USA
The chiefs of both U.S. Africa Command (Africom) and U.S. Central Command (Centcom) will brief the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday to discuss U.S. military activities in Africa and the Middle East. Two members of that committee introduced a bill last week that would curtail the Pentagon’s ability to reduce troop numbers in the Africom theater, as Foreign Policy’s Robbie Gramer reported on March 4...
Middle East SAM Discovery Highlights F-35’S Evolving Role
As a series of Block 4 upgrades are set to elevate the Lockheed Martin F-35’s profile for the counter air-defense mission, a top program official shared an operational anecdote highlighting the aircraft’s latent capability against surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.
Twelve F-35As deployed last year to the Middle East to support operations against the Islamic State group (ISIS), logging 150 weapons employed during about 7,300 hr. flown on 1,300 combat sorties, said Brig. Gen. David Abba, director of the Air Force’s F-35 integration office, speaking at the Mitchell Institute March 9. “The numbers were pretty remarkable,” Abba said.
Although ISIS forces posed little threat to the F-35A, the deployment provided opportunities for the stealthy fighter to demonstrate capabilities against a more sophisticated opponent.
Abba described an operational scenario that involved a mobile SAM system. The U.S. intelligence community normally tracks the locations of such systems as closely as possible, but in this case the mobile SAM had not been seen “in a while,” he said.
Meanwhile, two F-35As were en route to perform an unrelated mission when an indication of the missing, mobile SAM appeared on their cockpit displays, Abba said. The inference was that the F-35’s onboard sensors, such as the BAE Systems ASQ-239 electronic-warfare suite, detected and identified the threat. The pilots used the data to cue the radar-mapping mode of the F-35’s Northrop Grumman APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar to establish “targetable” coordinates for the SAM...
New Bill Would Protect Journalists From Being Prosecuted For Publishing Classified Information
ALMOST A YEAR after the Trump administration unsealed an indictment against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, two progressive members of Congress are trying to prevent a World War I-era secrecy law from being used to investigate and prosecute journalists for publishing classified information. The legislation to amend the 1917 Espionage Act was introduced by Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden in the Senate and California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna in the House of Representatives. Wyden and Khanna told The Intercept they crafted the legislation to preserve the government’s need for secrecy while strengthening protections for members of the press and expanding legal channels for government whistleblowers.... “What my bill does is refocus the Espionage Act to the core issue, which is ensuring that the more than four million government employees and contractors with a security clearance don’t violate their oaths by divulging government secrets.”... The Wyden-Khanna bill would narrow the scope of the law to primarily target offenders with current or expired security clearances, as well as any agents of a foreign government to whom they may pass information. Members of the press or the public could be prosecuted if they committed a separate crime in the course of obtaining the information, but not for soliciting information or for “speech activity” like publishing...
Document Likely Shows SM-6 Hypersonic Speed, Anti-Surface Role
A U.S. Navy document that cryptically describes a versatile and powerful new missile likely offers the first confirmation of the hypersonic speed and newly acquired, antisurface-warfare role for the Raytheon SM-6 Block 1B.
The terse reference in a written submission by Navy officials to the House Armed Services Committee on March 11 also likely offers the first proof that the SM-6 Block 1B remains in development, even after the Navy scrubbed all references to the project in the latest round of fiscal 2021 budget documents...
AFRICA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ASIA
Turkey says U.S. offering Patriot missiles if S-400 not operated
Tuvan Gumrukcu
ANKARA (Reuters) - The United States has offered to sell Turkey its Patriot missile defense system if Ankara promises not to operate a rival Russian system, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said, in what he called a significant softening in Washington’s position.
FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin (not pictured) following their talks in Moscow, Russia March 5, 2020. Pavel Golovkin/Pool via REUTERS
Two Turkish officials told Reuters that Turkey was evaluating the U.S. offer but that Ankara had not changed its plans for the Russian S-400 systems, which it has said it will start to activate next month.
In Washington, the Pentagon said that U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper had not changed his position on the issue, which was: “Turkey is not going to receive a Patriot battery unless it returns the S-400.”
NATO allies Turkey and the United States have been at odds over Ankara’s purchase last year of the S-400s, which Washington says are incompatible with the alliance’s defense systems...
EUROPE
Police issue terror warning after arrests hit two-year high after London Bridge attack
Police have issued a terror alert to the public to avoid complacency after arrests for terrorist offences hit a two-year high. The number of arrests in the last quarter of 2019 jumped to 80, a 33 per cent increase on the previous quarter, and the highest number since 2017, according to Home Office figures. “As we have seen in the last few months, attacks can happen anywhere and at any time without warning,” ...“With 3,000 or so subjects of interest currently on our radar and more convicted terrorists soon due to be released from prison, we simply cannot watch all of them, all the time. “When my colleagues and I tell you that ‘Communities defeat terrorism’ it is not just a catchphrase. We know from experience that public information and action helps save lives and leads to the significant arrests detailed in these statistics...
LATIN/SOUTH AMERICA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
AFGHANISTAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
CHINA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAN
Iran Says Tens Of Thousands Of Prisoners Released Because Of Coronavirus Fears
Iranian authorities have released about 70,000 prisoners because of the new coronavirus outbreak in the country, judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said, as Iran reported 43 new deaths from the disease in the past 24 hours. "The release of the prisoners, to the point where it doesn't create insecurity in society...will continue," Raisi said on March 9, according to Mizan, the news site of the judiciary. It was not immediately clear if or when the released inmates would need to return to jail...
IRAQ
U.S. wages retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq
Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States waged a series of precision air strikes on Thursday against an Iran-backed militia in Iraq that it blamed for a major rocket attack a day earlier that killed two American troops and a 26-year-old British soldier.
The U.S. strikes appeared limited in scope and narrowly tailored, targeting five weapons storage facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah militants, including stores of weaponry for past attacks on U.S.-led coalition troops, the Pentagon said.
In a statement, Iraq’s military said the U.S. air strikes hit four locations in Iraq that housed formal Iraqi police and military units, in addition to the paramilitary groups.
Three Iraqi army soldiers were killed and four wounded, police in Babel province said in a statement. Five paramilitary fighters and one policeman were also injured, they said, adding that the fate of two more policemen was unknown.
One strike hit an Iraqi civilian airport under construction in the holy Shi’ite Muslim city of Kerbala and killed a worker, Iraqi religious authorities said on Friday...
ISRAEL
How Israel's Annexation Strategy Will Prompt a Partnership Pivot
Ryan Bohl Middle East and North Africa Analyst, Stratfor Mar 9, 2020
HIGHLIGHTS
- Over the next decade, Israel will likely annex large parts of the West Bank, leaving the Palestinians without a viable option for an independent state.
- Liberal and left-leaning parties in the United States and Europe will push back against Israel's annexation strategy as they eventually come to power through electoral turnover.
- To offset the potential impact, Israel will build out relations with countries that are less likely to experience cyclical political change, like Russia, China, India and the Gulf Arab states, while at the same time building up ties to centrist and right-wing governments worldwide.
Over the next decade, Israel will pivot away from its close, pro-Western footing to a more independent one as its traditional allies pressure it to change its West Bank strategy. By the end of the 2020s, right-wing politics will gain the upper hand in Israel, expanding its annexationist trend in the Palestinian territories. But a territorially expanded Israel will not always find supportive allies in the United States and Europe, and its Western allies are likely to pressure Israel to reverse its West Bank strategy...
Palestinians slam Israeli road plan that would cut off West Bank
Palestinian leaders have slammed the Israeli defence ministry's approval of planning for a road that would separate Palestinians and Israeli commuters east of Jerusalem, a highly controversial move meant to help advance an illegal settlement plan in the strategically sensitive E1 region. Israeli Caretaker Defence Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday the "sovereignty road" would allow Israel to continue building in the highly controversial area between Jerusalem and a settlement bloc directly to the east of the disputed city.
KOREAN PENINSULA
North Korea’s Illicit Cyber Operations: What Can Be Done?
BY: STEPHANIE KLEINE-AHLBRANDT FEBRUARY 28, 2020
COMMENTARY
It should surprise no one that the DPRK is a sophisticated cyber actor. Over the past several years, Kim Jong Un’s regime has earned up to $2 billion through illicit cyber operations, providing North Korea with a significant cushion against the effects of international sanctions imposed on it and the efforts to leverage sanctions to generate greater pressure on Pyongyang to reach an acceptable agreement on denuclearization. The proportion of revenue generated by the DPRK through cyber operations has grown in relation to income generated through other illicit activities and its ability to adapt and move into areas such as cryptocurrency and the cybercrime underground make attacks harder to prevent and trace. This essay puts forward recommendations to achieve greater success in curbing this activity. The Appendix provides a historical overview of the North’s illicit cyber operations and a description of the various methods Pyongyang has used to continually improve its cyber capabilities to generate revenue in evasion of sanctions.
Background
The DPRK’s advanced capabilities are consistent with the country’s national objectives, state organizations and military strategy. Given the relative weakness of its conventional military, the ability to carry out asymmetric and irregular operations is key to the North’s strategic objectives. The low cost of entry and high yield, the difficulties in attribution, a lack of effective deterrents, and the international community’s high level of monitoring traditional weapons capabilities—such as nuclear weapons—also make cyber capabilities a natural regime focus.
Furthermore, cybercrime is a logical extension of the country’s reliance on activities to evade sanctions such as counterfeiting, smuggling of precious metal, gems and cash, arms trading, gambling and illegal shipping operations. As a consistent innovator in sanctions evasion, it would have been surprising if the DPRK didn’t take advantage of the vulnerabilities inherent in cyberspace, including the anonymity it provides, to generate illicit income. North Korean cyber actors have committed dozens of cyber attacks targeting financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges in at least 17 countries. The United Nations Panel of Experts stated in its 2019 midterm report that these actors raise money for the country’s weapons of mass destruction programs and that the increasing scale, capacity and sophistication of attacks show the DPRK’s ability to continually adapt and develop its capabilities.
It is also worth keeping in mind that the new strategic domain of cyber is not just a question of financial crimes but also speaks to a larger set of DPRK strategic assets. These assets are applicable to cyber espionage, disruptive attacks in the United States and its allies, and the use of the internet to access prohibited knowledge and skills enabling the development of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs...
N. Korea Fires Weapons After Threatening 'Momentous' Action
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired three short-range projectiles off its east coast on Monday, South Korea’s military said, two days after the North threatened to take “momentous” action to protest outside condemnation over its earlier live-fire exercises.
Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the multiple kinds of projectiles fired from the eastern coastal town of Sondok flew as far as 200 kilometers (125 miles) at a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers (30 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
A JCS statement said South Korea expressed “strong regret” over the launches that it said violate a past inter-Korean agreement aimed at lowering military animosities. South Korea’s national security director, defense minister and spy chief held an emergency video conference and agreed the North Korean action were not helpful to efforts to establish a peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to South Korea’s presidential Blue House.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said North Korea fired suspected ballistic missiles. He said the multiple North Korean projectiles traveled 100 to 200 kilometers (62 to 125 miles) but none landed inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
“North Korea’s latest action, on top of its repeated firings of ballistic missiles, is a serious threat to the peace and safety of Japan and … a grave problem for the entire international society,” Suga said.
In the past 10 days, North Korea has said leader Kim Jong Un supervised two rounds of live-fire artillery exercises in its first weapons tests since late November. Kim had entered the new year with a vow to bolster his nuclear deterrent and not to be bound by a major weapons test moratorium amid a deadlock in a U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at convincing Kim to abandon his nuclear program in return for economic and political benefits...
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
MIDDLE EAST GENERAL
Saudi Palace intrigue. In addition to market shocks, there was also palace drama in Riyadh over the weekend. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, accused senior royals of a coup plot and arrested Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al Saud, a brother of Saudi King Salman, and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the king’s nephew. Bin Nayef’s younger brother was also detained along with as many as 20 others. The move was seen as a warning to anyone within the royal family who dares to criticize MBS’s rule...
CYBER ISSUES
Security alert: Millions of cars vulnerable to key cloning
Cars probably aren’t the first things you think of when you hear the words “vulnerable devices.” But despite how they look and run, many cars actually come with multiple digital components. ... According to new research from the University of Birmingham and KU Leuven in Belgium, millions of cars with radio-enabled key fobs were discovered to be at risk for unauthorized key cloning. The results of the study revealed cars made by Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and Tesla have a significant encryption flaw hackers can exploit with a simple RFID transmitter. When configured properly, it can copy the signal produced by the key fobs, which hackers could then use to unlock a victim’s car. The report’s complete list includes a range of model years from 2009 to 2017. The report emphasizes this list is not exhaustive, meaning there could be more cars with the issue that have not been detected...
My car was in a hit-and-run. Then I learned it recorded the whole thing.
The car is becoming a sentry, a chaperone, and a snitch
Geoffrey A. Fowler Technology columnist Feb. 27, 2020
My parked car got gashed in a hit-and-run two weeks ago. I found a star witness: the car itself.
Like mine, your car might have cameras. At least one rearview camera has been required on new American cars since 2018. I drive a Tesla Model 3 that has eight lenses pointing in every direction, which it uses for backing up, parking and cruise control. A year ago, Tesla updated its software to also turn its cameras into a 360-degree video recorder. Even when the car is off.
All those digital eyes captured my culprit — a swerving city bus — in remarkable detail.
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk calls this function Sentry Mode. I also call it Chaperone Mode and Snitch Mode. I’ve been writing recently about how we don’t drive cars, we drive computers. But this experience opened my eyes.
I love that my car recorded a hit-and-run on my behalf. Yet I’m scared we’re not ready for the ways cameras pointed inside and outside vehicles will change the open road — just like the cameras we’re adding to doorbells are changing our neighborhoods.
It’s not just crashes that will be different. Once governments, companies and parents get their hands on car video, it could become evidence, an insurance liability and even a form of control. Just imagine how it will change teenage romance. It could be the end of the idea that cars are private spaces to peace out and get away — an American symbol of independence...
INTEL GENERAL
New US Counterintelligence Strategy Has 5 Objectives
By William Tucker Columnist, In Homeland Security
Earlier this month, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) released The National Counterintelligence Strategy of the United States of America 2020-2022. The document focuses on U.S. counterintelligence activities or threats that have evolved or arisen since the last strategy document was released in 2016.
Over the past four years, the intelligence threat picture has changed to include aggressive disinformation campaigns by U.S. adversaries and a plethora of leakers who disregard their oaths and release sensitive information to satisfy a personal ideological viewpoint.
Strategy Aims to Fill Newly Recognized Gaps and Calls for New Government Approach
Hostile foreign intelligence services are attacking the U.S. economy and seeking to undermine the U.S. political environment. In some instances, hostile foreign intelligence services are attacking the U.S. economy and seeking to undermine the U.S. political environment.
In a news release, NCSC Director William Evanina said, “with the private sector and democratic institutions increasingly under attack, this is no longer a problem the U.S. Government can address alone. It requires a whole-of-society response involving the private sector, an informed American public, as well as our allies.”
Five Strategic Objectives in 2020-2022 Strategy
The new NCSC strategy will continue traditional counterintelligence efforts, having identified five new strategic objectives because of the threat to these areas. They are:
- Protect the nation’s critical infrastructure from foreign intelligence entities seeking to exploit or disrupt national critical functions.
- Reduce threats to key U.S. supply chains to prevent foreign attempts to compromise the integrity, trustworthiness, and authenticity of products and services purchased and integrated into the operations of the U.S. Government, the defense industrial base, and the private sector.
- Counter the exploitation of the U.S. economy to protect our competitive advantage in world markets and our economic prosperity and security.
- Defend American democracy against foreign influence threats to protect America’s democratic institutions and processes and preserve our culture of openness.
- Counter foreign intelligence cyber and technical operations that are harmful to U.S. interests.
These endeavors have been long been known, but the U.S. has not published a comprehensive strate
TERRORISM
The Right-Wing Extremist Threat in Context: Internal Extremist Actors
Scott Stewart VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor Mar 10, 2020
HIGHLIGHTS
- Insiders have an advantage over outsiders when planning an attack on a company or organization due to their intimate knowledge of security measures, policies and procedures.
- But insiders also have a disadvantage in that their co-workers have more contact with them, and can note as they progress through the attack cycle or along the pathway to violence.
- Educating employees about warning signs and preparatory activities can empower them to help detect and report them...
...This week, I turn my attention to the threat posed by right-wing extremists who are insiders. Just for clarification, I am not talking about the reputational threat to a company or organization when they are found to be employing someone who holds radical or extremist beliefs. For example, an employee of the State Department's Bureau of Energy Resources was suspended after it became known that he was affiliated with the white supremacist movement, and was a prolific poster in online forums. Despite his rhetoric, however, there is no indication that he was planning or preparing for an attack.
Instead, I want to discuss the threat posed by right-wing extremists who are planning to conduct an act of political violence predicated on their radical beliefs, that is, to commit domestic terrorism. For example, an active-duty U.S. Coast Guard officer was sentenced in January to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and gun charges. Investigators found that the officer was a long-time skinhead who promoted violence against minorities and "enemies" of the white race. They also uncovered that he had conducted internet searches that demonstrated he was researching potential targets, including media personalities and current and former elected officials...
MISC
Why Saudi Arabia's Oil Price War May Backfire
Mar 10, 2020
The Big Picture
- Saudi Arabia is offering aggressive discounting on its oil exports and planning to sharply increase volumes in April in the wake of its failure to agree with Russia on a path forward for OPEC+ production restraint. This move will damage the finances of oil exporters lacking diversified economies, but it is not likely that either the Saudis or the Russians will capitulate in the next few months. The result will be rapidly rising oil inventories and weak prices.
After Russia refused last week to accept OPEC's proposal to cut oil production by 1.5 million barrels per day to prop up oil prices, Saudi Aramco announced on March 7 that it would lower its April pricing differentials by $4-$6 to Asia and $7 to the United States. The move took Asian differentials from premiums to steep discounts and Saudi Arabia strongly hinted at a substantial production increase, which Saudi Aramco sources confirmed to media outlets on March 8 without attaching specific numbers. The development, in turn, produced a shock to financial markets, with Brent crude oil down to $35 per barrel in late trading on March 9.
Why It Matters
The Saudi move is a declaration of a full-blown price war, which most observers did not foresee on March 6 when talks between OPEC and its nonmember partners fell apart, given that it would blow up the Saudi budget deficit, as well as the fact that Russia, even unconstrained by OPEC+ commitments, has limited potential to raise production quickly in 2020. It takes a situation in which the world oil market had been hit by a demand shock (shutdowns and other disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak has sharply reduced the demand for oil) amid a modest slowdown in economic growth and added a supply shock of an unknown but potentially massive quantity. As a result, inventories will be building much more rapidly, though price drops are somewhat mitigated in the short-term by the availability of storage. But an extended COVID-19 crisis could easily force prices down to levels below where they were in 2015-2016. An extended price collapse into the $20s-$30s range, which is now likely for at least the next several months and perhaps much longer, will have broad knock-on effects on other markets. Other than energy equities, the worst impacts will be on sovereign finances of oil exporters with less-diversified economies and low sovereign reserves. In particular, Iran and Venezuela will suffer the most, as both have already been forced to sharply discount their sales to find buyers amid U.S. sanctions...
Scientists identify rain of molten iron on distant exoplanet
Hannah DevlinWed 11 Mar 2020 12.00 EDT
Conditions on Wasp-76b in Pisces include temperatures of 2,400C and 10,000mph winds
Wasp-76b is what astronomers call an exoplanet, one that orbits a star outside our solar system. Scientists have discovered that the local weather conditions include 2,400C temperatures, winds in excess of 10,000mph and a steady pelting of iron rain.
The observations of the distant planet’s unusually hostile climate are the first results from a new instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Chile, which astronomers say will transform our view of worlds far from beyond our own solar system.
Wasp-76b, which is 640 light years away in the constellation of Pisces, is an ultra-hot gas giant. It orbits its star at about 3% of the distance between the Earth and the Sun, resulting in scorching surface temperatures and the weird phenomenon of molten iron falling from the sky.
“It’s a kind of world we can’t imagine easily because we don’t have anything like that in our solar system,” said Christophe Lovis, an exoplanet researcher at the University of Geneva and co-author of the paper.
Because the planet is so close in, it is “tidally locked” (like the Moon’s orbit about Earth) and only only ever shows one face, its day side, to..,
Monday, March 16, 2020
What's going on in the World Today 200316
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Sunday, March 15, 2020
I do feel their pain...
The nation is pole vaulting over a tick turd, and they are having to deal with everyone telling them they are wrong.
As we have come to the latest crisis of the month, everyone is screaming "We gonna die..." etc, time for some amusement. A complaint from many cops, whenever the latest police issue is in the news, Facebook experts and YouTube specialists come out and tell law enforcement how to do their job. Or not do it, but no ideas how to do it.
Well, not the docs and medics have to deal with that crap. Stolen from a friend's Facebook page.
As we have come to the latest crisis of the month, everyone is screaming "We gonna die..." etc, time for some amusement. A complaint from many cops, whenever the latest police issue is in the news, Facebook experts and YouTube specialists come out and tell law enforcement how to do their job. Or not do it, but no ideas how to do it.
Well, not the docs and medics have to deal with that crap. Stolen from a friend's Facebook page.
Friday, March 13, 2020
Officer Down
Border Patrol Agent Robert HottenRest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government
End of Watch Sunday, October 6, 2019
Age 44
Tour 10 years
Border Patrol Agent Robert Hotten suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to locate a group of seven suspected illegal aliens in the area of Mount Washington, south of Patagonia, Arizona.
He and two other agents had gone to the area after a ground sensor was activated at 1:00 p.m. indicating that seven subjects were in the area. During the ensuing search, one of the subjects was taken into custody.
The agents began a search for Agent Hotten when he failed to respond to radio transmissions. He was found unresponsive with a head injury, possibly from falling on rocks, at approximately 4:15 p.m. Due to the remote and rugged nature of their location, they were unable to immediately move him for transport. The agents performed CPR and provided medical aid for more than two hours until he could be carried down the steep mountainside. He was flown to a hospital in Nogales where he was pronounced dead.
Agent Hotten had served with the United States Border Patrol for 10 years and was assigned to the Tucson Sector. He is survived by his wife, son, mother, brother, and sister.
Nemo me impune lacessit
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Officer Down
Detective Brian Charles MulkeenRest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch
New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch Sunday, September 29, 2019
Age 33
Tour 6 years
Badge 6981
Detective First Grade Brian Mulkeen was inadvertently shot and killed by another police officer as he attempted to arrest a subject armed with an illegal handgun.
He and his team were assigned to patrol in plainclothes around the Edenwald Houses in the Bronx. The officers were assigned to the area due to gang activity, including a recent shooting in the area.
The officers observed a suspicious male in the rear of one of the buildings. Three of the officers exited their patrol car to question the man but he fled on foot. Detective Mulkeen caught the male and attempted to take him into custody. A violent struggle ensued for control of a firearm the man was carrying. The firearm discharged five times during the struggle, prompting other officers on the scene to return fire.
Detective Mulkeen was inadvertently struck by friendly fire. He was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where he died from his wounds.
Detective Brian Mulkeen had served with the New York City Police Department for six years and was assigned to the Patrol Borough Bronx Anti-Crime Unit. He is survived by his parents, sister, and brother. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Detective First Grade.
Nemo me impune lacessit
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
And we care....why?
As the years have gone on, one fact of life I've learned is to not confuse education and intelligence. Again, many of the most intelligent, well read, capable and knowledgeable people I've met are high school graduates, or have an associates or bachelor's degree. Many a moron I've met has the term doctorate behind their name.
Now a friend put this on his Twitter page, and it's interesting.
First, seeing this is Yahoo News, let's just take it with a chunk of salt. Also, they don't list how they came up with the numbers. To be a bit more accurate, I would recommend Rating the Presidents. Granted, it came out in 1997, hopefully to be updated in the future. But they actually explain how they rank the presidents, and they went to an effort to be balanced. A total of 98 professors, half of which ID themselves as liberal, half as conservatives, using a one to five ranking in certain areas (Foreign policy, taxation, budget discipline, etc). Read it and you can judge their opinion. But I think this says it all.
Almost 60% openly call themselves Democrats, plus almost one-third call themselves "independents." Again, my experience over the years, a lot of people who call themselves "independents" are actually Democrats, or at least left of center, but don't want to call themselves that. Understandable, I would not want to call myself that either. But 12.7% of the surveyed people call themselves Republicans. Is this really a reflection of the American population. I don't think so.
Per Gallop, as of last month, the numbers are 31% Republican, 29% Democrat, and 39% independent. The survey is worthless.
Mark Twain said it well, "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics." Here is a classic example.
Now a friend put this on his Twitter page, and it's interesting.
Donald Trump ranked worst president in US history by nearly 200 political scientists
Nearly 200 of America's top political scientists have voted Donald Trump the worst president in US history.
According to the 2018 Presidents & Executive Politics Presidential Greatness Survey, Mr Trump ranks even lower than disgraced President Richard Nixon – even among conservatives. Abraham Lincoln, unsurprisingly, takes the top prize. Mr Nixon sits at 33.
The study, conducted every four years, surveys social science researchers from the American Political Science Association’s section on presidents and executive politics. It asks the experts to rank each president’s greatness on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being great, 50 being average, and 0 being a total failure.
Mr Trump averaged a score of 12.34, bumping James Buchanan – the president who saw the US descend into the Civil War – out of the bottom spot. The result comes just months after Trump finished his first year in office as the most unpopular president in modern history...
First, seeing this is Yahoo News, let's just take it with a chunk of salt. Also, they don't list how they came up with the numbers. To be a bit more accurate, I would recommend Rating the Presidents. Granted, it came out in 1997, hopefully to be updated in the future. But they actually explain how they rank the presidents, and they went to an effort to be balanced. A total of 98 professors, half of which ID themselves as liberal, half as conservatives, using a one to five ranking in certain areas (Foreign policy, taxation, budget discipline, etc). Read it and you can judge their opinion. But I think this says it all.
...Mr Trump was accompanied in the bottom five by Andrew Johnson, Franklin Pierce, William Harrison, and Mr Buchanan.
Researchers Brandon Rottinghaus, of the University of Houston, and Justin Vaughn, of Boise State University, said they surveyed 170 political science experts for the study. Of those experts, 57.2 per cent identified as Democrats, 12.7 per cent as Republicans, and 27.1 per cent as independents...
Almost 60% openly call themselves Democrats, plus almost one-third call themselves "independents." Again, my experience over the years, a lot of people who call themselves "independents" are actually Democrats, or at least left of center, but don't want to call themselves that. Understandable, I would not want to call myself that either. But 12.7% of the surveyed people call themselves Republicans. Is this really a reflection of the American population. I don't think so.
Per Gallop, as of last month, the numbers are 31% Republican, 29% Democrat, and 39% independent. The survey is worthless.
Mark Twain said it well, "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics." Here is a classic example.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
K9 Down
K9 CaneRest in Peace Cane…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!
Logan County Sheriff's Office, Ohio
End of Watch Thursday, November 14, 2019
Breed German Shepherd
Gender Male
Age 1
Tour 2 months
Cause Training accident
Incident Date Tuesday, November 12, 2019
K9 Cane died from internal injuries suffered two days earlier during a training accident in the sheriff's office parking lot.
Cane was rewarded with a ball during the training and chased it as it rolled under a trailer. As he ran toward the trailer he was unable to stop due to ice on the ground and struck the trailer. He suffered internal injuries as a result of the impact.
K9 Cane was certified for service only two months prior to his death.
In Memory of all Police Dogs
They handled themselves with beauty & grace
And who could ever forget that beautiful face
Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test
They always worked hard; and did their best
They were real champions; at work or at play
But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day
While working on the job with their partner one day
They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way
They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give
They gave up their life; so someone could live
The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say
Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way
Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze
The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees
The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall
Off in the distance they can see a waterfall
As they look over the falls; down through the creek
The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek
Far up above; in the deep blue sky
They see the birds soar high; as they fly by
They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall
Chasing each other; and just having a ball
They play all day; from morning to night
There's no more rain; just warm sunlight
Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow
Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow
The harps would play and the angels would sing
As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings
We remember that they died; in the line of duty
And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty
Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free
With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree
No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take
Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake
A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore
Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more
These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above
They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love
We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night
In loving memory of all; these very special knights
By John Quealy
Monday, March 9, 2020
Officer Down
Deputy Sheriff Sandeep Singh DhaliwalRest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch
Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Friday, September 27, 2019
Age 42
Tour 10 years
Badge 1498
Deputy Sheriff Sandeep Dhaliwal was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in the 14800 block of Willancy Court at approximately 12:45 pm.
As Deputy Dhaliwal was returning to his patrol car one of the passengers exited the vehicle and ran toward him while opening fire. Deputy Dhaliwal was struck multiple times. He was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later.
The man who shot him fled to a nearby business where he was arrested by a responding deputy. The man had been wanted since 2017 for absconding from parole.
Deputy Dhaliwal had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Nemo me impune lacessit
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
What's going on in the World Today 200309
HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL OR SUBSCRIPTION:
USA
Arrests in Four States of Racially Motivated Violent Extremists Targeting Journalists and Activists
Four racially motivated violent extremists from across the U.S. were arrested and charged today in U.S District Court in Seattle with a conspiracy to threaten and intimidate journalists and activists, the Department of Justice announced. Today’s arrests and searches by the FBI and local law enforcement are being coordinated by the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Seattle, Tampa, Houston, and Phoenix. “These defendants from across the country allegedly conspired on the internet to intimidate journalists and activists with whom they disagreed,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “This is not how America works. The Department of Justice will not tolerate this type of behavior...”
Baltimore sees more than 50 homicides so far in 2020, activists say city 'was never like this'
Only into the third month of the new year and more than 50 people have been killed in the Baltimore city area. ... At least 52 homicides were been reported throughout the city as of March 2, according to a tally by The Baltimore Sun. The major northeastern city in Maryland of more than 600,000 people is one of the most dangerous in America, according to the FBI.
A paranoid militia infiltrating Texas police is bent on rebellion, ‘ready to rise up’
A revolution-minded, conspiracy-bent militia group named the Oath Keepers is recruiting law officers in Hood County to take up arms in what the founder predicts will be a “bloody civil war” against the U.S. government. A national director of the Las Vegas-based Oath Keepers, John D. Shirley, moved to rural Hood County in 2015 and has been appointed by county commissioners as a constable, giving him both access to confidential information and a political platform to recruit more militia members.
Another cross-border tunnel found in Arizona
Pentagon's new rules for autonomous weapons, combat AI called 'ethics-washing project'
The Pentagon on Monday rolled out a sweeping set of ethical guidelines to govern the use of artificial intelligence on the battlefield, marking a major step forward in the military’s campaign to establish firm controls over 21st-century technology and ensure that humans retain control over machines. The principles, developed after 15 months of consultation with top technology industry leaders, call for the responsible use of all AI, concrete rules to trace the implementation of all systems and how they behave, and a blanket policy that says a human monitor can at all times override the AI technology. Military officials also said they will try to ensure that all AI capabilities do not develop or show “unintended bias” in how they behave or in whom they target, and the Pentagon stressed that AI will be employed only in a given situation after an explicit, well-defined purpose has been laid out and is thoroughly understood by all involved. The effort dramatically demonstrates how machine learning and vast data-crunching technologies are changing the face of modern warfare and posing ethical problems that could scarcely have been conceived just a generation ago...
AFRICA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ASIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
LATIN/SOUTH AMERICA
Some 160 Mexican City Police Officers Suspended and Disarmed
Approximately 160 police officers in the municipality of San Juan de los Lagos, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, have been disarmed and suspended from their duties on charges of suspected involvement with organized crime groups. According to the State Security Council of the state government, the measure was the result of an investigation by federal officials who determined that there might be "an infiltration"
AFGHANISTAN
U.S.-Taliban Peace Deal Under Fire
Airstrikes against Taliban forces threaten to undermine a pact that may be already coming apart.
Stefanie GlinskiMarch 4, 2020, 5:19 PM
KABUL—The fragile peace deal between the United States and the Taliban appeared to hang in the balance Wednesday as the U.S. Defense Department announced its first airstrike against Taliban forces in 11 days and bitter disagreements between the radical Islamist movement and the Afghan government, as well as internal divisions in Kabul, threatened to nullify the pact.
People throughout the nation were holding their breath, caught in a limbo between fear and hope, as new violence erupted in a country long torn by civil war. Both U.S. and Afghan officials suggested that the Taliban were violating the pact despite an unprecedented telephone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Taliban political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Tuesday, after which Trump said the two had agreed there would be “no violence...”
Afghans Wonder: Is the Peace Deal Just for Americans?
The Taliban are happily talking with Trump and standing down against U.S. troops, but they say they are "still at war" with Afghan national security forces.
Emran FerozMarch 6, 2020
There’s a grim new joke going around parts of Afghanistan: If you want to be safe from Taliban attacks, move next to a U.S. air base. “I have never seen a dead American soldier,” said Fatteh Sattar, a civil engineer from the northern province of Baghlan. “It’s Afghans killing Afghans, and I guess this will not stop so quickly.”
The Taliban, for their part, are now saying more clearly than ever that the peace deal signed Feb. 29 in Doha, Qatar, after 18 months of negotiations applies only to a truce with U.S. forces, not to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. “We signed an agreement with the Americans. But our jihad is not over,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Foreign Policy this week. “The stooges who supported the invaders during the last two decades are our enemies. This might change after additional talks but at the moment, we are still at war.”
Even before the deal in Doha was signed, skepticism among ordinary Afghans rose as they watched the elected government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani—who is currently engaged in fight for legitimacy with his election rival, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah—get left out of the negotiations between U.S. Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Skepticism changed to outright fear and terror as the Taliban launched dozens of military operations against Afghan forces in the last few days, killing both armed soldiers and civilians, according to the Afghan Ministry of Interior...
CHINA
A Chinese Destroyer Fired a Laser at a U.S. Navy Patrol Aircraft
A Chinese Navy destroyer hit a U.S. Navy maritime patrol aircraft with a laser beam, an incident the Navy characterized as “unsafe and unprofessional.” The incident happened last week but was only revealed by the U.S. Navy on Friday, February 28. The laser, invisible to the naked eye, was detected by sensors aboard the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. No one onboard the aircraft was injured...
IRAN
What Conservative Control of Iran's Parliament Foretells
Mar 5, 2020
HIGHLIGHTS
Iran's parliamentary elections on Feb. 21 produced two clear takeaways: Reformist and moderate politicians like President Hassan Rouhani currently have less power, while conservatives will hold a commanding position heading into next year's presidential election.
Regardless of the parliamentary election results, Iran was already unlikely to change its increasingly hard-line foreign policy in the short term, which is designed in part to help counter and dissuade the United States from continuing its maximum pressure campaign.
Dissatisfaction with their government and the economic impact from sanctions over the coming year could move Iranians to support a candidate who differs from the current offerings in the political establishment, like a populist conservative, for president.
Iran's parliamentary elections on Feb. 21 produced a conservative parliament that will support more hard-line policies against the United States. The new parliament will clash with the more moderate administration of President Hassan Rouhani over how tactically to manage the country's economy through the next and final year of Rouhani's term. But on a strategic level, regardless of the election results, Iran's government across the political spectrum is still aligned on the need to implement austere economic policies to help weather sanctions and to continue an aggressive foreign policy against the United States. The sanctions-burdened economy is negatively affecting the lives of Iranians; how it fares over the next year will determine the kind of conservative candidate — pragmatist, traditional, hard-line or populist — likely to win Iran's 2021 presidential election...
Iran triples stockpile of enriched uranium in breach of nuclear deal
Watchdog says country may also be storing material at three undeclared sites
Associated Press in Vienna Tue 3 Mar 2020
Iran has nearly tripled its stockpile of enriched uranium since November in violation of its deal with world powers and is refusing to answer questions about three possible undeclared nuclear sites, the UN atomic watchdog agency has said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency made the statement in a confidential report distributed to member countries that was seen by the Associated Press.
The agency said that as of 19 February, Iran’s total stockpile of low-enriched uranium amounted to 1,021kg, compared with 372kg noted in its last report on 3 November 2019...
Iran struggles to contain virus outbreak. Iran has now confirmed more than 2,300 cases of the coronavirus and at least 77 deaths. It is one of the largest outbreaks beyond China, and the high mortality rate suggests the number of cases may be higher. The virus has directly affected the government, with at least 23 members of parliament testing positive for the virus. Iran’s physical interconnectivity and its political and economic isolation pose unprecedented challenges—and U.S. secondary sanctions have hampered humanitarian trade and cut Iran off from vital medical supplies, threatening to turn a crisis into a catastrophe, Esfandyar Batmanghelidj and Abbas Kebriaeezadeh write for FP...
IRAQ
Big Ideas for NATO’s New Mission in Iraq
Sharing the burden of keeping down the Islamic State makes sense. But U.S. and NATO leaders should be coldly realistic about what European allies can do—and avoid their mistakes in Afghanistan.
David PetraeusMarch 6, 2020, 4:09 PM
Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for America’s allies to “get more involved in the Middle East,” NATO defense ministers last month agreed to “enhance” the Atlantic alliance’s training mission in Iraq. Although the parameters of NATO’s new role are still to be defined, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has indicated it may include taking on some of the tasks currently being performed by U.S. forces in support of Iraqi military units focused on preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State.
In principle, having America’s NATO allies—as well as other coalition partners from around the world—assume greater responsibility for preventing the resurgence of Islamist extremist groups in Iraq makes sense. Why, after all, should the United States shoulder the lion’s share of the burden for keeping terrorism at bay when the rest of the trans-Atlantic community is equally, if not more, threatened by it?...
ISRAEL
A Netanyahu Victory Would Be Bad News for Peace and the Rule of Law
If he leads the next government, the prime minister is likely to annex much of the West Bank and deepen attacks on judicial independence.
Dahlia ScheindlinMarch 5, 2020, 6:55 AM
In Israel, winning elections is all about who forms the next government. As the dust settles from Israel’s third election in a year, election night projections of a clear victory for the right-wing parties backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been somewhat tempered since the March 2 vote. Results now show Netanyahu’s bloc holding 58 seats, short of the 61-seat majority needed to form a coalition out 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Still, Netanyahu seems to have the upper hand. His Likud party has a three-seat lead over Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party, the closest competitor. The parties that oppose him may hold 62 seats, but they are an ideological hodgepodge ranging from the ultranationalist right-wing party of Avigdor Lieberman to the Joint List, comprising four Arab and Arab-Jewish parties. The large, centrist Blue and White and the fading Zionist left represented by the Labor Party and Meretz only amount to 40 of those 62 seats. Given the ideological incoherence of the opposition, Netanyahu could well be asked to form the next government...
KOREAN PENINSULA
North Korea launches unknown projectile, Seoul says
North Korea launched at least one unidentified projectile on Monday, just days after its leader Kim Jong Un supervised an artillery drill aimed at testing the combat readiness of some of its units.... it was not immediately clear how far the unknown projectile flew. The launch would be the first of its kind in 2020. Kim announced late last year that he was no longer obligated to comply with a self-imposed moratorium on testing nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
RUSSIA
Putin boasts about new Russian weapons, calls them defensive
Vladimir Isachenkov, The Associated Press
MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin says that Russia has developed unique offense weapons without the intention of starting a war with anyone but to maintain “strategic balance” and “strategic stability” in the world.
“We are not going to fight against anyone. We are going to create conditions so that nobody wants to fight against us,” Putin said in an interview with the state-run Tass news agency, a part of which was released Monday...
...As an example, the president mentioned new “hypersonic offensive systems” — a weapon that can fly 27 times the speed of sound that became operational late last year. He said that in the past 20 years the share of modern equipment in the Russian military has grown from 6% to 70%...
MIDDLE EAST GENERAL
Shaky truce appears to take hold in Israel-Gaza fighting
A shaky cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad appeared to be taking hold early Tuesday, ending a two-day round of violence that had threatened to disrupt next week's Israeli national elections. Musab al-Berim, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, said the cease-fire went into effect at 11:30 p.m. Monday, several hours after an earlier truce quickly unraveled. He said Egypt and U.N. mediators had negotiated the new deal, and nearly an hour later things appeared quiet on both sides. Yemen: US to stop aid in Houthi areas if rebels do not cooperate
A Cease-Fire With Russia Appears to Shrink Turkey's Influence in Syria
Mar 5, 2020 | 21:00 GMT
The Big Picture
Turkey and Russia have different strategies in Syria, and they've come up against each other in Idlib province in the country's northwest. Turkey has now faced a serious Russian-backed campaign to retake the province and is scrambling for options to preserve its influence there — and keep its entire Syria strategy from unraveling.
See The Syrian Civil War
By agreeing with Russia to enact a cease-fire in northwestern Syria starting at 12 a.m. March 6, Turkey appears willing to sacrifice significant territory held by the rebel forces it supports to ensure that violence stops as soon as possible. In doing so, Turkey is setting up Russia and Syria for their next offensive in Idlib province with no real solution in sight for refugees in the area. The deal is designed to allow the de-escalation process between Turkey on the one side and Russia, Syria and Iran on the other to begin in earnest and to reduce tensions between Turkey and Russia in Idlib...
Russia Just Tested Its Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile
Russia has tested its new Zircon hypersonic missile. Zircon is designed to attack ships at sea and targets on land at speeds of up to Mach 9, giving enemy missile defenses little time to prepare. The new missile will breathe new life into the Russian Navy, many of whose ships were built before the end of the Cold War. The test, according to Naval News, took place in the Barents Sea in January. The missile was fired from the Russian Navy frigate Admiral Gorshkov (above). The missile reportedly struck a target on land. There have reportedly been five previous tests of the missile but were likely tests of key components, such as the engine and missile body. The January test was the first all-up test of the actual hypersonic weapon...
Sudan, U.S.: Washington Lifts Sanctions on 157 Sudanese Firms
Mar 5, 2020
What Happened: According to Sudan's central bank, the United States said it was lifting sanctions to enable 157 Sudanese companies to again start conducting international business, France 24 reported March 4. Only a handful of entities who were involved in human rights violations in Darfur will now remain under U.S. sanctions.
Why It Matters: The sanctions removal — which is in line with a U.S. policy decision in 2017 to begin lifting Washington's 20-year trade embargo on Sudan — will provide some relief for the struggling Sudanese economy. By indicating Washington's commitment to normalizing ties with Sudan, the move also bodes well for further negotiation on the removal of separate U.S. sanctions related to Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which continue to severely limit the country's access to international financial institutions.
Background: The United States has been working to normalize ties with Sudan since the country overthrew its longtime authoritarian leader, President Omar al Bashir, in April. But concerns over the military's continued role in Sudan's transitional government has left Washington hesitant to do so.
CYBER ISSUES
Trump Admin. to Extract Military, Intelligence Assets from U.K. over Britain’s Huawei Deal
Tobias HoonhoutMarch 5, 2020 2:58 PM
Signs at the Huawei offices in Reading, England. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
The Trump Administration’s National Security Council launched a review this week of what military and intelligence assets will be withdrawn from Great Britain if the U.K. goes ahead with its 5G deal with Chinese telecom giant Huawei...
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. targets North Korea hacking as nuclear talks sputter
U.S. officials are engaged in an intense behind-the-scenes campaign with foreign allies to cripple North Korea’s cyberhacking and fundraising capabilities, as consensus grows in the Trump administration that nuclear talks with Pyongyang will remain stalled for the coming year. High-level personnel shifts on the North Korea policy team suggest President Trump is moving Pyongyang to the back burner, but sources familiar with the backroom diplomacy say the administration remains active and as focused as ever on undercutting the financial lifelines for the regime of Kim Jong-un.
INTEL GENERAL
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
TERRORISM
The Right-Wing Extremist Threat in Context: External Extremist Actors
Scott Stewart VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor, Mar 3, 2020
HIGHLIGHTS
-Due to a long history of law enforcement penetration and disruption, right-wing extremist groups in the United States and Europe adopted the leaderless resistance model of terrorism in the 1980s.
-In recent years we have seen right-wing extremists adopt social media strategies pioneered by jihadist groups, particularly the Islamic State.
-Right-wing extremists remain constrained by the attack cycle and are vulnerable to detection as they progress through that cycle.
Focusing on behaviors associated with the attack cycle can help prevent attacks by right-wing extremists.
Last week I had the opportunity to speak with someone in the process of setting up a protective intelligence program at a large corporation. During our conversation about various concerns and threats, the topic of the current wave of right-wing extremist attacks arose. We discussed how that threat manifested itself differently when the actor was an outsider versus an insider, as well as steps the company could take to protect itself against these threats. After thinking about that conversation for some days, it occurred to me that there might be broader interest in the topic, and that it might be worth writing on it to place the threat posed by right-wing extremism into context. With that in mind, I have decided to address external right-wing extremist actors and insider extremists.
The Big Picture
Terrorism remains a persistent and deadly threat, but it can be prevented. Studying terrorism trends and tactics to develop an understanding of the attack cycle and its associated behaviors can help people and organizations adopt measures to mitigate the impact of an attack — or better yet, to recognize attack planning as it's occurring to thwart it.
A History of Right-Wing Violence
As I've discussed elsewhere, the threat of violence from white supremacists, white nationalists and other right-wing extremists is not new. Indeed, as evidenced by the sacking of Lawrence, Kansas, in 1856 and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan in 1865, the threat predates the advent of modern terrorism in the Victorian era. Since then, there have been a number of waves of right-wing extremism in the United States and Europe, including the second rise of the KKK in the United States and the rise of Nazism in Germany and Fascism in Italy in the 1920s, and the rise of George Lincoln Rockwell's American Nazi Party and the third rise of the KKK in the 1960s...
Suspect in attempted Pentagon parking lot bombing appears in court
A 19-year-old Arkansas man arrested in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday to face charges related to an alleged attempt to blow up a service member’s car in the Pentagon parking lot.... “I was just trying to blow myself up," Richardson told officers upon his arrest, according to court documents...
MISC
Mapping the coronavirus outbreak: Follow our daily updates on the epidemic and how it is affecting countries around the world here.
Defense Department Linguist Charged with Espionage
Mariam Taha Thompson, 61, formerly of Rochester, Minnesota, was charged today in the District of Columbia with transmitting highly sensitive classified national defense information to a foreign national with apparent connections to Hizballah, a foreign terrorist organization that has been so designated by the Secretary of State. According to the affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, the information Thompson gathered and transmitted included classified national defense information regarding active human assets, including their true names. By compromising the identities of these human assets, Thompson placed the lives of the human assets and U.S. military personnel in grave danger...
...“While in a war zone, the defendant allegedly gave sensitive national defense information, including the names of individuals helping the United States, to a Lebanese national located overseas,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “If true, this conduct is a disgrace, especially for someone serving as a contractor with the United States military. This betrayal of country and colleagues will be punished.”
“The conduct alleged in this complaint is a grave threat to national security, placed lives at risk, and represents a betrayal of our armed forces. The charges we’ve filed today should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider disclosing classified national defense information to a terrorist organization,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Shea for the District of Columbia...
Friday, March 6, 2020
A double feature from one of my favorite women's bands...
Back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, a young band working it's asses off to have success in music, would take any location for publicity you could get. Good advise. And one of the great places to go was American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark. In 1986, they hosted The Bengals for two songs from their album Different Light. I still have that record. Enjoy.
Officer Down
Sergeant Tracy L. VickersRest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch
Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch Friday, September 27, 2019
Age 31
Tour 4 years
Badge 1357
Sergeant Tracy Vickers was killed in a vehicle crash on Route 408, near Conway Road, at approximately 5:50 am.
His patrol car struck the rear of a truck carrying construction equipment and became trapped underneath it.
Sgt. Vickers was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for four years. He is survived by his fiancée and other family members. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Nemo me impune lacessit
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
K9 Down
K9 HarlejRest in Peace Harlej…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!
Fishers Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Age 5
Tour 4 years
K9 Harlej was shot and killed while performing a track for a suspect who had fled on foot following a vehicle pursuit of a suspected drunk driver shortly after midnight.
K9 Harlej and his handler tracked the man into a wooded area near 131st Street and Olio Road from the point where the subject fled. Harlej was off-lead when he located the subject and ran ahead of his handler. Harlej bit the subject during the apprehension but the man fatally shot him.
His handler took the man into custody.
K9 Harlej had served with the Fishers Police Department for four years.
In Memory of all Police Dogs
They handled themselves with beauty & grace
And who could ever forget that beautiful face
Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test
They always worked hard; and did their best
They were real champions; at work or at play
But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day
While working on the job with their partner one day
They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way
They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give
They gave up their life; so someone could live
The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say
Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way
Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze
The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees
The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall
Off in the distance they can see a waterfall
As they look over the falls; down through the creek
The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek
Far up above; in the deep blue sky
They see the birds soar high; as they fly by
They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall
Chasing each other; and just having a ball
They play all day; from morning to night
There's no more rain; just warm sunlight
Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow
Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow
The harps would play and the angels would sing
As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings
We remember that they died; in the line of duty
And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty
Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free
With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree
No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take
Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake
A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore
Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more
These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above
They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love
We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night
In loving memory of all; these very special knights
By John Quealy
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Officer Down
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Michael HulseyRest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch
Meade County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch Saturday, September 21, 2019
Age 46
Badge 977
Deputy Sheriff Chris Hulsey suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling with a subject while executing a search warrant at 1299 Greer Road in Payneville, Kentucky.
He collapsed shortly after becoming engaged in the struggle at 6:30 pm. Two detectives who were on scene performed CPR until he was transported to Harrison County Hospital. The suspect he struggled with was charged with manslaughter following the altercation.
Deputy Hulsey formerly served as an Assistant Chief with the Meade County Fire Department, was a former Brandenburg City Councilman, and was a paramedic with Meade County EMS.
He is survived by his four sons, his father who served as a local fire chief for 40 years, his sister, and other family members.
Nemo me impune lacessit
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
K9 Down
K9 RoccoRest in Peace Rocco…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!
Tulare County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Age 1
Tour 5 months
K9 Rocco was struck and killed by a vehicle on Avenue 328 in Visalia at about 10:00 pm.
His handler had let him out of their patrol car for a break when he saw a rabbit and ran after it. He ran into the roadway and was struck by a passing vehicle.
K9 Rocco had served with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office for five months.
In Memory of all Police Dogs
They handled themselves with beauty & grace
And who could ever forget that beautiful face
Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test
They always worked hard; and did their best
They were real champions; at work or at play
But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day
While working on the job with their partner one day
They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way
They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give
They gave up their life; so someone could live
The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say
Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way
Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze
The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees
The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall
Off in the distance they can see a waterfall
As they look over the falls; down through the creek
The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek
Far up above; in the deep blue sky
They see the birds soar high; as they fly by
They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall
Chasing each other; and just having a ball
They play all day; from morning to night
There's no more rain; just warm sunlight
Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow
Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow
The harps would play and the angels would sing
As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings
We remember that they died; in the line of duty
And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty
Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free
With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree
No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take
Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake
A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore
Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more
These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above
They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love
We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night
In loving memory of all; these very special knights
By John Quealy
Monday, March 2, 2020
What's going on in the World Today 200302
HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL OR SUBSCRIPTION:
USA
MDA Embarks On A New Generation Of Missile Defense
Jen DiMascio February 18, 2020
The Pentagon is in the midst of a massive upgrade of its Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, designed to protect the U.S. against an attack by an ICBM.
The new Next-Generation Interceptor (NGI) would modernize GMD, arming it with an all-up round that can counter more sophisticated ICBMs. In pursuing the new program, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) will end the planned purchase of 20 current-generation GMD Ground-Based Interceptors (GBI), after already having canceled a key aspect of that system, the Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV). While it works on NGI, the MDA also intends to supplement its defense of the U.S. against ICBMs with shorter-range interceptors that provide regional defense.
No funding requested for 20 previously planned GBIs
Agency is studying use of Thaad and Aegis systems for homeland defense
The change in course will not be cheap. GMD itself has cost more than $68 billion over its lifetime. In its fiscal 2021 budget request, the MDA is asking for $664 million in fiscal 2021 for NGI and another $4.3 billion through fiscal 2025.It is an amount that will grow over time and that some worry could pull funding from other urgent priorities, as the type and number of missile threats from other countries evolves to include more sophisticated ballistic missiles and hypersonic weaponry.
The MDA is poised to issue a classified request for proposals to sponsor two contractors through a preliminary design review (PDR) of a new interceptor and kill vehicle—the part of the interceptor that defeats an incoming missile while in space. MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill says the agency plans to award contracts by the end of 2020, with the intention of starting testing in the mid-2020s and putting NGIs in silos by 2027, 2028 or beyond...
Design Milestone Reached For Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile
Steve Trimble February 27, 2020
ORLANDO—Lockheed Martin expects to complete the critical design review (CDR) on Feb. 27 for the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), the U.S. military’s most technologically ambitious hypersonic weapon, an executive said.
The key milestone, indicating an imminent design freeze, comes as part of an unusual development schedule imposed on the ARRW program. The technical complexity of ARRW stems from its high lift-to-drag profile, a shape the U.S. military has never tested successfully in flight. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Tactical Boost Glide (TBG) program, which shares the advanced ARRW profile, is intended as a risk-reduction measure for ARRW, but still has not completed a self-powered flight test...
AFRICA
Top U.S. Aid Chief Warns of Locust Devastation in East Africa
“You really have to go back to decades ago in the U.S., to Dust Bowl days, to understand just how devastating this can be.”
BY ROBBIE GRAMER | FEBRUARY 26, 2020, 4:54 PM
One of the world’s most impoverished regions faces yet another crisis. Swarms of voracious desert locusts are descending on East Africa in alarming numbers not seen in decades. Climate shocks—droughts followed by an unusually high number of cyclones—created the perfect storm of conditions for the tiny critters to breed and travel across the region from the Arabian Peninsula en masse, devouring virtually everything in their path.
The tiny pests are a ticking humanitarian time bomb, fueling food insecurity with the potential to exacerbate preexisting conflicts in an already precarious region. Locust swarms have been tracked in northeastern Kenya as large as 926.6 square miles—an estimated 192 billion locusts. Some swarms can consume as much food as 35,000 people in a single day and, with the right winds, travel up to 100 miles a day.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said it would need $76 million to combat the crisis immediately, though as of Feb. 21 it had only a fraction of that amount ready. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it would provide $8 million to combat the locust swarms.
Foreign Policy spoke to the Trump administration’s top aid chief, USAID Administrator Mark Green, about the scale of the crisis and how the United States is responding...
ASIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
EUROPE
Under Russia, Crimea’s Future Grows Dimmer -- and Drier
HIGHLIGHTS
- Without access to Ukranian water, replenishing Crimea's near-dry resources will force Russia to either front costly infrastructure projects -- or abandon its economic hopes for the region....
Water scarcity is quickly dimming Russia's hopes for economic growth on the Crimean Peninsula. Reservoirs throughout the region are at record lows for this time of year, with only a few months of reserves left to cover the Crimean population's daily consumption. But while an unusually dry winter is partially to blame, Russia's annexation has been at the core of Crimean water woes by prompting Ukraine to close off the North Crimean Canal in 2014.
Without external access to fresh water, permanent relief for the peninsula can only be obtained by either desalinating water from the Black Sea, or by building new pipelines to feed water from Russia's Kuban River directly into Crimea. But unless Moscow coughs up the capital needed to fund such costly infrastructure projects, Crimea risks becoming a mostly barren military bastion as its industries, agricultural lands and population shrivel up alongside its water reserves...
Britain confirms new nuclear warhead project after US officials spill the beans: The British government has confirmed it is developing a new nuclear warhead for its missile submarines, days after the U.S. revealed the program was going ahead before Parliament had been informed.
Britain confirms new nuclear warhead project after US officials spill the beans
LONDON — The British government has confirmed it is developing a new nuclear warhead for its missile submarines, days after the U.S. revealed the program was going ahead before Parliament had been informed.
In a written statement to Parliament, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed Feb. 25 that Britain is working on a new warhead to equip it’s Trident missile-armed nuclear submarine fleet.
“To ensure the Government maintains an effective deterrent throughout the commission of the Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarine we are replacing our existing nuclear warhead to respond to future threats and the security environment,” Wallace said.
The announcement was not expected to be made prior to publication of the defense, security and foreign policy review scheduled for late this year. But the Conservative government’s hand was forced when U.S. officials revealed last week the program was up and running.
That caused a stir in the U.K., as high-profile programs like the nuclear deterrent are usually announced in Parliament first. It’s only a courtesy, but if Parliament is not informed first, ministers can be forced to attend the House of Commons to make a statement...
LATIN/SOUTH AMERICA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
AFGHANISTAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
CHINA
U.S. General Links Chinese Hypersonic Glider To Nuclear Program
Steve Trimble February 26, 2020
A line of medium-range DF-17s on parade in Beijing this past October may have offered only the first glimpse of China’s planned hypersonic weapon capabilities.
Credit: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images
A powerful new weapon has appeared in a U.S. military assessment of China’s nuclear arsenal as Pentagon officials launch a campaign to win congressional support for allocating 4.1% of the fiscal 2021 defense budget to its own nuclear weapon enterprise.
All the U.S. military’s previous assessments of China’s nuclear arsenal included a mix of ICBMs, with silo-based DF-4 and DF-5 rockets, along with road-mobile DF-31, DF-31A and the recently unveiled DF-41 missiles. The warheads for each missile are known to include several multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles, with maneuverable reentry vehicles also believed to be in development or already deployed.
New assessment echoes 2014 warning
U.S. Air Force adds $4.4 billion for B-21 procurement
Now added to this inventory is a nuclear warhead on a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), says Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, head of U.S. Northern Command.
IRAN
Iran: FATF Keeps Tehran on Its Blacklist, Maintaining Sanctions
Feb 21, 2020
The Financial Action Task Force voted Feb. 21 to continue to blacklist Iran for failing to take measures against money laundering and terrorist financing, The New York Times reported....
What Happened: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) voted Feb. 21 to continue to blacklist Iran for failing to take measures against money laundering and terrorist financing, The New York Times reported.
Why It Matters: The decision by the Paris-based monitoring group extends international sanctions on Iran, including limitations on financial transactions linked to Iran, increased scrutiny on reporting of any financial transactions with Iran and prohibitions on Iranian banks setting up foreign branches. It also makes Iran's plan to avoid unilateral U.S. sanctions by doing business with Europe more difficult by introducing more technically complicated and less politicized sanctions.
Background: Iran’s economy is facing significant sanctions that are burdening Iranians and hurting the government’s legitimacy, especially because President Hassan Rouhani and his reformist and moderate allies promised that moderation would yield financial relief, and over time the opposite has happened. If Iran's Feb. 21 parliamentary elections yield a more conservative parliament, it will be even harder for the legislative body to enact legislation to lift the FATF countermeasures.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
Palestinians Fire Rockets At Israel; Netanyahu Threatens War
JERUSALEM (AP) — Gaza militants resumed their intense bombardment of southern Israel on Monday, with some rockets slipping through Israel’s Iron Dome defense system and one landing in the yard of a kindergarten.
There was no word of casualties, but the second day of violence threatened to unleash a new round of hostilities just a week before Israel heads to elections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Gaza’s Hamas rulers with a “war” if the new round of rocket fire continued, ramping up his rhetoric amid the final stretch of his campaign.
Speaking to Israel’s Army Radio, Netanyahu said he’d conveyed a message to Hamas that if it did not stop Gaza militants behind the attacks, Israel would target Hamas directly.
“If you don’t shoot them, we will shoot you. I’m talking about a war,” he said. “I only go to war as a last option but we have prepared something you can’t even imagine.”
Netanyahu’s interview was interrupted with news of fresh air raid sirens warning of incoming rockets, as Palestinian militant fire resumed midday after a morning lull. The Israeli military said it identified 14 rockets fired in the hour-long spree, of which it intercepted 12. Shortly after, the military began striking militants sites in Gaza.
The Islamic Jihad militant group fired at least 20 rockets on Sunday after Israeli forces killed a Palestinian militant who had tried to place a bomb along the Israel-Gaza barrier fence, and then removed his body with a bulldozer. The image outraged Palestinians who fired rockets. Israel responded by striking militants targets in Gaza and Syria. As a precaution, schools were closed in Israeli areas adjacent to Gaza and restrictions placed on outdoor public gatherings...
KOREAN PENINSULA
South Korea, US postpone annual military drills due to virus: The South Korean and U.S. militaries have postponed their annual drills out of concerns over a virus outbreak.
Hyung-Jin Kim, The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea — The South Korean and U.S. militaries announced Thursday that they were postponing their annual joint drills due to concern about a viral outbreak that has infected soldiers in both countries’ armed forces, put many troops in quarantine and closed base facilities.
Twenty-two South Korean soldiers and one American service member in South Korea have tested positive for the new coronavirus, which has infected about 1,770 people in the Asian country, the largest outbreak outside mainland China.
The allies have previously suspended or scaled back their regular military exercises, but that was part of diplomatic efforts to disarm North Korea, which views the training as a rehearsal for an invasion. It's the first time that the allies have put off their drills due to concerns about an infectious disease, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry...
RUSSIA
A Slowing Economy Tests Russia’s Tight Spending Habits
Sim Tack Global Analyst , Stratfor, Feb 27, 2020
HIGHLIGHTS
- Despite Putin's recently announced spending drive, Moscow's refusal to break with its culture of fiscal restraint will once again limit its ability to jump-start the country’s stagnating economy....
With 2021 parliamentary elections in mind, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced a package of broad social measures designed to boost consumer spending and, in turn, economic growth. But while the investments are notable, they fall short of more structural advances in infrastructure development and industrial stimuli needed to significantly improve Russia's dimming financial prospects.
Accessing the funds needed to make such efforts effective, however, would require breaking away from Moscow's tried-and-true method of fiscal restraint, which has helped guarantee a rainy day fund for when things get tough (as they did most recently during the country's 2015 recession). But by keeping the economy stuck in a cycle of stagnation, maintaining this penny-pinching policy will come at the risk of degrading Russia's living conditions and industrial capacity — and ultimately, its political stability and global standing...
MIDDLE EAST GENERAL
Eastern Libyan lawmakers not to join Geneva talks
Emma Farge
GENEVA/BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Lawmakers based in areas of eastern Libya controlled by military commander Khalifa Haftar said on Monday they would not participate for now in peace talks with politicians allied to the internationally recognized government.
The lawmakers’ refusal is the latest blow to U.N. efforts to end an almost year-long offensive by Haftar’s forces aimed at taking the capital Tripoli.
The United Nations had planned to bring together lawmakers from both sides of Libya’s conflict on Wednesday to end the fighting over Tripoli as part of a dialogue encompassing military, political and economic strands.
Libya’s internationally recognized government based in Tripoli meanwhile described Haftar as a “war criminal” and demanded that he withdraw his forces threatening the capital...
CYBER ISSUES
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
INTEL GENERAL
Signs of a Thwarted Russian Hit in Miami
Scott Stewart VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor Feb 25, 2020
HIGHLIGHTS
- Russian intelligence agencies have gotten away with killing the Kremlin's enemies abroad, which may have emboldened them to give assassination a try in the United States....
The U.S. Department of Justice on Feb. 18 announced the arrest in Miami of a man being charged with acting on behalf of a foreign government without registering with the U.S. attorney general's office, and conspiracy to do the same. According to the criminal complaint, the accused, Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes, is a Mexican citizen who resides in Singapore where he works at the National Heart Institute.
According to Cabrera's LinkedIn profile, he reportedly attended Kazan State University in Russia, where he studied microbiology and molecular biology. He also claims to be a postdoctoral research associate at Justus-Liebig University in Germany and listed himself as president of an organization called the Mexican Global Network in Singapore. Cabrera reportedly is married to a Russian woman, although he also appears to be legally married to the Mexican woman who was with him at the time of his arrest...
TERRORISM
Global watchdog keeps Pakistan on terrorism financing 'grey list'
John Irish, Leigh Thomas
PARIS (Reuters) - Pakistan won an extra four months to meet international anti-terrorism financing norms on Friday when a global dirty money watchdog decided to keep the country off its blacklist for now.
After Pakistan missed multiple previous deadlines, the Financial Action Task Force said it was concerned that Islamabad had again failed to complete an internationally agreed action plan.
“The FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by June 2020,” the FATF said in a statement issued after a meeting in Paris. “Otherwise, should significant and sustainable progress especially in prosecuting and penalising TF (terrorism financing) not be made by the next Plenary, the FATF will take action...”
MISC
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
Officer Down
Captain Vincent N. Liberto, Jr.Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch
Mandeville Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch Friday, September 20, 2019
Age 58
Tour 30 years
Captain Vinny Liberto was shot and killed at the intersection of Causeway Boulevard and La. 22/U.S. 190 following a vehicle pursuit.
He and another officer had pursued the vehicle until it crashed with other cars at the intersection. One of the men in the vehicle exited the car and opened fire, killing Captain Liberto and wounding the other officer.
Both men in the vehicle were taken into custody. The man who shot Captain Liberto was charged with first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, and numerous other charges.
Captain Liberto was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Mandeville Police Department for 25 years and had previously served with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office for five years. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
BIO
Nemo me impune lacessit
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
And it's done...
I spent the most of this weekend in Gonzales, TX. For those of you not into Texas history, it's the location of the Battle of Gonzalez, where the Mexican army demanded the return of a cannon. The response has become legendary, "Come and Take It!"
These men later on went to the Alamo and perished with Colonel Travis.
Time flies. Just 18 months ago Beth and I were with Mike Liesmann, and his wife, Christine, at the Alamo, as Mike assumed command of the 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade (EMIB). In a string of commands during a very distinguished career in the Texas Army National Guard, he knows this is likely the last one. And no question, he took a great unit, and improved it.
Mike and I regularly have lunch, and it was rare that he didn't get two or three phone calls from his staff. And as annoying and time consuming this is, it shows something. He's the man in the lead. It's the only reason for any officer to be commissioned, to command, be it a company/troop/battery, battalion/squadron, brigade/regiment, or higher.
Where the Guard will send him now, God knows. But wherever he goes, he will be more than up to the challenge. Mike, I'm proud to call you friend, fellow Army officer, and brother in the Thin Blue Line. Congratulations, and I wish you and Christine all the best life can offer.
Battle for Texas independence began over a cannon
...The "Come and Take It" cannon of the Battle of Gonzales (The cannon is the real thing, the carriage a reproduction) on display at the Gonzales Memorial Museum, Gonzales, Texas, United States. Courtesy of Larry D. Moore Photography. Image available on Wikipedia and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
During a period of high tensions between settlers and Mexican natives, the Mexicans had left a small cannon in the town of Gonzales for the purpose of warding off Indian attacks. Sensing hostilities, the Mexicans decided to take the cannon out of the hands of the settlers and sent a force of 100 horsemen under Lt. Francisco de Castañeda to retrieve it. When Castañeda reached Gonzales, he found the city in open defiance, daring him to “come and take it.” After a small skirmish, Castañeda retreated: he had no orders concerning how to deal with open rebellion. The Battle of Gonzales, as it came to be known, was the spark that ignited the Texas War of Independence...
These men later on went to the Alamo and perished with Colonel Travis.
Time flies. Just 18 months ago Beth and I were with Mike Liesmann, and his wife, Christine, at the Alamo, as Mike assumed command of the 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade (EMIB). In a string of commands during a very distinguished career in the Texas Army National Guard, he knows this is likely the last one. And no question, he took a great unit, and improved it.
Mike and I regularly have lunch, and it was rare that he didn't get two or three phone calls from his staff. And as annoying and time consuming this is, it shows something. He's the man in the lead. It's the only reason for any officer to be commissioned, to command, be it a company/troop/battery, battalion/squadron, brigade/regiment, or higher.
 |
| COL Michael J Lesmann, outgoing commander of the 71st EMIB, makes his departing remarks. |
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