MILNEWS.ca Highlights – December 12, 2018

No #MapleFlag2019

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

Internal Security:  #HuaweiCFOArrest + Spinoff

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

Internal Security:  Other Stuff

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

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

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

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

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

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

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

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

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

What’s Canada Buying?

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

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

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

Other Military News

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

#CHN/Pacific Rim

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

The Koreas

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

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – November 16, 2018

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “Mali: Trudeau s’oppose au prolongement de la mission du Canada”
• “Mali : Le Canada réaffirme son soutien au Bureau du vérificateur général”
• “Déposer les armes pour servir son pays” (UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali)
• “Point de presse de la MINUSMA du 15 novembre 2018” (UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali)
• “Consolidation de la paix au Mali : cas d’Ansongo, de Bourem et Gao : IMRAP formule des fortes recommandations”
• “Sahel States need international support ‘now more than ever’– UN peacekeeping chief” (UN info-machine)
• “Conseil de sécurité : Sans mesures fortes au Sahel, le terrorisme va se répandre et la situation se détériorer, préviennent de hauts diplomates” (UN Security Council)
• “Number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition across the Sahel reaches 10-year high” (UN Children’s Fund)
• “Jihadist leader ‘very probably’ killed by French forces in Mali”
• “Concerns mount for French hostage as Mali peace deal under scrutiny”
• “Mali: plusieurs membres d’un groupe terroriste tués dans un raid français de Barkhane”
• “US to cut Africom troops amid focus on Russia and China”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Iraq resumes oil exports from Kirkuk”
• “Iraq Resumes Kirkuk Oil Exports After Yearlong Pause”
• “Iran’s influence in Iraq is declining. Here’s why.”
• “Iraq oil ministry confirms resumption of Kirkuk oil exports”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Finland to talk with Russia about GPS jamming during NATO exercise”
• “Russia Accused of Disrupting NATO Drills: Just Another Unfounded Allegation” (pro-RUS think tank)
• “Dry-Dock Breakdown Complicates Kremlin’s Naval Plans” (Warsaw Institute)
• “Belgian Troops To Join NATO Force In Estonia – Ministry”
• “Representatives of the Baltic states and the U.S. discussed regional security in Vilnius” (LTU DefMin)
• “Lithuanian PM to meet NATO chief over additional support”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Klimkin: Ukraine, U.S. discuss cooperation in arms supplies”
• “A Penniless Ukraine Begs the U.S to Sell it More Arms – But How?” (pro-RUS site)
• “EU ministers to discuss militarisation of Azov Sea”
• “Ukraine’s Extremists Reach Out to America”
• “Poroshenko Blasts Putin Claim New Ukrainian President Needed To Negotiate Peace”
• “Moscow Claims ‘Sham’ Donbas Election Stems Chaos it Sowed”
• “Ukraine increases coal imports by 15.5 percent … coal bought from the Russian Federation (62 percent of all imports) was estimated at $1.526 billion, from the United States (30.04 percent) at $739.278 million, Canada (5.16 percent) at $126.946 million, and other countries (2.8 percent) at $68.889 million …”

Internal Security

• “Undercover informant encouraged ‘vulnerable’ Canadian ISIS plotter, defence argues”
• “Russian aggression and cyber-warfare key issues for Canada to confront: Sajjan”
• “Backlog of irregular asylum claims has ballooned to over 28,000”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Liberals appoint a new veterans ‘ombudsperson’ “

Other Military News

• “Federal MPs denounce controversial Facebook post targeting Sajjan”
• “Sajjan says now-deleted attack on him by B.C. Tory ‘has no place in Canada’ “
• “Offensive Facebook post by Okanagan Conservative riding sparks outrage”
• “Asbestos forces SAR choppers from Gander to St. John’s”
• “Asbestos contamination clears DND dockyard building”
• “The Canadian Forces may be ignoring a nuclear waste problem they may have in Goose Bay.” (Vessel of Interest blog)
• “SAJJAN: Canadian Forces fully engaged on many fronts to preserve peace, restore stability”
• “Halifax Forum Looks for Solutions to World’s Security Challenges” (US DoD info-machine)
• “Multinational experiences on Operation CARIBBE” (RCN info-machine)
• “Engineering team keeps HMCS Nanaimo ready to fight” (RCN info-machine)

The Koreas

• “North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center: 5 MWe Reactor Unlikely Operating” (38 North)

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 7 November 2018

What’s Canada Buying:  F-35 Tug o’ War

• “Dassault pulls out of race to supply Canada with jets”
• “Dassault pulls out of race to supply Canada with jets – sources”
• “European fighter-jet manufacturer pulls out of Canadian competition to replace CF-18s”
• “Dassault withdraws from Canada’s fighter jet competition”
• “Dassault is Out” (bestfighter4canada blog
• “Remplacement des CF-18 canadiens: le Rafale de Dassault se retire de la course”
• “Pas d’offres de Dassault pour remplacer les CF-18 canadiens”

What’s Canada Buying?  Saudi Arms Sale

• “Ottawa taking longer to approve weapons export permits following controversial arms deal with Saudi Arabia”

Recent Ship Troubles

• “No known link between fires aboard 2 Halifax-based navy ships”
• “Military investigating series of fires, power outages on board naval vessels”
• “Incendies et pannes d’électricité à bord de plusieurs navires de la Marine royale canadienne”
• “Over the past two weeks there have been a series of technical issues that have affected deployed Royal Canadian Navy ships. Specifically there have been two fires in gas turbine enclosures, power failures, and a loss of propulsion. The fact that there have been this many instances in such a short period of time is of significant concern to the Royal Canadian Navy …” (RCN info-machine)

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Pensions for Life to result in three-tier approach to veterans, critics argue”
• “Parliament unanimously approves plan to stop leaving money unspent at Veterans Affairs Canada”
• “Motion a victory for veterans : MP”
• “Fonds inutilisés d’Anciens Combattants Canada: unanimité à la Chambre des communes”
• Text of Motion (copied from Hansard)
• Debate on motion (5 Nov 2018, Hansard)
• Vote on motion (Hansard, 6 Nov 2018)
• “Veterans Ombudsman 2017-18 Annual Report tabled today” (Vets ‘Budman info-machine)
• Annual Report 2017-18 (Veterans Ombudsman)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa

• “A Crisis in Cameroon & Peacekeeping in Mali: Discussing Canada’s Approach to Africa” (CGAI podcast)
• “Lithuanian troops to be decorated after Mali deployment”
• “Kidal: démarrage du processus DDR-intégration accélérés pour les ex-combattants”
• “Mali : L’insécurité dans l’espace universitaire : La défaillance des autorités scolaires et de l’AEEM”
• “Mali: UNHCR Mali Situation: 2018 Funding Update (as of 5 November 2018)” (UN High Commissioner for Refugees info-machine)
• “Admiral to rule whether SEALS to be charged over Mali death”

#CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT

• “Yezidi survivor freed from IS publishes book recounting terrifying experiences”
• “US Offers Reward for Information on Senior PKK Figures”
• “New joint US-SDF patrols in northern Syria are ‘unacceptable’ – Erdogan”
• “Syrian Kurds call on Germany to support northeast Syria, not only Idlib”
• “Syrian War Report – November 1, 2018: SDF Halts Operation Against ISIS In Euphrates Valley Because Of Turkish Attacks” (pro-RUS site)
• “Minister hints Israel will strike Russian manned S-300 in Syria if necessary”
• “Israel threatens to strike Syria’s Russian-supplied S-300s”
• “Russia: Israeli military action in Syria increases regional tensions”
• “Russia sets S-300 systems in Syria on combat readiness”
• “Israel taking de-escalation measures after Il-20 incident”
• “Russia and Saudi Arabia Negotiate S-400 delivery” (pro-RUS site)

Way Up North

• “NATO’s Arctic Exercise is a Good Start to Standing Up to Russian Militarization of the High North”
• “China’s ‘Polar Silk Road’ Versus Russia’s Arctic Dilemmas”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0

• “Parliament allows Lithuania to send more troops to international operations”
• “This year’s biggest military drills, Anakonda-2018, to begin in Poland”
• “NATO Begins Anakonda-2018 Drills in Poland”
• “Lavrov expresses concern over NATO activity near Russian borders”
• “NATO war games spark Russian Twitter feud”
• “Russia’s Intermediate-Range Missile Production Challenge”

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Ukraine defense official names security areas to be enhanced to effectively counter hybrid threats”
• “Command system of Ukrainian Armed Forces to be transformed in stages”
• “Naval combat: Ukraine vs Russia in the Sea of Azov”
• “Explosions at Ichnia depots occurred due to diversion, – Prosecutor’s office — The law enforcement officers believe that someone broke in the depot and planted an explosive …”
• “Environmental hazard: Donbas militants burying Russian radioactive waste”
• “In the occupied Donbas and annexed Crimea, Russia is grinding technologies that threaten not only Ukraine – President” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• “Trump Blames Obama ‘Regime’ For Ukraine’s Loss Of Crimea”
• “Latvia to open consulate in Donetsk region — In addition, Ukraine and Latvia agreed on sharing experience in creation of self-defense militias, an organization of work of civil-military administrations …”
• “Nearly 50 international observers registered for upcoming elections” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)

Internal Security:  Here …

• “Canada to dramatically hike, expedite deportations to “secure” borders” (World Socialist Web Site)
• … and Elsewhere
  
• “Why Has The US Not Been Hit With A Devastating Cyber Attack?”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Government of Canada unveils the Canada Pride Citation” (GoC info-machine) – What the new citation looks like (JPG)

Other Military News

• “Liberals, bureaucrats try to mislead media about true cost of booze-filled “mile high” party” (The Rebel)
• “La nécessaire modernisation du système de recrutement des Forces armées canadiennes”
• “The RCAF’s first CC-177 Globemaster, which was delivered to the RCAF in 2007, has surpassed a major milestone: 10,000 accumulated flying hours …” (RCAF info-machine)
• “Premier at 8 Wing to announce consultations, hotline to support military families”
• “Ford puts focus on military families”
• “Improving Delivery for Ontario’s Military Heroes and Their Families … Premier Doug Ford, accompanied by Bill Walker, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, and Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and MPP for Bay of Quinte, was in Trenton to announce the launch of consultations with military families to establish a one-stop-shop hotline that will make it easier to get information about schooling, job opportunities, child care, licensing for drivers and vehicles, and other programs and services …” (Gov’t of Ontario info-machine)

Remembering

• “Commemorative ceremony to honour all First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans” (VAC info-machine)

The Koreas

• “How to Structure Sanctions Relief in Any Future DPRK Deal” (38 North)

#CHN/Pacific Rim

• “China’s latest stealth drone goes on display at Airshow China 2018”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 16 October 2018

• What’s Canada Buying? (1)  Big Honkin’ Ships Documents Court Case
• ” ‘Who are they protecting?’: Vice-Admiral Norman’s trial erupts in Commons”
• “Suspended vice-admiral’s lawyers demand secret documents”
• “Accusé d’abus de confiance, le vice-amiral Norman passe à l’attaque et implique un ministre”
• “With Mark Norman trial, Liberals stuck in a situation they cannot win”
• What’s Canada Buying? (2)  Other Stuff
• “Irving Shipbuilding pushing for two more Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships, all Halifax-class work”
• “Naval ships all sight, no fight”
• Latest on “Ground-Based Air Defence (Letter of Interest)” – all the public bid documents so far (PDF)
• Latest on “Contract for Individual Meal Packs” (with Pizza Pasta, Smoked Meat with Demi-glace Sauce & Southwestern Chipotle Chicken entrees) – all the public bid documents so far (PDF)
• “Media representatives are invited to attend the fourth edition of the Symposium on the Canadian Defence and Security Market, a Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) initiative, organized by STIQ and Aéro Montréal …” (Gov of Canada info-machine)
• Internal Security
• “Conservatives hammer Trudeau government for inaction on Canadian ISIS fighters”
• “ANALYSIS: Captured Canadians in Syria unlikely a legal problem for Trudeau, only a political one”
• “WATCH: Freeland Calls Treasonous ISIS Terrorists “Foreign Fighters” ” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• “Is the far right extremist threat really that big in Canada?”
• “Soldiers of Odin Edmonton Chapter Shuts Down, Rebrands As ‘Canadian Infidels’ “
• #MLI – Op PRESENCE/Africa
• “The man who led Canada’s troops in Afghanistan said the Canadian peacekeeping mission in Mali has “no prospect of immediate success.” “The political overtones and what’s going on in this country and this mission are ugly,” retired major-general David Fraser told CTV’s Power Play host Don Martin on Monday …”
• But no visit to Mali, which is next to Burkina Faso &  Côte d’Ivoire???  “Governor General to Visit West Africa … She will undertake State visits to Burkina Faso, from October 23 to 26; to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, from October 26 to 28; and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from October 28 to 30 …” (GG info-machine)
• “Serrer l’étau autour de la maladie à virus d’Ebola : un consortium ouest africain pour la recherche créé … Prennent part à cette conférence de Bamako, les participants (chercheurs) venus du Bénin, du Burkina Faso, de la côte d’ivoire, du Ghana, Sénégal, de la France, du Canada… “
• #CANinIRQ/Mid East – Op IMPACT
• “Are ex-ISIS fighters joining Popular Mobilization Unit militias in Iraq?”
• “A strong Kurdistan region is good for US in Iraq”
• “Iraq’s Sadr calls on Kurds to abandon ‘quotas’ “
• “US General: Fight to Defeat Islamic State Facing ‘Danger of Complacency’ “
• #UKR – Op UNIFIER
• “Two Pilots Die In Ukrainian Fighter Jet Crash, U.S. Pilot ‘Involved'”
• “… We have seen reports claiming a U.S. casualty and can confirm a U.S. service member was involved in this incident. It is currently under investigation and we will continue to provide more information as it becomes available …” (USAF info-machine)
• “Su-27 fighter crashes in Vinnytsia region during Clear Sky drills”
• “Su-27 crashes during practice flight in Vinnytsia region”
• “Kyiv Says Ukrainian Soldier, Two Separatist Fighters Killed In East”
• “Donbas escalation: 37 enemy shellings, 1 KIA, 3 WIAs”
• “One soldier dies in Donbas conflict zone”
• “Almost 2,900 Ukrainian soldiers deceased in Donbas, – Poroshenko”
• “900 soldiers died in Donbas conflict due to murders, suicides”
• “Trump says he shows firmness regarding Putin, helps Ukraine strengthen army”
• “Turchynov predicts further cooperation with U.S. on lethal weapons”
• “Turchynov, NATO PA President discuss strategy to counter Russia’s aggression in Azov-Black Sea region”
• ” Participants of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army (UVA) are leaving the frontline in Donbas, stated Commander Dmytro Yarosh, former leader of the Right Sector. “This day I announce that the 5th and 8th separate battalions of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army are leaving the frontline but we are not leaving the war. As long as there is a war, we will participate in it,” he said …”
• “Yarosh announced the withdrawal of the battalions of Donbass”
• “Ichnia ammo stocks could be blown up via cell phone, – Chief Military Prosecutor”
• “Hungary promises to continue blocking Ukraine-NATO commission”
• “This is a direct interference in the internal affairs and an element of hybrid aggression – Head of State on the decision of the RF Security Council to protect the Russian Church in Ukraine” (UKR Pres info-machine)
• #LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE/Cold War 2.0
• “Sputnik Sounds Alarm About NATO Convoy’s ‘Suspected’ Move Through a NATO Member State”
• “Igor Panarin, Head Of Russian Information Spetnaz?” (To Inform is to Influence blog)
• “The United States may disintegrate soon: the expert named the date when the fate of America will be decided” (“Information Special Forces” Association blog, based in RUS)
• Way Up North
• “US Marines launch exercise in northern Norway ahead of Trident Juncture”
• “Russia’s largest landing ship to sail north through major NATO exercise”
• “UK Defence Focuses on the Arctic – More Investment Needed”
• “Another two (RUS) ice-breaking LNG carriers are on their maiden voyage in Arctic waters”
• “Last three reactor compartments from Cold War subs to be pulled from Russia’s waters next year”
• Other Military News
• “Team Canada departs for Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia” (DND info-machine)
• “Former (CAF) military captain detained for months in U.S. on decades-old marijuana charge in Canada”
• “The Future of War: The Risks in Confronting China and Russia”
• “U.S. combat vet looks to Canada for sanity –In Canada, cannabis goes legal for civilians and military alike …”
• “Food bank dedicated to helping Calgary veterans opens its doors in Northeast Calgary”
• “A British petty officer has testified he overheard a woman who alleges she was gang raped tell her friend that she was going to “sleep with” a sailor on the night in question …”
• The Koreas
• “Koreas, U.N. Command to discuss disarming Joint Security Area in DMZ”
• “Two Koreas, UNC hold first trilateral talks to disarm JSA”
• “U.S. seeks Russia’s cooperation on N. Korea”
• “Seoul Bans N.Korean Defector from Reporting on Cross-Border Talks”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 1 September 2018

#UKR – Op UNIFIER

• “Bomb in chandelier: Media disclose details of Zakharchenko hit” (UKR media)
• “Blast At Donetsk Cafe Kills Two, Including Ukrainian Separatist Leader Zakharchenko” (RFE/RL)
• “Zaharchenko’s entourage trying to flee ‘Donetsk people’s republic’ “ (UKR media)
• “Eleven Casualties in Zakharchenko Assassination Explosion” (RUS media)
• “Separatist Leader Zakharchenko Was A Thorn In The Side Of Both Kyiv And Moscow” (RFE/RL)
• “Tragic news from Donetsk – Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in a terrorist attack. We express our condolences to Alexander Zakharchenko’s friends and family and wish prompt recovery to the wounded and injured in the blast, and we wish Donbass residents courage and stamina …” (RUS MFA info-machine)
• “Three-day mourning declared in LPR over the death of DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Zakharchenko’s funeral to take place on September 2 in Donbass Opera” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Zakharchenko’s assassination prompts extension of curfew across DPR” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• “Trapeznikov: DPR preserves current social and economic policies” (pro-RUS rebel info-machine)
• 1 Sept 2018 video/statement from pro-RUS rebel info-machine (YouTube)
• “DPR Head Died From Wounds Received In Terrorist Attack In Donetsk. State Of Emergency Declared In DRP” (pro-RUS page)
• “Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov on the liquidation of Zakharchenko” (National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine info-machine)
• “Ukrainian Separatist Leader Zakharchenko Dies In Cafe Blast” (RFE/RL)
• “Kremlin warns Ukraine rebel’s murder could derail peace process” (FRA media)
• “Lavrov: Killing of rebel leader in Ukraine aimed against Minsk treaty” (DEU media)
• “Donetsk Residents Honor Memory Of Assassinated DPRs Leader Zakharchenko” (urdupoint.com)
• “Zakharchenko killed as a result of eliminating witnesses, conflict on commercial grounds – SBU head” (UKR media)
• “Assassination of Zakharchenko a provocation aimed to cause Minsk agreements’ collapse – Lavrov” (UKR media)
• “There is every reason to believe Kiev regime behind Zakharchenko’s murder — diplomat” (RUS media)
• In other #UKR news …
• “Kyiv asks Ottawa to extend the stay of Canadian military trainers in Ukraine”
• “Ukraine’s Independence Day parade in Kyiv … There were units from the U.K, the U.S., Canada, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Moldova …”
• “Volker Says U.S. Ready To Widen Arms Supplies To Ukraine”
• “Donetsk intelligence notes regrouping of Ukrainian forces — official”
• “Orthodox Church Heads Discuss Ukraine Bid To Split With Russia”

#LVA/Europe – Op REASSURANCE

• “Massive Russian Armada Begins Historic War Drills in the Mediterranean Sea” (pro-RUS blog)

#MLI – Op PRESENCE

• “Canadian peacekeepers battle extreme weather in Mali helicopter exercise”
• “Food, security and peace desperately needed in Mali – UN deputy relief chief” (UN info-machine)
• “Western countries urge calm after deadly Tripoli clashes”
• Elsewhere in the ‘hood & Africa …
• “Mauritania: UN chief urges peaceful, credible elections” (UN info-machine) – “Mauritanians vote in last election before key presidential ballot”
• “Xi Jinping: China and Niger are good friends and partners”
• “Xi Jinping’s remarks on China-Africa ties” (CHN mil media)
• “Beijing set to pledge billions more for Africa despite concerns over Chinese lending”

#CANinIRQ – Op IMPACT

• “Drought puts Iraq at risk of jihadist resurgence: study”
• “Dutch former defence minister appointed UN Iraq envoy” – “UN Secretary-General Appoints New Special Representative for Iraq” (UN Assistance Mission for Iraq info-machine) – Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (Wikipedia)
• “Kurdistan Region hosts new rounds of government formation talks”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Court’s refusal to hear benefits lawsuit a ‘slap in the face,’ says Alberta veteran”

Other Military News

• “Trudeau rejigs parliamentary secretaries in lead up to the return of the House” – “Le premier ministre nomme un nouveau secrétaire parlementaire à la Défense” – Serge Cormier (House of Commons profile)
  
• “Tribute to the Merchant Navy set for Monday”

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 24 Mar 2018

• Mo’ on #MLI mission
• “Liberals dropped ball on explaining Mali mission to Canadians: Diplomats — Foreign diplomats are frustrated about the way the Trudeau government handled this week’s announcement that Canada will send military helicopters to Mali. The concern isn’t that Canada has committed to the peacekeeping mission; that decision has been greeted with relief- tinged applause after years of perceived footdragging by the Liberals … But the diplomats feel the government failed to explain why the mission is needed — or that the Canadians will be relatively safe compared with the thousands of other peacekeepers working across the country …”
• “The Spectator’s view: Send Canadian forces into Mali with our eyes open”
• “With Mali mission, Canadian troops are entering a madhouse”
• “Canada’s military heads to Mali — does it know what it’s getting into?”
• “Watch out for Mali ‘mission creep’ “
• “Send Canadian forces into Mali with our eyes open”
• Over in #UKR …
• “N.S. military officer connects with Ukrainian heritage, locals on Forces mission — Sydney River-born officer visits grandfather’s Ukrainian hometown …”
• “Petawawa troops home from successful Ukraine mission”
• “Spy agency chief says new powers would help stop cyberattacks before they happen”
• Wanted:  Ribbons & bows for CANSOF tps  “Cloth Accoutrements for Special Operations Forces Distinctive Service Uniforms (SDSU) … The Department of National Defence has a requirement to establish a Standing Offer for Cloth Accoutrements for their Special Operations Forces (SOF) Distinctive Uniforms (SDSU) to be provided on an “as and when required” basis. The Accoutrements include rank patches, name tapes and “CANADA Flag” shoulder patches for use with the new SDSU …” – More details in bid documents
• Wanted (again):  “Advanced Combat Uniforms … The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for Commercial-Off-The-shelf Advanced Special Operations Forces (SOF) Combat Uniforms (ASCU) to be supplied in accordance with DND specifications …”
• A medicinal blast from the past
• “MPs say Ottawa should reach out to soldiers who took mefloquine”
• “Surgeon General Task Force Report on Mefloquine” (DND info-machine, June 2017)
• Mefloquine (Wikipedia)
• Mefloquine (Centres for Disease Control)
• “Ottawa shelving million-dollar job app for veterans”
• “MPs freed from House of Commons as Tories bring standoff tactics to an end — Retaliation after Liberals oppose having national security adviser talk to committee about India trip …”
• #SkripalPoisoning smoke machine generating mo’ fog …
• “Russian Nerve Agent Scientist Admits Selling Deadly Toxin to Chechen Mobsters”
• RUS fanboy media:  Maybe RUS “lost” toxin the same way USA “lost” manpads that shot down SYR jets?

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MILNEWS.ca: Inbox Highlights, 19 Mar 2018

• It’s now official!
• “Canada Announces Second Peacekeeping Smart Pledge – Will send Aviation Task Force to UN Mission in Mali” (DND/Global Affairs Canada info-machines)
• “Roughly 250 Canadians troops are heading to Mali — what dangers will they face?” (Globalnews.ca)
• “Canada sending 6 helicopters to help UN mission in Mali” (CBC News)
• “Le Canada enverra au Mali une force opérationnelle aérienne de 6 hélicoptères” (45nord.ca)
• “Canada to send helicopters to U.N. Mali mission, allies relieved” (Reuters)
• Interesting point … “Canada to send troops to Mali but the details remain unclear” (The Globe and Mail)
• … with some tea leaves to be read in the latest report (December 2017) from the UN mission there (check page 11 of the PDF linked here):  “… MINUSMA continues to require an explosive ordnance disposal company, a tactical transport aviation unit, a special forces company and a medium utility helicopter unit … One medium armed utility helicopter unit for Sector North remains a critical gap …”
• “Mali choppers face crash threats, but can shoot back at militants: Vance” (National Post)
• “Canada to deploy troops, helicopters to UN Mali mission” (Radio Deutsche Welle
• “Canadian peacekeepers head to Mali, a country broken by civil war” (The Globe and Mail)
• “Canada will send peacekeepers to Mali in the UN’s most dangerous mission” (VICE News)
• The Conservatives’ take?  ” ‘Mali is a war zone’: Conservatives want debate on 12-month UN peacekeeping mission“
• And Some Commentary …
• “It will take more than a few Canadian choppers to help Mali” (Ottawa Citizen)
• … including some whiny bits  “Canadian Troops Should Never Be Put Under UN Command” (Spencer Fernando blog)
• “Canada returns to peacekeeping, but we’re no Ethiopia”
• News from Mali via Google News & EU NewsBrief, with backstory from the International Crisis Group
• Elsewhere in Africa …
• “Two Canadian naval vessels arrive in Ghana” (Ghanaian media)
• … and in Iraq
• “Canadian Forces hospital to stay in Iraq until early 2019”
• Cyber threats from Russia … “Notorious Russian troll farm also took swipes at Canadian targets: oil, PM”
• … and China  “Former top Canadian security officials warn Ottawa to sever links with China’s Huawei”
• “Minister Sajjan concludes Trip in Middle East”
• Guess who won Russia’s election?  (via Google News)
• Canadian commentary on Skripal poisoning:  “Nerve agent theory has too many holes”

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