MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 3, 2018

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Ukraine asks Canada to renew training mission as crisis with Russia heats up”
• “Trudeau urges Putin to release Ukrainian sailors” (UKR media)
• “Ukraine: no big war”
• “Ukraine Helping South Korea, China and Canada With Rockets or Jets or Both”
• “Large-scale military, reservist training starts Dec 3” (UKR media)
• “Poroshenko declares mobilization of reservists’ (pro-RUS rebel site)
• “President: Ukraine needs an increased naval presence of Germany and allies in the Black Sea as a deterrent to Russia” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “NATO deployment to Sea of Azov would be ‘foolhardy’ “
• “Russian Black Sea Fleet’s coastal missile systems conduct drills in Crimea” (RUS media)
• “Ukraine’s Poroshenko Says Russia Amassing Forces Along Border”
• “Ukraine takes measures to confront the threat of Russia’s full-fledged invasion – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Russia’s Azov Sea attack on Ukraine planned in advance?” (Human Rights in Ukraine)
• “Azov – and now what?” (OdessaTalk blog)
• “NATO treads carefully in Ukraine-Russia sea spat”
• “NATO offers Ukraine strong rhetoric in face of Russian aggression, but no new action” (UKR media)
• Headline should be more like “NATO _has been increasing_ …” “NATO increases military presence in Black Sea region, – Stoltenberg”
• “NATO has built up its military presence in the Black Sea region. We also have greater naval presence. Last year, the number of NATO warships in the Black Sea increased from 80 to 120. We have three allies in the region – Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria – which have their own naval capabilities. NATO patrols the airspace over the Black Sea region, and we have a new multinational brigade in Romania. Now we have more surveillance and reconnaissance assets in this region …” (UKR media)
• “Kremlin Denies Accusation it Has Designs on Ukrainian Sea Ports” (independent RUS media)
• “Russian separatists train fighters in Switzerland” (To Inform is to Influence blog)
• “Azov Sea, Kerch Strait: Evolution of Their Purported Legal Status (Part One)”
• “U.S. plans to develop NATO’s common stance on Kerch Strait at meeting in Brussels” (RUS media)
• “Kiev utilizes Western mainstream media for informational support of NATO forces in Donbass” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “US military personnel arrive in Donbass — The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) intelligence services revealed the arrival of US military advisors to the town of Kramatorsk …” (pro-RUS rebel site)
• “Putin Says He And Trump Briefly Discussed Ukraine Naval Confrontation”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Truro soldiers recall their time in Latvia”
• “Iron Wolf and Scorpion Fury: Increased Readiness and Mobility for NATO” (NATO Association of Canada)
• “Allied Intelligence Chiefs discuss countering cyber-attacks, disinformation” (NATO info-machine)
• “Russia to build two more large amphibious assault ships”

Way Up North

• “NATO’s Arctic dilemma: Two visions of the Arctic collide as NATO and Russia flex muscles”
• “US GAO report underscores low-risk Arctic assessments — A new US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has highlighted there is no immediate concern about military threats in the Arctic region by the Pentagon and the US Navy (USN) …”
• “Navy Report to Congress Aligns with Current Assessments of Arctic Threat Levels and Capabilities Required to Execute DOD’s Strategy” (US GAO)
• “Marine Corps Ends Rotations To Romania In Favor Of Norway”
• “How Russia Is Getting Ready for War in the Arctic”
• “U.S. needs new Arctic icebreakers. Will Trump’s border wall get in the way?”
• “Russia Jammed GPS Signals During a NATO Military Exercise. That’s a Really Big Deal.”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Masrour Barzani set to be next Prime Minister of Kurdish region in Iraq”
• “Report: US should support joint Iraqi-Peshmerga patrols in disputed territories”
• “Turkish jets ‘neutralize’ five PKK terrorists in N.Iraq” (TUR media)
• “Russia Expands Its Air Defense Network in Syria” (ISW Blog)
• “Senior IS Leader Killed in Strike in Syria”
• “US Strike Takes Out ISIS Terrorist Responsible For Death Of Former Army Ranger Peter Kassig”
• “US-led coalition kills Islamic State leader tied to murder of American”
• “Iraq civilian casualties in November lowest in 6 years: UN” (Kurdish media)

Afghanistan

• “US Air Strike Takes Out Taliban’s Top Commander For Southern Afghanistan”
• “Taliban shadow governor for Helmand killed in US airstrike”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “One of four injured UN workers (from MLI blast) returns home”
• “Burkina Faso: Four police among five dead in IED blast”
• “Gulf cash fuels fight for Muslim hearts and minds in Africa”

Internal Security

• “Chief of Defence Staff Jonathan Vance on what China is doing to Canada — Paul Wells: There’s ‘extreme concern’ among allies about what China is up to, says Canada’s top soldier. ‘Is it painful for this country? Yes.’ …”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Air force to contract out some fighter-jet work to free up frontline technicians”
• “EDITORIAL: Shipbuilding machinations”
• “B-Temia and Lockheed Martin team up to optimize ONYX exoskeleton — B-Temia, a Canadian robotics tech company and leader in the human mobility market, announced its engagement in a major agreement with U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) with its partner Lockheed Martin, appointed as the prime contractor …”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Defence chief acknowledges AG report on sexual assault: ‘We continue to learn’ “
• “Au début de l’année, la caporale-cheffe Raphaëlle Gosselin s’appelait Philippe. Elle était mariée, père d’une petite fille et personne à la base militaire de Valcartier ne soupçonnait qu’elle avait hâte de porter des robes et de se maquiller …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Recently released Canadian Armed Forces members can now request the new Veteran’s Service Card”
• “Phase 2 de distribution de la nouvelle carte de service des anciens combattants”

Other Military News

• “Bureaucrats “fret” over Rebel’s charitable donation to military families” (therebel.media)
• “White reservist who hurled racial abuse at black soldiers won’t be disciplined, army decides”
• “Submarines vs. Surface Ships in the Canadian Navy” (Canadian Defence Matters blog)
• “NORAD Tracks Santa program kicks off for 2018” (NORAD/RCAF info-machine)
• “Coup d’envoi du programme «NORAD sur la piste du père Noël» pour 2018”
• “Defence Research and Development Canada leads a pan governmental experiment in whale preservation” (DRDC info-machine)
• “Nouveau Réseau et Initiative pour l’emploi des conjoints des militaires”
• “Canadian Armed Forces honour the long-serving CH-124 Sea King helicopter” (DND info-machine)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Chinese navy sent to confront USS Chancellorsville in latest South China Sea stand-off”
• “China’s Military Has No Combat Experience: Does it Matter?” (RAND)

The Koreas

• “N.Korean Soldier Defects Past Unmanned Guard Post”
• “More Foreign Airlines Fly Through N.Korea’s Flight Info Region”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – November 20, 2018

Auditor General (1):  About those jets you’re looking at …

• “(OAG) Report 3—Canada’s Fighter Force—National Defence …… National Defence informed us that in September 2018, it approved a plan to address the declining levels of experience among pilots in the fighter force. However, this plan does not address the need to increase the overall number of CF-18 pilots …”
• “Minister of National Defence’s statement in response to the Auditor General of Canada’s report on Canada’s fighter force” (DND info-machine)
• “RCAF Commander’s Statement on the November 20 Auditor General’s report” (RCAF info-machine)
• “Canadian watchdog sounds alarm over F-18 purchase, military priorities”
• “Auditor general trashes Liberal plan to keep CF-18s flying until 2032”
• “Canada’s jets don’t meet international obligations: Auditor-General”
• “Liberals buying fighter jets, but don’t have enough pilots to fly them: auditor general”
• “Canada Air Force Needs Upgrade to Meet NATO, NORAD Commitments – Minister” (RUS media)
• “Auditor general trashes Liberal plan to keep CF-18s flying until 2032”
• “Liberals press ahead with used Australian jets amid questions over who will fly them”
• “Canadian Forces spending $500M on fighter jets but won’t have anyone to fly them, auditor warns”
• “Fighter-jet purchase won’t allow Canada to meet NORAD, NATO commitments: report”
• “Canadian watchdog sounds alarm over F-18 purchase, military priorities”
• “Canadian Forces spending $500M on fighter jets but won’t have anyone to fly them, auditor warns”
• “Pas assez de pilotes et de techniciens pour l’Aviation royale canadienne”

Auditor General (2):  … and about how you deal with sexual assault complaints

• “(OAG) Report 5—Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour—Canadian Armed Forces … We found that Operation HONOUR increased awareness of inappropriate sexual behaviour within the Canadian Armed Forces. However, the Operation had a fragmented approach to victim support as well as unintended consequences that slowed its progress and left some members wondering if it would achieve the expectations set for it …”
• “Minister of National Defence Response to the Auditor General of Canada’s report on inappropriate sexual behaviour in the Canadian Armed Forces” (DND info-machine)
• “Victims of sexual misconduct not treated in ‘respectful manner’ by military, says auditor”
• “Military’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual assaults still leaves gaps, Auditor-General says”
• “Military crackdown on sexual misconduct is failing victims, auditor general says”
• “Forces encourage more sex-assault reports but not helping victims, auditor says”
• “Canadian Armed Forces to change approach to sexual assault investigations”
• “Op HONOUR : les militaires sensibilisés, mais toujours pas en sécurité ou appuyés”
• “Rapport du VG sur Op Honour: autre coup de canon, nouveau signal de détresse”

Internal Security

• “Spy committee’s ability to do its work called into question after Clement affair”
• “FBI labels Proud Boys as extremist group with ties to white nationalists, but no similar move in Canada”
• “FBI now classifies far-right Proud Boys as ‘extremist group’, documents say”
• “An Internal Affairs investigation document from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office in Vancouver, WA explicitly stating the FBI considers the “Proud Boys to be an extremist group with ties to white nationalism.” ” (Property of the People)
• “10 Reasons Western Women Seek Jihad and Join Terror Groups”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• Public Info Battle Maps  UKR MoD info-machine, 20 Nov 2018 – pro-RUS page, 20 Nov 2018
• “UK calls on Russia to allow ships access to Ukraine’s ports”
• “Pushilin officially takes office as DPR Head” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Pushilin deems it his duty to consolidate Donbass for integration with Russia” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “U.S. offers two decommissioned frigates to Ukrainian Navy – Voronchenko” (UKR media)
• “US Selling Junk Ships to Ukraine is a “Sad Situation” ” (pro-RUS page)
• “83rd Russian humanitarian aid convoy to arrive in Donetsk on November 22” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Russian Armed Forces’ delegation to inspect Latvian military facilities” (RUS media)
• “Estonia likely to buy long-range antitank system from Germany’s Eurospike”
• “No new U.S. missiles in Europe but there are new Russian missiles: Stoltenberg”
• “Russian veterans seek probe of private military contracting”
• “Russian army veterans ask ICC to consider activities of Kremlin-hired militants in Donbas”
• “US interferes in election of Interpol president, Kremlin believes” (RUS media)
• “Interpol To Choose New Chief Amid Concern Over Russian Candidate”
• “Russia Accuses U.S. Senators of Trying to Meddle in Interpol Election”
• “The Kremlin Falsely Accuses US Senators of ‘Intervention’ in INTERPOL Vote” (polygraph.info fact-checking site)
• “The Minister of Interior Arsen Avakov has commented on the situation of the approaching election of the new Interpol President” (UKR interior ministry info-machine)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Canada confirms it will end Mali mission next July”
• “UN mission in Mali tries to bring aid despite al-Qaeda attacks”
• “ASSASSINAT DU SERGENT DE POLICE ALIOU TRAORE : Les autorités du GMS et du 6ème arrondissement de Bamako tenues responsables”
• “Mali: L’armée malienne tue quatre assaillants à Mopti lors d’un raid”
• “Insécurité au centre du Mali : La preuve par le rapport de la FIDH”
• “Mali: Dans le centre du Mali, les populations prises au piège du terrorisme et du contreterrorisme – Rapport d’enquête” (Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de I’Homme)
• “Mali: Signing of a peace agreement between Idourfane and Ibogolitane communities in the border region of Mali and Niger” (Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue)
• “French Reaper crashes in Niger”
• “Putin’s Indicted ‘Chef’ Descends on Africa, Mercenaries in Tow”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Pratt & Whitney Canada delivers first FWSAR engines”
• “Calian Re-Wins Significant Defence Training Contract Valued at $170 Million”

Other Military News

• “After a fighter pilot was charged with drunk driving, Air Force commander wondered if incident was part of a bigger problem”
• “Wainwright: les compétences à l’épreuve durant la Concentration de patrouille canadienne”

The Koreas

• “Where Did North Korea’s Cyber Army Come From?”
• “US, South Korea ‘closely coordinating’ on breaking nuclear talks stalemate, Mike Pompeo says”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 14 November 2018

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Liberals appoint a new veterans ‘ombudsperson’ “
• “Un nouvel ombudsman au ministère des Anciens Combattants”
• Minister O’Regan announces appointment of new Ombudsperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs” (VAC info-machine)
• “Canadian war vet denied access to N.S. veterans hospital”
• “Veterans Affairs reverses decision, opens beds for Allied war vets”
• “Canadians cycle for Israeli disabled veterans and victims of terror”
• “What Trudeau Is Doing With Veterans Benefits Instead of Spending It On Them” (MP Cheryl Gallant column)
  

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• Public battle maps  UKR info-machine, 14 Nov 2018 – Pro-RUS site, 14 Nov 2018
• “US Air Force’s huge exercise in Ukraine fuels growing partnership and that country’s NATO ambitions” (Air Force Times)
• “Separatist Leader In Eastern Ukraine Vows Closer Russia Integration After ‘Sham’ Polls”
• “Pushilin to focus on anti-corruption fight, integration with Russia, economic development” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Russia close to recognising Donetsk and Luhansk republics after Donbass elections” (RUS media commentary)
• “Russia says it will recognize ORDLO pseudo-elections results”
• “LPR electoral commission declares acting head winner of election” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Donetsk Republic gets 74 seats, Free Donbass – 26 seats” (pro-RUS info-machine)
• “Pushilin says ready to take part in Donbass talks in person” (pro-RUS info-machine)
• “Looking at the Lugansk People’s Republic November 11th Election” (pro-RUS media)
• “Heavyweight Megaphones Of Disinformation In Eastern Ukraine” (EU vs DISINFORMATION)
• “Kyiv at TCG demands access of SMM to entire territory of Donbas, occupied Crimea – Gerashchenko – TCG rep Gerashchenko”
• “More than 890 prisoners held in occupied Donbas seek transfer to Kyiv-controlled territory”
• “Morozova calls on Kiev to activate prisoner swap efforts” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Some 40% of respondents support Ukraine’s entry into NATO, 36% against”
• “Azov, Ukraine’s Most Prominent Ultranationalist Group, Sets Its Sights on U.S., Europe”
• “FBI: Neo-Nazi Militia Trained by US Military in Ukraine Now Training US White Supremacists” (pro-RUS media)
• “Cheerful house of Gloomy terrorist. Living conditions of the Russian officer suspect in the downing of MH17” (InformNapalm.org)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• ” ‘Eroded’ U.S. Military Could Lose War Against Russia Or China, Report Finds”
• “Providing for the Common Defense: The Assessments and Recommendations of the National Defense Strategy Commission”
• “NATO in a New Era: Selected Outcomes from the 2018 NATO Brussels Summit”
• “NATO looks to hi-tech startups to tackle emerging threats”
• “CIO for (UK) MoD operations overseas compares global cyber threats”
• “NATO to build prestrike staging base in Georgia” (RUS media)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “JNIM claims suicide bombing in northern Mali” (FDD’s Long War Journal)
• “JNIM Claims Suicide Bombing on HQ of Foreign Forces in Gao” (SITE Intelligence Group)
• “Le Général Hanena déplore le manque d’équipements à la Force du G5 Sahel”
• “Opinion: German troops in Mali – time for plain talk” (DEU media)
• “People in rural Mali are supporting jihadists over corrupt government officials and marginalization”
• “Mali, la piste algérienne dans l’assassinat des journalistes de RFI”
• “4 Cambodians among victims in suicide attack targeting UN force in Mali: spokesman”
• “France ‘deeply concerned’ over health of Mali hostage”
• “Women, kids bear brunt of Mali bomb attacks”
• “Mali: La MINUSMA dénonce une lâche attaque terroriste contre des civils à Gao”
• “World: Shrinking Natural Resources, Rising Insecurity Leading to Dire Situation in Sahel, Speakers Tell Meeting of Economic and Social Council, Peacebuilding Commission” (UN info-machine)
• “U.N. bemoans lack of funding for African anti-jihadist force”
• “Mali: Africa Minister visits Mali as UK deepens efforts to stabilise the region” (UK info-machine)
• “UN chief revives bid opposed by US to fund Sahel force”
• “We have no office where to work—G5 Sahel to French, German ministers”
• “Moscow Laying Groundwork for Deeper Military Involvement in Libya”
• “Prospect of Chinese Control of Djibouti Port Concerns Senators”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “NATO Commits Long-Term to Military Training Mission In Iraq”
• “New NATO mission in Iraq to focus on training defence sector”
• “Iraqi FM praises British military support during fight against Islamic State”
• “Outgoing UN official praises Iraq’s ‘exemplary peaceful transfer of power’ at the top” (UN info-machine)
• “UN envoy: New Iraq government plans to uproot IS extremists”
• “Iraqi forces announce arrest of senior Islamic State leader”
• “US sanctions Hezbollah Iraq networks, son of group’s leader”
• “US Designates Hezbollah Leader’s Son as Terrorist”
• “US Sanctions 4 Hezbollah Operatives Over Action in Iraq”
• “Treasury Sanctions Key Hizballah, IRGC-QF Networks in Iraq”
• “Iraq to exchange food for Iranian gas, seeks US approval”
• “Iraq to exchange food for Iranian gas, seeks U.S. approval: government officials”
• “Iraq rejects US deadline to halt Iran gas imports”
• “Daesh militants attempting to cross into Iraq from Syria: Iraqi PM”
• ” ‘People are scared to go home’: deadly mines of Isis still shapes lives in Iraq”

Way Up North

• “Finland: Former PM trusts Norway’s assessment blaming Russia for GPS jamming”
• “Norwegian defence confirms GPS jamming came from northwest Russia”
• “The Ministry of Defense confirms that Russia interfered with GPS signals during Trident Juncture” (NOR media, in Norwegian)
• “Trident Juncture: NATO’s 2018 Military Exercise” (NATO Association of Canada)

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Essex MP: Canada should consider its own military for London’s LAVs”
• “Canada stands pat on Saudi arms sales, even after hearing Khashoggi tape”
• “Three used icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard will cost 30 per cent more than the federal government previously said — an increase that officials have blamed on tariffs and fees, but one expert says is proof of a lack of planning. In August, the government gave the cost of the three icebreakers as $610 million when it announced its plan to buy them from Quebec-based Davie Shipyard without a competition to temporarily augment the coast guard’s aging fleet …”
• “Pratt & Whitney Canada Delivers First PW127G Engines Destined for Canadian Fixed-Wing Search & Rescue Operations” (P&W Canada info-machine)

Internal Security

• “Alleged ISIL fighter says he couldn’t come to Canada to be with his Toronto wife, so they moved to Syria where he joined militants”
• “Montreal man convicted of terrorism for Michigan airport attack”
• “Montreal police issue warrant for alleged neo-Nazi Gabriel Sohier Chaput”
• “Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to be located at 1625 Vanier Parkway” (Lux Ex Umbra blog)

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Sex-misconduct survey excludes vulnerable military members: Survivors’ group”
• “Woman says she was drugged, sexually assaulted and woke up at B.C. naval base”

Other Military News

• “Opération CARIBBE: le NCSM Edmonton a saisi 750 kilos de cocaïne dans le Pacifique”
• “Sajjan, Deputy Minister dig a deeper hole for themselves on $337,000 “party flight” “
• “Military mum on how commando allegedly walked away with $23k in gear”
• “The Canadian Armed Forces aims to modernize Primary Reserve infrastructure” (Army info-machine, via FB)
• “(Red Deer College) joins Colleges Alberta partnership supporting Canadian Armed Forces Reservists”
• Col. Ted on CAF needing mo’ generals/officers  “Exactly wrong! … I urge politicians, Conservative and Liberal, and those in the media who actually know defence2-12015torontointernationalfilmfestivalhyena3dcbzhr6vdpland care about our defence forces to tell Defence Minister Sajjan and General Vance that it is past time for a major review of the complete military command and control system …”

The Koreas

• “N.Korean Navy Ordered to Defend Maritime Border”
• “The New York Times’ Misleading Story on North Korean Missiles” (38 North)
• “Trump: Report of N.Korean Missile Bases ‘Fake News’ “
• “U.S. Alarmed by N.Korea’s Secret Missile Sites”
• “U.S. Warns It Could Resume Drills with S.Korea”
• “N. Korea’s media ramp up criticism of S. Korea for military exercises”
• “Moon gov’t asked to map out contingency plan for N. Korean denuclearization”
• “Moon asks Moscow to play bigger role in prompting denuclearization steps from Pyongyang”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 29 October 2018

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War
• “Ottawa releases draft tender on purchase of new fighter jets”
• “On October 26, 2018, Canada achieved yet another milestone toward replacing Canada’s fighter fleet, with the release of the draft Request for Proposals to eligible Suppliers for their review and feedback. Suppliers will have about eight weeks to provide feedback. This feedback will be used to refine and finalize the formal Request for Proposals. The entire process is being reviewed by both an independent fairness monitor and an independent third-party reviewer …” (Public Works info-machine)
• Saudi Arms Sales?
• “Why is Saudi Arabia still getting Canadian-made weapons?”
• “Selling to Saudis costs us our integrity”
• “Trudeau’s position on toxic $15B Saudi arms deal evolves and confuses”
• The Rest
  
• Wanted:  “Material for Army NDT Kits”
• Wanted:  “Area Detection and Identification System (ADIS)”

Internal Security (1):  Here …

• “Liberals forced to back down on lower maximum sentences for terrorists after backlash”
• “Extrémisme chez les militaires: du cas par cas annoncent les Forces armées canadiennes”
• “Cyber crime epidemic puts Canadians in the cross hairs” (Senate info-machine)
• “Le SCRS à Montréal lundi recrute des candidats pour des postes en TI et en cybersécurité”
• ” ‘I’d sworn never to go to Syria’: Stewart Bell on his journey to meet a captured Canadian ISIS fighter”

Internal Security (2):  … and in the U.S.

• I see Canada’s not the only country dealing with “travellin’ terrorists” … “Doe v. Mattis Ends with a Transfer and a Cancelled Passport: Lessons Learned” (Lawfare blog) – “American ISIS Suspect Is Freed After Being Held More Than a Year” – “U.S. citizen released after held more than a year in Iraq”
• “5,200 Active-Duty Personnel Moving to Southwest Border, Northcom Chief Says” (DoD info-machine)
• “Online Platforms Provide Refuge for White Supremacist Extremists” (NJ DHS)

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Canada’s first resident ambassador to Iraq in 27 years meets Masoud Barzani”
• “Former Syrian White Helmet rescuers, reluctantly resettled, embrace their new lives in Canada”
• “How Canada helped save the White Helmets”
• “Turkish Forces Reportedly Strike Syrian Kurdish YPG Militia Positions”
• “Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ 14 PKK terrorists in N. Iraq”
• “Turkey neutralizes 4 PKK militants in northern Iraq”
• “Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ 14 PKK terrorists in N. Iraq”
• “Yazidi Mothers of Children by IS Face Heartbreaking Choices”
• “Russia’s ambassador to Iraq holds talks with KRG PM Barzani”
• “Iraq President Barham Salih attends PUK meeting on KRG cabinet talks”
• “Italy to end military presence in Iraq by early 2019”
• “Beyond ISIS & Al-Qaeda: The Long Tail of Global Islamist Violence”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Two UN Peacekeepers Killed in Mali Attacks”
• “Security Council condemns attacks against UN peacekeepers in Mali”
• “Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on attacks against the United Nations Mission in Mali” (UN info-machine)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Canadian Armed Forces language training goes international at Operation UNIFIER”
• “Ukrainian serviceman dies in Donbas, enemy violates ceasefire 15 times”
• “47-year-old soldier dies in Joint Forces Operation zone”
• “Enhancing cybersecurity in Ukraine” (NATO info-machine)
• “NATO assists Ukraine with development of course on cybersecurity”
• “Ukraine demands that Russia stop recruiting Crimeans to its army”
• “While Remembrance Day is about honour, it can trigger tough emotions for some veterans”
• “Ukrainian forces deploy armored fighting vehicles to contact line – Lugansk militias” (RUS media)
• “Pro-Kiev Forces Suffer More Casualties In Clashes With Local Militias In Eastern Ukraine” (anti-UKR site)
• “How Ukraine’s Never Ending Transition Makes the Rich Richer and Everyone Else Poorer” (Atlantic Council)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “With Russia in its crosshairs, Canada moves to buy a sub hunter”
• “NATO Holds Classified Meeting to Discuss US Pull-Out From Nuclear Treaty”
• “Russia deploys Samarkand electronic warfare systems near NATO’s eastern borders”
• “Russia concerned over Europe’s active militarization — defense chief” (RUS media)

Way Up North

• “Russia Plans Missile-Firing Exercise Off Norway Amid NATO Drills”
• “Military from 13 countries to take part in Finland’s naval exercises”
• “Britain’s Defence and the Arctic: A Timely Reminder” (RUSI)
• “Canada’s aviation policy should reflect the unique challenges of the North: Senator Patterson” (Senate info-machine)

Afghanistan

• “Canada’s Lessons in Afghanistan Not Recorded and Not Learned: Part 1” (Centre for International Policy Studies) – “Part 2”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Mom of murdered cop demands to know if killer still gets veterans’ benefits”
• “The coroner for Ontario’s eastern region has ordered an inquest into the death of Jason Renato Simon. The 20-year-old took his own life in his Ottawa residence in February 2016 after weeks of accessing multiple mental health services, according to a statement from the coroners’ office …”
• “Inquest into the Death of Jason Renato Simon Announced” (Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services info-machine)
• “Mefloquine and ‘Somalia Affair’ raised as part of Saskatoon sexual assault trial”
• “MP urges veterans to speak out against service cutbacks”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Cabinet documents show transfer of sex-assault investigations to military police was motivated by desire for quick resolution”

Other Military News

• “Navy says engine fire onboard HMCS Halifax ‘minor’ “
• “À la recherche de systèmes de masques à gaz pour militaires à barbe”
• “Today I publish my office’s report titled Positions Over People: An Investigation Into Delays in the Administration of Civilian Classification at the Department of National Defence. This report makes thirteen recommendations to the Minister of National Defence. If implemented, we believe that these recommendations will bring positive change to all civilian employees at the Department of National Defence …” (DND Ombudsman)
• “Options for Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Five Eyes Alliance” (Divergent Options)
• “New honorary colonel for 16 Wing Borden” (RCAF info-machine)
• “Remembering the crash of Boxtop Flight 22” (RCAF info-machine)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Chinese President Orders Military Command Overseeing The South China Sea To Prepare For War”
• “China’s Homegrown Aircraft Carrier Begins Third Sea Trial”
• “Configuration of China’s Aircraft Carrier Battle Group”
• “China to build first Antarctic airport”
• “Foreign universities collaborate with Chinese military scientists”
• “(CHN) Scholars hide military links from western universities”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 9 October 2018

#CANinIRQ – Op IMPACT

• “Exclusive: Canadian member of Islamic State caught, but RCMP struggle to lay charges against ISIS fighters”
• “ISIS Terrorist From Canada Captured By Kurdish Forces, Could Go Free If He Returns To This Country” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• “Russia is Winning the Information War in Iraq and Syria: UK General — Moscow is “better than us” in using social media to shape the strategic landscape, says a former deputy commander of the West’s anti-ISIS coalition …”

Way Up North

• “String of radar stations in Canadian Arctic nearly obsolete — and modernizing them will cost billions”
• “Advancing Arctic sovereignty”
• “As Arctic flotilla enters Barents Sea, it is joined by FSB Coast Guard”
• “New (RUS) state commission takes on Putin’s big plan for the Arctic”
• “Russia invites India to join the work in Arctic and to develop oil fields in its territory”
• “Britain and NATO Prepare for War on Russia in the Arctic” (pro-RUS think tank)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Ukraine Launches Air Exercises With NATO Countries”
• “DPR warns airlines to use caution in western Ukraine’s airspace” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Some 12,000 evacuated due to fire and blasts at ammo depot in Chernihiv region – Emergencies Service”
• “Explosions At Ukrainian Ammo Depot Light Up The Sky, Thousands Evacuated”
• “Thousands Evacuated As Blasts, Blaze Rip Through Ukraine Ammo Dump”
• “Blast at Ukraine’s Ichnia ammo depot: Defense Ministry finds four places of explosion”
• “Thousands evacuated after explosions at ammo depot in Ukraine’s north – media”
• “Ukraine launches air-force war games”
• “”Nobody Wants Us”: The Alienated Civilians of Eastern Ukraine” (International Crisis Group)
• “Pasechnik: No way Ukrainain authority can be restored in Donbass” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “Cybersecurity and defence exercise underway in Lithuania” (LTU MoD)
• “Baltic States Between Peace And War”
• “Latvia accuses Russia of cyber attacks”
• “Latvia election results sparks EU crisis warning as pro-Russia party sweeps to success”
• “Russia launched cyber-attacks against Latvia, claims security service”
• “Latvia Says Russia Targeted its Foreign and Defense Bodies With Cyber Attacks”
• “Russia claims ‘misunderstanding’ led to arrests of four spies in Holland”
• “Full report: Skripal Poisoning Suspect Dr. Alexander Mishkin, Hero of Russia” (bellingcat)
• “GRU (GU) facing a little purge? If so, it’s not to spy less, but spy better” (In Moscow’s Shadows blog)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “À Gao, La MINUSMA sensibilise la société civile sur les procédures judiciaires” (MINUSMA info-machine)
• “Trois opérations de la force G5 Sahel programmées “ces prochaines semaines” “

Internal Security

• “Is Canada a target? A former Russian troll warns Canadians to be ‘vigilant’ “
• “A deeply flawed approach to a real problem … The world, including Canada, needs to recognize what the first real, core problem is, altogether too often, corrupt, tyrannical leadership which causes internal suffering and civil wars …” (Col. Ted)

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Canadian military says doubling in sex-assault reports a sign of progress”

Other Military News

• ” ‘It’s deplorable’: Veterans disgusted after vandals deface Halifax war memorial”
• “Halifax naval memorial vandalized with anti-war slogans, anarchy symbols”
• “Un mémorial vandalisé à Halifax, la communauté se mobilise”
• “Military families’ stressful wait for care”
• “A landmark ruling on military courts means the Forces must change for the better –The military is scrambling after a court decided that its process for trying soldiers with civil crimes violates the Charter—exposing its double standard …”
• “Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will hold a media availability via teleconference to discuss his participation at the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in Mexico this week …” (DND info-machine)
• Commentary:  “The Canadian Armed Forces are currently committed and deployed on five oversees missions, none of which have a clear cut or achievable objective. Of course, the old Cold War warhorses will claim that our battle group stationed in Latvia has been successfully deterring Russian aggression into the Baltic States. One could similarly argue that a tinfoil cap is proper protection against alien brain removal, proven by the fact that you still have your brain. I would think that Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania’s membership in NATO, with that alliance’s pledge of collective defence, coupled with the nuclear arsenals of the U.S., U.K. and France would serve as ample deterrent to even the most ambitious of Russian dictators …”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 3 October 2018

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “NATO Defence Ministers take forward decisions from the NATO Summit in July” (NATO info-machine)
• “Stoltenberg Forecasts NATO Defense Minister Discussions” (US DoD info-machine)
• “US to let NATO use its cyber defence skills”
• “UK Government Accuses Russian Intelligence of Cyberattacks”
• “US NATO envoy warns Russia to halt new missile development”
• “Sarmat to begin flight tests in 2019” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog)

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Canadian company ready to invest in construction of solar power station in Luhansk region”
• “One Ukrainian serviceman dies in Donbas over 24 hours”
• “JFO: Ukraine reports 1 KIA, 2 WIA’s in Donbas in past day”
• “Ukraine reports 1 KIA, 2 WIA amid 34 enemy attacks in Donbas in past day”
• “NATO concerned over situation in Sea of Azov”
• “Ukraine boosts military presence in Azov Sea: Turchynov threatens with response to any aggression”
• “NATO helping Ukraine with strengthening cyber defenses”
• “Poroshenko submits to Verkhovna Rada bill that extends special self-government procedure for (occupied areas)”
• “Law on Donbas special status to be adopted due to U.S., EU pressure, – expert”
• “Facebook bans account of DPR mission to JCCC” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Russian Church Spokesman Falsely Compares Ukrainian Church to Nazis”

#CANinIRQ – Op IMPACT

• “Adel Abdel Mahdi, Iraq PM-designate shouldering hopes home and abroad”
• “Iraq’s Two New Leaders Offer a Glimmer of Hope”
• “Can Iraq’s new leaders deliver stability after months of deadlock?”
• “KDP: Iraqi president post does not represent people of Kurdistan”
• “Germany extends military mandate in Iraq, ends reconnaissance mission next year”
• “Dutch FM safeguards support for military missions that include Kurdish forces”
• “Turkish Parliament ratifies motion to extend mandate for troops in Iraq and Syria”
• “Syria’s Assad Reaches ‘Understanding’ With Arab States”

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “Mali: ceasefire allows schools to re-open”
• “JNIM portrays its fight as part of Al Qaeda’s global jihad — In a recently released video, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) – a jihadist group primarily based in West Africa and the Sahel – went to great lengths to portray its fight against Mali and France as conjoined with al Qaeda’s global jihad …”
• “Report: African Countries Struggle to Contain Terror Groups”

Way Up North

• “Canada joins international moratorium on High Arctic fishing”
• “Binding agreement on Arctic fisheries moratorium officially signed by EU and nine countries”
• “A Global Arctic? Chinese Aspirations in the North” (CGAI paper)
• “The Arctic is pulling NATO and Russia north”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  “The Department of National Defence has a requirement for 175 Vials of Sodium Thiosulfate Pentahydrate, 250 mg/ml, 100 ml with an option to purchase two additional quantities of 175 vials over the next three years …” – Sodium thiosulfate (drugs.com)
• Wanted: “Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Operations Course”
• Wanted:  “Evacuation Bag, Casualty, Insulated” x 62
• Here’s the latest presentation deck (PDF) for the “Ground-Based Air Defence (Letter of Interest)” process
• “Two junk submarines, and our long tradition of terrible military procurements”
• “Canada’s fighter jet debacle: This is no way to run a military”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “High-ranking Canadian Forces member facing jail time for disgraceful conduct — Master Warrant Officer Mardie Reyes pleaded guilty to disgraceful conduct as a result of voyeurism …”
• “Sexual Misconduct Response Centre Releases Its Second Annual Report” (DND info-machine)
• “Le Centre d’intervention sur l’inconduite sexuelle présente son deuxième rapport annuel”

Mental Health in the CAF

• “The Surgeon General announces the release of the Canadian Armed Forces Clinician Handbook on Suicide Prevention” (DND info-machine)

Other Military News

• “Military probe turns up no trace of suspected Agent Orange barrels at New Brunswick base”
• “Hard to believe beard ban was a dealbreaker for military recruits”

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “Beijing slams intrusion into islands’ waters” (CHN mil media)
• “China Seen Toning Down Activity in Contested Sea”
• “Mike Pompeo trip a chance to ease tensions as China-US ties ‘near rock bottom’ “

The Koreas

• “A top South Korean official told lawmakers that North Korea is estimated to have up to 60 nuclear weapons, in Seoul’s first public comment about the size of the North’s secrecy-clouded weapons arsenal …”
• “N. Korea Rejects Idea of Peace Treaty in Exchange for Denuclearization”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 18 July 2018

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter launches first operational deployment”
• “HMCS Ville de Québec deploys with new Cyclone helicopter in support of NATO on Operation REASSURANCE”
• “Opération REASSURANCE: le NCSM Ville de Québec part en mission avec l’hélicoptère Cyclone”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “U.S. Risks Legitimizing Russian Subversion in Ukraine” (ISW Blog)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “Canadian Troops Head to Mali, With In-Bedded Media in Tow” (antiwar.com)
• “Mali’s election overshadowed by violence”
• “MINUSMA : un accident fait un mort et 6 blessés”
• “UN Reports Alarming Surge of Violence in Mali’s Mopti Region”
• “The UN Human Rights Office is concerned about a spike in intercommunal violence in Mali which has led to serious human rights abuses by militia groups. The head of the UN Human Rights and Protection Division in Mali, Guillaume Ngefa, said there are targeted killings between communities …” (UN info-machine)
• “China upstages France in Francophone West Africa”

Internal Security

• From Today’s Federal Cabinet Shuffle  “… Bill Blair … becomes Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction. He will work to ensure Canada’s borders are managed in a way that promotes legitimate travel and trade while keeping Canadians safe and treating everyone fairly and in accordance with our laws … and will be the minister responsible for irregular migration.” (PMO info-machine)
• “UK Rendition and Torture: Lessons for Canada ” (Centre for International Policy Studies)
• “Two human rights organizations are calling on the Canadian government for answers amid “troubling revelations” of the U.S. Coast Guard’s alleged mistreatment of suspected drug smugglers at sea and Canada’s purported complicity … “We would like to know what the Canadian Armed Forces’ position is with respect to the human rights obligations that Canadian naval personnel carry out in the midst of a collaborative operation like that, and what safeguards are being put in place to scrupulously guard against the possibility Canadian naval personnel are drawn into complicity in human rights violations,” Alex Neve, Amnesty International Canada’s secretary general, told The Current …”
• “Donald Trump is Canada’s best hope for solving its border crisis”
• “U.S. to review uranium imports on national security grounds”
• “Canada could get caught in cross-fire of US uranium investigation”
• “Uranium is now in Trump’s tariff crosshairs — and Canada is the biggest supplier”
• “L’uranium pourrait être au coeur du prochain litige entre le Canada et les États-Unis”
• “U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation into Uranium Imports” (U.S. Commerce Dep’t info-machine)

Walt Alert

• “Wetaskiwin man facing charges after allegedly impersonating war veteran”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “This requirement is to establish a Regional Individual Standing Offer to procure slip-ons and legends badges for members of the Canadian Forces on an “as and when” basis …”

Way Up North

• “Presidents of Finland, Russia and the US discuss Arctic environmental issues”

The Koreas

• “Pompeo: N.K. nuclear deal ‘may take some time’ “
• “US targets Chinese and Russian missiles with THAAD upgrade in South Korea: military analysts”

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