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April 2
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For those who thought the military industry stopped producing and selling weaponry, no: #Lockheed got a $818.2 million contract for production of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles #JASSM for US Air Force & allied militaries, according to the Pentagon. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/04/01/Lockheed-nabs-8182M-to-produce-JASSMs-for-Air-Force-allies/2211585788006/
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Dutch Minister Kaag FA on US policy concerning chip exports by Netherlands industry to China and US Minimis Rule (US restrictions on products with +25% US technology) and 0% rule (arms embargoes, support 4 terrorism), GATT/WTO Security Exception/Exemption. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/04/01/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-amerikaanse-regels-export-chipmachines/beantwoording-vragen-over-het-bericht-chipsector-onderuit-na-uitlekken-amerikaanse-plannen.pdf
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Adds to March 31 tweet on EU mission to enforce arms embargo on Libya:
Besides the embargo the mission has some other tasks:
Besides the embargo the mission has some other tasks:
- monitor illicit petroleum, crude oil exports
- training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy
- disrupt human smuggling and trafficking networks through information gathering and patrolling by planes
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Commander of aircraft carrier Roosevelt (CVN-71) asked US Pacific Fleet leadership to take his crew (air+ship crew +/- 5,500) off his carrier and send them all into quarantine ashore on Guam, as a COVID-19 outbreak on the carrier spreads. https://news.usni.org/2020/03/31/carrier-roosevelt-co-asks-navy-to-quarantine-entire-crew-ashore-as-covid-19-outbreak-accelerates
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#German security council last week approved deliveries of a number of military equipment to countries in MENA-region, like submarine U-209/1400 (the S-43) for #Egypt, Sa’ar 6 corvettes for #Israel and ammunition for #Qatari armored vehicles. https://www.en24.news/i24/2020/04/germany-approves-new-deliveries-to-the-middle-east.html
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Dutch naval lobby platform NMT asks for change in Governement policy to cushion the COVID-19 effects, included faster acquisition of naval vessels. (Versnellen van de programma’s voor vlootvernieuwing van Rijkswaterstaat en Defensie.) https://maritimetechnology.nl/nmt-vraagt-om-extra-maatregelen-voor-de-nederlandse-maritieme-maakindustrie-als-gevolg-van-de-corona-crisis/
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Dutch naval lobby platform NMT asks for change in Governement policy to cushion the COVID-19 effects, included faster acquisition of naval vessels. (Versnellen van de programma’s voor vlootvernieuwing van Rijkswaterstaat en Defensie.) https://maritimetechnology.nl/nmt-vraagt-om-extra-maatregelen-voor-de-nederlandse-maritieme-maakindustrie-als-gevolg-van-de-corona-crisis/
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Arms-control diplomacy (NPT, Efforts to better protect civilians in armed conflict) constitutes a distinct casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in 2020. But could there be a silver lining for international security to this unforeseen crisis? https://ploughshares.ca/2020/04/arms-control-diplomacy-a-worrying-casualty-of-covid-19/
April 1
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The deadly new coronavirus has struck a thriving business arm of Thailand's powerful military, laying bare what critics call a culture of impunity that has protected these money-spinners from public scrutiny for decades. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-exposes-Thai-military-s-off-the-books-enterprises
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US Cyber magazine Fifth Domain: Several European nations are evaluating powerful but potentially intrusive tools for fighting the new #coronavirus pandemic, a move that could put public health at odds with individual privacy. https://www.fifthdomain.com/international/2020/03/24/europe-eyes-smartphone-location-data-to-stem-virus-spread/
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In Spain Airbus continues 'some key activities' like on military and space equipment: “They remain essential.” All other activities will be paused. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/03/airbus-to-pause-majority-of-production-in-spain-until-9-april-in-covid19-environment.html
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The deadly new coronavirus has struck a thriving business arm of Thailand's powerful military, laying bare what critics call a culture of impunity that has protected these money-spinners from public scrutiny for decades. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-exposes-Thai-military-s-off-the-books-enterprises