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Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

• Afghan Officials Probe Civilian Deaths in Airstrike Amid Demands for Accountability VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Officials in Afghanistan say they are investigating last week's counter militancy airstrike that reportedly killed at least 18 civilians, including women and children.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Close 'disgraceful' Guantánamo camp – UN experts urge incoming US administration UN News 11 Jan 2021 -- Exactly 19 years after the Guantánamo Bay detention centre first opened, UN independent human rights experts on Monday urged the incoming United States administration of Joe Biden, to close the notorious military prison as soon as possible.
• Army to lead new DOD strategy against drone attacks Army News 11 Jan 2021 -- In the future, drones could threaten U.S. defense systems with a swarming capability that uses artificial intelligence while leveraging 5G connectivity, the director of an Army-led joint office said Friday.
• Statement by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller on Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Doses Delivered Today DoD 11 Jan 2021
• Guam Hosts Partner Nations in Exercise SEA DRAGON 2021 US Navy 11 Jan 2021 -- Two P-8 Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron 5 (VP-5), the "Mad Foxes," joined several partner nations to kick off multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise Sea Dragon 2021, Jan. 12.
• Department of Defense Implements Section 901 of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act DoD 11 Jan 2021 -- As required by Section 901 of FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense's Chief Management Officer (CMO) position is repealed. DoD is leveraging the law to realign CMO responsibilities into existing, high performing organizations to better link performance with budget requirements – a longstanding goal.
• Department of Defense and Department of Commerce Explore 5G Challenge to Develop Open 5G Systems DoD 11 Jan 2021 -- The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), announced a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to explore a new 5G Challenge aimed at accelerating the development of an open 5G ecosystem that can support DoD missions.
• USS William P. Lawrence Returns From U.S. 4th Fleet Deployment US Navy 11 Jan 2021 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Jan. 11, following a deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.
• New Year, New Chapter in FRCE Support to Presidential Helicopter Program US Navy 11 Jan 2021 -- Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) marked the end of an era when artisans recently boxed up the last T58-GE-400B presidential helicopter engine and shipped it out to the Marines who provide safe and timely transportation of the president of the United States.
• Tyva Leader To Look Into Discrimination Claims Against Russian Recruits RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- The leader of Russia's Republic of Tyva in Siberia, Sholban Kara-Ool, has vowed to look into claims by several recruits from Tyva about alleged race-based bullying in a military unit in the western region of Yaroslavl.
• Visit of CAS to Forward Locations in Ladakh India PIB 11 Jan 2021 -- Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force undertook a visit to Air Force Stations and Advanced Landing Grounds in Ladakh on 11 Jan 21.
• INDIAN NAVY TO COORDINATE SECOND EDITION OF LARGEST COASTAL DEFENCE EXERCISE – SEA VIGIL 21 India PIB 11 Jan 2021 -- The second edition of the biennial pan-India coastal defence exercise 'Sea Vigil-21' will be conducted on 12-13 January 2021.
• India Refuses to Budge on US Threat as 100 Airmen Ready for S-400 System Training in Russia Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- Last week, US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said that "sanctions are not designed to harm friends", but India will have to make a choice on the S-400. India's Ministry of External Affairs, while replying to possible sanctions, said it has an independent foreign policy that guides defence acquisitions in line with national security interests.
• Air Force command receives upgraded Hsiung Feng-2E missile system CNA 11 Jan 2021 -- A small batch of upgraded Hsiung Feng-2E surface-to-surface cruise missiles, which Taiwan hopes will give it a stronger deterrent against China's military threat, has been delivered for use by an active Air Force unit, a military source said Monday.
• Iran's response to any aggression harsh, severe: Cmdr IRNA 11 Jan 2021 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) said the IRGCN is quite prepared for defending the borders, flag and the integrity of Islamic Republic of Iran, warning that if any country intended to violate Iran's borders, or pose any threat to the Islamic motherland, they will face a severe response, like they did on Jan 11, 2015.
• IRGC in 'Full Control' of Gulf, Navy Commander Says as Iran-US Tensions on Rise Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- Late last week, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new top-secret underground missile base located near the Gulf coast, which was touted by IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami as something that would help "boost the country's deterrence power".
• Reclaiming America's Voice for Freedom US Dept. of State 11 Jan 2021 -- Speech by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 11, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 11 January 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Jan 2021
• US to Designate Yemen's Houthis a Terror Group, Pompeo Says VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he plans to designate Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels as a foreign terrorist organization, a move the United Nations is warning will likely have "serious humanitarian and political repercussions."
• Saudi Arabia Applauds US Move to Place Houthis on Terror List VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Saudi-owned media applauded the announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that he will ask Congress to place Yemen's Houthi militia group, which controls the capital, Sana'a, on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The decision follows last month's Houthi drone attack on Aden airport, controlled by the rival Yemeni government of President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi.
• Serious repercussions likely to follow US plan to designate Yemen combatants terrorists, UN warns UN News 11 Jan 2021 -- The United States government's decision to designate Ansar Allah, more commonly known as the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, as terrorists, is likely to have "serious humanitarian and political repercussions", the UN spokesperson said on Monday.
• U.S. to designate Yemen's Houthi as "terrorist group" People's Daily 11 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. State Department would notify Congress of his intent to designate Yemen's Houthi group as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization".
• Houthis say reserve right to respond to US terrorist designation Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has said the group is entitled to respond to any US move to designate them as a terrorist organization, hitting back at the US administration of Donald Trump as "terrorist".
• Russia Hosts First Azerbaijan-Armenia Talks Since Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Deal VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders on Monday, marking the first meeting since Russia brokered a peace deal that ended a six-week conflict over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Putin hosts Armenia, Azeri leaders to discuss 'next steps' in Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a trilateral meeting with leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss further steps in a Moscow-brokered peace deal that ended six weeks of fierce fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Putin Hosts Trilateral Meeting With Armenia, Azerbaijan Leaders RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a trilateral meeting in Moscow on January 11 with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan nearly two months after a Russia-brokered cease-fire agreement ended six weeks of fierce fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Leaders of Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan Sign Statement on Development of Karabakh, Putin Says Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- Leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia signed a statement on the development of the Karabakh region, which became the site of a military conflict late last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
• Israeli PM orders plans to be advanced for construction of 800 new settler units before Biden sworn in Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered plans be advanced for the construction of 800 new settler units in the occupied West Bank, days before the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden.
• Ethiopia says TPLF members killed, captured in fresh Tigray operation Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- The military confrontation in Ethiopia's Tigray seems far from over two months after a violent conflict erupted in the northern region, with government forces now saying they have killed more than a dozen members of the former ruling party in the restive region.

News Reports

• Biden Chooses Former U.S. Ambassador To Russia William Burns As CIA Director RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President-elect Joe Biden says he has chosen veteran diplomat William Burns, who once served as ambassador to Russia, to be the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
• Biden to Tap Veteran Diplomat William Burns as CIA Chief VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is taking another step in his effort to revamp the country's intelligence agencies, announcing Monday he will nominate career diplomat William Burns to be his director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
• FBI Looking at Threats to Biden's Inauguration VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Concerns are growing that the storming of the U.S. Capitol last week by extremists supporting U.S. President Donald Trump may be the start of what could be a series of potentially armed and violent protests across the country leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
• Security Increased as Washington Mayor Discourages People from Attending Inauguration VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- The Secret Service and National Guard have both pledged an increase of resources in securing President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, as Washington's mayor is urging people to stay home for the event.
• US National Guard to Mobilize 15,000 Members for Inauguration Security VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Up to 15,000 National Guard members will assist security efforts for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration this month, the National Guard chief announced Monday after multiple calls for increased security.
• President Donald J. Trump Approves District of Columbia Emergency Declaration The White House 11 Jan 2021
• Armed protests to hit 50 US states: FBI internal bulletin Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Armed protests are being planned across 50 US states in the wake of Democrats' pressure on outgoing president Donald Trump after his supporters' deadly of breach of the Capitol.
• 25 domestic terrorism cases opened as result of US Capitol riots Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- US officials say 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened regarding last week's attack on the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.
• Outgoing US Capitol Police chief: Efforts to call in National Guard hindered Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- The outgoing chief of the US Capitol Police has accused House and Senate security officials of thwarting his efforts to call in the National Guard.
• Statement from Acting Secretary Wolf on NSSE Designation DHS 11 Jan 2021
• US to Deploy Up to 15,000 National Guard Troops to Safeguard Biden Inauguration Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- US authorities will deploy up to 15,000 National Guard troops in Washington DC to ensure security during President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson said in a statement on Monday.
• US House Moves to Impeach Trump, Again VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- The Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives moved Monday to impeach President Donald Trump in the waning days of his presidency, accusing him of "incitement of insurrection" in last week's storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters seeking to overturn his reelection defeat.
• Guterres to seek second five-year term as UN Secretary-General UN News 11 Jan 2021 -- António Guterres confirmed on Monday that he will be seeking a second five-year term as UN Secretary-General, which would begin in January 2022.
• Sanctioning Russia-linked Disinformation Network for its Involvement in Attempts to Influence U.S. Election US Dept. of State 11 Jan 2021 -- Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on seven individuals and four entities that are part of a Russia-linked foreign influence network associated with Andrii Derkach, who was designated on September 10, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13848 for his attempt to influence the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
• Treasury Takes Further Action Against Russian-linked Actors US Treasury 11 Jan 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took additional action against seven individuals and four entities that are part of a Russia-linked foreign influence network associated with Andrii Derkach. Russian agent Derkach was designated on September 10, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13848, for his attempt to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
• U.S. Imposes Sanctions On Ukrainians Accused Of Meddling In 2020 Presidential Vote RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- The United States says it has imposed sanctions on seven Ukrainians and four Ukrainian entities for attempting to interfere in the November U.S. presidential election.
• US Treasury Sanctions Alleged Russian Disinformation Network VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions Monday against associates and entities affiliated with Ukrainian politician Andrii Derkach, who they say operates a Russian-backed foreign influence network that attempted to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
• Swedish Court Hands Lengthy Prison Terms To Attackers Of Chechen Blogger RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- A court in Sweden has sentenced two Russian citizens from Chechnya to lengthy prison terms for their roles in last year's attempted killing of Tumso Abdurakhmanov, an exiled Chechen blogger and outspoken critic of the North Caucasus region's Moscow-backed leader.
• Facebook Shuts Down Accounts Linked to Ugandan Information Ministry VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Facebook has shut down several accounts of a network in Uganda linked to the country's Ministry of Information. The social media company accused the network of using fake accounts to promote the ruling party and the president.
• Taiwan Reports Boom in Enrollment of Students From Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2021 -- Recent statistics from colleges and universities on the democratic island of Taiwan show a sharp rise in the number of students from Hong Kong, RFA has learned.
• China Threatens US With 'Counterstrike' After Pompeo Removes Taiwan Curbs Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2021 -- China on Monday threatened it would "counterstrike" after the outgoing administration of U.S. President Donald Trump removed restrictions on official and diplomatic contact with the democratic island of Taiwan.
• US Lifts Ban on Official Contacts with Taiwan. So, Who's Coming? VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Taiwan should expect one or two senior visitors this month and an open door in the years ahead following the U.S. government's decision Saturday to lift its ban on high-level contacts, a rule it had observed to get along with the Asian island's political rival China, scholars believe.
• China Denounces End of US Restrictions on Contacts with Taiwan Officials VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- China is vowing to counter a decision by the United States to lift self-imposed restrictions on contacts between U.S. diplomatic officials and their Taiwanese counterparts, while maintaining the unofficial relationship between the two democracies.
• Pompeo's easing of restrictions on US dealings with Taiwan will be punished by history: Chinese FM Global Times 11 Jan 2021 -- China expressed firm opposition to and strongly condemned the decision by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to ease restrictions governing US diplomats and other officials' dealings with officials from the island of Taiwan, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.
• China threatens 'counterstrike' against US move over Taiwan Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- China has threatened a "counterstrike" against a provocative move by the United States to remove decades-old restrictions on official contacts with Taiwan in a last-ditch effort to further challenge China's sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
• 'More identifiable' passport to be recognized by other countries: FM CNA 11 Jan 2021 -- Taiwanese nationals can now travel abroad using a newly designed and "more identifiable" Taiwan passport without impediment, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Monday during a press event for the launch.
• Taiwan Introduces New Passport to End Confusion With China as US Drops 'Self-Imposed' Relations Ban Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- Taipei recently spurned proposed talks with China until the "one country, two systems" proposal that characterizes Beijing's relationship with Macau and Hong Kong is dropped from negotiations. Beijing called the move a further slide toward independence for what it considers a rebellious province.
• Taiwan unveils new passport in latest provocation aimed at China Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Taiwan's secessionist government has introduced a newly redesigned passport, with the purported aim of helping differentiate its citizens from those of mainland China, in a move that will likely further infuriate Beijing amid the recent spike in tensions.
• Great Political Event to Be Etched in History of Development of Great WPK and Sacred Juche Revolution KCNA 11 Jan 2021 -- The news about the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea clearly indicating the orientation of the victorious advance of Korean-style socialism is instilling into the minds of millions of Party members and other people throughout the country the great pride in the great guidance and sagacity of our dignified Party and fresh confidence and courage.
• 1st Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee Held under Guidance of General Secretary of WPK Kim Jong Un KCNA 11 Jan 2021 -- The 1st Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the conference hall of the office building of the Central Committee of the Party on Jan. 10.
• Press Release of 8th Congress of WPK KCNA 11 Jan 2021 -- Members and alternate members of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) who were elected at the 8th WPK Congress are as follows:
• To Hold Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un as Head of WPK Is Firm Will of Millions of Party Members and Other People: Ri Il Hwan KCNA 11 Jan 2021 -- Delegate Ri Il Hwan made a proposal concerning the election of the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) at the sixth-day sitting of the 8th Congress of the WPK on January 10.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Elected General Secretary of WPK KCNA 11 Jan 2021 -- A resolution of the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) "On Election of General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea" was released on January 10.
• Assuming father's title, N Korea's Kim elected ruling party's general secretary Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has been elected as the ruling Workers Party's general secretary during its current assembly -- assuming the title from his late father – in an apparent bid to bolster his authority.
• Kim Jong-un's Sister Reportedly Removed From North Korea's Executive Committee Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- Kim Yo-jong was thrown into the spotlight in April 2020 after Kim Jong-un's mysterious disappearance from the public radar. South Korean media previously reported that the woman, said to be in her mid-thirties, had been put in charge of relations with Seoul.
• UN Nuclear Chief Calls for Swift Revival of Iran Deal Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency's director general, Rafael Grossi, warned on Monday that the world was running out of time to have Iran recomply with the nuclear deal.
• AEOI to technically implement law of strategic measure for sanctions removal IRNA 11 Jan 2021 -- Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Monday that the organization will in a technical move implement the law of strategic measure passed by the Iranian parliament to remove the sanctions regardless of how the executive rulebook is written.
• Leader's advisor: US must lift Iran sanctions before returning to nuclear deal Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- If Washington wants to get back to the nuclear deal of 2015 with Iran, it must first lift all the sanctions it has imposed on the Islamic Republic, says a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
• IAEA chief says only few weeks left to revive Iran nuclear deal Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi says the revival of a 2015 nuclear agreement reached between Iran and major world powers must happen within the coming weeks.
• AEOI will implement Iran Parliament's anti-sanctions law: Spokesman Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the nuclear body will implement technical aspects of a law approved by the Iranian Parliament to counter unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States on Tehran to their full extent.
• Iran starts legal proceedings to free blocked money in South Korea IRNA 11 Jan 2021 -- The governor of the Central Bank of Iran said on Monday that the main challenge is now South Korea's blocking Iranian money, adding that if the issue is not resolved Iran will get on with the process of the legal proceedings that has already started.
• Zarif, South Korean official to review seizure of ship, Iranian frozen assets IRNA 11 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the visiting South Korean deputy foreign minister are to hold talks later in the day on the seizure of the ship and the Iranian frozen assets, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday.
• Politicizing seizure of South Korean oil tanker won't resolve it: Khatibzadeh ISNA 11 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh advised certain countries to avoid politicizing the seizure of South Korean oil tanker which was seized due to the pollution of the marine environment in the Persian Gulf because politicizing the issue won't help to resolve it.
• Iran demands release of frozen assets as ROK diplomat visits after tanker seizure People's Daily 11 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met on Sunday evening visiting First Vice Foreign Minister of Republic of Korea (ROK) Choi Jong Kun, and demanded release of Iran's foreign exchange assets frozen in the ROK.
• South Korea should unfreeze Iran's assets as soon as possible: FM Zarif Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Iran's foreign minister says the measure taken by South Korean banks to freeze the Islamic Republic's assets for fear of US sanctions constitute the main factor that prevents further expansion of relations between the two countries, calling on Seoul to take swift and necessary actions to settle the issue.
• Iran won't let South Korea play tricks on frozen funds: CBI chief Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati says he expects South Korea to be serious on the issue of Iranian funds blocked in the East Asian country over US sanctions or expect repercussions in bilateral ties.
• Iran's Zarif Discusses Detention of South Korean Tanker With Seoul Delegation Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has discussed the recent detention of a South Korean-flagged tanker in the Persian Gulf at a meeting with South Korea's First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Cuba raps as 'political opportunism' US return of Havana to 'terror sponsors' list Press TV 11 Jan 2021 -- Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has condemned the US' "hypocritical and cynical" move to return Havana to its list of "state sponsors of terrorism", describing it as political opportunism.
• U.S. Announces Designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism US Dept. of State 11 Jan 2021 -- The State Department has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism for repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbor to terrorists.
• Statement from National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien The White House 11 Jan 2021
• US Returns Cuba to List of State Sponsors of Terrorism VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- The Trump administration redesignated Cuba as a "state sponsor of terrorism" Monday, just nine days before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office.
• US State Department Designates Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism Sputnik 11 Jan 2021 -- Earlier in the day, reports emerged suggesting that the US might return Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism, from which the country was removed back in 2015.
• 'Hello, My Dear': Lukashenka's Warm Hug For International Ice Hockey Chief Leaves Belarusian Opposition, Activists Steaming Mad RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka greeted the head of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in Minsk as if he were welcoming his long lost brother.
• Kazakh Ruling Party Keeps Tight Grip In 'Uncompetitive' Vote RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- Kazakhstan's ruling Nur Otan party has kept its firm grip on power in parliamentary elections called "uncompetitive" by international observers after the only registered opposition boycotted the vote to protest a lack of development and freedom in the Central Asian nation's political landscape.
• Myanmar Rights Groups Call For 'Official' Definition of Political Prisoner Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2021 -- Rights groups working to free political prisoners in Myanmar have called on the government and others in the country to arrive at an agreed definition of the term, saying that vague laws have led to the jailing of hundreds engaged only in peaceful protest, slowing Myanmar's democratic transition.
• Kyrgyzstan's Japarov Calls For Unity; Observers Say Election He Won Was 'Not Fully Fair' RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- Kyrgyz nationalist politician Sadyr Japarov -- who was serving a 10-year prison sentence for kidnapping just a few months ago -- has called for national unity after winning a weekend presidential election that observers said "generally respected" fundamental freedoms even though the vote was not "fully fair."
• Billionaire Ivanishvili Steps Down As Leader Of Georgia's Ruling Party RFE/RL 11 Jan 2021 -- Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, says he has decided to quit politics.
• West Africa: Democracy 'a constant process' top UN official tells Security Council UN News 11 Jan 2021 -- While elections are one-time events, "democracy is a constant process of deliberation and consultation" where dialogue provides an "important arena for the building of national consensus", the top UN official in West Africa told the Security Council on Monday.
• Foreign Workers, Mostly Chinese, Flee Post-Election Violence in CAR VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Cameroon authorities say more than 250 foreign workers, most of them Chinese, have fled post-election violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) to the border town of Garoua Boulay. The foreign workers say they are being targeted by rebel groups disgruntled with the C.A.R.'s December 27 presidential election that saw Faustin-Archange Touadera reelected.
• US Charges 3 Sri Lankan Nationals for Role in 2019 Easter Attacks VOA 11 Jan 2021 -- Three Sri Lankan nationals are facing charges in the U.S. for supporting an Islamic State cell responsible for the 2019 Easter attacks in Sri Lanka that killed 268 people, including five U.S. citizens.