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 12, 2018

No #MapleFlag2019

• “Canada decided to not conduct Maple Flag exercise in 2019”
• “Postponement of Exercise Maple Flag” (RCAF info-machine)
• “Maple Flag exercise postponed so improvements can be made to Cold Lake base and range”

Internal Security:  #HuaweiCFOArrest + Spinoff

• “Second Canadian missing in China after questioning by authorities: Freeland”
• “Michael Kovrig Accused of Harming China’s National Security as Second Canadian Goes Missing” (China Digital Times)
• “China: Canadian Diplomat Arrested on Charges of Endangering Security”
• “Amid Row Over Huawei Case, China Detains a Former Canadian Diplomat”
• “China Detains Michael Kovrig, a Former Canadian Diplomat”
• “Michael Kovrig, and China’s reward-and-punishment diplomacy”
• “Canadien arrêté en Chine: « un pion », selon des proches et experts”
• “Meng Wanzhou is out on bail — but could be in legal limbo for years”
• “La vie sous haute surveillance de l’héritière Huawei à Vancouver”
• “Is Canada Goose cooked? Shares slide as Chinese buyers demand boycott over arrest of Huawei CFO Sabrina Meng Wanzhou”
• “Chinese Arrest and Trump Boast Drag Trudeau Into Huawei Feud”
• “Huawei arrest fires warning shot to foreign business executives, as US law enforcers makes targeting individuals a ‘top priority’”
• “”Trump’s willingness to intervene in Meng detention roils Canada’s justification”
• “China’s threats over Huawei arrests send a clear signal to Canada”
• “Glavin: Squeezed by China and Trump, Canada must rewrite policy, fast”

Internal Security:  Other Stuff

• “Liberals, Conservatives spar over threat posed by return of foreign fighters to Canada”
• “Government response to motion on bringing ISIS members to justice emphasizes prosecution challenges”
• “Rapport public de 2018 sur la menace terroriste au Canada: le niveau demeure le même”
• “Liberals Fail to Bring ISIS Terrorists to Justice” (CPC info-machine)
• “Edmonton truck attack suspect had encrypted device cops couldn’t crack: ex-chief”
• “Peshdary knew of four ‘brothers’ intending to join ISIL in Syria, star witness testifies”
• “The ARC Collective: My Observations Concerning Saturday’s Anti-UN Migrant Compact Protests” (Anti-Racist Canada blog)
• “FUREY: Omar Khadr keeps coming back for more – and still shows no regrets”
• “Rightsizing the Transnational Jihadist Threat” (Crisis Group)

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Islamic State eyes comeback in Iraq”
• “On the Syria-Iraq border, Iran-backed militia eyes U.S. troops”
• “Syria war: Turkey warns of fresh anti-Kurd offensive in north”
• “Threatening to invade Syrian Kurdistan, Erdogan uses phrase ‘terrorist Kurds’ “
• “US warns Turkey not to attack Syria”
• “Unilateral military action into northeast Syria ‘unacceptable’: Pentagon”
• “New War in Syria? U.S. Allies to Soon Be Targeted in Military Action by Turkey”
• “Syrian Kurds: Threat of Turkish Action Impacts Anti-IS Fight”
• “Turkey expanding military operation in northern Syria: Erdogan”
• “Syria war: Turkey warns of fresh anti-Kurd offensive in north”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “DPR sends note to OSCE concerning Kiev-prepared assault in Donbass” (proRUS rebel info-machine)
• “MAJOR: Ukraine’s President Describes WAR Against Russia” (pro-RUS site)
• “Russian spies ‘launched major cyber attack on Ukraine’ prior to naval incident” (intelnews.org)
• “EU to offer Ukraine help over Azov Sea at summit” (Reuters)
• “Sea of Azov Crisis: Ukraine and Russia Clash, as do Competing Visions of European Security” (RUSI)
• “Kremlin disagrees with Poroshenko’s claim Kerch Strait incident was act of aggression” (RUS state media)
• “Ukrainian Intelligence withdraws from CIS Intelligence Services Cooperation Agreement” (UKR media)
• “Martial Law in Ukraine: A Rehearsal for War”
• “Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sajdik welcomes transfer of detainees not related to conflict from (certain areas of Luhansk region) to territory controlled by government of Ukraine” (OSCE info-machine)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Russian Defense Ministry: 80% of this year’s autumn recruits fit for military service” (RUS state media)
• “Russia Considers Deploying Military Aircraft in Venezuela Long Term, Media Reports”
• “Russia’s strategic bombers spark panic among Venezuela’s opposition, says top legislator” (RUS state media)
• “Looks like a Topol-E failure in a launch from Kapustin Yar” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog)
• “Russia to Build Huge, Luxurious Military Church to Promote Christian Values in Armed Forces”
• “Russian Official Threatens to Block Google Over Violations”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Mali says foiled New Year’s Eve terror attacks”
• “Germany extends Heron contracts for Afghanistan and Mali”
• “Mali: New law will reinforce the culture of impunity for human rights violations Amnesty International · 1 day ago” (Amnesty Int’l info-machine)
• “Mali : Rapport de suivi des activités humanitaires | avril à septembre 2018” (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)
• “Amnesty International demande au Mali de modifier la loi d’entente nationale”
• “US military probes Niger crash that killed French soldier”
• “Russia can take part in building Trans-African railway”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Canada’s military procurement legacy somehow gets even stupider”
• “Commons committee questions DND over fighter capability”
• “John Ivison: As Trudeau decides fate of Saudi LAV deal, he weighs idealism against electoral reality”
• “Court hears departments, officials collecting own files in Norman case”
• “Crown’s change of strategy in Vice Admiral Mark Norman case bound to raise questions”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Military, Veterans Affairs won’t pay for Air Force officer’s prosthetic leg, leaving her with $34,000 bill”
• “Government refuses to pay for veteran’s prosthetic leg”
• “Canada’s military veterans are finding a home in corporate cannabis”

Other Military News

• “HMCS Calgary charts a series of firsts at sea”
• “Interview de fin d’année avec le vice-amiral Ron Lloyd, commandant de la Marine royale canadienne” (video)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “US believes Chinese intelligence was behind massive Marriott hack, as Mike Pompeo decries Beijing’s ‘cyberattacks across the world’ “
• “Marriott Data Breach Is Traced to Chinese Hackers as U.S. Readies Crackdown on Beijing”
• “China-India military drill kicks off in SW China” (CHN mil media)
• “Operation Z machine: China’s next big weapon in the nuclear ‘arms race’”
• “Russia’s Pacific Fleet to get corvettes and submarines armed with cruise missiles”

The Koreas

• “North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: Current Status and Future Inspections” (38 North)
• “Korean Soldiers Verify Removal of Border Armed Guard Posts”
• “2 Koreas Inspect Demolition of Guard Posts”

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 10, 2018

Internal Security (1):  #CHN tech exec still in jail in #CAN

• “Bail hearing for embattled Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou will go to a third day”
• “Jailed Huawei CFO’s bail decision pushed to Tuesday as tensions persist”
• “Huawei senior executive is not a threat to jump bail, lawyer assures court”
• “Huawei’s detained CFO pledges to wear tracking device if granted bail”
• “Why China ratchets up pressure on Canada as it scolds US over Huawei executive’s arrest”
• “China Pressures US, Canada Ahead of Huawei Hearing”
• “China accuses Canada of violating agreement over Huawei arrest”
• “China Slams Treatment of Huawei Executive Held in Canada as ‘Inhumane'” (RUS media)
• “Trading blows: Canada next in China’s crosshairs?”
• “Canada will pay ‘a heavy price’, China warns in new stance over Huawei executive’s arrest”
• “On the Huawei extradition case, Canada’s legal system better stand up to scrutiny”
• “Huawei Arrest Raises Thorny Questions of Law Enforcement and Foreign Policy” (Lawfare blog)
• “Minitrue: Do Not Report on Arrest of Huawei CFO” (China Digital Times CHN govt censorship notice)
• “China bans import and sale of most iPhone models”
• “Huawei has long had a significant presence in Canada”
• “When will Canadians accept what China really is?”

Internal Security (2):  Pro/Anti Immigration Protest in Ottawa

• “9 arrested as pro- and anti-migration protesters clash in Ottawa”
• “9 arrested during protest against UN migration pact on Parliament Hill”
• “Ottawa: manifestation tendue contre le pacte de l’ONU sur les migrations”
• “The ARC Collective: Anti-Migrant Protests: Maxime Bernier No-Shows in Ottawa and Brief Notes on Other Protests” (Anti-Racist Canada blog)
• “Alberta yellow vest protests lack violence seen in Paris, but anti-immigration anger simmers”

Internal Security (3):  Other Stuff

• “Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr wants Canadian passport to travel, permission to speak to sister”
• “Omar Khadr Says He’s “Suffering,” Wants Permission To Travel To Saudi Arabia & Speak To His Pro-Al-Qaida Sister” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• “On Tuesday, December 11th, Government of Canada officials will host a media technical briefing regarding National Security and will answer questions from the media …” (Public Safety Canada info-machine)
• Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)
• “Military turns page on oft-criticized support unit for ill, injured troops”
• “Military closes book on oft-criticized support unit for ill, injured troops”
• “New unit to help soldiers transition to civilian life”
• “Stand up of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group: a commitment to look after members, veterans, and their families” (DND info-machine)
• “Ministers Sajjan and O’Regan announce stand up of Transition Group focused on improving the transition experience of Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families” (DND/VAC info-machine)
• “Seamus O’Regan draws scorn for comparing his career arc to veterans’ struggles”
• “O’Regan Compares Leaving Journalism To Veterans Struggling Leaving The Military” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• ” ‘A really dysfunctional culture’: Public directory of Veterans Affairs staff made secret for safety reasons, officials say — Almost all of the more than 3,000 employees of Veterans Affairs have removed their names from a public on-line directory, with the department claiming that front-line staff have to be protected from the veterans they are supposed to serve …”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Canadian special ops helping Iraqis roll up remaining ISIS opposition, says Vance”
• ‘Former child captive of ISIS behind campaign to give bikes to refugee kids”
• “Syria state media removes Damascus air strike report, situation unknown”
• “Syrian air defense systems repel airstrike near Damascus international airport – TV”
• ” Syrian air defenses intercept enemy targets near Damascus – state TV “
• “Syrian news agency removes report of Damascus air attack — The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) issued a report on Sunday saying Syrian air defences had intercepted enemy targets around Damascus international airport, but later in the day said the attack had not happened …”
• “ISIS Gone? Trump Claims Group is Defeated But One Year After Losing Iraq, It’s Hanging on in Syria”
• “Iraq Marks Anniversary of ISIS Defeat Amid Public Discontent”
• “A year after ISIS defeat, Iraq is mired in political crisis”
• “Iraq’s Yazidis ‘forgotten by world’ since ISIL attacks”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “The purchase of sniper rifles for the UAF in Canada is completed” (UKR mil int info-machine, in Ukrainian)
• LRT-3 sniper rifle (PGW Defence Technologies Inc info-machine)
• “Canada to allocate $2.5 mln to Ukraine for combating Russia’s propaganda”
• “Canada to allocate 2,5 million dollars to Ukraine for fighting Russia’s propaganda”
• “First meeting of the GUAM Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs – Canada on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s 25th Ministerial Council” (Global Affairs Canada info-machine)
• “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 9 December 2018”
• “Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, December 10, 2018” (UKR mil info-machine)
• UKR mil info-machine map, 10 Dec 2018
• Pro-RUS rebel update (w/map), 6-9 Dec 2018, in Russian
• “One Ukrainian soldier killed, one wounded amid 13 attacks in Donbas in past 24 hours – JFO HQ”
• “Ukraine reports 1 KIA, 1 WIA in Donbas over past day”
• “One Ukrainian serviceman died, one injured in Donbas, – Ukrainian military”
• “President signed Law on the termination of the treaty on friendship with Russia” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Kiev tears up Friendship Treaty with Russia ahead of presidential election, says expert” (RUS state media)
• “Ukraine Has Potential to Create Nuclear Weapons, says Ukrainian General” (pro-RUS site)
• “Ukrainian General: Ukraine has unique opportunity to create nuclear weapons” (UKR media)
• “” We are not afraid of anything ”: the diplomat told about the nuclear weapons of Ukraine” (in Ukrainian)
• “Kiev is preparing for the attack at Donbass from the south” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Massive Ukrainian offensive to begin on December 14 – Basurin” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Kiev Antagonizing Donbass for WAR, Conducts Firing Line Training” (pro-RUS site)
• “Ukraine on Verge of Launching WAR against Donbass” (pro-RUS site)
• “Moscow Patriarchate cleric denied crossing contact line in Donbas” (UKR media)
• ”Metropolite of Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox Church of Ukraine denied access to Donetsk region” (UKR media)
• “SBU warns Russia may use religious feuds combined with terror acts as pretext for open invasion” (UKR media)
• “DPR Head outraged by denial of entrance to metropolitan bishop of Donetsk and Mariupol” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Ukrainian security service turns away orthodox metropolitan at the contact line” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Ukrainian Orthodox Church fumes at Kiev ban on top cleric from crossing disengagement line” (RUS state media)
• “Poroshenko asks church to mediate in release of Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia”
• “Satellite imagery shows hundreds of Russian tanks near the border with Ukraine”
• “Russia Launched Cyber Attacks Against Ukraine Before Ship Seizures, Firm Says”
• “FSB holds briefing on Kerch Strait crisis” (pro-RUS site)
• “US Flies Recon Plane over Ukraine in Provocative ‘Warning’ to Russia” (pro-RUS think tank)
• “Satellite spots hundreds of Russian tanks near border with Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Russia deploys latest cruise missile corvette in occupied Crimea – media” (UKR media)
• “Operational reserve of Ukraine’s Armed Forces more than 200,000, most ready to report for duty” (UKR media)
• “Russian Black Sea Fleet will get 12 new warships in 2019”
• ” “Head of Crimea” thanks Pskov Mayor “for paratroopers and special forces soldiers in spring, 2014” “
• “Russia blocking Kerch Strait passage to over 100 ships – Ukraine border guards”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Assessment of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Forces in the Baltic States: Credible Deterrent or Paper Tiger?” (Divergent Options paper)
• “Russia sends 2 nuclear-capable bombers to Venezuela”
• “Two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers arrive to Venezuela” (RUS state media)
• ” Russia Sent Warplanes To Venezuela And The Pentagon Isn’t Having It” (Task & Purpose blog)
• “Russian embassy hopes attackers of Soviet monument in Latvia will be punished” (RUS media)
• “UK to strengthen its military presence in Estonia”
• “Estonia was attacked again on Kremlin TV” (Propastop.org)
• “France Investigates Possible Russian Influence on Yellow Vest Riots” (independent RUS media)
• “(UKR) Security Service announces “Russian trace” in protests in France”
• “Ukraine’s SBU on “yellow vest” riots in Paris: “Practical examination” of Russia’s foreign agents”
• “Russia Did Not Interfere in Domestic Affairs of France, Kremlin Says” (RUS state media)
• “Russian general: withdrawal of Soviet troops from Germany was a ‘state treachery’ “
• “The four dangerous Ds … The one place where, it seems to me, that all four Ds, Disorder, Discontent, Decay and Disillusionment, are at high levels is Russia and that, in my opinion, makes Russia a very pressing danger to the world.” (Col. Ted)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Mali: Dangerous Upsurge in Abuse by Ethnic Militias”
• “Le Niger craint de nouvelles attaques de Boko Haram début 2019”
• “Le président burkinabè Roch Marc Christian Kaboré a appelé lundi ses concitoyens à “faire preuve de solidarité” dans la lutte contre le terrorisme auquel est confronté le Burkina Faso depuis mars 2015 …”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Why Canada’s Jet Fighter Problems Mean Trouble for the U.S. (and the F-35)”
• “Canada’s WWII-era pistols dangerously unreliable — but the quest to find a replacement drags on”
• “Keel Laid for Canada’s Third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship”
• “Government staffer named in Mark Norman document leak case suspended from job”

Mental Health in the CAF

• “Lionel Desmond murder-suicide inquiry to begin early next year”

Other Military News

• “Plan to move aircraft testing centre from Cold Lake to Ottawa ‘sad’: mayor”
• “Cold Lake mayor concerned by plans to move military aircraft testing to Ottawa”
• “U.S. military aircraft makes emergency landing in Halifax, no injuries reported”
• “Liberals move Trudeau fundraiser off Canadian Forces base”
• “Liberal Party moves Trudeau fundraiser from military base”
• “Canadian and American families join forces to remember fallen soldiers from both countries”
• “Light urban search and rescue technicians train in Massachusetts” (RCAF info-machine)

The Koreas

• “Fighter Jets Scrambled as N.Korean Choppers Buzz Border”
• “U.S. Imposes Sanctions on 3 N.Korean Officials”
• “US Sanctions Three N. Korean Officials for Suspected Rights Abuses”
• ” Treasury Sanctions North Korean Officials and Entities in Response to the Regime’s Serious Human Rights Abuses and Censorship” (US Treasury info-machine)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• ” ‘Ram It’: Chinese Colonel Offers Solution to US Ships Transiting South China Sea” (RUS media)
• “Expert: If US warship illegally violates Chinese territorial waters again, bump against it” (CHN mil media)
• “Guangzhou Launches World’s First Icebreaking LNG”
• “The 31st fleet from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy has left the port city of Zhanjiang in south China’s Guangdong Province for the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia to escort civilian ships …” (CHN mil media)
• “US is better off with less intervention and less military use” (CHN mil media)

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 7, 2018

Internal Security (1):  CHN Tech Official Nabbed in CAN

• “Chinese Tech Executive Appears in Canadian Court”
• “Canada Arrests Huawei CFO for Extradition to U.S.”
• “Huawei CFO Detained in Canada to Face Fraud Charges in US”
• “Canada’s envoy to Beijing briefs China on arrest of Huawei executive: Freeland”
• “Canada had no choice but to arrest Huawei executive at Washington’s request: expert”
• “China demands Canada release executive of tech giant Huawei”
• “China retaliation against Canadian companies unlikely for now: experts”
• “Stephen Harper urges Canada to ban Huawei from 5G network in Fox News appearance”
• “Stephen Harper Is Right. Canada Needs To Ban Huawei From Our Network Infrastructure.” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• “China separates arrest of Huawei executive Sabrina Meng Wanzhou from US trade talks”
• “Arrest of Huawei CFO pours cold water on optimism” (CHN state media)
• “Huawei CFO arrest part of US ploy” (CHN state media)
• “With executive’s arrest, US wants to stifle Huawei” (CHN state media)

Internal Security (2):  Other Stuff

• UN Committee against Torture report (PDF) recommends mo’ protections under security certificates and counter-terrorism laws
• “Premier Ford and Premier Legault Call for Federal Compensation for the Cost of Illegal Border Crossings by Migrants” (Govt of Ontario info-machine)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Canadian Army commander assesses threats to Ukraine” (UKR media)
• “Canadian government non-committal on arming Ukraine as tensions escalate between Kyiv and Moscow” (UKR diaspora in CAN info-machine)
• “Canada to allocate $24 mln to support electoral reforms and democracy in Ukraine”
• “Ukraine vows to send naval ships through Kerch Strait soon”
• “Kyiv Says Russia Blocking Kerch Strait, Plans To Send Ukrainian Navy Ships”
• “Russia Allegedly Sends Sub to Kerch Strait as Tensions With Ukraine Soar” (RUS state media)
• “Russian troops bring armored vehicles in restricted areas in Donbas, – OSCE SMM”
• “Ukraine’s Naval Forces continue to use Kerch Strait for ships’ passage, – Defense Minister” (UKR media)
• “Russia’s attack on Ukrainian naval ships in Black Sea: First shots of winter war?” (UKR diaspora in CAN info-machine)
• “Ukraine comes up with idea of UN-OSCE peacekeeping mission in Donbas” (UKR media)
• “Russia still impedes passage of ships through Kerch Strait, – Ukraine’s Border Guard Service” (UKR media)
• “Most bomb hoaxes across Russia come from Ukraine, interior ministry says” (RUS state media)
• “Ukrainian and British military cannot decide on scenario of chemical attack in Donbass” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “USELESS ATTEMPT: Russia is Able to Neutralize American Ships in the Black Sea” (pro-RUS site)
• “DPR shows classified document proving Kiev’s plans for large-scale offensive” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Kiev plans mass land plots confiscation in Donbass” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• ” In a war with Russia, both sides could focus on this 60-mile stretch”
• “Russian Lawmaker: Poland’s ‘Fort Trump’ Would ‘Become a Target’ ” (Breitbart)
• “Cunning plan: Poland wants to set up a US military base right next to Russia’s Kaliningrad” (RUS state media)
• “NATO is COMPLETELY VULNERABLE to Russian Electronic Warfare Systems” (pro-RUS sites)
• “Lithuania, Russia could launch demilitarization in Baltic — Lithuanian ex-president” (RUS state media)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• From the UN info-machine:  “Speakers in Security Council Call for Robust, Coherent United Nations Cooperation With Regional Bodies as Global Challenges Grow Increasingly Complex … CATHERINE BOUCHER (Canada) expressed support for efforts to find more predictable, flexible and sustainable financing mechanisms for African-led peace operations. Fundamentally, preventing conflict and sustaining peace is about building trust between Governments and their populations. This trust cannot be established haphazardly. Only by fostering inclusive institutions that bring in and amplify diverse voices – including those of women, youth, and indigenous, ethnic and religious minorities ‑ can meaningful and sustainable peace take hold. For its part, Canada is assisting the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali to better understand the conflict dynamics and sources of resilience in Ansongo, Bourem and Gao, she noted. This process has involved consultation with local authorities, women’s groups, youth groups and security and defence forces to find consensus-based solutions …”
• “Le Mali a lancé la première phase du programme DDR”
• “Centre du Mali: de 4 à 7 morts dans un affrontement impliquant l’armée 7”
• “Mali: “We Used to Be Brothers” Self-Defense Group Abuses in Central Mali” (Human Rights Watch)
• “Terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent: les acteurs mutualisent les moyens”
• “Mauritania: Sahel Countries Secure $2.7 Billion in Funding”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Attacks Continue as Iraq Marks One Year Since Islamic State Victory”
• “ISIS evolving into ‘effective clandestine organization’ US Pentagon warns”
• “Northern Iraq’s KRG fires police over alleged human trafficking”

Way Up North

• “Regions in Review: Is Canada Taking Arctic Security Seriously?” (NATO Association of Canada)
• “The Arctic sees escalating militarization” (CHN mil media)
• “National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency issues $15M contract for arctic surveillance data”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Quebec’s National Assembly unanimously adopts a motion in support of the Federal government’s refresh of the National Shipbuilding Strategy” (Davie Shipebuilding info-machine)
• “Upgrading the Halifax-class Frigates’ Detection System” (DND info-machine)
• “Mise à niveau du système de détection des frégates de la classe Halifax”
• “Dans l’affaire du vice-amiral Mark Norman, la Couronne dévoile sa stratégie”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Ministers Sajjan and O’Regan to announce the stand up of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (Monday)” (DND/VAC info-machines)

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre hosts first forum on sexual misconduct with Five Eyes partners” (DND info-machine)

Other Military News

• “L’Opération CARIBBE prend fin avec un total de plus de 17 000 kilos de stupéfiants saisis”
• “Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Edmonton will participate in a major offload of cocaine in San Diego. The drug was seized in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, during Operation CARIBBE 2018 …”
• “Canadian Armed Forces’ Operation CARIBBE disrupts the trafficking of over 17,000 kg of narcotics” (DND info-machine)
• Operation CARIBBE (DND info-machine info page)
• “Operation PROJECTION Media Opportunity — Media are invited to participate in a telephone conference interview with the Commanding Officer of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary and the Officer in Command of Naval Replenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix (Tuesday) …” (DND info-machine)

---

 

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 6, 2018

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT:  Canada’s Future Role?

• “Sajjan pledges Canadian support for war against ISIL in Iraq, but stops short of extending mission”
• “Feds weigh role in Iraq as defence chief warns about long-term need for troops”
• “Ongoing IS threat means Canada should keep forces in Iraq: Defense Chief” (Kurdish media)
• “ISIL threat in Iraq still demands Canadian troops: Defence chief”
• “Sajjan pledges support for Iraq war against ISIS, will not extend Canada’s military mission”
• “ISIL threat in Iraq still demands Canadian troops: Defence chief”
• “Feds weigh role in Iraq as defence chief warns about long-term need for troops”
• “Minister Sajjan Concludes Successful Meeting with Major Force Contributors to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS” (DND info-machine)
• “Canada–U.S. Joint Statement” (U.S. DoD info-machine)

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT:  Other Stuff

• “US sends aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf amid rising tensions with Iran”
• “Iraq needs two years to wean itself off Iranian gas: energy official”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Commander of the Canadian Army visits soldiers on Operation UNIFIER” (DND info-machine)
• “Ukraine to buy Canadian sniper rifles – (UKR) ambassador (to CAN)”
• “UN member states call on Russia to release Ukrainian sailor … The relevant statements were made by the representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Georgia, Latvia and Canada at the briefing on militarization of Crimea at the UN headquarters …s”
• “The representatives of the U.S., Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Georgia, Latvia and Canada urged Russia to immediately release the Ukrainian sailors and return the detained vessels without any additional conditions during the statements of the delegations …”
• “Ukraine deploys air assault divisions to Ukrainian-Russian border line”
• “The air assault units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are being redeployed to the most dangerous directions of the Ukrainian-Russian border” (National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine)
• “Air Force Flies ‘Extraordinary’ Mission Over Ukraine In Clear Warning To Russia”
• “DOD Statement on Open Skies Flight Over Ukraine” (US DoD info-machine)
• “Ukraine’s Naval Commander offers himself in exchange for detained Ukrainian sailors”
• “Russia deploys nuclear weapon carriers in occupied Crimea – Yelchenko”
• “Chief Kremlin Propagandist Schedules Rap Festival at Nudist Beach in Crimea”
• “Russia’s Long-Term Disinformation Plan For The Azov Sea” (EU vs Disinformation)
• “Ukraine parliament votes not to prolong Treaty of Friendship with Russia”
• “Basurin on draft dodgers crackdown, kidnapping for ransom in Ukraine” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Why Russia won’t invade the Ukraine, the Baltic statelets or anybody else” (pro-RUS site)
• “Ex-Ukrainian president certain NATO will never fight alongside Kiev against Russia” (RUS state media)
• “Russian Forces Will Not Allow the US to Do What They Want in the Black Sea” (pro-RUS site)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Russia Tests Iskander Ballistic Missile System Amid INF Treaty Spat” (independent RUS media)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Un soldat et six assaillants tués dans une attaque au Mali”
• “Algerian Army Seizes 11 Missiles Near Border With Mali”
• “G5 Sahel force faces harder start after attack”
• “The European Union mobilises an extra €50 million for structural reforms in Mali” (European Commission)
• “Female Peacekeepers: A Silver Lining In The Ongoing Mali Conflict?” (Organization for World Peace)
• “Western donors pledge over 2bn euros anti-terror aid for Africa’s Sahel”

Way Up North

• “US Military Looks to Expand Presence in Arctic With New Ships, Facilities”
• “Navy Secretary States ‘Wish List’ For Arctic Operations”
• “Pentagon Balancing Military Needs in the Arctic, Future Infrastructure”
• “Russian gunmaker Kalashnikov unveils new drone for Arctic operation”
• “New Drone for Arctic Operations Displayed by Kalashnikov Group”
• “This sub will soon add about 100 nuclear warheads to the Barents Sea”
• “Two Kalibr cruise missiles test fired from Barents Sea in last few days”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Contract awarded for in-service support of CC-150 Polaris fleet” (DND info-machine)
• “Another important shipbuilding milestone: the third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship receives its lucky coin” (DND info-machine)
• “Mise sur cale du troisième navire de patrouille extracôtier et de l’Arctique”
• “… Entities currently forming the Suppliers on the Suppliers List are: – United States Government – Lockheed Martin Corporation (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company) and Pratt & Whitney – United States Government – The Boeing Company – Swedish Government – SAAB AB (publ) – Aeronautics – Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Airbus Defense and Space GmbH (with MBDA UK Limited) …”
• “A five-year contract option has been exercised by the Canadian government for L3 MAS to continue providing complete In-Service Support (ISS) services to the Department of National Defence (DND) CC-150 Polaris fleet …”

Other Military News

• “Canada assumes command of multinational naval task force” (DND info-machine)
• CTF 150: Maritime Security – Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
• “Operation ARTEMIS — Operation ARTEMIS is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) mission to help stop terrorism and to make Middle Eastern waters more secure …” (DND info-machine)
• “Feds to move military aircraft testing from Alberta to Ottawa, but Cold Lake politicians say they’re in the dark”
• “Canada’s performance on defence leaves much room for improvement” (Macdonald-Laurier Institute)

Internal Security

• “China Demands Release of Telecom Executive Arrested in Canada”
• “Beijing Urges Canada to Release Huawei Executive Arrested at US Request”
• “Beijing Urges Canada, US to ‘Clarify’ Reason for Huawei CFO Arrest”

The Koreas

• “Canada quietly prepping for a North Korea nuclear test: internal memos”

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Japanese Navy Could Acquire Aircraft Carriers”
• “The party and the gun: where should the loyalties of China’s military lie?”
• “From misfire to big shot: how the military helped China open up and become a force to be reckoned with”
• “US Navy Sails up Right to Russia’s Main Pacific Fleet Base in ‘Freedom of Navigation’ Provocation” (pro-RUS site)
• “Russian Navy Escorted U.S. Warship Near Contested Pacific Waters”
• “Chinese standby peacekeeping force passes U.N. assessment” (CHN mil media)
• “China says 8,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping standby force is ready”

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 5, 2018

Internal Security

• “Canada’s top spy warns foreign espionage as great a threat as terrorism”
• “CSIS director warns of state-sponsored espionage threat to 5G networks”
• “Cyber threats, spying bigger threat to Canada than terrorism: spy chief”
• “Canada arrests Huawei’s global chief financial officer in Vancouver”
• “Scheer says Liberals redacted information in security report on Trudeau’s India trip … Security sources told Global News’ Ottawa bureau chief Mercedes Stephenson that they believed the Prime Minister’s Office redacted the report to try and transfer the blame for security lapses to the RCMP, CSIS and other intelligence agencies …”
• “… I do not know the truth … but the fact that a journalist like Mercedes Stephenson thought it necessary to add that bit to a story about Andrew Scheer’s predictable, political outrage suggests that there’s more here than we are being told …” (Col. Ted)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER (1):  #KerchStrait

• “Ukraine calls for more Canadian sanctions on Russia after boats seized”
• “Ukraine asks Canada to continue training troops to oppose Russia’s invasive bullshit”
• “Ukraine calls for further Canadian sanctions on Russia after boats seized”
• “Ukraine calls for sanctions”
• “Ukrainian Foreign Minister: NATO intends to increase its presence in the Black Sea”
• “US makes preparations to sail warship into Black Sea amid Russia-Ukraine tensions” (CNN)
• “U.S. Navy Prepares to Challenge Russia in Black Sea” (US News & World Report)
• “Russia Holds Drills in Black Sea Region Amid Ukraine Tensions” (independent RUS media)
• “Ukraine calls on OSCE to start monitoring the Sea of Azov” (UKR media)
• “Through Kerch Strait provocations, Moscow seeking to undermine international maritime law” (UKR media)
• “Martial law may be lifted early given absence of threats – Ukrainian PM” (UKR media)
• “Azov Sea, Kerch Strait: Evolution of Their Purported Legal Status (Part Two)”
• “Russian infowars: FSB to claim captured Ukrainian sailors injured in skirmish between each other” (UKR media)
• “Kiev Deploying Offensive Forces to Donbass, Military Actions Possible” (RUS state media)
• “The Ukrainian army is provided with modern and upgraded equipment and weaponry to protect our state – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Martial law gives an opportunity to increase combat capabilities of the army and strengthen the state’s defense – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Russia is Ramping up Forces Near Border, Ukrainian Military Chief Says” (independent RUS media)
• “Russian MP expects ‘dirty tricks’ from US in response to Kerch Strait incident” (RUS state media)
• “US to Send Warship to Black Sea Amid Kerch Strait Tensions – Reports” (RUS state media)
• “Dire strait: Russian naval aggression and Ukrainian politics” (European Council on Foreign Relations)
• “SBU exposes Russian provocation aimed to sow panic in social networks over martial law”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER (2):  Other Stuff

• “As tensions rise around Azov Sea, Ukraine successfully tests Neptune anti-ship cruise missile” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine conducts successful cruise missile launch”
• “Ukraine Security Agency Blames Attempted Cyberattack On Russia” (USA-govt-funded media)
• “Ukraine – Donetska and Luhanska Oblast: Line of Contact Area Reference Map (October 2018)” (REACH Initiative)
• “Violent Crimes Committed During the Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine between 2014–2018” (Human Rights in Ukraine)
• “Russia-led occupation forces turn over body of Ukrainian soldier killed on Nov. 29” (UKR media)
• “LPR militia, Afghan war veterans pass saboteur’s body to Ukraine” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Poroshenko Government May Stage Chemical Attack To Provoke New Round Of Hostilities In Eastern Ukraine” (southfront.org, pro-RUS site)
• “CAUGHT OUT: NATO Soldiers Discovered in Donbass Near The Front Lines” (pro-RUS site)
• “NATO erred in not immediately granting Georgia and Ukraine a Membership Action Plan (MAP) in April 2008, according to the former head of the alliance …”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “NATO Foreign Ministers conclude two-day meeting in Brussels” (NATO info-machine)
• “Russia Threatens to Target U.S. Allies If Trump Exits Treaty”
• “Russia′s controversial 9M729 missile system: A not-so-secret secret”
• “Opinion: Russian hybrid war has already reached peak in Estonia”
• “NATO’s “Anakonda 2018” Exercises Simulated the Capture of Kaliningrad” (pro-RUS site)
• “Lithuania puts into operation 3D radars for air defense”
• “Serbia to consider military intervention ′option′ if Kosovo forms standing army”
• “Estonian troops to receive 16,000 new assault rifles”
• “LMT to provide 16,000 rifles to military of Estonia”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Canada to host anti-ISIL meeting as Ottawa weighs future of Iraq mission”
• “Canada to host meeting of anti-ISIS coalition”
• “Senior Syrian Kurdish official calls on US to implement no-fly zone to protect Kurds from Turkey”
• “The Kurds After the ‘Caliphate’: How the Decline of ISIS has Impacted the Kurds of Iraq and Syria” (PDF)
• “Iraqi And U.S. Militaries Step Up Operations In Iraq Against ISIS”
• “Probe of ISIS crimes in Iraq to start in early 2019”
• “UN to probe Daesh crimes in Iraq in 2019”
• “UN team ready to probe IS war crimes against Yezidis in early 2019”
• “China asks for early deployment of UN team for IS crimes in Iraq” (CHN military media)
• “Cleaning up after ISIS: Iraq’s chemicals team working to undo years of conflict pollution” (UN Environment Programme)
• “Holy Mobilisation: The Religious Legitimation behind Iraq’s Counter-ISIS Campaign” (International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “What’s in Store For War-Torn Mali in 2019”
• “Can you build resilience in Mali when the bullets are flying?”
• “MINUSMA continues its support for Security Sector Reform by rehabilitating the headquarters of its Office” (MLI media, in French)
• “SG of Mali’s truth commission brutally assaults and threatens editor”

Way Up North

• “Arctic SAR efforts need better training, more Inuktut, Senate report says”
• “Coast Guard Commandant Wants Bigger Arctic Presence”
• “NATO’s presence in Arctic may grow, warns Russian military official” (RUS state media)
• “Pentagon Balancing Military Needs in the Arctic, Future Infrastructure”
• “Northern Sea Route’s operator expects ‘breakthrough growth’ of cargo turnover in 2018-2019”
• ” «Explosive growth» in Russian Arctic shipping”
• “Russia to organize year-round vessel escort along the Northern Sea Route” (RUS state media)

What’s Canada Buying?

• “First nine new RCAF fighter jets to be operating in 2026 but Conservative MP has his doubts”
• “Liberal government unlikely to suspend Saudi arms deal as pressure to respond to Khashoggi killing grows elsewhere, experts say”
• “Canada receives Kerax trucks fitted with Marshall loadbeds”
• “Patriort One Technologies (TSXV:PAT) announced its pre-qualification for up to C$1 million under the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) for testing by the Department of National Defense …”

Other Military News

• “Cases adjourned, charges withdrawn as military struggles with constitutionality of courts martial”
• “Members from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment prepare for jungle warfare” (DND info-machine)

---

MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 4, 2018

Internal Security (1):  CSIS Boss Speaks to Biz Leaders about Threats to #CAN

• “CSIS director warns business leaders of ‘state-sponsored espionage in Canada’ “
• “Remarks by (CSIS) Director David Vigneault at the Economic Club of Canada” (CSIS info-machine)
• “Cyber threats, spying bigger threat to Canada than terrorism: spy chief”
• “An INTREPID Podsight: CSIS Director David Vigneault” (A Podcast Called INTREPID)

Internal Security (2):  PMJT’s India Trip

• “RCMP should have alerted PM’s protective detail about Jaspal Atwal: review”
• “RCMP bungled response after getting tip about Jaspal Atwal’s possible presence in India: report”
• “Special report into the allegations associated with Prime Minister Trudeau’s official visit to India in February 2018” (National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians)

Internal Security (3):  Other Stuff

• “Trial of Toronto van attack suspect Alek Minassian to begin in 2020”
• “At a Distance but Far from Safe: Canada’s Lessons from the Warsaw Security Forum” (CGAI paper)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER (1):  #KerchStrait

• “General Jonathan Vance: Situation in Sea of Azov not to affect operation UNIFIER”
• “Ukraine calls for further Canadian sanctions on Russia after boats seized”
• “Ukraine prosecutors show re-enactment of Russia’s Kerch Strait attack – media”
• “More than 10 Russian officers to be notified about suspicion in attack at Ukrainian ships”
• “Poroshenko: Ukraine stands against Goebbels-like Russian propaganda”
• “President: Ukraine stands against Russian propaganda whose methods are similar to those of Goebbels” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “With ‘Azov Debacle’ as Pretext, Russia Further Militarizes Crimea and Obstructs Passage Through Northern Sea Route”
• “Anatomy of a Russian Media Escalation” (polygraph.info fact checking site)
• “170 vessels wait for passage in either direction in Kerch Strait”
• “Kyiv Says Russia ‘Partially’ Unblocks Ports On Sea Of Azov”
• “Over 600 Russians denied entry to Ukraine under martial law – Ukraine’s border guard head”
• “Ukraine, NATO discuss ban on Russia entering ports of ‘civilized countries’ “
• “Ukraine to lodge lawsuit with International Court of Justice over Russian aggression in Black Sea”
• “UN International Court to consider case of Kerch incident as episode of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine”
• “President: Russia will pay a high price – Ukraine is preparing claims to international instances for the act of aggression against Ukrainian ships” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Small vessels are not allowed to enter Black Sea in Odesa region”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER (2):  Other Stuff

• “CBC News: Ukraine asks Canada to renew training mission as crisis with Russia heats up”
• “One Ukrainian serviceman killed, two wounded in action in Donbas on December 4”
• “Russian special services tried hacking networks of Ukraine’s judicial system”
• “Donbas update: Two Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas in past day”
• “One Ukrainian soldier killed, another one wounded in Donbas”
• “One Ukrainian military killed, two more injured amid hostilities in Donbas on Tuesday – JFO”
• “Special Operations Command urges Ukrainian servicemen to turn off geolocation while doing selfie”
• “Kiev again trying to drag Russia into Donbas prisoner exchange – Kobtseva”
• “Russian threat highest since 2014: Ukraine military chief”
• “Russia, ORDLO at TCG reject Kyiv’s offer to release hostages before Christmas holidays” (UKR media)
• “Ukrainian Police Search Russian Orthodox Churches, Homes Of Priests”
• “Moscow Patriarchate Priests in Four Cities of Ukraine Were Searched by the SBU” (pro-RUS site)
• “Media: Secret British 77 Brigade is involved in special operations in Ukraine” (rusnext.ru, in Russian)
• “Russian TV Crew’s ‘Suspicious Behavior’ Triggers Military Alert, Public Warning In Britain” (RFE/RL US-funded media)
• “Public warning after Russian TV crew sparks military alert” (BBC)
• “Russian reporter denies trying to enter military base” (BBC)
• “Russian embassy indignant over doxing of Russian reporters by British media” (RUS state media)
• “Ukraine sees shortage of beetroots, key ingredient of Ukrainian borscht”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Nato accuses Russia of breaking nuclear missile treaty”
• “Official text: Statement on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty” (NATO info-machine)
• “U.S. Issues 60-Day Ultimatum for Russia to Comply With Nuclear Treaty”
• “The US just took the first step to leaving an arms control treaty. What happens next?”
• “NATO Foreign Ministers To Discuss Missile Treaty Impasse, Kerch Confrontation”
• “NATO Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels” (NATO info-machine)
• “Kremlin Regrets U.S.-Russia Dialogue Is Not Working Out”
• “Russia Won’t `Beg’ for Meeting With Trump, Kremlin Aide Says” (RUS independent media)
• “Russia, China Are Running Hybrid Wars With West, Czech Spies Say”
• “Two more Borey-A submarines to be built by 2028” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog)
• ” ‘We can do better’: The Navy’s newest fleet commander says US ships and sailors got ‘beat up’ during NATO’s biggest exercise since the Cold War”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Minister Sajjan and Secretary Mattis to co-host Meeting of Defence Ministers from the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Ottawa” (DND info-machine)
• “Pentagon chief to attend security meeting in Canada on defeating ISIS”
• “Shrinking territory of Isis forces its leaders into the open, and into the crosshairs”
• “US Army Soldier Swore Allegiance To ISIS, Kissed Their Flag, And Plotted A Mass Shooting, Prosecutors Say”
• “A Russian official has said there are 1000 Russian women who had been married to Islamic State extremists and are eager to return home. Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, said in a conference it had received more than 1000 requests from Russian nationals who left with their husbands to Syria and Iraq and are eager to return home …”
• “ANALYSIS-Shi’ite rivalry paralyses Iraq’s government”
• “Outgoing UN Iraq envoy pays farewell visit to Erbil, meets PM Barzani, security chief”
• “With the jihadis gone, booze is back in Iraq’s Mosul”
• “Victims look to punish Iran for attacks against US troops in Iraq”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Mali: MINUSMA Deployment, September 2018” (UN Cartographic Section)
• “Mali: State services in an insecure environment: Perceptions among civil society in Mali” (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)
• “Nord du Mali : La vérité amère sur le DDR à Kidal ?”
• “Mali: On the brink: why 2019 may be another bad year for beleaguered Mali” (The Conversation)
• “Mali: La MINUSMA soutient la formation des membres de la Commission Vérité Justice et Réconciliation” (UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali)

Way Up North

• “Russia launches upgraded nuclear-armed sub from northwestern base”
• “US Has Already Lost the Arctic Race with Russia” (pro-RUS site)

What’s Canada Buying?

• Big Honkin’ Ships   “Questions raised about propulsion system on new Canadian warship amid fears engines could conk out”
• “Gun shy: A protracted procurement to replace the general service pistol” (Canadian Army Today)
• “Air force to contract out some fighter-jet work to free up frontline technicians”
• “The Mark Norman files – the official list of those who knew about discussions on supply ship project, according to PCO investigation”

Other Military News

• “Ottawa earmarks $20M to rejoin NATO airborne surveillance program”
• “Minister Sajjan to welcome provincial and territorial leaders at Seamless Canada” (DND info-machine)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Beijing may be ‘testing Tokyo’s resolve’ with drilling missions in contested parts of East China Sea”
• “Aiming for constitutional amendment: Three moves behind Japan’s carrier construction” (CHN mil media)
• “China Makes Lawyers Swear Oath of Loyalty or Face Sanctions”

---