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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Africa Command forces conduct strike on al-Shabaab compound AFRICOM 13 Jan 2021 -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Buulo Fulaay, Somalia Jan. 13, 2021.
• More Than 20,000 National Guard Troops to Help Secure Biden Inauguration, DC Police Chief Says Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- More than 20,000 soldiers from the US National Guard will be on hand to help secure the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden next week, acting Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Robert Contee said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Chiefs Stress Service Members' Commitment to Constitution DoD News 13 Jan 2021 -- In an unprecedented message, the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told service members that the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol was an attack on the Constitutional process of the nation.
• Statement by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller on Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Doses Delivered Today DoD 13 Jan 2021
• DOD Releases Report on Defense Spending by State in Fiscal Year 2019 DoD 13 Jan 2021 -- States and communities have a new tool to enhance national security and mission readiness, while making their economies stronger and more resilient. Today, the Department of Defense's (DoD) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (formerly the Office of Economic Adjustment) released its Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Spending by State report to help states and communities better understand defense personnel and contract spending in their localities.
• Department of Defense Announces Establishment of the Trusted Capital Digital Marketplace DoD 13 Jan 2021 -- The Department of Defense is proud to announce the establishment of the Trusted Capital Digital Marketplace (TCDM). The program establishes trusted sources of funding for small and medium-sized providers of innovative defense-critical capabilities, offering long-term strategic benefit and combatting predatory investment practices.
• Trusted Capital Marketplace Reduces Vulnerability to Adversarial Capital DoD News 13 Jan 2021 -- The Defense Department stood up the Trusted Capital Marketplace in December, and already both capability and capital providers are signing up to participate, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment said today.
• DOD's Autonomous Vessel Sails Through Transit Test, Participates in Exercise Dawn Blitz DoD News 13 Jan 2021 -- A Ghost Fleet Overlord unmanned surface vessel, part of a partnership between the Defense Department's Strategic Capabilities Office and the Navy, recently traveled a distance of more than 4,700 nautical miles, almost entirely autonomously. Afterward, it participated in exercise Dawn Blitz where it again spent nearly all of its underway time operating autonomously.
• Declassified doc shows Trump pressuring Biden to continue Indo-Pacific policy Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- The declassification of the Trump administration's strategy in the Indo-Pacific region shows it intends to pressure Joe Biden to inherit its hawkish policy toward China, said Chinese observers, urging the upcoming US government, when dealing with issues in the region, not to fall into Trump's trap.
• Senior Defense Leaders Brief on Trusted Capital Digital Marketplace DoD 13 Jan 2021 -- Ellen M. Lord, Undersecretary Of Defense For Acquisition And Sustainment; Katie Arrington, Chief Information Security Officer, Office Of The Under Secretary Of Defense For Acquisition And Sustainment
• China's WJ-700 drone completes maiden flight, 'creates new drone combat pattern' Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- China's WJ-700, a high-altitude, long-endurance and high-speed armed reconnaissance drone said to be able to create a new pattern for drone combat, successfully conducted a maiden flight test recently, as military experts said the unmanned aircraft is characterized by its large payload and ability to launch large munitions from outside hostile anti-aircraft fire coverage zone.
• China's WJ-700 UAV makes maiden flight PLA Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- The maiden flight of WJ-700, a high-altitude, high-speed, long-endurance integrated unmanned air vehicle (UAV) capable of surveillance and strike, was successfully conducted on January 11, according to its developer, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
• China reveals powered exoskeleton suit for carrying ammunition Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- China recently revealed another type of military-use exoskeleton suit that is powered and that can be used for carrying ammunition, after a previous type of non-powered exoskeleton suit entered service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) border defense troops in late 2020 for missions including supply delivery, patrol and sentry duty.
• China's first homegrown 10,000-ton maritime patrol vessel to be commissioned PLA Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- China's first homegrown 10,000-ton class law enforcement and maritime patrol vessel, Haixun 09, will be officially commissioned by the middle of this year, said Lin Kui, deputy director of the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), at a Guangdong provincial government press conference on January 12.
• Cabinet approves Procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircrafts (LCA) 'Tejas' from HAL for IAF India PIB 13 Jan 2021 -- The Cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister in New Delhi on 13 January and has approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircrafts and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircrafts at the cost of Rs. 45,696 Crore along with Design and Development of Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs.1,202 Crore.
• Missile-launching warship joins Iranian Navy IRNA 13 Jan 2021 -- "Zereh" (meaning 'Armor' in Farsi) missile launcher joined the southern fleet of Iranian Navy on Wednesday.
• Helicopter carrier 'Makran' manifesting intelligence of Iranian youth: Navy Commander IRNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said on Wednesday that the helicopter carrier called 'Makran' embodies the intelligence of the Iranian youth.
• Iranian Navy forces stage military drills IRNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Army Navy forces started military drill called 'Marine Power 99' in Makran coasts and northern Indian Ocean on Wednesday.
• Iran Navy starts military drills in southern waters, takes delivery of two warships Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Navy has launched massive military exercises in the Sea of Oman in order to elevate the preparedness and military prowess of the country's Armed Forces in the strategic southern waters.
• Iran Holds Missile Drills Amid Tensions With U.S. RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's military has launched short-range naval missile drills in the Gulf of Oman, state media reported, amid heightened tension between Tehran and Washington.
• Iran Starts Two-Day Navy Drill Involving 'Largest' Domestic-Made Helicopter Carrier Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The Iranian military routinely holds several annual exercises to maintain readiness for possible attacks by foreign powers. Over the past few years, the country was twice on the verge of a military conflict with the US, but both times avoided engaging in war.
• Trial Over Deadly 2019 Kazakh Ammo Blasts To Continue Behind Closed Doors RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- A court in Kazakhstan's southern city of Shymkent has decided to continue behind closed doors a trial concerning a series of deadly ammunition warehouse blasts in 2019. It cited classified materials in the case for doing so.
• Pompeo's final trip abroad cancelled after Luxembourg, EU snub: reports People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's final trip abroad to Europe was cancelled on Tuesday with multiple reports saying European officials declined to meet the outgoing U.S. top diplomat.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 13, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 13 January 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Jan 2021
• Four Chinese Ships Enter Japan's Territorial Waters Near Disputed Senkaku Islands, Reports Say Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- Four Chinese ships have entered Japan's territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands, the Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday, citing Japan's security service.
• UN Urges US to Reverse Houthi Terror Designation VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.N.'s humanitarian chief warns that if Washington's new terrorist designation of Houthi rebels in Yemen is not reversed, it could drastically impact aid imports and push the already desperate country into a large-scale famine.
• Iran says US blacklisting of Yemen's Ansarullah will kill political process, talks Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran has hit out at a US decision to designate Yemen's Ansarullah movement as a terrorist organization, warning that the move will impede a political solution to the conflict in the impoverished Arab country.
• US official reveals Israel carried out attacks on eastern Syria using American intelligence Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- A senior US intelligence official says recent airstrikes on eastern parts of Syria near the Iraqi border were carried out by Israel with intelligence provided by the United States.
• Dozens Said Killed As Alleged Israeli Strikes Hit Iran-Backed Militias In Syria RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- A Syrian war monitor says at least 40 government soldiers and allied paramilitaries have been killed in alleged Israeli air strikes apparently targeting positions and arms depots of Iran-backed forces.
• Israeli Warplanes Strike Eastern Syria VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria early Wednesday.
• The New Old Frontier: Demarcation Sparks Tensions As Azerbaijani Control Returns Along Southern Armenian Border RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- The ruined buildings are easy to miss if you're not looking for them.
• Sudan's Army Chief Inspects Military Units on Ethiopian Border Amid Tensions, Source Says Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Transitional Council and the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Wednesday conducted an inspection of the troops deployed in the eastern areas bordering Ethiopia following the recent escalation between the two African nations.
• Sudan Accuses Ethiopian Air Force of Violating Country's Airspace, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The Sudanese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that an Ethiopian military aircraft violated the country's airspace and warned of possible "disastrous consequences" in the border region.
• Sudan accuses Ethiopia of violating its airspace Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Sudan says an Ethiopian military aircraft has violated its airspace, warning Addis Ababa against repeating "such hostilities."
• Ethiopia warns Sudan against igniting war at disputed border region Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Ethiopia has accused Sudan of a military build-up in a contested border region, warning that a military confrontation could be imminent as its "peaceful" approach to the decades-old dispute "has its limit."
• Aid Groups Warn of COVID-19 Outbreak at Ethiopian Refugee Camp in Sudan VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Aid workers this week confirmed several cases of COVID-19 in Sudan's camps for refugees who fled the fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray Region. The United Nations refugee agency and aid group Mercy Corps say an urgent intervention is needed to avoid a humanitarian disaster.
• Insecurity and bureaucracy hampering aid to Ethiopia's Tigray region UN News 13 Jan 2021 -- Nearly three months after the start of conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, hundreds of thousands of people have yet to receive assistance, the United Nations reported on Wednesday, citing information from its humanitarian coordination agency, OCHA.
• Central African Republic forces thwart rebel attempt to seize capital Bangui Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Armed rebel groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) have attempted to seize the capital Bangui, but saw their push thwarted by the security forces.
• Peacekeeper killed in 'heinous attacks' in Central African Republic UN News 13 Jan 2021 -- The UN Secretary-General has called for action to ensure accountability for "heinous attacks" in the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday that left a Rwandan peacekeeper dead and another wounded.
• Rebels Attack Central African Republic Capital Amid Election Dispute VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Rebels attacked the Central African Republic capital of Bangui on Wednesday, in an escalation of violence following the presidential election last month.
• Rights Groups Doubt Cameroon Military's Massacre Investigation VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Rights groups in Cameroon doubt the military's claim it will properly investigate the latest alleged massacre of civilians by its troops. Activists and witnesses say the military killed 10 villagers Sunday, including women and children, while attempting to fight separatists. Cameroon's military denies it was responsible, a line that has been questioned in past cases.
• US Coordinator For Tibetan Issues Speaks With Dalai Lama in a Virtual Meeting Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues spoke on Wednesday with the Dalai Lama in a virtual meeting, telling him that Washington will continue to urge Chinese authorities to meet with the exiled spiritual leader or his envoys to find ways to protect the region's culture and religion.

News Reports

• US House Impeaches Trump for Inciting Deadly Capitol Riot VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on Wednesday, declaring that he incited insurrection last week when he implored thousands of his supporters to march to the Capitol to try to overturn his reelection loss, prompting a mob demonstration that turned into deadly mayhem.
• US House impeaches Trump again Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- The US House of Representatives has impeached President Donald Trump for a second time days before he leaves office.
• McConnell: Trump impeachment trial to start after Inauguration Day Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell says the impeachment of US President Donald Trump will not begin in the Senate before the Inauguration Day.
• Pence tells Pelosi he won't invoke 25th Amendment to oust Trump People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi he will not invoke the 25th Amendment to oust President Donald Trump, shortly before the House was set to vote on a resolution urging him to do so.
• Facing 2nd impeachment, Trump reportedly acknowledges responsibility for Capitol riot People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly admitted Monday that he bore some blame for the riot on Capitol Hill, an acknowledgement that came the same day when House Democrats took their first step to impeach the president for a second time during his presidency.
• Statement from the President The White House 13 Jan 2021
• Washington Beefs Up Security Ahead of Presidential Inauguration VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The same day the U.S. Congress voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, the nation's capital prepared to welcome thousands more National Guard troops to help keep the peace during next week's transfer of power.
• US Prosecutors Expect to Charge Hundreds of Capitol Rioters VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- U.S. prosecutors say they have identified more than 170 people for potential criminal charges in connection with the January 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol and that they expect that number to run into the hundreds in the coming weeks as a massive nationwide hunt for the pro-Trump rioters continues.
• Domestic Terrorists Planning Inauguration Day Riots in New York - State Attorney General Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The US state of New York is bracing for possible Inauguration Day riots, and has warned that it will prosecute anyone who participates, including potential domestic terrorists, state Attorney General Letitia James said in a press release on Wednesday.
• Expanding the Period of Designation of the 59th Presidential Inauguration as a National Special Security Event DHS 13 Jan 2021 -- On January 12, Acting Secretary Gaynor issued the following memorandum to all DHS Components expanding the period of the 59th Presidential Inauguration National Special Security Event to begin on January 13, 2021:
• Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen's Video Statement on the Seizure of the U.S. Capitol US Dept. of Justice 13 Jan 2021
• DHS Releases New Arctic Strategic Approach to Advance U.S. Interests in the Region DHS 13 Jan 2021 -- On January 11, then-Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf approved the Department's first-ever Strategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security, a landmark document that positions DHS to more effectively tackle emerging risks in the region as geopolitical interest and competition grows.
• DHS Releases Strategic Action Plan to Confront Threats from China DHS 13 Jan 2021 -- On January 11, then-Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf approved a Strategic Action Plan that details DHS's efforts to confront the full spectrum of Chinese threats to the Homeland.
• Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 13 Jan 2021 -- The Justice Department today announced the guilty plea of Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 24, to one count of providing material support and resources, namely personnel and services, to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
• Terrorist Designation of Abd al-Aziz Malluh Mirjirash al-Muhammadawi US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2021 -- Today the United States is designating Abd al-Aziz Malluh Mirjirash al-Muhammadawi – also known as Abu Fadak – as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order 13224.
• Testimony Begins Wednesday in Italy's Largest Organized Crime Trial in Three Decades VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Testimony begins Wednesday in Italy in the country's largest organized crime trial in more than three decades.
• Meeting with Government members President of Russia 13 Jan 2021 -- The President held a meeting, via videoconference, with members of the Government of the Russian Federation.
• US threatens to sanction European firms helping Nord Stream 2 pipeline Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- The US State Department has warned European companies which it suspects are involved in building Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that they face the risk of sanctions, according to two sources.
• The 'Last Free Mayor In Putin's Russia' Steps Down. The Question Is Why. RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- On January 10, the popular mayor of the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk, Sardana Avksentyeva, wrote on social media that she was submitting her resignation because "my family is seriously worried about my health."
• Is Russia Trying to Revive French Courtship? VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Kremlin appears to be hoping it can revive the interest of France's President Emmanuel Macron in thawing the European Union's frosty relations with Moscow, hoping that in turn could lead to a lifting of sanctions on Russia, say analysts.
• Poisoned Kremlin Critic Says He's Returning to Russia VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny announced Wednesday he would return to Moscow January 17 — ending a fourth-month convalescence in Germany where he has been recovering from a poisoning attack he suffered in Siberia last August.
• Senior NASA Scientist Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements Related To Chinese Thousand Talents Program Participation And Professorship DOJ - USAG SDNY 13 Jan 2021 -- Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York ("USAO"), William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and Mark J. Zielinski, Special Agent in Charge of the Eastern Field Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General ("NASA OIG"), announced that MEYYA MEYYAPPAN, a senior NASA scientist, pled guilty today to making false statements to the FBI, NASA OIG, and the USAO. MEYYAPPAN pled guilty in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel.
• Repression of Uyghurs 'Emblematic of Worsening Rights' in China Under Xi Jinping: HRW Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2021 -- China's increased repression of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is "emblematic of the worsening human rights situation under President Xi Jinping," sparking a mounting backlash from the global community, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Wednesday in an annual report issued the same day the United States banned all cotton imports from the XUAR over forced labor concerns.
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 13 Jan 2021 -- Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order taking further steps to deal with the threat posed by the People's Republic of China's (PRC) increasing exploitation of United States capital to resource and to enable the development and modernization of its military, intelligence, and other security apparatuses which continue to allow the PRC to directly threaten the United States homeland and United States forces overseas, including by developing and deploying weapons of mass destruction, advanced conventional weapons, and malicious cyber-enabled actions against the United States and its people.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on January 13, 2021 PRC MofA 13 Jan 2021
• British Lawmakers Demand 'Coherent' Policy Toolkit to Counter China VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The world's leading democracies should form a coalition to counter China's human rights abuses at home and its support for authoritarianism overseas, according to a prominent group of British lawmakers.
• Outspoken Chinese Rights Lawyer Who Defended One of Hong Kong 12 Loses License Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan on Wednesday suspended the license of rights attorney Lu Siwei at a disciplinary hearing, citing his public comments on the case of the 12 Hong Kong activists detained at sea in August 2020.
• US Bans Imports of Cotton, Tomato-Based Products From China's Uighur Region VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. said Wednesday it would stop importing cotton and tomato-based food products from China's Uighur region as part of a pressure campaign against the Communist Party for allegedly using forced labor from detained Uighur Muslims.
• China urges UK, Canada to revoke Xinjiang imports ban Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged Canada and UK to immediately revoke their measures on imports from Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, saying such untenable measures were made based on lies and false information and were only a farce made by a few politicians.
• Beijing Urges London, Ottawa to Cancel Restrictions on Imports From China's Xinjiang Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- China is calling on the United Kingdom and Canada to withdraw restrictions on trade with companies from the province of Xinjiang imposed under the false pretext of human rights violations and the use of forced labour, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday.
• China makes progress in developing rocket engines for space missions People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- China is creating a new line of rocket engines for its upcoming space missions, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced Tuesday.
• Next Myanmar-Bangladesh-China Meeting on Rohingya Repatriation Set For Jan. 19 Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2021 -- A secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and Myanmar, mediated by China, will be held on Jan. 19 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on the issue of repatriating Rohingya refugees, the Bangladeshi foreign minister said Wednesday.
• China, Myanmar agree to accelerate construction of economic corridor PLA Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing agreed here on Tuesday to accelerate the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) to boost bilateral ties.
• Taiwan's main opposition party to re-establish office in U.S. CNA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party, is planning to set up a liaison office in the United States to re-establish its connections with the U.S. government and establishments such as think tanks, a high-level KMT source told CNA on Wednesday.
• Cancellation of U.S. diplomat's Taiwan trip regrettable: MOFA CNA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Wednesday that it was regrettable that the United States' ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft had to cancel her visit to Taiwan in compliance with the State Department's latest travel order.
• U.S. envoy Kelly Craft's visit to Taiwan canceled CNA 13 Jan 2021 -- The planned visit to Taiwan by Kelly Craft, the United States' ambassador to the United Nations, has been called off, Taiwan's representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said Tuesday.
• Resolution of 8th WPK Congress Adopted KCNA 13 Jan 2021 -- The 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), on the basis of an in-depth discussion of the important matters facing our Party and revolution, adopted with the unanimous approval of all its participants the resolution "On thoroughly implementing the tasks set forth in the report on the work of the 7th WPK Central Committee".
• DPRK People's Solemn Pledge to Follow Supreme Leader Forever KCNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was elected as the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) at its 8th Congress held early in January Juche 110 (2021).
• 8th Congress of WPK Closes KCNA 13 Jan 2021 -- The 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) closed on Tuesday after successfully finishing the discussion on its agenda items amid full support and expectations of all the Party members, other people and service personnel of the People's Army.
• WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un Makes Concluding Speech at Eighth Congress of WPK KCNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), made a concluding speech at the Eighth Congress of WPK.
• WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un Makes Closing Address at Eighth Congress of WPK KCNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), made a closing address at the Eighth Congress of WPK.
• North Korean leader pledges to strengthen military, nuclear arsenal Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to strengthen his country's military capabilities and nuclear arsenal, days before US President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
• Kim Jong-Un Pledges to Strengthen N Korea's Nuclear Arsenal in Closing Remarks at Party Congress Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said in his address during the final day of the ruling party congress on Tuesday that Pyongyang should further strengthen its nuclear arsenal.
• US Warns Iran Fueling Potential al-Qaida Resurgence VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Far from potentially fading into obscurity, one of the world's most feared jihadist terrorist organizations may be poised for a potential resurgence thanks to an unlikely ally.
• Iran Foreign Ministry reacts to US terrorist designation of Ansarullah IRNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh reacted to the US designation of Yemen's Ansarullah by emphasizing that it affects a peaceful solution and humanitarian aid collection and blocks the United Nation's conciliatory mission.
• Iran rejects Pompeo's claim about Iran's ties to al-Qaeda ISNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman strongly rejected US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's unfounded claim that Tehran has links to the al-Qaeda terrorist group.
• Absolutely groundless: Russia rejects US claim of Iran-Qaeda ties Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Russia has dismissed the United States' latest bout of trying to link the al-Qaeda terrorist group and Iran without providing any proof as "absolutely" groundless.
• Iran: Pompeo's claims of al-Qaeda ties preposterous, shows failure of pressure policy Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's latest "preposterous" accusations against the Islamic Republic are part of the Trump administration's "failed policy of Iran-bashing" and show the lame-duck diplomat's "hysterical" anger at his failure.
• Iran kicks off R&D to upgrade fuel for Tehran Research Reactor: Official IRNA 13 Jan 2021 -- An Iranian official said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic has started research and development to upgrade fuel for its Tehran Research Reactor.
• Iran says exporting heavy water to eight countries People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran is currently exporting heavy water to eight countries, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI)'s spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Monday night in an interview on state TV.
• Iran affirms continuity of relevant inspections "as long as JCPOA alive" People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiee said on Tuesday that as long as the Iranian 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is alive, the relevant inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will go on.
• US must 'effectively' remove all anti-Iran restrictions before returning to JCPOA: Top lawmaker Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Parliament speaker says the incoming US administration's likely return to the 2015 nuclear deal means nothing if all anti-Iran restrictions are not lifted.
• Iran's precondition for US to return to JCPOA tangible sanctions relief, not empty signatures: Zarif Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says -- as per Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's assertion -- Iran has to effectively feel the results of any potential sanctions relief from the United States, not merely a toothless signature, in case Washington decided to return to its obligations under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
• The United States Targets Foundations Controlled by Iran's Supreme Leader US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2021 -- Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on two organizations controlled by the Supreme Leader of Iran, the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO) and Astan Quds Razavi (AQR).
• Treasury Targets Billion Dollar Foundations Controlled by Iran's Supreme Leader US Treasury 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today against two organizations, along with their leaders and subsidiaries, controlled by the Supreme Leader of Iran, the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO), and Astan Quds Razavi (AQR). While purportedly charitable organizations (bonyads), EIKO and AQR control large swaths of the Iranian economy, including assets expropriated from political dissidents and religious minorities, to the benefit of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian government officials.
• US Targets Foundations Controlled by Iran's Supreme Leader VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The United States has sanctioned two Iranian foundations controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the State Department said Wednesday, the latest move in a U.S. pressure campaign against Tehran in the last days of Donald Trump's presidency.
• A week before Trump's term ends, US Treasury imposes new sanctions on Iranian foundations Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- In its final days in power, the hawkish administration of lame-duck US President Donald Trump has imposed new sanctions on Iranian foundations.
• U.S. Puts Sanctions On Three Iranian Individuals, 16 Entities RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- The United States has slapped sanctions on two Iranian foundations controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and their subsidies, stating that they enabled Iran's rulers to maintain a "corrupt" system of ownership over large parts of the economy.
• US Slaps New Iran-Related Sanctions on Three Individuals, 16 Entities Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- Previously on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of sheltering al-Qaeda (a terrorist organisation banned in Russia), pledging to defeat it. Pompeo also confirmed media reports that the second-highest al-Qaeda operative Abu Muhammad al-Masri was dead.
• Trump administration's failure marks end of bullying, racism, lawlessness in world: President Rouhani ISNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's President described the failure of the Trump administration in the United States as a sign of the end of bullying, racism and lawlessness in the world, and stressed that these days is not the end of a government but the failure of the policy of maximum pressure and economic terrorism against a great nation.
• Trump's arrest warrant issued: Iranian FM Zarif ISNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that the arrest warrant for Donald Trump was issued following a lengthy follow-up by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and other agencies.
• Kyiv Vows To 'Hold Responsible' Ukrainians Sanctioned For U.S. Election Meddling RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- The head of the Ukrainian president's office says that Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration will do "everything in its power to hold...responsible" Ukrainians who meddled in the November U.S. election after Washington imposed sanctions on nearly a dozen Ukrainian nationals and entities.
• Ukrainian Leader And New Moldovan President Develop Strategic Ties With One Eye On Russia RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- The leaders of Moldova and Ukraine have called for rebooting ties as the two neighbors pursue a pro-EU agenda and fend off territorial disputes with Russia-backed forces.
• OSCE Monitor Blasts 'Bad Intention,' 'Bad Practice' In Kazakh Election RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- The head of an election-monitoring team to Kazakhstan from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has detailed a litany of failings and seemingly "concerted" moves by Kazakh authorities to hinder transparency in recent national elections.
• Iran condemns US designation of Cuba as state sponsor of terror ISNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned in the strongest terms the United States' move to put Cuba on its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
• Cuba condemns U.S. for adding it to terrorism blacklist People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Tuesday condemned the United States for including the island in a U.S. list of countries that sponsor terrorism.
• Residents Of Pakistani Tribal District Protest Against 'Illegal' Detentions RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Jan 2021 -- Dozens of people continue to protest in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal district over what they call the "illegal" detention of four local residents accused of links with militant groups.
• Even A PhD No Longer Guarantees A Job In Pakistan RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Jan 2021 -- Zahir Shah, a mathematician, completed his postdoctoral fellowship in Bangkok in 2019. But nearly two years after returning to his native northwestern Pakistan, he is still looking for a stable job and is desperate to find a tenured position at one of his country's more than 200 universities, where tens of thousands of teachers are preparing the next generation of professionals and leaders from among more than 1.5 million students.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, chaired today the Cabinet's virtual session.
• EU to initiate launcher alliance to enhance space autonomy People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- The European Space Program needs a European launcher alliance to ensure independent access to space, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said Tuesday.
• Estonian government collapses over massive corruption probe Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Estonia's Prime Minister Juri Ratas has resigned against the backdrop of an investigation into a corruption scandal involving his left-leaning Centre party.
• Venezuela's Maduro denounces US 'criminal policy' at new parliament Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denounced the United States' "illegal" sanctions and "criminal" blockade of his country, calling on newly sworn-in lawmakers to help improve the nation's economy.
• Drop Charges Against Cambodian Opposition Members, Rights Groups Say on Eve of Trial Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2021 -- Cambodia should immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against hundreds of officials and supporters of the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), observers said on the eve of the first of two mass trials for alleged crimes of "incitement" and "conspiracy."
• Vietnam Tightens Info Controls for Party Congress as 2020 Violations Cited in HRW Report Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2021 -- Vietnam has added new information controls ahead of a ruling Communist Party Congress, setting up an "Anti-Fake News Center" and threatening to punish any leak of leadership candidates, new curbs on top of a 2020 crackdown that saw intensified repression of civil and political rights.
• OSCE Mission Head Cites Lack Of Public Discussion, 'Strong Links' In Kyrgyz Votes RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- The head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) observer mission for the recent Kyrgyz elections has cited "a number of problems" resulting from Bishkek's hurried choice to conduct a presidential election and a major referendum on the Central Asian state's political system simultaneously.
• Reports: Interpol Issues Notices For Russians Over Lebanon's Deadly Port Blast RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- Media reports say Interpol has issued "red notices" for two Russian men and a Portuguese individual linked to a shipment of ammonium nitrate that exploded at the port in Beirut last summer.
• Mali transition presents opportunity to break 'vicious circle of political crises' UN News 13 Jan 2021 -- The current political transition period in Mali offers an opportunity to "break out of the vicious circle of political crises followed by coups d'état", the UN envoy in the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
• Uganda: UN chief calls for 'inclusive, transparent and peaceful' elections UN News 13 Jan 2021 -- The UN chief on Wednesday issued a call for an "inclusive, transparent and peaceful" election process across Uganda, a day ahead of the polls opening.
• Ugandans About to Head to Polls as Singer Challenges Museveni's Rule VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Ugandans head to the polls Thursday to cast ballots for the country's next president. Musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine is the most prominent of 11 candidates challenging President Yoweri Museveni, who has led the country for nearly 35 years.