#Celeste Wallander

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

Gallagher: I'd like to follow up on that, maybe attempt to simplify it. We are fortunate to live in a democracy, and Dr. Wallander, would you say that the United States military in general holds itself to the highest ethical standards? Moral and ethical standards?

Wallander: Yes, congressman.

Gallagher: Would you say that our military takes great effort to avoid civilian casualties wherever possible?

Wallander: Yes, congressman.

Gallagher: Do you believe the United States intentionally targets civilians?

Wallander: I believe the US military does not intentionally target civilians.

Gallagher: And in Israel, we have a vibrant democracy as well, this is a great thing. Do you believe that the Israeli Defence Forces hold themselves to a high moral and ethical standard, just as the United States does?

Wallander: I do believe that the Israeli Defence Forces hold themselves to that high standard.

Gallagher: And Israel does not target civilians and takes steps to avoid civilian casualties wherever possible, correct?

Wallander: I believe that is a true statement, sir.

Gallagher: And is there any evidence at present that they are-- you emphasized in your testimony that they have a responsibility to protect civilians. I agree, I think they're doing-- going to great lengths to do just that and to uphold international law. Is there any that they are violating international law?

Wallander: I am not aware of any evidence that they are deliberately targeting civilians.

Gallagher: And so, contrast that. The high moral and ethical standards of the United States military and our allies in Israel, with Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization, correct?

Wallander: Yes, congressman.

Gallagher: And Hamas does not care about human life, including the civilians in Gaza?

Wallander: Worse, Hamas exploits others' concern for civilian life by placing their capabilities and their fighters, protected by human shields.

Gallagher: That was going to be my next question, you anticipated the use of human shields. And many civilians in Gaza have died from Hamas rockets landing inside Gaza in Hamas' attacks on civilians. Correct?

Wallander: I believe there have been such validated incidents, yes, congressman.

Gallagher: The only thing I'm curious about is, Hamas could, if we applied the same standard, they have a responsibility to protect human life, Hamas could surrender today, release all of the hostages and the war presumably would be over. Correct?

Wallander: If Hamas ended their war against Israel, the conflict could be over today.

Gallagher: A final question on this front. Do you want Hamas to be removed from control of Gaza or would you like to see Hamas regain control of Gaza, at the risk of another October 7th-type massacre?

Wallander: The administration fully supports Israel's goal of destroying Hamas' ability to conduct these operations.

Gallagher: Thank you, I appreciate that.

[ Full video. ]

==

Exterminate Hamas.

[zimmerberg]

Der Krieg in der Ukraine wird weiter gehen, denn

die „Glaubwürdigkeit der USA“

steht auf dem Spiel!!!

-> Bis Russland die Ukraine restlos erledigt hat!!!

[rhoenblick]

Hochrangige Beamtin des Pentagon: Glaubwürdigkeit der USA steht in der Ukraine auf dem Spiel — RT DE

Die stellvertretende US-Verteidigungsministerin Celeste Wallander hat versucht, die – vermeintlichen– Sicherheitsbedenken der europäischen “Verbündeten” Washingtons auszuräumen. Dabei wurde deutlich, dass Washington die europäischen Staaten nicht nur für seine Konfrontation mit Russland, sondern auch für die Frontstellung gegen China einplant. — Weiterlesen…

[meandmybigmouth]

How many fighters has Russia lost in the Ukraine war?

Russia has lost more than 2,000 tanks and suffered 315,000 casualties in the conflict, Cavoli testified. The full-scale invasion has cost Russia $211 billion to equip, deploy, maintain, and sustain its forces in Ukraine, added Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.Apr 10, 2024

HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF! IT'S THE ONLY "REAL" THING A

"MAN'S WORLD" PROMISES!

[georgemcginn]

44th U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE 44th U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission May 2, 2024 Department of Defense Spokesperson Maj. Pete Nguyen provided the following readout: U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander and Chairman of the Jordanian Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Hnaity co-chaired the 44th meeting of the U.S.-Jordan Joint…

[thxnews]

Ukraine Receives $95 Billion US Defense Aid

As the world marks two years of sustained support for Ukraine, the Pentagon's latest commitment underscores a stronger, more resilient defense strategy for the besieged nation. At the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the U.S. solidifies its support with a historic $95 billion aid package, aiming to strengthen Ukraine's defenses against prolonged aggression.  

Warcrimes in Russia Ukraine War. Photo by Maria Flores-Jeuregui. Flickr.  

Ukrainian War: Background and Context

In April 2022, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group was formed in response to the escalating conflict in Eastern Europe. Comprising around 50 nations, this coalition has met monthly to coordinate and boost Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of Russian hostilities. Moreover, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, at the recent 21st meeting, emphasized the group's crucial role in rallying international support and streamlining the delivery of military aid. "I'm ... pleased to announce today an additional commitment of $6 billion through our Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative that will allow us to procure new capabilities for Ukraine from U.S. industry," Austin said during a briefing at the Pentagon. "This is the largest security assistance package that we've committed to date."   Details of the New Security Assistance The new $95 billion package, signed into law this Wednesday, is the largest single assistance package to Ukraine to date. According to Secretary Austin, it includes advanced counter-drone systems, artillery ammunition, and air-to-ground munitions. Additionally, the package will provide maintenance, sustainment support, and crucial interceptors for Ukraine's Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS).   Additional Security Measures and Support Alongside the USAI package, the Pentagon also unveiled a $1 billion security assistance initiative provided through presidential drawdown authority. This includes RIM-7 and AIM-9M missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, TOW missiles, and a variety of artillery shells and combat vehicles. This immediate aid comes directly from U.S. military inventories, ensuring rapid deployment to the Ukrainian front lines.  

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Celeste A. Wallander. Photo by DOD.  

Impact on Ukraine's Defense Posture

The combined efforts of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group have significantly bolstered Ukraine's military posture. Contributions from various countries have included not only the provision of military hardware but also support for rebuilding Ukraine's defense industry. This assistance has been instrumental in preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty and deterring further aggression.   Future Objectives As the conflict enters its third year, the focus remains on not just immediate defense needs but also long-term stability and resilience. Special capability coalitions within the contact group are working to enhance Ukraine's defense sectors, including air defense, artillery, and unmanned aerial systems. These efforts are aligned with the broader goal of helping Ukraine build a robust, efficient, and self-reliant defense industry.  

Brief Summary

The ongoing commitment of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, reinforced by America's substantial financial and military support, reflects a strong international stand for democracy and sovereignty. The continued support ensures Ukraine not only survives the current conflict but emerges stronger, ready to defend itself and deter future threats.   Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense. Read the full article

[aurevoirmonty]

Guerre propre - «Aucune vie américaine perdue»: Cameron loue «l’excellent rapport qualité-prix» de la guerre en Ukraine

«Pour peut-être 5 ou 10% de votre budget de défense, près de la moitié de l'équipement militaire russe d'avant-guerre a été détruit», s’est enthousiasmé l’ex-Premier ministre britannique en visite à Washington.

«Sans qu'aucune vie américaine ne soit perdue», a-t-il ajouté, oubliant opportunément de mentionner les mercenaires… et sans avoir le début d'une pensée pour les centaines de milliers de soldats ukrainiens morts pour l'Empire.

Il s'agit d'un investissement dans la sécurité des Etats-Unis

Une sortie qui n’est évidemment pas anodine et vient appuyer l’effort du Pentagone pour débloquer les 60 milliards que le Congrès refuse toujours (https://t.me/kompromatmedia/4557) de lâcher au régime de Kiev.

«Le travail que nous avons accompli pendant deux ans pour investir dans l'avenir de l'Ukraine ne portera pas ses fruits, à moins que nous ne parvenions à faire passer [cette aide] dans les prochains mois», vient de plaider (https://www.dvidshub.net/video/918664/defense-officials-testify-about-military-posture-europe) la secrétaire adjointe à la Défense, Celeste Wallander.

Autrement dit, il faut continuer à financer la guerre pour éviter que les milliards de dollars «d'investissements» antérieurs soient gaspillés.

Jusqu'au dernier Ukrainien.

[inprimalinie]

Antonov: Apelul Pentagonului de a învinge Rusia este plin de riscuri de escaladare

Ambasadorul rus în Statele Unite, Anatoli Antonov, comentând cuvintele șefului adjunct al Statului Major al Pentagonului pentru securitate internațională, Celeste Wallander, potrivit cărora conducerea rusă trebuie să primească “o lecție” în contextul Crimeii, a declarat că astfel de declarații sunt pline de riscuri de “escaladare imprevizibilă”. Georgiana Arsene Administrația SUA trebuie să…

[delectablywaywardbeard-blog]

Pentagono, 'al lavoro per fornire F-16 all'Ucraina quest'anno'

Il Pentagono prevede che quest’anno l’Ucraina riceverà i primi caccia F-16, oltre alle relative infrastrutture e pezzi di ricambio: lo ha detto in un briefing con i media la responsabile degli affari di sicurezza internazionale del ministero della Difesa Usa, Celeste Wallander, come riporta il sito del ministero.     “Stiamo lavorando come coalizione per fornire una capacità operativa iniziale…

[newsvoicetv]

US Defense Seeks to Quell Violent Extremism in Africa's Sahel Region

[nicolae]

Pentagon: U.S.-Romanian Bilateral Defense Relationship

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Celeste Wallander, met with her Romanian counterpart, Romanian State Secretary for Defense Simona Cojocaru, at the Pentagon today to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues during the annual High-Level Defense Group. The two leaders condemned Putin’s brutal war of choice in Ukraine and affirmed their unyielding…

[usafphantom2]

Pentagon said it fully supports Turkey's acquisition of F-16 fighters

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 06/30/2022 - 08:49 AM in Military

F-16 fighters of the Turkish Air Force. (Photo: Arnaud Chamberlin)

The Turkish Air Force may soon have new F-16s in its fleet, with the Biden administration giving full support to proceed with the sale.

“The U.S. Department of Defense fully supports Turkey's modernization plans for its F-16 fleet. These plans are underway," Celeste Wallander, Deputy Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs of the Pentagon, said on Wednesday.

She said that the U.S. "sup supports the modernization of its fighter fleet by Turkey because this is a contribution to NATO security and therefore to American security."

Ankara sent a formal request to purchase 40 new F-16V Block 70 jets and 80 modernization kits in September 2021. The contract should reach US$ 6 billion. Turkey hopes to develop its own jets; but in the meantime, it is late to retire its F-4 jets and wants to upgrade its F-16C/D fleet as a provisional measure.

Wallander's comments come shortly after Turkish President Erdogan abandoned his opposition to Swedish and Finnish proposals to join NATO, bringing the alliance closer to strengthen his eastern front with Russia.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced his support for the U.S. decision to upgrade Turkey's F-16 fighter fleet.

"I support the Biden administration's decision to support the sale of new F-16s to our NATO ally, Turkey," Graham, who represents South Carolina, wrote on Twitter.

"Although we have differences with Turkey, they are allies of NATO and it is in the interest of U.S. national security to strengthen their capabilities in a problematic region," he wrote.

He added that the update of "Turkish aviation capacity will benefit Turkey, the US, NATO and regional security".

In May, the Biden administration asked Congress to approve a separate sale of weapons and equipment upgrades to Turkey's F-16 fleet, which is expected to exceed $500 million. Informal reviews submitted to Congress include the proposed sale of AMRAAM missiles, Sidewinder missiles and software and hardware updates to the F-16 cockpits already in Turkey.

Erdogan is now seeking to capitalize on a relatively positive atmosphere in relations with the alliance and the U.S. after a period of icy ties over the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems by his government. This led the Pentagon to remove Turkey from the multibillion-dollar program to buy - and help build - F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. Washington argued that the S-400s can be used ?? by the Russians to collect information about the poaching jet.

Tags: Military AviationF-16 Fighting FalconNATO - North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationTAF - Turkish Air Force / Turkish Air Force

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in a specialized aviation magazine in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[rhoenblick]

Hochrangige Beamtin des Pentagon: Glaubwürdigkeit der USA steht in der Ukraine auf dem Spiel — RT DE

Die stellvertretende US-Verteidigungsministerin Celeste Wallander hat versucht, die – vermeintlichen– Sicherheitsbedenken der europäischen “Verbündeten” Washingtons auszuräumen. Dabei wurde deutlich, dass Washington die europäischen Staaten nicht nur für seine Konfrontation mit Russland, sondern auch für die Frontstellung gegen China einplant. — Weiterlesen…

[yourreddancer]

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

April 13, 2022 (Wednesday)“Democrats need to make more noise,” Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) told Greg Sargent of the Washington Post. “We have to scream from the rooftops, because this is a battle for the free world now.”

Sargent interviewed Schatz after the senator called out Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) on the floor of the Senate on April 7 for the profound disconnect between the Republican senator’s speeches and his actions. Hawley has placed a hold on President Joe Biden’s uncontroversial nominee for an assistant secretary of defense, saying that Biden’s support for Ukraine was “wavering” and that he wasn’t doing enough. Of course, the Biden administration has been central to world efforts to support Ukraine in its attempt to hold off Russia’s invasion.

 Just today, Biden announced an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance to Ukraine. In contrast, Hawley voted to acquit former president Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress when he withheld $391 million of congressionally approved aid to Ukraine in order to pressure Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky to cook up a story about Hunter Biden. 

Hawley’s bad-faith argument goes beyond misleading statements about aid to Ukraine. Hawley has vowed that he will use his senatorial prerogative to hold up “every single civilian nominee” for the Defense Department unless Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin resigns. He has vowed the same for the State Department, demanding the resignation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Hawley says his demands are because of the withdrawal from Afghanistan; he also said that Biden should resign. This is a highly unusual interference of the legislative branch of government with the executive branch. It also means that key positions in the departments responsible for managing our national security are not being filled, since Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer must use up valuable floor time to get nominations around Hawley’s holds.

   In February, for example, Hawley blocked the confirmation of the uncontroversial head of the Pentagon’s international security team, Celeste Wallander, a Russia expert and staunch advocate for fighting Russian aggression, even while Russian troops were massing on the Ukraine border. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) noted in frustration: “He’s complaining about the problems we have in Russia and Ukraine and he’s making it worse because he’s not willing to allow those nominees who can help with that problem to go forward.” (The Senate eventually voted 83–13 to confirm Wallander.)

Hawley is not the only Republican to be complaining about the administration even as he gums up the works. Texas governor Greg Abbott has ordered Texas state troops to inspect all commercial trucks coming from Mexico after the federal government has already inspected them.

 Normally, Mexican authorities inspect a commercial driver’s paperwork and then officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection thoroughly inspect the vehicle on the U.S. side of the international bridge, using dogs, X-ray machines, and personal inspections. At large crossings, officials from the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Transportation will make sure that products and trucks meet U.S. standards. Sometimes after that, the state will spot-check a few trucks for roadworthiness. Never before has Texas inspected the contents of each commercial vehicle.

Abbott instituted the new rule after the Biden administration announced it would end the pandemic emergency health order known as Title 42. This is a public health authority used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect against the spread of disease. It was put in place by the Trump administration in March 2020. Title 42 allows the U.S. government to turn migrants from war-torn countries away at the border rather than permitting them to seek asylum as international law requires.

Abbott said the new rule would enable troopers to search for drugs and smuggled immigrants, which he claims the administration is not doing. But journalists Mitchell Ferman, Uriel J. García, and Ivan Pierre Aguirre of the Texas Tribune report that officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety do not appear to be examining the trucks and have not announced any captured drugs or undocumented immigrants. 

Wait times at border crossings have jumped from minutes to many hours, with Mexican truckers so frustrated they blocked the roads from the southern side, as well. Truckers report being stuck in their trucks for as much as 30 hours without food or water. About $440 billion worth of goods cross our southern border annually, and Abbot’s stunt has shut down as much as 60% of that trade. The shutdown will hammer those businesses that depend on Mexican products. It will also create higher prices and shortages across the entire country, especially as perishable foods rot in transit.

On Twitter, Democratic candidate for Texas governor Beto O’Rourke showed a long line of trucks behind him in Laredo and said: “What you see behind me is inflation.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement today saying: “Governor Abbott’s unnecessary and redundant inspections of trucks transiting ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains, delaying manufacturing, impacting jobs, and raising prices for families in Texas and across the country. Local businesses and trade associations are calling on Governor Abbott to reverse this decision…. Abbott’s actions are impacting people’s jobs, and the livelihoods of hardworking American families.”

Tonight, Abbott backed down on his rule, and normal traffic seems to be resuming over one of the key bridges between Mexico and the U.S., but his stunt indicates that Republicans plan to use inflation and immigration as key issues to turn out their base for the 2022 midterm elections. Today, pro-Trump Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who replaced Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) as the House Republican Conference Chair, the third-highest Republican in the House, tweeted: “We must SECURE our southern border.”

Abbott has also ordered the Texas National Guard to the U.S. border with Mexico to conduct “migration drills” in preparation for an influx of migrants. But Abbott’s use of the 10,000 National Guard personnel last fall for a border operation to prevent an influx of migrants seemed to be a political stunt: it led to complaints from National Guard personnel of lack of planning, lack of pay, lack of housing, and lack of reason to be there. 

Abbott has deployed troops in the past while he was under fire for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the February 2021 winter storm that left millions of Texans without heat or electricity for days and killed 246. This deflection seemed to be at work last February, too, when Abbott issued a letter saying that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services should investigate any instances of care for transgender children as child abuse

That letter appeared just as it came to light that Abbott was behind the extraordinarily high electricity prices in the 2021 storm. Although Abbott’s office had said he was not involved in the decision to charge maximum electricity prices, in February, Bill Magness, the former CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas that runs the state’s electrical grid, said Abbott had personally ordered him to keep prices at their maximum: $9,000 per megawatt hour.

And so Abbott grabbed headlines with a bill attacking transgender children.Today, Abbott sent a bus of migrants seeking asylum to Washington, D.C., where they were set down right outside the offices of the Fox News Channel, which filmed them disembarking. These migrants have been processed by federal authorities and are awaiting decisions from federal judges about whether they will be allowed to remain in the U.S. "I think it’s pretty clear this is a publicity stunt," Psaki said.

And finally, tonight, under the category of bad-faith arguments, it is clear that the current Supreme Court has run amok. Republicans attack “activist judges” who want to protect civil rights in the states by using the Fourteenth Amendment’s rule that the states cannot deprive a citizen of the equal protection of the laws. But Republican justices are making up their own law outside the normal boundaries of the court. On April 6, five Supreme Court justices agreed to reinstate a Trump-era rule that limits the ability of states to block projects that pollute their rivers and streams. 

The court did so under the so-called “shadow docket,” a form of decision previously used to address emergencies, in which the court makes a decision without arguments or written explanations. Last week, Chief Justice John Roberts indicated just how far off the rails the current Supreme Court has slid when he joined the dissent against the majority’s decision out of concern for the use of this shadow docket as a way to hand down unbriefed and unexplained decisions.

Hawley is not the only Republican these days operating in bad faith.

[georgemcginn]

Support to Ukraine Also Serves U.S. Interests, Wallander Tells Congress

View Online Support to Ukraine Also Serves U.S. Interests, Wallander Tells Congress April 10, 2024 | By Jim Garamone Ukraine is battling for its life as Russia continues its unprovoked war on the nation, and it is in U.S. international interests that Russia does not succeed, Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, told the House Armed Services…