Category: Military Intelligence

MIL-OSI Russia: A scientific and educational center for unmanned systems will be created at the Polytechnic University

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

Unmanned systems are a priority area for the development of science and technology in the country. Naturally, this area is actively developing at the Polytechnic University: these include our own developments in UAVs, unmanned boats, underwater robotics, and machine vision systems for ground-based UAVs. The university has the status of a federal provider of training in the field of unmanned aircraft systems — design, operation, and piloting of UAVs, including in the form of youth design bureaus. However, the subject matter is very broad and complex.

Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy noted during the signing of the agreement with partners on the creation of the UAV scientific and educational center: The tasks in this area can be called global, they cover many technologies and areas of research and training. These include communications, 3D printing, and new materials. Of course, this is impossible without modern digital modeling technologies, which we have full control over. Our university is ready to respond to the challenges of the time and will fully develop this area.

The agreement was signed with NPO Kaisant, ANO TsPV ZOV-AA, JSC TsNII Cyclone, and Engineering Systems LLC with the participation of the 56th UAV training center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

The partners agreed to organize and develop cooperation in the following areas:

creation of innovative software products for UAVs; development of circuit solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their main components; development of radio jamming systems (EW); development of SIGINT systems (electronic intelligence); methodological support for the design, development and operation of unmanned aircraft systems, including legal support; conducting full-scale tests.

In order to improve the qualifications of the university staff and students, a test site for UAVs/EW/SAR will be used on the basis of two military ranges of the 56th UAV training center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. As part of the practice, students will be able to assemble real UAVs, as well as EW/SAR units. The first stage of such practice will be launched on the basis of the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education. In addition, the discussion was about the participation of partners in the military-patriotic education of youth. The basis for all this should be a scientific cluster for the development of technologies in the field of UAVs/EW/SAR.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/education/a scientific-educational-center-for-unmanned-systems will be created at the Polytechnic University/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Repatriation of remains of fallen struggle heroes a moment of reflection

Source: South Africa News Agency

The South African government has received the remains of 49 liberation fighters who died in exile in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The remains were received at the Waterkloof Airforce Base on an emotional Wednesday evening (25 September 2024) for families of the fallen freedom fighters.

Speaking to SAnews, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, said the handover of the remains was a moment of sombre reflection on the sacrifices it took for South Africa to gain its freedom.

“The message is of gratitude to…families who have daughters, sons, fathers and mothers who gave the ultimate price for our freedom. We are able to be here because they gave the final sacrifice.

“It is also for us as a people, to remember where we came from because this didn’t come easy. There are people who died, and we should not be casual about how we use that power because it is a power that came from people who gave their lives,” Motshekga said.

The Minister added that the repatriation of struggle heroes will continue as there are more struggle heroes who died outside of the country.

“The plan is to now do mass repatriations and that’s what has been in the plans for the past two years. But because it takes time, we’ll see if we can do it in gaps of two years. This has been a good lesson in terms of mass repatriations and when we move to other countries…we will have learnt the lessons on how to deal with most of the issues,” she said.

Families remember their heroes

The remains of freedom fighter Basil February – who died in Zimbabwe – arrived with the cohort.
Speaking to SAnews, his brother Terry said the return of his remains marks the beginning of healing for the family.

“My mother died 11 years ago and…I would like my mother to have been here. I would have liked for this occasion to have happened 12 or 15 years ago, so that she could have been here. My mother died when she was 92 years old. She asked me to make her a promise that I will bring Basil’s remains home and I said I will. Today is such a historic day for our family.

“It does not yet bring closure. It will take a little while. This whole process has…opened some old, deep wounds and it will take a while for those wounds to heal.

“But I can feel that the process has already started. That closure is starting to kick in. I feel a relief and I feel a genuine excitedness because Basil is finally coming home,” February said.

Onica Mahlangu – whose brother Bennet Sibanyoni died in Zambia nearly 40 years ago – described to SAnews, the peacefulness that her brother’s remains brings as the brutal Apartheid security forces took everything that belonged to him – leaving them with nothing to remember him by.

“I have mixed emotions. I feel like this is the first time I have been informed of his death. That’s how much it still hurts. Unfortunately, my mother died with a broken heart…crying for her son. She pleaded with us not to stop searching for his remains. I feel happy that government has not forgotten us and has helped us.

“The repatriation will bring peace to our spirits…our family was tortured. We didn’t even have a photo of him because the Apartheid government took everything that belonged to him and left us with nothing that we could look at and remember him by,” Mahlangu said.

Makabelo Msiza remarked to SAnews that without government, they would not have been able to bring her brother home.

“I am filled with joy because we finally have my sibling back. I know where I will bury him and even when I miss him, I will now know where to go to visit him at his gravesite. I will bury him near my parents’ graves.

“President [Cyril] Ramaphosa has done such a big thing for us. I have been on this road [of trying to get the remains] since Mandela was alive. I have knocked on many doors with no help but today, because of President Cyril Ramaphosa, everything has now been resolved and we can bury our loved ones in peace,” Msiza said.

President Ramaphosa is expected to lead a repatriation and restitution ceremony for the remains at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Tshwane on Friday.

In a statement on Monday, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said that following the arrival of the remains, government will host the official homecoming ceremony to mark the return of these liberation fighters to the country of their birth.

“Thereafter, reburial ceremonies will be held in the provinces of their origin, ensuring they are laid to rest with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said the GCIS.

The Exile Repatriation Programme is guided by the National Policy of Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects of 2021. This policy was adopted as part of South Africa’s broader commitment to ensuring that former liberation fighters who died in exile are returned home and buried with dignity.

The repatriation process is being conducted in close collaboration with regional governments, historical experts, and local communities to guarantee a respectful and well-coordinated return.

READ | Homecoming ceremony for former liberation fighters

– SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Injectable Stem Cell Product Manufacturer Pleads Guilty to Felony Distribution of Unapproved Drug

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 27, 2024

The founder and chief executive officer of a California-based company that marketed stem cell-based products linked to multiple hospitalizations pleaded guilty yesterday to a felony violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

John W. Kosolcharoen, 53, most recently of Orange County, California, pleaded guilty to introducing an unapproved new drug into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead. Kosolcharoen is currently in custody serving a sentence for a separate, unconnected conviction. U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II for the Central District of California presided over the hearing pursuant to a plea agreement with the government. The court set Kosolcharoen’s sentencing for Sept. 23.

According to court documents, beginning in 2016, Kosolcharoen created two companies, Liveyon LLC and Genetech Inc., to manufacture and distribute injectable stem cell products made from human umbilical cord blood. Liveyon marketed the products under different brand names, including “ReGen.” In pleading guilty, Kosolcharoen admitted that he and others misrepresented ReGen as suitable for the treatment of a variety of conditions, such as lung and heart diseases, autoimmune disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others. Liveyon marketed the products throughout the United States until about April 2019 using advertising materials that contained multiple false and misleading statements about their purported safety and effectiveness.

In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers that patients seeking cures and remedies for serious diseases and conditions may be misled about unapproved stem cell products that are illegally marketed, have not been shown to be safe or effective, and, in some cases, may have significant safety issues that put patients at risk. Stem cell products are regulated by FDA, and generally they must have FDA approval before being introduced into interstate commerce.

As part of the plea agreement, Kosolcharoen admitted that to mislead FDA about Liveyon’s activities, he directed Liveyon’s purchase orders to falsely state that the stem cell products were being sold “for research purposes only.” In 2018, FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of patients in multiple states requiring hospitalization for bacterial infections after receiving Liveyon products. Kosolcharoen admitted that he and others fraudulently induced customers into purchasing stem cell-derived Liveyon products by, among other things, misleading the public about the cause and severity of adverse events suffered by Liveyon patients, and falsely reporting and concealing material facts regarding the outcome of an FDA inspection of Genetech. According to FDA records, that inspection documented evidence of significant deviations from good manufacturing and tissue practices.

“Unapproved stem cell treatments not only endanger public health but also exploit the hopes of patients who seek relief from the most serious of diseases,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the public from these schemes and will vigorously pursue legal action to hold accountable those who unlawfully market and sell these unproven therapies.”

“This defendant recklessly put people’s lives in danger, giving false hope to patients with serious illnesses,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Today’s guilty plea shows that we will hold accountable corporate executives and healthcare professionals who put profits over patients.”

“We are grateful for the work by the Department of Justice to hold accountable establishments that prey upon vulnerable populations by marketing potentially dangerous stem cell products with false and misleading claims about their safety and effectiveness,” said Director Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D. of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

“When unscrupulous providers offer umbilical cord blood stem cell products and treatments that are both unapproved and unproven, they put consumers’ health at risk, and multiple users of this firm’s products in fact suffered adverse events,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki of FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office. “FDA will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who endanger the public’s health for material gain.”

“This investigation was a joint effort between multiple federal agencies and state and local health departments to quickly put a stop to the distribution of unsafe, contaminated products,” said Director Michael Bell, M.D. of CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. “The rapid response by our public health system identified products marketed as stem cell treatments to be the source of serious infections in dozens of patients. Our message to all consumers and providers is to heed the warning against the use of unapproved products like these with unproven claims of effectiveness for conditions like joint disease, chronic pain, or COVID-19. Please don’t let products like these put you or your patients’ health at risk.”

FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, FBI, Amtrak Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Department of Labor Employment Benefits Security Administration and California Department of Health Care Services investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Aveis and David Chao for the Central District of California, Assistant Director Ross S. Goldstein and Trial Attorneys Meredith B. Healy, Kathryn A. Schmidt and Peter J. Leininger of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Sergei Sobyanin: 262 socially oriented NGOs received city support

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

More than 20 years ago, a grant competition for socially oriented non-profit organizations (NPOs) was established in Moscow. Every year, the best initiatives are selected in the capital and up to five million rubles are allocated for their implementation. Over the entire period, more than 3.4 thousand projects have received city support.

“In 2024, the competition broke the record for the number of approved applications. This time, proposals were received from about 900 NGOs, 262 of which received support,” Sergei Sobyanin said in

on your blog.

The grant amounts range from 500 thousand to five million rubles. They are provided for projects in the following nominations: “Charity”, “Safe Moscow”, “Ecology of the Megapolis”, “Civic Initiatives”, “Creative Moscow”, “Volunteering and Volunteering”, “Media Moscow”, “Family Moscow” and “Urban Innovations”. The most popular nominations in terms of the number of laureate initiatives were “Youth of Moscow” (62 projects), “Our Heritage” (55 projects), “Healthy Lifestyle and Sports” (37 initiatives).

The full list of award winners has been published on the website.

An independent assessment was conducted by an expert council. It included representatives of the Moscow Public Chamber, scientific, research and educational communities, and NGOs. Each project was assessed by three experts, and they did not have the opportunity to see the marks of their colleagues.

The projects were assessed based on their significance for the city and its residents, relevance and feasibility. The experts also took into account the effectiveness of the proposed solution, its efficiency and uniqueness.

Career guidance for schoolchildren and assistance to SVO participants

Among the winners is the Artificial Intelligence project of the scientific and educational center of the Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman. The center itself is engaged in career guidance for schoolchildren: young research staff help students develop engineering thinking and the skills they need when entering technical universities.

This year, the center’s team intends to develop two additional education programs of 16 academic hours each, which any high school student will be able to study.

The Association of Veterans of the Special Military Operation (SVO) helps combat veterans adapt to civilian life faster and involves them in educating the younger generation. The grant is intended to launch the project “Museums of the Special Military Operation in Moscow Schools”. Five schools will be involved in it – museum exhibits will open in the institutions, courage lessons will be held, and meetings with SVO heroes will be held. The project will be implemented in 2025.

Another project in support of the special military operation is the center for legal assistance to SVO participants and their families of the regional public organization “Lotus”. The center’s specialists will deal with various issues – from registration of status, benefits and payments for housing and communal services to entering into inheritance rights.

The project “Equal to equal. Adaptation club” is implemented by the Foundation for the Promotion of the Russian Language and Education in Russian. Its goal is to help young people with disabilities adapt to universities. In several capital institutions of higher professional education, students will be taught the basics of inclusive volunteering. Specialists will talk about the problems and difficulties of children with disabilities during their studies and ways to help them. A special online portal will post methodological materials, video courses and lectures that will help children with disabilities quickly get used to the new environment and not feel lonely in a group.

The charitable foundation for helping children born at an early stage, “Give me some sunshine”, will launch a program for the social, physical and creative development of children with disabilities. The participants of the project “We, playing, study, speak and understand” will be children aged six to 12 years. They will work with an adaptive physical education trainer and a speech development specialist. Speech therapy equipment will be purchased for correctional classes. The training will take place in the family center opened by the foundation.

Winners of last year’s grant competitions

The international charitable public organization “Fair Aid of Doctor Lisa” helps citizens who find themselves in difficult life situations – lonely pensioners, people left homeless, seriously ill patients. With the funds of the grant of the Mayor of Moscow, the organization launched the project “Let’s Extend a Helping Hand”, within the framework of which medical and social assistance was received by participants of the FAO. They were provided with medicines, hygiene products and medical supplies.

The Global Impact Alliance, a charitable foundation for scientific research and development, is implementing the project Inclusive Routes: Virtual Reality Solutions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The scenario of the Public Transport project will soon be available for children with this diagnosis. The team has worked out all the elements of the bus in detail: validators, screens, and light indicators — everything to ensure that children’s adaptation to the virtual space is as close as possible to real conditions. As a result, the skill will be better consolidated, and during a trip on a real bus, the child will quickly get their bearings and remember what to do.

The autonomous non-profit organization “Dynamic Guys” created a musical performance “You Can’t Fly, You Can’t Stay”. The plot is based on the story of people blocked in the capital’s airport due to weather conditions. The premiere took place at the beginning of the summer at the Moscow State Academic Theater “Russian Song”, more than 750 people saw it. And the video version of the performance has already collected over one million views.

The Virta Charity Foundation held two exhibitions in support of homeless animals. The events were attended by over three thousand Muscovites. The foundation’s volunteers brought 270 dogs and cats from shelters to the exhibitions, 57 of which found a new home.

The professional skills competition “Best in the Profession. Nanny of the Year” was held with the help of a grant. Participants were interviewed by psychologists, underwent reliability checks and completed competition tasks, as well as demonstrated medical knowledge and skills necessary for working with children. More than a thousand applications were received from nannies, educators, governesses and governesses of Moscow. Only 20 contenders for the title of the best reached the final. The competition was held by the ANO for assistance in employment and leisure of the adult population “Vozrasu. net” (the “Grandma for an hour” service).

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11823050/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: Coinweb Set to Launch Mainnet with over 40 Projects Building on the Interoperable Platform

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HONG KONG, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coinweb (https://coinweb.io), a unique interoperable layer 2 platform, connecting Bitcoin, Ethereum and another 7 blockchains, will launch its Mainnet on 30th September. The Web3 industry is siloed with hundreds of blockchain ecosystems reliant on expensive and insecure bridges to exchange assets. Coinweb’s platform allows simple, secure and cost efficient transfers that can truly connect chains and massively improve the user experience across Web3 apps and services.

Coinweb previously set out its criteria on April 24, which included: 1. Implementation of Refereed delegation of computation (‘RDoC’) into the first dApp going live on the platform, 2. The deployment of further nodes and 3. Resource optimisation upgrades. These features and upgrades enable streamlined deployment of dApps and application layer CWEB utility.

Mainnet launch is a crucial step toward achieving Coinweb’s vision of unifying blockchains while enabling seamless interoperability across a wide range of networks. The rapid adoption of this approach is evident, with more than 40 projects building native dApps on Coinweb or integrating the platform into existing applications to enhance their performance. The final phase of development prior to launching our Mainnet has been focused on streamlining dApp deployments and improving support for CWEB in the application layer.

Coinweb is unique in its ability to provide advanced Layer-2 functionality and cross-chain interoperability without introducing an additional consensus layer. By leveraging the consensus systems of underlying blockchains, developers can deploy decentralised applications that are scalable, cost-efficient, and capable of cross-chain interactions. This design ensures high performance, security, and a simplified experience for developers through WASM, without the complexities of managing an additional consensus layer.

“Web3 has huge untapped potential but the sheer number of chains and complexity of moving assets across them makes onboarding new users and developing a thriving ecosystem a huge challenge. Coinweb’s interoperable network will simplify this hugely by allowing assets to move more freely than ever before,” said Toby Gilbert, Coinweb CEO and co-founder.

Coinweb has partnered with top Web3 firms including KuCoin to assist teams building on its platform. The 40-plus active projects span DeFi, NFTs, RWA and more including CWAP SWAP, EstateX, Libertum, Morpheus Labs, Voy Finance and many more.

The already announced builders include: Libertum, CWAP SWAP, Anarchy Games, Flush, Morpheus Labs, TiFi, Orbler, OrangeDX, THX NET, FoundersHub DAO, Academic Labs, SnegBet, Bounty Temple, DerpDex, Cyrator, EstateX, Starbreeders, xPad.Fund, DEGA, Alvara Protocol, Bonsai3, Renovi, Taurus AI, and Voy Finance.

For more information, visit Coinweb’s website.

About Coinweb

The Coinweb Protocol is a groundbreaking Layer 2 cross-chain computation platform that uniquely combines Scalability with Interoperability, setting new standards in the blockchain industry. It enables the seamless operation of decentralised applications across multiple blockchains, effectively merging them into a unified ecosystem.

About Coinweb Labs

Coinweb Labs is the main contributor to the Coinweb protocol as well as a design and build consultancy specialising in creating custom-built solutions for decentralised applications. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Coinweb Labs is dedicated to accelerating the development of projects within the Coinweb ecosystem.

Social Links

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/cWSQD3wJqY

Telegram: https://t.me/coinweb

X: https://x.com/CoinwebOfficial

Media contact

Brand: Coinweb

Contact: Media team

Email: support@coinweb.io

Website: https://coinweb.io

SOURCE: Coinweb

The MIL Network –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Learmonth Airport benefits from better mobile coverage for regional Western Australians

Source: Australian Ministers 1

The Albanese and Cook Governments have today welcomed a boost to mobile coverage and digital connectivity for travellers through Learmonth airport in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region, following the completion of a new mobile base station.

The site was built by Telstra under the Commonwealth’s Regional Connectivity Program, with co-funding from the WA Government.

Learmonth airport, located on a Royal Australian Air Force base, is the primary airport for the Exmouth region, including the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park.

With the 3G network switching off on 28 October, the new 4G and 5G coverage will significantly improve mobile reception for the airport, local residents, tourists and fly-in, fly-out workers.

The 25-metre-tall tower will cover an area of about 208 square kilometres.

The State Government has contributed $35.7 million towards 89 projects across Western Australia so far under three rounds of the Regional Connectivity Program, which is delivering better mobile, internet and digital services to regional areas.

Comments attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“It doesn’t matter where you live, access to reliable mobile coverage and connectivity is essential.

“I’m extremely pleased that funding from the Government’s Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) has supported the Cook Government to deliver this vital connectivity boost for locals, tourists and workers at Learmonth airport.

“The Albanese Government is committed to narrowing the digital divide in rural and regional Australia, which is why we’re investing $1.1 billion through our Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia to deliver additional rounds of the RCP.”

Comments attributed to Western Australian Minister for Regional Development, the Hon Don Punch MLA:

“This new infrastructure at Learmonth airport will deliver better mobile connectivity for tourists visiting this stunning area, local residents, and fly-in fly-out workers.

“These vital improvements will also help ensure the airport and ancillary services can embrace emerging technologies.

“The Regional Connectivity Program is a great example of Commonwealth-State collaboration to improve digital connectivity and boost business capacity in regional and remote communities.

“Since 2017, the WA Labor Government has committed $154 million to complement Commonwealth and industry investments in our State’s telecommunications infrastructure and will continue to work with the Commonwealth to bridge the ‘digital divide’ in our regions.”

MIL OSI News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

Source: United States Strategic Command

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. –

As the sun rose up into the sky ushering in a new day, exercise Raider Reach, a two-week, two-phase exercise involving the entire 28th Bomb Wing, encompassing five groups, 17 squadrons and supporting agencies, and over 4K military and civilian personnel came to a close Sept. 20, 2024.

The exercise evaluated Ellsworth’s capabilities and resources required to generate and execute long-range strike missions around the globe through a variety of realistic combat and emergency scenarios.

With 33 exercise planners and 109 Wing Inspection Team members, Raider Reach became the first full-scale readiness exercise that has been conduction on the installation in over a decade.

“The [initial] goal was to stress unit capabilities and identify strengths and weaknesses in order to maximize combat effectiveness,” said Master Sgt. Eric Tindall, 28th BW Inspector General inspector. “The end goal is to provide our combatant commanders and Air Force leadership at all levels with the wing’s overall combat readiness.”

During phase one of the exercise, personnel were processed through a deployment function line while cargo was prepared by the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron to be sent down range. This phase tested the wing’s ability to deploy on short notice while being in a degraded and contested environment.

During the evaluation period, WIT members documented and graded the wing on duty specific criteria, providing critical areas of improvement to leadership teams and players involved.

“We can only improve from here,” said Chet Weymouth, 28th LRS installation deployment officer. “I’m glad there were issues. That forces us to re-evaluate our processes to make sure we are mission ready for real-world deployments.”

As a means to challenge the wing, various scenarios including a simulated drone crash, suspicious vehicle activity near the base, and several instances of declaring Force Protection Conditions Charlie and Delta were enacted to test how base agencies would respond.

Phase two evaluated Ellsworth’s ability to fight from home, initiating daily B-1B Lancer flying missions from both the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons, 24-hour maintenance operations, and the uploading of inert munitions for the simulated combat scenarios.

“Exercises like this make real-world situations feel less abnormal,” said Senior Airman TreQuawn Tomlin, 34th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief. “We’re so used to doing the work that if something real-world comes up, we already know what to do; we feel prepared for it.”

Wings are required to conduct Combat Readiness Exercises annually with the intent to ensure the highest levels of readiness across the force. Executing Raider Reach allowed Ellsworth to meet this requirement for the year while also providing data that will result in mission enhancements for many Air force Specialty Codes.

“In line with the SECAF initiative for Great Power Competition, exercises are key to Airmen development,” said Tindall. “Exercises of this magnitude provide Airmen with the tools and experience to be able to execute a real-world mission while using the lessons learned to win today and dominate tomorrow!”

MIL Security OSI –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory’s Bilateral Meeting With Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence Stefanie Beck

Source: United States Department of Defense

Pentagon Spokesman LtCol Garron Garn, USMC, provided the following readout:

On September 26, 2024, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory hosted Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence Stefanie Beck for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon. The two leaders discussed continued international support for Ukraine, defense strategy and investment, modernization of the North America Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command, support to Haiti, and a range of other bilateral and global issues. The leaders reaffirmed the deep and longstanding partnership between the United States and Canada, based on a shared commitment to a secure and prosperous North America.

The leaders discussed in detail potential areas for enhanced cooperation between the United States and Canada in order to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific and agreed to continue close coordination on Indo-Pacific security.

They also agreed on the importance of continuing to work together through bilateral and multilateral engagements.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Slotkin Highlights Bipartisan Wins in Speech on House Floor

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) took to the House floor today to highlight the passage of three bipartisan bills she championed and call for bipartisan congressional action on additional legislative priorities. This week, the House passed the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act, IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act, and Building Chips in America Act, which are now set to be signed into law.

Slotkin also called upon her colleagues to work in a bipartisan way on legislation pertaining to other outstanding legislative priorities. She urged Congress to support the Department of Commerce’s efforts to restrict the import of advanced vehicles manufactured by China and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill and National Defense Authorization Act.

“These bills are evidence that we do not need to be at each other’s throats. In fact, being at each other’s throats is principally against the mission of what it means to be a Representative. It means you’re not getting work done. It means you’re doing things for political posturing. It means that you care more about making a statement that makes the news or goes viral on Twitter than you are about actually moving the ball down the field for your constituents,” said Slotkin. “I hope that when Congress returns in November, and when a new Congress is sworn in next year, we can learn that basic lesson. We do our best work when we work together – even when it’s hard.”

Slotkin full remarks on the House floor can be found HERE

A transcript of Slotkin’s remarks as delivered can be found HERE

The bipartisan Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act would cut red tape for companies that transport goods across our borders by allowing more freight and warehouse companies to participate in Customs and Border Protection’s CTPAT program.

Through partnership between supply chain leaders and the federal government, the CTPAT program expedites freight through the country, reducing disruptions in international trade and supply chains while keeping the border secure.

Slotkin introduced the bill, which is co-led by Reps. Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), and Morgan Luttrell (TX-08). Its Senate companion is led by Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), James Lankford (R-OK), and John Cornyn (R-TX).

The bipartisan IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act would ensure survivors of human trafficking and law enforcement officers working to combat these terrible crimes receive the resources and support they need.

The bill would make permanent and expand the Homeland Security Investigations Victim Assistance Program that helps provide support and services to individuals impacted by human trafficking. It would also make permanent the Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma (IMPACTT) Program which supports the employees and partners who are exposed to repeated stress through their work combating these crimes.

Slotkin is an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation, which is led by Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14) and co-led by Ann Wagner (MO-02) and Dina Titus (NV-01). Its Senate companion is led by Sens James Lankford (R-OK) and Gary Peters (D-MI).

The bipartisan Building Chips in America Act, of which Slotkin is a cosponsor, would streamline approval processes for domestic semiconductor manufacturing projects that receive funding through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act.

And on Monday, the Department of Commerce announced a new proposed rule to restrict the import of advanced, connected vehicles manufactured by China that pose a risk to U.S. national security. Slotkin applauded the announcement, and called upon Congress to pass her legislation that would strengthen America’s ability to address the threat posed by these vehicles.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Joint statement by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron

Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

We, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, reaffirm, here in Ottawa, the strong bond between Canada and France. This meeting reflects the importance of our historical and cultural ties and the enduring friendship between our nations that is rooted in a shared history, a common language and the values that drive what we do.

We also enjoy a strong trade relationship. Together, we are working to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, as well as a transparent, rules-based multilateral trade system. Since the provisional implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in 2017, trade between Canada and France has grown significantly (over 53% for Canadian exports and nearly 46% for French exports in the span of seven years). Our bilateral trade helps to make life more affordable for our citizens and create good jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

In an international context marked by many different overlapping and mutually reinforcing crises, our two countries are determined to protect fundamental democratic principles in the face of authoritarian, populist and hateful ideologies. We stand up for human rights, fairness, and the rule of law, with due respect for international law and state sovereignty.

Canada and France are facing foreign information manipulation and interference operations. Canada and France will strengthen their exchanges to effectively respond to these threats. In particular, Canada and France will work closely within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to create tools to guide countries in developing public policy focused on strengthening information integrity. In addition, through fora such as the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) and the Forum on Information & Democracy, we are also developing collective approaches to counter other threats to democracy and will continue to advance these objectives in our successive G7 presidencies in 2025 and 2026.

Enhancing our bilateral cooperation

This year, we commemorated the sacrifices made by Canadians, the French and our Allies on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landing. We will work to step up our bilateral cooperation in security and defence in order to improve our ability to respond to geopolitical crises. To that end, the Canada-France Declaration on a Stronger Defence and Security Partnership, which we are announcing today, will enable us to provide more effective support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, contribute to regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific, strengthen our cooperation in modernizing our armed forces, and combat foreign information manipulation and interference.

To support French and Canadian citizens around the world, we also wish to strengthen our cooperation with respect to emergency preparedness and crisis management. We applaud the work of Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre and France’s Centre de crise et de soutien in this area.

Fighting climate change and protecting the ecosystems and environment

In response to the triple planetary crisis of climate warming, biodiversity loss, and pollution, we will continue to step up our cooperation, particularly in the fight against climate change and ocean protection. We will do this through our bilateral and multilateral actions, in line with the France-Canada Partnership, which was renewed in April, in which we pledged to work together, in particular to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework and to strengthen our climate and energy commitments, as well as our shared commitment to adopting a legally binding international agreement to address plastic pollution.

Our Canada-France Declaration on the Ocean speaks to our readiness to put oceans at the heart of the bilateral and international agenda—with recognition of their critical role in the environmental and climate balance—in preparation for the June 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice. We also underscore their importance in providing food and energy sources, a vector for economic exchanges, and a vital link between countries and communities. The Prime Minister and the President also emphasized their commitment to working together in the fisheries sector, as demonstrated by the recent agreement reached on the Atlantic halibut fishery.

Our two countries will also pursue their political commitment towards the adoption of a legally binding treaty to put an end to plastic pollution that meets our peoples’ expectations, with ambitious measures throughout the life cycle of plastic, from production to waste management.

To keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C target within reach, we will accelerate efforts on operationalizing the global stocktake’s decision on transitioning away from fossil fuels, including in the context of our G7 presidencies. We will continue to work with determination to align financial flows with the Paris Agreement, in particular by disclosing climate change risks and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. We will continue our work together to expand the scope and use of carbon market instruments, while supporting countries that are interested in implementing these instruments.

Canada is pleased to join France and the many countries that support The Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P) in responding to the dual challenge of combatting poverty and preserving the planet. Further, to encourage increased funding in support of sustainable development, our two countries will continue to participate actively in the United Nations Secretary-General’s SDG Stimulus Leaders’ Group.

Our responses to energy security concerns will aim to secure long-term energy supply in keeping with our climate objectives, and in a manner that ensures continued prosperity for both of our countries. Building on the Joint Statement Between Canada and France on Nuclear Energy Cooperation of fall 2023, we are working together to step up civil nuclear cooperation between our two countries, with a focus on identifying project funding solutions and upgrading skills and training for the trades. We will also work to accelerate the global phase-out of coal through our support for the Powering Past Coal Alliance and the Coal Transition Accelerator.

Recognizing the key role of critical minerals in supporting a green and digital economy, our two countries will work on the need to explore opportunities for joint investment in critical minerals projects, with the aim of securing their respective value chains. Canada and France are also founding members of the Sustainable Critical Minerals Alliance, which aims to promote on a global scale sustainable and socially inclusive mining, processing and recycling practices, and responsible critical minerals supply chains. We will continue to work with like-minded countries to reaffirm these values. Lastly, Canada and France will work together to develop low-carbon, efficient, sustainable and resilient transportation systems, whether in the aviation, rail or marine sectors.

Embracing artificial intelligence responsibly

Canada and France consider science and technology to be important levers for meeting the major challenges of the 21st century. We are mindful of the importance of developing a responsible approach to artificial intelligence (AI) that takes into account both risks and benefits, as demonstrated in the joint launch of the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence in 2020. The Canada-France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence published today reiterates our commitment to responsible, safe AI that respects human rights and democratic values. To promote and support scientific research in the field of AI, we welcome the recent call for proposals from last July for new funding, launched under the auspices of the Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation uniting our two countries.

Expanding Canada-France collaboration in all areas of AI, we will further our work together at the AI Action Summit, to be hosted by France on February 10 and 11, 2025. With a view to promoting outreach and cooperation between our companies and business organizations and providing solutions, Canada is proud to announce that it will be Country of the Year at VivaTech 2025 in Paris. Responsible use of AI can create economic benefits for everyone, and adopting it can increase economic productivity and growth, for the benefit of all workers and businesses.

In addition, our two countries will continue to work together to establish a digital dialogue on platform governance and ensure that AI is designed, developed, and deployed ethically and in compliance with copyright. This would allow us to recognize the important shared challenges in the digital space that have a considerable impact on the strength and health of culture and media in Canada and France.

Promoting the French language throughout the world

Canada and France reaffirm their support for the promotion of French and for the institutions of La Francophonie, and they commit to concluding a Canada-France Memorandum of Understanding on the Cité Internationale de la Langue Française on the margins of the upcoming Francophonie Summit in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, France, on October 4 and 5. With our partners in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, we will support linguistic and cultural diversity, peace, democracy, and human rights. The Summit will also provide an opportunity to strengthen education, research, and innovation in French, as well as economic and digital cooperation for sustainable development.

Addressing geopolitical challenges

We reiterate our strongest condemnation of Russia’s more than 900-day war of aggression in Ukraine. In the face of this war, which jeopardizes the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region, we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine in all areas, for as long as it takes. We continue to work towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on international law, and in particular the principles of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. In line with the NATO Washington Summit Declaration, we will continue to deepen our support for Ukraine, to give it the means to defend itself and deter Russian aggression. We are pursuing our efforts to support Ukraine in its reform process, notably in the fields of justice, the fight against corruption, and promotion of the rule of law. We also underscore the efforts of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, co-chaired by Canada with the participation of France. Finally, we are committed to helping to operationalize the agreement reached at the G7 Summit in Apulia to leverage immobilized Russian sovereign assets for the benefit of Ukraine.

We also condemn in the strongest possible terms the October 7 massacres perpetrated by Hamas against Israel, and recognize Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law. We are extremely concerned by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and by the appalling situation of the civilian population, which has been repeatedly displaced within the country and is unable to meet its most basic needs. Canada and France therefore call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the unfettered access of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Canada and France support the two‑state solution, which includes the creation of a Palestinian state, living in peace and security, alongside the State of Israel.

We also wish to maintain our support for Haiti, to help re-establish security, the rule of law, and democracy. While we remain concerned about the humanitarian and security situation there, we are nevertheless pleased to note the progress made, including the establishment of the Transitional Presidential Council, a Prime Minister and a Cabinet of Ministers. We also welcome the fact that the creation of the Provisional Electoral Council is well underway. We are committed to supporting preparations for free, fair, and transparent elections. Canada and France will continue to work closely together to support the Haitian National Police, the Multinational Security Support Mission, and the strengthening of the justice sector and the fight against corruption and financial crime.

In the Indo-Pacific region, our two countries will study the deployment of joint patrol missions in the future, and will maintain their participation in multilateral exercises. To this end, our two countries will work on the possibility of integrating Canadian support into the deployment of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Coordinating our successive 2025 and 2026 G7 presidencies

We will strengthen strategic coordination between our governments in the context of our bilateral and multilateral exchanges, and with a view to our successive G7 presidencies in 2025 and 2026. We are determined to meet today’s global challenges, guided by our shared desire to build a better future based on our common values, and supported by the rich and dynamic relationship between our two countries.

MIL OSI Canada News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister concludes successful visit from President of France to Canada
Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, welcomed the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, to Canada from September 25 to 26, 2024. With stops in Ottawa, Ontario, and Montréal, Quebec, the visit helped further strengthen the close ties between our countries and advance our shared priorities.

The leaders announced three key declarations that will align Canada and France’s work to preserve peace and security, take ambitious climate action, protect the environment, and responsibly harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

The first of these three declarations, the Canada-France Declaration on a Stronger Defence and Security Partnership, underscores Canada and France’s steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion. It also reaffirms our contributions to regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific and reflects our co-operation in managing emergencies, modernizing our armed forces, and combatting foreign interference.

The two leaders discussed shared, ongoing work to respond to the humanitarian situation in Haiti and reiterated their support for the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support mission in the country. Canada and France are in steadfast support of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict that will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the Haitian people – and build a better future.

Building on the progress made at the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future earlier this week, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron highlighted the critical importance of continued action to fight climate change and protect our oceans. In the Canada-France Declaration on the Ocean, the leaders underlined the vital role that oceans play for the environment, the climate, the economy, and food and energy security throughout the world. To advance our work, Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s membership in the Paris Pact for People and the Planet. The Pact, led by France and in partnership with global leaders, emphasizes collective action to accelerate sustainable development and create opportunities to help lift vulnerable populations out of poverty.

During the visit, the Prime Minister and the President met with AI experts, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss the risks and benefits of this new technology. Canada and France have world-leading AI ecosystems, including leadership roles in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), which has 29 members worldwide. A testament to our progress in growing a dynamic AI industry, GPAI’s first two centres of expertise opened in Canada and France. Moving forward on this work, the Prime Minister and the President announced the Canada-France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The Declaration reiterates our countries’ commitment to a safe use of AI that respects human rights and democratic values.

During President Macron’s visit, Canada was also named Country of the Year for the Viva Technology 2025 technology conference, which will be held in Paris next year. At this event, Canada’s delegation will collaborate with the international community and meet with thousands of visionary start-ups, investors, organizations, and researchers to leverage advances in AI to strengthen our economy, increase productivity, and create new opportunities for Canadians. SCALE AI, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster dedicated to AI, will lead Canada’s business delegation.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the French language and La Francophonie’s institutions ahead of the next Sommet de la Francophonie, which will be held in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, France, on October 4 and 5, 2024. They also renewed their commitment to strengthening strategic coordination in preparation for the successive G7 Presidencies that Canada and France will hold, in 2025 and 2026 respectively.

Quote

“Canada and France’s relationship is built on shared history, a common language, and democratic values. President Macron’s visit to Canada is a testament to the enduring friendship between our two countries, and with the progress we have made over this visit, we will move forward to build a fairer and more prosperous future for our peoples.”

Quick Facts
- This was President Macron’s second visit to Canada. It followed both leaders’ participation in the United Nations General Assembly and Summit of the Future in New York City, United States of America.
- As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the G7 and the G20, a founding member of the European Union, and a key partner in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, France is a key ally for Canada on the international stage.
- In 2023, France was Canada’s third largest merchandise export market in the European Union, and its 12th largest trade partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $12.9 billion.
- That same year, Canadian exports to France amounted to $4.3 billion, while imports from France totalled $8.7 billion.
- In France, Canada is represented by an embassy in Paris and consulates in Lyon, Nice, and Toulouse. France is represented in Canada by its embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, Québec, and Moncton.
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MIL OSI Canada News –
January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2024-2 Visits Lelu Elementary School [Image 9 of 11]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Issued by: on

KOSRAE, Federated States of Micronesia (Sept. 18, 2024) – U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler, Pacific Partnership 2024-2 mission commander, left, talks with students during a school engagement at Lelu Elementary School in Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, Sept. 18, 2024. Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gavin Arnoldhendershot)

Date Taken: 09.18.2024

Date Posted: 09.26.2024 15:35

Photo ID: 8663453

VIRIN: 240918-N-RM312-1220

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January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2024-2 Visits Lelu Elementary School [Image 4 of 11]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Issued by: on

KOSRAE, Federated States of Micronesia (Sept. 18, 2024) – U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Nikki Petersen, the Pacific Partnership 2024-2 host nation outreach line of effort lead, from Benson, Utah, talks with students during a school engagement at Lelu Elementary School in Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, Sept. 18, 2024. Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gavin Arnoldhendershot)

Date Taken: 09.18.2024

Date Posted: 09.26.2024 15:35

Photo ID: 8663448

VIRIN: 240918-N-RM312-1215

Resolution: 4756×3675

Size: 2.39 MB

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January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2024-2 Visits Lelu Elementary School [Image 2 of 11]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Issued by: on

KOSRAE, Federated States of Micronesia (Sept. 18, 2024) – U.S. Navy Musician 1st Class Paul Thompson, from Philadelphia, with the Pacific Partnership 2024-2 Band, Pau Hana Sound, plays a bass guitar for students during a school engagement at Lelu Elementary School in Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, Sept. 18, 2024. Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gavin Arnoldhendershot)

Date Taken: 09.18.2024

Date Posted: 09.26.2024 15:35

Photo ID: 8663446

VIRIN: 240918-N-RM312-1213

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January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. to Pay $19.85M to Settle Allegations Relating to Medically Unnecessary Inpatient Behavioral Health Services

Source: United States Attorneys General 13

Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Franklin, Tennessee, has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and related state statutes by knowingly billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations. Acadia Healthcare Company owns and operates inpatient behavioral health facilities throughout the United States, including The Pavilion at HealthPark LLC, doing business as Park Royal Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida; Riverwoods Behavioral Health LLC, doing business as Lakeview Behavioral Health in Norcross, Georgia, and as Riverwoods Behavioral Health System in Riverdale, Georgia; Ten Broeck Tampa LLC, doing business as North Tampa Behavioral Health in Wesley Chapel, Florida; PHC of Michigan LLC, doing business as Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan; and Seven Hills Hospital LLC, doing business as Seven Hills Hospital in Henderson, Nevada (collectively, Acadia).

The United States contended that, between 2014 and 2017, Acadia knowingly submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for inpatient behavioral health services that were not reasonable or medically necessary. In particular, the United States contended that Acadia admitted beneficiaries who were not eligible for inpatient treatment and failed to properly discharge beneficiaries when they no longer needed inpatient treatment and had improper and excessive lengths of stay. The United States further alleged that Acadia knowingly failed to provide adequate staffing, training and/or supervision of staff, which resulted in assaults, elopements, suicides and other harm resulting from these staffing failures. In addition, Acadia allegedly failed to provide inpatient acute care in accord with federal and state regulations, including, but not limited to, by failing to provide active treatment, to develop and/or update individualized assessments and treatment plans, to provide adequate discharge planning and to provide required individual and group therapy.

Under the settlement agreement, Acadia will pay $16,663,918 to the United States to resolve its liability under the False Claims Act for its allegedly false Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE billings. The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the states and the federal government, and pursuant to separate settlement agreements, Acadia will pay an additional $3,186,082 to Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada to resolve their state law claims against Acadia.

“This settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that federal healthcare programs pay only for services that are needed and properly provided,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “It is particularly important that health care providers satisfy these requirements when providing services to a vulnerable patient population, such as residents of an inpatient behavioral health facility.”

“Federal health care programs rely upon the honesty and credibility of participating providers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who seek to exploit these programs for personal gain, jeopardizing the health of patients.”

“Medical providers who participate in federally funded health care programs must follow the law when billing Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement illustrates HHS-OIG’s commitment to protecting the integrity of these taxpayer-funded programs and the well-being of enrollees seeking treatment. Working closely with the United States Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners, we will continue to thoroughly investigate such fraudulent billing schemes.”

“Billing TRICARE for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations impacts our ability to reimburse providers in a timely manner for care that is needed to keep our military ready to defend the nation,” said Rear Admiral Matthew Case of the U.S. Navy and Acting Assistant Director for Health Care Administration for the Defense Health Agency. “We thank our state and federal partners for their work on this case, and the whistleblowers who came forward for their bravery. As a result, we are able to continue delivering one of the most comprehensive and affordable health benefits available to any American.”

The settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Franka Tirado, Brian Snyder and Jamie Thompson, all former employees of Acadia. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned U.S. ex rel. Tirado, et al. v. Park Royal Hospital et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-201-FtM-99 (MDFL), and U.S. ex rel. Thompson v. Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-543-FtM-38CM (MDFL). The whistleblower share of the federal portion of the settlement will be $3,166,144.42.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, as well as the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, with assistance from HHS-OIG and the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and former Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.

The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

Settlement

MIL Security OSI –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. to Pay $19.85M to Settle Allegations Relating to Medically Unnecessary Inpatient Behavioral Health Services

Source: US State of North Dakota

Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Franklin, Tennessee, has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and related state statutes by knowingly billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations. Acadia Healthcare Company owns and operates inpatient behavioral health facilities throughout the United States, including The Pavilion at HealthPark LLC, doing business as Park Royal Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida; Riverwoods Behavioral Health LLC, doing business as Lakeview Behavioral Health in Norcross, Georgia, and as Riverwoods Behavioral Health System in Riverdale, Georgia; Ten Broeck Tampa LLC, doing business as North Tampa Behavioral Health in Wesley Chapel, Florida; PHC of Michigan LLC, doing business as Harbor Oaks Hospital in New Baltimore, Michigan; and Seven Hills Hospital LLC, doing business as Seven Hills Hospital in Henderson, Nevada (collectively, Acadia).

The United States contended that, between 2014 and 2017, Acadia knowingly submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for inpatient behavioral health services that were not reasonable or medically necessary. In particular, the United States contended that Acadia admitted beneficiaries who were not eligible for inpatient treatment and failed to properly discharge beneficiaries when they no longer needed inpatient treatment and had improper and excessive lengths of stay. The United States further alleged that Acadia knowingly failed to provide adequate staffing, training and/or supervision of staff, which resulted in assaults, elopements, suicides and other harm resulting from these staffing failures. In addition, Acadia allegedly failed to provide inpatient acute care in accord with federal and state regulations, including, but not limited to, by failing to provide active treatment, to develop and/or update individualized assessments and treatment plans, to provide adequate discharge planning and to provide required individual and group therapy.

Under the settlement agreement, Acadia will pay $16,663,918 to the United States to resolve its liability under the False Claims Act for its allegedly false Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE billings. The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the states and the federal government, and pursuant to separate settlement agreements, Acadia will pay an additional $3,186,082 to Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada to resolve their state law claims against Acadia.

“This settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that federal healthcare programs pay only for services that are needed and properly provided,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “It is particularly important that health care providers satisfy these requirements when providing services to a vulnerable patient population, such as residents of an inpatient behavioral health facility.”

“Federal health care programs rely upon the honesty and credibility of participating providers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who seek to exploit these programs for personal gain, jeopardizing the health of patients.”

“Medical providers who participate in federally funded health care programs must follow the law when billing Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement illustrates HHS-OIG’s commitment to protecting the integrity of these taxpayer-funded programs and the well-being of enrollees seeking treatment. Working closely with the United States Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners, we will continue to thoroughly investigate such fraudulent billing schemes.”

“Billing TRICARE for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or for services that did not meet federal and state regulations impacts our ability to reimburse providers in a timely manner for care that is needed to keep our military ready to defend the nation,” said Rear Admiral Matthew Case of the U.S. Navy and Acting Assistant Director for Health Care Administration for the Defense Health Agency. “We thank our state and federal partners for their work on this case, and the whistleblowers who came forward for their bravery. As a result, we are able to continue delivering one of the most comprehensive and affordable health benefits available to any American.”

The settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Franka Tirado, Brian Snyder and Jamie Thompson, all former employees of Acadia. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned U.S. ex rel. Tirado, et al. v. Park Royal Hospital et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-201-FtM-99 (MDFL), and U.S. ex rel. Thompson v. Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-543-FtM-38CM (MDFL). The whistleblower share of the federal portion of the settlement will be $3,166,144.42.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, as well as the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, with assistance from HHS-OIG and the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and former Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.

The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

Settlement

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces

Source: United Nations secretary general

The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces. They discussed Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS), regional peace and security, including sustainable financing for AU-led peace support operations, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chair Murray Speaks in Support of Short-term CR, Urges Serious Bipartisan Negotiations of Full-year Funding Bills

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

ICMYI: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Energy and Water, Defense, LHHS, and Financial Services Appropriations Bills

ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, State and Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bills

ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Subcommittee Allocations, Legislative Branch, Ag-FDA, and Military Construction-VA Bills

***WATCH: VIDEO of Senator Murray’s Floor Speech***

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of consideration of the continuing resolution, urging her colleagues to engage in serious bipartisan and bicameral negotiations to pass full-year funding bills before the end of the year.

Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are below:

“Thank you, M. President. I am very pleased we have a straightforward, bipartisan compromise to fund the government, and avoid a pointless, devastating shutdown. I hope every single one of my colleagues will join us in voting to pass this bill.

“But, M. President, our work does not end here. My hope is that now we can get going in earnest on hammering out bipartisan, full year funding bills—including providing long-overdue disaster assistance. It’s time for Democrats and Republicans to negotiate those bills together—instead of House Republicans just following the loudest voices on the far right.

“Because M. President, it is getting a little exhausting to watch some House Republicans push again and again for the most extreme, partisan cuts and policies—stuff that is not realistic at all—before learning the same lessons the hard way—yet again.

“You cannot strike a deal to govern with people who do not really want to govern. You can’t avoid a shutdown trying to placate the people who want a shutdown.

“But—here’s the important thing—you do not have to waste time trying. If you are serious about governing—you do not have to let a few extreme House Republicans set the agenda, or let Donald Trump call the shots.

“There is a better way. And I know, because it is the path that we’ve been following here in the Senate. Vice Chair Collins and I passed 11 funding bills out of Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“We negotiated strong bills, that could actually be signed into law, and would make a real difference for folks back at home. We did it by listening to each other, listening to folks back home, rejecting partisan policies, and focusing on how we set our nation and families up for success.

“That is the same approach I hope we can now take, now that this CR gives us the time we need to negotiate bipartisan, bicameral, full year bills.

“M. President, I know that compromise takes time and hard work—I have hammered out many tough deals in my time here. But I think we have proven this Congress, many times over, that the path of bipartisanship is far easier—and far more productive—than the dead end MAGA extremism House Republicans keep making their very first priority.

“So let’s all vote to pass this CR. And then let’s get right to work, in a serious, bipartisan way on full year funding bills, and on meeting the long overdue disaster relief needs of so many of our states and our communities. Thank you.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Forging Partnerships: U.S. and Thai Forces Collaborate on Stryker Readiness

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CHON BURI, Thailand –

The partnership between the 1st Battalion, 205th Regimental Training Institute, Washington National Guard and the 112th Stryker Regiment, Royal Thai Army, grew a little stronger during a recent Stryker Maintenance Exchange in Chon Buri, Thailand, Sept. 7 – 19, 2024. This initiative is part of the State Partnership Program, which aims to enhance military capabilities and foster collaboration between the two forces.

Since the Royal Thai Army fielded the Stryker combat vehicles, the 205th Regiment launched the Stryker Leader Course in Thailand. The course focuses on operational effectiveness and tactical maneuvers. As the course progresses, the emphasis is increasingly shifting to maintenance and logistics, which are critical components for maintaining unit readiness.

“Operational training is important but having a solid maintenance unit is equally vital for Stryker operators,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ricky Thomas, the exchange team lead. “We’re working with their leadership and maintenance managers to identify ways to streamline operations. They currently lack some basic repair tools, and we are looking at ways to speed up parts acquisition and provide relevant training for fiscal year 2025.”

Training sessions have uncovered gaps in maintenance protocols and logistics, prompting discussions between Washington National Guard and Royal Thai Army leaders. The collaboration seeks to establish best practices in vehicle upkeep and supply chain management to improve overall efficiency.

The Washington National Guard is closely working with Thai soldiers, delivering hands-on equipment maintenance and inventory management training.

“Our goal is to provide the tools, training, and knowledge necessary for the NCOs and officer corps of the Royal Thai Army at the 112th Stryker Regiment and their support battalion,” said 1st Sgt. Jacob Harrington, chief instructor for the 1st Battalion, 205th Regimental Training Institute. “If they require specific training, we can tailor our approach. Ultimately, it’s about meeting their needs.”

As the Stryker Leader Course continues, both nations hope that this partnership will enhance military readiness and strengthen the longstanding relationship between the United States and Thailand.

MIL Security OSI –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Premier US Army CBRNE Command hosts South Korean counterparts for exercise

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland –

American and South Korean military leaders held a tabletop exercise to strengthen their combined counter Weapons of Mass Destruction posture, Sept. 25.

The U.S. Army’s 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command hosted the Republic of Korea Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Command for Exercise Liberty Shield.

Leaders from the 20th CBRNE Command welcomed their South Korean counterparts to their headquarters on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, in Northeast Maryland’s science, technology and security corridor.

American Soldiers and U.S. Army civilians from 20th CBRNE Command deploy from 19 bases in 16 states to confront and defeat the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and multinational operations.

The 20th CBRNE Command is home to 75 percent of the active-duty U.S. Army’s CBRN specialists and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, as well as the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity, Weapons of Mass Destruction Teams and Nuclear Disablement Teams (Infrastructure).

Established in 2002, the ROK CBRN Defense Command incorporates personnel from all branches of the South Korean Armed Forces.

The ROK CBRN Defense Command and 20th CBRNE Command routinely train together in the U.S. and South Korea.

From peninsula-wide exercises in South Korea to field training exercises at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, California, the allied commands have forged an enduring partnership, much like the enduring alliance they support.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. W Bochat, the commanding general for 20th CBRNE Command, met with her counterpart, ROK Army Brig. Gen. Jaehoon Yoo, the commanding general of the ROK CBRN Defense Command.

Yoo said the relationship between the two highly specialized commands continues to strengthen the counter Weapons of Mass Destruction posture on the Korean Peninsula.

Bochat emphasized the importance of the annual meeting to the ROK-U.S. Alliance and the CBRNE forces that serve in it.

Bochat previously served as the first female chief of staff in the 107-year history of the storied South Korea-based 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division.

“The relationships that I have had personally and professionally both on and off the peninsula cannot be overstated,” said Bochat.

The ROK-U.S. Alliance was officially established by the Mutual Defense Treaty that was signed on October 1, 1953.

The ROK-U.S. Alliance has provided the security on the Korean Peninsula and stability in Northeast Asia that enabled the meteoric rise of South Korea from the ashes of war to become one of the world’s leading economic and cultural powers.

MIL Security OSI –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday result in 51 deaths, 223 injuries

Source: China State Council Information Office

The death toll from the continued Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday across Lebanese rose to 51, with injuries up to 223, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The ministry confirmed casualties in several locations across southern and eastern Lebanon, including Bint Jbeil, Ain Qana, Qabrikha and Tebnine.

Military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted approximately 90 villages and towns in southern and eastern Lebanon. Among the casualties was Kamel Karaki, a photojournalist for Lebanese Al-Manar TV, killed in a strike on the southeastern village of Qantara.

Meanwhile, local media reported at least seven fatalities and 16 injuries from strikes near Beirut, with three deaths in Maaysrah, northeast of the capital, and four in Joun, Chouf district.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that Hezbollah fired a surface-to-surface missile at Tel Aviv early Wednesday, triggering sirens in the city and surrounding areas. The IDF said it intercepted the missile using the David’s Sling defense system, with no injuries or damage reported. The military later stated it had struck the Hezbollah launcher in southern Lebanon’s Nafakhiyeh.

In a statement, the IDF announced that it had called up two reserve ground brigades to the Israel-Lebanon border following a “situational assessment,” adding that the troops would be deployed for “operational activities on the northern front.”

It noted that the mobilization would “enable the continuation of combat against Hezbollah, the defense of Israel, and create the conditions for northern Israel’s residents to return to their homes.”

This surge in violence follows Israeli bombardments on Monday and Tuesday, the most extensive Israeli attacks on Lebanon since 2006. Official figures indicate the two-day strikes have killed more than 550 and wounded around 1,800 in Lebanon.

On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi and five others, according to the Shiite militant group.

The escalation comes after last week’s explosions targeting communication devices across Lebanon, which left dozens dead. The cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing since Oct. 8, 2023, following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel.

MIL OSI China News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chang’e-6 lunar samples to be displayed at 15th Airshow China

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

BEIJING, Sept. 25 — Lunar samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the far side of the moon will be on display at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced Wednesday.

The Chang’e-6 return capsule will also be showcased, allowing the public to witness the advancements of China’s space industry, said Li Yang, an official with the agency.

The airshow is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in Zhuhai, a city in south China’s Guangdong Province, and will feature various types of aircraft and carrier rockets.

According to Hao Changfeng, spokesperson for China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the company will present nearly 200 high-tech products, including first-time exhibits such as the Chang’e-6 probe and the Long March-8A carrier rocket. “About 150 items will be debuting, with new exhibits making up 75 percent of the display,” said Hao.

Wu Jiwei, spokesperson for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, announced that the company will showcase more than 260 products, emphasizing advancements in new quality productive forces.

Since its inception in 1996, Airshow China has become an important window for showcasing advanced aviation and aerospace technologies and equipment from home and abroad. It has also become an international platform for promoting business cooperation in aviation and aerospace technologies and equipment.

MIL OSI China News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English]

Source: United Nations – English

adam President, Excellencies,

Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years.

But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701.

The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory. We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Madam President,

Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

Many lives have been lost.

All this must stop.

The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

Madam President,

Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation.

The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women. Over 1,800 people were injured.

Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October.

Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

Madam President,

The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured.

Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.

The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

Monsieur le Président,

Les efforts diplomatiques se sont intensifiés afin de parvenir à un cessez-le-feu temporaire – permettant l’acheminement de l’aide humanitaire et ouvrant la voie au rétablissement d’une paix plus durable.

Nous soutenons pleinement ces efforts.

En début de semaine, la coordinatrice spéciale de l’ONU pour le Liban, Mme Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, s’est rendue en Israël pour des consultations, insistant sur le fait qu’une escalade militaire n’était pas dans l’intérêt de personne.

Le Chef de mission et Commandant de la Force intérimaire des Nations unies au Liban – la FINUL – le Général Aroldo Lazaro, est resté en contact étroit avec les parties, soutenant l’accès humanitaire partout où cela est possible et continuant d’appeler à une désescalade immédiate.

Malgré les conditions dangereuses, nos soldats de la paix restent en poste.

Afin de réduire les risques pour le personnel de la mission, la plupart du personnel civil a été temporairement transféré au nord du fleuve Litani.

Quelques membres essentiels du personnel restent dans la zone d’opérations de la mission, en compagnie de nos Casques bleus.

Je tiens à réaffirmer notre profonde reconnaissance envers nos agents de la paix – civils et militaires – qui servent le long de la Ligne bleue, ainsi qu’à l’ensemble de tous les pays contributeurs de troupes.

Madam President,

I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire.

The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Civilians must be protected.

Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.

The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured.

International law must be respected.

To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

Stop the killing and destruction.

Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

Step back from the brink.

An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.

The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

And I thank you.

***
[all-English]

Madam President, Excellencies,

Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years.
But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701.

The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory. We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Madam President,

Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

Many lives have been lost.

All this must stop.

The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

Madam President,

Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation.

The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women. Over 1,800 people were injured.

Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October.

Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

Madam President,

The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured.

Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.

The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

Madam President,

Diplomatic efforts have intensified to achieve a temporary ceasefire – allowing for delivery of humanitarian relief and paving the way for the resumption of more durable peace.

We fully support these efforts.

Earlier this week, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon –
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert – travelled to Israel for consultations, underscoring that military escalation is in no one’s interest.

The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL – General Aroldo Lazaro – has continued his close engagement with the parties, supporting humanitarian access wherever possible and continuing to urge immediate de-escalation.

Despite the dangerous conditions, our peacekeepers remain in position.

To mitigate the risk to mission personnel, most civilian personnel have temporarily relocated north of the Litani River.

A few critical staff members remain in the mission’s area of operations, together with the Blue Helmets.

I want to reiterate our sincere gratitude to our peacekeepers – civilian and military – who serve along the Blue Line, as well as to all the troop-contributing-countries.

Madam President,

I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire.

The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Civilians must be protected.

Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.

The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured.

International law must be respected.

To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

Stop the killing and destruction.

Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

Step back from the brink.

An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.

The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

And I thank you.

MIL OSI Africa –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman McCaul’s Resolution Brings Accountability for Failures During Afghanistan Withdrawal
Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Media Contact 202-226-8467

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul delivered remarks on the House floor to ensure that 15 Biden-Harris administration officials are held accountable for their dereliction of duty resulting in the deadly Afghanistan withdrawal. This historic condemnation passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support – including ten Democrats – in a vote of 219 to 194.

WATCH HERE

– Remarks as Delivered –

Mr. Speaker, I want to say to my good friend I have tremendous respect [for you], we work together on many things, [we are] bipartisan. And when we don’t agree, we do so civilly. However, I cannot disagree more with you than I do today.

One of the byproducts of Bagram [Airbase] falling, 7,000 ISIS [terrorists] were released from the Bagram prisons. Some of those have found their way into the United States.

What happened in Afghanistan is a tragedy. And one of the worst foreign policy failures in our nation’s history.

Who could ever forget the harrowing images of Afghans falling off the plans and babies being flung over barbed wire in a desperate attempt by mothers to save their children and escape Afghanistan under Taliban rule?

The women, that Mr. Wilson referred to, [were] left behind along with American citizens.

Women [are] now under slavery under the Taliban’s Sharia Law.

We are the United States of America. You can’t tell me we couldn’t have safely evacuated U.S. personnel, Americans, and our brave Afghan allies.

My report shows the administration had the information and opportunity to do so. But at every step of the way, they chose political optics over the safety of Americans.

Their deadly and chaotic withdrawal started a chain of events that have led to a world on fire.

We are witnessing the largest land invasion in Europe since WWII with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The CCP has become emboldened and more belligerent in their aggression towards Taiwan. And there is a war raging in the Middle East, Mr. Speaker, with the Ayatollah now rearing his ugly head. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened by design with the fall of Afghanistan.

When you project weakness on the world stage, this is what you get: a world on fire, inviting aggression from our adversaries.

Our U.S. national security is degraded, America’s credibility on the world stage is damaged, and the moral injury to the American veterans and servicemembers is a stain, an ugly stain on this administration’s legacy.

I want to close, Mr. Speaker, with a reminder of the consequences of the actions of those named in this resolution. And it is the 13 heroic U.S. servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’ve met with their loved ones, and they live [in] pain every single day, and they wake up to it every single day.

These servicemembers who paid with their lives because of this administration’s failure on August 26, 2021. And I for one, in this chamber, in this House say I’m sorry for what your government did to you. And in their honor, I want to read their names.
- Marine Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza
- Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee
- Marine Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover
- Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Christian Knauss
- Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez
- Marine Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum
- Marine Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola
- Marine Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui
- Marine Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo
- Marine Corporal Humberto Sanchez
- Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz
- Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak
- Marine Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page
Nothing will bring their lives back. Nothing will bring [the] children of these parents back, but we can hold those responsible, and accountable and that’s what this resolution does.

And I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield the balance of my time.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First ever UK-hosted meeting of AUKUS Defence Ministers as UK-Australia set to commence defence treaty negotiations
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

A landmark AUKUS meeting will be held in the UK today as the Defence Secretary John Healey hosts counterparts from the US and Australia in London.
Landmark meeting as Defence Ministers from AUKUS partners meet outside the US for first time.

Negotiations set to commence on UK-Australia treaty to define defence relationship for decades.

Billions of pounds of UK exports expected to support Australian submarine build, with AUKUS to support over 21,000 UK jobs and helping to grow the economy.

The meeting will be the first trilateral Defence Ministers AUKUS meeting to be held outside of the United States. Healey will host US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles to discuss the importance of the AUKUS partnership.

It comes as the UK and Australia have agreed plans to commence negotiations on a bilateral AUKUS treaty between the UK and Australia. The treaty will establish the strategic and operational framework for bilateral cooperation under AUKUS with a focus on the core elements of the delivery of SSN-AUKUS.

Given the importance of accelerating the design, build and delivery of SSN-AUKUS, Australia and the UK agreed these negotiations should occur at pace and with high priority.

This first-of-its-kind treaty between the two countries could create a major UK trade boost – it is estimated that facilitating the SSN-AUKUS build in Australia will see billions of pounds of submarine components exported from the UK through our defence industry supply chains. The treaty will lay out the nations’ relationship on submarine co-operation, as work progresses on future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines for the UK and Australia.

The three-year anniversary of the landmark AUKUS partnership was marked this month, following shortly after a historic breakthrough in defence trade was reached between the UK, US, and Australia.

The significant reduction in red tape will cover up to £500 million of UK defence exports each year, and billions of dollars of trade across all three nations, helping boost UK economic growth.

In a further boost for the UK economy, it is estimated at its peak the future AUKUS attack submarine programme will have more than 21,000 people working on it at UK sites, with the work generating an additional 7,000 skilled roles.

UK Defence Secretary, John Healey said:

I’m proud to be the first UK Defence Secretary to host a meeting of AUKUS Defence Ministers in Britain.

As AUKUS partners, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in an increasingly unstable world. This is a partnership that will boost jobs, growth and prosperity across our three nations, as well as strengthening our collective security.

I’m delighted that we will soon be commencing negotiations on a bilateral AUKUS treaty with Australia, which will help create a more secure and stable Indo-Pacific for decades to come.

The treaty work comes off the back of a UK-Australia Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement being signed earlier this year, helping make it easier for our Armed Forces to operate together in each other’s countries and facilitate UK submarine crews visiting Australia as part of the AUKUS partnership.

Since the AUKUS launch, nearly £10 billion of investment has been allocated towards UK nuclear work and infrastructure:

£4 billion to progress SSN-AUKUS UK submarines through design, prototyping and initial purchases.

£3 billion for new advanced manufacturing capabilities in Barrow-in-Furness and Derby.

£2.4 billion over ten years from Australia to boost Rolls-Royce infrastructure and to share costs on SSN-AUKUS submarine design.

Through AUKUS Pillar 2, Australia, the UK and the US are pooling the talents of their defence sectors to develop at pace the delivery of advanced capabilities. Four UK companies have been selected by the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to receive a share of £2 million of funding to develop solutions in electromagnetic targeting and protection.

The competition was run to find low cost, disposable, high volume and highly autonomous electromagnetic technology that can detect enemy actions or protect against them.

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Published 26 September 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Challenges Ukraine Narrative, Blasts Biden-Harris Administration for Prolonging the War

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
“The Biden-Harris Administration needs to negotiate a peace agreement now . . . or there will be disastrous consequences coming in the very near future”
WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) delivered a floor speech criticizing the Biden-Harris administration for prolonging the unwinnable war in Ukraine at the expense of American taxpayers. Sen. Tuberville also discussed why the history of NATO is inconvenient for the Biden-Harris administration’s narrative. In the speech, Sen. Tuberville highlighted that Ukraine is becoming desperate, which could have dire consequences.
Read the speech below or watch it here.
“Mr. President,
I rise today to talk about the un-winnable war in Ukraine, which has already cost American taxpayers billions of dollars.
Now, anyone who dares question the Uni-Party’s narrative on the war in Ukraine is obviously going to get criticized. That’s OK. The media has been complicit in pushing this narrative. Think about [it]: when was the last time you saw live footage on the ground in Ukraine? It’s rare because Ukraine is losing and is losing badly.
This comes after we just gave Ukraine $60 billion dollars more of taxpayer money earlier this year to prolong this war.
I see President Zelensky, a Uni-Party puppet, is here begging, begging for more money on [the] campaign trail with Kamala Harris. It feels like he’s here every other month demanding more and more taxpayer money. That’s because he knows that the money spigot will cut off if Kamala Harris doesn’t win in November.
Look, this subject is too important to go unaddressed. Over the last several months, I’ve asked multiple high-ranking members of the Biden-Harris administration to articulate what it is trying to accomplish in Ukraine. Just tell us. Tell us what it will cost and how we plan to achieve these results. Basically, I’m asking: what is our game plan? Not one official in this administration has answered my questions clearly. Not one.
One of the most interesting responses I received was from Secretary Austin himself, Secretary of Defense. He says, ‘We want to see Ukraine remain a sovereign, independent and democratic state that has the ability to defend itself in its territory and deter aggression.’ Ok. Secretary Austin continued, stating that it is the administration’s goal to bring Ukraine into NATO while simultaneously blaming Russia for NATO’s past expansion.
Now, here’s when the DC establishment really, really gets upset. I’m going to review a few undeniable facts about NATO’s history. Predictably, the Uni-Party will accuse me of spewing Russian propaganda. But these are the facts and that’s what we have to go by. We can’t shy away from them.
NATO was formed 75 years ago in 1949 as a defensive alliance to counter the communist Soviet Union. It was wildly successful in that it maintained peace through deterrence throughout the cold war. NATO helped us win the Cold War and dissolve [the] communist Soviet Union. When the Cold War ended in 1991, Ukraine instantly became the world’s third-largest nuclear power. Ukraine. Following a series of negotiations, Ukrainians agreed to give up their nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from both Russia and NATO. Territorial integrity and political independence.
These efforts were successful because they included assurances by many, many heads of state, including our own, that would no up-eastward expansion of NATO towards Russia would ever happen. It was over. At that time, there were 16 NATO members. Today, 33 years later, after this agreement, there are 32 NATO members. Even though in 1991 we agreed to no more eastward expansion, we broke the agreement. We, NATO and the United States. NATO has expanded eastward seven times since that agreement in 1991. The largest expansion in 2004 included two countries that share a border with Russia: Estonia and Latvia. Today, NATO includes three countries that border Russia. Six NATO members are former Warsaw Pact members. The bulk of this expansion happened before Russia annexed Crimea and invaded part of Ukraine in 2014.
Again, these are all the facts. All play a part in the NATO story and Russia’s response to it. Here’s another fact: NATO’s expansion was on NATO’s terms, separate and apart from any Russian input or activity. Let me read that again. NATO expansion was on NATO’s terms, separate and apart from any Russian input or activity—contrary to Secretary Austin’s claims. Ask yourself: How would the U.S. react if China or Russia entered a mutual defense organization with Mexico or Canada? How would we react? What if they started basing troops or participating in military exercises just miles from our homeland?
Having covered a brief history of NATO, let’s ask logical follow-up questions that we should always ask before involving ourselves in any armed conflict. First, how far are we willing to take this proxy war with Russia? How far are we? Did we think about that before we got into this? Are we [as] committed to winning as Russia’s President is? Vladimir Putin? Are we committed to winning? What happens if the momentum turns? What happens if it turns against Ukraine and Russia starts making real gains, as it appears is happening today. Will the U.S. send more taxpayer money? More weapons? Will NATO send troops? Will the United States send troops? What’s the plan?
War is a serious business. We should understand that by now. You don’t half-ass your way into one and certainly don’t half-ass your way out of one. That doesn’t seem to resonate around here.
Since the Russian offensive began, we have sent more than one $174 billion taxpayer dollars to Ukraine, one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Recently, the Biden-Harris administration announced their intent, their intent, to send an additional $700 million taxpayer dollars to Ukraine in cash. Are you kidding me? Why on earth would we give cash to the most corrupt country on the face of the planet?
So, after all that, after the last two and a half years of funding billions of taxpayer dollars, getting hundreds of thousands of people killed, what do we have to show for it? The war has only gotten worse. Hundreds of thousands are dead. Ukraine is becoming more desperate, as its forces are [experiencing] widespread insubordination and even mass desertion. We don’t hear that on TV. We don’t hear that in this propaganda media. Over six million Ukrainians have fled the country, have run, have left their country.
Ukraine is playing with fire, now seeking to conduct offensive operations deep inside Russia. Why? You can’t win. Most recently, Ukraine launched a drone attack that struck in Moscow. What are we trying to do— start World War III? Most recently, Ukraine launched a drone attack that struck several other office buildings in Moscow. Adding to the uncertainty of this situation, this administration’s current policy towards Ukraine has all the hallmarks of every Biden-Harris foreign policy decision that has preceded it: weak planning, disastrous results, zero leadership. This administration never considered the consequences of Ukraine losing. How can that ever happen?
This is really sad. It’s sad for the United States of America. It’s sad for the taxpayers. It’s sad for our military. It’s sad for our allies and it’s sad for NATO. Some of [his] Democratic colleagues have said, ‘Joe Biden never made a correct decision in foreign policy in forty years.’ Well, he hadn’t broke that.
Biden-Harris administration has dumped billions of dollars also into the lap of Iran. Removed the terrorist designation from the Houthis, who by the way, we’re fighting against right now, but they’re ‘not terrorists.’ Alienated one of our most important friends, Saudi Arabia. And they’ve executed the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that unnecessarily cost the lives of Americans. All this weakness was a direct signal to our adversaries: ‘Now is the time to make your move.’ And that’s exactly what our adversaries China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea are doing.
China today tested another ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. They’re preparing. Russia now has pounced on Ukraine. Whatever you hear in the media, it’s not true. It is a slaughter. Iran has released its proxies and terrorized the Middle East. Our ally Israel is fighting for its life against Hamas following the gruesome October 7th attack almost a year ago. The Houthis, the Houthis, are a bunch of people that live in the mountains, have been emboldened to attack ships, which has negatively impacted global trade. We can’t even beat the Houthis and we’re trying to create more wars. China has stepped up its aggression in the China Sea. We’re losing influence across the globe, especially in South America and Africa where the Chinese and the Russians are taking over. We’re leaving leaps and bounds.
So, let’s be very clear. Despite the administration’s incompetence, I still believe Putin was wrong to invade Ukraine. I think we all do. He should have withdrawn his forces immediately after it started. Putin is responsible for his actions, and he has made no secret of the fact that he sees Ukraine as historically a part of Russia.
At the same time, I do not think that Ukraine’s border is more important than ours—not even close—which we have been completely […] neglecting the last three and a half years.
We have been overrun, [at the] southern border, northern border, and from airplanes all over the world flying into our cities. It’s an embarrassment.
We do not need the administration to enable Ukraine to use offensive weapons and strike deep into Russia. That cannot happen. We are on the cusp of a nuclear war. Nobody seems concerned: ‘It won’t happen.’ Yes, it will happen. Putin has told us it will happen if you continue this. This would only escalate this conflict to an entirely new level that none of us can ever imagine. Do you think this offensive would convince Putin to come to the table and negotiate a peace agreement? Well, I would hope we would go, but we do not seem to want to make a peace agreement. We had better and we’d better do it in the very near future. This will provoke him to [use] even more deadly weapons if we continue to attack within their borders, costing more and more lives. NATO and the U.S. would be forced to respond as a result. We’re trying to create a war.
We must consider these questions thoroughly before we involve ourselves in another one of these crazy conflicts that should never happen. Improvising won’t cut it. Now is the time for the U.S. to lead and negotiate a peace to the end of this bloody war. I keep hearing people say, ‘well, we’re building equipment for our military.’ Yeah, right. Or our men and women are not losing their lives. We’re getting close to it. We’re getting very close.
Now look, I come from a military state in the state of Alabama. We build everything. We have thousands of troops. I want it to be well-funded and well-equipped if we ever have to fight a war. We need a lethal killing machine to deter other aggression. That’s what a military is about. This is not about defunding our military. I want our military laser-focused on protecting Americans and not woke DEI initiatives. And it’s not about abandoning our allies either. We need to support our allies.
It’s about this administration funding a proxy war with no plan, zero, no plan on how to stop it, or how to win it. The Biden-Harris administration needs to negotiate a peace agreement now. Immediately, or there will be huge, disastrous consequences coming in the very near future.
Mr. President, I yield floor.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: In a US presidential election with razor-thin margins, will ‘couch-sitters’ decide who wins?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeff Bleich, Professorial fellow, Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies, Flinders University

In countries with compulsory voting, such as Australia and many in Latin America, the system usually ensures an overwhelming majority of voters cast their ballots election after election.

In the United States, it’s a very different story. Two-thirds of eligible voters turned out to vote in the 2020 presidential election – the highest rate since 1900. Turnout in presidential elections before 2020 tended to hover between 50% and 65%.

Often, it’s the voters choosing to stay home on the couch who effectively decide an election’s outcome.

Under the United States’ unusual Electoral College presidential voting system, the candidate who wins the most votes nationally does not necessarily win the election. Twice in the past 25 years, Democrats have won the popular vote in the presidential race and still lost the election. That includes Donald Trump’s win over Hillary Clinton in 2016.

As such, victory depends on getting more voters “off the couch” in key battleground states where the decisive Electoral College votes are up for grabs. In those states, it doesn’t matter what percentage of people show up to vote, or how much a candidate wins by, it is winner take all.

A voter who doesn’t vote, therefore, actually makes an active choice — they remove a vote from the candidate they would have likely chosen, and so give an important advantage to the person they would not have voted for.

The “couch” is effectively where Americans go to vote against their self-interest.

Who is more incentivised to vote?

As this year’s presidential election between Trump and Kamala Harris approaches, we ask a simple question: whose “couch” will decide one of the most consequential elections in living memory?

Recent research demonstrates that partisanship is an important driver of voter choice in presidential elections.

The fact that the US is deeply divided is not news to most, but current survey data show how evenly split along partisan lines it actually is. With about 30% of Americans identifying as a Republican and 30% identifying as a Democrat, there is virtually no difference in the total number of voters who support each major party.

The remaining 40% of Americans identify as “independent” – that is, not loyal to either major political party. Almost seven decades of research on the American voter shows, however, that independents heavily “lean” towards one party or the other, with about half leaning Republican and the other half leaning Democrat.

One possible insight into which group has greater incentive to vote is polling on people’s dissatisfaction with their party’s candidate.

According to the most recent Gallup Poll data, 9% of Republicans currently have an unfavourable opinion of Trump. In contrast, only 5% of Democrats have an unfavourable opinion of Harris.

Partisan voters who are dissatisfied with their party candidate have a massive incentive to “stay on the couch” and refrain from voting. They don’t really want to vote for “the other team”, but they can’t stand their own team anymore either.

For example, Republican women in the suburbs, veterans and traditional Republicans have started to abandon Trump over his stances on reproductive rights and national security, and his temperament. The Trump campaign clearly knows this. At a rally in New York a few days ago, he told attendees to “get your fat ass out of the couch” to go vote for him.

Should these disaffected Republican and Republican-leaning voters stay home on November 5, Harris may well have a decisive edge over Trump.

When the couch wins, America loses

In 2016, Trump defied the polls and traditional voter turn-out trends by convincing some disaffected, working-class Democrats to stay on the couch, vote for an unelectable third party candidate or, in some cases, vote for him.

Could this happen again? Or will Democrats be able to reverse this phenomenon by getting exhausted Republicans suffering Trump fatigue to stay home, while motivating everyone from Taylor Swift fans to “never Trumpers” to veterans of foreign wars to get out to vote.

Recent trends suggest overall turnout will be comparatively high, in line with the past three federal US elections.

Democrats have traditionally benefited from higher voter turn-out, but it is not as clear this is still the case in 2024. Recent research shows higher turnout rates seem to have favoured the Republican Party since 2016.

Yet both parties still have significant numbers of people who don’t vote. According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents didn’t vote in the past three elections (2018, 2020 and 2022), compared to the 41% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.

So again, who sits on the couch matters. Inevitably, many of those who stay home will get precisely what they don’t want. When the couch wins, America loses.

Jeff Bleich is a former US ambassador to Australia and a member of the National Security Leaders for America, a group of 700 former generals, admirals, service secretaries, ambassadors, and other national security professionals, that has endorsed Kamala Harris in the presidential election. He was also special counsel to President Barack Obama and served as chair of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board under President Donald Trump and as a member of President Joe Biden’s (non-partisan) National Security Education Board.

Rodrigo Praino receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Government Department of Defence, and SmartSat CRC.

– ref. In a US presidential election with razor-thin margins, will ‘couch-sitters’ decide who wins? – https://theconversation.com/in-a-us-presidential-election-with-razor-thin-margins-will-couch-sitters-decide-who-wins-239394

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Hassan Introduce Bill Targeting Counterfeit Imports

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced legislation to detect and halt counterfeit imports. Specifically, the bipartisan bill authorizes Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to share suspected counterfeits’ packaging and shipping information with intellectual property rights holders, e-commerce platforms and transportation carriers. The text of their legislation has been included as an amendment in the “manager’s package” of the committee-passed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
“Counterfeits are an affront to consumers’ well-being, economic vitality and common decency,” Grassley said. “Our bipartisan bill establishes a straightforward approach to cut back on counterfeits by boosting information sharing between CBP, rights holders and commerce professionals.”
“This bipartisan bill gives Customs and Border Protection the tools that they need to more effectively stop counterfeit goods from crossing our borders,” Hassan said. “By strengthening law enforcement efforts to identify and interdict counterfeit imports, we can better protect American businesses and create jobs.”
Background
Grassley is the co-chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Grassley’s 2019 “Fight Against Fakes” report, released during his time as Finance Chairman, detailed bad actors’ efforts to exploit the marketplace at the expense of consumers’ pocketbooks and personal safety. Building on the report, Grassley first introduced legislation in 2021 to enhance information sharing between CBP and private sector partners.
The Grassley-Hassan bill (S.5160) is supported by the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2), International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), The Toy Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Download bill text HERE.
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: One Month Remaining for Iowa Students to Submit Academy Nominations

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is accepting applications from Iowa high school students who wish to be considered for appointments to U.S. service academies. Students must submit their applications to Grassley’s office by Friday, October 25. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Nominations will be finalized by December 31, 2024.
“U.S. service academies offer students the opportunity to receive a world-class education while serving our great nation,” Grassley said. “It’s a privilege to nominate Iowa’s best and brightest to these prestigious academies. I encourage any interested student to apply.”
Grassley’s academy nomination application can be found HERE. Students may hand-deliver their applications to any of Grassley’s Iowa offices, or mail them to the following address:
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Attn: Nominations Coordinator
721 Federal Building
210 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
NOTE: Applicants must also submit preliminary applications to the academies of their choice and ask that a pre-candidate file be opened on their behalf.
Additional Information:
The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point and U.S. Naval Academy each select at least one student from Grassley’s nominations every year. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states’ representation in Congress. Students are encouraged to apply to more than one service academy and seek additional recommendations from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and their federal representative in the House of Representatives.
For more information, please contact Grassley’s Des Moines office at (515) 288-1145 or academy_nominations@grassley.senate.gov.
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Madam President, Excellencies,

Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years.

But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701.

The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory. We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Madam President,

Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

Many lives have been lost.

All this must stop.

The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

Madam President,

Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation.

The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women. Over 1,800 people were injured.

Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October.

Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

Madam President,

The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured.

Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.

The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

Monsieur le Président,

Les efforts diplomatiques se sont intensifiés afin de parvenir à un cessez-le-feu temporaire – permettant l’acheminement de l’aide humanitaire et ouvrant la voie au rétablissement d’une paix plus durable.

Nous soutenons pleinement ces efforts.

En début de semaine, la coordinatrice spéciale de l’ONU pour le Liban, Mme Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, s’est rendue en Israël pour des consultations, insistant sur le fait qu’une escalade militaire n’était pas dans l’intérêt de personne.

Le Chef de mission et Commandant de la Force intérimaire des Nations unies au Liban – la FINUL – le Général Aroldo Lazaro, est resté en contact étroit avec les parties, soutenant l’accès humanitaire partout où cela est possible et continuant d’appeler à une désescalade immédiate.

Malgré les conditions dangereuses, nos soldats de la paix restent en poste.

Afin de réduire les risques pour le personnel de la mission, la plupart du personnel civil a été temporairement transféré au nord du fleuve Litani.

Quelques membres essentiels du personnel restent dans la zone d’opérations de la mission, en compagnie de nos Casques bleus.

Je tiens à réaffirmer notre profonde reconnaissance envers nos agents de la paix – civils et militaires – qui servent le long de la Ligne bleue, ainsi qu’à l’ensemble de tous les pays contributeurs de troupes.

Madam President,

I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire.

The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Civilians must be protected.

Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.

The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured.

International law must be respected.

To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

Stop the killing and destruction.

Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

Step back from the brink.

An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.

The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

And I thank you.

***
[all-English]

Madam President, Excellencies,

Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation.

Lebanon is at the brink.

Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years.
But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701.

The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory. We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Madam President,

Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

Many lives have been lost.

All this must stop.

The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

Madam President,

Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation.

The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women. Over 1,800 people were injured.

Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October.

Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

Madam President,

The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured.

Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.

The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

Madam President,

Diplomatic efforts have intensified to achieve a temporary ceasefire – allowing for delivery of humanitarian relief and paving the way for the resumption of more durable peace.

We fully support these efforts.

Earlier this week, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon –
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert – travelled to Israel for consultations, underscoring that military escalation is in no one’s interest.

The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL – General Aroldo Lazaro – has continued his close engagement with the parties, supporting humanitarian access wherever possible and continuing to urge immediate de-escalation.

Despite the dangerous conditions, our peacekeepers remain in position.

To mitigate the risk to mission personnel, most civilian personnel have temporarily relocated north of the Litani River.

A few critical staff members remain in the mission’s area of operations, together with the Blue Helmets.

I want to reiterate our sincere gratitude to our peacekeepers – civilian and military – who serve along the Blue Line, as well as to all the troop-contributing-countries.

Madam President,

I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire.

The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

Civilians must be protected.

Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.

The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured.

International law must be respected.

To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

Stop the killing and destruction.

Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

Step back from the brink.

An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.

The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

And I thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 22, 2025

Date Taken:	09.18.2024
Date Posted:	09.26.2024 15:35
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Who is more incentivised to vote?

When the couch wins, America loses