Christy Somos

Carney’s deputy minister shuffle raises national security questions Eliminating the prime minister’s national security adviser role has triggered debate about whether Canada is weakening its security architecture.

UNLOCKED | Carney’s deputy minister shuffle raises national security questions. By Kathryn May

www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...

Iceland to hold Aug. 29 referendum on reviving EU membership talks Icelanders will have the chance to decide their future once and for all, the prime minister said.

Iceland will hold a referendum on Aug. 29 to decide whether to relaunch its stalled talks to join the EU, its government said today.

Russia is providing Iran intelligence to target U.S. forces, officials say The targeting information has included the locations of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East, the officials said.

Exclusive: Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces in the Middle East, the first indication that another major U.S. adversary is participating — even indirectly — in the war.

Analysis Suggests School Was Hit Amid U.S. Strikes on Iranian Naval Base

U.S. forces likely bombed an Iranian elementary school on Feb. 28 during an operation targeting a nearby military base, a New York Times analysis suggests. It is the deadliest known episode of civilian casualties since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran — and no side has yet taken responsibility.

Also - it’s hard enough dealing with official channels, let alone when they’re selective of who they answer 🙄

OpenAI Had Banned Military Use. The Pentagon Tested Its Models Through Microsoft Anyway Sources allege the Defense Department experimented with Microsoft’s version of OpenAI technology before the ChatGPT-maker lifted its prohibition on military applications.

Sources allege the Defense Department experimented with Microsoft’s version of OpenAI technology before the ChatGPT-maker lifted its prohibition on military applications. www.wired.com/story/openai...

Canadians assigned to 'other duties' outside of Iran strikes while on U.S. exchange: DND | CBC News The handful of Canadian military members serving on exchange with U.S. forces in the Middle East remain in their posts, but have been assigned "other duties" outside of the campaign against Iran, the ...

“The department was asked if there was any warning ahead of time through military-to-military channels. It has not responded.”

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Proton Mail Helped FBI Unmask Anonymous ‘Stop Cop City’ Protester A court record reviewed by 404 Media shows privacy-focused email provider Proton Mail handed over payment data related to a Stop Cop City email account to the Swiss government, which handed it to the ...

SCOOP: Proton Mail provided Swiss authorities with payment data that the FBI then used to determine who was allegedly behind an anonymous account affiliated with the Stop Cop City movement in Atlanta, according to a court record reviewed by 404 Media.

Canadian Armed Forces relocating members deployed in Middle East; France to send armoured vehicles to Lebanon Some CAF members are being moved to other areas or brought back to Canada; U.S. House to vote on war powers resolution

👀
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...

Tried to call DND media relations office for the umpteenth time - no answer, mailbox full.

Trump replaces homeland security secretary Kristi Noem with ‘Maga warrior’ Markwayne Mullin– US politics live Noem holds press conference after being removed from her role in wake of uproar over immigration crackdown * Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Donald Trump said that he would endorse a candidate in the heated Texas GOP runoff “soon”. This comes as neither the four-term incumbent, senator John Cornyn, or the state attorney general, Ken Paxton, received 50% of the votes in Tuesday’s primary. Continue reading...

Trump replaces homeland security secretary Kristi Noem with ‘Maga warrior’ Markwayne Mullin– US politics live

To strike 1,000 targets in 24 hours in Iran, the U.S. military leveraged the most advanced AI it’s ever used in warfare.

Anthropic’s Claude partnered with the military’s Maven Smart System, suggesting targets and issuing precise location coordinates. https://wapo.st/46BFe1T

Journalists being targeted for their work is no joke.

I live with it, so does Rachel - so do so many female journalists.

Each time we report, lodge a complaint, call the cops — it’s the same answer.

There has to be a better way before someone ends up hurt, or worse.

If we’re sharing more intelligence (outside of the 5Eyes arrangement?) then will the Americans at Pine Gap be privy to that as well?

House kills effort to release all congressional sexual misconduct and harassment reports Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., had forced the vote in light of allegations that her Republican colleague, Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, sent sexual text messages to a subordinate.

The House voted to scuttle an effort by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace to shed more light on sexual misconduct allegations against members of Congress.

Well well well 👀

Yakuza Leader Sentenced to 20 Years for Trafficking Nuclear Material Prosecutors said Takeshi Ebisawa tried to sell uranium and plutonium from Myanmar in a plot tied to Iran’s nuclear program.

A man described by federal prosecutors as a leader in Japan’s Yakuza organized crime syndicate was sentenced on Wednesday to 20 years in prison for trafficking uranium and plutonium from Myanmar in a plot meant to supply Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

🤦🏻‍♀️

You’re entitled to your opinion, I simply provided an explanation as to why specific language is used

Sometimes when you write stories about sensitive geo-political issues that involve extremely high stakes - you have to use specific language to 1) avoid being sued or arrested 2) make sure the reader can follow the story and 3) write around what the govt will not confirm out of self-preservation.

Blood in the water: Canadians implicated in Op. Southern Spear Exposing the flimsy legal shield protecting Canadians who are likely involved in the U.S. military’s Op. Southern Spear - and the hard questions Ottawa hasn’t answered.

Blood in the water: Canadians implicated in Op. Southern Spear
open.substack.com/pub/thestate...

diva

warm enough for outside time ✅

Blood in the water: Canadians implicated in Op. Southern Spear Exposing the flimsy legal shield protecting Canadians who are likely involved in the U.S. military’s Op. Southern Spear - and the hard questions Ottawa hasn’t answered.

If and when the DND reply to my questions about this story, I will do a separate update.

substack.com/@thestateoft...

Blood in the water: Canadians implicated in Op. Southern Spear Exposing the flimsy legal shield protecting Canadians who are likely involved in the U.S. military’s Op. Southern Spear - and the hard questions Ottawa hasn’t answered.

Oooh some great reporting from my friend and fellow journalist @christysomos.bsky.social!!

"Exposing the flimsy legal shield protecting Canadians who are likely involved in the U.S. military’s Op. Southern Spear - and the hard questions Ottawa hasn’t answered."

open.substack.com/pub/thestate...

Blood in the water: Canadians implicated in Op. Southern Spear Exposing the flimsy legal shield protecting Canadians who are likely involved in the U.S. military’s Op. Southern Spear - and the hard questions Ottawa hasn’t answered.

"When it comes to Op. Southern Spear, the legal loopholes Ottawa hides behind may not be enough to wash the blood off our hands."

My latest: a long-form context and analysis piece.

substack.com/@thestateoft...

A U.S. Navy submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka

Hegseth says it’s the first time a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy warship since World War II.

!?!?

This bodes well

How a White Nationalist Club Found Safe Haven Inside a Montreal Gym | The Tyee The owners say they were unaware Frontenac Active Club met at their facility.

“A visual investigation…exposed the man behind one of the blurred faces in the Frontenac Active Club propaganda photos. He appears to be former Olympian Giulio Zardo.”

Amazing work by @rachelgilmore.bsky.social @thetyee.ca
@antihate.ca
thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...