Several NATO member states supply weapons to Ukraine without conditions on their use, while others stipulate, they can only be used against Russian targets within Ukraine’s borders. Recently, there has been a growing demand for Ukraine to have the freedom to use these weapons as it sees fit for self-defence.

On Thursday, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky stated that Prague had “no problem with Ukraine defending itself against an aggressor” and supported Kyiv’s use of munitions supplied by his country to attack targets in Russia.

Earlier in the week, French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for allowing Ukraine to strike Russian positions inside Russia using Western weapons. During his state visit to Germany, Macron argued that Ukraine should be able to “neutralize military sites where missiles are fired,” speaking alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

Scholz, while more cautious, said he had no legal objection to Macron’s stance and affirmed that Ukraine was “allowed to defend itself.” The UK also supports Ukraine’s right to determine how to use British weapons, including striking targets inside Russia.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that the policy on Ukraine’s use of American weapons is continually evolving, hinting that Washington might consider allowing Ukraine to use US weapons in attacks on Russian territory.

However, not all are in favour of this idea. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto labelled it a “crazy idea for the Ukrainians to fire Western weapons into Russia’s interior.”

Russia has issued stern warnings to Ukraine’s allies against permitting Kyiv to conduct strikes on Russian soil using Western weapons. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that such actions would “ultimately be very damaging to the interests of those countries that have chosen the path of escalating tensions.”

ED: From a mate in California who told me that a whip around at his local VFW raised $3225 donation for Trump Campaign 

By Greg Allison – Tahoe Mail

In a historic and unprecedented event, former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all counts in a landmark criminal trial. This marks the first time in history that a former or sitting president has been convicted of a crime, sending shockwaves through the nation. While reactions varied significantly across the political spectrum, conservatives have been particularly vocal in expressing their outrage and solidarity with Trump.

Trump faced 34 counts of falsifying business records, a charge that the prosecution claimed was part of an illegal conspiracy to undermine the 2016 presidential election. This included allegations of concealing a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. However, the defence was hindered by a lack of a robust counter-narrative.

The conviction, a significant and unprecedented development, saw each juror confirm their decision to convict Trump. In a dramatic moment, Trump turned to face each juror as they delivered their verdict.

Trump has accused Judge Juan Merchan of “not requiring a unanimous decision” on the charges, a claim that has resonated with many of his supporters. While this accusation is somewhat misleading—since the jury must unanimously agree that certain “unlawful means” were used—it has fuelled the belief among many conservatives that the trial was unfair.

The timing of the July 11th sentencing, just days before the Republican National Convention on July 15th, has raised suspicions of political motivation. Many argue that this timing is strategically aimed at damaging Trump’s reputation and hindering his potential 2024 presidential run.

Supporters of Trump also point out that while individuals like Hunter Biden and those involved in the Jeffrey Epstein case remain unscathed, Trump is being targeted for actions they see as comparatively minor. This perceived double standard has only strengthened their resolve.

Despite the celebratory reactions from left-leaning commentators and some segments of the public, Trump’s support base has shown a remarkable surge in solidarity. The Trump campaign’s donation site crashed shortly after the verdict, indicating a groundswell of financial and moral support. Contrary to claims by commentators like Rachel Maddow that the verdict would dissuade undecided voters and benefit President Biden, many believe this event will galvanize Trump’s base and increase his chances in the next election.

While Trump’s conviction has indeed shaken the nation, it has also ignited a fervent response from his supporters. They view this as a politically motivated attack and are more determined than ever to support him. The coming months will undoubtedly see this issue play a significant role in the political landscape as the nation heads towards the next election cycle.

THERE are few people so annoying as those aficionados of the ancient martial art, ‘Aorta’

For anyone who believes they have never heard of ‘Aorta’, its practitioners are all around us, just like carbon dioxide, but less useful.

Identifying them is relatively simple if you know the clues, such as where to look and identifying sounds.

Start in pubs, bars, even ADF messes of all kind, officers’ messes included.

You’ve all heard them but possibly never understood their message.

And the worst are the wannabes who copy the brain flatulence of others.

CLICK LINK to continue reading

Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

By Amy Johnson – The Strategist

The government risks exacerbating Defence workforce challenges, particularly retention, if it does not adequately engage with the needs of the families of soldiers who will soon be relocating to northern Australia. But if the families are consulted and happily settled, they can bring expertise in key industries such as health and education that the region urgently needs.

As part of the federal government’s new strategic focus on northern Australia announced in September 2023, an additional 500 military personnel will relocate to Townsville from the start of 2025. However, with Defence Families of Australia, the official advisory body representing the interests of Australian Defence Force families, operating in a limited caretaker capacity since August 2023, there are concerns that important perspectives from military families may be overlooked during this relocation process.

Defence families must be considered as key stakeholders in the smooth running of the ADF, as they play an important role in the retention of armed forces personnel. The stereotype of military spouses as ‘silent, self-sacrificing’ partners no longer holds true—‑they increasingly expect their needs to be addressed to help ease the disruptions caused by frequent relocations. Military organisations don’t yet fully accommodate these needs, but the shift north provides an opportunity to change.

Housing is a critical factor in an ADF family’s satisfaction with service life. The property’s location dictates school zoning, affecting educational choices for children. It may also influence a range of lifestyle or financial choices, such as whether the family can own a pet or whether the spouse can run a business from home.

As with many regional centres, housing availability in Townsville is at a premium, with the vacancy rate at 1 percent in the first quarter of 2024 while the number of residential building approvals has declined. The complexity of the challenge has been recognised, and the Department of Defence is in consultation with Defence Housing Australia and the Queensland Government to identify strategies, but detailed solutions are yet to be announced.

In addition to suitable housing, employment opportunities and strong social connections must also be considered in ensuring the wellbeing of Defence families, research suggests.

Defence partners struggle to sustain employment because of the frequent relocations and additional caring responsibilities. Potential employers may be wary of them, too.

The 2019 ADF Families survey found that partner employment was a key concern for families, and almost two-thirds of partners reported that it was difficult or very difficult to reestablish employment following relocation. Although it is encouraging that Townsville’s unemployment rate, at 2.7 percent in October 2023, is one of the lowest in Queensland, there have been reports of employers not viewing Defence partners’ skills and experience as an asset, instead perceiving their mobility as a risk to business continuity.

Defence families will need support in establishing strong social connections or risk being viewed as a drain on resources. The imminent arrival of the soldiers and their families has marked Townsville as the new Army capital, but they need to be welcomed by a community that understands the requirements of service. Any tension with local stakeholders about the impact on housing, healthcare and education and other services need to be resolved.

To ensure that Defence families are happily settled and welcomed in Townsville, it is important to highlight the key contributions they will make to the community. For example, many Defence partners work in health, education or other industries that regional areas need to boost. The north will benefit from the influx of new skilled professionals, and the ADF will benefit from a stable workforce and an improved social licence in the region.

The government’s big shift north requires more than additional Defence personnel to succeed. The families arriving with the soldiers are key stakeholders in this complex relocation, and they must be engaged in the decision-making process.

AUTHOR Amy Johnson is a military-families sociologist at Central Queensland University. Image of a teacher and the children of navy families in an education and childcare trial by the navy at Rockingham, WA, in April: Nina Fogliani/Department of Defence.

Sky News contributor Chris Uhlmann says there is a “real workforce problem” in the Australian Defence Force. “We have a real workforce problem within the ADF,” Mr Uhlmann told Sky News host Peta Credlin. “But, beyond that, we don’t have the kit which we need to fight with.”

The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) made a visit today to the troops currently participating in the Coral Warrior Series training, conducted in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This joint training aims to enhance the infantry skills of the 3rd Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR), fostering greater cooperation and tactical proficiency.

The Coral Warrior Series represents a critical component of the ongoing defence partnership between Fiji and Australia. It emphasizes the shared commitment of both nations to regional security and military excellence. The training includes a variety of drills and exercises that focus on infantry tactics, including jungle warfare, urban combat, and coordinated assault operations.

Addressing the assembled troops, the Commander RFMF commended the soldiers for their dedication and hard work. He highlighted the importance of such joint training endeavours in building not only technical skills but also camaraderie and mutual understanding between the two forces. “Your participation in the Coral Warrior Series is a demonstration of our commitment to excellence and readiness. The skills you acquire here will be invaluable in ensuring the safety and security of our nation,” he stated.

ADF officers also praised the RFMF soldiers for their professionalism and adaptability during the training exercises. They emphasized the value of these joint operations in enhancing interoperability and building a unified approach to regional security challenges.

As the Coral Warrior Series progresses, both the RFMF and ADF remain committed to continuous improvement and strategic collaboration. The skills enhanced during this training will not only benefit the individual soldiers but also contribute to the broader mission of maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific region.

The Commander RFMF’s visit serves as a morale booster for the troops, reminding them of the significant role they play in the nation’s defence framework. The ongoing collaboration between the RFMF and ADF is expected to yield long-term benefits, strengthening the capabilities of both forces and fostering a resilient and responsive military partnership.

Have you ever read something and thought it sounds too good to be true?

In most cases, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and it might be a scam. Scams can happen to a lot of different people, including veterans and families.

A scam is a type of crime that involves lies, where someone tries to take your money or your personal information. In 2023, a staggering 301,778 scams were reported through Scamwatch, with an almost $477 million estimated cost to victims.

To protect yourself from being scammed, you should never give your personal details to people you do not know or trust. This includes over the phone (voice call or text), by email, on Facebook or in online forms such as registering to prize draws or giveaways.

Some organisations promote free to enter prize draws and giveaways to gain access to your personal information.

If you are unsure if something is a scam, always Stop, Think and Protect.

Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it might be a scam.

Scamwatch suggests an estimated 30% of scams are not reported. If you are scammed, you can help protect others by reporting the scam. When you report a scam, you’re helping Scamwatch to protect more people from scams.

If you have been scammed, we encourage you to report the scam to Scamwatch.