Military Newsletter
Latest intelligence on the world situation, updates on US military capabilities, news that affects Military retirees,
and news that will probably never be reported by the "Liberal American Media!"
Edited by Lt Col Kent Vasby, USAF, Ret
Putin Slams U.S. Refusal to Meet With Russian Delegation
Putin said Tuesday that Russian authorities had suggested a meeting with Washington to discuss solving the Syrian crisis at the highest military and political level, Russian media reported. A delegation headed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was, according to Putin, ready to go.
On Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. had declined the offer.
'Weak and short-sighted' - Russian PM slams White House for failure to sync ISIS bombing campaign
Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has blamed the Obama administration for its failure to make progress in talks between the US and Russia on coordinating airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.
Here's Why Obama Is Refusing to Meet with Russia to Discuss Syria
Vladimir Putins ongoing effort to keep the U.S. off balance has forced the White House into yet another politically awkward choice.
The offer, extended by the Kremlin, was ostensibly an effort to begin coordinating the two countries military efforts against the terror group ISIS. However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that the administration has no interest in aligning with the Kremlin in Syria.
The Russian offer was meant to put the Obama administration in a difficult position, and it succeeded. The Obama administration really had only one option, and it took it.
Russia retreats to autarky as poverty looms
Autarky exists whenever an entity can survive or continue its activities without external assistance or international trade.
Russia is running out of money. President Vladimir Putin is taking a strategic gamble, depleting the Kremlin's last reserve funds to cover the budget and to pay for an escalating war in Syria at the same time.
The three big rating agencies have all issued alerts over recent days, warning that the country's public finances are deteriorating fast and furiously. There is no prospect of an oil revival as long as Saudi Arabia continues to flood the market. Russia cannot borrow abroad at a viable cost.
Obama Orders US to Prepare to Lift Sanction on Iran
President Barak Obama Sunday ordered the U.S. government to start preparing to lift sanctions against Iran on what was called Adoption Day -- the day all parties who signed the nuclear deal in July take the first steps towards implementing it.
US Military Intensifies Cooperation With Israel
EILAT, Israel - The US and Israel are marking a jam-packed week of military-to-military cooperation that cuts across all services and command echelons, from America's top-ranked officer -
USMC Gen. Joseph Dunford - to members of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), who are winding up a five-month deployment with rest and relaxation here in this Red Sea resort town.
Will he or won't he?
What's at stake as U.S. weighs South China Sea patrol
It may be the rainy season, but things are heating up in the South China Sea.
The dispute has gotten so heated that it's forced the United States into a difficult position: balancing the interests of allies in the region, such as the Philippines, with respect for China's legitimate claims and to avoid fraying ties to the fast-growing regional power.
If the U.S. Navy or other partners act in a manner consistent with recognizing that China is the rightful owner of the reefs in the Spratly Islands, it lends legitimacy to China's claims.
The fact that the U.S. hasn't gone near China's new islands since they have been built buttresses China's claims.
NATO To Begin Biggest Military Exercises Since 2002
NATO is to begin a three-weeks of military exercises in Spain, Italy, and Portugal that are described as its largest maneuvers since 2002.
NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow said the Trident Juncture exercise will demonstrate that NATO "can deal with everything from conventional military engagements to more subtle hybrid warfare techniques and propaganda."
India, U.S. and Japan hold naval exercises under China's gaze
Naval warships, aircraft carriers and submarines from the U.S., India and Japan steamed into the Bay of Bengal on Saturday as they took part in joint military exercises off India's east coast, signaling the growing strategic ties among the three countries as they face up to a rising China.
The U.S. Navy's Self-Imposed Blockade
It is "baked in" that we will lose the next big naval contest if we maintain our current heading.
Given the revolution in threat capabilities, the Navy must first and foremost start believing that change is possible.
Air Force reactivates World War II-era bomb group
The 489th Bomb Group will fly again.
The Air Force Reserve reactivated a World War II-era bomb group and its associated elements during a Saturday ceremony at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.
Some members of the original unit attended the ceremony.
The reactivation of the 489th BG will provide a B-1 formal training mission element as well as support combat operations allowing reservists to work side-by-side with 7th Bomb Wing and regular Air Force counterparts on a daily basis.
Thousands Stranded on New Migrant Route Through Europe
Tension was building among thousands of migrants as they remained stranded in fog and cold weather in the Balkans on Sunday in their quest to reach a better life in Western Europe.
Merkel, in bind on migrants, ready to back faster Turkish EU bid
German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered Turkey the prospect of support for faster progress on its bid to join the European Union on Sunday in return for cooperation in stemming the flow of migrants and taking back those rejected by Europe.
Dubbed a "punch-bag" for her own party by some German media due to frustrations over the refugee crisis, Merkel wants to cement a European deal with Turkey on aid and closer ties in return for help in encouraging refugees there to stay put.
Hezbollah Calls for Intifada to 'Save Al Aqsa'
We will continue Jihad against Israel
Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, has expressed support for the wave of Arab terror attacks targeting Israeli civilians and security forces across the Jewish state.
Vet, 75, saves kids from knife wielding attacker
A 75-year-old veteran used his Army knife-fight training to stop a man armed with two hunting knives from going after a roomful of children Tuesday at an Illinois public library, the Pekin Daily Times reports.
Mini Me-hadi: The three-foot tall jihadi who is hardly bigger than his Kalashnikov and is nicknamed 'Al-Chihuahua'
He is barely taller than his machine gun and has already earned the nickname 'Al-Chihuahua'.
But that hasn't stopped this three-foot-tall dwarf joining the terror war in Syria, it seems.
Tricare Help: Uncertain times and the '20/20/20' rule
Answering questions on enrollment, qualification, family benefits and more.
The Lutheran Party
by Eric Iverson - http://www.oldlutheran.com/page.php?page=humor&id=14
Two weeks ago I was idly browsing the personals, when I saw an ad for a Lutheran Party. Now I don't normally respond to these things, but I couldn't help noticing that I not only happened to be Lutheran, but was also a great lover of parties. It seemed like the perfect match, and so I wrote the following letter:
Dear People,
I was heartened and a bit surprised to see your ad for the Lutheran Party, as I was not aware that such a party existed. I am currently a Democrat, but after this latest election I guess I'm willing to try just about anything. To show my devotion to your cause I have drafted the following:
A POLITICAL PLATFORM FOR THE LUTHERAN PARTY
In many ways a political platform for the Lutheran Party goes against our grain. What with our motto "Anything worth changing is probably just as worth keeping the same" and all, a piece of paper with a bunch of big ideas on it just isn't the way we do things. In fact, under a Lutheran Administration, about the only thing that might change is that we might get to that fence out back that needs a coat or two of paint (that is if we can decide on a color). Nevertheless, here are a few things we as the Lutheran Party could maybe think about doing.
PAN-SCANDINAVIANISM
Under a Lutheran Administration, all US residents would be declared legally Scandinavian (or at least slightly Germanic on their mother's side). To signify this, residents would in addition take on a new Scandinavian name. In cases where the resident refuses to do this, an auxiliary pseudo-Scandinavianization will take place. This is a simple process wherein one or more "j's" will be inserted in unlikely locations in the person's first name, while a "son" or "stad" will be appended to the persons last name. For example, the following are good Scandinavian names:
Mjigjuel Hernandezson
Ajmed Mohammedson
Mjalcolm Xstad
BIG GOVERNMENT
Unlike its alphabetical predecessor, the Libertarian Party, the Lutheran Party does not favor a radical reduction in the size of the Federal Government. (Well I suppose you could reduce the size a little, but only if it's not too much trouble.) Instead, the Lutheran Party advocates increasing the size of the Federally Governed. This can be accomplished through a national diet filled with white sauce, granulated sugar, butter and of course hot dish. After all "yew can't have a big strong government if yew aren't big and strong yerself."
CURRENCY REGULATIONS
In order to pay back the federal deficit, new sources of funding must be found. One way is to restructure the US currency system in a manner more in keeping with the traditional pioneer values that made this country great. In this spirit, the Lutheran Party recommends that the new value of the US dollar be based on that of sod. This would not only immortalize the numerous sod homes that once dotted the Prairie, but would also act as an incentive for people to keep their lawns properly cared for so as to protect their investment. We also propose that new coins bearing the likenesses of long dead Danish and Norwegian Kings actually be made of sod; as the sod's natural mottled green color would most likely better represent these Kings' natural appearance.
THE ENVIRONMENT
One of the Lutheran Party's prime environmental goals is to inform the country that Lutefisk is actually not a toxic waste, and can in fact be eaten. In order to do this, we propose creating a new character: LeRoy the Lutefisk who will resemble a talking cod soaked in lye (actually a cartoon cod soaked in cartoon lye) and will say things like "Give a hoot, eat yer Lute" or "Der's no risk in Lutefisk". If this doesn't work, our new president will begin making speeches at Rotary Club gatherings about how Lutefisk tastes even better than sod. (See Currency Regulations.)
DEFENSE
"I tot I tode yew I'd paint de fense in da spring! Can't yew see it's still vinter?"
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