MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 23, 2017

#Afghanistan

• “Donald Trump vows to keep fighting in Afghanistan. How does this affect Canada?”
• Former CAN envoy to AFG:  “The world must finish its job—and protect its legacy—in Afghanistan”
• Commentary  “John Ivison: Canada would be wise to steer clear of a return to ‘graveyard of empires’ “ – “Donald Trump’s flawed recipe for endless, unwinnable Afghan War: Walkom” – “Trump’s Afghanistan war strategy: A ‘realistic but undefined’ policy U-turn”
• “James Mattis: DoD to Determine Total Number of Ground Troops in Afghanistan”
• “Tillerson accuses Russia of arming Taliban”
• “For Valour, for sale: Historic Canadian Victoria Cross up for auction” – “Impress your friends? Historic Canadian Victoria Cross up for auction”
• “New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Zabīh Allah Mujāhid: “Remarks Concerning Trump’s Strategy” “ (safe link via statement-monitoring blog)
• “We Won the War in Afghanistan—And Then Lost It” (War Is Boring blog)
• “Did a Canadian company sell the wrong camouflage to Afghanistan?”

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

The Kurds

• “U.S. defense secretary arrives in Iraq for unannounced visit to meet Iraqi leaders” – “Mattis Praises Defeat-ISIS Efforts in Meetings With Iraqi Leaders”
• “Mattis confirms U.S. support to preserve Iraq’s unity” – “US backs Iraq’s territorial integrity: Defense minister”
• “Mattis Asks Iraqi Kurds to Put Off Vote on Independence” – “US: Kurdish referendum threatens Iraq’s territorial integrity “
• “Barzani: Kurdistan will not postpone independence vote a minute” – “Despite objections Iraq’s Kurds plan to hold independence referendum” – “To delay referendum, Kurdistan needs firm guarantees on independence: Barzani”
• “Iraq’s Christians wary of planned Kurdish regional poll”
• “Kurdish state an insult to Kurds: Erdogan”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• ” Iraqi forces close in on Daesh-held Tal Afar”
• “Military chief says ISIS too weak to plot terror attacks from Iraq”
• “Interring the Islamic State in Iraq”
• “Radical Islam: We Must Talk About More Than ISIS”

#Syria

• “2 North Korean arms shipments en route to Syria intercepted — A North Korean company attempted to send two arms shipments to Syria but UN member states prevented the goods from reaching their destination, according to a confidential UN report that was recently submitted to the UN Security Council …” – “Two North Korean shipments to Syrian chemical weapons program intercepted”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “N.K. leader orders more production of solid-fuel engines, ICBM warhead tips” – “Kim Jong Un Inspects Chemical Material Institute of Academy of Defense Science — Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, gave field guidance to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science … After looking round the newly-built room for the education in the revolutionary history and exhibition hall of scientific and technological achievements, he learned about the processes for manufacturing ICBM warhead tip and solid-fuel rocket engine … He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips by further expanding engine production process and the production capacity of rocket warhead tips and engine jets by carbon/carbon compound material …” (PRK MFA) – PDF of statement screen capture
• “North Korea won’t give up its nukes: N. Korean diplomat”
• “Liberals agree to hold emergency meeting on North Korea threat” – “(CAN) Parliamentary committee ponders how to cope with nuclear threat from North Korea” – “It may be time for Canada to embrace U.S. ballistic missile shield: MP” – “Corée du Nord: le débat sur le bouclier antimissile relancé” – “Des élus fédéraux discutent de la menace nord-coréenne”
• “Canada sending 15 troops to participate in South Korean, US military exercise”
• “Tillerson We could still talk to North Korea”
• “US imposes new sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies to cut off North Korea support — The sanctions affect Dandong Rich Earth Trading Company, which the US accused of buying vanadium ore from Korea Kumsan Trading Corporation …” – “U.S. sanctions 16 entities, individuals over N. Korea’s nuclear program” – “US Sanctions Russian Chinese Firms for Helping North Korea Militarize” – “US slaps sanctions on Chinese Russian entities for backing N-Korea nuclear programme” – “North Korea Designations; Non-proliferation Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations Removals and Update; Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations Removals and Update; Counter Terrorism Designation Removal; Cuba Designation Removal” (U.S. Treasury)
• “China says US sanctions against North Korea will not help, calls situation ‘extremely tense’ “ – “China warns US sanctions ‘will not help’ Trump secure cooperation over North Korea”
• “Comment by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on new US anti-Russia sanctions” (RUS MFA)
• “Trump doesn’t have enough diplomats to deal with North Korea”
• “U.S. Will be to Blame for Consequences from Joint Military Drill: KPA Panmunjom Mission” (PRK MFA) – “Joint drill dangerous game for Peninsula” (CHN military media)
• “U.S., North Korea clash at U.N. forum over nuclear weapons”
• “S. Korea to pursue peaceful resolution to N.K. issue, ‘turning point’ for permanent peace”
• “Ukraine observes its undertaken international obligations in good faith and in a consistent manner – the President instructed the Foreign Ministry to initiate hearings within the UN Security Council to prove Ukraine’s noninvolvement in the North Korea’s m(issiles?)” (UKR pres info-machine)
• “Poroshenko initiates UN SC consideration of Ukraine’s non-involvement in North Korea’s missile program”
• “(JPN) Defense Ministry to ask for record ¥5.2 trillion (CAN $60 million) budget amid North Korea concerns”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “China’s 2nd aircraft carrier to undergo trial soon: Report” – “Chinese first home-built aircraft carrier to start its first sea trials in autumn”
• “China’s New H-6N Bomber Can Carry DF-21D to Kill Carrier Further Away”
• “Beijing warns US ahead of Taiwan defence minister’s visit”
• “China Calls U.S. ‘Arrogant’ After Ship Collision”
• “U.S. Landpower In The South China Sea”
• IND-CHN Border Tension  “We are human too, India and China have to start talking and stop using us soldiers as cannon fodder” –“China urges India to act rationally amid standoff”
• “5th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali pass equipment inspection” (CHN military media)
• “China in the Red Sea: The Djibouti Naval Base and the Return of Admiral Zheng He”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Russia names Anatoly Antonov, diplomat sanctioned by the EU and Canada, as U.S. ambassador –Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed a hard-line critic of the U.S. who’s blacklisted by the European Union over the Ukraine crisis as his new ambassador to Washington …”
• “No U.S.-Russia cyber unit without Trump notifying Congress, bill says”
• “Are Cyber Weapons Too Dangerous to Use?”
• “Moldova asks UN to withdraw the Russian troops from Transnistria”
• “Russian bomber Tu-95 spotted above Baltic Sea, Denmark’s fighter jets escort it” – “Watch Danish Forces Flank Russian Bomber Over Baltic Sea”
• Zapad 2017 Latest  “Belarus Invites Observers To Monitor ‘Zapad 2017’ Exercises, But NATO Critical” – “Two Ukrainian observers to be present in West-2017 drills in Belarus” – “Ukraine sends verifiers for observing West 2017 drills in Belarus”  – “NATO slams observation format of Russia-Belarus military drills” – “Oleksandr Turchynov: “Zapad-2017” – reality and threats” (UKR Nat’l Def & Secur Council) – “Is Russia Using Belarus Wargame to Deploy Permanent Units Along Poland’s Border?”
• “Why the Russian Navy Is a More Capable Adversary Than It Appears”
• “Leaving US Nuclear Weapons In Turkey Is Just Poor Strategy”
• “Poland marks European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism”  – “EU chiefs condemn nationalism on Remembrance Day” – “Baltic states mark day of infamy and triumph”
• ” ‘Forest brothers’ in the CIA archives – Anti-Soviet sentiment across the Baltics”

#Ukraine

• Let’s see how long THIS ceasefire lasts …  “New Ukraine Truce in Offing” – ” “Normandy Four” leaders back ceasefire in Donbas of Ukraine” – “Normandy format leaders support cease-fire on academic year start” – “Normandy format leaders agree to support ceasefire in Donbas” – “Putin, Merkel, Macron back new ceasefire deal in Ukraine” – “Contact Group to support ‘school truce’ in Donbas on occasion of new school year” – “The leaders of the Normandy format expressed resolute support to the cease-fire regime on the occasion of the beginning of a new school year” (UKR president info-machine) – “Statement by the representative of the People’s Republic of Lugansk at the Minsk negotiations, Vladislav Deynego, on the issue of a truce” (LNR, in Russian) – “Statement by the representative of the People’s Republic of Finland at the Minsk talks Vladislav Deynego on the issue of diluting (withdrawing?  disengaging?) forces” (LNR, in Russian) – “Normandy Four leaders support ceasefire in Donbas ahead of school year”  – “LPR ready to stick to ceasefire as the new academic year begins – Deinego’s statement”
• “Poroshenko demands again UN peacekeepers and armed OSCE mission for Donbass” – “Poroshenko to raise issue of bringing UN peacekeepers to Donbas at UN General Assembly session” – “Poroshenko to present to UNGA idea of peacekeepers’ deployment in Donbas”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 21 August 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 23 Aug 2017 – “(Separatist) Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 08/23/2017” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire seven times over 24 hours” – “OSCE records Ukrainian forces’ strikes at LPR in Stanitsa area – People’s Militia” – “The Kiev siloviki violated the “silence regime” seven times a day” (LNR, in Russian) – “Ukrainian forces fire over 370 artillery, mortar rounds at DPR over 24 hours – Basurin” – “Ukrainian security officials released over 370 mines and shells for the day – Basurin” (DNR, in Russian) – “The Donetsk command declared 45 violations of the “silence regime” by the APU for 24 hours” (DNR, in Russian) – “Donetsk Command reports 45 ceasefire violations over 24 hours” – “Militants shell 28 times in Donbas, four Ukrainian soldiers injured” – “Militants launched 28 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day” – “Four Ukrainian soldiers wounded in ATO zone over last day” – “Donbas militants engage heavy weapons, 4 WIA in last day” – “Kyiv reports 28 attacks on Ukrainian army positions, 4 wounded troops” – “Ukrainian gunmen launch 370 shells onto DPR over past 24 hours” –
• “Parade in Kyiv: Without equipment, but with NATO military” – “Military parade marking 26th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence … The military parade will be attended by about ten units from different countries (Britain, Georgia, Canada, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, the United States, Latvia, Romania, and Estonia), nine of which are members of the North Atlantic Alliance …” – “Nine defense ministers of partner countries to take part in parade on Independence Day – Poltorak”
• “Ukraine’s Poroshenko Wants Weaponry of ’21st Century’ Amid Donbass War” – “We start the program of armed-technical modernization of the army to the level of the 21st century – the President” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian) – “Ukraine purchases military equipment, weapons 10 times more than before, – Poroshenko” – “Poroshenko announces modernization of Armed Forces” – “Ukraine launching program of army’s military-technical modernization”
• “In the DNR, a criminal case was brought against the officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who commanded the bombardment of Donetsk on August 20” (DNR, in Russian) – “DPR launches criminal investigation against Ukrainian officer in charge of August 20 shelling of Donetsk”
• Update on Talks of All Kinds  “DPR, LPR Representatives’ meeting with OSCE coordinator begins in Minsk” – “Contact group on Ukraine reconvenes in Minsk” – “Talks between Volker and Surkov started too early” – “US wants to restore Ukraine’s integrity and sovereignty – Volker” – “US wants to restore Ukraine’s integrity and sovereignty – Volker” – “Minsk process can’t end Donbas war, format should be expanded – Kravchuk”
• “68th Russian humanitarian convoy to arrive in DPR on August 24”

Way Up North

• “Defence Minister to visit troops deployed on Operation NANOOK 2017” – “Photos from OP Nanook“
• “Warming Arctic spurs battles for riches, shipping routes”

Internal Security

• “Canada looking into possible illicit causes behind asylum spike” – “Trudeau, border crossers task force to meet, review next steps in coping with asylum seekers” – “NDP’s Jenny Kwan says Liberals are misleading asylum seekers over border”
• “Federal advertising ‘blacklist’ of websites includes far-right outlets” – “How should Canadians respond to the alt-right?” – “Quebec village refuses to remove swastika-emblazoned anchor from park” – “Ottawa veut unir ses alliés contre l’extrême droite”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  “R&D Animation Video … Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) requires the services of a Contractor to use their existing or in development tools to process 3D LIDAR, hyperspectral imaging and WAMI imaging data to create 3D complex scenes representing a real or imagined city to simulate sensors mounted on different mobile platforms and to create and execute software control tactical scenarios on 3D scenes …”
• Wanted (update):  “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 …”
• Wanted:  “Defence Construction Canada – Request for Abbreviated Proposals for Consulting Services – Technical UXO Services: N000437, Geophysical Survey, Nicolet, Quebec”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Canadian vet visits Ramstein to reclaim 7 life-changing days of his past”  (US DoD info-machine)

Other

• “Double homecoming for deployed ships”
• “Pilot program well-suited for women considering joining the Forces” (DND info-machine)
• “Dedication ceremony for Highway of Heroes Durham LAV Monument draws crowds”
• “Removing monuments to Canadians who helped conquer Africa — Some good might come in Canada from neo-fascists marching in Charlottesville, Virginia. Taking advantage of media interest in protests over monuments to historical figures with racist views activists in Halifax are pushing to remove commemorations to two individuals who helped conquer Africa. And there’s no lack of other such memorials to target across the Great White North …” (rabble.ca)

World War Two

• ” ‘Tremendous bravery and fortitude’: Solemn ceremony pays tribute to Dieppe raid’s fallen” – “Prime Minister joins Canadian delegation to mark the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 22, 2017

#BarcelonaAttack

• “Man wearing suicide belt shot dead near Barcelona” – “Police kill suspected driver in Barcelona attack” – “Barcelona attack: Suspected van driver Younes Abouyaaqoub ‘taken down’ after 13 killed in Las Ramplas rampage”
• “Barcelona attack: Surviving suspects face judge” – “Barcelona attack: four suspects face court after van driver is shot dead”
• “Barcelona attacks put spotlight on Moroccan militants”
• More on Barcelona via Google News

#Afghanistan

• “There are absolutely no plans to send any Canadian troops back to Afghanistan: Trudeau”
• “Remarks by President Trump on the Strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia” (whitehouse.gov)
• “Donald Trump to expand US military intervention in Afghanistan” – “Combating His Instinct, Trump Commits U.S. To Another Tour Of Duty In Afghanistan” – “Trump to dispatch another 4,000 troops to Afghanistan”
• “Afghan leaders, Taliban react to Trump’s new war plan”
• “Can a new wave of intellectuals save Afghanistan?”
• “Trump makes only move he can on Afghanistan”
• “Why Trump’s Afghanistan plan will end in utter failure”
• “Trump’s Challenge: Shatter Strategic Stalemate in Afghanistan”
• “Angry Trump grilled his generals about Afghanistan troop increase”
• “Trump’s Strategy May Help in Afghanistan, but Few Expect ‘Outright Victory’ “
• More on Trump’s AFG plan:  Google News – Bing News – Yahoo Canada News

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• CHN likes proposed Ontario motion  CHN MFA spokesperson:  “Q: The government of Ontario, Canada has submitted a motion to the provincial Legislature requiring the designation of December 13 as the “Nanjing Massacre Remembrance Day”. The provincial Legislature of Ontario will vote on the motion in September. The Japanese media reported on August 20 that the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan has decided to organize some of its members to lobby the Canadian government and the provincial Legislature of Ontario with the view of preventing the setting of the Remembrance Day. What is your comment? A: We have noted relevant reports and welcome the relevant motion of the provincial Legislature of Ontario, Canada. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. The Nanjing Massacre is a grave crime committed by the Japanese militarism during the Second World War and it is a painful history which cannot be obliterated. Only by drawing lessons from history in a profound manner and taking history as a mirror can we avoid the repetition of the tragedy of war and truly uphold peace and usher in the future. “
• “South China Sea: A Chinese ‘Invasion’ Near the Philippines’ Pag-asa Island in the Spratlys?”
• “USS John S. McCain accident created ‘applause’: Chinese state media” – “U.S. Navy becoming a hazard in Asian waters” (CHN military info-machine) – “South China Sea warship collision: USS McCain crash may be cyber attack — HE collision of a second US warship this year that has left 10 sailors missing points to the possibility of cyber espionage, an expert has warned …”
• “Xu Qiliang meets with Cambodian Air Force commander”
• “China’s propaganda machine in overdrive”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “Visiting U.S. military commanders to issue warning to Pyongyang”
• “U.S. military leaders: diplomacy preferred over military option”
• “North Korea slams upcoming joint US-South military games” – “US-S Korea Begin Military Drills North Makes Fiery Threat” – “N.K. warns of ‘ruthless’ retaliation over S. Korea-U.S. military drills” – “Fresh Threats From Pyongyang As Joint Military Exercise Begins” – “N.K. unveils footage of missile strike threats for Guam” – “Russian expert says South Korea, US hold drills only to scare Pyongyang”
• “China interested in dialogue on North Korea with Russia”
• “Sons confirm death of US soldier James Dresnok, who defected to North Korea” – “Sons of US defector to North Korea confirm his death, vow to ‘wipe the land of the US from the earth forever’ “
• “North Korea State-Run Firms Create New Smaller Entities to Evade UN Sanctions”
• “China sanctions will cost North Korea US$1.5 billion, but won’t curb Kim’s nuclear ambitions”
• “North Korea’s bold wave of propaganda art – in pictures” (To Inform is to Influence blog)

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Russia pays off balance of Soviet Union’s foreign debt”
• “Canadian fighter jets deploy in Romania for NATO mission“
• “Russian Spy Planes Intercepted Over Baltic Three Times in Two Days”
• “Belarus invites Ukraine and NATO to monitor West-2017 military drills” – “Seven countries invited to monitor Zapad 2017 … we have invited observers from Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, and Norway to monitor the exercise …” (BLR state media) – “Belarus invites Ukraine and NATO to monitor West-2017 military drills”
• “Over 2,500 military engaged in logistics exercise in Belarus prior to Zapad 2017”
• “Nato chief to visit Poland as Russian war games loom”
• “Poland to boost defenses by training student volunteers — Poland’s Defense Ministry says it is starting a new program to boost the nation’s defenses by offering military training to university student volunteers … The “Academy Legion” is offering to put some 10,000 volunteers through theoretical and practical training this academic year. They would increase Poland’s reserve military force …”
• “Lithuania Gets First LNG Cargo From The U.S.” – “Lithuania challenges Russia with U.S. natural gas shipment” – “First Tanker With US-Produced LNG for Lithuania Leaves Behind ‘Political’ Wake”
• “Moldova Update: Kremlin Will Likely Seek to Realign Chisinau” (ISW)
• “Russia’s Aerospace Force to get eight Mi-28UB helicopters by year-end”
• “Deliveries of Mi-28NM helicopters may start in 2018”
• “Russian top brass urges military community to join forces to fight terrorism”
• “Kremlin media is agitating the European Union into imposing sanctions on Estonia” (Propastop)
• “How Europe Is Fighting Back Against Fake News”

#Ukraine

• Envoys Meet  “Putin’s aide Surkov says talks on Ukraine with US Representative Volker useful” – “US Envoy On Ukraine Conflict Meets With Russia’s Surkov In Minsk” – “Kremlin Aide Says Discussed ‘Fresh Ideas’ With U.S. Envoy To End Ukraine Conflict” – “Putin’s Aide Surkov Says Ukraine Talks With US Representative Volker Useful” – “US Special Representative Volker to visit Kyiv on August 23” – “Spotlight: Ukrainian experts positive on U.S.-Russia meeting on Ukraine crisis” – “Aide to Russian president satisfied with Minsk meeting with U.S. envoy on Ukraine” – “Deputy minister on Volker-Surkov meeting: I believe decision on Donbas has been taken”
• “First batch of U.S. coal on its way to Ukraine” – “U.S. XCoal ships first batch of coal to Ukraine” – “Trump officials celebrate first coal shipment to Ukraine” – “Russia Still Plans Annual Coal Supplies to Ukraine Despite 1st US Shipment” – “Profit with Donbass blockade: US makes first coal shipment to Ukraine” – More via Google News
• Cholera Reported near UKR Mil Base  “Beware! Cholera in Nikolaev! … In the garrison of Mykolaiv, as well as in the southern states in military units, epidemic surveillance of all cases of illnesses of military personnel with any clinical features similar to cholera is intensified …” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Turchynov: Russia may create strike groups for invading Ukraine amid “Zapad-2017″ drills” – “Russia prepping for “big war” with West – Ukraine NSDC secretary” – “Russia tests its readiness for major war with west using upcoming drills” – “West 2017 military exercises testing Russian preparedness for large war – Turchynov” – “Turchynov concerned about number of participants in “West-2017″ exercises”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 20 August 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 22 Aug 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 08/22/2017” – “Summary of shelling of the territory of the People’s Democratic Republic from 21 to 22 August” (DNR, in Russian) – “Essence of Time unit in Donbass report. August 21” (Essence of Time, separatist web page)  – “One Ukrainian soldier killed in Donbas over last day” – “Donbas militants actively shell Avdiyivka industrial zone, 1 KIA, 1 WIA in last day” – “Forty-six violations of the ceasefire regime by the Ukrainian Armed Forces – Eduard Basurin” (DNR, in Russian) – “OSCE SMM records 755 blasts in occupied Donbas on August 18-20” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire six times over 24 hours” (LNR) – “APU for a day released over the territory of LNR more than 80 munitions – People’s Militia” (LNR, in Russian) – “Ukrainian forces violate ceasefire 46 times over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” –  “UKR units were released over the day for more than 280 mines and shells – Basurin” (DNR, in Russian) – “Ukrainian security forces violated the ceasefire regime 46 times a day – the command of the People’s Democratic Republic” (DNR, in Russian) – “Donbas: new casualties among Ukrainian military in ATO zone”
• “A Special Gift For Coup Leader Poroshenko, Dead Kiev Regime Toy Soldiers For The Artificial Independence Day Ukraine ! (Report Col. Basurin)” – “Poroshenko Junta Military Tries To Break Through Donetsk Airport, But DPR Army Stands Strong, 7 Nazi Kiev Toy Soldiers Crushed, 2 Dead And 5 Wounded !” – “The number of suicides and non-combat casualties among servicemen has increased in the units of the UKR military – Eduard Bazurin” (DNR, in Russian)
• More from the separatist info-machine  “Two soldiers of the APU were killed under the tracks of their own infantry fighting vehicle in the zone of “ATO” – People’s Militia” (DNR, in Russian) – “Ukrainian volunteers tried to take weapons and ammunition out of the “ATO” zone – MVD LNR” (LNR, in Russian) – “Public commission on fixing war crimes of the Ukrainian authorities in the Donbass continues to provide assistance to the people of the DNR” (DNR, in Russian)
• Via UKR media  ” ‘There’s nothing wrong that volunteer makes money from war’ — The Right Sector is fighting in Donbas since 2014. But in 2015 the organization split, the Ukrainian Volunteer Army was formed, headed by Dmytro Yarosh. Why did this happen, what caused a split between the former leaders, and what Yarosh intends to do? …”
• Crimea Bits  “Mattis Will Back Ukraine on Crimea” –  “Closure of Kerch Strait Is Russia’s Latest Attack on Ukrainian Sovereignty” – “Kyiv-based Crimean Prosecutor’s Office to ask NASA to probe ecological issues of Kerch bridge construction” – “U.S. Embassy in Russia: Crimeans should apply for visa in Kyiv”
• “Almost 4 mln residents of eastern Ukraine in need of health care – WHO” – “World Humanitarian Day: WHO urges more health aid to address Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis” (World Health Organization)

Internal Security

• “Toronto woman Rehab Dughmosh facing terror charges physically forced to make court appearance”
• “Police and counter-protesters clash in Quebec City outside right-wing event” – “Les antifascistes font le jeu de La Meute”
• “Cornwall city council demands answers on future of Nav Centre refuge” – “Human smuggling being investigated as possible cause of spike in asylum seekers” – “Is Ottawa’s tougher immigration message bearing fruit?” – “Cornwall, Ont., officials seek answers on arrival of Haitian asylum seekers” – “Government agencies explain situation with asylum seekers at Cornwall’s Nav Centre”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Federal study on PTSD service dogs not sitting well with some advocates — ‘VAC is fiddling while Rome burns,’ says Royal Canadian Air Force veteran …”
• “Vancouver veteran gets set to compete in Invictus Games”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Big Honkin’ Ships  “Harjit Sajjan says Thales contract won’t hurt union workers”
• Wanted:  “Modelling Support of Munitions … Over the past decade, Defence Research & Development Canada Suffield Research Centre (DRDC Suffield) has conducted a series of projects on the effects of and protection against non-ideal explosives and enhanced blast munition technologies. These programs have involved extensive small-scale and full-scale experiments and thorough studies of a variety of heterogeneous enhanced blast explosive and reactive material technologies as well as their effects on field defence, urban structures and personnel injuries. As the results, a fundamental knowledge database has been established and the technologies start to be applied to enhance CAF combat and defence capability in complex urban environments …”

Other

• B.C. Forest Fires/CF Help  “CAF assist with wildfire mop-up in the Chilcotin”
• “Training for new Ranger Rifle begins at Valcartier base”
• “Liberals face calls for transparency on ballistic missile defence”
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “No to the “union Navy” notion, but …”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 21, 2017

#BarcelonaAttack

• “Canadian victim of Barcelona attack remembered as ‘compassionate, generous, adventurous’ “ – “Vancouver police officer’s father killed in Barcelona terrorist attack” – “Five Things to Know: Terror victim was VPD dad, truck hits overpass” – More on Ian Wilson via Google News
• “Chasse à l’homme après les attentats Catalogne qui ont fait des victimes de 35 nationalités, dont le Canada”
• “Barcelona attack suspect named by police as Younes Abouyaaqoub” – “Barcelona Attack Driver Identity Confirmed, Police Extend Search”
• “Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of a Canadian in Barcelona” (PMO info-machine) – “Trudeau lance un appel à l’unité à la suite des récents «actes terroristes» “
• “CNE beefs up security in wake of Barcelona attack”
• More on Spain attacks via Google News

#CANvsISIL

• ” ‘We were cut to pieces’: First eyewitness account of how a Canadian died in Syria”
• “A Toronto man is named on an Interpol list of individuals suspected to belong to an ISIS suicide brigade, according to a Canadian expert on radicalization and foreign fighters …” – “Canadian ISIS member identified by Interpol as ‘potential suicide bomber’ “ – “Canadian-Bangladeshi on Interpol list for IS suicide bombers trained to hit Western targets” – “Interpol circulates list of 173 suspected members of Isis suicide brigade” (The Guardian, 21 Jul 2017)
• “No fewer than 14 members of the donor community have reiterated their commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to victims of Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern part of Nigeria … The donor community which include Australia, Canada, Germany, Denmark and Finland in a statement made available to THISDAY confirmed their commitment to continue to support humanitarian operations in North east as well as their continued support to the UN and other international aid agencies in the area …”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “PKK declares so-called ‘autonomy’ in Peshmerga-controlled Shingal”
• “Kurdistan may postpone referendum if Baghdad provides guarantees: Kurdish official”
• “Iraq forces try to retake Islamic State-held city Tal Afar” – “Iraq army launches anti-ISIL assault in Tal Afar”
• “US must pay $245mn in damage to chemical victims of Iraq-Iran war: (IRN) Judiciary”

#Afghanistan

• “Trump to lay out U.S. strategy for Afghanistan on Monday night”
• “Mattis: President Trump has settled on new Afghan strategy”
• “US military leaders await Trump decision on Afghan mission”
• “Mattis Tight-lipped on New Afghanistan War Strategy”
• “The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan signals the U.S. military expects its mission to continue”
• Commentary  “Erik Prince’s Plan For Afghanistan Is No Good”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Russia to Carry Out Observation Flights Over Latvia, Lithuania on August 21-26”
• “Lithuanians continue to volunteer for military service – ministry”
• “Latvia signs deal to buy ‘Stinger’ missiles from Denmark”
• “Border guards uncover illegal channel for Tajiks into Lithuania”
• “Estonia, Russia to agree on protective measures for transboundary waters”
• “Russia’s Severodvinsk SSGN successfully completes Kaliber missile submerged test firing”
• “Severodvinsk nuclear submarine of the Northern Fleet carried out missile firing” (RUS MoD)
• From the Info-fight  “Trump and Russia: We Are Losing the War Against Disinformation, and It Is Our Fault” – “My Life at a Russian Propaganda Network — I thought they’d let me be a real journalist at Sputnik news. I was wrong …” – “A reset was always fake news. New sanctions are not”

#Ukraine

• “Mattis elaborates on agenda of Ukraine Independence Day visit” – “US Defence Secretary says why he goes to Ukraine” (Pravda) – “Poltorak grateful to Pentagon chief for intention to visit Kyiv”
• “U.S. Envoy On Ukraine Conflict Meets With Russia’s Surkov In Minsk” – “Volker, Surkov meet in Minsk, discuss Donbas conflict settlement”
• “Russian proxies in Donbas preparing new wave of “nationalization” of Ukrainian companies – media”
• “Assessment of Alexander Zakharchenko’s “Malorossiya” Proposition” (Divergent Options paper)
• “SBU: Russian components harming limb prosthetics for ATO troops — Security service’s economy counterintel operatives along with the Ukrainian prosecutors have liquidated the supply channel of low-quality components for limb prosthetics aimed to facilitate rehabilitation of Ukrainian troops who suffered injuries during the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas …” – “The SBU blocked the supply channel from Russia of low-quality components for the prosthetics of ATO fighterse SBU blocked the supply channel from Russia of low-quality components for the prosthetics of ATO fighters” (UKR Security Svc info-machine)
• Updates from All Sides  UKR govt ATO map, 21 Aug 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 08/21/2017” – “Ukraine reports 47 attacks on Ukraine troops, two defenders injured, three traumatized” – “One LPR serviceman killed, two injured by Kiev’s fire” – “43 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Ukrainian forces launch over 280 shells onto DPR over past 24 hours”
• “New bases for preparation of Special Operations Forces to be created in Ukraine”
• “Media note growing threat of terrorist attacks in Ukraine ahead of Independence Day”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Russian troops – main culprits of 2014 Ilovaisk tragedy, – Ukraine’s deputy minister of occupied areas” – “Poroshenko says Russia may provoke hot phase of war” – “Putin’s aide Surkov playing central role in supervising Donbas militants – media”
• “OSCE representative holds meeting with families of POWs held by Kiev”
• “Flash – Ukraine war traps care home, clinic residents on front line”
• “Govt expands rules of crossing contact line in ATO area for goods by ban to transport non-humanitarian goods”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “Social Media and Shopping: Report Provides Potential Insights on North Korean Online Behavior” (38 North)
• “The Danger of Fake History” (38 North)
• “DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hits U.S. Vice-President’s Reckless Action” (PRK MFA info-machine)
• “Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry Flails UN Secretary General for Misleading Public Opinion” (PRK MFA info-machine)
• “Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry Blames Australia for Joining U.S. in Aggravating Situation” (PRK MFA info-machine) – “North Korea warns Australia against ‘suicidal’ military drills with United States”
• “US-South Korea military exercises stoke regional tension” – “N. Korea raps Seoul-Washington joint drill” – “U.S., South Korea begin computer-simulated drills amid North Korea tension” – “Keyboard warriors: South Korea, U.S. gear up for war games to counter North Korea threat — In air conditioned bunkers and at military bases across South Korea, it is with keyboards – not tanks – that South Korean and the U.S. forces will launch military exercises on Monday, denounced by North Korea as a rehearsal for war … Other South Korean allies are also joining this year with troops from Australia, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand taking part …”
• “F-35 fighter jets to surround North Korea”
• “S. Korea urges N.K. to end provocations as allies start military drills”
• “US Pacific Command chief Harris to visit South Korea amid annual military exercise”
• “North Korea warns of nuclear war if US drill turns to ‘actual fighting'”
• “Gen. Joseph Dunford: UN Sanctions First Step to Stop North Korea’s Nuclear Threat”
• “China strongly warned N. Korea against further provocations at ASEAN meetings: foreign ministry”
• “China propping up North Korea with continuous supply of oil”
• “North Korean restaurants in China feeling the weight of UN sanctions”
• “The North Korean export industry that’s making the most of China’s coal ban”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “Comparative Analysis of Military Command Structures : China. DPRK, Russia, US” (Red Dragon 1949 blog – click on image icons to see images)
• “China to sell off major stakes in naval shipyards”
• “Communist China Giving Priority to Development of Military Network Strategy” (Red Dragon 1949 blog)
• “KMT pulls pro-unification plank from party platform … Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang has pulled a pro-unification plank from the party’s platform, a move analysts say is certain to rile Beijing …”
• “Taiwan stitches together F-35 request”
• ‘China: US Navy ships endanger navigation in South China Sea” (Pravda)
• IND-CHN Border Tensions  “China Blames Indian Troops for Ladakh Scuffle” – “China blames India for latest skirmish in disputed border region — Beijing ‘extremely dissatisfied’ after Indian troops ‘obstructed normal patrols’, foreign ministry says …” – “China-India border dispute spills over into Australian university” – “China’s PLA lays ground for Dokalam plateau warfare amid standoff with India: Chinese media” – “Japan should be clear on Doklam facts before commenting: (CHN) foreign ministry”
• “China military medical team treats more than 70 disaster-affected people in Sierra Leone”
• “China, Ethiopia vow to promote military ties”
• “Australia concerned about Chinese firm’s involvement in undersea cable project”

Internal Security

• ” “Proud Boys” reassigned to new military jobs as their case moves through Canadian Forces system”
• “Charlottesville: Canadians Who Attended White Supremacist Rally Identified”
• “Protest against far-right rally draws thousands in Vancouver”
• “Manifestation anti-immigration à Québec: les Forces armées canadiennes préviennent les militaires”
• “Canada struggles with refugee surge from US” – “Migrants with no status in the U.S. battle anxiety as they await Trump’s next move” – “Trudeau to asylum seekers: Crossing border illegally won’t fast track immigration” – “Canada struggles with Haitian refugee surge from US”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Defence Minister Sajjan highlights landmark collaboration with marine industry” (DND info-machine)
• Wanted:  “CLOTHING OUTFIT, FLYERS’, ANTI-EXPOSURE”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Speaking Notes for The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence – Invictus Games Flag Tour, Vancouver, BC, August 19, 2017” (DND info-machine)

Mental Health in the CAF

• “Why did we fail Leah Greene?”

Other

• “Canadian Army reserve units, US National Guard conduct large combat training exercise at Gagetown”
• “The $42-million B.C. headquarters for the Department of National Defence was officially opened by Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan last September on the same day that the Seaforth Highlanders marched back into their renovated armoury. The new building was named for Lt.-Col. Bertram M. Hoffmeister who led troops in Sicily during the Second World War and commanded Canadian forces in the Pacific against Japan. Yet, nearly a year after the official opening, the four-storey headquarters remains empty …”
• “DND uncertain how best to defend satellites”
• “Special Report on Defence Policy Pt 3: Examining the RCAF” (NATO Association of Canada)
• “The era of digital conflict”
• “1 RCR Corporal earns three medals at Pan-Am Taekwon-Do Championships”
• “Military base steps up inclusive recruiting practices”
• “Canadian soldier joins Kiss Army on Freedom to Rock tour in Orillia”
• “Royal Canadian Air Force Colours presentation — On Friday, September 1, 2017, listen for and join your Royal Canadian Air Force as we honour their past and future with an historic Colours Presentation Ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, starting at 12:30 p.m. …”
• ” ‘This was hurtful to me’: Truro cenotaph vandalized with graffiti”
• “Canada’s premier of Ontario validates judicial coup in Pakistan … in visiting the Consulate General of Pakistan and speaking at a flag-raising ceremony on Aug. 14 — Pakistan Independence Day — Premier Kathleen Wynne may as well have endorsed the recent military-backed judicial coup in Islamabad …”

World War Two

• “75th Anniversary of Dieppe Raid” (GG/Commander-in-Chief)
• “Kent Hehr leads Canadian delegation to Dieppe to mark 75th anniversary of raid”
• “Government of Canada unveils new Dieppe commemorative plaque to mark the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid … Canadians are gathering in Dieppe Park in Montréal, as well as in capitals and communities across the country, to honour the contributions of their fellow Canadians who served during the Second World War …” (VAC info-machine) – “75 ans du Raid de Dieppe: Montréal inaugure son parc de Dieppe et dévoile une plaque commémorative”
• “Dieppe: 584 Fusiliers Mont-Royal went in, 125 got out”
• “Canadian officials to mark 75th anniversary of Dieppe raid in France”
• “Shackles, pebbles and posters: The Raid on Dieppe in 10 objects”
• “411 Squadron at Dieppe” (RCAF Info-machine)

World War One

• “Canadian First World War soldier to be buried in France”
• “Only Canadian Muslim soldier to die in WW1 honoured at ceremony in London, Ont.”
• “Hill 70 memorial set to open in France”
• “WWI fighter plane tour opportunity for learning, commemoration”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 18, 2017

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canadian Forces Ends Mission in Poland” – “Canada withdraws from Poland” – “Canadian Armed Forces wraps up three year mission in Poland” (CF Info-machine) – “Canadian military wraps up three-year mission in Poland”
• “Number of Poles Who View Russian Foreign Policy as Threat Decreases by Half” (RUS media)
• “Canadians need to understand why our troops are in Latvia”
• “The Baltics Eye Russia’s War Games With Growing Concern”
• “Annual ‘Open Spirit’ naval drills under way — Open Spirit 2017 will be conducted between 18 August and 31 August in territorial waters of Latvia and is an annual event dedicated to clearing Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) – in other words mines and munitions left behind during two world wars …”
• “Relations between Latvia and Russia are not easy but common ground will be sought – (LVA) ambassador(to RUS)-designate”
• “Russia Condemns Estonia’s ‘Erna Raid’ Honoring Nazi Sabotage Group — The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned the so-called Erna Raid, a set of military competitions named after the activities of the Erna sabotage group against the Red Army in 1941, held in Estonia earlier this month …” – “Moscow condemns Estonia’s pro-Nazi sports quest Erna Raid” – Erna Raid competition (Wikipedia)
  
• “The Russian Navy Is in a Death Spiral”
• “Russian Central Military District to get 1,000 pieces of military equipment in 2017”
• “Russian nuclear submarine successfully test fires Kalibr cruise missile”
• “Russia to deliver Ka-32 multirole helicopters to Thailand and Turkey for first time”
• “Russia gaining firmer foothold in Central Asia, defense chief says”
• “Former Russian intelligence colonel sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for extremism — The Volga District Military Court in Samara has sentenced former intelligence colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, currently serving his 8-year prison term for an attempt to organize an armed uprising, to 1.5 years in prison for inciting hatred, TASS reports from the courtroom …”
• “The show must go on” (EU Disinformation Review)

#Ukraine

• “26 years after fall of USSR, Ukraine still seeks freedom” – “Ukraine’s 26th Year of Independence”
• Latest Separatist Narrative:  Watch Out for those Ukrainian Nationalists!  “Kiev lost control over Right Sector subdivisions and voluntary battalions” (separatist media) – “We Are Not Fighting Against The Ukraine People, We Are Defending Ourselves From The Nazi Bandera Ukraine Regime ! ~ DPR Pres. Zakharchenko” – “Zakharchenko: Ukrainian radicals may play crucial role in Donbass conflict escalation” – “Alexander Zakharchenko: “We are not fighting with Ukrainians, but with Banderites” “ – “Nationalists of Ukraine threaten reprisals to judges of the Lugansk region controlled by Kiev – LNR MVD” (LNR, in Russian)
• “Ukraine to launch program on Donbas post-conflict recovery in 2018”
• “OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to hold news briefing in Kyiv (today)”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 16 August 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 18 Aug 2017 – “Two Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas over last day” – “DPR ARMY lost 12 defenders for the week, 4 civilians got wounded by Ukrainian aggression” – “51 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Three DPR militiamen killed in Ukrainian army fire over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire nine times over 24 hours” – “Ukraine reports 2 WIA’s amid 27 enemy attacks in last day” – “DPR reports four Ukrainian drones downed in a week” – “ATO HQ reports two Ukrainian soldiers injured in ATO zone over past day” – “Ukrainian troops launch over 2 thousand shells onto DPR over past week” – “12 DPR people perish, six more suffered over past week due to AFU shelling”
• URK-PRK Missile Links?  “DPRK ICBM Engines – Update” (To Inform is to Influence)
• “Russian reporters come under Ukrainian forces fire outside Gorlovka – Basurin” – “Stepan Poltorak: “We are ready to provide comprehensive assistance in the treatment of the wounded Kryvy Rih TV cameraman” “ (UKR MoD)
• “SBU detains leader of Russian saboteurs who plotted killing of politicians”
• “SBU: Russian secret services try to covertly use ATO soldiers to discredit Ukraine”
• “Ukraine’s Army enlists 120,000 contract soldiers, and 130,000 reservists, – Defense Ministry”
• “Stepan Poltorak: Our priority is a radical change in officers’ training” (UKR MOD)
• “Ukraine’s Army Needs Equipment from the US, Not All of It Weapons”
• “India to Buy $75 million Ukrainian Engines for Russia Made Frigates”
• “US finish training Ukrainian intelligence officers for operations in Donbass”
• “(UKR) President appoints new permanent representative in Crimea” – “Poroshenko appoints new representative of President of Ukraine in Crimea”
• From the Info-fight  “All statues of Lenin pulled down across Ukraine”  – “Test broadcast of TV channels in Crimea begins” – “War For Minds” – “Ukraine and Russia take visions of war to the silver screen” – “Assange refused to disclose info on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine – FP”
• “United Donbas: The politics of MMA in war-torn Eastern Ukraine”

#CANvsISIL

• ” ‘I’m happy’: After years apart Yazidi boy reunited with family in Winnipeg” – “Rescued Ezidi boy reunited with family in Canada”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• #barcelonaattack  “Barcelona terror attack: At least 12 dead after van plows into crowd; 2 suspects arrested” – “Van plows through crowd in Barcelona, killing about 12” – “ISIS claims responsibility for deadly Barcelona attack”  – “Barcelona Van Attack Is Celebrated By ISIS Supporters Online” (MEMRI) – “ISIS Claims Responsibility For Barcelona Attack “ (MEMRI) – “Timeline: Deadly attacks in Western Europe”  – More:  Google News – Bing News – Yahoo News – “Statement by the Prime Minister on terrorist attack in Barcelona”
• “The Islamic State May Be Failing, but Its Strategic Communications Legacy Is Here to Stay”

The Kurds

• “Coalition: Erbil’s Independence Vote Won’t Affect Military Cooperation with Peshmerga”
• “President Barzani to US General Votel: Referendum does not affect ISIS fight” – “Peshmerga ministry confident of continued US funding” – “President Masoud Barzani received a United States military and diplomatic delegation headed by General Joseph Votel, the Commander of the United States Central Command …” (KRG Info-machine)
• So, Which Is It?  “Kurdistan ready to delay referendum if Baghdad sets another date: delegation” – “No alternative to September 25 referendum yet, member of Erbil negotiation team in Baghdad” – “Kurdish delegation rejects media reports of delaying independence vote”
• “Head of UNAMI welcomes referendum talks between Erbil, Baghdad”
• “US concerns regarding referendum are understandable but so are ours regarding Iraq: Barzani”
• “Official: Iraqi court decision against hoisting Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk unconstitutional” – “Iraqi court rules to take down Kurdistan flag over state buildings in Kirkuk” – “Baghdad court rejects decision to raise Kurdistan flag over official premises” – “Kirkuk governor rejects Iraqi court ruling, refuses to lower the Kurdish flag”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “Xi stresses importance of China-US military ties”
• “With an Eye on China, US-Vietnam Float Closer Together”
• CHN-IND Border Tension  “India’s pretext for border intrusion deceitful” – “China capable of defeating India: expert” – “Russia says its military drills with India not against China”
• “Taiwan unveils its anti-radiation suicide drone”
• “Vietnam confirms purchase of cruise missiles from India”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launch Facility on Standby” (38 North)
• “The F-35 Is Going to the Pacific Theater to Oppose North Korea”
• “War as solution to North Korea missile threat would be horrific US”
• “US War would be horrific but North Korea nukes unimaginable”
• “Gen Dunford Peace With North Korea a Possibility”
• “Moon’s ‘red line’ for N. Korea questionable: U.S. experts”
• “Military drills with South Korea not on the negotiating table US official”
• “Why US military action against North Korea is not imminent”
• “US Soldier Who Defected To North Korea In 1965 Tells His Story”

Way Up North

• “Russia to present shelf expansion bid to new UN commission in September”
• “Atomic icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy sets speed record for reaching the North Pole”

Internal Security

• “Quebec right-wing group disavows member who joined white supremacists in Charlottesville”
• “White nationalist groups on the rise in Canada, planning more rallies”
• “Awareness guide – extremist groups” (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
• “Right Wing Extremism in Canada: An Environmental Scan” (Public Safety Canada)
• “Anatomy of Terror: What Makes Normal People Become Extremists?”
• “RCMP says it has intercepted 3,800 asylum seekers crossing illegally into Quebec since Aug. 1” – “Canada sees ‘unsustainable’ spike in asylum seekers at U.S. border” – “Number of asylum seekers fleeing to Canada from US triples” – “Number of asylum seekers to Canada up four fold in August” – “Almost 7000 migrants have walked into Quebec since Canada Day” – “U.S. Haitians hope for asylum in Canada, could lose kids”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Big Honkin’ Ships  “Canadian subsidiary of French defence giant gets $5.2 billion contract” – “Government of Canada announces long-term investment in the Royal Canadian Navy providing more than 2,000 jobs in Canada’s marine sector” (Public Works info-machine) – “Update: Thales Canada adding 60 Ottawa jobs with $800M Arctic ship support contract” – “Thales Wins Largest ISS Contract in Canadian History”
• “Minister Sajjan to highlight commitments to the Royal Canadian Navy — On Sunday, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will mark progress made under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, including the award of the largest in-service support contract in the Royal Canadian Navy’s history …”
• “Canada to Upgrade C6s with Colt Canada’s C6A1 FLEX Model”
• “Saudi Arabia puts its foot in its mouth over use of LAVs”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Invictus Games inspiring local athletes on road to recovery”

Other

• “Canada’s new defence policy fails to adequately address the threats facing Canada, what priorities should properly guide the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and the changing nature of new battlefield systems, says a new Macdonald-Laurier Institute commentary …”
• “A man with a lengthy history of faking his physiotherapy credentials, including during his time in the Canadian Forces, was until recently working under an assumed name as a manager in Atlantic Canada’s largest hospital system …”

World War Two

• “Dieppe Raid a victory delayed”
• “In the skies above: Dieppe, August 19, 1942 — It was August 19, 1942, and Operation Jubilee was about to begin. The target was the French port of Dieppe …” (RCAF Info-machine)
• “War veteran’s ashes scattered in Dieppe on 75th anniversary of doomed raid”

World War One

• “Two Canadian First World War soldiers who died in the Battle of Hill 70 to be buried in France” (DND Info-machine)

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 17, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Iraq seeks UN resolution to investigate ISIS” – “Iraq Asks UN To Help Investigate IS ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ “ – “Iraq asks UN to collect evidence to prosecute Islamic State”
• “ISIS seen as biggest threat in world despite expected Iraq defeat, research shows”
• “Worldwide Terror Deaths Shrink in 2017, Says New Report from Jane’s by IHS Markit”
• “Russia’s Syria Mirage: July 17 – August 13, 2017” (ISW)
• “Syria open to chemical attack investigation”
• “Iran forces chief holds rare talks with (TUR’s) Erdogan”
• “Assad’s March East Compounds West’s Syria Dilemma”
• “Lebanese Army to Launch Battle Against ISIS”

The Kurds

• “Kurdish independence referendum in Iraq to undermine regional stability: Turkey”
• “US Army Spokesman: Kurdistan referendum (in IRQ) has no impact on fight against IS”
• “Governor of Kirkuk: Referendum postponement is threat to Kurdistan”
• “Syrian Kurds are taking critical steps to deal with the threat of being caught in a vise between their worsening relations with the Damascus regime, and Turkey’s possible cross-border operations …”
• “Security Risk Seen in Foreign Recruits Fighting for Kurds in Syria”

Africa

• “Trudeau condamne l’attaque « lâche » au Burkina Faso”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canadian Armed Forces to patrol skies over Romania” – “RCAF Hornets to enhance Romania air policing”
• “Latvia to send observers to monitor Russian-Belarusian strategic military drills” – “Latvia to Send Observers to Russia-Belarus Zapad-2017 Drills” – “Three Latvian representatives invited to observe Russian-Belarusian military drills”
• “Latvia – a potential target for Russian economic aggression?”
• Putin Drops By for a Visit to Kaliningrad (Putin info-machine)
• “Russia’s defense contractor to display new cluster bomb at Army-2017 show”
• “Successful launch of Cosmos-2520 – Blagovest communication satellite” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog)
• “FBI has its first ‘living witness’ in Russian hacking investigation”
• “New US Sanctions Against Russia: A Blow to Europe?”
• “Russia Turns to Cryptocurrencies to Counter US Sanctions”

#Ukraine

• UKR-PRK Missile Links  “Poroshenko orders probe into North Korea rocket scandal” – “Poroshenko orders probe into reports about supplies of missile technologies to North Korea” – “The President instructed to conduct a thorough investigation of the situation regarding the alleged supply of missile engines or related technologies to North Korea” (UKR Pres info-machine, in Ukrainian) – “Ukraine Scrambles to Quash Fallout From North Korea Allegations” – “Kiev to face “disaster,” if arms supply to North Korea is confirmed”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Kyiv sees Russian troop movements near borders ahead of Zapad 2017 drills as unfriendly act” – “Alexander Zakharchenko: Donbass is grateful to Russia” – “Valuyki and Boguchar: common markings on military equipment operated by Russian Army and LPR” (InformNapalm.org) – “Russian commanders concealing info on casualties in east Ukraine – intelligence” – “Gore, But No Glory For Russia’s Ukraine War ‘Veterans’ “
• From the Info-fight:  “Ukraine Requests “The Economist” To Call Situation In Donbas “Russian Military Aggression” “ (To Inform is to Influence) – “Ukraine starts broadcasting TV channels from Chonhar to occupied Crimea”
• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …”  “U.S. Navy Seabees Building Maritime Operations Center on Black Sea Coast” – “Ukrainian Navy may set up NATO doctrines and tactic center” – “US State Dept. Seeks to Purchase Non-Lethal Weapons to Train Ukrainian Police” – “US State Deptartment seeks to purchase non-lethal weapons to train Ukrainian police” (UKR separatist media)
• Updates from All Sides   “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 15 August 2017” – “Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 15 August 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 17 Aug 2017 – “(Separatist) Essence of Time unit in Donbass report. August 16” (Essence of Time)  – “One Ukrainian military killed due to shelling in ATO zone, four injured” – “Kiev military commit 60 ceasefire violations in 24 hours, shelling DPR cities & villages” – “Militants launched 35 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire three times over 24 hours” – “Militants heavily shelling ATO positions” – “27 civilians died, 62 got injured in Donbas, – OSCE SMM” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire three times over 24 hours” – “SBU says arrest of ‘diversionary group’ in Donetsk is fake news”
• “The people’s militia conducted a sudden check of combat readiness of communications and intelligence units” (LNR, in Russian)
• “Basurin denies Kiev’s allegations that DPR shelled Zaitsevo during humanitarian aid distribution”
• “Food shortage crisis looming over Donbas – UN OCHA” – “Ukraine: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 15 August 2017)” ( UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)
• “ICRC delivers medical supplies, construction materials to Luhansk”
• “Ukraine has not been using Russian gas for over 600 days – PM Groysman”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “What will Kim do next? Sixth nuclear test seen critical for North Korea”
• “What the Intel Leaks Are Telling Us About North Korea’s Nukes”
• “UN secretary general calls to revive six-party talks on North Korea” – “As tensions on Korean Peninsula grow, UN chief urges world to ‘dial up’ diplomacy” (UN info-machine)
• “Moon says U.S. will not take military option against N. Korea without his consent “
• “Moon says North Korea developing nuclear-armed missile would be “red line” “
• “South Korea Will Try to Blow Up Kim Jong Un If He Launches Nukes”
• “South Koreas Moon: There will be no war on Korean peninsula”
• “China tells visiting US general that military action in North Korea is ‘not an option’ “
• “China tells US, North Korea to ‘hit the brakes’ on nuclear threats”
• “No change to S. Korea-U.S. military exercises next week: State Department”
• “Steve Bannon says ‘there’s no military solution’ to US stalemate with North Korea” – “Trump Strategist (Bannon): No Military Solution in North Korea”
• “North Korea using missile threat as leverage: expert”
• “No military solutions for U.S.–North Korea stand-off” (Ceasefire.ca)
• “Russia’s UN envoy notes good sign in conciliatory language used by US and North Korea” – “Economic pressure on Pyongyang has “run its course”: Lavrov”
• “Japan’s defense chief calls for closer cooperation with US over North Korea”
• “What Will Happen With Central Asia If a War Between the US and North Korea Starts”
• “North Korean hackers target US defense defence contractors”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• CHN-IND Border Tensions  “Doklam standoff has fundamentally changed China’s perception of India: expert” – “Doklam face-off a turning point in Sino-Indian relationship” – “Why India must take China’s warning of a trade war seriously” – “Chinese media ‘racist’ video on India clash sparks anger” – “China and India are dangerously close to military conflict in the Himalayas” – “Beijing signs deals with Nepal amid China-India border clash” – “Chinese state news agency slammed over ‘racist’ India border row video”
• “US, Japan Conduct Military Exercise Near Senkakus”
• “General Song Puxuan, commander of the Chinese PLA Northern Theater Command (TC), met with Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a combined army brigade under the PLA Northern TC on August 16, 2017 …” – “Top Chinese and U.S. military leaders sign agreement”
• “Chinese, Thai air forces to conduct joint training” – “Thailand: Frenemy With China”
• “A Chinese military ship docked at the Dar es Salaam port on Wednesday signifying the military relationship that Tanzania has with the far-East country …”
• “China’s New SLBM as Good as or Better than US Trident II D5”
• “China’s homemade diesel engine for naval vessels undergoes testing”
• “China shows off the capability of its new VT5 light tank”
• “China unveils GL5 active protection system for main battle tanks”
• “Taiwan develops new TC-2 short-range tactical air-defence system”

Internal Security

• “FBI and DHS Warned of Growing Threat From White Supremacists Months Ago” – FBI/DHS report (8 page PDF)

What’s Canada Buying?

• Canada’s Saudi Arms Deal  “Saudi Arabia defends use of Canadian-made armoured vehicles against civilians”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Military clergy struggle with directive to report sexual misconduct, documents show”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• ” ‘A life after injury’: Military vet heading to Invictus games in Toronto”
• “The lonely end of Leah Greene: How a local veteran fell through the cracks”
• “Indigenous veterans president blames ‘snowflakes’ for move to oust him”

Other

• “How the Canadian navy plans to use its newest warship”
• “Military police investigating Nanoose Bay crash”
• Colonel Ted:  “CANZUK again: a “Union Navy?” “
• “Opinion: Canada Should Consider Hybrid Submarines”

World War Two

• “75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid (August 19, 2017)” (VAC info-machine) – “75th anniversary of Dieppe: A tragedy that devastated local families” – “Dawson: Dieppe deserves a better commemoration than this”
• “This was Canada’s WWII plan to build an aircraft carrier made of ice”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 16, 2017

Africa

• “Statement by the Prime Minister on the terrorist attack in Burkina Faso” (PMO info-machine) – “The Quebec flag on the central tower of the parliament building will be at half-mast on Wednesday following the attack that occurred in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Sunday …” – “Secretary-General Condemns Deadly Burkina Faso Attack, Pledging United Nations Support in Fighting Violent Extremism, Terrorism” (UN SecGen info-machine)
• More on Burkino Faso attacks via Google News

#CANvsISIL

• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• Let’s Not Forget Al-Qaeda … “Al-Qaeda has ordered its followers to focus on a specific western target in its latest propaganda magazine: train stations. The jihadi group’s newest edition of its Inspire Magazine calls on supporters in the U.S. or Europe to cause mass disruption by attacking compartments, the rail line to derail a train, or to hit a train station itself …”
• “Turkey says Kurdish Iraq’s referendum could worsen situation, lead to civil war”
• “Iraq bombs ISIL-held Tal Afar ahead of ground assault”
• “Saudi Arabia to reopen border with Iraq after 27 years”
• “Lebanese Army ready to storm ISIS’s positions on Syrian border” – “Lebanese Army Surrounds ISIS in Jurud, Installs Special Operation Room for Battle”
• “Syrian army finds UK and US chemical agents at depots captured from terrorists” (TASS)
• “Russia in Syria Monitor” (8-15 Aug 2017)
• “Eye on ISIS in Libya” (August 16th, 2017)

#Afghanistan

• “James Mattis: White House Considers Proposal to Increase Contractor Presence in Afghanistan” – “A new strategy for Afghanistan: change course, quit the fight”
• “New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: “Open letter of Islamic Emirate to the American President Donald Trump” “ (via Jihadology analysis blog)

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• IND-CHN Tensions  “Chinese troops armed with iron bars and rocks brawl with Indian soldiers near border, New Delhi source says” – “Chinese side requests flag meeting after Ladakh skirmish” – “After Ladakh Clashes, China And India Army Officers Hold Talks: 10 Facts” – “China, India soldiers hurl stones at 1 another in Kashmir” – “Unaware of scuffle between PLA, Indian troops in Ladakh, says China” – “China urges India to protect peace after border altercation”
• “PLA, US military to work together” (CHN military info-machine) – “US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman arrives in Beijing after Seoul visit” – “China, US military chiefs vow to patch up differences as North Korea threat rumbles on”
• “Taiwan unveils mock-up of new submarine”
  
• “Analysis: Djibouti – China’s first base challenges American dominance”
• “Chinese Military Applications & Use of Bitcoin in Future Wars” (reddragon1949.com)

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “Canadian government endorses Trump’s war-mongering against North Korea” (World Socialist Web Site)
• “Trudeau should use global acclaim to take a stand for peace over North Korea”
• “The North Korean Problem: Responding to the New Great Game” (Global Exchange podcast, CGAI)
• “Sharp rise in Chinese food exports to North Korea as starving nation leans heavily on its only ally”
• “U.S.-Japan conduct air drills as North Korea watches next move by ‘Yankees’ “
• “US Open to Talks if North Korea Ready to Disarm”
• “South Korea urges calm over the North”
• “China tells US, North Korea to hit the brakes on threats”
• “Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon reacted negatively Wednesday to calls for South Korea to develop its own nuclear weapons, saying the move would undermine Seoul’s calls for North Korea to denuclearize, trigger a nuclear arms race and put the country under international sanctions …”
• “Let Japan develop nuclear weapons to lessen North Korea threat, former US Navy commander says”
• “After threats from North Korea, residents of Guam got a lot more tense just after midnight local time on Tuesday, when a pair of radio stations on the island broadcast an emergency civil danger warning, triggering panic throughout the Pacific US territory …”
• “Scariest part of U.S.-North Korea showdown isn’t Kim Jong-un”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Howitzers, more Canadian troops being sent to support Latvian-led exercise” – “Shilo soldiers gear up for deployment to Latvia”
• “US A-10 Jets to Take Part in Drills in Western Estonia”
• “1st Tank Army of Western MD alerted in four Russian regions within operational readiness test” (RUS MoD)
• “1,000 Baltic Sea Fleet marines take part in wargame in Russia’s northwest” – “About 20 warships and vessels of Baltic Fleet engaged in Command Post Exercise” (RUS MoD)
• “Russia to present Zapad exercise to military attaches at separate event” – “Russia’s military exercises: Could they turn into war?”
• “Sweden to raise military budget by SEK 8 billion (CDN $1.3 billion) through 2020”
• “Tracing the sources of today’s Russian cyberthreat”
• From the UKR separatist fan-boy press  “Nazi Baltic State Latvia Continues It’s Fascist Crackdown On The Russian Language Even Though 40 Percent Speak It As Their Mother Tongue !” (Novorossia.today)

#Ukraine

• From the Separatist Info-machine  “Lugansk rescuers save a cow stuck ‘waist-deep’ in a muddy hole”
• “In Ukraine, a Malware Expert Who Could Blow the Whistle on Russian Hacking”
• “Poltorak: Ukraine ready to respond to Russian invasion amid West-2017 drills”
• “Saving lives: Canadian Armed Forces members mentor Ukrainian Combat First Aid instructors” (CF Info-machine)
• “Russia considers building a new early-warning radar in Crimea” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog) – “Coverage from the south: Russia will install the newest high-precision radar in the Crimea” (RIA Novosti, in Russian)
• Latest on #UKR/#RUS engines in #PRK missiles “Poroshenko orders inquiry into info about missile engine supplies to DPRK” – “Russian deputy PM has no evidence of Ukraine’s know-how leaks to North Korea” – “(US) State Department comments on rumors about Ukrainian rockets in North Korea” – U.S. State Department Briefer: “…In the past, I know that Ukraine has prevented the shipments of some sensitive materials to nations that we would be certainly very concerned about. We have a good, solid relationship with Ukraine. As you know, President Poroshenko was over here a couple months ago, meeting with the President, also meeting with Secretary Tillerson. As a general matter, we don’t comment on intelligence reports. Ukraine, though, we have to say has a very strong nonproliferation record and that includes specifically with respect to the DPRK …” – “N.Korea can produce missile engines, not reliant on imports -U.S. officials” (Reuters) – “Report: North Korea Makes Own Rocket Engines, Does Not Need Ukraine Technology” – “North Korea can make its own ballistic rocket engines, says US” – “North Korea’s New High-Performance Missile Engines Likely Weren’t Made in Russia or Ukraine” – “Northern Korea received rockets from Ukrainian Yuzhmash, oved by prankers Vovan and Lexus” (Novorossia.today) –  “Rocket Science (or not) – Ukraine” (OdessaTalk blog) – “Rocket Science – Part Deux (Organised Crime)” (OdessaTalk) – “Russia Damned By North Korean D-250 Reports” (To Inform is to Influence) – “Rebuttal To NYT North Korea Missile Story – Scandal” (To Inform is to Influence) – “Ukrainian Defense Minister Denies Reported Missile Engine Deliveries to N Korea”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 14 August 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 16 Aug 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 08/16/2017” – “Ukraine Conflict Monitor” 8-15 Aug 2017 – “Kiev says engine type ‘used in N.Korea missiles’ made for Russia” – “Four Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours” – “2 diversion groups liquidated in the south of the DPR” – “Ukrainian punishers launch over 280 shells on DPR territory in 24 hours – Basurin” – “56 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “DPR Command reports two soldiers perished due to Ukrainian shelling over past 24 hours” – “Kiev’s army attempts breakthrough, loses six people” – “Ukrainian army violates ceasefire 56 times over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire six times over 24 hours” – “Militants launched 33 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day” – “Total of Six Kiev Soldiers Killed in South of Donetsk People’s Republic – DPR” – “Ukraine Def. Ministry reports 4 WIA’s in past 24 hours”
• “I Get By with a Little Help from my Friends …”  “General of the Army of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak holds talks with Commander of the U.S. Army in Europe Lieutenant General Frederick Benjamin Hodges” (UKR MoD)
• “Saboteur tells of instructions from Security Service of Ukraine to attack Crimea” (Pravda) – “General Staff of Ukraine disowned the diversionist sent to Crimea” – “MFA sends note to Russia to clarify circumstances of detention of Lemeshko in Crimea”
• “Glazyev: ‘Malorossiya, Novorossiya need to return to Russia’ “

Way Up North

• “Who Stands On Guard For Thee: Canada’s Contribution To Northern Defense”

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  “BARBED WIRE”
• Big Honkin’ Ships  Colonel Ted’s take:  “More intellectual property problems … It is a bit late to completely rejig the process, but it may not be too late to insert a new “step” in which officials in the Public Services and Procurement Department receive, vet and analyze the sensitive data and pass results, not the data proper, to Irving. Minsiter Foote and Sajjan need to reassure Canadians and potential contractors that we, Canada, can be trusted to deal fairly and responsibly with bidders’ commercial-in-confidence data.”
• Canada’s Saudi Arms Deal  “Five urgent questions in light of an investigation into Saudi use of Canadian arms”

Internal Security

• “Somalis with criminal records coming to Canada from US, intelligence report warns”
• “NYC councillor in Montreal to gather information for Haitian asylum seekers fleeing U.S.” – “Watch aerial video of the Quebec border where asylum seekers are crossing”
• “Canada’s illogical refugee policy favours illegal migrants”
• “The Invasion of Canada” (Frontpage Mag, conservative web page)
• “Does Canada take the threat of far-right extremism seriously?”
• “Toronto rally to ‘silence white supremacy’ planned for September”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “(CAN) Flagbearer for Invictus Games, injured during military duty, honours grandfather” – “Journey to Invictus Games for wounded Canadians includes return to Ramstein”
• ” ‘Disgusting things to say’: Petition calls for removal of Indigenous veterans leader”
• “Vets’ advocates urge inquiry into Desmond case”

Other

• “Canadian and American Soldiers Conduct Combat Training in Gagetown” (CF Info-machine)
• “Soldier talks wildfire situation in B.C.”
• “Information as war: the RCN comes to grips with a new battle space”
• ” ‘Proud Boys’ probe done” – “Probe into ‘Proud Boys’ incident at Halifax Indigenous ceremony has concluded, military official says” – “Military reviewing investigation of ‘Proud Boys’ who disrupted Halifax Indigenous ceremony”
• “Canadian Navy Launches Training Program With Fiji” – “Naval Security Team working with the Republic of Fiji Navy”
• “Ballistic missile defence leads to less security”

World War One

• “Joint Statement on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Hill 70”
• “Canadian War Museum to highlight Victoria Cross winners of the Battle of Hill 70”
• “Unidentified Canadian First World War soldier to be buried in France” (DND info-machine)

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – August 15, 2017

Africa

• “Two Canadians killed in Burkina Faso attack identified” – “Former Toronto teacher Tammy Chen among 2 Canadians killed in Burkina Faso attack”
• “Gunmen on motorbikes kill 18 in jihadist‑style attack on Burkina Faso restaurant”
• “Suspected jihadists kill 18 in attack on Burkina Faso restaurant”
• “AU, UN condemn Burkina Faso terrorist attack, 3-day mourning declared”
• “Suspected Sunni Islamist Terrorist Attack in Burkina Faso”
• “France, Burkina Faso to accelerate establishment of G5 Sahel force”
• Burkina Faso country profiles:  Government of Canada Travel Advisory for Burkina Faso – BBC – CIA World Fact Book – U.N. Data – World Bank –
  
• More on Burkino Faso attacks via Google News
• “Jihadists strike across West Africa”
• “AQAP Chief Bomb Maker Al-Asiri Calls For Attacks On Transport Systems In The U.S. In Issue 17 Of English-Language ‘Inspire’ Magazine” (Middle East Media Research Institute)

#CANvsISIL

• “Yazidi family to be reunited after rescue from ISIS”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

The Kurds

• IRQ Kurd Independence Vote Apprioaching  “Election Commission approves dates for Kurdistan referendum, general elections” – “KIHEC Ready to Run Kurdistan’s Upcoming Elections and Referendum on Time” – “U.S. ambassador recommends postponement of Kurdistan referendum” – “The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources said he would suggest to the KRG Council of Ministers a delay to the independence referendum set for September 25 …” – “Kurds will feel secure, protected with independent state: KRG Deputy Minister” – “Kurdistan Referendum delegation discusses independence with foreign envoys in Baghdad”
• “Kurdistan delegation arrives in Baghdad to negotiate independence with Iraqi officials”  – “Kurdistani referendum delegation meets Abadi, Iranian officials in Baghdad” – “Iraqi PM emphasizes ‘constructive dialogue’ in meeting with Kurdistan referendum delegation”
• “President Barzani Holds a Meeting with the Referendum Committee” (KRG info-machine)
• “Russia calls for resolving issues between Erbil, Baghdad – Ambassador”
• “Iraqi Kurds hope Israel will lobby for Kurdistan independence in U.S.”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “U.S. Forces Cannot be Iraq’s Security Crutch Forever” (The American Conservative)
• “Russia: Syria Doubles Hold on Former IS Territory”
• “Syria Situation Report: July 27 – August 9, 2017” (ISW)

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas (1)

• “North Korea’s Dangerously Rudimentary Nuclear Command-and-Control Systems”
• “Will North Koreas Kim Jong Un pull the trigger Three possible signs to watch”
• “As the North Korean crisis escalates, Canada must step up”
• “Matthew Fisher: Imagining the unthinkable — what would happen if the U.S. attacked North Korea”
• “Andrew Coyne: Now we know why it matters who’s in the oval office”
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “Another Korean War? … War is not inevitable, it may not even be very likely, but it has spooked at lot of people, all over the world. America has, likely, once again, lost this undiplomatic exchange. The twenty year old game of lies and sanctions and threats and more lies has not worked. It is time for a new strategy … one that puts China in the leading role.”
• “Statement by the Prime Minister on the 72nd anniversary of Korean independence”
• PRK 15 Aug 2017 Statement on Guam Briefing (3 page PDF)
• Glass-Half-Empty Takes  “Kim Jong Un briefed on Guam attack plan at Strategic Force command: KCNA” – “Kim Jong-un puts army on alert; U.S. warns it can intercept missile” –  “North Korea missile: Satellites spot preparations for launch” – “U.S. will go to war with N. Korea if it strikes Guam: Mattis” – “Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on North Korea: “If they fire at US, it could escalate into war very quickly” “
• Glass-Half-Full Takes  “North Korea Backs Off Guam Missile-Attack Threat” – “Signs of Diplomacy Appear as North Korea Delays Guam Missile Test” – “Korean leaders, US signal turn to diplomacy amid nuclear crisis” – “South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that the country will expand its diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues, vowing to prevent a war from breaking out on the Korean Peninsula …”
• “Top US General US-Korea Working Through Technical Issues on THAAD” – “China tells ROK to stop THAAD deployment” – “South Koreans shout “THAAD Out, Peace In” on 72nd liberation anniversary” (CHN state news agency)
• “South Korea should act as a buffer between US and North Korea” (CHN Communist Pty editorial)
• “China announces September 5 cutoff of North Korean imports” – “China Orders UN Sanctions Against North Korea”
• More on North Korea via Google News

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas (2)

• Think Tank Report:  #PRK using #UKR-built Rocket Motors in Latest ICBMs  “The secret to North Korea’s ICBM success — How has North Korea managed to make such astounding progress with its long-range missile programme over the last two years? Here, Michael Elleman shares the first solid evidence that North Korea has acquired a high-performance liquid-propellant engine from illicit networks in Russia and Ukraine …” (IISS) – “NYT expert explains his words about Ukraine’s supply of missile technology to DPRK”
• Official Statements from Ukraine  “Oleksandr Turchynov: Ukrainian defense-industrial complex did not supply weapons and military technology to North Korea” (National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine) – “The refutation of publication of The New York Times” (yuzhmash.com info-machine) – “As to the publication of the New York Times and the International Institute for Strategic Studies” (Space Agency of Ukraine)
• “Turchynov brands reports on Ukraine supplying missile technology to N.Korea “intrigues of Russian intel” “
• “Report on Ukraine Military Supplies to DPRK ‘Does Not Suggest Kiev Involvement’ “
• “Ukraine Denies Supplying North Korea With Missile Technology, Alleges Russia To Blame”
• “North Korea missile claims provoked by Russian secret service, claims Ukraine official”
• “Media reports on Ukraine engines for DPRK missiles provocation – Bankova”
• “Statements on deliveries of Ukrainian rocket technologies to DPRK based on evidence made by expert with close Russia ties”
• More media coverage via Google News

#Ukraine

• “Russia Claims Ukrainian Reconnaissance Officer Detained In Crimea” – “SBU reacts to FSB’s detention of “agent” in Crimea” – “The Russian FSB resorted to another provocation, announcing the alleged detention of an “agent of the SBU” in the Crimea. We believe that such fake news is needed by Russian intelligence agencies to intimidate the peninsula population …” (UKR Security Service, in Ukrainian) – “Ukrainian citizen arrested on suspicion of plotting sabotage activities in Crimea” – ” ‘SBU agent’ detention by Russian FSB is another provocation and fake”
• “I Get By with a Litle Help from my Friends …” “Defense Ministers of Ukraine and Poland discuss situation in Donbas, aggravation risks due to West-2017 drills” – “Poltorak, Macierewicz discuss West-2017drills” – “Ukrainian Armed Forces to take part in military parade in Warsaw”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 13 August 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 15 Aug 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 08/15/2017” – “DPR Command reports one perished and one wounded due to Ukrainian shelling over past 24 hours” – “Militant attacks in Donbas intensify, two Ukrainian soldiers wounded” – “Ukrainian forces launch over 230 shells onto DPR over past 24 hours” – “Kyiv reports 31 violations of ceasefire regime in ATO zone, 8 wounded military” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire eight times, gas pipe, utility structures damaged” – “OSCE SMM records over 3,000 cases of heavy weapons presence near Donbas contact line in 2017” – “Ukrainian forces violate ceasefire 64 times over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” – “Escalation in Donbas: 31 attacks on Ukraine troops, 8 WIA’s in last day” – “64 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Situation in Donbas escalates: militants shell Avdiivka non stop” – “Under the fire of the APU for a day, two servicemen of the army of the DNR were killed: the command” (DNR, in Russian) – “OSCE reports new violations of Minsk accords, MLRS in occupied Donbas”  – “APU for a day released over the territory of the Republic of more than 100 munitions – People’s Militia” (LNR, in Russian)
• “Ukraine submits information on Battle of Ilovaisk to ICC” – “PGO report: Russian invasion major cause of Ilovaisk tragedy” – “45,000 Russian soldiers, 160 tanks were at Ukraine’s border during Ilovaisk battle” – “The results of the investigation of the Ilovaya tragedy” (UKR Prosecutor General Office, in Ukrainian)
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “This high-tech RPG could be direct evidence of Russia’s secret war in Ukraine” – “The Bridge To Crimea Takes Shape” – “89 people face criminal charges on Donbas war, 43 of them Russian citizens”
• “Ukrainian Military in Donbas to receive 67 new military equipment units after Independence Day”
• “DPR Head: situation will become more clear after Volker and Surkov’s meeting” – “Putin’s aide, US Special Envoy for Ukraine likely to meet in Minsk”
• From the Separatist Info-machine  “DPR Migration Service: Over 105 thousand people receive DPR passports” – “Russell “Texas” Bentley Interviews a Former OSCE Employee: Part 1″

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Latvia receives Russian invitation to observe Zapad military exercise”
• “Belarusian army officers to inspect Lithuanian, Latvian army units”
• “What we know about the 100,000 Russians going to NATO’s borders” – “American Expert Dispelling Myths about Zapad-2017 Military Exercise” (Russian peacekeeper page)
• “Sausage Fest For British Soldiers In Estonia — This weekend, the small town of Tapa in Estonia was home to a rather unusual event. Grillfest 2017, a Bake-Off style BBQ, has been held in Tapa for the last few years, but this year the British soldiers stationed there decided to try their hand at the culinary art of barbequing …” (UK Forces info-machine)
• “Lithuanian Military Claims NATO Jets Escorted Russian Aircraft 8 Times in Week”
• “Lithuania seeking to abandon Russian-made software” – “Lithuanian DefMin: software linked with Russia has spying gaps” –  “Software linked with Russia has spying gaps – deputy defmin” – “Lithuania to refuse from Russian software at government entities”
• ” ‘Forest brothers’ in the CIA archives – Caught between the CIA and MI6″
• “Missiles on Ukrainian-Belarusian border of Russia will not help”
• “Poland ‘centre of gravity’ for US army in Europe”
• Moldova Not Going Anywhere near NATO for Now …  “Dodon claims Moldova won’t join NATO, denies possibility of Pridnestrovia conflict” – “Dodon promises Moldova won’t join NATO, rules out escalation of Transdniestrian conflict” – “Moldovan president accuses West of attempting to involve Chisinau in regional conflict” –“Moldova will not join military blocks, president says”
• “Over 150 snap checks of combat readiness conducted in the Western MD since the beginning of the year” (RUS MoD)
• “Today, as part of the combat readiness check, the formations and military units of the 1st Guards Tank Army of the Western Military District deployed in the Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Smolensk and Ivanovo Regions are alerted …” (RUS MoD, in Russian)
• “Russia’s Navy to receive two more advanced submarines by 2020”
• “Reduction of 2018 defense spending not related to rearmament programs — Putin”
• “Russian defense minister, Libyan National Army commander discuss situation in North Africa”
• “InformNapalm volunteer intelligence community presents updated data on the awards of Russian military, received for participating in the occupation of the regions of Ukraine and Georgia, as well as for the execution of criminal orders by Russia’s top military leadership in the Donbas and Syria …” (informnapalm.org)

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• IND-CHN Border Tensions  “India and China ‘preparing for armed conflict’ if Bhutan solution not found” – “Amid Doklam standoff, Chinese submarines spotted near Indian coast” – “Modi speech sends message to China as troops face off at border” – “Special envoys for China – India border issues: meeting timeline”
• Meanwhile, from the “The Enemy of my Enemy” File … “Pakistani president meets Chinese vice premier on deepening Pakistan-China friendship” – More on CHN-PAK relations via Google News
• “China holds peace assembly to mark 72nd anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender”
• “New H-6N strategic missile carrier spotted in China”
• “The Secret of China’s Hypersonic Long-range Bombers”
• “Taiwan on high alert after Chinese air force drills”
• “PLA Chief of Joint Staff meets with Chief of New Zealand Defense Force” – “Senior military official meets with chief of New Zealand Defense Force”

#Afghanistan

• ” ‘Afghan heroin funded US political campaigns and black ops’ “ (RUS state media)
• “Building Legitimacy during Armed Conflict – Learning from the Taliban”

Internal Security

• “Lone Wolf: Passing Fad or Terror Threat of the Future?” (The Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

Way Up North

• “Operation NANOOK 2017 launches (Monday) in Canada’s North”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Canadian-Armenian community up in arms over Canadian defence exports to Azerbaijan”
• Wanted:  “Rations – Nova Scotia Highlanders … The Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada has a requirement on behalf of the Department of National Defence to obtain commercial rations in Truro, NS in support of training for the Nova Scotia Highlanders. The training will commence on September 16, 2017 to June 2, 2018 …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Liberals’ homeless veterans strategy needs flexibility in funding, advocates say”

Other

• “Investigation into ‘Proud Boys’ incident in Halifax concluded: military official”
• “Man charged in wake of Griesbach military memorial plaque thefts”
• “A military veteran and amateur historian is pushing to have 250-year-old graves of French soldiers near the (NFLD) Signal Hill National Historic Site recognized with a monument. Through his research, Harry Young said he’s determined that as many as 30 French soldiers who died during the Battle of Signal Hill on Sept. 15, 1762 could be buried in an area between Quidi Vidi Village and Signal Hill …”

World War One

• “Two B.C. Victoria Cross winners from the Battle of Hill 70 to be remembered”

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