Wednesday, 31 August 2022

Syria Reports Israeli Air Strikes On Aleppo Airport

A fire is reportedly seen at the Aleppo International Airport in northern Syrian following an airstrike attributed to Israel, August 31, 2022. (Social media)  

Times of Israel: Syria accuses Israel of consecutive airstrikes on Aleppo airport, Damascus  

State-run news agency does not elaborate on extent of airport bombing, but images show several fires in area; no immediate reports of injuries 

Syria accused Israel of carrying out two consecutive airstrikes on Wednesday night, the first against the Aleppo International Airport and the second near the capital Damascus. 

According to the state-run SANA news agency, the first airstrike caused damage to the airport in northern Syria. 

It did not provide further details. Images published on social media appeared to show several fires in the area.  

Read more .... 

Syria Reports Israeli Air Strikes On Aleppo Airport  

Alleged Israeli airstrikes target Aleppo, Damascus within an hour -- Jerusalem Post  

Syrian report: Israeli airstrikes target Iranian sites in Aleppo, Damascus -- i24 News  

Israel Attacks Aleppo's Airport With Rockets -Syria's State News Agency -- Reuters

Israel launches missile attacks on Syria's Aleppo airport and Damascus -- The National

Israel attacks Aleppo international airport – Syrian media -- RT
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Russia - Ukraine War: Military Summary And Analysis For 31.08.2022

 

WNU editor: Another day of interesting updates.

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Russia - Ukraine War Maps -- August 31, 2022 (Click on Images to Enlarge)

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U.S. Strategic Oil Reserve Hits A New Low

  WNU Editor: Oil reserves in the US Strategic Reserve have fallen to the lowest level since 1984.

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Russia Shuts Nord Stream 1 Gas pipeline to Europe For Three Days Citing Maintenance Reasons

 

CNBC: Russia halts gas flows to Europe via Nord Stream 1 for maintenance works 

* It is expected that gas flows via Nord Stream 1, which runs from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, will be suspended from Aug. 31 through to Sept. 3.

* The temporary halt to supplies reflects a deepening gas dispute between Russia and the European Union and underscores both the risk of a recession and a winter shortage. 

* “Europe is in full bunkering mode and taking no chances with Russian supplies heading into the winter,” said Wei Xiong, senior analyst at energy consultancy Rystad Energy. 

Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom on Wednesday halted gas flows to Europe via a major pipeline, citing maintenance works on its only remaining compressor. 

It is expected that gas flows via Nord Stream 1, which runs from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, will be suspended from Aug. 31 through to Sept. 3.  

Read more .... 

Russia Shuts Nord Stream 1 Gas pipeline to Europe For Three Days Citing Maintenance Reasons  

Nord Stream 1: Russia shuts major gas pipeline to Europe -- BBC  

Russia deepens Europe's energy squeeze with new gas halt -- Reuters 

Energy crisis: Russian energy giant Gazprom halts Nord Stream 1 gas flows to Germany -- Euronews/AP  

Nord Stream 1: Russia switches off gas pipeline citing maintenance -- The Guardian 

Russia halts natural gas flows via Nord Stream 1 pipeline, intensifying the pressure on Europe in its energy crisis -- Business Insider 

Russia halts gas supplies to Germany as France warns of winter rationing and power cuts -- The Independent  

Russian gas deliveries to Europe halted for three days -- RTE  

Russia halts Nord Stream 1 gas flow to Europe again -- Al Jazeera

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Turkey Says Greek Missiles Locked On Its Fighters Over The Mediterranean While Carrying Out A NATO Mission

The F-16s were at an altitude of 3,000 metres to the west of Greece’s Rhodes island [File: Murad Sezer/Reuters]  

Daily Sabah: ‘Greek missiles locking on Turkish fighters over Med challenges NATO’  

Greece has challenged NATO and its allies, not Türkiye, by locking its air defense systems on Turkish jets carrying out a NATO reconnaissance mission, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said late Tuesday. 

Erdoğan lashed out against Greece over the harassment of Turkish jets carrying out reconnaissance missions over the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, calling it a "hostile act." 

"Greece has challenged NATO and its allies by increasing its hostile attitude, which started with harassing our airspace and aircraft and escalated to the level of S-300 radar lockdown," the president said, ahead of a celebration concert for the centenary of Türkiye's Victory Day at the presidential complex in the capital Ankara.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Turkey accuses Greece of 'hostile action' against jets (CNA/AAFP)  

Update #2: Turkey accuses Greece of ‘hostile action’ against its jets (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: Greece has responded .... Greece has effective deterrents against Turkish threats, spokesman says (Ekathimerini).

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Tuesday, 30 August 2022

Iran Says It Is Ready To Quickly Release 93 Million Barrels Of Oil Into The Market If A Nuclear Deal With The U.S. Is Finalized

OilPrice.com: Iran Is Ready To Release Millions Of Barrels Of Oil Into The Market 

Iran has considerable volumes of oil in floating storage that it could quickly release should a deal with the United States be finalized. 

In an update earlier this month, OilX claimed that Iran has some 40 million barrels, the bulk of which is probably condensate. 

Vortexa estimates Iranian crude in floating storage at 60 to 70 million barrels while Kpler has estimated them at 93 million barrels, Bloomberg reported on Sunday.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Iran ready to send 93m barrels of oil into market post sanctions: report -- Tehran Times 

Update #2: Iran May Drain Offshore Oil Cache If Nuclear Deal Reached -- Bloomberg  

WNU Editor: A massive release of this oil onto world markets will result in a major decrease in oil prices for the short term. 

So why the offer now?

 I see this as an attempt by Iran to push the Biden administration to agree to Tehran's terms to reach a deal, and in return Iran will release this oil just weeks ahead of the US midterm elections.

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Iraqi Cleric Sadr Calls On Followers To End Their Protests And To Withdraw

 

Middle East Eye: Iraq: Sadr followers end protests after cleric calls on them to withdraw  

Military ends nationwide curfew after influential cleric entreats supporters to retreat from Baghdad's Green Zone and apologises for violence 

Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr, carrying guns and driving tuk-tuk vehicles, have begun withdrawing from Baghdad's Green Zone after the influential Shia cleric called on Tuesday for them to end their actions. 

Following the move, the Iraqi military's Joint Operations Command said it had been decided to lift the nationwide curfew in the capital Baghdad and other provinces, following two days of violence. 

During a news conference in Najaf, Sadr ordered his followers to end their protests, sparked by his withdrawal from politics on Monday, and apologised to Iraqis after 28 people were killed in clashes.  

Read more .... 

Iraqi Cleric Sadr Calls On Followers To End Their Protests And To Withdraw  

Iraqis heed cleric’s plea to leave streets after clashes -- AP  

Iraqi cleric Sadr calls off protests after worst Baghdad violence in years -- Reuters  

Iraq: Tense calm in Baghdad after cleric issues appeal -- BBC  

Powerful Iraqi cleric tells supporters to stand down after day of deadly violence in Baghdad -- CNN

Iraq’s Sadr orders followers to end protests after violence -- Al Jazeera  

Baghdad, Iraq violence leaves at least 30 dead, cleric tells protesters to withdraw -- FOX News  

EXPLAINER: What spurred the bloody armed clashes in Baghdad? -- AP

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Is The U.S. Economy Facing A 'Whopper' Of A Recession In 2023?

 

CNBC: Worst is yet to come: Economist Stephen Roach says U.S. needs ‘miracle’ to avoid recession 

Negative economic growth in the year’s first half may be a foreshock to a much deeper downturn that could last into 2024. 

Stephen Roach, who served as chair of Morgan Stanley Asia, warns the U.S. needs a “miracle” to avoid a recession. 

“We’ll definitely have a recession as the lagged impacts of this major monetary tightening start to kick in,” Roach told CNBC’s “Fast Money” on Monday. “They haven’t kicked in at all right now.”  

Read more ....  

Update: Johns Hopkins economist predicts ‘whopper’ of a recession in 2023 — and points to one key economic reading the Fed is missing (Fortune)  

WNU Editor: I have been a follower of John Hopkins economist Steve Hankey for years. I have found his predictions on interest rates to be always correct, and his "Hanke-Cofnas Gold Sentiment Score" is a must go place for those who like gold (link here). His twitter account is also a must follow (link here).

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The World’s Energy Problem Is Far Worse Than What We Are Being Told

World fossil fuel energy consumption per capita, based on data of BP’s 2022 Statistical Review of World Energy.  

OilPrice.com: The World’s Energy Problem Is Far Worse Than We’re Being Told 

* Citizens around the world can sense that something is very wrong, and it looks like the economy may be headed for a serious recession in the near term. 

* The operation of our economy requires energy of the correct type and the right quantity. 

* The International Energy Agency and politicians around the world have recommended a transition to the use of renewables to try to prevent climate change for quite a few years. 

No politician wants to tell us the real story of fossil fuel depletion. The real story is that we are already running short of oil, coal and natural gas because the direct and indirect costs of extraction are reaching a point where the selling price of food and other basic necessities needs to be unacceptably high to make the overall economic system work. At the same time, wind and solar and other “clean energy” sources are nowhere nearly able to substitute for the quantity of fossil fuels being lost.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is a good analysis on why high energy prices are going to be with us for a long time, and why renewal energy sources are not going to be the panacea that many say it will be.

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Solomon Islands Has Announced A Temporary Moratorium On All Foreign Naval Port Visits

 

USNI News: Solomon Islands Blocks All Naval Port Visits After U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Denied Entry 

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare has announced a temporary moratorium on visits by foreign naval vessels after turning away a U.S Coast Guard Cutter last week. 

Speaking at a ceremony welcoming hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) to Honiara, Sogavare said that bureaucratic issues were behind the denial of diplomatic clearance to USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC-1140). 

“Unfortunately, by the time the approval was communicated on the evening of 20th August 2022, the Ship’s captain had decided to leave our waters.” Sogavare said in statement.  

Read more .... 

Solomon Islands Has Announced A Temporary Moratorium On All Foreign Naval Port Visits  

Solomon Islands to ban navy ships from ports until new process in place -- Reuters  

Solomon Islands to ban foreign navy ships following China pact -- DW  

Solomon Islands PM admits he has BANNED visits from US warships after the Pacific nation signed a 'security pact' with China -- Daily Mail  

Solomon Islands halts naval visits after US, UK ships denied entry -- BBC  

Solomons slap ‘moratorium’ on naval vessel visits; PM says USCG ship was OKd for entry, but… -- Breaking Defense  

Solomon Islands to ban all foreign navy ships from ports pending new approval process -- CNN  

Solomon Islands suspends all naval visits: US embassy -- Al Jazeera

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Gazprom Cuts French Natural Gas Supplies Over A Contract Dispute

Europe is already on notice that Gazprom will shut off the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany from August 31 to September 2 for maintenance. (file photo)  

Politico: Gazprom cuts gas deliveries to France’s Engie 

The company did not specify the reason for the dispute, but did say it ‘had already secured the volumes necessary to meet its commitment towards its customers.’ 

French utility Engie announced that Russian energy giant Gazprom will reduce gas deliveries as of today over a contract disagreement. 

The company did not specify the reason for the dispute, but did say it “had already secured the volumes necessary to meet its commitment towards its customers and its own requirements,” adding that measures were in place to reduce the potential “financial and physical impacts” of the disruption.

Emmanuelle Wargon, the head of France's energy regulatory commission, said today that the agency is “not too worried” about the supply squeeze, saying French gas reserves are now 91 percent full and should be entirely filled by the end of September or the beginning of October.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Energy prices are already sky-high in France. This interruption will only push prices higher.

Gazprom Cuts French Natural Gas Supplies Over A Contract Dispute  

Gazprom cuts gas supplies to France as winter energy crisis looms -- Reuters 

Russia's Gazprom Further Cuts Gas Deliveries To France -- AFP  

Gazprom To Further Reduce Gas Deliveries To France's Engie -- RFE  

Gazprom To Slash NatGas Deliveries To France's Top Utility As Squeeze Worsens -- Zero Hedge  

Russia's Gazprom is cutting gas supply to a top French utility after France's leader warns of rationing -- Market Insider  

Engie: Gazprom to Slash Gas Deliveries Over Contract Disagreements -- UK Investing

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Poll: 40% Of Americans Think Civil War Likely Within A Decade

The Guardian: More than 40% of Americans think civil war likely within a decade 

More than half of ‘strong Republicans’ think such a conflict is at least somewhat likely, poll finds 

More than two-fifths of Americans believe civil war is at least somewhat likely in the next 10 years, according to a new survey – a figure that increases to more than half among self-identified “strong Republicans”. 

Amid heated rhetoric from supporters of Donald Trump, the findings, in research by YouGov and the Economist, follow similar results in other polls. 

On Sunday night, the South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham predicted “riots in the streets” if Trump is indicted over his retention of classified documents after leaving the White House, materials recovered by the FBI at Trump’s home this month.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This type of hateful rhetoric only inflames the situation .... President Biden Says MAGA Republicans Are 'Semi-Fascist'. 

The YouGov poll is here .... Two in five Americans say a civil war is at least somewhat likely in the next decade (YouGov America).

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Pentagon Raises Concerns That The Ukraine War Is Depleting U.S. Ammunition Stockpiles

Ukrainian service members fire a shell from a M777 Howitzer at a front line, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine July 21, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich  

Business Insider: US has given so much weaponry to Ukraine that defense officials say one of its munitions stockpiles is getting 'uncomfortably low': report 

* Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the US has sent lots of weaponry to the eastern European nation. 

* Among those are M777 Howitzers and the 155mm ammunition for the weapons. 

* But this has depleted the US's own stockpiles of the munitions, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

The US has provided Ukraine with so much weaponry to fend off Russia's unprovoked invasion that Pentagon stockpiles for some munitions are "uncomfortably low," defense officials told The Wall Street Journal. 

Lower levels of 155mm ammunition, which can be fired from US-made M777 Howitzers, have some officials especially concerned, the Journal reported on Monday. 

An unnamed defense official told the Journal that the level of 155mm ammunition in US stockpiles hasn't reached critical levels, but it's "uncomfortably low" and "is not at the level we would like to go into combat."  

Read more ....  

Update: Pentagon Stockpiles "Uncomfortably Low" Amid Ukraine Transfers, Officials Admit (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: I am sure these U.S. stockpiles are going to be quickly replenished. But the U.S. is not the only country facing shortages in arms .... Germany 'walking A Fine Line' In Supplying Arms To Ukraine Amid Own Deficit: FM Baerbock (Republic World).

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Monday, 29 August 2022

Tweets Of The Day

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Russia To Hold Sweeping Joint War Games With China

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience during the military parade of the participants of the Vostok-2018 war games at Tsugol military training ground © Reuters/SPUTNIK  

Daily Mail: Is Putin backing a Chinese invasion of Taiwan? Russia to hold major war games with China featuring naval exercises supporting ground troops in coastal areas 

* New plans for Russia-China military drills in Sea of Japan likely to alarm Taiwan 

* More than 50,000 of Putin's soldiers will join Chinese counterparts next month 

* The entente suggests Putin could back a potential invasion of Taiwan by Beijing 

* Russian MoD released footage of Chinese troops arriving in Moscow for drills 

Russia and China will join forces to carry out sweeping new military drills in the Sea of Japan in the latest indication Putin could back a Beijing invasion of Taiwan. 

People's Liberation Army troops arrived in Russia to take part in the Kremlin's 'East 2022' exercises across Russia's Far East and the Sea of Japan later this week. More than 50,000 soldiers and 5,000 vehicles including 140 warplanes and 60 warships will conduct the massive exercises just miles from Taiwan.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is going to be a scaled back exercise .... Russia sharply scales back Far East war games with China (Reuters). 

Russia To Hold Sweeping Joint War Games With China  

Russia to hold sweeping joint war games with China, others -- AP  

Foreign Forces Arrive for Military Drills in Eastern Russia -- AFP  

Russia to hold joint exercises with China -- DW  

Russia to host war games with China as West joins in Exercise Pitch Black -- UPI

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Ukraine Says It Has Started Its Counter-Offensive To Retake Russian-Held Kherson Region

Ukrainian servicemen fire a self-propelled AHS Krab howitzer in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on August 23, 2022 [Ammar Awad/Reuters]  

Daily Mail: Ukraine 'breaks through Russian lines and forces separatists to retreat from one region' as Kyiv's forces begin counter-offensive in Kherson 

* Ukraine has started a counter-offensive in the captured Kherson region 

* Recent strikes on Russia's logistical routes have 'weakened the enemy' 

* Russia rapidly captured swathes of Ukraine's south near the Black Sea coast 

Ukraine claims it has broken through Russian lines in a major new counter-offensive in the south as Kyiv forces go on the attack against the invading troops. 

The 'Kakhova' Ukrainian military group said it had seen 'the retreat' of pro-Russian separatist fighters from their positions in Kherson. 

Russian forces seized Kherson on March 3, the first major city to fall following Putin's barbaric invasion.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The U.S. is saying that Ukraine is shaping the battlefield .... Ukrainian forces begin 'shaping' battlefield for counteroffensive, senior US officials say (CNN). 

 Ukraine Says It Has Started Its Counter-Offensive To Retake Russian-Held Kherson Region 

Live: Ukraine begins Kherson counter-offensive -- France 24 

Russia-Ukraine war live: Ukrainian troops begin counter-offensive in south, says military command -- The Guardian  

Russia-Ukraine updates: Kyiv begins counter-offensive in southern Kherson -- DW 

Ukraine says it has begun counter-offensive to retake Russian-held south -- Reuters  

Kherson: Ukraine claims new push in Russian-held region -- BBC  

Ukraine says it has launched a long-awaited offensive to retake the Russian-held south -- NBC  

Ukraine launches counter-offensive to retake Kherson from Russia -- Ukraine Today/The Telegraph  

Ukraine says its troops are counter attacking Russian lines to south -- Politico  

Ukraine begins counter-offensive to retake Russian-held south -- RTE  

Ukraine launches counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied Kherson -- Axios

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Artemis 1 Moon Launch Is Scrubbed After NASA Engineers Discover Leak In Engine

 

Daily Mail: One giant step backwards! Artemis 1 moon launch is scrubbed after NASA engineers discover a leak in engine 3 that was not tested in its last dress rehearsal - postponing second-attempt at lift-off until September 2 

* NASA scrubbed the Artemis I mission at 8:35am ET due to a leaking engine on the $22.2B rocket 

* The issue was not tested in the last dress rehearsal, so engineers need more time to formulate a fix 

* NASA is now eyeing Friday, September 2 at 12:48pm ET for the second attempt of the Artemis I launch 

* The Artemis I mission is a vital first step if US space agency is to land humans on the moon in three years' time 

* It has been 50 years since people last walked on the lunar surface, when Apollo 17 landed in December 1972 

NASA was forced to postpone its highly anticipated Artemis I mission Monday following a leak in engine 3 that was not detected in the last wet dress rehearsal due to testing being cut short because of a separate hydrogen leak. 

The issue was identified around 7:30am ET and the launch was officially scrubbed at 8:35am ET. Now the hundreds of thousands of people who attended the event are heading home without seeing the first stage of the epic moon mission kick off. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I always follow each country's space programs closely. This is a disappointment. The next attempt will happen on September 2.

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Is A Major Covid Relapse About To Hit The World?

David Axe, Daily Beast: How a Major COVID Relapse Could Soon Hit America—and the World 

Federal COVID funding is beginning to run out in the U.S. As the once extensive government investment in vaccines, therapies and testing vanishes, epidemiologists are bracing for a major shakeup in—some would say collapse of—critical efforts to contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

Vaccine initiatives could suffer the biggest blow. With the impending end of government funding, Americans would have to start paying for their own COVID shots—a disincentive that could further suppress the country’s middling vaccination uptake, currently plateaued at 67 percent “fully” vaccinated, usually with two doses of a messenger-RNA vaccine. 

Another likely victim is COVAX, the international vaccine consortium that buys jabs for poorer countries. COVAX has been struggling even before the coming squeeze on U.S. funding. Now an existing shortfall in doses is set to get a lot worse.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: If a Covid variant pops-up in the coming months that puts us back to where we were two years ago, the political/economic/and social blow-back is going to be enormous.

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Picture Of The Day

Page twelve of the redacted version of an affidavit from the U.S. Justice Department submitted to a federal judge to support the execution of a search warrant by the FBI at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is shown with all text on the page entirely redacted after the affidavit was released by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. U.S. Department of Justice/Handout via REUTERS  

WNU Editor: The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... Top Photos of the Day (Reuters).

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Pledges To Support Ukraine "For As Long As It Takes"

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Czech Republic 

Reuters: Germany's Scholz pledges to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes" 

PRAGUE (Reuters) -Germany will keep up its support for Kyiv "for as long as it takes", Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday, calling for an enlargement of the European Union to eventually include Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. 

Faced with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Scholz urged the EU's 27 members to "close ranks, resolve old conflicts and find new solutions", setting out his vision for the future of Europe in a speech at the Charles University in Prague. 

"Our Europe is united in peace and freedom and is open to all European nations who share our values," he said. Germany had undergone a "fundamental change of heart" in recent months on its military support for Ukraine, he said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The German foreign minister said the same thing yesterday while visiting Kyiv, pledging Berlin's support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, even warning that the conflict "could go on for years" .... Russia-Ukraine updates: Berlin will back Kyiv for 'as long as necessary' (DW). Needless to say that the reaction in Russia over Germany's commitment to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, for years if necessary, is only hardening Russia's resolve in this war.

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Sunday, 28 August 2022

US Army to receive intial production of 24 Mobile Protected Firepower vehicles in Q1 of 2024

Following the announcement of the U.S. Army on June 29, 2022, that General Dynamics Land Systems was selected to provide its Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF), initial production of 24 MPFs will be delivered to the U.S. Army in the first quarter of 2024 as part of the $1.14bn contract to supply 96 vehicles. Read full Defense News at this link ...
The new General Dynamics MPF Mobile Protected Firepower for U.S. Army. (Picture source Twitter account Ronkainen)

Read More

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L3Harris from US to provide Vampire counter-drone system to Ukraine

According to information released by the United States Department of Defense on August 24, 2022, American Company L3Harris will provide its "Vampire" counter-drone system to the Ukrainian armed forces. Read full Defense News at this link ...
L3Harris Vampire counter-drone system can be easily integrated into a light tactical vehicle. (Picture source Twiter account Gregory Knowles)

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AM General to produce High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle Expanded Capacity Vehicles for US Army

According to information published by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) on August 24, 2022, American company AM General LLC, South Bend, Indiana, was awarded a $732,741,016 modification contract for the production of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle Expanded Capacity Vehicle (HMMWV ECV) variants for U.S. army. Read full Defense News at this link ...
Air National Guard members from the 219th Security Forces squadron take cover behind High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicles during an exercise at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 10, 2022. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

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Raytheon from US awarded contract to deliver NASAMS air defense missile systems to Ukraine

According to information published by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) on August 26, 2022, American company Raytheon Co., Tewksbury, Massachusetts, was awarded a $182,295,333 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine. Read full Defense News at this link ...
Launcher unit of the NASAMS air defense missile system. (Picture source Wikimedia)

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Poland officially signs order for 180 K2 tanks from South Korea

According to information on the Twitter account of the Polish Minister of Defense on August 26, 2022, Poland signs contracts with the South Korean defense industry for an amount of US$5.76 billion including the delivery of 180 K2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) with a delivery from 2022 to 2025. Read full Defense News at this link ...
Scale model of K2PL main battle tank displayed at MSPO defense exhibition in Poland, September 2021. (Picture source Army Recognition)

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Saturday, 27 August 2022

US To Name Arctic Regional Ambassador

FOX News: Biden admin creates Arctic region ambassador position to counter climate change, geopolitical threats 

The State Department said a 'peaceful' Arctic region is of 'critical strategic importance' to the United States 

The Biden administration has announced plans to establish a new ambassador-at-large position to represent the Arctic region amid growing geopolitical tensions with two other large players in the area, China and Russia. 

"To further American interests and cooperation with Allies and partners in the Arctic, and after extensive consultations with Members of Congress, local and federal government officials, and external stakeholders, the President plans to elevate the Arctic Coordinator position by appointing an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate," the State Department wrote in a press release on Friday.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Russia is spending billions in the Arctic. The US will need to do more than just making an ambassadorial post for the region.

 US To Name Arctic Regional Ambassador  

Establishing an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region -- US Department of Defense  

US upgrades Arctic engagement with new ambassadorial post -- AP  

US counters Putin in the Arctic after NATO said the North Pole is the 'shortest path' for Russian missiles to North America: Washington appoints ambassador-large to oversee region where Moscow has 13 bases and has drawn China's interest -- Daily Mail  

The iceman cometh: Biden creates an Arctic ambassador -- Politico  

U.S. To Establish Ambassador's Post For Arctic As NATO Homes In On Region's Defense -- RFE  

US to name Arctic ambassador as thawing pole heats superpower rivalry -- The Guardian/AFP  

US to name Arctic ambassador eying Russia and China -- Al Jazeera 

U.S. to appoint Arctic ambassador in sign of region's growing importance -- Axios

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Deadly Clashes Between Militias Shake Libya's Capital

 

CNN: At least 23 people dead, 140 injured in violent clashes between rival militias in Libyan capital of Tripoli  

CNN — At least 23 people have died and 140 been injured in violent clashes between rival Libyan militias across the country’s capital of Tripoli, the Libyan Ministry of Health said Saturday. 

Intense fighting erupted in the capital overnight as rival factions exchanged intense gunfire and several loud explosions resounded across the city. 

Pictures and videos circulating on social media show the extent of the clashes with dozens of buildings, including residential ones, destroyed and several cars smashed and burned. 

Libya has been split between warring factions since 2014, following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Moammar Gadhafi.  

Read more .... 

Deadly Clashes Between Militias Shake Libya's Capital  

Deadly battles erupt across Tripoli, raising fears of wider Libya war -- Reuters  

Clashes erupt in Libyan capital, amid fears of a return to civil war -- RFI  

Clashes kill 23 in Libya's capital sparking fears of new armed conflict -- ABC News Australia  

Libya: Deadly clashes shake Tripoli as political crisis deepens, sparks fears of new war -- Middle East Eye

Deadly clashes between rival armed groups erupt in Libyan capital -- Al Jazeera

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President Biden Plans On Giving A “Name ” To the U.S. Military Assistance Mission In Ukraine And Making It A Separate Command With Its Own General

Responsible Statecraft: Biden to name a US military operation for Ukraine 

Amid the news about the admin’s multi-year weapons investment, a general will be appointed for a separate command, too. Two things that point to the notion that Washington is supporting a long war in Ukraine, and truly doesn’t think there will be a diplomatic solution or cessation of violence there anytime soon: one, the $3 billion in recently announced military transfers is a “multi-year military investment” including weapons that won’t be available via defense contractors for at least three years. 

Secondly, a little nugget dropped on us Wednesday night: Biden plans on “naming ” the U.S. military assistance mission in Ukraine and making it a separate command with its own general. You know, like Operation Desert Storm, Operation Gothic Serpent, Operation Uphold Democracy, or Operation Unified Protector. We can expect the name, when it comes, will be heavy on the righteous benefactor angle, softer on the sword. But it is nevertheless a military operation, and that carries with it some practical, and serious implications. From WSJ: 

Read more .... 

 WNU Editor: The US is signaling to everyone that the Ukraine war is going to be a long one.

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Russia - Ukraine War: Military Summary And Analysis For 27.08.2022

 

WNU Editor: Russia continues to grind down Ukraine forces in the Donbas.

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Friday, 26 August 2022

Bulgaria Signals It Wants To Buy Russian Natural Gas Again

Bulgaria says talks needed to resume Russian gas supplies. Reuters 

 Insider: Bulgaria's return to Russian gas supply talks is 'inevitable' amid steep shortages, energy chief says 

* A return to Russian gas supply talks is "inevitable," Bulgaria's energy chief said on Monday. 

* "Given the demands of business and the trade unions, in reality, talks with Gazprom to renew supplies are inevitable," he said. 

Bulgaria's energy minister Rossen Hristov said the country would likely go back to talks with Russia on resuming gas deliveries from state-run energy supplier Gazprom. 

Gazprom provided 90% of Bulgaria's natural gas until April, when it cut supplies after Bulgaria refused to pay in rubles. "Given the demands of business and the trade unions, in reality, talks with Gazprom to renew supplies are inevitable," Energy Minister Rossen Hristov said at a press event, according to Reuters.

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There is a lot of opposition to this resumption of talks with Russia .... Thousands of Bulgarians protest against Russian gas dependence (Euractiv). 

Bulgaria Signals It Wants To Buy Russian Natural Gas Again  

Bulgaria says talks to resume Russian gas supplies are 'inevitable' -- Euronews/Reuters  

The Bulgarian State and Lukoil are Negotiating on Making Gasoline Cheaper -- Novinite

Bulgaria risks a relapse into its addiction to Russia’s Gazprom -- Politico  

EU nation wants to resume buying Russian gas -- RT

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Can The U.S. Military Fix Its Recruiting Problem?

Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general and chief of engineers, enlists future soldiers in a public enlistment ceremony as their families and friends watched as part of the city of Torrance Armed Forces Day celebration. (Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Flickr)  

Brad Howard, CNBC: Why the U.S. military faces a growing recruiting crisis 

The U.S. military faces a growing recruiting shortfall — one so large that legislators are getting concerned.

“The Army has to recognize that there’s been an evolution in that young population,” said U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif, chair of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. “And if you’re going to target that young population for service, you’ve got to make it appealing to them.” 

Of all the military branches, the U.S. Army is running into the most difficulty this fiscal year in bringing in recruits. The other services should manage to hit their goals, according to Stars and Stripes, but underlying issues continue to make recruiting a difficult endeavor.  

Read more .... 

Can The U.S. Military Fix Its Recruiting Problem? 

Every branch of the military is struggling to make its 2022 recruiting goals, officials say -- NBC News  

Lawmakers press Pentagon for answers as military recruiting crisis deepens -- Politico  

The Recruitment Problem the Military Doesn’t Want to Talk About -- The American Conservative  

Too Few, Not Proud Enough -- National Review editorial  

The US Military is Missing its Enlistment Goals: Could Foreigners be the Solution? -- SOFREP

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President Biden’s Approval Rating Rose To 44 Percent During The Month Of august

The Hill: Biden sees highest approval in a year in latest Gallup poll  

President Biden’s approval rating rose to 44 percent during the month of August in a new Gallup poll, the latest sign of the president recovering some ground amid a series of legislative wins and a steady decline in gasoline prices. 

According to the Gallup poll out Thursday, 44 percent of U.S. adults approve of Biden’s handling of his job as president, a clear improvement after his presidential approval rating hit a record low of 38 percent in July.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Rising support from independents is helping the President. Gallup's numbers are here .... Biden's Job Rating Rises to 44%, Highest in a Year (Gallup). 

As to what is my take. 

The mid-terms are only 10 weeks away. We will know more then on what is the mood of the American voter.

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Belarusian President Lukashenko Says Country's Warplanes Can Now Carry Nuclear Weapons

Belarus's authoritarian ruler, Alexander Lukashenko, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on June 25, when Putin said Moscow would supply Belarus with Iskander-M missile systems  

Daily Mail: Belarus dictator Lukashenko says his warplanes have been modified to carry NUKES and 'targets have been selected' if the US and the West 'provoke' him 

* Belarusian President says country's warplanes can now carry nuclear weapons 

* He said the aircraft modification followed meeting with Vladimir Putin in June 

* He warned 'targets have been selected' for retaliation if West provokes Belarus 

* Belarus is as close ally of Russia and has been used as a base for Ukraine invasion

Belarus's warplanes have been upgraded to carry nuclear weapons, the country's authoritarian leader President Alexander Lukashenko has said, adding it has 'selected targets' in the West if provoked. 

President Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, warned the US and its allies against carrying out a 'provocation' against Belarus. 

He said the aircraft modification followed his meeting with Putin in June, when he offered to make Belarusian combat aircraft nuclear-capable at Russian factories and to help train pilots.  

Read more .... 

Belarusian President Lukashenko Says Country's Warplanes Can Now Carry Nuclear Weapons  

Belarus leader says his warplanes have been modified to carry nuclear weapons -- Reuters  

Leader says Belarusian warplanes made ready to carry nukes -- AP  

Lukashenka Says Belarusian Military Planes Ready To Carry Russian Nuclear Armament -- RFE  

Putin Boosted Belarus' Ability to Carry Nuclear Weapons, Lukashenko Says -- Newsweek  

Lukashenko says Belarus warplanes modified to carry nuclear arms -- Al Jazeera

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Is The Russia - Ukraine War At A Turning Point?

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 

The New Voice of Ukraine: War at a turning point, Ukrainian military intelligence chief says 

According to Budanov, the Russians are starting to realize their army isn’t as mighty as they thought – and the same goes for their air defenses. They are beginning to accept that they won’t be able to hold on to occupied Ukrainian lands, he believes. 

“Payback’s due,” the spy chief said, adding that the Russian army “isn’t the second best in the world, not even the fourth one.” 

“The tide is turning against them,” he added.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I do not share Kyrylo Budanov's optimism. What I see is a slow grind where Russia and its allies are taking their time to seize territory, and Ukraine, without air support/limited logistics/and shortages in arms being limited to mount any significant counter-offensive.

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Is French President Macron A Friend Of The U.K.?

 

Daily Mail: Emmanuel Macron swipes back at Liz Truss for ‘losing her bearings’ after Tory leadership favourite said ‘jury is out’ on French President - but Boris insists he is a 'tres bon buddy' of UK 

* Liz Truss faces backlash after refusing to say Emmanuel Macron is 'friend' of UK 

* Foreign Secretary tells Tory members 'the jury's out' on French President 

* She vows to 'judge him on deeds not words' if she becomes new PM next month 

* Mr Macron swipes back: 'It’s never a good idea to lose your bearings in life' 

Emmanuel Macron today swiped back at Liz Truss after the Tory leadership favourite refused to say whether the French President was a 'friend' of Britain. 

The Foreign Secretary set up a fresh diplomatic spat across the Channel when - speaking to Tory members in Norwich last night - she claimed 'the jury's out' on Mr Macron. 

Ms Truss, who is widely expected to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister next month, also vowed to judge the French leader on 'deeds not words' if she enters Downing Street.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: UK PM Johnson is wading in .... Boris Johnson calls Macron 'très bon buddy' of UK after Truss comments (The Guardian).

 Is French President Macron A Friend Of The U.K.?  

Macron says UK and France face problems if leaders unsure over friendship -- BBC 

‘Serious problem’ if France and UK can’t tell if they’re friends or enemies, says Macron -- The Guardian  

Emmanuel Macron responds after Liz Truss says 'jury is out' on whether he is 'friend or foe' - as PM calls French president a 'tres bon buddy' -- SKY News  

Macron says UK is a friend of France, ‘sometimes in spite of its leaders’ -- France 24  

Tory leadership: Truss criticised for Macron 'jury is out' remark -- BBC

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NATO Secrets Revealed In Latest Data Breach Of Classified Military Documents From MBDA Missile Systems

MBDA Missile Systems is one of the largest weapons makers in the world  

BBC: Nato investigates hacker sale of missile firm data 

Nato is assessing the impact of a data breach of classified military documents being sold by a hacker group online. 

The data includes blueprints of weapons being used by Nato allies in the Ukraine conflict. 

Criminal hackers are selling the dossiers after stealing data linked to a major European weapons maker. MBDA Missile Systems admitted its data was among the stash but claimed none of the classified files belong to the firm. 

The pan-European company, which is headquartered in France, said its information was hacked from a compromised external hard drive, adding that it was cooperating with authorities in Italy, where the data breach took place. 

 It is understood investigations are centred around one of MBDA's suppliers.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Major scandal: How "NATO secret" was revealed (B92)  

Update #2: Hackers sell NATO secrets – BBC (RT)  

WNU Editor: This is embarrassing. MBDA was only refuting hacking claims only a few weeks ago .... Missile Maker MBDA Refutes Hacking Allegations (Info Security).

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