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IDF destroys second West Bank illegal gun production facility in week https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-761166?utm_source=jpost.app.android&utm_medium=share
During the operation, the IDF, Israel Police, Israel Border Police and Shin Bet were attacked with stones, burning tires, and Molotov cockta
Israel destroys Iranian weapons shipment in alleged Syria airstrike https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-761156?utm_source=jpost.app.android&utm_medium=share
The attack was carried out between the villages of Al-Assad and Al-Dimas.
As we move forward with our Spring/Summer issue of The Journal (thank you to our many contributors), we will begin pursuing submissions for the Fall 2020 issue. Articles are due 31 July 2020. For more information, see our CFP: http://bit.ly/2wkv5c5. Sending best wishes to all at this time.
Children look at a sign warning of landmine dangers
This year we celebrate a milestone: 20 years of a U.S.-led, multi-agency effort to safely clear landmines and other unexploded ordnance, as well as to safely dispose of excess, unsecured, or at-risk weapons and munitions. Since the program’s inception in 1993, the United States has delivered more than $2 billion in aid in over 90 countries, making us the world’s single largest financial supporter of Conventional Weapons Destruction programs worldwide. Today’s release of the 12th Edition of our annual report on these efforts, To Walk the Earth in Safety, commemorates this investment in international peace and security.
This effort began with the establishment of the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action program in 1993. From this original focus on making the world safer by assisting communities and nations to overcome threats from landmines and explosive remnants of war, we expanded the program in 2001 to include activities to address the threat from at-risk conventional weapons and munitions, including Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS).
Our funding supports not only survey and clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance, but also medical rehabilitation and vocational training for those injured by these devices; community outreach to prevent further injuries and essential investments in research and development of new life-saving technologies. Taken together, these efforts can make post-conflict communities safer and set the stage for recovery and development. Our efforts have assisted 15 countries around the world to become free of the humanitarian impact of landmines and have helped to dramatically reduce the world’s annual landmine casualty rate.
Read more ...
The Warm Digits - Weapons Destruction
found this album on Spotify one time. definitely some Ozric Tentacles influence here
CISR in Sudan 2012
SIMAS field visit, Part 2... Wherein Katie blows things up
Our trip to the mine field [view previous post] was just the beginning of our field visit on Friday. We make a quick stop at a mechanical demining site along the banks of the Nile. Until recently, SIMAS lacked sufficient resources to outfit and maintain a mechanical demining team. The equipment allows them to clear land more rapidly and will be a critical component in clearing dangerous areas before the rainy season suspends operations.
We travel 2 kilometers southeast to the roadside control point for the unexploded-ordnance detonation site. Although deminers must blow up mines and UXO sometimes in situ (in place), they greatly prefer moving the weapons off-site for a controlled detonation.
In a pit, set back safely from the road, the UXO team placed sandbags over eight mortars and primed them with explosives. Zlatko handled weapons destruction in the aftermath of the Bosnian war. Every second day, the teams would have collected more than two tons of explosives. Our task would be significantly smaller: 25 kilograms in eight mortars.
Then the fun began: The field supervisor unwound det cord and set the charge. Our group took cover behind a small hut constructed with tree limbs and sandbags. Tradition holds that the sitting HD Fellow usually gets the honor of setting off the demo, so Katie got some quick instructions and the countdown began. Five... four... two... one... the field supervisor counted down into his walkie talkie, the numbers echoing out of everyone's radios behind the hut. Zero... fire...
BOOM. Katie screamed and then giggled. The rest of us laughed as debris, carried by the explosion and wind, fell nearby. Just like that, we were finished.
**
SIMAS is an amazing success story in a landscape of frustrated efforts. The first nongovernmental organization in South Sudan to receive international accreditation for its demining teams, SIMAS receives funding and support from the U.S. Department of State's Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), the United Nations and other organizations. It partners with UNICEF to deliver mine-risk education and can conduct manual and mechanical clearance as well as UXO spot clearance.
I have a keen interest in resource development for indigenous NGOs, so our conversation back at SIMAS headquarters during lunch and after was fascinating. The organization has an engaged and well respected board that has helped SIMAS establish strategic objectives. Jonas, the director, said that they are constantly asking, "If international organizations withdraw, where are we going to be?"
To help plan for this, SIMAS develops its teams leaders and office personnel. Should funding become available, SIMAS deminers are accredited to high enough levels that operations can rapidly expand. The organization has also received superlative remarks on all three of its independent audits, building confidence for donor countries and organizations.
Plans are also in the works to build a sustainable infrastructure into the HQ compound. Solar panels on an accommodation building and other improvements could mean SIMAS no longer has to buy fuel to run generators and other equipment, and the accommodation block would reduce costs and increase income.
I will return to CISR and JMU with a head full of ideas on possible collaboration with this amazing organization. As a student of NGOs, I am perhaps most excited about what more I can learn from Jonas and his team.
It is Saturday evening as I write in Juba, and a number of soccer (yes, soccer—they have not won me over to football just yet) matches are on the hotel bar's TVs. We have a BBQ scheduled at Embassy-Juba later tonight before heading to field sites in Yei tomorrow morning. I will update as I can.
Happy trails,
Geary
Geary Cox II (’06, ’08M, ’15P) is project manager and program coordinator at CISR. He joined the staff as an Editorial Assistant to the Journal of ERW and Mine Action in March 2005. He holds a Master of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in English and political science, both from James Madison University. He is pursuing his doctorate in nonprofit leadership at JMU’s School of Strategic Leadership.
Warm Digits - Weapons Destruction
Warm Digits - Weapons Destruction
