MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – January 5, 2016

#CANvsISIL

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

Everyone Else Against ISIL

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

Syria/Refugees

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

Internal Security

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

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

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

What’s Canada Buying?

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

Other

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

Way Up North

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

Veterans & Helping Veterans

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

Korea

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

World War One

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

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – November 1, 2014

Attacks on CF in Canada

• Patrice Vincent, R.I.P.  “Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent to be remembered in Montreal — Of course the biggest story in the country is happening here Saturday ….” – “Patrice Vincent funeral: Canadians pay respects at Friday visitation” – “Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent remembered by colleagues” 

• Commentary  “St-Jean-sur-Richelieu: A cautionary tale on the agony of foresight”
• Nathan Cirillo, R.I.P.  “Soldiers, veterans worried about Cirillo’s benefits”
• “National War Memorial – Removal of flowers and mementos — Public Works and Government Services Canada wishes to advise the public that it will begin to respectfully remove flowers and mementos at the National War Memorial on Sunday, November 2, 2014 ….”
• “Canada guard who protected MPs from gunman gets liters of free beer” – more
• “Edmonton Muslims hold prayer meeting for fallen soldiers”
• Legal analysis  “The Canadian Terrorist Attacks and Canadian Counter-Terrorism Law”
• Commentary  “Why uniforms matter in the military” – “Leave the bullet holes there”

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian fighter jets in skies over Iraq but won’t drop bombs before weekend” – “Canada ready for war against Islamic State — No bombs were dropped on Islamic State jihadists, but Canadian forces flew long combat sorties over Iraq on Thursday and Friday ….” – “Canadian CF-18s fly first Iraq mission” – “First CF-18 missions over Iraq, no bombs dropped” – “Mission ‘has begun’ for Canadian warplanes”

• Great map here => “Contemporary Issues & Geography: International coalition Striking ISIS in Iraq and Syria”
• More on Canada’s Operation IMPACT here, and on news from around that part of the world here
  

Internal Security

• “Terror fight turns to Internet, sparking new free-speech debate”
• “Majority want foreign-fighting Canadians stripped of citizenship: Poll”
• Commentary  “Terrorism Vs. Mental Illness: A Totally Bogus Debate” – “Stopping the lone jihadi” – “Terrorism is an act, not a label” – “Was it ‘terrorism’? We need answers, not labels” – “First they came for the terrorists” – “The return of ‘blame Canada’ “ – “OPINION: A plan for reversing Islamization in the West”  – “Why split hairs on an act aimed at terrorizing?: DiManno” – “Don’t let politics of fear take over” – “Lone wolf? Terrorism? No real difference”
• Omar Khadr  “Omar Khadr’s victim mentality” – “Omar Khadr Urges Canadian Government To Respect Law While Dealing With National Security Issues”

Way Up North

• “Russia warns it’s coming for the Arctic’s oil, including an area Canada claims as its own”
• Think tank study  “Arctic Shipping: An Analysis of the 2013 Northern Sea Route Season”
  

Ebola

• “Canada imposes visa ban on 3 Ebola-hit countries” – “Amid Ebola scare, Canada restricts visas”

Other

• “No excuse for delaying veterans’ compensation” – “Charter changes not quick enough, say vets”
• “Harper Government underspends on military”
• Commentary  “Paradigm of war obsolete” – “Canada should declare itself a non- military nation”
• “With $500K in Canadian military uniforms lost or stolen last year, New Democrats sound security alarm — Thousands of items from Canadian military uniforms were stolen or lost last year, according to the federal government and the NDP is calling for the Conservatives to explain the security breach ….” – Public Accounts of Canada 2014 – Receiver General for Canada – PWGSC
• From the CF Info-machine  “Women, Business, and the Canadian Army” – “Canada’s ‘Top Guns’ “ – “Canadian Army Officers’ Mess once home of Canada’s poppy lady – an apt circumstance”
• “CSEC oversight bill garners support”
• “Spy agency CSEC says goodbye to Canada”

World War One

• “Royal Canadian Navy Commemorates the Battle of Coronel”
• “The great debate: Did Vimy give birth to nation?”

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#CANinIRQ Update – 170045UTC Oct 14

• Check out the #CANinIRQ News Links page – always open to new sources if you have ’em to share.
• “Canadian troops leave CFB Trenton for Kuwait” – “(Trenton-area) military members leave to fight ISIL”
• From the Info-machine  “Photo Opportunity: Theatre Activation Team Departure” – “Technical briefing on Canadian support to the multinational mission against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” 
• Welcome back!  “Photo Opportunity: Operation Impact reconnaissance team leaders return home”
• “Baird Visits Saudi Arabia, Discusses Fight Against ISIL”
• Commentary  “Is this the war you truly want for Canadians ?” – “Canadian troops entering a messy Iraq war: Walkom” – “Jeh Johnson on the threat from Islamic State” – “Lebanon offers a model for the Middle East after Islamic State is broken” – “The U.S. entangles itself deeper with ISIL”
• “Bomb training vital as Kurds retake Islamic State ground in Iraq”
  
• “Attacks in Baghdad Left 134 Killed, Injured” – “Over 38 killed in Baghdad terrorist attacks” – “US says Baghdad is not under ‘imminent threat’ from IS” – “Iraqi PM dismisses claims of IS reaching Baghdad”
• “Coalition Launches 18 Airstrikes Against ISIS” – “US steps up strikes on ISIL in Syria’s Kobane” – “Syrian Kurdish official calls for arms for Kobani” – “Pentagon Lacks Estimate on Size of IS Forces in Kobani” – “U.S. warns Kobani could fall to IS militants”
• “US still searching for credible allies in Syria”
• “U.S.-led air strikes intensify as Syria conflict destabilises Turkey”
• “Turkey calls for “all inclusive” effort on Syria — Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Wednesday a unilateral intervention in Syria would do more harm than good as he called for an “all inclusive” effort to resolve the crisis ….” – “Old rivalries keeping Turkey on sidelines of Syria fight, analysts say”
• ” “No discrepancy” between U.S. and Turkey over Islamic State-Kerry”
• International Organization for Migration report:  “Regional Response to the Syria Humanitarian Crisis, 30 September – 13 October 2014”
• Minority Rights Group report:  “From Crisis to Catastrophe: the situation of minorities in Iraq”

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#CANinIRQ Update – October 15, 2013

• “CENTCOM Designates Ops Against ISIL as ‘Inherent Resolve’ “ – CF Fact Sheet on Operation IMPACT
• “Canadian military transport leaves for Kuwait”
• “(CAN Foreign Minister) Baird Meets with Amir of Kuwait” – “Baird touts His Highness Amir’s support against terrorism” – “Saudi, Canadian foreign ministers to hold talks on key regional issues”
• From the Info-machine  “Canada Condemns ISIL’s Assault on Women”
• “Statement by Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff Following Meeting with Coalition Partners — The Government of Canada has chosen to stand with our international partners to combat the terrorist threat posed by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) ….”
• Commentary  “Government has responsibility to communicate”
• “US to Strengthen Anti-IS Coalition Public Diplomacy: US Official”
• “Analysis: Can US strategy defeat ISIL? — Lacking cohesive local ground forces to attack in tandem, coalition air strikes will have limited effect, experts say ….”
  
• On ISIS’s propaganda (and counter-propaganda)  “ISIS’s Information Operations: Analyzing their Themes and Messages” – 3D’s Mark Collins on “The Caliphate’s Powerful Messaging: Not Just Social Media” – “How the battle against IS is being fought online”
  
• Institute for the Study of War’s Iraq Situation Report: October 13-15, 2014
• “US: Strikes near Kobani have killed hundreds” – “US bombs ‘stall ISIL advance in Kobane’ “ – “U.S. hits targets around Kobani for humanitarian purposes – Allen” – more
• “Kurds hold their own against militants in Syria”
• “Helmets on: Dutch biker gang joins fight against Islamic State”

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – October 12, 2014

#CAN in IRQ

• “Military team to depart next week to prep for deployment of Canada’s ISIS mission — A team of about 120 members of the Canadian Armed Forces will depart for the Middle East next week as Canada gears up to join the fight against ISIS in Iraq ….” – more – “Statement by The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence” –  –  –
• “Message from the Chief of the Defence Staff — We have all watched in recent months the alarming advances of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). While it is of course neither Islamic, nor a state, it is a barbaric organization responsible for horrendous atrocities committed in Iraq and Syria, and its rapid growth has threatened regional stability ….”
• “Canada prepares for long, uncertain Iraq campaign”
• “Tecumseh man witnesses ISIS conflict firsthand — A Tecumseh native has returned home after spending nearly two weeks on a trip along the front lines of the ISIS conflict ….”
• “Canada Should Follow Sweden’s Lead on the Syrian Refugee Issue”
• Commentary  “Divided we stand on Islamic State: Delacourt”  – “Op-Ed: Canada should mind its own business in Iraq” – “Why wouldn’t Islamic State threaten Canada?” – “Five lessons from the war against Islamic State: Burman — No. 1: Trying to bomb an ideology is a fool’s errand — one that Stephen Harper is only too willing to embrace ….” – “Harper’s Iraqi combat mission wades into war we can’t win” – “Canada right to join fight against Islamic State” – “Canada’s Case for War on IS: The Northern Front Steps Up” – “The proven strategy for combatting terrorist groups is to avoid overreacting because overreacting is exactly what they want us to do ….” – “Harper learning to separate Islam from terrorism”
• “RCMP has intervened 28 times against people tied to foreign militant groups”

Ukraine

• From the UKR Interior Ministry’s Info-machine  “The Interior Ministry held a meeting with RCMP liaison officer from Canada” (in Ukrainian) – Google English translation

Way Up North

• “Russia’s military presence in Arctic not to cause region’s pollution”

Other

• “HMCS Calgary involved in marijuana seizure”
• “(Pembroke) Airport commission hope to upgrade infrastructure”
• “Mali and Canada: A link forged in history and ice”
• “B.C. loggers find possible WWII-era balloon bomb” – more –  –
• “Legionnaire feels “vindicated” — The North Bay legionnaire who spoke out against Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin for not accepting a poppy box feels vindicated.  “My suspicions were right. I was correct. There was no reason for Mr. Aspin to refuse a poppy box,” said Bill Wilkins, chairman of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23.  Wilkins was reacting to news Aspin had “misunderstood” the bylaw he believed prevented him from displaying a poppy box at his constituency office.  Wilkins contacted The Nugget last week with the story. He said it was the first time it had happened in his 50 years as a Legion member.  Aspin cited a Board of Internal Economy bylaw that forbids MPs from holding public funds. The board governs House of Commons’ financial and administrative policies.  However, on Monday Aspin vowed to file for an exemption to the rule ….”
• “Minister of Veterans Affairs honours Manitobans for outstanding contributions to Canada’s Veterans”

World War One

• “Unsung Heroes: African-Nova Scotian men leapt at chance to serve”
• “Exhibit looks at peace through lens of war”

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – October 10, 2014

#CANinIRQ 

• Some maps from CTV and Milnet.ca to help you sort out who’s where in Iraq & Syria (DISCLOSURE: I’m a moderator with Milnet.ca)
• Analysis  “The ‘unknown unknowns’ of confronting ISIS in Iraq — The lack of credible military intelligence about ISIS is like what it was about the Taliban ….”
• “The Conservative government pressed its case Thursday for tougher anti-terror powers for police and spies by raising an alarming American news story dismissed by Canadian security sources.  NBC News reported Wednesday night that Canadian officials are concerned about potential Islamic State sympathizers threatening “knives and gun” attacks on “malls and embassies” here. It was a stunning development, appearing on the American news outlet’s website just two hours after Canada’s top security and policing officials had testified in Ottawa they had no information of any “imminent” threat to Canada ….”
• “There is a “reasonable” or “probable” chance that a disguised, English-speaking man seen in a propaganda video released by the Islamic State extremist group has roots in Canada based on his accent, two linguists said Thursday. This week, the FBI posted on its website a segment of the video and asked the public for help in identifying the masked man who alternates between Arabic and English. Language experts at the University of Toronto and McGill University told Postmedia News that the man’s pronunciation of certain words — including the words “Islamic” and “out” — suggest strong ties to Canada ….”
• Commentary  “…. How long would the mission last? Where would the CF-18s be based? What missions would they fly? And wouldn’t the government just come back in six months, anyway, and ask for a combat extension? Even in conventional war, such questions defy easy answers in the fluid outset. But in a war against a non-state actor that could boomerang in any number of directions, it’s folly to expect such early detail ….” – “So, are you standing with Steve or with the beheaders? Tough call, eh?” – “By any standard, Canada’s contribution to the allied air mission against Islamic State is a modest one. We’re talking about six CF-18 fighter jets, a refueling plane and two surveillance aircraft that will be flying over northern Iraq in support of Kurdish resistance to Islamic State terrorists on the ground. Only in Canada would we make this all about us. Are we putting boots on the ground? Nope. Are we putting our pilots in harm’s way? Hardly ….” – “Conservatives tap fear and honour to sell war” – “Canada’s messy way of going to war”
• Commentary reminder  “…. The government is to issue its fall fiscal update at the end of this month. There has been speculation that, because the budget is de facto in balance now, it will include tax cuts – the beginning of the bonanza that is to bring middle-Canadians back into the Tory fold just in time for next fall’s federal election. Forgoing any of that, or slowing the pace of deficit and debt reduction, in favour of renewed spending on “our brave men and women in uniform,” is not something any member of the Conservative caucus will want to consider. One wonders how long they can keep that up, while at the same time sending the Canadian Forces back to war, for an undetermined length of time.”
• The Politics – Prelude to a snap election? “…. It takes 36 days to hold a national election. Yes, according to the law it is scheduled to happen only a year from now, but that law has a loophole big enough to flip a CF-18 through. Now, think about how that election might unfold if called now. The election themes to be set by Mr. Harper, if he could make it stick, is “Our troops must know the people back them no matter what the Liberals and New Democrats say! Fight the most deadly and disgusting and dangerous force in the world which has suddenly appeared in Syria and Iraq and must be stopped!” and, “Canada does not leave it for others to do the heavy lifting. That is not the Canadian way.” The days and weeks pass by. The jet fighters are slowly deployed to the Middle East, no casualties yet, a few sorties flown. IS atrocities grow more horrific by the day and their ground troops are not rolled back. The resolve of the allies strengthens ….”
• More of The Politics  “It may not be his wetsuit moment as a politician, but when Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau glibly suggested sending Canadian CF-18s to fight Islamist terrorists in Iraq was akin to men comparing the size of their manhood, he did nothing to help his case that he is ready to be the prime minister ….”
• “A Halifax agency that offers immigrant services is considering a name change because of similarities to a terrorist group. When clients call ISIS, the Immigrant Settlement & Integration Services agency in Halifax, they’re now greeted with “Immigrant Settlement, how may I help you?” instead of the usual “ISIS, how may I help you?” ….” – more

What’s Canada Buying?

• Wanted:  up to 10K sleeping bags (eventually)
• Wanted:  someone to set up a closed-circuit TV system across the CF’s fire fighting system to help spread the word when needed
• “The purpose of this Advanced Contract Award Notification (ACAN) is to identify the requirements for a Light Armour Vehicle Upgrade (LAV Up) Interim Crew Gunnery System (ICGS) hand controller that will be used by the Canadian Army (CA) as part of the LAV Up ICGS. The LAV Up ICGS hand controller will be a replica of the actual hand controller found in the LAV Up vehicle, with the exception that it will be connected to the ICGS simulator using a USB interface ….”
• Wanted:  box lunches for Trenton, Kingston and Petawawa – sample menus and specs for the sandwiches here

Way Up North

• “Coast guards are the maritime workhorses of coastal states, intent on protecting their sovereign rights to fisheries and petroleum resources, while also safeguarding lives and the environment. In an Arctic Klondike (rush on resources), this institution – which often operates in the shadow of national navies – does the heavy lifting. Yet, striking the right balance on fleet structure, investments, and Arctic presence in times of budget austerity is no easy task for Arctic coastal states ….”
• “News coverage of the Arctic has been steadily growing in tandem with the rising importance of the region in recent years. The focus of international politics often tends to revolve around energy security within the context of a global scramble for resources to keep individual countries’ economic growth engines humming. In view of the possibilities of the Arctic as a future abundant natural resources supply base for various pivotal countries, especially in Asia, non-Arctic states such as South Korea, Japan, and China join actual Arctic nations in taking a more active part in contemplating Arctic development and theregion’s future. The Arctic Council accepted India, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Italy as observers to the Council in May 2013 even though they all lack territory north of the Arctic Circle.This actually constitutes a welcome development because some circumpolar issues – specifically originating from human activities south of the Arctic Circle – are, indeed, transnational in nature such as climate change and marine shipping ….”

Other

• “Two Canadian CF-18 fighter jets based out of Lithuania intercepted a Russian military aircraft as it flew over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday morning. Officials say the Canadian fighters identified the aircraft as a Russian AN-26 transport plane, then shadowed it for about 10 minutes as it travelled through international airspace from one Russian port to another. It was the second time in as many months that Canadian warplanes were tasked with intercepting an AN-26 since four CF-18s were assigned to a NATO mission to protect Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian airspace in August ….”
• “More than 500 sailors from Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Calgary, Winnipeg, Brandon and Yellowknife have departed from their home port of Esquimalt, BC, to take part in operations and exercises off the coast of Southern California. Supported by two CH-124 Sea King helicopters from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, the ships will participate in a Task Group Exercise (TGEX) with the United States Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force from October 20 to 31 ….”
• “Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Windsor was undocked (Wednesday) evening from the Syncrolift at HMC Dockyard in Halifax, after a generator was successfully replaced, scheduled maintenance was performed and a major upgrade to the submarine’s main bow sonar system was installed. On March 31, 2014, HMCS Windsor underwent a docking period for maintenance and repairs at the Captain Bernard Leitch Johnson facility in HMC Dockyard in Halifax …. “
• A “Happy Thanksgiving Day” greeting from the boss of Canada’s Army
• South Koreans appear to be hiding in Canada from conscription  “An increased number of young male South Koreans have been caught staying overseas illegally in recent years to dodge the country’s mandatory military service, data showed Friday. Over the past five years, a total of 606 male citizens have been accused of staying overseas without any prior reports to the authorities about their failure to get physical checkups for the compulsory duty that all able-bodied men here are required to undertake for about two years …. Around 85 percent of those accused have stayed in the United States, Australia and Canada, and a majority of them were in their late 20s and early 30s, according to the data ….”
  

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MILNEWS.ca News Highlights – October 2, 2014

Middle East

• “Stephen Harper to announce Canada’s combat role in ISIS fight Friday” – “Harper readying groundwork for Canada’s turn in Iraq” – “Harper to outline expanded military contribution to fight Islamic State” – “Harper to outline expanded military contribution to fight Islamic State” – “Stephen Harper to announce Canada’s combat role in ISIS fight Friday”
  
• “It’s ‘not about whipping out our CF-18s to show how big they are’: Trudeau” – “Justin Trudeau says he hasn’t decided whether to support Iraq mission” – “RAW Trudeau: Don’t just ‘whip out CF-18s’ 3:40” – “Trudeau says Canada must be involved in Iraq, but not necessarily in a combat role” –  –
• “Delay in Iraq mission debate vexes opposition” – “Delay in Iraq mission debate raises ire of Tom Mulcair, Justin Trudeau” – “Canada’s political parties struggle with Iraq war plan”
• “Canada’s political approach to combat varied”
• “The mystery of Canadians in the Islamic State”
• Commentary  “Without giving details to Parliament, Harper could wear Iraq mission alone” – “Everyone’s talking about the Tories’ secret, covert, hush-hush war plans” – “Harper fails to make the case for Canadian combat role in Iraq” – “Questionable record leaves Harper’s military flank exposed” – “Harper’s anti-ISIS game plan” – “Canadians need answers on ISIS mission” – “Stephen Harper not helping himself by recycling Iraq war rhetoric” – “Time again for Canada to say no to war” – “Canada should resist Obama’s flawed war on the Islamic State”
  
• Commentary from Journalists/Columnists on the Ground  “Fisher: Canadians must wake up quickly to Middle East nightmare” – Terry Glavin:  “Canada vs. The Islamic State: Not Our Finest Hour”
• ceasefire.ca commentary  “A better way forward in a troubled world? Why radical diplomatic reform is imperative”

Ebola

• “Canada prepping for potential Ebola cases but still sees risk as low: health minister – Canada is considering placing doses of an experimental Ebola vaccine in hospitals around the country that have been designated to treat Ebola cases if any arrive in the country, the new chief public health officer said Wednesday ….”
• More on Ebola at Google News and at the European Commission’s news aggregator
  

Way Up North

• “Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Could Be Canada’s Future In The Arctic”

Ukraine

• “Canada lends $200 mln to Ukraine”
• “Russia retaliates over Ukraine sanctions, banning imported food products from the West – Russia retaliated Thursday for sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine by banning most food imports from the West, dealing a blow to Europe that also takes aim at hurting the U.S., Canada ….”

Other

• “Sailor says he was beaten on board HMCS Regina” – more
• Remember the CP story about some new changes (allegedly) coming up to VAC benefits to “placate angry ex-soldiers”?  Here’s the document (PDF) the story was based on, and here’s the original Committee report the department is responding to – and here’s what’s being said over at Milnet.ca about the newly released document (DISCLOSURE:  I’m a moderator at Milnet.ca)
• F-35 Tug o’ War Academic commentary on extending the useful life of Canada’s CF-18’s  “…. What is interesting is that the longer life of these planes will allow the Conservative government to delay making a decision on the F-35s.  They can say: we don’t need to be rushed, as our current fighters will last longer.  This is good for the Conservatives since it allows them to kick the can down the road a wee bit further…. past the 2015 election.  This program has been a major political challenge for the government, one where the NDP demonstrated a real competence on defence.  Well, on this one area. Of course, this is not fooling anyone.  It does not take a year plus for Harper to figure out what he wants to do with the F-35/alternatives.  He has had the report since spring, and he is not spending night and day pondering the RCAF’s future.  He is deferring because it is politically expedient ….”
• “Huge (former military) land deal opens big tracts of Vancouver to development” – more
• More academic commentary on how the Tories are treating the CF  “…. Harper almost certainly understands what he is doing is not good for the military or good for Canada, but it may get him re-elected.  Ah, the joy of democracy–short term incentives win out.”

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