daftandbarmy
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Political impacts of Ukraine war
- Thread starter KevinB
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PMCs mean fewer politically damaging funerals at Arlington.
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Last year, POL asked European countries to cut assistance to UKR military aged men outside the UKR. Now, POL's president is starting to limit aid to refugees not working - and cutting off support for Starlink.
www.theguardian.com
www.euronews.com
Still hosting ~1M refugees, but it looks like financial pressures + wanting to play to the nationalist base may be leading to a squeeze.
Poland’s president vetoes legislation to prolong benefits for Ukrainian refugees
Karol Nawrocki says only Ukrainians in work should receive child benefit payments in Poland
www.theguardian.com
Polish president vetoes bill to extend support for Ukraine's Starlink
Monday's veto will also affect benefits Ukrainian refugees living in Poland receive from the state, as well as limiting their access to child benefits and healthcare.
www.euronews.com
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A comparison of EU and US exports to Russia and Central Asia
daftandbarmy
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65 year old Finnish conscripts... cranky old men who are crack shots... hmmm
Finnish Government submits to Parliament proposal to raise reservist age limit to 65
On 28 August 2025, the Finnish Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to raise the maximum age of reservists to 65 years. Reservists would remain liable for military service until the end of the year they turn 65 instead of the current 60. The new upper age limit would apply to all persons liable for military service born in 1966 or later.
Persons liable for military service would remain in the reserve until the end of the year they turn 65 irrespective of their military rank. There would be no upper age limit for officers with the rank of colonel or captain or higher, and they would remain in the reserve as long as they are fit for military service, just as they do now.
The proposal would extend the liability for military service by 15 years for the rank and file and by 5 years for officers and non-commissioned officers. This would give the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard a wider range of options for assigning persons to key positions during emergencies regardless of their military rank.
In practice, the amendment would affect a relatively limited group of persons liable for military service. For example, only reservists who have been assigned wartime tasks could be ordered to attend refresher training. No upper age limit would be prescribed for participating in voluntary national defence.
There is a five-year transition period during which the number of reservists would grow by 125,000. The number of reservists is expected to reach one million in 2031.
Finnish Government submits to Parliament proposal to raise reservist age limit to 65
On 28 August 2025, the Finnish Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to raise the maximum age of reservists to 65 years. Reservists would remain liable for military service until the end of the year they turn 65 instead of the current 60. The new upper age limit would apply to all persons liable for military service born in 1966 or later.
Persons liable for military service would remain in the reserve until the end of the year they turn 65 irrespective of their military rank. There would be no upper age limit for officers with the rank of colonel or captain or higher, and they would remain in the reserve as long as they are fit for military service, just as they do now.
The proposal would extend the liability for military service by 15 years for the rank and file and by 5 years for officers and non-commissioned officers. This would give the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard a wider range of options for assigning persons to key positions during emergencies regardless of their military rank.
In practice, the amendment would affect a relatively limited group of persons liable for military service. For example, only reservists who have been assigned wartime tasks could be ordered to attend refresher training. No upper age limit would be prescribed for participating in voluntary national defence.
There is a five-year transition period during which the number of reservists would grow by 125,000. The number of reservists is expected to reach one million in 2031.
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Trump is going to send in ICE / his Presidential Guard?
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He is just envious of the French Foreign Legion. Foreigners the French government can deploy with no domestic consequences.
No Frenchmen were hurt in the making of French foreign policy.
KevinB
Army.ca Relic
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Bingo.
Plus the ability to use US Military equipment without pesky issues like ITAR and complaints from the lunatic fringe about giving stuff to Ukraine.
POTUS will probably have a stake too…
Not totally the main advantage with PMC’s as opposed to an American Domestic Legion type thing is the external consequences.
It isn’t the US Government who is shooting down Russian planes, or killing Russian troops, it’s just capitalism in action.
Now admittedly if the Flying Tigers 2.0 show up with F-22’s no one will believe that it isn’t the USG, but boneyard F-16’s and F-18’s, and a fleet of A-10’s, that is much more explainable that a US PMC bought them.
DoD wanted to pay off a few ABCT’s worth, and this could be a way to do it.
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There's a movie about that
Meanwhile, a pro-nationalist UKR politician shot dead by folks on a motorbike.
Ukrainian Authorities Hunt Killer Of Former Parliament Speaker Parubiy
Ukrainian authorities launched a manhunt for the attacker how brazenly shot dead former parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy on the streets of the western city of Lviv on August 30.
www.rferl.org
Former Ukrainian parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy shot dead in Lviv
Andriy Parubiy played a significant role in the EuroMaidan Revolution and participated in the Orange Revolution.
www.euronews.com
Prominent Ukrainian politician Andriy Parubiy shot dead in Lviv
President Zelensky said the killing of Parubiy was a "terrible murder" - with a manhunt under way.
www.bbc.com
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Capitalism in action? Flying Tigers 2.0?
How fast could KBR put a mixed force of Manned/Unmanned F16s and a fleet of Kratos Valkyries and/or Anduril Gambits into the air?
No bureaucratic baggage to worry about.
An advantage to cutting the force generator loose.
Canadian precedents
Steele's Scouts, Strathcona's Horse, Gault's Patricias, Brutinel's Brigade of motorized machine guns.
Maybe the Pentagon is moving too slowly.
did you notice the note that they would be there to protect the American investments.Haliburton and KBR be like...
daftandbarmy
Army.ca Fossil
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A couple of other analogies
www.theglobeandmail.com
thesecuritydistillery.org
www.gisreportsonline.com
theconversation.com
adf-magazine.com
The Chinese alternative to the way of war of the CIA and the State Department.
Russia invading Ukraine 2022 - the old way of war (and even then the Russians wouldn't declare it war)
Russia invading Ukrained 2013 - active hybrid war
The Colour Revolutions - western hybrid war
Mossadegh and the Bay of Pigs - ham-fisted hybrid war
The grandfather of the new Chinese way of war
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
The Canadian version
The HBC was a kinder, gentler and arguably more effective version of the HEIC. It didn't have to call in the army as often.
....
1. Donald is playing catch-up, ditching the bureaucratic CIA model which can be tied to his government, for a commercial model with a 400 year history of success that is being emulated by the Chinese.
2. Commercial enterprises don't have to answer to hidebound government lawyers and accountants and can innovate faster. Rumour has it that PSCs get better kit, newer kit, faster and do things differently. And are plausibly deniable.
Chinese overseas turn to private security companies to protect them as they become a target for crime and terrorism
Thousands of Chinese workers live in the DRC, mainly in the mineral-rich east and south, and with that increased presence comes greater risk
www.theglobeandmail.com
Understanding the Chinese Private Security Contracting Industry — The Security Distillery
In the wake of the geopolitical shocks, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) faces notable challenges. This article examines Beijing’s response to security concerns within the BRI framework, with a specific focus on the exploration of Private Security Companies (PSCs) as a viable solution.
thesecuritydistillery.org
China’s roles in Africa are not only civilian GIS Reports
China’s private military and security firms are tightly controlled by Beijing and increasingly tasked with safeguarding its expanding interests in Africa.
www.gisreportsonline.com
Chinese security companies are putting boots on the ground in Myanmar. It could go disastrously wrong
China wants to use private security contractors to protect its investment projects in the war-ravaged country.
theconversation.com
Chinese Security Companies Expand Without Oversight - Africa Defense Forum
China’s expansion of its network of private security companies in Africa is unfolding in a legal gray area, analysts say. These companies, known as PSCs, are widening their reach without a strong regulatory framework, which poses risks such as lack of transparency, weak national controls and...
adf-magazine.com
The Chinese alternative to the way of war of the CIA and the State Department.
Russia invading Ukraine 2022 - the old way of war (and even then the Russians wouldn't declare it war)
Russia invading Ukrained 2013 - active hybrid war
The Colour Revolutions - western hybrid war
Mossadegh and the Bay of Pigs - ham-fisted hybrid war
The grandfather of the new Chinese way of war
East India Company - Wikipedia
Presidency armies - Wikipedia
Royal Indian Navy - Wikipedia
The Canadian version
The HBC was a kinder, gentler and arguably more effective version of the HEIC. It didn't have to call in the army as often.
....
1. Donald is playing catch-up, ditching the bureaucratic CIA model which can be tied to his government, for a commercial model with a 400 year history of success that is being emulated by the Chinese.
2. Commercial enterprises don't have to answer to hidebound government lawyers and accountants and can innovate faster. Rumour has it that PSCs get better kit, newer kit, faster and do things differently. And are plausibly deniable.
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HavokFour
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Well Russia has already blown up the biggest American investment in the country and was met with silence by the Trump admin, mission failed successfully before it even started.
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Except, that a number of murdered and missing Chinese have had their demise linked to their hired security. A lot of nations in Africa are seeing strong dislike of the Chinese and a Chinese only security force, might have success for awhile, but will eventually become the target of a African milita.A couple of other analogies
Chinese overseas turn to private security companies to protect them as they become a target for crime and terrorism
Thousands of Chinese workers live in the DRC, mainly in the mineral-rich east and south, and with that increased presence comes greater riskUnderstanding the Chinese Private Security Contracting Industry — The Security Distillery
In the wake of the geopolitical shocks, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) faces notable challenges. This article examines Beijing’s response to security concerns within the BRI framework, with a specific focus on the exploration of Private Security Companies (PSCs) as a viable solution.China’s roles in Africa are not only civilian GIS Reports
China’s private military and security firms are tightly controlled by Beijing and increasingly tasked with safeguarding its expanding interests in Africa.Chinese security companies are putting boots on the ground in Myanmar. It could go disastrously wrong
China wants to use private security contractors to protect its investment projects in the war-ravaged country.Chinese Security Companies Expand Without Oversight - Africa Defense Forum
China’s expansion of its network of private security companies in Africa is unfolding in a legal gray area, analysts say. These companies, known as PSCs, are widening their reach without a strong regulatory framework, which poses risks such as lack of transparency, weak national controls and...
The Chinese alternative to the way of war of the CIA and the State Department.
Russia invading Ukraine 2022 - the old way of war (and even then the Russians wouldn't declare it war)
Russia invading Ukrained 2013 - active hybrid war
The Colour Revolutions - western hybrid war
Mossadegh and the Bay of Pigs - ham-fisted hybrid war
The grandfather of the new Chinese way of war
East India Company - Wikipedia
Presidency armies - Wikipedia
Royal Indian Navy - Wikipedia
The Canadian version
The HBC was a kinder, gentler and arguably more effective version of the HEIC. It didn't have to call in the army as often.
....
1. Donald is playing catch-up, ditching the bureaucratic CIA model which can be tied to his government, for a commercial model with a 400 year history of success that is being emulated by the Chinese.
2. Commercial enterprises don't have to answer to hidebound government lawyers and accountants and can innovate faster. Rumour has it that PSCs get better kit, newer kit, faster and do things differently. And are plausibly deniable.
HavokFour
Army.ca Veteran
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Now this is an easy win for both countries and the local wildlife.
www.france24.com
To defend against Russian tanks, Finland and Poland consider restoring wetlands
Finland and Poland are both considering rewetting dried-out peatbogs to form defence barriers against a potential Russian ground invasion. Restoring these natural carbon sinks could also bring significant…
www.france24.com
daftandbarmy
Army.ca Fossil
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Last year, POL asked European countries to cut assistance to UKR military aged men outside the UKR. Now, POL's president is starting to limit aid to refugees not working - and cutting off support for Starlink.
Poland’s president vetoes legislation to prolong benefits for Ukrainian refugees
Karol Nawrocki says only Ukrainians in work should receive child benefit payments in PolandStill hosting ~1M refugees, but it looks like financial pressures + wanting to play to the nationalist base may be leading to a squeeze.Polish president vetoes bill to extend support for Ukraine's Starlink
Monday's veto will also affect benefits Ukrainian refugees living in Poland receive from the state, as well as limiting their access to child benefits and healthcare.
FWIW, VBH is a bit of a whack job but summarizes some issues nicely here.
Europe's in trouble if massive/illegal immigration + Zero carbon/ deindustrialization national policies = trouble...
HavokFour
Army.ca Veteran
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Find out in the next episode if Alaska happened at all.
kyivindependent.com
Kremlin denies Trump, Putin ever agreed on face-to-face Zelensky meeting
"Right now, there is talk of a trilateral meeting, of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. But specifically, as far as I know, there was no agreement between Putin and Trump on this," Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said.
kyivindependent.com
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