Archive for the ‘F-35 Fracas’ Category
MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 18, 2017
#CANvsISIL
- “Fighting in Kirkuk threatens US, Canadian efforts to defeat ISIS”
- “Despite fighting between Iraqis and Kurds, Canada still training and supplying Kurdish forces”
The Kurds
- “Iraq’s military declares mission accomplished in Kirkuk”
- “Kurdish Officials Blame Iran as Disputed Territories Fall to Iraqi Forces”
- “President Masoud Barzani addresses Kurdistan following Iraqi forces advance in Kirkuk”
- “President Barzani’s Statement on the Recent Events in the Kurdistan Region” (KRG info-machine)
- “Barzani blames “domestic parties” for Kirkuk’s fall to Iraqis”
- “Govt. Forces Continue Advance on Kurds in Iraq”
- “Civilians return to Kirkuk as Iraq’s Kurds lose more ground”
- “With Kirkuk retaken, Iraq PM Abadi says Kurdistan referendum is “history” “
- “CJTF-OIR: Kirkuk a ‘misunderstanding’ attributed to ‘limited visibility conditions’ “
- “Peshmerga, Iraqi forces agree on pre-Mosul operation borders: Peshmerga Ministry”
- “Iraqi Troops Capture Town of Sinjar from Kurdish Forces”
- “Ezidi Peshmerga, Hashd al-Shaabi agree to peacefully hand over Shingal”
- “Is the Dream Of Kurdish Independence Now Over?”
- “Kurds face transformation of Iraq’s political map as they lose territory in face of government advance”
- “Turkmen party: Shiite militia, Iraqi Turkmen Front looted our offices in Kirkuk”
- “US Not Taking Sides in Iraqi-Kurdish Skirmishes”
- “Trump claims neutrality in Iraqi-Kurdish clash, but meets substantial criticism”
- “Macron calls Abadi as Iraq concludes Kirkuk takeover”
- “Before They Attacked the Kurds, Shia Militias Undermined the Campaign for Mosul”
- “Iraq takes oil fields from the Kurds, but the conflict still threatens crude flows”
Everyone Else Vs. ISIL
- “The Siege of Raqqa Is Almost Over — And ISIS Lost”
- “The Death Throes of the Caliphate: ISIS Is On the Verge of Collapse”
- “Eye on ISIS in Libya” (18 Oct 2017)
- “Iraq’s Shia Militia Problem Always Felt a Lot Like 2007”
- “Al-Qaida set to gain as Islamic State disintegrates”
- “Kurdish-led SDF forces announce ‘full victory’ against IS in Raqqa”
- “Only foreign IS fighters remain in Raqqa: SDF Spokesperson”
- “Raqqa win pulls US deeper into Syria conflict”
- “ISIS down to 6,500 fighters, holds only 3 percent of Iraq”
- “Islamic State Group Loses Emblematic Syria Stronghold Raqa”
- “No Clear End Game For U.S. Military In Iraq And Syria”
- “Syrian anti-aircraft missile hit Israel’s F-35 Stealth Fighter?”
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
- “Canada and Russia: No Room to Manoeuvre” (CGAI)
- “Soldier from The Rifles armoured infantry regiment currently serving with the eFP BG in Estonia are in Adazi conducting a platoon exchange with their Canadian counterparts from the Princess Patricia*s Canadian Light Infantry deployed with the eFP BG in Latvia …” (NATO info-machine via FB)
- “The Return of ASW: Shaping a 21st Century Approach in the North Atlantic”
- “12 NATO countries to hold military drill in Lithuania”
- “Sweden Eyes Russia While Holding Its Own War Games”
- “Romania takes key role as NATO prepares to face off with Russia”
- “Russian hackers may have a new target — NATO soldiers’ smartphones”
- “Did Russian war games cause mobile phone outages in Latvia?”
- “About 1,500 troops involved in post-Soviet security bloc’s drills in Kazakhstan”
- “Russia in Syria Monitor, Oct. 10-17, 2017” (Harvard Belfer Centre)
- “Russia Renews Targeting Civilians (in Syria)” (ISW)
- “Russia’s Military Explores Way out of Syria”
- “Russia’s Air Defenses in Syria: More Politics than Punch”
- “Command Rokirovka — Rokirovka (рокировка) appears often in the Russian press. Borrowed from chess, it means castling in the strictest sense. In political and administrative terms, it’s when people shift places in an organization or hierarchy. The Russian military seems poised for a command rokirovka …” (Russian Defense Policy blog)
- “How Russia Is Trying to Make America’s F-22 and F-35 as Obsolete as Battleships”
- “All Active Combat Brigades Trained Vs. New Russian Tactics: FORSCOM”
- “Watch out: Russia’s tactics will evolve”
- “Russia to Build Nature Protection Fleet”
- “Lithuania starting publishing reports of KGB agents”
#Ukraine
- “Protesters Block Street Near Ukrainian Parliament With Tents” – “Protesters In Kyiv Demand Electoral Reforms” – “Protesters block traffic on Hrushevskoho Street in Kyiv by tents” – “Poroshenko says “respects” Kyiv protests, calls for peaceful rally” – “President: Peaceful manifestations are an extremely important element of democracy” (UKR pres info-machine) – “About 200 protesters opposite Rada, situation under contro(l)” – “Military equipment, troops deployed to Poroshenko’s residence” – “Tents won’t be pulled down – National Police” – “Ukraine faces new Maidan: tents pitched right on roadway” – “Ukraine won’t survive another Maidan revolution, politicians warn”
- “Latvian cabinet approves enlarged Ukraine OSCE observer mission — On 17 October, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers made a decision on the appointment of two Latvian civilian experts to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine …”
- “Vice Minister of National Defence V. Umbrasas to conduct a visit in Ukraine” (Lithuanian MoD) – “Ministry of Defence of Ukraine hosts delegation of Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence” (UKR MoD)
- Updates from All Sides
- “Ukraine Conflict Monitor, Oct. 10-17, 2017” (Harvard Belfer Centre)
- “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 16 October 2017”
- “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, October 18, 2017” (UKR MoD)
- UKR govt ATO map, 17 Oct 2017
- “Ukrainian Officials Say Two Soldiers Killed, Four Wounded In East”
- “Ukrainian army fires over 1,000 rounds in 24 hours at DPR”
- “Ukraine reports 44 enemy attacks, 2 KIAs, 4 WIAs in last day”
- “Ukrainian units launch over 1,000 ammos on DPR in 50 ceasefire violations – JCCC “
- “Ukraine reports 1 KIA amid 19 militant attacks in Donbas on Oct 17”
- “13 DPR localities undergo Ukrainian shelling over past 24 hours”
- “Donbas: Two Ukrainian servicemen dead, four wounded over 24 hours”
- “Kiev forces violate ceasefire nine times over 24 hours”
- “Donbas: One Ukrainian serviceman dies in skirmish”
- “Militants increase attacks on ATO positions since week start”
- “Ukraine reports 44 enemy attacks, 2 soldiers killed, 4 wounded in last day”
- “Oh, Those Russians …” “Russia erects memorial to Donbas mercenaries Ukraine wanted to see tried for war crimes” (Human Rights in Ukraine) – “Ukraine Struggles to Retain Presence in Azov Sea With Plans for New Canal Around Crimea”
- “Ukroboronservice sees Special Operations Forces as major customers of M4 assault rifles”
- “General Staff Col. – dept head of planning radiation, chemical, biological protection detained taking bribe”
- “(Separatist) Donbass Volunteers set up anonymous aid system for Ukraine’s prisoners, bypassing SBU”
- MH17 Shootdown “Georgia hands Buk missile over to the Netherlands to help MH17 probe”
- “Poroshenko doesn’t rule out that Ukraine’s national police may be headed by foreigner”
Cold War 2.0: The Koreas
- “US pre-emptive strike on NK would greatly damage NK neighbors: Chinese expert”
- “North Korea Warns United Nations of Possible Nuclear War”
- “White House announces plans for Donald Trump’s visit to China with North Korean nuclear programme set to top the agenda”
- “As North Korea threatens US gives diplomacy another shot”
- “U.S. and Japanese Officials Arrive in Seoul for Talks on N.Korea”
- “Senior diplomats of S. Korea, U.S., Japan meet in Seoul to discuss N.K. nuclear issue”
- “S. Korea ‘continuously’ mulling unilateral sanctions on N. Korea”
- “S. Korea, U.S., Japan agree to seek all possible diplomatic options on N.K.”
- “U.S., Japan agree to maximize pressure on N. Korea over nuclear program”
- “Vladimir Putin Slaps New Sanctions on North Korea”
- “North Korean diplomat arrives in Moscow”
- “Crippled by sanctions, North Korea may not last a year, says its ex-head of moneymaking network”
- “North Korea sends message of congratulations to China over party congress despite growing tensions between old allies”
- “Report: North Korea hiding behind Hong Kong shell companies”
- “North Korea likely behind Taiwan SWIFT cyber heist”
- “Significant Food Shortages Likely in North Korea” (38 North) – “Food insecurity riles North Korea’s poorest provinces”
Afghanistan
Canada Into Africa?
What’s Canada Buying?
- F-35 Tug o’ War “Boeing’s Attack on Bombardier Backfires” – “Airbus to enter into partnership with Canada’s Bombardier’ – “800-pound gorilla thwarted by Bombardier’s savvy move: Don Pittis”
- Big Honkin’ Ships “Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship has Launched”
Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)
- “Veterans Ombudsman releases Continuum of Care: A Journey from Home to Long Term Care” – “Release Of Continuum Of Care: A Journey From Home To Long Term Care”
- “City of Peterborough seeking names of veterans missing from Wall of Honour”
Other
- “Canada and North Atlantic Defense: The Modernization of the CP-140”
- “NZ Defence Force convoys prepare for military exercise — Preparations are in full swing for the NZ Defence Force-run multinational exercise Southern Katipo 2017 … Also taking part are Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, New Caledonia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Britain and the United States …”
- “HMCS Charlottetown participates in Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 17”
- “Meet the Indigenous Advisor to the Chaplain General”
- “Operation HAMLET: 13 years of supporting peace in Haiti”
- Col. Ted’s take: “Everyman’s Strategic Survey: China’s Belt and Road Initiative explained.”
MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 17, 2017
#CANvsISIL
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- “Canadian troops safe after allied Iraqi, Kurdish forces open fire on each other near Kirkuk”
- “Kurdistan irakien: tous les membres des Forces canadiennes sains et saufs et en lieux sûrs”
- “Tout le personnel militaire du Canada en Irak est sain et sauf après un échange de coups de feu entre les forces kurdes et irakiennes près de Kirkouk, ont confirmé des représentants de la défense …”
- “Iraqis seize Kirkuk, 30 dead, Canadian military personnel safe”
- DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT
The Kurds
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- “Germany suspends training of Peshmerga forces: spokeswoman”
- “Coalition Threatens Downing Iraqi Jets If Fly to Attack Kurds: MP”
- “The Resurgent Conflict Between The Iraqi Government And The Kurds, Explained”
- “Iraqi Forces Move Into Kirkuk in Defeat-ISIS Fight, Spokesman Says” – “Iraq’s reconquest of Kirkuk checks Kurdish secession” – “President Barzani to publish statement post-Kirkuk crisis, avoid ‘civil war’ “ – “Iraqi forces take Kirkuk, lower Kurdistan flag” – “Kirkuk Shuttered as Iraqi Forces Advance on Kurdish Peshmerga” – “Thousands Flee as Iraqi Forces Advance in Kirkuk” – “Uncertainty reigns in Kirkuk as Iraqi forces surround, take city” – “Peshmerga withdraw from Makhmour, Gwer towns south of Erbil”
- “Iraqi forces enter Sinjar from two axes” – “Iraq: After losing Kirkuk, Kurdish forces pull out of Sinjar” – “Iraq’s Kurds continue retreat, pulling out of Sinjar without a fight while Shiite militias move in” – “Iraqi forces take Yazidi town of Sinjar after Kurdish Peshmerga withdrew ‘without a fight’ “
- ‘Attack on Kirkuk ‘declaration of war’ on people of Kurdistan: Peshmerga General Command”
- “Peshmerga Ministry to Coalition: We will not be silent in defending Kurdistan”
- “Kurdish leaders reject Baghdad’s demands referendum results be cancelled”
- “Gorran calls on KRG to establish interim national government”
- “Fight for Iraq’s Future Targets 90-Year-Old Kirkuk Oil Field” – “Kirkuk secure, oil exports continue: Kurdish Governor”
- “Turkey supports Iranian-backed Iraqi offensive against Kurds”
- “Trump says U.S. ‘not taking sides’ between Iraqi forces, Kurds”
- “Russia stands for finding peaceful solution to Iraqi Kurdistan issue — Kremlin”
Afghanistan
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- Boyle-Coleman Release “Freed hostage Joshua Boyle on why he went to Afghanistan and what his kidnappers wanted” – “Behind the dramatic rescue of American-Canadian couple from Haqqani captivity” – “Taliban denies Canadian’s claim its fighters raped his wife and killed his baby” – “Canadian hostage reveals why couple had kids in captivity” – “After a lifetime in captivity, the children of Joshua Boyle and Caitlan Coleman begin to heal” – More via Google News
- “Former JBER soldier Bowe Bergdahl pleads guilty to desertion while serving in Afghanistan”
Cold War 2.0: The Koreas
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- “North Korea Says Nuclear War ‘May Break Out at Any Moment’ but It Wouldn’t Be to Blame” – “North Korea says ‘a nuclear war may break out any moment’ “ – “North Korea: Nuclear war may break out at ‘any moment’ “
- “North Korean delegation considers nuclear weapons only way to ensure security — (RUS) lawmaker”
- “North Korean official says diplomacy is off the table until it builds a missile that can hit the east coast of the US”
- “General: Aiming Nuclearized ICBM at US May Trigger Preemptive Strike on N. Korea”
- “U.S. military options for N. Korea are last resort: (KOR) envoy (to USA)”
- “The Book Mattis Reads To Be Prepared For War With North Korea”
- “Trump’s security advisor warns North Korea of annihilation”
- “Moon, Trump to Hold Summit in Seoul Next Month”
- “EU should host US-China contingency talks on North Korean nuclear crisis”
- “US Treasury Designates Chinese Firm That Transferred ICBM-Toting Heavy Trucks to North Korea”
- “North Korea was Behind the Global Cyber Attacks with the Virus WannaCry”
- “EU endorses new sanctions on N. Korea”
#Ukraine
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- “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …” (1) “Operation UNIFIER: next training phase at the Military Police 25 Training Centre” – “Harjit Sajjan: Canada supports Ukraine today, will support it tomorrow and in the future” (UKR MoD) – “Canada’s support for Ukraine sends signal of deterrence to Russia – defense minister … Active cooperation between Ukraine and Canada helps deter Russia’s aggressive behavior, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan has said … “ – “Canada welcomes idea of peacekeeping mission in Donbas – defense minister”
- “West should provide Ukraine with weapons and deploy peacekeepers to Donbas – Rasmussen” – Anders Fogh Rasmussen: “Peace in Ukraine requires a ‘carrot and stick’ approach”
- “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …” (2) “US intends to train four more Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions in 2018” – “Through Tears, Ukraine Celebrates the Arrival of US Coal”
- “Oh, Those Russians …” “Ukraine attacked Donbass, Lavrov”
- Updates from All Sides
- “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 15 October 2017”
- “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, October 17, 2017” (UKR MoD)
- UKR govt ATO map, 17 Oct 2017
- “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/17/2017”
- “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/16/2017”
- “Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas over past day”
- “Ukrainian army fires over 100 rounds at DPR over 24 hours”
- “Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas over past day”
- “AFU units launch almost 1,000 ammunition on DPR in a day – JCCC”
- “Militants shell Ukrainian army positions 36 times over past day”
- “Ukrainian forces fire nearly 1,000 rounds at DPR territory over 24 hours – JCCC”
- “Day in Donbas: 12 shellings of militants, more than half in Donetsk direction”
- “Kiev forces violate ceasefire ten times over 24 hours”
- “Donbas conflict: two Ukrainian soldiers killed, two more injured”
- “Alarm: Ukrainian aircraft detected over DPR border”
- ‘Militants launched 28 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day”
- “Escalation in Donbas: 36 attacks on Ukraine troops, 2 KIAs, 2 WIAs in last day”
- From the UKR Mil-Ind Machine “UkrOboronProm unveils new BRDM-NIK armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle” – “Ukraine touts locally-built AR-15 assault rifle variant”
- “Zakharchenko says members of squad behind Motorola’s murder detained”
- MH17 Shootdown “MH17 prosecutor: trial could start within months” – “No need to search for other Buks if we know which Buk fired from where, – MH17 prosecutor Westerbeke” – “Truth is not negotiable, – MH17 prosecutor on possible sanctions ease in exchange for aid with investigation”
- “Ukraine’s Security Service Warns Of Potential Violence; Saakashvili Pledges Peaceful Protest” – “Saakshvili Calls For ‘Calm And Peaceful’ Protest In Kyiv” – “Saakashvili believes the Ukrainian authorities may try to eliminate him” – “Thousands Of Protesters Rally With Saakashvili In Kyiv, Amid Heavy Police Presence”
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
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- “Silver Arrow, biggest military drills of year, begin in Latvia … In total more than 3,500 soldiers from Albania, USA, Estonia, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Great Britain, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Germany will participate …” – “More than 3 500 troops to take part in the multinational military exercise “Silver Arrow 2017” “ – “Silver Arrow, year’s major military exercise, begins in Latvia”
- “Nearly 800 NATO soldiers serving at Tapa received mission medals” (EST MoD)
- “Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States’ borders on October 9-15, 2017” (Lithuanian MoD)
- Zapad 2017 Watch “Russia Jammed Phones and GPS in Northern Europe During Massive Military Drills — The electronic attacks offer the Kremlin a surprisingly low risk way to harass NATO members and other opponents …” – “Scenario of Zapad drills was oriented towards aggression, not defense”
- “Kaliningrad – Lithuania border station commissioned”
- “Border agencies of Belarus, Latvia sign agreement on cooperation”
- “Slovak military inspect Belarusian army unit”
- “Russian naval destroyer passing through Suez Canal on its way to Mediterranean Sea”
- “Russian Defense Minister in Tel Aviv, Dodges Commenting on Israeli Airstrike in Syria”
- “Briefing “SYRIAN CHEMICAL DOSSIER: THE RUSSIAN VIEW” by Ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov Head of the Russian delegation in UNGA First Committee, Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the MFA of Russia on the margins of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly” (RUS MFA)
- “Russia showcases all-terrain tracked carrier at military exhibition in Bahrain”
- “Russian Navy’s aviation to get 10 upgraded antisubmarine warfare helicopters a year”
- “Russia’s tactics against West to evolve – expert”
Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?/Canada Into Africa?
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- “Canada refuses to say if it will join U.N.’s most dangerous peacekeeping mission”
- “Saskatoon families mourn victims of Somalia attack” – “Mogadishu truck bomb: 500 casualties in Somalia’s worst terrorist attack” – “The terror group as brutal as Islamic State” – “Somalia attack: 165 unidentified bodies buried” – ” ‘People turned into charcoal’: Somali-Canadians recount horror of Mogadishu attack” – “After Mogadishu ‘devastated’ by attack, Canadian nurse practitioner scrambles to save lives”
Internal Security
What’s Canada Buying?
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- F-35 Tug o’ War “Plan to buy used fighter jets from Australia far from straightforward, experts say — ‘If the government of the U.S. didn’t want the aircraft to be sold, it would be very difficult to get them’ …” – “Lockheed Martin hires former RCAF commander and F-35 ally as lobbyist”
- “Airbus to enter into partnership with Canada’s Bombardier” – “Minister Bains comments on Airbus/Bombardier strategic partnership”
- Big Honkin’ Ships “MS Asterix of the Royal Navy of Canada began running tests” (UKR mil portal, in Ukrainian) – Col. Ted’s take: “Asterix afloat”
Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)
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- “Veterans ombudsman says more ex-soldiers will need assisted living help”
- “Wounded Warriors Canada is proud to announce the launch of the Wounded Warriors Canada Trauma Resiliency Program (TRP): a group-based training program combining the power of a team approach with effective, trauma-resilient skills development …”
- “Dozens of injured veterans and their supporters gathered in Burnaby’s Central Park on Sunday to raise money for their ongoing legal battle with the federal government …”
- “Metis National Council calls on feds to recognize their Second World War veterans”
Other
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- “Keep live pigs for combat first-aid training, medics say as simulators take over trauma instruction — ‘The first time a medic gets blood on their hands and tries a life-saving procedure should not be on a fellow soldier with their friends looking on’ …” – “The Value of Live Tissue Training for Combat Casualty Care: A Survey of Canadian Combat Medics With Battlefield Experience in Afghanistan” (Military Medicine journal)
- “Canadian Army to conduct a Joint International Counter Explosive Threat Exercise” – “L’Armée canadienne mènera un exercice interarmées de lutte contre les menaces d’explosions”
- “Régiment de Hull: nouveau commandant et nouveau véhicule de patrouille blindé tactique”
- Robert Thomas James Mitchell, 1973-2006, R.I.P. “New respite site named after late Cpl. Mitchell”
- “Invitation to media – Symposium on the Canadian Defence and Security Market”
- “New special forces uniform a throwback to Second World War Devil’s Brigade”
- Col. Ted’s Take: “Special Forces … If the government wants to use more and more Special Forces in a variety of roles then it needs, above all, to maintain a large enough, high quality base from which to create and sustain them …”
World War Two
MILNEWS.ca Highlights – October 16, 2017
Afghanistan
- “Canadian says couple were kidnapped because wife was pregnant” – “Freed Canadian hostage says baby was killed, and wife raped” – “AP report: Family freed returns to Canada , says 1 child killed” – “Kidnappers killed 1 child, raped wife, freed hostage says” – “Family freed returns to Canada, says 1 child killed”
- “Taliban reject rape, murder claims of freed Canadian hostage” – “Les talibans nient les allégations de l’ex-otage canadien Joshua Boyle qui les accuse de meurtre et viol” – “Les talibans nient les allégations de l’ex-otage canadien”
- “Allegations against Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate by Canadian detainee are baseless” (Taliiban Info-machine) – Taliban statement @ archive.org – Text of statement (PDF) at non-terrorist site
- “Kids freed from Taliban explore ‘wonderland’ of new Canadian home”
- “Canadian -American couple’s mysterious rescue raises new questions”
- ” ‘They ran like cowards’ Family reveals dramatic detail on rescue from Taliban terror group”
- “Bombs kill Pakistani soldiers hunting US-Canadian family’s kidnappers — Bomb blasts killed a Pakistani army officer and three soldiers searching for the kidnappers of a freed US-Canadian family in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan, Pakistani and US officials said. Pakistan’s army said the attacks in Kurram tribal district on Sunday also wounded three soldiers during the search for those who held American Caitlan Coleman, her Canadian husband, Joshua Boyle, and their three children hostage …” – “Roadside Bomb Kills Four Security Troops In Northwestern Pakistan” – “(PAK) Nation proud of its army’s heroic operation” – “Pakistan, US Upbeat About Future Ties After Hostage Rescue”
- Commentary “A fool’s homecoming”
#CANvsISIL
The Kurds
- “Iraq: Government Forces Move Into Disputed Kurdish Territory” – “Iraqi Kurds pull back in Kirkuk, civilians flee” – “Kurdish Forces Withdraw From Edges of Disputed Iraqi Region” – “Iraq’s Kurds beef up, move back defence line around oil-rich Kirkuk” – “Iraqi forces, Iranian-backed militia attack Kirkuk using US military equipment: Kurdistan Security” – “Latest from Kirkuk: Iraq says captures positions south of Kirkuk including airbase”
- “Peshmerga: Baghdad did not grant troops 48 hours to leave Kirkuk”
- “Military balance: Iraqi Army vs Peshmergas” (OSINT blog)
- “Kurds reject Baghdad ploy to divide Kurds with military threats”
- “KRG calls on UN, US, Coalition, EU, Sistani to prevent war between Peshmerga, Iraqi forces”
- “Autonomy not enough to protect people of Kurdistan: Security Chief”
- “Kurds reinforce oil-rich Kirkuk amid tension with Iraq government”
- “Why is Israel supporting Kurdish secession from Iraq?”
Everyone Else Vs. ISIL
- “Return of Signature Iranian Explosive Could Signal Escalation in Iraq” (ISW)
- “The “War after ISIS” begins in Iraq” (ISW)
- “Syria demands immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from its territory”
Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?
Cold War 2.0: The Koreas
- “US, South Korea to hold joint naval exercises amid heightened tensions with North Korea” – “S. Korea and US begin naval drills amid North Korean threat”
- “Military options for N. Korea ‘under constant refinement’: McMaster”
- “U.S. forces, families to hold regular evacuation training”
- “North Korea About to Launch Ballistic Missile”
- “The World Once Laughed at North Korean Cyberpower. No More.” – “Expert Warns of North Korea Growing Cyberwar Capabilities”
- “Seoul, Beijing Extend Currency Swap Despite THAAD Spat”
- “Gormley: What does North Korea really want? Let’s start with survival”
- “Russia denounces North Korea’s actions to develop nuclear program” – “Russian top diplomat slams Pyongyang’s violation of UN resolutions”
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
- “Silver Arrow, biggest military drills of year, begin in Latvia”
- “Russia ready for cooperation with US, NATO — Lavrov”
- “Turkey could look for new partner if Russia does not transfer S-400 technology” – “Why Sell S-400s to the Other Side’s Allies?”
- “New 36th Army Commander” (Russian Defense Policy)
#Ukraine
- “Russia decided to send troops to Crimea even before receiving Yanukovych letter – witness testimony”
- UKR govt ATO map, 16 Oct 2017
- UKR govt ATO map, 15 Oct 2017
- “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 10/15/2017”
- “Essence of Time unit in Donbass report. October 15” (pro-separatist)
- “Ukraine says 2 wounded in ATO zone in past 24 hours”
- “Two Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas over day”
- “35 ceasefire violations reported in DPR over 24 hours”
- “Donbas militants active in Luhansk sector, 1 WIA on Oct 15”
- “Kiev forces violate ceasefire eight times over 24 hours”
- “Day in Donbas: Militants violated truce nine times”
- “People’s lives continue to worsen, but they live with hope, says UN official in Ukraine”
Internal Security
- September 2017 Edmonton Terror Attack “Takeaways so far from the terrorist attack in Edmonton”
- “CSIS and RCMP accused of entrapping terrorism suspects”
- “Liberals prepare to reveal 2018 immigration plan they say will boost economy, help refugees”
What’s Canada Buying?
- F-35 Tug o’ War “US F-35 Fighter Aircraft To Undergo Cold Weather Testing In Alaska” – “F-35 fighter jet undergoes equipment testing in Fairbanks” – “The F-35 and F/A-18 Super Hornet: The Ultimate Military Combination?”
Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)
- “Seamus O’Regan – here is an example of how screwed up your Veterans Affairs department really is”
- “A Local Organization Making a Difference for Veterans — Learn more about the inspiration behind this year’s Veterans Ombudsman Commendation Local Organization recipient, the Vancouver-based, New Chelsea Society …” (Vets Ombudsman)
- ” Minister O’Regan engages youth on Canadian military heritage” (VAC Info-machine)
Other
- ” ‘Morphing skin’ of octopus inspires robotic camouflage — Soft 3D material can be programmed to change its shape, appearance …”
- “New special forces uniform a throwback to Second World War Devil’s Brigade”
- “This is National Defence?” (The Vimy Report)
- Colonel Ted’s take: “A strategic choice: Wise words about China from a couple of trusted sources”
