NewzIntel.com

Category: Military Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Jayapal to Host Viewing of No Other Land at the U.S. Capitol

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) will host a panel discussion and special Capitol Hill viewing of the Academy Award winning documentary film, “No Other Land” for Members of Congress, congressional staff, civil society leaders, and members of the press. The panel of experts, moderated by journalist Mehdi Hasan, will discuss the film, settler violence in the West Bank, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and shifts in U.S. policy.  
    Event: Panel Discussion and Viewing of “No Other Land” Date and Time: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:00PM Location: South Orientation Theater (CVC 241), Capitol Visitor Center Panel: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Zaha Hassan; Dr. Debra Shushan; and Josh Paul; moderated by Mehdi Hasan. 
    RSVP: Please RSVP using this LINK 
    Entry Instructions: Please see Capitol Visitor Guidelines here. Use the main entrance near the intersection of East Capitol St NE and First St NE (by the Supreme Court and Library of Congress). Follow the signage down to the Capitol Visitor Center entrance, to the lower floor of the Visitor Center. 
    Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film, “No Other Land” is directed by a collective of directors from Palestine and Israel—Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor. The Oscar winning documentary follows Palestinian activist Basel Adra as he documents the demolition of his community in Masafer Yatta. It is a powerful testament to shared resistance, human rights, and the enduring struggle for justice. 
    Senator Welch and Representative Jayapal have co-led several efforts on issues related to the West Bank, including legislation to fund UNRWA. In April, Senator Welch and Representative Jayapal led 29 of their bicameral colleagues in raising the alarm over escalating violence in the West Bank. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers urged the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate sanctions against individuals who perpetrate violence that undermines regional stability and security in the West Bank. The bicameral letter was in response to the violent assault of Hamdan Ballal, a director of “No Other Land.” On March 24, 2025, Mr. Ballal was attacked by a group of Israeli settlers in the village of Susiya in the occupied West Bank. Following this attack, Israeli Defense Forces arrested and detained Mr. Ballal.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons meets with Chief of the National Guard Bureau

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, met yesterday with General Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
    During their meeting, Senator Coons discussed ways he can support the National Guard through his new role as the lead Senate Democrat in charge of defense spending. Senator Coons also pressed General Nordhaus about Delaware’s National Guard priorities, including the provision of C-130J cargo planes to the Delaware National Guard and the expansion of the State Partnership Program (SPP), which links National Guard units from states across the country with the militaries of partner nations for mutual training, disaster relief, and other purposes. Delaware is paired with Trinidad and Tobago through the SPP.
    “National Guard units around the country serve vital functions for our nation across a number of areas from disaster relief to military readiness to joining the fight on the front lines when called upon,” said Senator Coons. “I enjoyed meeting with General Nordhaus to better understand how the Senate can fund the National Guard more effectively and ensure that every state, including Delaware, benefits from hosting National Guard units.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Financial Advisor Sentenced for Promoting Illegal Tax Shelter and Stealing Client Funds

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    A Florida financial advisor was sentenced today to eight years in prison for orchestrating a nearly decade-long scheme to promote an illegal tax shelter and to steal client funds.

    The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Stephen T. Mellinger III, of Delray Beach, was a financial advisor, insurance salesman, and securities broker operating in Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, and elsewhere. Beginning in late 2013, Mellinger conspired with others to promote an illegal tax shelter whereby clients would claim false tax deductions for so-called “royalty payments” to fraudulently reduce their taxes. In reality, the “royalty payments” were merely a circular flow of money designed to give the appearance of genuine business expenses. Typically, a client would send money to bank accounts controlled by Mellinger and his co-conspirators, who then sent the money, minus a fee, to a different bank account that the client controlled. Tax shelter participants retained control of the money they transferred, while falsely deducting the transfers as business expenses on their tax returns.

    In total, Mellinger and his co-conspirators helped clients prepare tax returns that claimed over $106 million in false tax deductions, which caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $37 million. Mellinger and a co-conspirator, who was a relative, collectively earned approximately $3 million in fees from the scheme.

    In January 2016, Mellinger learned that several of his clients were under investigation and that the United States had started seizing their funds. Mellinger and the relative subsequently stole more than $2.1 million from some of the clients, a portion of which Mellinger used to buy a home in Delray Beach.

    In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett for the Southern District of Mississippi ordered Mellinger to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $37 million in restitution to the United States.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon for the Southern District of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Atlanta Field Office, and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations and Director of DCIS Kelly P. Mayo made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Richard J. Hagerman, William Montague and Matthew Hicks of the Tax Division, Trial Attorneys Emily Cohen and Jasmin Salehi Fashami of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Berlin, broad backing for UN peacekeeping as global threats mount

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    By Vibhu Mishra

    More than 130 countries and international partners threw their weight behind UN peacekeeping at a high-level ministerial summit in Berlin on Wednesday, pledging military, tech and political support.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres meanwhile warned that peace operations are under growing strain and must adapt to meet today’s rising threats.

    The two-day conference on peacekeeping, hosted by the Government of Germany, brought together over 1,000 participants – including defence and foreign ministers – to reaffirm commitment to the UN’s flagship tool for maintaining peace and stability.

    It concluded on Wednesday with a wide array of pledges, including 88 military and police units, specialized training, and investments in emerging technologies and strategic communications.

    Difference between life and death

    “In trouble spots around the world, ‘blue helmets’ can mean the difference between life and death,” Mr. Guterres said in his opening remarks.

    “Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations. And the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.”

    Germany, which currently contributes troops to UN missions in South Sudan, Lebanon, and Western Sahara, announced €82 million (around $91.7 million) in funding, along with commitments in training, renewable energy solutions and drone technology.

    “Germany continues to be a steadfast supporter of UN peacekeeping,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

    Broad and diverse commitments

    A total of 74 UN Member States made specific pledges, ranging from uniformed personnel to training and strategic support.

    This includes pledges which will bolster military and police units, including airlift and rapid deployment capabilities (53 national contributions), specialized training (59), technological enhancements (18), advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (38) and safety and protection (16).

    Eleven countries also committed to improving accountability and conduct, including support to the trust fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, and eight nations supporting the UN’s efforts to counter mis- and disinformation through strategic communications.

    Mounting pressures

    At a press conference following the meeting, Secretary-General Guterres acknowledged that peacekeepers operate in an increasingly complex and dangerous environment, citing a record number of global conflicts, the targeting of peacekeepers by drones and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the rising threat from disinformation campaigns.

    “We need to ask some tough questions about the mandates guiding these operations, and what the outcomes and solutions should look like,” he said, speaking alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Defence Minister Pistorius.

    “Every context is different, and missions must be adapted accordingly.”

    The UN chief also stressed the importance of sustained financial backing, highlighting that many missions continue to struggle with cash flow shortages due to delayed payments from Member States.

    “It is absolutely essential that all Member States respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time,” he said.

    Crucial reforms

    The Berlin meeting feeds into the UN’s broader reform efforts, including an ongoing Review of Peace Operations announced in last year’s Pact for the Future, aimed at making peacekeeping and peace enforcement more flexible, cost-effective, and aligned with real-world needs.

    This year’s Ministerial also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 10-year anniversary of the 2015 New York Summit on Peacekeeping. It follows similar high-level meetings in Accra, Seoul, Vancouver and London.

    Peacekeeping remains one of the UN’s most visible activities, with over 61,000 uniformed personnel from 119 countries currently deployed across 11 missions, supported by more than 7,000 civilian staff.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian President V. Putin approved the composition of the Russian delegation for negotiations with Ukraine — Kremlin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Moscow, May 14 /Xinhua/ — Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the Russian delegation for talks with Ukraine. This was reported on the Kremlin website on Wednesday.

    “To approve the following composition of the delegation of the Russian Federation for negotiations with Ukraine: Vladimir Medinsky – Aide to the President of the Russian Federation /head of the delegation/, Mikhail Galuzin – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation /member of the delegation/, Igor Kostyukov – Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation /member of the delegation/, Alexander Fomin – Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation /member of the delegation/,” reads the order signed by V. Putin “On the composition of the delegation of the Russian Federation for negotiations with Ukraine.”

    The composition of experts has also been approved; it includes: First Deputy Chief of Information of the Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Alexander Zorin, Deputy Chief of the Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation for State Policy in the Humanitarian Sphere Elena Podobreevskaya, Director of the Second Department of the CIS Countries of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexei Polishchuk and Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate of International Military Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense Viktor Shevtsov.

    As reported, this order comes into force on the day of its signing. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Judicial appointments increase Albertans access to court

    Albertans deserve to have access to a fair, accessible and transparent justice system. To increase capacity in the courts and improve access to justice for those involved in civil, criminal and family matters, Alberta’s government has made five new judicial appointments to the Alberta Court of Justice.

    “Continuing to fill judicial appointments directly strengthens the capacity of our courts, helping ensure Albertans have timely access to justice. Those newly appointed will serve Albertans well in their respective divisions and I congratulate them on their new roles.”

    Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

    Alberta’s government has appointed the following individuals to the Alberta Court of Justice:

    • Tracey Bailey, KC, Edmonton Family and Youth Division, effective June 23.
    • Sheri Epp, Calgary Criminal Division and Calgary Region, effective June 2.
    • Karen McGowan, Edmonton Family and Youth Division, effective June 2.
    • Alicia Wendel, Edmonton Region, effective June 2.
    • Colin Wetter, part-time justice of the peace in Edmonton, effective May 14.

    “The Alberta Court of Justice is pleased to welcome and congratulate these new appointments. Access to justice is a fundamental value of our society, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to be heard, receive fair treatment, and obtain timely, meaningful resolution to their legal challenges. I am confident that their backgrounds and experience will serve Albertans well in achieving these goals.”

    James Hunter, chief justice, Alberta Court of Justice

    Since June 2023, Alberta’s government has made 30 judicial appointments.

    Tracey M. Bailey, KC, received her bachelor of laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1991. She started her career as an articling student, continuing as a lawyer at Milner Fenerty. Following academia, she practiced law at Alberta’s Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General before returning to private practice in 2020 as associate counsel at Miller Thomson, LLP, where Ms. Bailey was made partner in 2025.

    Sheri Epp received her bachelor of laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1997. She began her career as an articling student, and then as a litigation associate at Code Hunter Wittmann/Gowlings. She then gained litigation experience at Code Hunter LLP, Scott Hall LLP, McCarthy Tetrault LLP, and Talisman Energy Inc. Most recently, Ms. Epp was senior counsel, then became assistant vice-president and associate chief counsel of Individual Insurance and Affinity at Manulife.

    Karen McGowan received her bachelor of laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1998. Her focus has always been criminal law, beginning as an articling student at Beresh, Depoe, Cunningham. Since being called to the bar in 1999, she has practiced law for Legal Aid Alberta in the Youth Criminal Defence Office, then as a senior advisory counsel, and finally, in the Criminal Trial Group.

    Alicia Wendel received her bachelor of laws degree from Dalhousie University in 1999. She started her career as an articling student at McAllister and Sinclair, then as a barrister at Fix and Smith. From 2001 to present, she has been a Crown prosecutor in rural jurisdictions, practicing in regional courts with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service. Currently, Ms. Wendel is a member of the Alberta Justice Restorative Justice Working Group, the Alberta Justice Sexual Violence Working Group, and the Gladue Systemic Change Project Committee.

    Colin Wetter received his bachelor of laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1986. He began his career as an articling student at Howard Mackie in Calgary, then practiced law in the private sector until 1992. He then joined the federal Department of Justice as legal counsel, and –with ever-increasing roles of responsibility – in 2012 became regional director of the Aboriginal Law Services Section (Alberta). Mr. Wetter was regional director of the Tax Law Services Section (Prairie Region) from 2019 to 2022.

    Quick facts

    • Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a justice with the Alberta Court of Justice. 
    • Lawyers with at least five years at the bar can apply to become a justice of the peace. Justice of the peace appointments are for 10 years.
    • Applications are reviewed by the Alberta Judicial Council and Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee, and then recommended to the minister of justice and cabinet for appointment.

    Related information

    • Alberta’s government is actively recruiting justices and justices of the peace and encourages qualified lawyers to apply. Qualified lawyers who wish to be considered for appointment can access the application form online.

     Related news

    • Ensuring access to justice for Albertans (May 7, 2025)
    • Judicial appointments increase Albertans access to justice (April 9, 2025)
    • Increasing court capacity (Jan. 15, 2025)
    • Strengthening Alberta’s courts (Dec. 4, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Secures Commitment on Critical Infrastructure Improvements to the Port of Catoosa

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Secures Commitment on Critical Infrastructure Improvements to the Port of Catoosa

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, participated in the hearing, “To consider the nominations of: Mr. Richard L. Anderson to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Mr. Adam R. Telle to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; and Dr. Matthew C. Napoli to be Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation National Nuclear Security Administration.” 
    In his remarks, Senator Mullin detailed the importance of the Port of Catoosa and the critical infrastructure updates that are desperately needed. Mr. Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works nominee, committed to addressing the issue.

    The full committee hearing can be found here. 
    The exchange between Senator Mullin and Mr. Adam Telle, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, is below.  
    Sen. Mullin: “Mr. Telle, I want to talk to you about the Port of Catoosa. It’s a 445-mile channel that runs from essentially the Mississippi all the way up to the Port of Catoosa, which is the largest inland water port west of the Mississippi and on the Gulf of America. It also provides roughly 50% of all agricultural products that flow in and out of the Midwest, and it goes up to the Port of Catoosa, which is just outside of Tulsa. And from there, it gets on rails and trucks and gets trucked the rest of the way up. It was opened in 1971 and since roughly the 90s, we have talked about increasing the depth, because the amount of traffic that’s on it. Right now, it’s dredged at nine feet in depth, and it also has a critical backlog, which means that any of the levees could shut down at any given time, of increasing almost a billion dollars critical backlog needs.” 
    “The Port of Catoosa, for some reason continues to be treated like, this is not politically correct but whatever the red headed stepchild is, and other projects in Ohio or the Mississippi or other areas of waterways seem to get the most attention. However, the Midwest feeds the United States and many parts around the world, yet we’re in a critical situation here where we need to increase the depth of the channel from 9 feet to 12 feet. The study has been going on literally since the 90s. An additional study started again in 2005 and expired in roughly 2014. We could see a 40% increase in cargo influx into the port and out of the port for every foot we increase it. 40% increase cargo. Which would be drastically an improvement to what we deal with today. Not to mention the timing, the cost to get Ag products in and out of the Midwest, because as we hit the Mississippi, we actually change out of one barge to another barge that actually is obviously deeper and bigger for us to be able to navigate through the channel with.” 
    “My concern is that since the Corp has continued to overlook this, I’m looking for a commitment for you that you will actually take a hard look at this and understand that literally, the heartbeat of America, which is our Ag products, is in dire straits of being able to get products in and out. And if this navigation channel goes down, the cost is going to bring to all Americans’ tables, because it will increase in cargo. So, would you commit to helping us with this channel?”  
    Mr. Telle: “Senator Mullin, absolutely, I will. This is emblematic, the situation you described, in providing access for Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers to the rest of the world through our waterways is emblematic of the Corp’s mission, which was originally to use our waterways for the benefit of the American public.” 
    “Your state’s so critical in getting the products from your state the world. And the opposite of that, getting the world’s products to you is critically important. I understand that this issue has been going on for a long time, affects the state of Arkansas as well. And certainly, as vessel traffic changes, the types of traffic change based on commercial patterns across the globe, we need to make sure that our infrastructure is up to date to meet it. And I look forward to doing everything we can to take a very hard look at this critical asset and make sure that we modernize it to the degree that we can.” 
    “And I would also, as you describe when we were in your office, the critical role that it plays in flood protection in that area as well. And you know, dredge material often can have a beneficial use in terms of building flood control infrastructure, levees and otherwise. So, I look forward to working with you on that and I commit to do my very best.”  
    Sen. Mullin: “Thank you. And I look forward to hosting you when we can get you there.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Response to Questioning from Klobuchar, FAA Provides Details of Near Miss Episode Involving Flight Headed to Minneapolis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON— During a Commerce Committee hearing today focused on aviation safety, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar asked the FAA Air Traffic Organization’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Franklin McIntosh, for an explanation of the near-miss incident involving a March 28th Minneapolis bound flight that departed from Reagan National Airport. 
    That day, a passenger flight departing Reagan National Airport for Minneapolis nearly collided with military aircraft flying “about 500 feet below” the commercial passenger jet. Directly following the incident, Klobuchar spoke with a Department of Defense official and was informed there would be an immediate Federal Aviation Administration investigation.
    In response to Klobuchar’s questions at today’s hearing, Mr. McIntosh explained that the incident resulted from a miscommunication of when the military flyover would occur, resulting in an additional aircraft being cleared for take-off instead of being held on the ground. McIntosh said that the FAA has since improved procedures to prevent future incidents.
    A rough transcript of the exchange is available below and a video can be downloaded here. 
    Senator Klobuchar: So we have been rightfully focused on the tragedy, the loss of life with the American Airlines Flight, but has been pointed out by my colleagues so many problems at Newark. And as I go into the summer season, it’s hard to believe that they won’t get worse, and then just across the country. There was one incident, a near miss recently. It was on March 28 between a Delta flight and a military aircraft shortly after the tragedy, actually, where the military flight was just 500 feet below the Delta flight. And the Delta pilot said, is this, I’m paraphrasing, but it was picked up from air traffic control. “Is there actually a flight 500 feet below us?” That flight was headed to Minneapolis, contained a bunch of Minnesotans, families, one of my staff members went on that flight. And I had asked and was, I appreciated that the DOT got back to me, close after it, but I’m still waiting for a final answer about what happened. Do you know? Could any of you give me a timeline on that?
    Mr. McIntosh: Yes, ma’am. I believe, I believe I can. What occurred was the military flight was doing a national flyover over Arlington, and it was opposite direction to departure traffic at DCA. Potomac TRACON, which is the radar approach control that feeds all the aircraft into DCA, was working the military flight, and there was a communication exchange between the supervisor at Potomac and the supervisor at DCA. And what I mean is, the Potomac supervisor coordinated with DCA to stop departures at a certain time, and that that stop time is, you stop departures and let the flyover proceed. You sterilize the airspace, essentially, to keep traffic safe. The controller or the CIC that was a DCA misunderstood the time, or misunderstood the verbiage on what that stop time was, so they let one more aircraft go, versus holding an aircraft on the ground. In reviewing that, we said we have to clean up the phraseology and how we give times to ensure that we know exactly which aircraft we’re going to stop and keep that kind of incident from occurring. So what we did, we put both of those facilities together, along with the management team to ensure that we had a better process in place to keep that from happening again. So that was, unfortunately, an event that happened, but we improved the procedures to keep something like that from happening again, Ma’am.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Receives an Update on Guam and the Status of Golden Dome

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with LTG. Robert Rasch, Executive Officer of the Guam Defense System Joint Program Office, and LTG. Heath Collins, Director of the Missile Defense Agency during a hearing for the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. During the hearing, Sen. Tuberville received an update about the United States’ missile defense capabilities on Guam and how the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is continuing to develop Golden Dome.
    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    ON GUAM UPDATES:
    TUBERVILLE: “[…] General, how are we doing on Guam? We get the Aegis System started about what three years ago, maybe a little less. How are you doing? Getting better?”
    RASCH: “Senator, getting better. Lots of teamwork across the services and with Missile Defense Agency. And my hat goes off to General Collins and his team who really led the Department of Defense in early implementation [in] all the legwork for laying the ground efforts for the military construction that will occur there. […] MDA demonstrated this last year early Aegis Guam capability with a flight test that was executed there very successfully. That work was really the starting point. That equipment has stayed on-site. It offers a credible deterrence against potential adversaries while the Army then does its planning to come in the [20]27 time frame with the next, what we call, tranche one of capability for Guam. It is a lot of consensus building. It is a lot of teamwork across the Department of Defense. This is the homeland. So, in in several ways, we’re learning a lot of lessons that we believe can also apply to the Golden Dome team as they continue that mission set. But [I am] very optimistic that the Army is going to meet its mission that will have a credible capability on [the] island in the time frame we lay out.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Have we decided who is going to operate it?”
    RASCH: “Well, that decision, as we build out the overall command and control capability, the C2 for the defense of Guam would typically fall to the Air Force to conduct that overall coordination. But it will be manned jointly as we have both Navy systems, Air Force systems, [and] Army systems on the ground. We’ll have, you know, servicemen and women from all of those services operating it typically under an Air Force leadership who will then report to the Combatant Commander on the plane.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Does that includes Reserve[s or the] National Guard?”
    RASCH: “Sir, it absolutely can. And we’ve—even with the small footprint the Army has had on [the] island today with the Task Force Talon—which is the THAAD battery, we’ve relied heavily on the Guam National Guard who provides a security force for that unit that’s operating away from a typical Army base. A great job of those soldiers, supporting that mission truly defending the homeland. And within the Army, there’s talk about potentially expanding that mission set for the guard members on Guam. [This is] still under discussion, so I can’t get ahead of those decisions as they play out. But I believe all things are on the table at this point.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. I know it’s a long process, […] long process. I mean, how many years do you think we’ve got left [to be] fully operational?”
    RASCH: “Senator, I believe we will be improving this capability forever, and defense never rests because offensive threat never rests. So, we will continually evolve. The point of our effort is to try to get as much capability as soon as possible. And capability isn’t just a thing. It’s not just, you know, a launcher. It’s not just a radar. It’s not even just a command and control. It’s soldiers, you know, airmen, you know, all the folks actually manned this equipment, ensuring they’re properly trained. It’s ensuring that we have the proper sustainment tail on [the] island to support it, that we can sustain it not just for a day, but for years in time. So, we’ll be at this for a while.”
    TUBERVILLE: “I defended a different offense every week, if you’re a football coach. You gotta change, don’t you?”
    RASCH: “Absolutely, Senator.”
    ON MDA DEVELOPMENTS:
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.
    General Collins, thank you for the footprint you have in my state of Alabama [at] Redstone Arsenal. We’re proud of all the work you’re doing. How much of MDA’s effort and investment in Golden Dome do you expect to take place in Huntsville? And do you expect to request any additional resources for maintenance or buildings or anything like that in the future?”
    COLLINS: “Well, Sir, [the] Missile Defense Agency is really proud of being part of the Tennessee Valley at Redstone Arsenal. Certainly, a large contingent of our workforce is at Redstone Arsenal. And as well as many of our industry partners are in that area as well. And so, I can’t give you an exact percentage, but certainly the engineers, the program managers, the contracting officers, the entire workforce of Missile Defense Agency and the associated industry members are gonna be very busy and very devoted to making any of the parts of Golden Dome real.”
    TUBERVILLE: “You’re building things right now too, right? You’ve got things under construction—I think the last time I was there.”
    COLLINS: “Yes, Sir. We’re doing them. We’re in the middle of a ground test facility infrastructure update, which is a fairly large renovation and construction project that’s going on. And that’s going on right now to help get us ready for the ground test infrastructure we need to support next gen[eration] missile defense. And as we start digesting and dissolving the Golden Dome requirements, there may be additional requirements that we need to make sure we’re ready to go.”
    ON THE ROLE SPACE PLAYS IN GOLDEN DOME:
    TUBERVILLE: “I got one more question. If we got time here. General Collins, I wanna ask you about our space sensors, which is [an] absolutely critical component of any effort to develop the next generation missile defense capability. Last year, the U. S. put a new hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor satellite in orbit. Do we have any plans, either as part of the Golden Dome architecture [or] independently, to expand that capability?”
    COLLINS: “Yes, sir. We as well believe that a very effective and resilient space layer is going to be critical to the future missile defense requirements of the homeland as well as our deployed forces. We rely on space assets today as part of our kill chain for initial tip-off, and we will continue to do that. The Space Force, Space Development Agency, will operationalize the HBTSS capability. The relationship we have with Space Force is we may prototype technology that is required and prove it out for missile defense. The Space Force will operationalize that capability as we move forward, and HBTSS will be foundational. That type of technology will be foundational to hypersonic missile defense in the future. And we’re working on future prototyping space sensor capabilities, in particular, discriminating space center to help improve ballistic missile defense in the future as well. We’ll prototype and space force will operationalize. And so, space will be very key to protecting the homeland and our deployed forces in the future. Thanks, Senator.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Mr. Chairman.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CEO of Healthcare Services Company Admits Role in Elaborate Investment Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – The former chief executive officer of a publicly traded healthcare services company admitted his role in a conspiracy to defraud investors in connection with the purchase or sale of the company’s securities, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Parmjit Parmar, a/k/a “Paul Parmar,” 55, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    From May 2015 through September 2017, Parmar and his conspirators, including Sotirios Zaharis, a/k/a “Sam Zaharis,” and Ravi Chivukula orchestrated an elaborate scheme to defraud a private investment firm and others out of hundreds of millions of dollars in connection with the funding of a transaction to take private a healthcare services company (Company A) traded publicly on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market. To fund the transaction, the private investment firm put up approximately $82.5 million and a consortium of financial institutions put up another $130 million, for a total of approximately $212.5 million. The scheme utilized fraudulent methods to grossly inflate the value of Company A and trick others into believing that Company A was worth substantially more than its actual value.

    Parmar and the conspirators sought to raise tens of millions of dollars in the public markets, purportedly to fund Company A’s acquisitions of various operating subsidiaries. In actuality, a number of those entities either did not exist or had only a fraction of the operating income attributed to them. The conspirators funneled the proceeds of these secondary offerings through bank accounts they controlled and used the money for a variety of purposes that had nothing to do with acquiring the purported targets. The conspirators went to great lengths to make it appear that these funds were revenue, concocting phony customers and altering bank statements to make it appear as if the funds were coming from customers.

    To perpetuate the scheme, Parmar and his conspirators also falsified and fabricated bank records of subsidiary entities in order to generate a phony picture of Company A’s revenue streams and made material misrepresentations and omissions to the private investment firm and others.

    Parmar and his conspirators’ actions caused victims to value Company A at more than $300 million for purposes of financing the transaction to take Company A private. The scheme was uncovered in September 2017, when Parmar and his conspirators resigned from their positions with Company A or were terminated. On March 16, 2018, Company A and numerous of its affiliated entities filed for bankruptcy, attributing the company’s financial demise, in large part, to the fraud scheme.

    The conspiracy to commit securities fraud charge to which Parmar has plead guilty, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement, Parmar has also agreed to forfeiture of certain properties and the contents of several bank accounts, and the Court must order that Parmar pays restitution to any victims of his offense.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Driscoll, with assistance from FBI Headquarters Forensic Accountant Support Team.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vinay S. Limbachia, George M. Barchini, and Kelly M. Lyons of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

    The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment with respect to Parmar’s co-defendants, Zaharis and Chivukula, are merely accusations, and Zaharis and Chivukula are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel for Parmar: John H. Hemann, Esq., San Francisco, CA; Andrew D. Goldstein, Victoria R. Pasculli, Alessandra V. Rafalson, Esqs., New York, NY; Anuva V. Ganapathi, Esq., Palo Alto, CA

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Red Cat Reports Financial Results for First Quarter 2025 and Provides Corporate Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, reports its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 and provides a corporate update.

    Recent Operational Highlights

    • Announced the expansion of our multi-domain Family of Systems with a new line of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). This strategic move marks Red Cat’s official entry into the rapidly evolving maritime autonomy market and reinforces its position as a provider of comprehensive, interoperable unmanned systems for air, land, and sea operations.
    • Expanded our Red Cat Futures Industry Consortium to include Palantir and Palladyne to boost AI capabilities in contested environments, including visual navigation.
    • Introducing Black Widow™ and Edge 130 drones to the Latin American market at LAAD 2025 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in April 2025.
    • Introduced our Black Widow™ short-range reconnaissance drone and Edge 130 Tricopter to the Middle East market at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb 17-21, 2025.
    • Introduced Black Widow™ to the Asia Pacific Market at the AISSE conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia in January 2025.
    • Announced that the Black Widow drone and FlightWave Edge 130 were included on the list of 23 platforms and 14 unique components and capabilities selected as winners of the Blue UAS Refresh. The platforms will undergo National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) verification and cyber security review with the ultimate goal of joining the Blue UAS List.
    • Partnered with Palantir to deploy Warp Speed, Palantir’s manufacturing OS. This collaboration will transform our supply and manufacturing operations with Palantir’s AI enabled monitoring, process flow enhancement and comprehensive data analysis. Palantir’s Warp Speed will optimize Red Cat’s production and streamline its supply chain, change management, and quality assurance, ultimately reducing costs and improving margins.

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Quarterly Revenue of $1.7 million
    • Ended the quarter with cash and accounts receivable of $9.3 million
    • In addition, closed funding of $30.0 million subsequent to quarter end
    • Reiterate 2025 annual revenue guidance of $80 to $120 million for calendar year 2025, which consists of:
      • $25 to $65 million in SRR-related Black Widow sales
      • $25 million in Non-SRR Black Widow sales
      • $25 million in Edge 130 sales
      • $5m in Fang FPV sales

    “Red Cat’s momentum continues to build as we execute on our strategy to deliver advanced, AI-enabled unmanned systems across air, land, and sea,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “Our partnership with Palantir to deploy Warp Speed is optimizing our manufacturing and cost efficiency, while our expansion into maritime autonomy with Unmanned Surface Vessels significantly expands our Family of Systems. A strong balance sheet bolstered by a recent $30 million capital raise positions us strongly to meet growing domestic and international demand in the second half of 2025.”

    “Our balance sheet remains strong as we transition to production and delivery of our new Black Widow drones,” said Chris Ericson, Red Cat CFO. “We have bolstered our quarter-end cash and receivables of $9 million with an additional $30 million from a capital raise executed soon after quarter-end. This liquidity has given us ample strength and ability to expand manufacturing to meet the impending demands of the U.S. Army’s SRR program and international opportunities for the second half of 2025.”

    Conference Call Today

    CEO Jeff Thompson and CFO Chris Ericson will host an earnings conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, to review financial results and provide an update on corporate developments. Following management’s formal remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. Interested parties can attend the conference call through a live webcast that can be accessed at: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=OqffyYp4

    About Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

    Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations. Through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat has developed a Family of Systems. This includes the Black Widow™, a small unmanned ISR system that was awarded the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record contract. The Family of Systems also includes TRICHON™, a fixed-wing VTOL for extended endurance and range, and FANG™, the industry’s first line of NDAA-compliant FPV drones optimized for military operations with precision strike capabilities. Learn more at www.redcat.red.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Red Cat Holdings, Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2023. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Red Cat Holdings, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Contact:

    INVESTORS:
    E-mail: Investors@redcat.red

    NEWS MEDIA:
    Phone: (347) 880-2895
    Email: peter@indicatemedia.com

     
    RED CAT HOLDINGS
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
     
          March 31,     December 31,
          2025       2024  
    ASSETS            
                 
    Cash   $ 7,722,410     $ 9,154,297  
    Accounts receivable, net     1,554,295       489,316  
    Inventory, including deposits     17,107,860       13,592,900  
    Intangible assets including goodwill, net     25,718,450       26,124,133  
    Other     7,552,833       6,243,621  
                 
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 59,655,848     $ 55,604,267  
                 
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
                 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 2,712,333     $ 3,289,634  
    Debt obligations     350,000       350,000  
    Customer deposits     220,517       227,484  
    Operating lease liabilities     2,329,194       1,617,596  
    Convertible notes payable     25,132,556       —  
    Total liabilities     30,744,600       5,484,714  
                 
    Stockholders’ capital     176,779,302       174,864,256  
    Accumulated deficit/comprehensive loss     (147,868,054 )     (124,744,703 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     28,911,248       50,119,553  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 59,655,848     $ 55,604,267  
                 
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
     
          Three months ended
    March 31,
          2025   2024
    Revenues     $ 1,629,662     $ 6,614,029  
                       
    Cost of goods sold       2,480,072       5,492,825  
                       
    Gross (loss) profit       (850,410 )     1,121,204  
                       
    Operating Expenses                  
    Research and development       3,432,593       2,669,502  
    Sales and marketing       3,314,748       1,410,506  
    General and administrative       4,880,448       3,084,495  
    Total operating expenses       11,627,789       7,164,503  
    Operating loss       (12,478,199 )     (6,043,299 )
                       
    Other expense (income)       10,645,152       (635,676 )
                       
    Net loss from continuing operations       (23,123,351 )     (5,407,623 )
                       
    Loss from discontinued operations       —       (1,373,457 )
    Net loss     $ (23,123,351 )   $ (6,781,080 )
                       
    Loss per share – basic and diluted     $ (0.27 )   $ (0.09 )
                       
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted       85,505,520       74,204,622  
     
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
         
          Three months ended March 31,  
          2025       2024  
    Cash Flows from Operating Activities                
    Net loss from continuing operations   $ (23,123,351 )   $ (5,407,623 )
    Non-cash expenses     12,886,204       1,129,679  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities     (5,670,590 )     (97,316 )
    Net cash used in operating activities     (15,907,737 )     (4,375,260 )
                     
    Cash Flows from Investing Activities                
    Proceeds from divestiture of consumer segment     —       1,000,000  
    Purchases of property and equipment     (273,103 )     (75,991 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities     (273,103 )     924,009  
                     
    Cash Flows from Financing Activities                
    Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable, net     14,432,879       —  
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options     316,074       —  
    Payments of debt obligations, net     —       (147,147 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     14,748,953       (147,147 )
                     
    Net cash used in discontinued operations     —       (194,969 )
                     
    Net decrease in Cash     (1,431,887 )     (3,793,367 )
    Cash, beginning of period     9,154,297       10,245,064  
    Cash, end of period    $ 7,722,410     $ 6,451,697  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Glenn Hosts Slovenian Delegation and Ohio Governor’s Office

    Source: NASA

    NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland hosted a delegation of Slovenian government officials and representatives from the Ohio Governor’s Office on April 11. NASA Glenn leadership provided the group with an overview of the center’s vital role within the agency. The delegation also visited key space-related and aeronautics facilities, including tours of the Zero Gravity Research Facility, Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory, and Icing Research Tunnel. 
    Republic of Slovenia Minister of Defense Borut Sajovic and Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United States Iztok Mirosic headed the delegation. Joe Zeis, who is the senior advisor for Aerospace and Defense for the Office of the Governor, and Tobias Engel, who is with the Ohio Department of Development International Affairs, also attended. 

    The Slovenia Space Office — under the Ministry of the Economy, Industry, and Sport — coordinates Slovenia’s space activities within ESA (European Space Agency). Slovenia recently became a member state of ESA, enabling more international opportunities for Slovenian scientists and engineers. Last year, Slovenia joined the Artemis Accords, which provides a common set of principles to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space, as the 39th participant.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 1364, Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Bill Summary

    H.R. 1364 would expand the types of adaptative equipment that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can purchase for vehicles belonging to veterans who have received medical care from the department. The bill also would extend the reduction of pension payments for veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes.

    Estimated Federal Cost

    The estimated budgetary effects of H.R. 1364 are shown in Table 1. The bill would decrease net direct spending by $29 million and increase spending subject to appropriation by $26 million over the 2025‑2035 period. The costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 550 (health) and 700 (veterans benefits and services).

    Table 1.

    Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 1364
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		    
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2031

    2032

    2033

    2034

    2035

    2025-2030

    2025-2035
     

    Increases or Decreases (-) in Direct Spending

    		    

    Estimated Budget Authority

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    -39

    1

    1

    2

    5

    -29

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    -39

    1

    1

    2

    5

    -29
     

    Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation

    		    

    Estimated Authorization

    1

    2

    2

    2

    2

    2

    3

    3

    3

    3

    3

    11

    26

    Estimated Outlays

    1

    2

    2

    2

    2

    2

    3

    3

    3

    3

    3

    11

    26

    Basis of Estimate

    For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 1364 will be enacted in fiscal year 2025 and that provisions will take effect upon enactment. CBO also estimates that outlays will follow historical spending patterns for affected programs.

    Provisions That Affect Spending Subject to Appropriation and Direct Spending

    Section 2 would expand the types of adaptative equipment that VA can purchase for the vehicles of eligible veterans who receive medical care at VA facilities. In addition to equipment that VA provides under its current policy, section 2 would authorize VA to provide kneeling systems. Those systems lower the side or rear of a vehicle to reduce the incline of a ramp, making it easier for people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices to access the vehicle. Using information from VA, CBO estimates that the department would purchase kneeling systems for roughly 55 veterans each year at a cost of about $63,000 on average, for a total of $37 million over the 2025‑2035 period.

    Some of the veterans who would acquire kneeling systems under section 2 would be veterans who have been exposed to environmental hazards; thus, CBO expects that some of the costs of implementing the bill would be paid from the Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF) established by Public Law 117-168, the Honoring our PACT Act. The TEF is a mandatory appropriation that VA uses to pay for health care, disability claims processing, medical research, and information technology modernization that benefit veterans who were exposed to environmental hazards. Additional spending from the TEF occurs if legislation increases the costs of similar activities that benefit veterans with such exposure. Thus, in addition to increasing spending subject to appropriation, enacting section 2 would increase amounts paid from the TEF, which are classified as direct spending.

    CBO projects that the proportion of costs paid by the TEF will grow over time based on the amount of formerly discretionary appropriations that CBO expects will be provided through the mandatory appropriation as specified in the Honoring our PACT Act. CBO estimates that over the 2025-2035 period, implementing section 2 would increase spending subject to appropriation by $26 million and direct spending by $11 million.

    Direct Spending

    In addition to expanding benefits that would partly be covered by the TEF, CBO estimates that enacting the bill would affect direct spending by reducing pension payments to veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes. In total, the bill would decrease net direct spending by $29 million over the 2025‑2035 period (see Table 2).

    Under current law, VA reduces pension payments to veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes to $90 per month. That required reduction expires November 30, 2031. Section 3 would extend that reduction for ten months, through September 30, 2032. CBO estimates that extending that requirement would reduce VA benefits by $10 million per month. (Those benefits are paid from mandatory appropriations and are therefore considered direct spending.) As a result of that reduction in beneficiaries’ income, Medicaid would pay more of the cost of their care, increasing spending for that program by $6 million per month. Thus, enacting section 3 would reduce net direct spending by $40 million over the 2025-2035 period.

    Table 2.

    Estimated Increases in Direct Spending Under H.R. 1364
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		    
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2031

    2032

    2033

    2034

    2035

    2025-2030

    2025-2035

    Adaptive Equipment

    		                      

    Estimated Budget Authority

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    2

    5

    11

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    2

    5

    11

    Pensions

    		                      

    Estimated Budget Authority

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -40

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -40

    Estimated Outlays

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -40

    0

    0

    0

    0

    -40

    Total Changes

    		                        

    Estimated Budget Authority

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    -39

    1

    1

    2

    5

    -29

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    -39

    1

    1

    2

    5

    -29

    Spending Subject to Appropriation

    The discussion above in “Provisions That Affect Spending Subject to Appropriation and Direct Spending” describes the expansion of vehicle adaptations VA can purchase for eligible veterans after receiving medical care from the department. That expansion would increase spending subject to appropriation by $26 million over the 2025‑2035 period (see Table 3).

    Table 3.

    Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under H.R. 1364
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		    
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2031

    2032

    2033

    2034

    2035

    2025-2030

    2025-2035

    Adaptive Equipment

    		                      

    Estimated Authorization

    1

    2

    2

    2

    2

    2

    3

    3

    3

    3

    3

    11

    26

    Estimated Outlays

    1

    2

    2

    2

    2

    2

    3

    3

    3

    3

    3

    11

    26

    Pay-As-You-Go Considerations

    The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in Table 2.

    Increase in Long-Term Net Direct Spending and Deficits

    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1364 would not increase net direct spending by more than $2.5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.

    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1364 would not increase on‑budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.

    Mandates

    The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

    Federal Costs: Paul B.A. Holland

    Mandates: Brandon Lever

    Estimate Reviewed By

    David Newman
    Chief, Defense, International Affairs, and Veterans’ Affairs Cost Estimates Unit

    Kathleen FitzGerald
    Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit

    Christina Hawley Anthony
    Deputy Director of Budget Analysis

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Long-Time Fugitive Extradited to the United States to Face Charges for Orchestrating Mail Fraud Scheme Defrauding Elderly and Vulnerable Victims of Over $10 Million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A German man was extradited from Italy and arrested for orchestrating a massive mail fraud scheme targeting elderly and otherwise vulnerable victims with false and fraudulent psychic solicitations, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Georg Ingenbleek, 58, a citizen of Germany, was indicted in 2020 and has been a fugitive. He was apprehended in Bolzano, Italy in 2024 and returned yesterday via Newark International Airport to face an indictment charging him with two counts of mail fraud. Ingenbleek made his initial appearance and arraignment on May 9, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded without bail.

    According to the Indictment and statements made in court:

    From at least 2011 through 2016, Ingenbleek created numerous direct mail solicitations supposedly from world-renowned psychics, falsely and fraudulently claiming that the recipients were being contacted because they had been the subject of specific visions by the psychics, including visions that the recipients were going to receive large sums of money and good fortune. Many of the letters falsely promised that the psychic services being offered were free of charge. In fact, the letters were mass-produced using software and information provided by Ingenbleek to a direct mail marketing services company, Company-1, located in Piscataway, New Jersey, which Ingenbleek retained to print and mail the solicitations.

    Ingenbleek directed a second company, Company-2, to send fraudulent billing notices to the same victims that stated that the victims owed money for psychic services, which in many cases had been offered free of charge. The fraudulent billing notices were labeled “collection notices” and “invoices,” falsely representing that the victims owed late payment fees, and falsely stating that a psychic or astrology organization would refer the victim to a “collection agency” and take legal action if the victim did not send a check, usually for $20 to $50. Through his fraudulent psychic mailing campaign, Ingenbleek obtained more than $10 million dollars from victims.

    In September 2016, Ingenbleek directed representatives of Company-1 and Company-2 to destroy all materials related to his fraudulent psychic mailings in response to federal criminal investigations into his conduct and the conduct of other participants in the scheme. In one email, dated September 23, 2016, Ingenbleek told a representative of Company-2, “You cannot wait! I advise you urgently to get rid of the material! Use your own car, rent a truck, start today, work all weekend.”

    The mail fraud charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; and special agents of HSI New York, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonzo, with the investigation leading to the charges, and HSI Rome and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for providing significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Italy.

    The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Fayer and Olta Bejleri of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

    The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    ###

    Defense counsel: Daniel Rashbaum, Esq., Miami, Florida.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: AR & VR Saves Time & Money on Training

    Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

    —————
    Training @USNavy submariners is getting easier thanks to augmented reality and virtual reality technologies. Engineers at@NAVSEApa in Keyport, Wash., are using commercial gaming technology to produce simulations to teach sailors how to maintain the fleet.

    For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
    —————
    Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!

    Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Instagram: http://instagram.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DeptofDefense

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvoiV29_WfM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Doggett Honors Austin Students Headed to Our Nation’s Military Service Academies

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

    Contact: Alexis.Torres@mail.house.gov

    Austin, Texas—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) honored 13 Austin students whom he nominated for our nation’s military service academies. In a highly competitive selection process, these students have been admitted to the U.S. Military, Air Force, and Naval Academies.

    The students will receive a tuition-free education, which includes room and board, textbooks, and uniforms, as well as a guaranteed military job after graduation. A fully funded, four-year education at a military service academy is valued at upwards of $450,000.

    “This is by far my largest number of nominees accepted for academy admission ever. It shows that Austin is home to many talented and determined students who have already demonstrated success in their studies and extracurricular activities. They are ready to serve our country and obtain the education and experience needed to become our next generation of leaders,” said Rep. Doggett. “Every year, I look forward to making these nominations to help a select group of young Austinites achieve their dreams. Young people, usually current high school juniors, wishing to be considered for our next year-end round of nominations should contact my office.”

    The students and their parents were honored in a special ceremony in the historic LBJ Suite of the JJ Pickle Federal Building—President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Austin office, where he met with military and civilian leaders during his presidency.

    Rep. Doggett’s nominees attending the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY:

    • Tyler Letcher, a senior at Westlake High School
    • Mary Teal, a senior at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School
    • Owen Baggish, a 2022 graduate of Westlake High School

    Rep. Doggett’s nominees attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO:

    • William Kugler, a senior at Westlake High School
    • Paxton Seghi, an Air Force soccer recruit and senior at Westwood High School
    • Maddox Brown, a 2024 graduate of Bowie High School and a NASA High School Aerospace Scholar
    • Benjamin Brophy, an Air Force soccer recruit and senior at St. Michael’s Catholic Prep School
    • Alexander Agrawal, a senior at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
    • Arun Gandhi, a senior at Bowie High School
    • Ryan Gulandri, a senior at Bowie High School

    Rep. Doggett’s nominees attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD:

    • Oscar Bednar, a senior at Anderson High School
    • Angelina Gomez, a senior at Austin High School
    • Trent Gray, a senior at Austin High School

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: From the Top End to the Philippines: MRF-D 25.3 bolsters U.S.-Philippine alliance

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines — From the northern coast of Australia to the southern edge of the Philippine archipelago, U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) spent the last month executing rapid maneuver, joint and combined integrated fires, and combined exercises alongside Philippine and Australian allies across one of the world’s most complex and challenging maritime regions.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Father and Son Sentenced for Role in International Market Manipulation Scheme Related to New Jersey Deli

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAMDEN, N.J. – A father and son were sentenced on May 13, 2025, for their roles in orchestrating a large-scale market manipulation scheme related to two publicly traded companies, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Peter Coker, Sr., 82, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Peter Coker, Jr., 56, formerly of Hong Kong, China, had pleaded guilty, on December 19, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Coker, Sr. was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, including six months’ home detention, and fines totaling $500,000. Coker, Jr. was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and fines totaling $250,000.

    James Patten, 65, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina also previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    From 2014 through September 2022, Peter Coker Sr., Peter Coker Jr., and Patten conspired to enrich themselves through a scheme to manipulate securities prices via a pattern of coordinated trading, which injected inaccurate information into the marketplace, creating false impressions of supply and demand for these securities.

    As part of the securities fraud scheme, the defendants targeted two publicly traded companies—Hometown International Inc. and E-Waste Corp.—which both traded on the OTC Link Alternative Trading System, also known as the OTC Marketplace. The OTC Marketplace is an alternative trading system that contains three tiers of markets, which are largely based on the quality and quantity of the listed companies’ information and disclosures.

    Coker Sr., Coker Jr., and Patten took steps to gain control of both entities’ management and stock with the ultimate intention of entering reverse mergers, a transaction through which an existing public company merges with a private operating company. A successful reverse merger would allow the defendants to sell shares of each entity at a significant profit.

    In or around 2014, two New Jersey residents began the process of opening a local deli in Paulsboro, New Jersey. One of the individuals discussed his interest in opening the deli with Patten, a long-time friend, who suggested the creation of Hometown International, an umbrella corporation, under which the deli would operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. Unbeknownst to the deli owners, after Hometown International was formed, Patten and his associates began positioning Hometown International as a vehicle for a reverse merger that would yield substantial profit to them.

    Around October 2019, Hometown International began selling shares on the OTC Marketplace. Patten, Coker Sr., and Coker Jr. furthered their scheme by gaining control of Hometown International’s management and its shares from the deli owners. Coker Sr., Coker Jr., and Patten took similar actions to gain control of E-Waste Corporation’s stock and management. The defendants also arranged for the transfer of millions of shares of stock to a number of nominee entities, including entities controlled by Coker Jr., in an effort to mask their control of the shares.

    In addition, the defendants transferred shares to family members, friends, and associates and gained control over their trading accounts by obtaining their log-in information to conceal the defendants’ involvement. The defendants then used those accounts to commit a number of coordinated trading events, often referred to as match and wash trades, to trade in Hometown International and E-Waste Corp.’s stock on both sides of the transaction.

    These tactics artificially inflated the price of Hometown International and E-Waste’s stock by giving the false impression that there was a genuine market interest in the stock. Their scheme had the ultimate impact of artificially inflating Hometown International’s stock by approximately 939 percent and E-Waste’s stock by approximately 19,900 percent.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked special agents from FBI Charlotte, FBI Los Angeles, FBI San Francisco, FBI Denver, and FBI Knoxville, for their assistance.

    The government is represented by Lauren E. Repole, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit. 

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel:

    Peter Coker, Sr.: John Azzarello, Esq. (Morristown, New Jersey), William McGovern, Esq. (New York, New York)

    Peter Coker, Jr.: Zach Intrater and Marc Agnifilo (New York, New York)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chicago Woman Pleaded Guilty in Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Targeting United States Service Men & Women

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Chicago, Il., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today for her role in a wire fraud conspiracy that targeted United States Service men and women who had recently joined the military.

    Jetauwn T. Griffin, 31, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie Epps, Jr., to a federal information charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    Griffin conspired with others that sought to defraud United States military service men and women through the use of social media.

    According to the plea agreement, Griffin conspired with others that employed a scheme to defraud United States military service men and women. Service members who had recently joined the United States military were contacted through various social media platforms.  Upon communicating with each military member, a person within the conspiracy would use the information obtained from the social media platform and then contact the service member claiming to be a senior military official.  As a senior military member, they would tell each service member that they were receiving the wrong salary, and they were owed more money than they were being paid.  The perpetrators of the scheme who advise the service member that they needed to return their prior pay using a cash application and then they would receive the higher pay once the other money was returned.  If a service member followed these instructions, the members of this scheme would take the monies transferred and would never return any monies to the victim.  Griffin conspired with others in this scheme by taking the cash application transfers and conducted financial transactions that transferred the victim’s money to accounts that were accessed by all members of the scheme.

    Under federal statutes, Griffin is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Released lists shed light on Japanese germ warfare units’ activities in China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    TOKYO, May 14 (Xinhua) — The National Archives of Japan on Wednesday released lists of personnel of three biological warfare units of the Imperial Japanese Army.

    The documents contain detailed personal information on members of Units 1644, 8604 and 8609, including names, dates of birth, family register details, addresses and assignment details.

    These lists, originally under the control of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, were transferred to the National Archives in March 2024 and were included in the list of documents to be released to the public in March 2025.

    The documents were released at the request of researchers, including renowned bacteriological warfare expert and professor emeritus at the Shiga Prefectural University of Medical Sciences, Katsuo Nishiyama.

    Kazuo Nishiyama said Wednesday that the discovery of the lists disproves previous claims that the germ warfare units existed.

    During the invasion of China, the Japanese army formed several biological warfare units, including the infamous “Unit 731.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary-General/Peacekeeping, Yemen & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General/peacekeeping
    Peacekeeping ministerial meeting
    Yemen
    Security Council
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Lebanon
    Syria
    Syria returnees
    Deputy Secretary-General/trip announcement
    Somalia
    Haiti
    José “Pepe” Mujica
    Noon briefing guests – tomorrow
    Noon briefing guest – Andrew Saberton

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/PEACEKEEPING
    The Secretary-General is continuing his meetings in Berlin. As you know, he is in Berlin to attend the Ministerial Meeting on Peacekeeping. Right now, he is meeting with Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of Germany and they are just starting a press stakeout.
    Earlier today, he said that he is heartened by the exceptional turn-out of Ministers from across the globe, representing the full range of peacekeeping partners. Just to let you know that we have an update that more than 130 Member States were present and 74 Member States made pledges to support peace operations.
    The Secretary-General added that this meeting comes at a time when unfortunately, peacekeeping operations are facing serious liquidity problems. He called on all Member States to respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time.
    These remarks were made during a joint press conference with the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul, and Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius. He noted that he is especially pleased to be in Berlin so soon after the new Government took office, and he looks forward to building on our partnership in the time ahead.
    Mr. Guterres also met today with Ms. Reem Alabali-Radovan, Minister for Development and Economic Cooperation of Germany. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to hold discussions with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, before he departs to Iraq to attend the League of Arab States Summit.  

    PEACEKEEPING MINISTERIAL MEETING 
    During the Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, the United Nations unveiled a new multi-year initiative funded by the Federal Republic of Germany to provide women troops deployed in Peace Operations with gender-specific protective gear, including ballistic vests and helmets. During an award ceremony held earlier today during the Member States’ gathering, Nils Hilmer, State Secretary at the German Ministry of Defense and Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, announced the selection of Fiji, Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mongolia and Tanzania, to receive the equipment – in recognition of their commitment to the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy and the deployment of women in operational roles. The project, worth one million Euros in total, aims to enhance the performance, safety and security of women peacekeepers in complex and volatile mission environments and ultimately promote their participation in peacekeeping efforts.

    YEMEN
    Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy for Yemen, briefed the Security Council this morning and welcomed the announcement on 6 May of a cessation of hostilities between the USA and Ansar Allah. He said that this step represents an important and necessary de-escalation in the Red Sea and in Yemen following the resumption, on 15 March, of US airstrikes against targets in Ansar Allah-controlled areas.
    He said that events in recent weeks, however, have also served as stark reminders that Yemen is ensnared in the wider regional tensions. The attack carried out by Ansar Allah on Ben Gurion Airport on 4 May, and the subsequent strikes by Israel on Hudaydah Port, Sana’a Airport, and other locations in response, represent a dangerous escalation, and the threats and attacks, regrettably, continue.
    Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, told Council members that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating, and those most in peril are the country’s children. Half of Yemen’s children – or 2.3 million – are malnourished, he said, and 600,000 of them are severely so.
    Mr. Fletcher warned that Yemen’s 2025 humanitarian response plan is barely 9 per cent funded – less than half of what we received at the same time last year. These shortfalls have very real consequences. He said that we expect pipeline gaps as early as June or July – right when malnutrition numbers will peak.  
    Mr. Grundberg will speak at the stakeout once he is done in the Council and we will let you know when that happens.

    Full Highlights:
    https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=14%20May%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoV4ApxYiYE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza: UN Urges Immediate Action to Save Lives – OCHA Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher today (13 May) asked the Security Council Members “to reflect for a moment on what action we will tell future generations we each took to stop the 21st century atrocity to which we bear daily witness in Gaza.”

    Fletcher, briefing the Council on the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave, said, “Israel is deliberately un unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory. For more than ten weeks. Nothing has entered Gaza. No food, medicine, water, or tents. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have again been forcibly displaced and confined into ever shrinking spaces, as 70 percent of Gaza’s territory is either within Israeli militarized zones or under displacement orders.”

    The humanitarian official said Israel denies humanitarians access, “placing the objective of depopulating Gaza before the lives of civilians.”

    He said, “we have lifesaving supplies ready now at the borders. We can save hundreds of thousands of survivors. We have rigorous mechanisms to ensure our aid gets to civilians, and not to Hamas. But

    He asked Council Members, “what more evidence do you need now? Will you act decisively to prevent genocide and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law? Or will you say instead that we did all we could?”

    The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director of its Liaison Office with the United Nations, Angélica Jácome, told the Council that “agrifood systems have collapsed in the Gaza Strip while food prices have soared.”

    Jácome said, “we are witnessing the systemic breakdown of conditions essential for survival. People in Gaza are not only experiencing lack of food, but they are going through a profound breakdown of health, livelihood, and social structures, leaving entire communities in a state of desperation, devastation, and death.”

    Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the Council that “930,000 children are at critical risk of famine” in Gaza, “not because there is no food. Food is there. A few meters away. Rotting instead of reaching those who desperately need it. But because Israel has been openly and brazenly blocking humanitarian aid for over two months now.”

    Mansour said, “this is engineered starvation. It is the most inhumane form of torture and killing.”

    He noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of the Israeli Knesset on Sunday “we are destroying more and more homes. They have nowhere to return to. The only inevitable outcome will be the wish of Gazans to immigrate outside of the Gaza Strip.”

    For his part, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “we will not accept a humanitarian mechanism that props up the terror organization that butchered our people. We will not sit idly by as food, fuel and funds meant for civilians are funnelled into the Hamas terror machine. We will never allow our morality to be weaponized against us again.”

    Danon said Secretary-General António Guterres had “refused to engage” in a new humanitarian distribution plan proposed by Israel, alleging that the plan “in his view, does not meet the principles of and I quote, ‘impartiality, humanity, independence and neutrality.”

    The Israeli Ambassador said, “the irony is unbelievable, as the previous mechanism made a mockery of every one of those principles. That is not diplomacy. That is not neutrality. That is sabotage disguised as principle.”

    Danon said, “to Secretary-General Guterres I say this; the aid that ended up in Hamas hands did not bring hope. It did not bring progress. It brought death. That path leads nowhere, Mr. Guterres, you are invited to return to the table. But if you do come with open eyes, and open ears, something can be achieved.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqP4zwbZxoU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Over the past two days, 130 Member States participated at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin – with more than 60 Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense participating. UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, briefed the media following a ceremony where more than 70 Member States made pledges of needed capabilities and support to UN Peacekeeping, including 81 military and police units, as well as in the areas of capacity-building partnerships, Women, Peace, and Security, Safety and Security, Technology, environment, conduct and accountability and strategic communications and Information Integrity.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-PvZ73Hc5U

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNIFIL Statement (14 May 2025)

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    UNIFIL is concerned by the recent aggressive posture of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) involving UNIFIL personnel and assets near the Blue Line, including yesterday’s incident in which a direct fire hit the perimeter of a UNIFIL position south of the village of Kfar Shouba.

    In yesterday’s incident, peacekeepers observed two shots fired from south of the Blue Line with one of them hitting the UNIFIL base.

    This marks the first time a UNIFIL position has been directly hit since the 27 November cessation of hostilities understanding while in this period UNIFIL has observed at least four other incidents involving IDF fire near its positions along the Blue Line.

    In recent days, UNIFIL has also observed other aggressive behaviour by the IDF towards peacekeepers performing operational activities in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1701.

    Also yesterday, UNIFIL peacekeepers performing a patrol with the Lebanese army near Maroun ar-Ra’s reported being targeted by a laser from a nearby IDF position.

    In another incident south of Alma ash-Shaab on 7 May, laser beams were pointed towards a UNIFIL patrol from two IDF Merkava tanks. As the patrol began to move, a drone flew approximately five metres above it, following the patrol for about a kilometre. Separately, on the same day, an aerial vehicle repeatedly flew over a UNIFIL position east of Houla.

    UNIFIL protests all such and we continue to remind all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN assets and premises at all times.

    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

    https://t.me/UNIFIL_Lebanon

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: South Sudan: UN Security Council must renew and enforce arms embargo to protect civilians

    Source: Amnesty International –

    • Ugandan military presence in clear breach of embargo terms
    • Satellite images of South Sudanese military helicopters suggest ongoing embargo violations
    • Arms embargo, in place since 2018, due to expire on 31 May

    The deployment of armed Ugandan soldiers and military equipment to South Sudan since 11 March 2025 flagrantly violates the arms embargo, Amnesty International said today, ahead of this month’s UN Security Council vote on the embargo’s renewal.

    The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which was sent to South Sudan amid escalating violence in Upper Nile State, has given conflicting accounts of the purpose of its mission. Media reports quote UPDF officials saying that they were deployed at South Sudan’s request to secure the capital Juba and that they are “not there for peacekeeping.” However, the UPDF states on its website that the objective of the deployment is to “maintain peace and security in the country.”

    The human rights organization also documented evidence of the ongoing use of attack helicopters by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), strongly suggesting that the supply of spare parts – an arms embargo violation previously documented by Amnesty International – continues. On 4 May, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that two helicopter gunships bombed their pharmacy in Old Fangak the day before and fired at the town, killing seven and injuring 20 others. A deliberate attack targeting a hospital performing its humanitarian function would violate international humanitarian law and constitute a war crime. Just days later media cite eyewitnesses alleging that SSPDF helicopter gunships killed six civilians in Mayom County, Unity State.

    We urge the Security Council to renew the embargo, enforce it and protect civilian lives

    Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

    “While the UN arms embargo has not been a panacea, the human rights situation would almost certainly be worse without it. Now is not the time to lift the embargo and add more weapons into the fray. We urge the Security Council to renew the embargo, enforce it and protect civilian lives,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Urges Defense Health Agency Not to Downgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s Community Hospital

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
    Yesterday, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Acting Director of the Defense Health Agency Dr. David J. Smith urging him not to downgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s newly built hospital, citing readiness and training issues.
    Senator Hawley wrote, “I write with great concern over reports that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is considering downgrading the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital to a clinic. I urge you to reconsider this and ensure that Fort Leonard Wood keeps its newly built hospital.”
    He continued, “As you are no doubt aware, the DHA also moved to downgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s hospital under the previous Administration. I demanded Secretary Austin reverse course then, and have continued to remain engaged on the issue. Downgrading this hospital would seriously harm soldiers, their families, and the broader community. It would jeopardize Fort Leonard Wood’s critical role as a major Army training center, including for Basic Combat Training and numerous advanced specialties.”
    Senator Hawley concluded, “The DHA has previously considered downgrading this hospital as a cost savings measure, but in point of fact such a move would represent the abandonment of over $400 million in recent investments to upgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s medical facilities. It would also impose additional costs on servicemembers assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, who would have to travel long distances to receive anything more than outpatient services. A downgrade of this facility should not happen. I urge you to reconsider and reverse any determinations that have been made to do so. You must act to protect a hospital that is critical to servicemembers and constituents in my state.”
    Read the full letter here or below. 
    Dr. David J. SmithActing Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and Acting Director, Defense Health Agency7700 Arlington Blvd., Suite 5101Falls Church, VA 22042
    Dear Dr. Smith,
    I write with great concern over reports that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is considering downgrading the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital to a clinic. I urge you to reconsider this and ensure that Fort Leonard Wood keeps its newly built hospital.
    As you are no doubt aware, the DHA also moved to downgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s hospital under the previous Administration. I demanded Secretary Austin reverse course then, and have continued to remain engaged on the issue.
    Downgrading this hospital would seriously harm soldiers, their families, and the broader community. It would jeopardize Fort Leonard Wood’s critical role as a major Army training center, including for Basic Combat Training and numerous advanced specialties.
    The DHA has previously considered downgrading this hospital as a cost savings measure, but in point of fact such a move would represent the abandonment of over $400 million in recent investments to upgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s medical facilities. It would also impose additional costs on servicemembers assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, who would have to travel long distances to receive anything more than outpatient services.
    A downgrade of this facility should not happen. I urge you to reconsider and reverse any determinations that have been made to do so. You must act to protect a hospital that is critical to servicemembers and constituents in my state.
    Sincerely,
    Josh HawleyU.S. Senator

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Need for sanctions and embargo on the sale of military equipment in response to Türkiye’s threats to invade Cyprus – E-001809/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001809/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Geadis Geadi (ECR)

    A few days ago, the Turkish Ministry of Defence launched direct threats against Cyprus. In what is a total provocation and failure to respect the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus’ status as an EU Member State or Türkiye’s supposed aspirations to EU membership, the Ministry has stated its intention to launch a fresh invasion of Cyprus or, as it calls it, a second ‘peaceful’ intervention in Cyprus.

    At the same time, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has once again referred to a two-state solution in Cyprus, which is completely incompatible with international law, which constitutes the foundation of European principles and values.

    Can the Commission therefore answer the following:

    • 1.With European Commissioners referring to Türkiye as an ‘important partner’ and ‘strategic ally’, while putting up with the country’s threats to relaunch its invasion of the European territories of the Republic of Cyprus and firmly upholding their double standards – which calls into question European strength and sovereignty – when will this farce end?
    • 2.Will it continue to support defence cooperation with Türkiye and tolerate the use of European military equipment against Member States, or will there finally be serious discussions on the need for an embargo on the sale of European equipment to Türkiye?
    • 3.Will it finally stop its funding to Türkiye and, at the same time, move forward with harsh economic and other sanctions, or will it wait for Türkiye to make good on its threats?

    Submitted: 2.5.2025

    Last updated: 14 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – The future European security architecture: Dilemmas for EU strategic autonomy – 14-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Europeans are searching for their geopolitical footprint and trying to build a European pillar in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at a time when the United States is likely to reduce its engagement in Europe, while Russia is looking for a reset of the European security architecture, which developed at the end of the Cold War, by waging war on Ukraine. After analysing the evolution of key security organisations in Europe – NATO, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)/Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union (EU) – and the defence policies of individual countries, five possible scenarios for a new European security architecture were developed with the use of foresight methodology. Based on expert consultations, four of the scenarios – Antagonism, European NATO, European Defence Union and Patchwork – point to an increasingly antagonistic world in the next decade. These scenarios consider the degree of US (dis)engagement from Europe, EU-NATO relations and the possible outcome of the Ukraine war. While Antagonism can largely be seen as a continuation of the current state of play, with a solid transatlantic relationship anchored in NATO, the Patchwork scenario is the most challenging, with no strong alliance and in which Europe becomes a playground. Conversely, a new détente (relaxation of relations among global powers) leading to a more cooperative world needs a new triggering factor. This scenario, Cooperative co-existence, would possibly require over a decade to happen, and Europeans would need to compensate for further US disengagement from Europe, either through a European NATO or a European Defence Union, if they wish to matter as a geopolitical actor. Europeans therefore need to increase defence funding (in the case of further US disengagement, possibly by above 5 % of GDP), strengthen their capabilities, including nuclear and space capabilities, keep pace with the technological race and bolster the European defence industrial network. By developing its strategic autonomy, the EU might enhance its agency in defence matters, preserve transatlantic ties and allow the European interest to prevail.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Chiefs of Defence meet in Brussels

    Source: NATO

    Brussels, 14 May 2025 – The 193rd NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, today. Thirty two Allied Chiefs of Defence discussed NATO’s vigilance & deterrence, continued support to Ukraine, and preparations for the NATO Summit in The Hague in June. The final meeting of the day saw the Ukrainian Chief of Defence, General Sikyrsky, join the NATO-Ukraine Council virtually from Kyiv.

    Opening the working session, the Chair of the Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, underscored that the meeting of Allied Chiefs of Defence is a testament to NATO’s enduring unity and strength, and that cohesion among Allied militaries is the bedrock of NATO’s collective defence. The Chair stressed the priorities for the NATO Military Authorities, especially in these challenging times: continue providing unfettered and timely military advice to political leadership, underpinned by collective clarity and decisiveness. The Allied Chiefs of Defence session focus was to discuss further strengthening NATO’S deterrence and defence, in order to continue adapting to the security challenges facing the Alliance. 

    During the following session, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) briefed the Chiefs of Defence on NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, and the status quo and way ahead of NATO’s operations, missions, and activities. 

    Then, Chiefs of Defence discussed with Admiral Pierre Vandier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) about NATO’s Defence Planning Process and developments in innovation and the adoption of new systems.

    The final session with the Chief of Defence of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi (attending via videoconference), focused on the current state of play in Ukraine. Allies reiterated their support to Ukraine, and emphasised why now – more than ever – it is key for NATO to continue to provide Ukraine what is needed for its defence.

    Wrapping up a fruitful meeting, CMC farewelled fellow Chiefs of Defence, looking forward to the next meeting in this format later in the year.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Ceasefire declared in Libya’s Tripoli after overnight clashes

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    TRIPOLI, May 14 (Xinhua) — Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) declared a ceasefire on Wednesday following intense overnight clashes between rival armed groups in the capital’s downtown and residential areas, prompting international calls to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.

    Fighting broke out overnight between forces loyal to Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, including the 444th Brigade, and forces linked to Special Deterrence Forces chief Abdel Raouf Kara.

    According to local residents, the shooting continued until the morning, and the Libyan Red Crescent reported finding a dead person in the center of Tripoli. The extent of the human casualties has not yet been established.

    The UN Support Mission in Libya condemned the violence and attacks on civilian areas and warned that damage to non-combatants and infrastructure “may amount to crimes under international law.”

    The GNA Defense Ministry said the ceasefire had come into effect by midday. Buffer forces had been deployed to separate the conflicting parties and stabilize the situation in hot spots.

    The fighting followed deadly clashes on May 12 between forces loyal to A.H. Dbeibah and the Stability Support Apparatus following the killing of the head of the organisation, Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, better known as Ghaniwa.

    A senior official said A.G. al-Kikli was killed in a compound controlled by the 444th Brigade, which is commanded by Mahmoud Hamza, a militia leader linked to A.H. Dbeibah. A.G. al-Kikli’s death triggered a wave of clashes that left at least six people dead, according to security sources.

    More than a decade after the 2011 overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains a deeply divided country. The government in the east relies on the Libyan National Army, led by commander-in-chief Khalifa Haftar, while the UN recognizes the GNA, which controls the west. Meanwhile, rival militia groups loyal to the western government are also battling for power. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –