Archive for the ‘The Political Circus’ Category
MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – February 19, 2015
#CANvsISIL
- “Canada’s top soldier joins strategy talks on Islamic State in Saudi Arabia — Defence Minister Jason Kenney has signalled in recent days that the Harper government is leaning toward extending Canada’s military involvement in Iraq ….” – more
- Commentary “Forces must hit caliphate — There’s a reason why we’ve been calling it just the Islamic State. Full stop ….”
- Iraq Situation Report: February 17-18, 2015
- Syria Situation Report: February 10-17, 2015
Internal Security
- “John Nuttall, Amanda Korody self-describe as ‘al-Qaeda Canada’”
- “Justice minister on the definition of terrorism: ‘Look it up’ “ – “NDP will oppose anti-terrorism bill” – “Quebec politicians playing to ‘irrational fears’ about Islamic extremism”
- Commentary “Terrorism’s threat doesn’t justify all special measures to stop it”
- “Omar Khadr, silenced by interior decorating”
Ukraine
- “Moscow Promises Canada’s ‘Clumsy’ Sanctions Won’t Go Unanswered — Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that new sanctions by Canada against Russia are an attempt to undermine the Minsk agreements and hamper normal bilateral relations between countries ….” – “Russia rebuffs new Canadian sanctions as ‘awkward’ “
- “Ukrainian and Canadian Military Delegations discuss the flights safety” (UKR MoD)
- ATO map, 19 Feb 2015 (UKR gov’t, in English)
- ATO map, 16-18 Feb 2015 (pro-separatist, in Russian)
- ATO map, 18 Feb 2015, Debaltsevo area (pro-separatist, in Russian) – “President on the withdrawal of troops from Debaltseve: It was a difficult yet decent operation” – “Ukraine: withdrawal from besieged town 90 percent complete” – “Kiev says over 90% of troops pulled out of Debaltsevo” – “New Mayor was appointed in Debaltsevo” – “Mykolaiv meets heroes — Mykolaiv met the soldiers of the 79th Mykolaiv Detached Airborne Brigade of High Mobile Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Heroes accomplished tasks in Donetsk airport and in a Debaltseve bridgehead ….”
- “Ukraine calls for EU peacekeepers to save truce deal after deadly fighting in Debaltseve” – “Poroshenko calls for UN peacekeepers” – “The NSDC chaired by the President has made a decision to invite the UN peacekeeping mission to Ukraine” (UKR gov’t) – “Talks of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine frustrate Minsk agreements — Russian MP” - “THE DPR CONSIDERS PEACEKEEPERS DEPLOYMENT A BREACH OF THE MINSK AGREEMENTS” – “Peacekeepers should be deployed along contact line, border with Russia – Turchynov”
- “Putin, Merkel, Hollande and Poroshenko back OSCE monitoring mission” – “Donetsk ready to guarantee security of OSCE monitors, exchange prisoners of war”
- “More evidence of Russian weapons presence in Ukrainian Donbass released by the terrorists”
- “Russia may supply gas to east Ukraine as humanitarian aid – TASS”
Veterans & Helping Veterans
- “Watchdogs urge changes to vets’ hiring bill — Fix bill giving wounded troops jobs priority, veterans, military watchdogs say ….” – “Bill C-27: Watchdogs Veterans’ Jobs Legislation Must Be Fixed” – more – “Military Transition to Civilian Life – What You Need to Know About Priority Hiring” – “Priority Hiring | Ombudsman | National Defence | Canadian Forces”
- “Veterans Ombudsman To Hold Public Meeting With Veterans In Quebec City And Chicoutimi, Quebec”
- “Sudbury letter: Canada failing its veterans”
Other
- Good question “It’s a dangerous world. So where’s our defence strategy?”
- “Canadian SOF Contribution to the War on Terror — What have Canadian Special Operations units been up to over the last two decades? We tend not to talk about it very much, but we’ve been busy ….”
- From the Pentagon’s Info-machine “Engineer brigade integrates Canadian engineers into Warfighter Exercise”
- “Soldiers’ group highlights dark truth about military service”
- What AREN’T we hearing in this story? “Army’s response to try again ‘doesn’t make sense’ to turned-away applicant — A high school student from Mount Pearl who was turned away by the Canadian Armed Forces because of an anxiety diagnosis says the army’s response “doesn’t make sense” to him ….”
- “Lunch with Liberal Andrew Leslie: ‘Just going overseas and bombing does not work’ “
Afghanistan
MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – February 16, 2015
Attacks on CF in Canada
- “MP questions ‘expedited’ RCMP takeover of Parliament Hill security”
- “NSA offered help hours after Ottawa attack”
#CANvsISIL
- “POLL: Most Canadians support a military effort against ISIS” – Ipsos-Reid: “Support for Airstrike Mission Against ISIS Rises to 76% (up 12 points since start of mission); Majority (83%) Believes it’s a Combat Mission”
- “Estimated cost of Iraqi mission to be unveiled before the end of the month: Kenney — Canadians will have a much better idea of the cost of our mission in Iraq in the next couple of weeks according to Canada’s newest Defence Minister Jason Kenney ….”
- “Canadian vet has ‘no regrets’ for joining fight against ISIS in Iraq” – “Hillier feted for fight against ISIS”
- (Contortionist?) commentary “Iraq mission changing under Canadians ‘ noses” – “Iraq mission creep happening behind our backs”
- “Allies losing virtual war with ISIS” – “France gets it right: A media war against IS is good strategy” – “France shows West the smart way to fight IS at home”
- Iraq Situation Report: February 12-13, 2015
Internal Security
- Commentary “Is security the ballot question?”
- “Via Rail plot: FBI agent arranged ‘chance’ meeting with Esseghaier” – “Via suspect called Islam powerful weapon that can ‘bulldoze’ world: trial hears”
- “Canadian police arrest two men allegedly planning a Valentine’s Day massacre — Canadian police say the plot involved a 19-year-old man from Timberlea, Nova Scotia, and a 23-year-old woman from Geneva, Illinois ….” – “Halifax police avert Valentine’s Day massacre” – more – more- Google News coverage
- “Legal distinction between terrorists and criminals is ‘hazy,’ experts say — If plotting to cause mass murder in a public place is not called terrorism, then what is? ….”
- “Anti-terrorism bill will unshackle intelligence experts, says Ray Boisvert”
- “Judge rejects media request to interview Omar Khadr” - “Media request to interview Omar Khadr rejected by federal judge” – “Ban on media interview with Omar Khadr not political, Federal Court rules” – Commentary “Media have right to interview Khadr” – -
Way Up North
- “Russia Sends Nuclear Submarine Troops on Arctic Exercise”
- “Russia Plans $123.3 Million in Upgrades for Arctic Military Base”
- “Russia now poses ‘real’ Arctic threat” – “Russia no immediate threat to Norway — Although Russia is increasing its capacities, there are no rational reasons for enhanced Russian military activity directed against Norway in a short to medium-term perspective. But there is considerable uncertainty connected to the country’s long-term development, the Norwegian Intelligence Service says ….”
Ukraine
- UKR media: “Canada ready to supply arms to Ukraine if Minsk agreements fail again” – CAN media: “Stephen Harper won’t rule out sending lethal weapons for Ukraine” – “Harper was noncommittal on question of arming Ukraine”
- “Canada-led Arms Control Verification Team concludes latest mission in Ukraine”
- Commentary “National Post View: A dubious ceasefire in Ukraine” – “Ukraine ceasefire sends Putin a clear message of appeasement” – “A ceasefire in Ukraine: complex, but absolutely vital” – “Canadian troops in Ukraine? The Minsk II Agreement says they need to be pulled out right now”
- ATO map, 16 Feb 2015 – ATO map, 15 Feb 2015 (UKR gov’t, hi res, in English)
- Ukraine Situation Report: February 13, 2015
- ATO map, Debaltsevo area (pro-separatist, Russian) – “(UKR) President had a phone conversation in the Normandy format – President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko held a telephone conference in the Normandy format with President of France Francois Holland, Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Common position of the Normandy format is that the ceasefire should take place all over the collision line, including the area of Debaltseve ….” – “There is no complete pocket in Debaltseve bridgehead” (UKR MoD) – “Situation around Kryvbas battalion positions is difficult but controlled” (UKR MoD) – “Ukraine cease-fire largely holding, Debaltseve still tense” – “Ukraine Defense Ministry: Militants and Russians ordered to occupy Debaltseve by Sunday” – “Shkiryak: City of Debaltseve turns into new Stalingrad as Putin orders it — Debaltseve city is burning. Shelling from all types of artillery by the Armed Forces of Russian Federation never ceases ….” – “Ukrainian General Staff says it controls Debaltseve situation” -
- “(UKR) President’s statement on ceasefire from February 15, 00:00″ – Demarcation line, Minsk agreement (pro-Ukrainian site, in Ukrainian) – “Ukraine truce mainly holding after shaky start” – “DPR defence ministry: situation in Donetsk Republic quiet, truce is observed generally” – “Ukraine, rebels accuse each other of violating ceasefire” – “Ukraine to monitor withdrawal of heavy weapons with satellites” - “OSCE: сeasefire regime in eastern Ukraine has been generally observed in the past 12 hours” – “Ukraine says won’t pull back heavy weapons because of rebel fire” – - “Ukraine’s foreign minister: martial law may be announce if truce is failed”
- “Poroshenko mentions introduction of martial law again” – “Ukraine’s General Staff: no reasons for military action or martial law”
- “Mobilization in Rivne oblast” – “Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine – Head of Administration: Mobilization is organized as scheduled” – “Mobilization: Training of mobilized men in Dnipropetrovsk oblast” – –
- “No discussion on sending UN peacekeepers to Donbas — Ukrainian permanent representative at the UN Yuriy Serheyev denied allegations that the sending of UN peacekeepers to Donbas has been discussed ….”
- “Involuntarily Military Service: How Russia Conscripts Imposed with a Contract and a Trip to Rostov” – “Russian FSB “Alpha” was Spotted in Vuhlehirsk, Ukraine”
- “Russian convoy delivers humanitarian aid to Donetsk and Luhansk” – “Russian Emergencies Ministry jet to deliver humanitarian aid for Luhansk and Donetsk regions to Rostov-on-Don” – “Kiev blocking food supply to self-proclaimed DPR republic — DPR Contact Group envoy” – “The Minister of Communications of the DPR: Kiev authorities are trying to cut us off the connection”
- “(UKR) PM believes legitimately to raise issue of reparation payments from Russia”
Veterans & Helping Veterans
- VAC page not working as of this post
- “Wounded Warriors hit the road through Cowichan”
- “Soldier’s account: From Afghanistan battleground to Vietnam”
Other
- “Skills shortage leads Royal Navy to recruit overseas — THE Royal Navy is so sort of engineers that it is being forced to recruit in India and Canada ….”
- From the Info-machine “Canadian Army soldiers, a natural fit for UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” – more on OP Crocodile
- Commentary “Canadian SOF: The Value of Bottom-up Planning”
- “Soldiers more likely to have experienced childhood abuse: study — Canadian soldiers appear to be more likely than their civilian counterparts to have experienced abuse, including corporal punishment, or to have witnessed domestic violence as children, new research aimed at exploring the incidence of depression and suicide in the military suggests ….” – Army.ca discussion (DISCLOSURE: I’m a moderator for Army.ca)
- “Man charged with unlawfully wearing military uniforms and medals — A 66-year-old man is facing charges that he unlawfully used military uniforms and medals when attending oath ceremonies held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada ….”
- “Brantford native named top (artillery) sergeant”
- “Canadian Forces’ new rifle will use smart targeting, launches grenades” – “Canada’s New Military Rifle Is Straight Out Of A Video Game”
- “Canadian Armed Forces celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada”
World War Two
MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – February 12, 2015
Mark Salesse, R.I.P.
- “Body of missing RCAF member recovered” - “Body of missing rescue tech recovered from mountain” – “Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the death of a Canadian Armed Forces member” – “Statement by the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence”
#CANvsISIL
- “Canada ‘inclined’ to extend mandate of forces in Iraq – (defence) minister” – “No ground combat against ISIS, but mission parameters could change: Kenney”
- “Technical briefing to provide update on Canadian combat operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (this afternoon) ….”
- Iraq Situation Report: February 10-11, 2015
- Syria Situation Report: February 03-10, 2015
- “Wanted: ISIS Looking to Hire Oil Experts, Other Professionals — As terrible as it is, ISIS has taken some major cities, complete with the responsibilities that come with it. It’s no wonder they’re seeking to hire help ….”
- More on Canada’s Operation IMPACT here, and on news from around that part of the world here (list of links) and here (Twitter list)
Internal Security
- “Accused B.C. terrorist explains conversion to Islam” – “Accused terrorist on conversion to Islam: ‘Let’s go do jihad’ “ – “John Nuttall wanted jihad”
- “Via terror suspect looked to replace co-accused, court hears”
- “Crown wants 6 years for Veteran’s Affairs plot” – “Crown seeks 4-6 years for ex-soldier in plot to blow up Veterans Affairs office” – “Man apologizes for planned attack in Calgary” – “Ex-soldier who plotted attack on Veterans Affairs office apologizes”
- “CSIS documents reveal how agency designates terrorism targets”
Ukraine
- “(DefMin) Kenney hints Canada might help train Ukrainian forces”
- “Ottawa plans to provide valuable satellite images to Ukrainian forces — Ottawa plans to help Ukraine’s beleaguered armed forces by providing them with high-resolution images from Canada’s powerful RADARSAT-2 satellite, CTV News has learned ….”
- “Orbit Ukrainian Store shipping supplies to Ukrainian army — While nations meet to discuss the crisis in eastern Ukraine, one Edmonton ex-pat has turned her small shop into a supply depot for the Ukrainian Army ….”
- ATO map, 12 Feb 2015 (UKR gov’t, lo res only)
- “Putin: Leaders agree deal for Ukraine cease-fire” – “France, Germany to help ‘verify’ Ukraine cease-fire deal” – “Putin says leaders agree on main issues over Ukraine” – “Ceasefire agreed in Minsk” – “Putin says agreement has been reached” – “Minsk talks participants agree on ceasefire, weapons withdrawal, Donbas reform — Putin” – –
- “Reached an agreement on a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages and illegally detained – the result of a meeting in Minsk” (UKR President statement, in Ukrainian) – “Normandy format talks” (President of Russia statement)
- “Poroshenko: no agreement on rebel autonomy” – “Ukraine didn’t agree to give autonomy for Donbas – Poroshenko” – “New Ukraine agreement envisages restoring Kiev’s economic ties with Donbas”
- “Putin, Poroshenko to ask experts to assess real state of affairs in east Ukraine”
- “Ukraine sabotaged the evacuation of locals in Debaltsevo” – “(UKR DefMin) Colonel General Stepan Poltorak: There is ‘Debaltseve pocket’ “
- “Russian Occupants Hide Evidence of Crimes in Ukraine by Shipping Scrap to Rostov”
- “French and Czech medical supplies arrive to Dnipropetrovsk military hospital”
- Commentary “Poroshenko threatens Martial Law – but for which audience?”
- More of the latest from Ukraine here and here
Veterans & Helping Veterans
- “Government contracts out vital services at Veterans Affairs”
- Meanwhile, “Parliamentary Secretary Lemieux attends Winter Sports Clinic for Veterans, injured soldiers and their families”
- “Publication gives voice to homeless veterans in Calgary”
Other
- “Air force chief set to retire as Canadian Forces brass given a shake up” - “New senior leaders for the Royal Canadian Air Force” - Info-machine version: “General and Flag Officer senior appointments, promotions, and retirements ….”
- “Tighter budgets prompt air force to reduce flying times — Federal budget cuts have been quietly clipping the wings of the Canadian military ….”
- “Canadian forces set to train near site of Boko Haram attacks — Canadian special forces are set to take part in a multi-country military training exercise in a part of Western Africa that continues to see attacks by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram ….”
- “CF-18 Demo Team ready to thrill audiences this summer” – “RCAF announces pilot and theme for 2015 CF-18 Demonstration Team” – The Royal Canadian Air Force is pleased to announce the appointment of Captain Denis “Cheech” Beaulieu as the pilot for the 2015 CF-18 Demonstration Team ….” – “Schedule | CF-18 Demo Team”
- “Canada developing new assault rifle concept”
- Commentary “Jason Kenney is the right man to take on the challenge of National Defence” – “In Jason Kenney, Harper needs to keep his most reliable minister close”
World War One
MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – February 10, 2015
Attacks on CF in Canada
- “Hours after Parliament Hill gunman shot dead, security forces thought three more suspects were on the loose — Emails sent on Oct. 22, 2014, indicate Commons security officials believed Michael Zehaf-Bibeau might have had help from as many as three accomplices ….”
#CANvsISIL
- From the Info-machine “Canada “at the forefront of international efforts against ISIL” “
- Iraq Situation Report: February 9, 2015
- Control of Terrain in Syria: February 9, 2015
- More on Canada’s Operation IMPACT here, and on news from around that part of the world here (list of links) and here (Twitter list)
Internal Security
- “Compel prison to allow media to interview Khadr, lawyers urge court” – “Allow Omar Khadr interview, court urged”
- “Fighting the cyber jihadists”
- “U.K. inquest offers new look at radicalized Canadian hostage taker — One of the first of a group of young, radicalized Canadians to join al-Qaeda, London, Ont.-born Xris Katsiroubas was the voice of the hostage takers at an Algerian gas plant two years ago. A U.K. inquest has a hard look at his role ….”
Way Up North
Ukraine
- “Merkel briefs Harper on Ukraine talks” – “Merkel says Ukraine conflict can’t be solved by military”
- “Stephen Harper won’t rule out sending lethal weapons to Ukraine” – “Harper noncommittal on question of arming Ukraine”
- “Obama Not Ruling Out Sending Lethal Defensive Aid To Ukraine” – “Obama weighs sending weapons to Ukraine as divide over Russia deepens”
- “President of Ukraine has held a phone conversation with President of Poland” – “Poland will not send lethal weapons to Ukraine” – “Polish defence minister says supplying arms to Ukraine is last option”
- “French general calls on West to arm Ukraine”
- “Ukraine and UK to sign MoU on Defense Cooperation” – Great Britain sends humanitarian aid to Ukrainian army
- Commentary “Taras Kuzio: Why won’t Canadian members of parliament lobby to arm Ukraine?” – “If Putin is to be stopped, Ukraine must be armed”
- ATO map, Debaltsevo area, 9 Feb 2015 (pro-separatist, in Russian)
- “Ukrainian army controls the situation near Debaltseve” – “Ukrainian troops are in control of air situation in Debaltseve bridgehead”
- “Turchynov coordinates offensive near Mariupol” – “Ukrainian forces launch offensive near Mariupol, east Ukraine – Kiev” – “Ukrainian forces attack militias’ positions near Mariupol”
- “Ukrainian army reports gains in eastern Ukraine”
- “A Nest of Electronic Warfare Forces of Russian Federation in Luhansk Tax Administration Office Building”
- “OSCE Parliamentary Assembly consistently supports territorial integrity of Ukraine”
- “Nearly 27,000 Ukrainian refugees stay at Russian temporary accommodation facilities”
- “Ukraine turns over power lines to Novorossiya”
- More of the latest from Ukraine here and here
Veterans & Helping Veterans
- “Vets (in North Bay) call for system improvements”
- “Legion donation helps (Kingston) resource centre assist with PTSD issues”
- “On the front line in Hamilton for veterans in need”
Other
- “Jason Kenney appointed defence minister” – “Jason Kenney new defence minister in Conservative cabinet shuffle” – PMO announcement – Jason Kenney page – more (via Google News)
- “Search underway for search and rescue technician from 17 Wing Winnipeg” – more
- “Canadian Special Ops in Niger town that was attacked by Boko Haram — Members of the Canadian Forces are in a Niger town that was attacked by Islamist extremist group Boko Haram on Monday, CTV News has learned ….” – “Niger army repels fresh Boko Haram attack on border town” – “Boko Haram in new Niger attack as MPs vote on sending troops” – latest from Google News – latest from European Commission news aggregator
- “Father of Rehtaeh Parsons says he knows who (at DND) is behind changes to his late daughter’s Wikipedia page” – “Military police investigating comments from DND computers about Rehtaeh Parsons”
- From the defence research info-machine “How accurate are Canada’s strategic intelligence forecasts?”
- Commentary “Canadian Government’s Anti-Communist Falsification of History: Making Vietnam’s Victory Over the U.S. a “Black Day” “
Afghanistan
- “Canadian army has no idea how it lost three artillery shells worth $500,000 on way out of Afghanistan”
- Joshua Caleb Baker R.I.P. “(Calgary) Council verbally lauds Calgary firefighter regaining his military ranking — Calgary firefighter, Major Darryl Watts received special recognition at City Hall Monday with a presentation that was a bit out of the ordinary for council ….”
World War Two
New Defence Minister Named
“The Honourable Jason Kenney, as Minister of National Defence and Minister for Multiculturalism, will continue the Government’s work to defend our values, interests and sovereignty at home and around the world. He will also continue promoting Canada’s cultural heritage and the ability of all Canadians to integrate into Canadian society and take an active part in its social, cultural, economic and political affairs.”
So, double-hatting a minister with a significant portfolio – cutting the size of cabinet, or telegraphing that it won’t make much difference with an election around the corner?
More, in the morning.
MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – February 9, 2015
Attacks on CF in Canada
- “Liberals support handing control of Parliament Hill security to RCMP”
- “Letting RCMP patrol Parliament Hill could raise constitutional issues”
#CANvsISIL
- “Infantry: Canadians Teach What They Know In Iraq”
- “Canadian veteran who fought ISIS in Iraq reveals his near-death — and surprise return home — Exclusive interview: Dillon Hillier says his war was cut short by U.S. military advisors, whom he says pressured Kurdish generals to stop allowing foreign volunteers ….”
- “The radicalization of John Maguire — Ottawa’s John Maguire understood that his enlistment as a foot soldier in the Islamic State would confound his friends, family and countrymen ….”
- Commentary “How did ISIS get this far?”
- Iraq Situation Report: February 7-8, 2015
- Iraq Situation Report: February 5-6, 2015
- “Coalition Military Leaders Discuss Operation Inherent Resolve”
Internal Security
- “FBI agent tells terror trial of unlikely road trip with alleged VIA Rail plotter” – “Bridge was a potential target in alleged Via Rail terror plot, court hears”
- “Canadian terrorists tied to Muslim Students Association”
- “Harper government argues Security Intelligence Review Committee is ‘robust’ “
- “Canada′s spy agency finds a friend in Prime Minister Harper — Canada has proposed new legal tools for its spy agency in a recently tabled anti-terrorism bill. However, critics say the bill lacks the proper oversight to prevent potential abuse ….”
- Commentary “Talking terrorism: Harper and Obama sound like yin and yang” – “Criminalizing terrorist propaganda: Does it help or hinder our safety?” – “A ‘war on terrorism’? No thanks. There are smarter ways to meet the threat” – “Bill C-51: Harper’s Attempt To ‘Arrest His Way Out Of Terrorism’ “ – -
Way Up North
- “Canadian Rangers Attract Soldiers to Winter Survival Exercise (in Northern Ontario)”
- “Light visors solve sleeplessness at CFS Alert — Newly published Canadian military research has found a solution to the sleep problems of some soldiers stationed during winter at the most northerly outpost on the planet. The $60,000 study at CFS Alert found simple “light visors” effectively countered sleep problems caused by four months of total darkness ….”
- “Vladimir Putin Wants an Arctic Air Army for 2015″
Ukraine
- “Merkel asks for face time with Harper as Putin meeting on Ukraine looms — The influential German leader will meet our prime minister late on Monday to discuss how to end a conflict that has taken 5,300 lives ….”
- “Frontline Ukrainian troops await military aid — As U.S. ponders sending arms, those fighting against superior Russian-made weaponry on the Ukrainian front say military aid cannot arrive too soon ….”
- Commentary “Canada should think about selling defensive weapons to Ukraine — Canada should be open to selling defensive weapons to Ukraine, and so should a few other Western countries. Up to a point, the armed forces of Ukraine, a pre-existing military organization, have some advantages over the pro-Russian militant rebels ….” - “It’s Time for the West to Arm Ukraine — Renewed heavy fighting and a breakdown of ceasefire talks have dispelled any hope of a quick, diplomatic end to the conflict raging in Eastern Ukraine ….” – “Don’t Arm Ukraine — For America to supply Kiev with weapons would only make Russia a more reckless adversary ….” – “Tough talk is easy but it doesn’t help Ukraine”
- “Donetsk militia blocks strategic highway near embattled Debaltsevo”
- “Mobilization, Lviv: Over 1,000 mobilized men swear oath of allegiance to Ukrainian people” - “Dnipropetrovsk Military Hospital receives U.S. humanitarian medical aid” (UKR MoD)
- UKR President statements: “The Normandy format meeting is planned for Wed, Feb11 in Minsk – “Ukraine remains a strong supporter of peace”
- “Kiev Must Hold Dialogue With Donbas to End Conflict – Russian President”
- “Fighting leaves 100,000 citizens without water in self-proclaimed LPR”
Veterans & Helping Veterans
- “Dying veteran’s hospital bills covered”
- Commentary “No Veterans Should Have to Repeatedly Prove They’ve Lost Limbs”
Other
- “SAR Tech swept away by Alberta avalanche” – “Mark Salesse swept away by Alberta avalanche on military training exercise” – “Mark Salesse’s family ‘preparing for the worst’ “ – “City soldier feared dead in slide” – “Searchers unable to reach site of missing search and rescue technician” – – more
- “CAF trialing adjusted SAR response times”
- “Former senior air force officer stripped of military merit decoration — A high-ranking military official has been stripped of a significant decoration after pleading guilty last fall to wearing medals on her uniform that she didn’t earn ….” – Governor General’s statement “Termination of Order of Military Merit Appointment”
- Oopsie …. “National Defence investigates edits on Rehtaeh Parsons Wikipedia page — The Department of National Defence is investigating its personnel for using government computers to wipe mentions of the alleged sexual assault of Rehtaeh Parsons from her Wikipedia page and for suggesting her death was not a suicide ….”
- “CJOC wants to be ‘main player’ in global intelligence”
- “Canadian SOF: What Does it Mean to be Special Forces? — Being Special Forces is about being the quiet and consummate professional at work and at home, about the pursuit of a more effective way of doing business ….”
- “BC Establishes Military Liaison to Canadian Armed Forces”
- “Great event for Forces and Families and Leafs — Capt. Rory Johnston says there’s nothing like a little appreciation to boost troop morale ….” – “Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night | Watch the video”
- “Great warriors need great education: Canadian Brig.-Gen Wayne Eyre”
- From the Info-machine “(Belated) Happy Birthday, Billy Bishop!” – “RCAF Flyers wrote Olympic (hockey) history”
- “Minister of National Defence meets with counterparts on international security – The Honourable Rob Nicholson represents Canada at the 51st Munich Security Conference”
- “(Liberal former CF’er): If Anyone “Distrusts” The Military It’s Harper”
- “More U.S. soldiers in Canada could be sent back for court martial on desertion charges”
- Ooopsie …. “Lost Canadian turns up on live-fire range — Lost Canadian turns up on (California) live-fire range ….”
- “The mask of U.S.-Saudi friendship is finally slipping — New accusations, from a convicted 9/11 conspirator, that Saudi princes were among al-Qaeda’s key patrons is driving a new wedge into U.S.-Saudi relations, one that was already more of a public show than anything else, Neil Macdonald writes ….”
Afghanistan
- Joshua Caleb Baker R.I.P. “Darryl Watts will not face new trial after winning appeal in fatal training accident — A military reservist who won an appeal of his conviction in a deadly Afghanistan training accident will not face a new trial ….” – more
- Oopsie …. “Army loses three GPS-guided artillery shells while leaving Afghanistan”
The World Wars
- “10th annual military studies conference focuses on First and Second world wars”
- “Meet the Devil’s Brigade, WWII’s original special ops team”
MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – February 6, 2015
Attacks on CF in Canada
- “Motion to recommend RCMP take control of operational security on (Parliament Hill)” – “RCMP not ready to take over Parliament’s security, commissioner warns”
#CANvsISIL
- Latest video: ISIS Places Bounty on All Coalition Pilots (Including Canadian)
- “What if a Canadian pilot is shot down in ISIS territory?”
- “US moves pilot rescue aircraft to northern Iraq — The US military has deployed aircraft and troops to northern Iraq to boost its ability to rescue downed coalition pilots, after a Jordanian airman was captured and killed by jihadists in Syria, a defense official said Thursday ….” – more
- “CF-18 attack destroys Islamic State bomb factory in Iraq” – “Operation IMPACT – Air Task Force-Iraq airstrikes”
- “NDP say Harper misled Parliament on ISIS”
Internal Security
- “Via suspect called Islam powerful weapon that can ‘bulldoze’ world: trial hears” – “Trial continues today for 2 men charged in alleged Via Rail terror plot” – “Muslim undercover agent enraged by terror suspects’ talk, court hears”
- “Prosecutors reviewing charges against man in Halifax chemicals case”
- “Liberals to support new anti-terror law”
- “Supreme Court will hear case about overseas spying by CSIS”
- Commentary “Reject fear. Stop Stephen Harper’s “secret police” bill” – “Terrorists applaud anti-terror legislation for eroding much-hated freedom” – “How Ottawa’s new terrorism act could chill free speech” – “Why is the opposition silent on the Harper Government’s anti-terror bill?” – “Anti-terrorism bill will unleash CSIS on a lot more than terrorists”
Ukraine
- “Volodymyr Demchyshyn and Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Roman Vashchuk discuss cooperation issues in energy sphere”
- “Canada urges Russia to ‘back off’ in Ukraine as NATO adds command posts in eastern Europe” – “Nato agrees to strengthen forces in east Europe against Russia risk” – “NATO Creates Network of Command Centres in E. Europe Vs Russia”
- ATO map, 6 Feb 2015 (UKR gov’t, in Ukrainian)
- ATO map, Debaltsevo area, 5 Feb 2014 (pro-separatist, in Russian)
- “DPR dept. corps commander Eduard Basruin evening sitrep February 5, 2015″ (Novorossia News, Russian w/Eng subtitles)
- “Kiev continues shelling near Debaltsevo despite declared ceasefire — DPR defense ministry”
- “Arseniy Yatsenyuk: “The only country who strongly deny clear military Russian boots on the ground is Russian Federation” “ – “Yatseniuk: Russian regular army in Donbas”
- “Source: nearly 200 Balkan mercenaries fighting on Kiev’s side in Ukraine”
- “Aidar battalion members block Defense Ministry premises” – “Hundreds trying to break into Ukraine president’s office in Kiev” – “Ukraine’s defense ministry promises to reinforce Aidar battalion” – “Aidar battalion commander expelled from Radical Party faction”
- “Rebels, Ukrainian forces agree on humanitarian corridor” – “Humanitarian Truce Agreed around Key Ukraine Town” – “Civilians start evacuating from Debaltseve through “green corridor”, Ukraine’s police official says” – “Media: Kiev military open fire on Russian journalists, civilians during evacuation” – “Ukraine needs international assistance to evacuate families with children from the conflict area in the Donbas – meeting of President’s Commissioners with representatives of international missions” – “Commissioners of the President ask the international organizations to help evacuate families and children from under the shellings in the Donbas”
- “UN creates interactive map of destruction in Donbas” – “Mobile Apps map Ukraine’s recovery needs” – redonbass.org
- “Odesa volunteers make camouflage suits for Ukrainian military” – “Mykolayv paratroopers get first aid kits”
- “Plans for sending UN peacekeepers to Ukraine being discussed by experts – diplomat” – “Russian Foreign Ministry raises issue of “peacekeepers” in Donbas” – “UN names conditions for sending peacekeepers to Ukraine”
- “Merkel, Hollande take Ukraine peace plan to Putin” – “P. Poroshenko, A. Merkel and F. Hollande elaborated joint proposals to implement the Minsk agreements”
- “(NATO SecGen) Stoltenberg advises Ukraine to ask NATO allies for weapons” – “US taking ‘fresh look’ at weapons for Ukraine” – “Russia sees security threat if U.S. gives Kiev lethal arms”
Veterans & Helping Veterans
- “Rick Mercer: Harper Government Makes Injured Veteran Prove His Legs Haven’t Grown Back” – “Each Year, Veterans Affairs Makes Me Prove I Lost My Legs”
- “Veterans shouldn’t have to scramble to find appeal lawyers: ombudsman”
Other
- “Major fighting for housing compensation”
- From the Info-machine “Minister Nicholson meets with counterparts at NATO Defence Ministerial Meeting” – “Video: HMCS Fredericton Trials and Missile Test Fire”
- “Trudeau hits back at PM’s assertion he dislikes Canadian military“ – more
