A Few Highlights Before a Quick Break

A quick hit with the very latest before taking a short break from these means until Tuesday (9 May 2017) – while I’m learning more about my other passion, feel free to take in the good stuff from the Blog Roll.

• “As heavy rains pelt Canada , Quebec summons military aid” – “Quebec calls in the army to deal with flooding” – “Quebec calls in troops to help deal with ‘worst flooding we’ve had in our whole history’ “ – “Valcartier soldiers on standby, Quebec requests military to help with flood relief”
  
• “Transport Minister gives interview on national defence as embattled Sajjan not available”
• “Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will live to fight another day: Hébert”
• “National Post View: Sajjan could have been exactly the defence minister Canada needed, and now he’s ruined that”
• “Flow of defence funding constricted, even when there’s money: DND figures”
• “Canada Needs to Boost Aurora Fleet Now & Beginning New Fleet Plan”
• “Military officer taking legal action against DND over sex assault investigation — A high-ranking military officer has launched legal action against the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, alleging that military police were negligent in investigating “false and malicious” sexual assault allegations against him …”

More, as of Tuesday …

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – September 8, 2016

Cold War 2.0

• LOTS of detail of proposed timelines, locations here  “The Canadian-led multinational battalion earmarked for deployment to Latvia will include heavy weaponry, and the first soldiers are expected to arrive in Latvia at the beginning of next year, (Latvian) Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis told the LETA news agency September 7 …” (LVA public media)
• “Russian fighter makes ‘unsafe close range intercept’ with US aircraft” – “Russian Fighter Came Within 10 Ft. of Navy Surveillance Plane” – “Russian SU-27 Jet Intercepts US Navy Spy Plane Over Black Sea” – “US Aircraft Reportedly Intercepted by Russian Jet Was in Int’l Airspace” – More via Google News
• “Whose tanks are on whose territory?” (EU Disinformation Review)
• “Russia Buys 100 T-14 Armata MBT”
• “Ukraine to insist on providing comprehensive and irreversible nature for ceasefire in Donbas” (Official website of the President of Ukraine) – “Massive military drills around Crimea”

Internal Security

• “… After the terrorist attacks in September 2001, the federal government budgeted $12.9 billion of anti-terror funding across several departments. The years-long effort was known as the Public Security and Anti-Terrorism Initiative. Of that sum, the auditor general could only determine where $9.8 billion was spent …”
• “Liberals begin national security review with release of discussion paper” – “Members of the media are invited to join the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, for a media availability related to the Government’s approach to national security (this afternoon) …”
  
• “Frustrations et préoccupation sécuritaire à l’aéroport Trudeau”

Mo’ Peacekeeping Coming?

• CAN DefMin’s Speech on Peace Operations in UK yesterday
• “Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will hold a media availability via teleconference on Thursday, September 8, 2016 to provide an update on his trip to London, UK (this afternnon) …”

Canada Into Africa?

• “A new African force for Mali?” (Institute for Security Studies)

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “What’s Next For Al-Qaida After The Defeat Of ISIS?”
• “Saudi rulers behind civil wars in Muslim countries: leader — Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenie sent a message to the world Muslims on the occasion of Hajj …”
• “ISIS – The Threat To The Indian Subcontinent” (MEMRI)
• “ISIS on a mission to wipe out Christians, says former Muslim extremist”

Syria

• “Syria Situation Report: September 1 – 7, 2016” (ISW)
  
• “(ISR air force) Strikes Military Targets in Syria After Spillover Mortar Fire”
• “Euphrates Shield Trap: Turkey May Find Itself Bogged Down in Northern Syria”
• “Turkish shelling of Syrian Kurdistan’s Afrin kills six Kurdish YPG fighters”
• “Turkish soldiers return fire on Syrian Kurdish militia: military officials”
• “Syrians return to Jarabulus from Turkey after IS ousted”
• “Russia expresses worry over Turkey advance in northern Syria”
• Deal or No Deal?  “Issues Remain for Russia, US to Reach Compromise Concerning Syria” – “US Says Willing to Cooperate with Russia on Syria, ‘True’ Ceasefire Needed” – “Russia says deal with US on Syria not yet finalised”
• “US, Russia ‘Not There Yet’ On Syria Truce Deal” – “US Makes ‘Last Offer’ to Russia on Syrian Issue – Reports”
• “Syrian Army Takes Control of Ramouseh Neighborhood, Reopens Supply Road to Western Aleppo” – “Russian Warplanes Deliver 50 Air Strikes on Terrorists as Syrian Army Tightens Aleppo Siege” –  “Syria regime retakes key Aleppo district from rebels”
• “Over 1,000 Syrian Marines Complete Training in Latakia”
• “Syria: Flash update on recent events – 07 September 2016” (UN High Commissioner for Refugees)

Iraq

• ” Iraq Situation Report: August 31-September 6, 2016″ (ISW)
• “(Kurdish leader) Barzani to divide Mosul post-IS into three provinces: politician”
• “Iraq : US pastor spends $4000 buying weapons for Christian militia”
• “Give Christians in Iraq a say in their future after Islamic State, urges Church leader”
• “Iraq parliament fails to make quorum for no-confidence vote against minister”
• “Iraq Tells OPEC at What Oil Output Level It’s Ready to Freeze”

The Kurds

• “PUK Stands Against Exporting Kirkuk Oil Through the Kurdish Pipelines” – “PUK’s Hero Ibrahim opposed Kirkuk oil deal, threatens to block exports” – “Senior PUK member threatens to block oil exports from Kirkuk”
• “Iraqi President Intervening to Mend PUK Rifts”
• “Barzani Discusses Military Issues with French Defense Minister” – “President Barzani Visits France” (KRG presidency statement) – “Barzani received in Paris like head of state, underscoring Kurdish ties with France”
• “U.S. Consul-General meets with PUK members in Erbil”  – “US asks Syrian opposition to consult with Kurds”
• “Fresh Clashes Emerge Between the Iranian Kurdish Peshmerga and Army”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Canadian navy will lose submarine fleet in next few years without billions in upgrades: DND report” –  Canada’s Submarines To Start Retiring In 2022 Without Billion-Dollar Upgrade
• “MDA signs military communications maintenance contract”
• “RCMP reviewing Canadian-owned firm over military exports to Sudan, Libya”

Way Up North

• “First Arctic patrol ship by Irving called ‘significant challenge’ “
• “Pursuit Of Arctic Supremacy: Hotspot For Another Larger Conflict”
• Colonel Ted on “The Arctic”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Have your say: Should the feds reinstate lifelong pensions for disabled military veterans?”

Other

• “Tories should target the Liberals “three soft spots” — defence, deficits and accountability”
• “22 Wing (North Bay) hosts air defence exercise”
• “Summer Camp on Vancouver Island”
• “RCAF puts its expeditionary capabilities to work during RIMPAC 2016”
• Colonel Ted:  “(More on ) CANZUK (2)”
• From the Pentagon Info-machine  “The Maine Army National Guard 185th Engineer Support Company is conducting their annual training (AT) this month at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada in order to improve their unit capabilities, proficiency, and relations with Canadian forces …”
• From the CAF Info-machine  “CAF Stories: Good Hearted Canadians Lend a Helping Hand (via DART)” – “Canadian Armed Forces members contribute to clearing unexploded ordnance in the South West Pacific” – “Reservists’ summer training combines unique contributions, points of view: 3rd Canadian Division”

World War Two

• “Remains of Canadian Second World War soldier to be buried in Belgium” – “Canadian Second World War Soldier to be Buried With Military Honours in Belgium”
• “Battle of Britain: Canadians in the Royal Air Force”

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – February 12, 2016

NATO’s Navies in the Aegean
Against People Smugglers

• “HMCS Fredericton deployed on NATO mission to stop migrant smuggling” – “Crise des réfugiés: l’OTAN déploie des navires, dont le NCSM Fredericton” – “Canadian warship to target refugee smugglers in Aegean” – “NATO dispatches Canadian warship to Aegean Sea to help with refugee crisis” – “NATO warships head to Aegean Sea to help with migrant crisis”  – NATO’s Info-machine:  “… NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 is currently deployed in the region and will be tasked to conduct reconnaissance, monitoring and surveillance of illegal crossings in the Aegean. It will also establish a direct link with the European Union’s border management agency …”

#CANvsISIL

• “MND reluctant to call conflict with Islamic State a war”
• “Details and nature of Canada’s new mission in Iraq kept hidden”
• “Canada Aid Could End Up Helping ISIS Fighters, Acknowledges Minister — “It is very important that we let these organizations work in a complete independent manner and not link it to our military action,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau …”
• “Canada won’t cooperate with Hezbollah: defence minister — Canadian authorities will not deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon as they prepare to deploy military advisers to the country as part of Ottawa’s new strategy of fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said Thursday …”
• “Minister Sajjan attends NATO Defence Ministerial Meeting followed by Global Coalition Against ISIL Meeting in Brussels” – “NATO allies approve Canada’s retooled strategy against ISIS, says Harjit Sajjan” – “Sajjan sells Canada’s ISIL strategy to allies” – “MND says NATO ministers supportive of Canadian decision on ISIS” – “Harjit Sajjan dit que le plan canadien contre l’ÉI est bien reçu par les alliés”
• “Canada in Iraq: RCAF Strikes 2 ISIS Targets”
• Commentary  “Going to war, but not going to war” – “Kelowna-Lake Country’s Liberal MP stands behind his government’s decision to alter its role in the fight against ISIS …” – “It’s beginning to look a lot like Afghanistan” – “Why, exactly, are our fighter jets coming home?” – World Socialists: “Canada’s media pushes for more military spending, bigger Mideast war role” – “Trudeau is now a wartime leader, yet skimping on military continues”

Everyone Else Against ISIL

• “How the Russian MoD Invented a US Bombing of Aleppo”
• “Jabhat al Nusra and ISIS: Sources of Strength”

Syria/Refugees

• “CFB Trenton removed from list to house refugees”
• “Syrian Emergency Relief Fund Has Received Less Support From Canadians Than Feds Anticipated”
• “Canada to help prevent anti-refugee backlash in Lebanon, Jordan, Bibeau says”

Internal Security

• “Understanding Youth Radicalization in the Age of ISIS: A Psychosocial Analysis”

Ukraine/Environs

• “Canadian Army soldiers deploy and return under Operation REASSURANCE” – “Op. REASSURANCE: 120 soldats de Valcartier partent pour la Pologne”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Warship procurement deal under review, senior source says”
• “Liberals will honor Conservative military contract with Saudis” – “Will Canada Follow Through With Its $15 Billion Saudi Arms Deal?” – “Selling armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia: a Canadian tradition”

Veterans & Helping Veterans

• “Cape Breton quilters make ‘Quilts Of Valour’ for military veterans”

Other

• “Canadian Forces Maj. Marcus Brauer loses legal battle over home sale loss” – “Servir sans discuter et perdre 88 000 $: fin de la bataille de Marcus Brauer débouté en Cour fédérale”
• “Cree RCAF member left suicidal after years of racist abuse in the military”
• Colonel Ted on what the CAF Info-machine should look like
• “MP to seek new opportunities for (CFB North Bay) at NATO meeting”
• From the Info-machine  “Fitness on the high seas” – “Veterans Affairs Canada Research Director awarded Fulbright Research Chair”

World War One

• “WW I mask project up in the air without exhibition space”

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – January 5, 2016

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian PM: We won’t bomb ISIS even if attacked” – “Trudeau: strategy towards ISIS won’t change even if Paris-style terror attack happens in Canada”
• “Michael Den Tandt: Trudeau won’t actually pull out the CF-18s — and other predictions for 2016”

Everyone Else Against ISIL

• Via Pentagon info-machine  “Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq” – “Military strikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq”
• “Girl reportedly beaten to death, was ISIS sex slave”

Syria/Refugees

• “Military nurse from Perth helps Syrian refugees in Lebanon”
• “Why some Syrian refugees decline Canada’s resettlement offer — Some have special commitments to family and the future of their homeland, while others fear starting again in a new language and culture …“
• “Liberals drop legal appeal of unconstitutional Conservative refugee measure” – “Les libéraux renoncent à un appel des conservateurs sur le refus des réfugiés”
• “John McCallum says Liberals remain committed to doubling family reunification”
• “Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization: Lessons for the Middle East from Past Crises” (RAND Corp)

Internal Security

• “No-fly list flags more Canadian toddlers as security risks”
• “CFB Halifax security leaks spur call for probe”
• “David Alward says U.S. campaign rhetoric on border is ‘concerning’ “

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Military making progress to stamp out harassment, top general says”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Lengthy federal election campaign a blow to military procurement” – “2015: A lost year for decision-making at National Defence” – Editorial:  “Govt Tackles Procurement Challenge”
• “The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) has a requirement for Combat Utility Garments to support training and operations. The uniform will be made from breathable syntetic material printed with MULTICAM camouflage pattern and will consist of one pair of pants and one jacket …” – more details in bid documents here
• What’s Canada (still) selling?  “Canada will go ahead with the $15-billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia” – “Ottawa going ahead with Saudi arms deal despite condemning executions” – “Harper government’s break with Iran leaves Canada without influence in Saudi spat: experts”

Other

• “Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Fredericton deploys on Operation REASSURANCE” – more
• “Busy times for the Hornet community — Interview with CF-188 Hornet pilot Jean-Sebastien ‘Ike’ Desmarais about his recent deployments to Europe and Kuwait …”
• “New government must take hard look at taxes, military”
• “Jen Gerson: The myth of peacekeeping’s effectiveness”
• “Why unexploded bombs are an expensive, dangerous problem”
• “The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have received the 2015 ICAS Platinum Pinnacle Award for excellence in the air show business in the “military performer” category …”
• “Air cadet gliders to take off again in Atlantic Canada”
• A few months later, from the Info-machine … “In the heat of Bermuda, the Governor General’s Foot Guards’ rendition of Disney’s Frozen was among the hits”

Way Up North

• “Four Admiral Gorshkov-class Frigate for the Northern Fleet”

Veterans & Helping Veterans

• “Pot a life-line for some ailing Canadian war veterans” – “War veterans fight to clear stigma around medical marijuana” – “Canadian war veteran turns to pot to cope with PTSD”

Korea

• “Glace Bay native continues to tell stories of Korean veterans”

World War One

• “First World War medals lead Scottish man on a hunt for P.E.I. soldier’s family”
• “Recover Our Vimy Heroes fundraising campaign gets help in Alberta”

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – January 4, 2016

#CANvsISIL

• “Un ancien membre du Royal 22e Régiment combat l’EI en Irak” – “A former member of the Royal 22e Régiment Battles IS in Iraq” (Google English from French) http://bit.ly/1mzv4Gf
• “CF-18 Hornets attacked ISIS fighting positions in Ramadi” – “Des CF-18 ont mené trois missions en Irak depuis le début de l’année”
• “The realities of Kurdistan defy Blimpish theory”

Everyone Else Against ISIL

• “Military strikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq” – “Military strikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq”
• “Intelligence Assessment of Al Qaeda and Its Affiliates in 2016”
• “ISIS in 2016: smaller, darker, colder — and more desperate”
• “The Grey War Advantage of ISIS, Russia, and China”

Syria/Refugees

• “Canada’s ever-changing response to Syrian refugee crisis”
• “Bilan positif de l’accueil de 2.500 réfugiés syriens au Québec”

Internal Security

• “Markham boy, 6, on no-fly list, parents say”
• “Member of ‘Toronto 18’ and former McMaster student granted day parole” – “Toronto 18 member granted day parole” – “Toronto 18 member released on day parole in middle of 18-year sentence” – “Parole granted to Toronto 18 member could be benchmark for future releases” – “Un membre des Toronto 18 obtient la semi-liberté conditionnelle”
• “A terrorist under every rock”

Way Up North

• “Arctic route path to Canada-Russia reconciliation?”
• “Canadian Ranger Rescues Stranded Fisherman”

Other

• Colonel Ted’s blog with an overview before suggesting what needs to be done with Canada’s military  “Everyman’s Strategic Survey — An essential start point for any serious discussion of foreign and defence policies and, subsequently, any useful recommendations for, say, defence spending, is a strategic survey. I’m sure the Government of Canada has one … in fact I’m pretty sure it has at least four or five …”
• “Defence dilemmas: 2016 holds hard choices for Canada’s military”
• “Canada’s military needs better focus and funding: Editorial”
• ‘A Canadian’s View of Women in Combat — I can’t picture the legislation allowing women in combat being reversed, so I don’t find it productive to waste time and mental effort raging against it …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans

• “New Liberal government offering more for Canada’s vets than Conservatives did”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Aerospace firms eye pilot training even as Liberals unsure of new fighter jet”

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – December 21, 2015

#CANvsISIL

• “Harjit Sajjan arrives in northern Iraq” – “Defence minister Harjit Sajjan makes surprise visit to Iraq, meets with security officials” – “Canadian Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation With Iraqi Counterpart” – “Media availability via teleconference with the Minister of National Defence (this morning) …”
• “Harjit Sajjan says CF-18s to come home despite ISIS attack in northern Iraq” – “Plan to withdraw jets ‘remains the same’: Sajjan”
• “Stéphane Dion: Canadian soldiers not in Iraq to fight” – “Stéphane Dion: Soldiers not in Iraq to fight”
• “Radicalized militants are “enemy of our time,” top general (Chief of Defence Staff) warns — The Islamic State and the radicalized extremist movement is the “enemy of our time” and Canadian fighter pilots have been “superb” in their bombing missions against them, Canada’s top soldier says …”
• “Canada’s biggest test yet: CF-18s, special forces help fight off massive ISIL surprise attack” – “Trainers under fire: Canada’s shifting mission in Iraq”
• “Statement by Major-General Charles Lamarre regarding recent actions by the Canadian Armed Forces in Iraq”
• “Liberals face more flak over plans to withdraw jets from bombing missions” – “Following the Iraq offensive, Trudeau’s ISIL tightrope act gets more tricky” – “Rick Hillier says Liberals haven’t clearly explained CF-18 withdrawal” – “Video: Defence experts analyze ISIS mission” – “Trudeau ne veut pas de troupes au sol en Irak pour combattre l’État islamique” – “Des avions canadiens tentent de contrer une offensive du groupe EI” – “Des militaires canadiens ont ouvert le feu pour aider les Kurdes”
• Commentary  “Spell out Canada’s plans for bigger military training role in Iraq” – “Canadians deserve better answers about the IS mission” – “Then and now: Trudeau on fighting ISIS” – “A better way to fight ISIS, at home and abroad” – “After Iraq firefight, Canada must rethink its CF-18 decision” – “Will Trudeau be able to stand by commitment to refocus Canada’s Syria mission?” – “Justin Trudeau’s illusory noncombat war against ISIS: Walkom” – “Canadian Special Forces battle ISIS militants as calls grow for expanded war”
• “The 1st NAEF is pleased to launch our first phase crowdfunding campaign” (LinkedIn) – The 1st New Allied Expeditionary Force

Everyone Else Against ISIL

• “Canada welcomes adoption of UN Security Council Resolution endorsing process to end Syrian conflict” – “UN Security Council unanimously backs peace plan” – “UN Security Council agrees on Syria peace plan” – ” ‘Agreement’ on UN draft resolution endorsing way forward on Syria, but no mention of Assad” – UNSC Resolution 2254 (28 pg PDF)
• “Common enemy spawns Syrian ‘peace’ of sorts”
• Via the Pentagon Info-machine  “Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq” – “Military strikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq”

Syria/Refugees

• “Canada could double intake of Syrian refugees by end of 2016 — Minister of immigration and citizenship John McCallum says Canada hopes to settle 35,000 to 50,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016 …”
• “Minister McCallum in Lebanon for on-the-ground update of the #WelcomeRefugees initiative” – “Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon focus of surprise visit by John McCallum”
• “Speaking notes for the Honourable John McCallum, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health at a news conference updating Canada’s plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees”
• “Canada’s “bad-ass” defence minister explains refugee intake”
• “Les refuges de Montréal prennent des mesures avec l’arrivée du froid”
• “Syrian refugees’ airlift out of Turkey weighed down by spreading chaos”
• “Refugee hysteria reaches a new low”

The Political Game

• “Defence Minister concludes visit to the UK”
• “Egypt’s defence minister meets with Canadian counterpart”

Internal Security

• It looks like Fox News’s “US lawmakers, analysts warn Canada’s Syrian refugee plan puts America at risk”  … seems to have disappeared?
• “Canada’s Syrian Refugees Pose a U.S. Security Risk” (Center for Immigration Studies) – Center for Immigration Studies (Wikipedia)

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Military procurement chief says shipbuilding process isn’t ‘broken’ — The head of Canada’s military procurement admits the Defence Department needs to reform the way it buys equipment and runs its major projects. But he says things are not as bad as they may seem …”

Way Up North

• “Chart of Russia’s militarization of Arctic”

Other

• “Canadian Sniper Jody Mitic on Why More Veterans Should Be Involved in Politics”
• From the Vets Ombudsman:  “Warmest Wishes For The Holidays”
• From the CF Ombudsman  “Progress Update on Ombudsman’s Report into 1974 Valcartier Cadet Grenade Incident” – Backstory of grenade explosion incident (via Army.ca) (DISCLOSURE:  I’m a mod at Army.ca)
• “How Santa Claus ended up on US military’s radar”
• “We Sold What? Canada Signs Billion-Dollar Weapons Deal with Saudi Arabia”
• “Toronto Scottish Regiment celebrates centenary”

Big Mother Statue

• “Mother Canada monument a true expression of appreciation for a debt that remains unpaid by most Canadians — At the risk of using up more than my fair share of space in the Cape Breton Post, I would like to respond to the letter by Dr. Lee-Anne Broadhead (‘Memorial would hijack true remembrance,’ Nov. 30) …”

World War Two

• “Nazi Coin Found by Laborer in Canadian Forces Base (Greenwood) Home Demolition”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR Update – 180005UTC December 2015

 

• “Ukraine asks RCMP, Liberals for more help in training security forces”
• “Canada announces funding to increase trade and investment between Canada and Ukraine”
• More on the “Putin Admission”  “Putin Admits Military Presence in Ukraine During Marathon Presser” – “Putin’s new revelations” – “Stoltenberg: Putin’s statement underlines Russia’s special responsibility” – “Russia Must Withdraw its Troops from Ukrainian Donbas – Stoltenberg” – “Turchynov: Putin entangled in own lies”
• All that said, “Putin says he wants quick settlement in Ukraine”
• “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends”  “Press statement by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko following the meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg” (UKR statement) – “Secretary General and Ukrainian President discuss security challenges, NATO-Ukraine cooperation” (NATO statement) – “Poroshenko says number of agreements with NATO to be signed, to enhance Ukraine’s defenses” – “Kyiv, NATO to sign several documents aimed at building up Ukraine’s defense capability – Poroshenko” – “NATO and Ukraine co-sign Defence-Technical Co-operation Roadmap” – “NATO-trained new type of Ukraine’s spec-ops forces ready for combat: Turchynov — A new type Special Brigade of the National Guard is ready for combat missions, according to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov …”
• Crimean tidbits  “Ukraine says Russia looted two Crimean oil rigs — Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of looting two of its oil rigs after Crimea-based oil and gas firm Chornomornaftogaz moved the equipment off the coast of the annexed peninsula into Russian waters …” – “Russian president wants Crimea’s Sevastopol to be more than just naval base — Sevastopol is also an important element of naval infrastructure in that region of the world, in Europe, and its development should include many vectors …” – “Russia Will Continue to Develop Crimea’s Sevastopol Naval Base – Putin” – “Ukraine Cabinet adopts decree banning trade with Crimea” – “Russia to close ferry route between Crimea, Turkey — official” – “Russian Planes and Drones Recorded Near Administrative Border with Crimea – State Border Guard Service”
• “Russia not pondering sanctions against Ukraine, Putin says”
• General updates  “Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 16 December 2015” – “Spot Report by the Observer Mission at the Russian checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk: A forty-sixth Russian convoy of 46 vehicles crossed into Ukraine and returned back through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point” – “Skepticism greets reports of Christmas cease-fire” – “Kyiv says 762 people disappeared during Russia’s war against Ukraine” – “National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Demands Release of Ukrainian Military Without Any Bargains”
• The fracas continues … “Minister Avakov sued Odesa Governor Saakashvili”
• “(UKR) President: Sanctions against Russia will be prolonged for the non-fulfillment of the Minsk agreements”
• “Ukraine unable to repay “Russian” debt on old terms, offers talks”
• Oh, those Russians … “From Black & White Life to Blood Red Service in Russian GRU”

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