Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement from President Donald J. Trump The White House 14 Jan 2021
• Iran's Suggestion of Using Shiite Fighters in Afghanistan Seen as Risky VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- A recent Iranian offer for Afghanistan to use Iran-backed Shiite militias in the fight against Islamic State militants is viewed by some Afghan lawmakers and experts as a threat to Afghanistan's volatile security.
• Would An Afghan Interim Government Help Or Hinder Peace Efforts? RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Jan 2021 -- Peace talks between Afghan government representatives and the Taliban have been painstakingly slow, bogged down for months by disagreements over minor issues.
• Some 7,000 National Guards Already Deployed to Washington for Biden Inauguration Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- The US National Guard has already deployed about 7,000 troops to support security during the upcoming Joe Biden inauguration on January 20 and plans to triple this number closer to the event, a National Guard general, Daniel Hokanson, said.
• 20,000 US troops to deploy for Biden's inauguration as FBI warns of more pro-Trump violence Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- About 20,000 US troops are to be deployed to Washington, DC for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next week as concerns rise about the likelihood of "extremist violence" ahead of the January 20 event.
• More National Guard troops head to DC for inaugural support Army News 14 Jan 2021 -- National Guard troops from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia are supporting law enforcement through the presidential inauguration next week.
• Washington National Guard provides security to State Capitol following unrest Army News 14 Jan 2021 -- Following a violent riot at the U.S. Capitol and the protests in Olympia, more than 600 Washington National Guard members have been activated to support officers with the Washington State Patrol to provide an additional level of protection at the state capitol.
• WVNG assists with state COVID-19 vaccination program Army News 14 Jan 2021 -- The West Virginia National Guard and the Joint Interagency Task Force for COVID-19 Vaccines (JIATF) helped receive and ship the state's allocation of COVID-19 vaccines, leading to more than 117,130 West Virginians getting vaccinated.
• NCNG supports local health departments during COVID-19 vaccinations Army News 14 Jan 2021 -- Maneuver Enhancement Brigade began augmenting the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Forsyth County of Public Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Jan. 12, 2021.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Research and Development Security The White House 14 Jan 2021 -- Today, President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on Securing United States Government-Supported Research and Development. This Presidential action strengthens the protections of United States Government-supported research and development (R&D) against foreign government interference and exploitation.
• No Place in DOD for Extremism, White Supremacy, Officials Say DoD News 14 Jan 2021 -- There is no place in the Defense Department for those who espouse extremist views, DOD officials said today.
• Statement by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller on Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Doses Delivered Today DoD 14 Jan 2021
• Commerce Tightens Controls to Prevent Support of Foreign Military-Intelligence and WMD Activities US Dept. of Commerce 14 Jan 2021 -- Today, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce) imposed new controls on any U.S. technologies and specific activities of U.S. persons who may be supporting foreign military-intelligence end uses and end users in China, Cuba, Russia, and Venezuela, as well as in terrorist-supporting countries.
• Commerce Department Issues Interim Rule to Secure the ICTS Supply Chain US Dept. of Commerce 14 Jan 2021 -- Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13873, "Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) Supply Chain," today U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross issued an interim final rule to address the national security, economic security, and public health and safety concerns related to ICTS Transactions.
• DOD Releases List of Additional Companies, In Accordance with Section 1237 of FY99 NDAA DoD 14 Jan 2021 -- Today, the Department of Defense released the names of additional "Communist Chinese military companies" operating directly or indirectly in the United States in accordance with the statutory requirement of Section 1237 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, as amended.
• DOD Releases Industrial Capabilities Report DoD 14 Jan 2021 -- The Department of Defense (DOD) released the Fiscal Year 2020 Industrial Capabilities Report today.
• MDNG tests night vision goggles to support future warfight Army News 14 Jan 2021 -- Advancements in U.S. Army technology can give Soldiers an edge in an ever-changing operational environment, supporting the warfight.
• USS Mount Whitney Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence US Navy 14 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Sixth Fleet flag ship, Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), celebrated its 50th birthday with a small ceremony in Gaeta, Italy, Jan. 14.
• Press Gaggle With Acting Secretary Miller En Route to Washington, D.C. DoD 14 Jan 2021 -- Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller
• F-35 Still Has 10 Critical Defects, Nearly 900 Other Hardware, Software Issues, Report Says Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is the Pentagon's do-it-all fighter platform, serving in three branches of the US military. It's also the most expensive weapons platform ever made, with an estimated lifetime price tag of roughly $1.6 trillion, when accounting for procurement, operations and sustainment costs.
• Pentagon Approves Limited Production of Long-Delayed Integrated Missile Defence System Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- Developed by defence giant Northrop Grumman, the $2.7 billion Integrated Air & Missile Defence Battle Command System (IBCS) promises to closely link a wide range radar and other sensor equipment to anti-air and anti-missile missiles using advanced computing capabilities.
• Partnerships Key to Space Force Delivering Warfighting Capabilities DoD News 14 Jan 2021 -- The Space Force is responsible for delivering space capability to the joint and coalition forces, including such items as navigation, timing, electromagnetic operations, orbital warfare, GPS, missile warning, satellite communications and launch space domain awareness.
• USS Porter Begins Ninth FNDF-E Patrol US Navy 14 Jan 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, on its ninth Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol, Jan. 12.
• NATO Secretary General: Mauritania is a committed partner NATO 14 Jan 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (14 January 2021) for talks on strengthening security cooperation.
• £76m contract boosts F-35 Lightning fleet support UK MOD 14 Jan 2021 -- A £76 million aircraft support contract, supporting more than 170 jobs, will maximise the availability and capability of the UK's F-35 Lightning stealth jets, ensuring they are ready for combat operations across the globe.
• China to commission first 10,000 ton-class maritime patrol ship in mid-2021 Global Times 14 Jan 2021 -- China will commission its first maritime patrol ship with a displacement of more than 10,000 tons in mid-2021, and the vessel is expected to be used in the South China Sea for missions including patrol and emergency support, an official announced on Tuesday.
• China's WJ-700 UAV makes maiden flight People's Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- China's WJ-700, a high-altitude, high-speed and long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of conducting reconnaissance and strike, has performed its maiden flight, its developer announced Wednesday.
• FOCINC ENC Reviews Operational Readiness of Eastern Fleet India PIB 14 Jan 2021 -- Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain PVSM, AVSM, VSM Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief(FOC-in-C) Eastern Naval Command(ENC) reviewed the operational preparedness and combat-readiness of Eastern Fleet at sea over four days.
• India's First Indigenously Developed 9mm Machine Pistol India PIB 14 Jan 2021 -- India's first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol has been jointly developed by DRDO and Indian Army. Infantry School, Mhow and DRDO's Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune have designed and developed this weapon using their respective expertise in the complementary areas.
• Completion of Coastal Defence Exercise Sea Vigil 21 India PIB 14 Jan 2021 -- Exercise Sea Vigil, the two day coastal defence exercise was conducted on 12 and 13 January 2021. The conceptual and geographical expanse of Sea Vigil included the entire coastline and EEZ of the country and contingencies from Peace to War-time were exercised. In addition, mitigation measures, on shore, in case of any breach in coastal security were also validated.
• "Zereh" missile launches midget more competent than its predecessor IRNA 14 Jan 2021 -- Deputy head of IRI Armed Forces said here on Thursday that Iran's new midget Zereh (war attire) has more capabilities compared with Iran's former missile launcher warships.
• Iran's Navy cruise missiles successfully hit targets during drill Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Navy cruise missiles, fired from the seashore and vessels during the second day of a large-scale military drill, have successfully hit mock targets in the North Indian Ocean and the defined exercise area.
• Iranian Military Fires Off Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles During Massive Drills - Videos Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- On Monday, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri stated that Iran was in "full control" of the Persian Gulf and prepared to defend all its coastal areas. His remarks came after weeks of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.
• Iranian-made semi-heavy submarine test fires torpedo IRNA 14 Jan 2021 -- Iran's domestically-developed semi-heavy "Fateh" (the Conquerer) submarine test-fired torpedoes and successfully hit the hypothetical target.
• Iran Air Force at high level of defense deterrence: Commander IRNA 14 Jan 2021 -- The commander of the Air Force of the Iranian Army Brigadier-General Aziz Nasirzadeh on Thursday said the Force has reached a high level of defense power and capability through relying on domestic resources and facilities.
• Iran's naval drills aim to promote sustainable peace, security: Navy cmdr. Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- The commander of Iran's Navy says the main goal of two-day large-scale maneuvers held by the country's naval forces is to promote sustainable peace and security in the region while projecting the power of the Iranian nation and its scientists to extra-regional forces present in the Persian Gulf.
• Turkey says no going back on S-400 deal with Russia Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- Turkey says it will not turn back on a deal to purchase advanced S-400 air defense missile system from Russia despite opposition from the United States.
• United States – Georgia Memorandum of Understanding on 5G Security US Dept. of State 14 Jan 2021 -- The following memorandum of understanding was adopted by the Governments of the United States of America and Georgia on January 14, 2021.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 14, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 14 January 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Jan 2021
• Protecting and Preserving a Free and Open South China Sea US Dept. of State 14 Jan 2021 -- The United States and all law-abiding nations share a deep interest in the preservation of a free and open South China Sea. All nations, regardless of military and economic power, should be free to enjoy the rights and freedoms guaranteed to them under international law, as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, without fear of coercion.
• Indonesian Coast Guard Intercepts, Escorts Chinese Survey Ship From EEZ Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- Indonesia intercepted a Chinese survey ship that had been sailing near its islands with an on-board tracking system turned off, prompting the coast guard to escort the boat out of the country's exclusive economic zone, officials said Thursday.
• Taking swift action on the economy, humanitarian funding and humanitarian access in Yemen UK FCDO 14 Jan 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Yemen
• WFP Chief: US Terrorist Designation of Yemen's Houthis 'Catastrophic' VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- The head of the World Food Program appealed to the Trump Administration Thursday to reverse its decision designating a Yemeni rebel group as a terrorist entity, saying millions would slide into famine in the war-torn country as a result because food imports would shrink.
• UN officials fear US terrorist designation will boost spectre of famine in Yemen UN News 14 Jan 2021 -- Senior UN officials have expressed concern over the potential impact of the decision by the United States to designate Yemen's Ansar Allah, more commonly known as the Houthi movement, a terrorist group, the Security Council heard on Thursday.
• Syria condemns new Israeli raids, urges UN action Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- The Syrian government has condemned new Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, calling on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate and decisive measures to prevent the repetition of such attacks.
• US-Israeli Intelligence Reportedly Closely Coordinated 'Massive Air Strikes' on Syria Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- Israeli warplanes carried out a series of intense air strikes near the Syrian towns of Deir ez-Zor, Mayadeen and Boukamal along the border with Iraq on Wednesday, amid heightened tension in the region, driven by fears of retaliation for the US killing of Iran's Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani last year in Baghdad.
• Dozens of Fighters Killed in Israeli Airstrikes Inside Syria VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- A series of airstrikes in eastern Syria this week, allegedly by Israel, killed at least 57 people, most of them fighters from Iranian-backed militias, according to international monitoring groups. The targets were reportedly Iranian weapons storehouses and fighters.
• Ethiopia's former FM, senior gov't officials killed in battle People's Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) on Wednesday afternoon announced the death of former Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin during a battle in the country's Tigray region.
• UN Refugee Chief 'Very Worried' for Eritrean Refugees in Tigray VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- The chief of the U.N.'s refugee agency said Thursday he remains "deeply troubled" by the humanitarian situation in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, noting the number of Eritrean refugees already at risk there.
• Three Pakistani Soldiers Killed In Shootout With Militants RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Jan 2021 -- Three Pakistani soldiers were killed on January 14 in an exchange of fire with militants in the country's North Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border, the military said in a statement.
• Huge fire guts Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, destroys belongings Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- Thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have been left without shelter after a huge fire swept through an overcrowded camp in southeast Bangladesh.
• Huge Fire Leaves Thousands of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Homeless Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- A massive fire gutted hundreds of cramped and flimsy makeshift shelters at a refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh on Thursday and left thousands of Rohingya homeless, officials said.
• European Human Rights Court Accepts Ukraine Complaint Against Russia In Crimea RFE/RL 14 Jan 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that a complaint brought by Ukraine against Russia alleging human rights violations in the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 is "partly admissible."
• Four UN peacekeepers killed, five injured in Mali attack Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- Four United Nations (UN) peacekeepers have lost their lives and five others sustained injuries after their convoy struck an explosive device and came under fire in central Mali.
• Four UN peacekeepers killed, five wounded in attack in Mali UN News 14 Jan 2021 -- Four United Nations peacekeepers in Mali were killed and five others wounded in an attack by unidentified armed elements on Wednesday, the UN mission in the country has said.
• News of Tibetan Self-Immolation Protest Surfaces After Five-Year Delay Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- News of a Tibetan self-immolation protest in 2015 has surfaced after going unreported for five years, the Dharamsala, India-based Tibetan exile government the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said this week, citing unnamed sources in Tibet.
• Amnesty Calls For Probe Into Civilian Casualties In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict RFE/RL 14 Jan 2021 -- Amnesty International is urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately investigate the use of "inaccurate and indiscriminate weapons" in heavily populated civilian areas during the recent fighting over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, saying such attacks violated international law.

News Reports

• U.S. House votes to impeach Trump, making him 1st U.S. president impeached twice People's Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- A majority of lawmakers in the U.S. House on Wednesday voted for impeaching President Donald Trump over "incitement of insurrection," making him the first president to be impeached twice.
• Trump condemns mob violence in Capitol riot after House impeaches him People's Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- Shortly after being impeached by the House on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the mob violence in the U.S. Capitol riot, while calling for national unity.
• Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen Attends Security Briefing at FBI's Strategic Information and Operations Center on Inauguration Planning and Recent Capitol Attack US Dept. of Justice 14 Jan 2021 -- Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen attended a briefing today at the FBI's Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC) on the recent attack on the Capitol building and law enforcement preparations for the upcoming presidential inauguration. Following the briefing, he addressed the assembled law enforcement partners and thanked them for their efforts.
• US Slams 14 of MS-13's 'Highest-Ranking' Leaders With Terrorism Charges, 3 At-Large Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- MS-13, otherwise known as Mara Salvatrucha, is an international criminal organization considered one of the most notorious street gangs within the Western Hemisphere. The group originated in Los Angeles, California, in the 1970s and gained notoriety over the decades for its ruthlessness as its reach extended across the US and Central America.
• MS-13 'Board of Directors' Charged with Terrorism VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- Federal authorities indicted the "board of directors" of the MS-13 gang on terrorism charges Thursday.
• MS-13's Highest-Ranking Leaders Charged with Terrorism Offenses in the United States US Dept. of Justice 14 Jan 2021 -- Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed in Central Islip, New York charging 14 of the world's highest-ranking MS-13 leaders who are known today as the Ranfla Nacional, which operated as the Organization's Board of Directors, and directed MS-13's violence and criminal activity around the world for almost two decades.
• Bangladesh protests against Pompeo's remarks on al-Qaida presence People's Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- The Bangladeshi government has protested against a recent statement of U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo over the presence of al-Qaida terrorist group in Bangladesh.
• With Return To Russia, Navalny Hedges Jail Threat Against Prospect Of Mobilizing Opposition To Putin RFE/RL 14 Jan 2021 -- When Vladimir Lenin stepped off a train at St. Petersburg's Finland Station in April 1917, he set in motion events that would transform Russia and ultimately divide the world into opposing camps. Winston Churchill would later compare the first Soviet leader to a "plague bacillus" - a parasite that enters an organism at the very moment it can do most harm.
• Navalny's Expected Return To Moscow Lights Up The Russian Internet RFE/RL 14 Jan 2021 -- Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has announced that he will return to Russia on January 17, following months of recuperation after being poisoned by a Novichok-type nerve agent in August.
• Russian Prison Authority Will Seek Arrest Of Kremlin Foe Navalny Upon Return RFE/RL 14 Jan 2021 -- Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) says it will seek the arrest of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic new showdown between the Kremlin and Navalny, who is one of President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken foes.
• MIT Professor Arrested for Not Disclosing China Ties VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- U.S. authorities have arrested and charged an MIT professor with accepting foreign money, much of it from China, and not disclosing it.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on January 14, 2021 PRC MofA 14 Jan 2021
• CECC Commissioners Release 2020 Annual Report Congressional-Executive Commission on China 14 Jan 2021 -- U.S. Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA) and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chair and Cochair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), issued today the Commission's 2020 Annual Report on human rights and the rule of law in China.
• Commerce Adds China National Offshore Oil Corporation to the Entity List and Skyrizon to the Military End-User List US Dept. of Commerce 14 Jan 2021 -- Today, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce) added Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to the Entity List and Chinese company Skyrizon to the Military End-User (MEU) List. Both companies threaten U.S. national security, CNOOC by helping China intimidate neighbors in the South China Sea and Skyrizon for its capability to develop, produce, or maintain military items, such as military aircraft engines.
• US sanctions two more Chinese firms in 'final frenzy' Global Times 14 Jan 2021 -- The US Department of Commerce (DOC) said on Thursday that it has added two Chinese companies - Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and aviation firm Skyrizon to two separate blacklists, in what Chinese analysts are calling a "final frenzy" of the outgoing Trump administration's crackdown on Chinese businesses.
• Trump strengthens ban on US investments in China Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- President Donald Trump has bolstered a ban on US investments in alleged Chinese military companies, says the White House.
• Pompeo Announces Visa Restrictions Against Chinese Businessmen, CCP Officials Over S China Sea Spat Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- The outgoing Trump administration has sought to step up pressure against the People's Republic in recent weeks, with new restrictions coming in the wake of a long-running trade war, back-and-forth claims about the origins of the coronavirus, and US concerns about Beijing's internal affairs in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea.
• Trump Signs Executive Order Strengthening Ban on US Investments in China Sputnik 14 Jan 2021 -- US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order strengthening a ban on US investments in companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military, according to the White House.
• US Slaps Sanctions on China Oil Giant Over South China Sea Activity Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- The United States on Thursday blacklisted Chinese oil giant CNOOC and slapped visa restrictions on officials of the Chinese navy, ruling party and state-owned enterprises over land reclamation and "coercion" of Southeast Asian claimants in the disputed South China Sea.
• US Treasury Under New Mandate to Probe Chinese Money Laundering VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Treasury Department will investigate the risks posed by China's money laundering and develop a strategy to defend against them, according to language in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 requiring specific inquiry into what experts have long called a serious threat.
• Hong Kong Police Arrest 11 Over Activists' Failed Speedboat Escape Bid Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- Hong Kong's national security police on Thursday arrested 11 people in connection with the attempt by 12 activists to flee the city by speedboat in August 2019, including a prominent human rights lawyer and pro-democracy politician.
• Hong Kong Makes More Arrests Over Attempted Flight of 12 Youths VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- Police in Hong Kong have arrested 11 people, among them lawyer and District Councilor Daniel Wong Kwok-tung, for allegedly helping a dozen Hong Kong residents who sought to flee the city for Taiwan via speedboat last year.
• 'Force labor' accusation against Xinjinag is 'lie of the century': Chinese FM Global Times 14 Jan 2021 -- The accusation of "forced labor" against Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the "lie of the century" made by the US and some Western countries, while the US itself is the country that has problems of forced labor, with people's health and security going unprotected, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press conference on Thursday.
• China rebukes US Xinjiang ban, calling 'forced labor' accusations 'lie of the century' Global Times 14 Jan 2021 -- China vowed to take all necessary measures to protect its companies' interests after the US announced a ban on imports of cotton and tomato products from Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, citing "forced labor" concerns.
• Withhold Order on Xinjiang Cotton Products Warning to US Importers Over Supply Chains: CBP Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- A top customs official said Thursday that Washington is not seeking a total ban on cotton products from northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) but sounding a warning to American firms to review their supply chains amid concerns of forced labor.
• Leading efforts to forge good Party conduct PLA Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- A few days before the New Year, senior leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) sat down in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound for an annual criticism and self-criticism session.
• China Jails Two Journalists Over Tweets, Comments to US Official Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in China's Guizhou and Jiangsu provinces have jailed two journalists and one family member after they were critical of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• China on Track to Supplant US as Top Nuclear Energy Purveyor VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- Experts say China is on a course to displace the United States as the global leader in the production and sale of nuclear power generation, providing yet another avenue for Beijing's drive to become the world's leading economic and diplomatic power.
• A Killing Field Named The Islamic Republic Radio Farda 14 Jan 2021 -- In its report on the state of journalism in the world in 2020, Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontières (Reporters Without Borders) has appropriately ranked Iran as the global record-holder of killing media staff.
• Iran starts research to upgrade fuel for Tehran research reactor: official People's Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the Vienna-based international organizations, said that the Islamic Republic has started research and development to upgrade fuel for its Tehran Research Reactor, Iranian Tasnim News Agency reported on Thursday.
• Envoy: Iran starts R&D activities to produce new fuel for Tehran reactor Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations says research and development (R&D) activities have begun to produce new fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor.
• Iraq's PMU: US hostile towards those who fought against global terrorism Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), in reaction to US sanctions on its deputy leader, says Washington is hostile toward those who played a role in the defeat of global terrorism.
• S.Korea's top court upholds 20-year prison sentence on ex-president Park People's Daily 14 Jan 2021 -- South Korea's top court upheld a 20-year prison sentence on former President Park Geun-hye Thursday in a retrial of the corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of the former head of state.
• South Korea court upholds jail for ex-President Park Geun-hye Press TV 14 Jan 2021 -- South Korea's highest court has upheld a 20-year jail term for former President Park Geun-hye over corruption charges and other crimes that led to her downfall.
• South Korea's High Court Upholds Prison Sentence of Ex-President Park VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld former President Park Geun-hye's 20-year prison sentence on corruption charges.
• Independent Belarusian News Agency Says It Was Raided By Police RFE/RL 14 Jan 2021 -- The independent BelaPAN news agency says police in Minsk have searched its offices while not allowing the company's lawyer to be present.
• Dozens Of Pakistani Police Sanctioned Over Hindu Temple Attack RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Jan 2021 -- Regional authorities in northwestern Pakistan say they have sacked or suspended dozens of police officials for failing to protect a century-old Hindu shrine from a mob attack last month.
• Cambodia Starts Mass Trial for 59 Opposition CNRP Activists Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- A court in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh opened the trials Thursday of 59 people accused of incitement and treason, the first mass trials of at least 136 defendants associated with the country's main opposition party that was banned in 2017.
• Lao PM Sisoulith Set to Become Ruling Communist Party Chief Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2021 -- Laos' ruling Communist Party is set to elevate Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, a veteran official credited with fighting corruption, to party chief and state president to run the one-party state for five years, according to party voting lists announced Thursday.
• 10th Anniversary of the Revolution in Tunisia US Dept. of State 14 Jan 2021 -- "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the Tunisian people on the 10th anniversary of Tunisia's revolution."
• Motivation Behind Malaysia's State of Emergency Questioned VOA 14 Jan 2021 -- The Malaysian government's surprise state of emergency, declared this week to help beat back a surging coronavirus outbreak, may be more of a bid by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to preserve his slipping grip on power, some analysts say.