Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan Peace Talks Resume in Doha Amid Calls to Reduce Violence VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- A team of Afghans arrived Tuesday afternoon in the capital of Qatar to resume peace talks with the Taliban after a three-week break amid rising calls for a reduction in violence.
• Afghan Delegation In Qatar To Resume Talks With Taliban RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Jan 2021 -- Afghan government representatives arrived in Doha on January 5 for a new round of peace negotiations with the Taliban in the Qatari capital.
• Afghan officials leave for Doha to resume talks with Taliban Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Afghan government officials and Taliban representatives are set to resume a second round of talks in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller on Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Doses Delivered Today DoD 05 Jan 2021
• Stryker brigades targeted for the Army's Integrated Tactical Network Army News 05 Jan 2021 -- Following the successful integration of its new more flexible and expeditionary network capability into dismounted units, the Army is now focused on delivering the same capabilities to Stryker brigade combat teams.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 05 Jan 2021
• Department of the Air Force directs commanders to review unit emblems, mottos, nicknames, other official symbology US Air Force 05 Jan 2021 -- The Department of the Air Force directed commanders to conduct a comprehensive review of official and unofficial unit emblems, morale patches, mottos, nicknames, coins and other forms of unit recognition and identity to ensure an inclusive and professional environment within 60 days from Dec. 23, 2020.
• US Air Force Orders Removal of Potentially Offensive Unit Emblems, Mottos Sputnik 05 Jan 2021 -- US Air Force commanders have been ordered to review unofficial unit emblems, morale patches, mottos, nicknames, coins and other forms of unit recognition in a bid to eliminate potentially offensive images, according to a press release on Tuesday.
• DOD and Mongolia Ministry of Defense Conduct 17th Annual Bilateral Consultative Council DoD 05 Jan 2021 -- U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Heino Klinck and Mongolia Ministry of Defense State Secretary D. Gankhuyag met virtually to conduct the 17th annual U.S.-Mongolia Bilateral Consultative Council, Jan. 5 (Washington, D.C.) and Jan. 6 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia). Mongolian Minister of Defense G. Saikhanbayar provided closing remarks.
• DOD's Inaugural Foray Into 5G Experimentation on Track DoD News 05 Jan 2021 -- The United States Department of Defense has taken historic action to advance the application of 5G communications for America's warfighters.
• Combat Center SRT develops its Marines in fire, movement and breaching techniques USMC News 05 Jan 2021 -- Marines with the Special Reaction Team, Provost Marshall's Office, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, executed training on fire, movement and breaching techniques at the base Dec. 11, 2020.
• China's Z-11WB armed light helicopter set to enter PLA service: reports Global Times 05 Jan 2021 -- China's domestically developed 2 ton-class Z-11WB armed helicopter is expected to enter service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and play a key role in ground attack, reconnaissance and antiterrorism, recent reports suggested.
• China's top warship maker builds new shipyard, phase I project to complete by 2023 Global Times 05 Jan 2021 -- China's major manufacturer of amphibious assault ships, amphibious landing ships and frigates on Monday started constructing an advanced new shipyard in Shanghai, a move analysts said on Tuesday would boost China's technical level and efficiency in building such vessels.
• China opposes US' insidious attack on civilian-military integration: FM Global Times 05 Jan 2021 -- China firmly opposes the US government's insidious attacks against China's civilian-military integration drive, its penchant for politicizing commercial issues and cracking down on Chinese companies by abusing its state power, Hua Chunying, a spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday during a news briefing, in response to the Global Times' report that China could ask US companies to disclose their connections to US military.
• Chinese military releases CPC regulations for armed forces PLA Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- The Central Military Commission has issued a set of regulations regarding the work of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committees in the armed forces.
• China opposes adverse provisions in US defense act: Defense Spokesperson PLA Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- China firmly opposes adverse provisions against China in the US National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 and lodges solemn representations to the United States, Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), said in a statement released on Monday.
• 'Sanctions Not Designed to Harm Friends', but India Will Have to Make Choice on S-400, US Envoy Says Sputnik 05 Jan 2021 -- Since America considers India a major defence partner, the Narendra Modi government was hoping to receive an exemption from US sanctions over the acquisition of five S-400 units. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 in an attempt to secure its borders from enemies.
• Iran's Army stages large-scale drone drill, showcases achievements Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Army has launched a large-scale drill involving hundreds of combat drones belonging to the Ground, Navy and Air Defense Forces.
• 'Hundreds' of Drones Involved in Iranian Army's Massive Drill as Tehran-Washington Tensions on Rise Sputnik 05 Jan 2021 -- In September 2020, more than 180 domestically-made combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters entered service with the naval fleet of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), against the background of simmering US-Iranian tensions.
• Iranian Army begins major drone exercise IRNA 05 Jan 2021 -- First major drone exercise of the Iranian Army began in northern central province of Semnan on Tuesday.
• Iran's Army launches large-scale drone drill ISNA 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Army launched the first large-scale drone drill in central province of Semnan on Tuesday.
• Iran's army begins drone drills People's Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- Large drone exercise of the Iranian Army began in the central province of Semnan in Iran on Tuesday, Tasnim news agency reported.
• Iranian Armed Forces 'have fingers on trigger:' Iran warns US Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran's top military commander says the country's Armed Forces are optimally alert and "have fingers on the trigger" to respond to the slightest mistake by enemy forces in the region.
• Iran says ready for defense if US miscalculates deterrent power Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran has slammed the new psychological war waged by the outgoing US administration against Tehran, warning that the country will strongly defend its interests in case of any miscalculations by the United States in the region.
• Ukrainian marines to receive 10-week training in U.S. People's Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- Ukrainian marines from the Island-class patrol boats' crews will undergo a 10-week training course in Baltimore, U.S. state of Maryland, reported the Ministry of Defence's press service on its official website on Monday.
• Swedish defense company to sell airborne surveillance system to UAE People's Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab Group said on Monday that the company is contracted to sell two advanced airborne surveillance systems to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 5, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 5 January 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Jan 2021
• Tackling chemical weapons in Syria through both OPCW and UNSC UK FCDO 05 Jan 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council
• Syria: 'Identified gaps, inconsistencies' raise questions over elimination of chemical weapons UN News 05 Jan 2021 -- "Identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies" that remain unresolved, have brought into question the true extent of the elimination of chemical weapons during Syria's bloody conflict, the UN disarmament chief told the Security Council in her briefing on Tuesday.
• Fighting Continues Over Flashpoint Town in Northern Syria VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- A town in northern Syria is increasingly becoming a battleground between Turkish-backed groups and U.S.-backed forces amid fears of a new large-scale Turkish offensive in the area.
• UNHCR relocates victims of Ethiopia's Tigray conflict to new site in Sudan UN News 05 Jan 2021 -- A second refugee camp has opened in Sudan for people fleeing violence in Ethiopia's Tigray region carrying "little more than the clothes on their backs", the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said on Tuesday.
• Ethiopians Continue Streaming Into Sudan, Fleeing Tigray Region Violence VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) reports some 800 Ethiopians have arrived in eastern Sudan since the start of the new year. This brings the total number of refugees who have fled Ethiopia's conflict-ridden Tigray region to more than 56,000 since early November.
• UNICEF Calls for End to Massacre of Children and Families in Niger VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- The U.N. children's fund has strongly condemned the killing of at least 17 minors among scores of others slain in a weekend massacre in Niger.

News Reports

• 10 ex-Pentagon chiefs warn Trump over agenda to overturn election results Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Ten former chiefs of the US Department of Defense have warned outgoing President Donald Trump over his attempts to overturn the results of the presidential election through the use of US military.
• Joint Statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the National Security Agency (NSA) CISA 05 Jan 2021 -- On behalf of President Trump, the National Security Council staff has stood up a task force construct known as the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG), composed of the FBI, CISA, and ODNI with support from NSA, to coordinate the investigation and remediation of this significant cyber incident involving federal government networks. The UCG is still working to understand the scope of the incident but has the following updates on its investigative and mitigation efforts.
• U.S. Government Says Russia 'Likely' Behind Massive 'Intelligence Gathering' Hack RFE/RL 05 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. government said January 5 that Russia was "likely" behind a massive hack of government and private company networks discovered last month and the intrusion was an "intelligence gathering effort."
• Statement from National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien Regarding the National Maritime Cybersecurity Plan The White House 05 Jan 2021
• Statement From Acting Secretary Wolf on The Completion of 450 Miles of Border New Wall System DHS 05 Jan 2021
• Avian Flu Hits India: 40,000 Birds to be Culled in Kerala as Four States on High Alert Sputnik 05 Jan 2021 -- As the world contines to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, countries across Europe and Asia have reported an outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as bird flu.
• UN human rights expert 'cautiously' welcomes UK court's refusal to extradite Julian Assange UN News 05 Jan 2021 -- An independent UN human rights expert has welcomed a British court's refusal to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to the United States on the basis that he would be exposed to oppressive conditions of imprisonment.
• Experts: Report of China Hacking African Union HQ Fits Larger Pattern VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- A recent report that Chinese hackers secretly redirected surveillance footage from the African Union headquarters so it could be viewed abroad is part of a larger pattern by Chinese networks to electronically infiltrate key communication channels in Africa, experts say.
• The United States Welcomes the Breakthrough to Restore Gulf and Arab Unity US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2021
• Saudi Arabia, Qatar Appear to Mend Ties After 3 Yr Feud VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- The Gulf Cooperation Council held its 41st annual summit outside the Saudi capital Riyadh Tuesday, amid optimism over the apparent resolution of a long-standing conflict with Qatar. Riyadh has agreed to reopen its land, air and sea borders with Doha.
• Saudi Arabia, Qatar to reopen land, air, sea borders: Kuwaiti FM People's Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- Saudi Arabia and Qatar will reopen land, air and sea borders starting from Monday evening, Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah said Monday.
• Saudi, Qatar to reopen land, maritime borders after three years of feud Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Riyadh has reached an agreement with Doha to end a three-year feud by reopening the Saudi airspace and land and sea borders to Qatar as of Monday, Kuwait's foreign minister said in televised comments.
• The United States Continues to Recognize Interim President Guaidó and the Last Democratically Elected National Assembly in Venezuela US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2021 -- "On December 6, 2020, the illegitimate Maduro regime staged fraudulent legislative elections in Venezuela. Sixty countries around the world either came together to issue joint statements, including those released by the European Union, the Organization of American States, the Lima Group, and the International Contact Group, or issued their own statement, rejecting the sham elections."
• Venezuela Seats Pro-Maduro Congress VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was set to further consolidate power as a majority-socialist Congress was installed Tuesday in Caracas.
• Venezuela's new socialist-held congress to be sworn in Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Venezuela's newly-elected congress is set to be sworn in, with the ruling Socialist Party taking control of the country's legislature, consolidating President Nicolas Maduro's hold on power and removing US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido from the political scene.
• Kazakh President Says Country Didn't Receive Territory As 'Gift' From Russia RFE/RL 05 Jan 2021 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has rejected recent comments by two Russian lawmakers describing Kazakhstan's current territory as being a "gift" from Russia, saying such "provocative" remarks aimed to "spoil" relations" between the two neighbors.
• Controversial 'Russian Gift' Comments Spark Mixed Feelings In Northern Kazakhstan RFE/RL 05 Jan 2021 -- The remote village of Dolmatovo is located on the banks of the Ishim River in northern Kazakhstan, just 4 kilometers from the Russian border.
• Russia, Kazakhstan To Increase Oil Output At Saudi Expense Following New OPEC+ Deal RFE/RL 05 Jan 2021 -- Russia and Kazakhstan will increase oil production in February and March at the expense of Saudi Arabia as Riyadh seeks to keep the OPEC+ alliance together and maintain a tighter oil market as a resurgent pandemic cools demand.
• Russia vows to complete pipeline to Germany despite US pressure Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak says the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which is designed to take Russia's gas via the Baltic Sea to Germany, will be completed despite the sanctions imposed by the United States on companies involved in the project.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on January 5, 2021 PRC MofA 05 Jan 2021
• Statement from National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien on the Executive Order Addressing Chinese Software Applications The White House 05 Jan 2021
• Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on President Trump's Executive Order: "Addressing the Threat Posed by Applications and other Software Developed or Controlled by Chinese Companies" US Dept. of Commerce 05 Jan 2021 -- Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order (E.O.) titled, "Addressing the Threat Posed by Applications and other Software Developed or Controlled by Chinese Companies."
• Trump Signs Executive Order Blacklisting Alipay, Seven Other Chinese Apps Sputnik 05 Jan 2021 -- The Trump administration's previous attempt to ban Tencent's WeChat and QQ Wallet apps in October was blocked by a US federal court, which said banning them from app stores was far too broad to be construed as protecting US national security interests.
• New York Stock Exchange Reverses Plans to Remove Three Chinese Telecom Firms from Index VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- The New York Stock Exchange says it will no longer go ahead with plans to remove three Chinese telecommunication companies from the index in compliance with an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Chinese FM lashes out at Pompeo's tweet challenging China's undeniable status as near-Arctic country Global Times 05 Jan 2021 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Tuesday lashed out at a recent tweet by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo challenging China's status as a near-arctic country, and asked on what grounds the US constantly conducts military drills in the South China Sea, considering its distance from the region.
• China calls on US to stop spreading 'fake info' about Beijing Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- China has dismissed US accusations of undermining international rule of law, calling on Washington to stop manufacturing fake information about Beijing and return to rationality and reason.
• Ethnic Mongolians Call on Beijing to Probe Disappearance of Poverty Funds Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2021 -- A community of ethnic Mongolian herders in China's northern region of Inner Mongolia have called on ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping to crack down on corruption by local officials.
• China to launch core module of space station in first half of 2021 PLA Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- China plans to launch the core module of its manned space station in the first half of 2021, a senior official said Friday.
• China aims for 40-plus space launch missions in 2021, space station construction to be top priority: CASC Global Times 05 Jan 2021 -- China's biggest rocket contractor China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has outlined its aim to conduct more than 40 space launch missions in 2021, and the construction of the country's first ever space station will be its top priority, according to a CASC official press release on Monday.
• No Signs of N. Korean Tests Ahead of Biden Inauguration, US General Says VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- North Korea does not appear to be preparing a major provocation at the onset of the administration of President-elect Joe Biden, according to the top U.S. general in South Korea, amid concerns Pyongyang could soon conduct a missile or other weapons test.
• Sanctioning Companies Supporting Iran's Metal Industry US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2021 -- "Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on 17 companies and one individual in connection with Iran's metals industry. The Iranian regime uses revenue from its metals sector to fund the regime's destabilizing activities around the world."
• Treasury Sanctions Key Actors in Iran's Steel Sector US Treasury 05 Jan 2021 -- "Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated a China-based supplier of graphite electrodes, a key element in steel production, as well as twelve Iranian producers of steel and other metals products, and three foreign-based sales agents of a major Iranian metals and mining holding company."
• Outgoing Trump administration imposes new Iran-related sanctions Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- The outgoing administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed Iran-related sanctions on several individuals and entities.
• US Targets Iran's Steel Industry With New Sanctions VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- The United States has sanctioned entities and individuals associated with Iran's steel industry, the U.S. Treasury Department said Tuesday, the latest move in a U.S. pressure campaign against Tehran in the waning days of Donald Trump's presidency.
• U.S. Government Collects $7 Million in Iranian Assets for Victims of Terrorism Fund US Dept. of Justice 05 Jan 2021 -- The Justice Department announced the United States has collected $7 million of Iranian funds that will be allocated to provide compensation to American victims of international state-sponsored terrorism.
• South Korea to Negotiate with Iran Over Seized Tanker VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- South Korea says it will seek a diplomatic solution with Iran over a South Korean-flagged oil tanker seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guard troops Monday in the Strait of Hormuz.
• FM spox comments on the latest situation of Korean ship IRNA 05 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Tuesday that as previously announced, the problem of the Korean ship is completely technical, stressing that the Islamic Republic of Iran, like all countries, is fully sensitive to the preservation of the marine environment.
• South Korea holding $7 billion Iran funds 'hostage': government spokesman ISNA 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran's government spokesman, Ali Rabiei on Tuesday rejected allegations that Iran's seizure of a South Korean vessel amounted to hostage-taking, saying, "It's the South Korean government that has taken our more than $7 billion hostage under a futile pretext".
• South Korea to send delegates to Iran over to discuss tanker seizure Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Seoul says it will dispatch a delegation to Tehran for talks following the seizure of a South Korean-flagged tanker which Iranian naval forces say took place for repetitive violations of maritime environmental law and polluting Persian Gulf waters with chemicals.
• South Korea, U.S. Demand Iran Release Tanker Seized In Strait Of Hormuz Radio Farda 05 Jan 2021 -- South Korea and the United States have demanded the release of a South Korean-flagged oil tanker seized by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz.
• South Korea To Send Delegation To Iran Over Tanker Seizure RFE/RL 05 Jan 2021 -- South Korea says it will dispatch a government delegation to Iran "at the earliest possible date" to try secure the release of a tanker seized by Iran amid tensions over Iranian funds frozen in Seoul because of U.S. sanctions.
• EU 'Highly Concerned' About Iran Nuclear Enrichment VOA 05 Jan 2021 -- The European Union Tuesday expressed grave concern about reports from the U.N. nuclear watchdog that Iran had resumed enriching uranium and said it would continue working to salvage the multi-national nuclear deal that restricted such activities.
• China urges calm, Russia warns against overdramatizing as Iran ramps up uranium enrichment Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- China has invited all sides involved in Iran's "sensitive" nuclear issue to exercise restraint, while Russia has warned that there is nothing to overdramatize about Iran's "predictable" announcement that it is enriching uranium to a higher level.
• Iran enriching about 9 kg of uranium to 20% per month: Nuclear chief IRNA 05 Jan 2021 -- Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday that Iran is now producing 17 to 20 grams of 20%-enriched uranium an hour.
• Araghchi says 20% uranium enrichment does not mean JCPOA death IRNA 05 Jan 2021 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Iran began uranium enrichment at 20% upon the parliament's decision, adding that Iran's reduction of commitments is based on JCPOA and it does not mean death of the deal.
• Iran producing 17 to 20 gm of 20% uranium enrichment per hour: AEOI chief ISNA 05 Jan 2021 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Slahehi stressed that the organization's activities are expanding and no part of the activities has been shut down or stagnated.
• Iran able to produce above 20 pct enriched uranium: AEOI spokesman People's Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- A spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said Tuesday that Iran has started obtaining 20 percent enriched uranium and it is able to produce enriched uranium at higher purity.
• U.S. calls Iran's decision on 20-percent uranium enrichment "nuclear extortion" People's Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- The United States on Monday called Iran's decision of enriching uranium to the 20 percent level at its Fordow facility as "nuclear extortion."
• Israel calls for int'l action against Iran's uranium enrichment People's Daily 05 Jan 2021 -- Israel on Monday urged the international community to take "a determined response" against Iran after the Islamic republic announced that it will increase the uranium enrichment level.
• Iran can produce up to 9 kg of 20% enriched uranium per month: AEOI chief Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran's nuclear chief says the country has the capability to produce up to 9 kilograms of enriched uranium with the purity of 20 percent per month.
• Iran Rolls Out First Batch of Uranium Product After 20% Enrichment Rise Sputnik 05 Jan 2021 -- Tehran started to increase uranium enrichment a year after the US unilaterally abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, in May 2018, also reinstating harsh economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
• Japan Voices Concerns Over Iran's Enriching Uranium at 20% Sputnik 05 Jan 2021 -- Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on Tuesday that Japan was seriously concerned about Iran's decision to enrich uranium at 20 percent in breach of the limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran's measures fully reversible upon full compliance by all JCPOA parties ISNA 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif in a tweet stressed that the country's measures are fully reversible upon full compliance by all JCPOA parties.
• EU will 'redouble efforts' for JCPOA preservation, full implementation: Spokesman Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- The European Union has pledged to make more efforts to preserve the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran, after Tehran announced the beginning of the process to enrich uranium to a purity level of 20 percent at its Fordow nuclear facility.
• US extends sanctions waiver for Iraq to import Iranian gas ISNA 05 Jan 2021 -- The US has granted Iraq a three-month extension to a sanctions waiver allowing it to import Iranian gas, an Iraqi official told AFP.
• Narrowing of OPEC+ cuts insignificant to global supply: Zanganeh Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh says a Tuesday decision by an international grouping of oil producers known as OPEC+ to slightly narrow supply cuts agreed for January would not have a significant impact on global prices.
• Soleimani's Ghost Still Overshadowing His Successor Radio Farda 05 Jan 2021 -- On January 5, 2020, two days after A U.S. drone killed Qassem Soleimani outside Baghdad Airport, websites close to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) published a poster headlined, "Qaani, the same as Soleimani."
• First batch of Iran's 20% enriched uranium products ready Press TV 05 Jan 2021 -- Iran says it has produced its first UF6 product a few hours after restarting the enrichment of uranium up to a purity level of 20 percent at Fordow nuclear facility.
• Former Belarusian Official Vouches For Authenticity Of Tape Alleging Lukashenka Hit Squad In Germany RFE/RL 05 Jan 2021 -- A former senior Belarusian Interior Ministry official has vouched that a 2012 audio recording that allegedly spells out plans to kill several opponents of leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Germany is authentic.
• Myanmar Army-Linked Parties Challenge Election Defeats in Supreme Court Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2021 -- Two Myanmar military-linked political parties, rejecting their landslide loss to Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy in November elections, filed a joint complaint with the Supreme Court accusing the government and national election authorities of electoral fraud, they said Tuesday.
• Delay in Cambodian Opposition Chief Kem Sokha's Trial 'Violation' of Rights: Lawyer Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2021 -- The long delay of the trial of Cambodia's opposition leader Kem Sokha amounts to an abuse of his right to an expedited legal process, his defense lawyer said Tuesday, while an analyst said the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) stands to benefit politically by keeping the case in limbo.
• Central African Republic: Respect final results of the election, UN and partners urge UN News 05 Jan 2021 -- Senior officials from the United Nations and regional organizations have called on all political actors in the Central African Republic (CAR) to respect the final results of the recent presidential elections, and to settle any disputes peacefully and in accordance with the country's laws.