Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghans Hope For Course Correction Under Biden RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Jan 2021 -- As U.S. President Joe Biden assumes office today, many in Afghanistan hope that he can correct course and help their country achieve peace while also helping Washington end the longest war in its history.
• Alaska National Guard in DC to assist at inauguration Army News 20 Jan 2021 -- Airmen and Soldiers of the Alaska National Guard departed here this morning just before 9 a.m., headed to Washington D.C. to assist the District of Columbia National Guard and federal civilian authorities with the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The White House 20 Jan 2021
• Biden, Harris Sworn In as America's New Leaders DoD News 20 Jan 2021 -- Unity of the American people will lead to a path forward as the country starts afresh, said President Joe Biden, who today was inaugurated as the country's 46th president along with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the vice presidency.
• New Officials Sworn-In at the Department of Defense DoD 20 Jan 2021
• President Biden Takes Oath of Office Amid Heavy Security VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- The United States peacefully concluded a tense transfer of power Wednesday with newly elected President Joe Biden taking the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol without incident — just two weeks after the building was overrun by domestic extremists.
• Joe Biden takes oath as 46th president of the United States amid heavy security Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Joe Biden has taken the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States in a ceremony that was unlike any other in the American history.
• DOD Announces New Acting Secretary of Defense, Service Secretaries DOD 20 Jan 2021
• Acting Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist Statement on Inauguration Day DOD 20 Jan 2021 -- Today our nation swore in Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the 46th President of the United States and Commander in Chief of our military force, as well as Kamala D. Harris as the 49th Vice President of the United States.
• DOD Succession Plan Remains in Effect Until Senate Confirms Biden Nominees DoD News 20 Jan 2021 -- Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Norquist has been sworn in as the acting defense secretary and will serve in the position until the Senate confirms the Biden administration's nominee for the position.
• Biden's Top Diplomat Pick Says U.S. Seeks 'Stronger' Iran Nuclear Deal, Condemns Russia Over Navalny Arrest RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- President-elect Joe Biden's secretary of state nominee said the incoming administration would seek a "longer and stronger" nuclear agreement with Iran as he laid out a foreign-policy vision for the next four years.
• US Senate Confirms Avril Haines as Biden's Director of National Intelligence Sputnik 20 Jan 2021 -- US President Joe Biden's new administration is expected to soon declassify and release key documents related to the 2018 murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi by agents of the Saudi monarchy.
• Concerns grow about extremists infiltration into US national Guard ahead of Biden inauguration Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Concerns are growing in the United States about possible infiltration of pro-Trump extremists into the US National Guard ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
• 2021 C2 Summit enhances Air Force contribution to Joint All-Domain Command and Control US Air Force 20 Jan 2021 -- The Air Force's annual Command and Control (C2) Summit was held at Nellis Air Force Base, Jan. 12-13. Led by Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, it highlighted joint cooperation as leaders worked to modernize and standardize the processes for Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) across the Department of the Air Force.
• NATO Secretary General congratulates President Joe Biden on his inauguration NATO 20 Jan 2021 -- On behalf of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, I congratulate Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris as the Vice President. Today is the start of a new chapter for the transatlantic Alliance.
• Press release on the future of New START Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Jan 2021 -- When it comes to arms control, the previous US administration worked consistently and systematically to destroy the agreements which prevented Washington from arbitrarily building up, projecting and using military force and which it saw as an obstacle on its way to "victory" in the "great power rivalry" it itself declared.
• Kremlin Says Russia Would Welcome Biden's Efforts To Extend New START Nuclear Treaty RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- The Kremlin has reiterated its commitment to extending the New START nuclear arms-control treaty with the United States, saying it would welcome efforts promised by the administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to reach an agreement on the last remaining major nuclear arms pact between the two countries.
• Russia Backs Extension of New START for Maximum 5-Year Period, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 20 Jan 2021 -- Russia considers it expedient to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with the United States for the maximum stipulated five-year period, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
• China's space tracking ship completes satellite launch monitoring PLA Daily 20 Jan 2021 -- China's space tracking ship Yuanwang-5 completed its mission in the Pacific Ocean to monitor and ensure the launch of the Tiantong 1-03 satellite on Wednesday.
• 5th India-Singapore Defence Ministers Dialogue between Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Defence, Singapore Dr Ng Eng Hen India PIB 20 Jan 2021 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh co-chaired the 5th India-Singapore Defence Ministers Dialogue along with Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, Republic of Singapore on 20 January 2021. During their virtual interaction, both Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress of ongoing defence cooperation engagements between the two countries despite limitations imposed by ongoing COVID 19 pandemic.
• 5TH India – Singapore Defence Ministers' Dialogue, 20 January 2021 India PIB 20 Jan 2021 -- The 5th Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD) between India and Singapore was successfully held on 20 January 2021 through a video conference and continues the substantial increase in bilateral cooperation and defence partnership over the years.
• DRDO inks framework MoU with MoRTH for Geo-hazard Management India PIB 20 Jan 2021 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has entered into a framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geohazard management.
• Iranian Army Ground Forces capable of doing special, hybrid operations IRNA 20 Jan 2021 -- The commander of the Iranian Army said on Wednesday that the Army is capable carrying out any kind of special and hybrid operations and that if the enemy makes a mistake and makes a move based on a miscalculation, they will regret it.
• Iranian drones spot hypothetical enemy vessels during 'Eqtedar 99' drills IRNA 20 Jan 2021 -- During 'Eqtedar 99' military drills underway in Iran, the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran monitored and identified the hypothetical enemy vessels in international waters.
• Iran's Army unveils "Jalal" Electro-Optical monitoring system in 'Eqtedar 99' drill IRNA 20 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Army on Wednesday unveiled "Jalal" Electro - Optical monitoring system in "Eqtedar 99" military exercise.
• Iran surveillance, reconnaissance drones take center stage on 2nd day of Army drills Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- The Iranian Army fields its advanced surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aircraft on the second day of maneuvers taking place across a "sensitive" stretch of the country's southeastern coastline.
• Pakistan Test-Fires Shaheen-III Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Jan 2021 -- The Pakistani Army says it has successfully test-fired a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to a target up to 2,750 kilometers away.
• Pakistan Announces Successful Test of Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Pakistan said Wednesday that it had successfully test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile into the Arabian Sea, aimed at "revalidating" the weapon's operational and technical parameters.
• China provides minesweeping equipment for Cambodia PLA Daily 20 Jan 2021 -- A new batch of minesweeping equipment donated by China to Cambodia arrived in Phnom Penh on January 19, 2021. Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian and first Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) Ly Thuch attended the handover ceremony.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, January 20, 2021 The White House 20 Jan 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 20, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 20 January 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Jan 2021
• Biden Urged to Revoke Yemen Houthi's Terrorist Designation VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Aid agencies are urging the incoming Biden Administration to immediately revoke the designation of the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.
• Joint Incidents Assessment Team Refutes Allegations against Coalition Forces SPA 20 Jan 2021 -- Official Spokesman of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) in Yemen Legal Counsellor Mansour Al-Mansour refuted a number of claims raised by global bodies and international organizations on errors allegedly committed by the Coalition Forces to Support Legitimacy in Yemen during their military operations in Yemen.
• Ensuring humanitarian access and a political solution to end crises in Syria UK FCDO 20 Jan 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen at the Security Council briefing on Syria
• Decade of conflict triggering 'slow tsunami' across Syria, Security Council hears UN News 20 Jan 2021 -- After a decade of conflict, economic collapse compounded by COVID-19, corruption and mismanagement, the UN Syrian envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday that "a slow tsunami" is now "crashing across Syria".
• Azerbaijan says lost 2,855 troops in Nagorno-Karabakh war Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Azerbaijani says it lost more than 2,800 troops during the 44-day war with neighboring Armenia over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Bangladesh Expects to Start Rohingya Repatriation to Myanmar in June VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Bangladesh officials say they expect to begin a third effort to repatriate hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar's Rakhine state in June.
• Israel in 'mad scramble' to promote settlement activity amid change in US administration Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Ignoring international outcry against its settlement expansion policy, the Israeli regime plans to build more than 2,500 settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Sudan deploys troops to Darfur to contain tribal violence Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Sudan's transitional government has deployed military units to the conflict-ridden Darfur region in an attempt to help restore calm there following three days of tribal violence.
• Death Toll Rises From West Darfur Fighting VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- The death toll in West Darfur state climbed to 159 Tuesday, with more than 200 people injured after more than three days of fighting between different ethnic communities, according to the Committee of West Darfur Doctors.
• 'Complex' emergency unfolding in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado, warn UN agencies UN News 20 Jan 2021 -- UN agencies voiced deep concern on Wednesday over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province, where attacks by armed groups have forced more than 565,000 to flee their homes.
• Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Deadly Somalia Explosion VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- The militant group al-Shabab is claiming responsibility for a landmine explosion in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, that killed four people.
• France's Macron: No Repentance Nor Apologies for Algeria Occupation During Independence War VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that France is neither regretful nor apologetic about the atrocities committed in its former colony, Algeria, ahead of a key report on France's colonial past.

News Reports

• Biden Calls for Unity as Country Faces 'Time of Testing' VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Facing as monumental a set of challenges as any chief executive in generations, Joe Biden took office as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday and pledged to rally the nation to answer "the call of history."
• Biden Orders US to Rejoin Paris Climate Accord, WHO VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Among the 17 executive actions U.S. President Joe Biden signed during his first hours in office Wednesday, two will strengthen frayed cooperation with the United Nations on boosting global health and combating climate change.
• Israeli's Netanyahu Congratulates Biden on Inauguration VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated newly inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday, saying he looks forward to working with him to strengthen the U.S.- Israeli alliance.
• British Government Looks Forward to Working with Biden VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labor Party opposition leader Keir Starmer expressed good wishes Wednesday to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on his Inauguration Day.
• EU Welcomes Biden Inauguration VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Leaders of the European Union Wednesday hailed the inauguration of Joe Biden as a "new dawn" in America.
• Biden rejoins Paris Climate Accord, ends Trump's Muslim ban Press TV 21 Jan 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has signed a slew of executive orders on his first day in the White House to sweep aside his predecessor's legacy.
• Secretary-General welcomes US return to Paris Agreement on Climate Change UN News 20 Jan 2021 -- Following the inauguration of United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday, the UN Secretary-General said he looks forward to an era of new leadership towards accelerating climate action, with the US back inside the landmark Paris Agreement.
• Connecticut Man Charged with Assaulting an Officer During U.S. Capitol Breach US Dept. of Justice 20 Jan 2021 -- A Connecticut man was charged yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with assaulting an officer during the breach of the U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. He will be presented in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York today, before appearing in Washington D.C.
• Acting Secretary of DHS Directs a Review of Immigration Enforcement Practices and Policies DHS 20 Jan 2021 -- Today, Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Pekoske signed a memorandum directing DHS components, including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, to review and reset enforcement policies and set interim policies for civil enforcement while the Department develops its final priorities.
• Russia brushes off sanctions calls by West over Navalny detention Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Russia has shrugged off calls by certain European states for sanctions against Moscow over Alexei Navalny, not heeding the West's calls to release the opposition figure, who returned to the country following recuperation in Germany from alleged poisoning.
• Berlin's Stance on Nord Stream 2 Unchanged Despite US Sanctions, Gov't Spokesperson Says Sputnik 20 Jan 2021 -- The German government took note of the new US sanctions targeting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project but adheres to its previous position that the project should be completed, German government deputy spokesperson Martina Fitz said on Wednesday.
• U.S. Sanctions Russian Ship Working On Nord Stream 2 Pipeline RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on a Russian vessel in a bid to stop completion of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would carry Russian natural gas to Europe under the Baltic Sea.
• Kadyrov Says Six Armed Militants Killed In Chechnya RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- Ramzan Kadyrov, Kremlin-backed leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, says regional security forces and police have killed six armed militants led by Aslan Byutukayev in a special operation.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on January 20, 2021 PRC MofA 20 Jan 2021
• China Sanctions 28 Former Trump Administration Officials VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- China imposed sanctions on Trump administration officials just minutes after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
• Clown-like Pompeo will face trial of history: Chinese FM Global Times 20 Jan 2021 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has lied too much and what he has "determined" is another ridiculous lie, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday, noting that the politician infamous for lying has made himself a clown and joke with his last frenzy.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Announces Sanctions on Pompeo and Others PRC MofA 20 Jan 2021 -- "Over the past few years, some anti-China politicians in the United States, out of their selfish political interests and prejudice and hatred against China and showing no regard for the interests of the Chinese and American people, have planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves which have gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-U.S. relations. "
• China Sanctions Mike Pompeo, Peter Navarro, John Bolton, Steve Bannon and 24 Other US Citizens Sputnik 20 Jan 2021 -- A new sanctions list that includes many members of the now-former Trump administration was released shortly after the new US president, Joe Biden, was sworn in.
• Planned Changes to Hong Kong Immigration Law Spark Fears of Exit Curbs Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2021 -- Hong Kong's government is seeking to amend the city's immigration laws to enable security chiefs to ban passengers from taking any form of transport in or out of the city, sparking concern that the authorities may be getting ready to stop people from leaving amid a crackdown on dissent under the national security law.
• China Dismisses Pompeo Designation Of Genocide Against Uyghurs RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- China has dismissed a declaration by the United States that Beijing is guilty of genocide against ethnic Uyghurs and other minorities saying the designation "is a piece of wastepaper."
• Jack Ma makes 1st public appearance via video link since Alibaba came under tougher scrutiny Global Times 20 Jan 2021 -- Jack Ma Yun, the English teacher turned business magnate behind Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba, appeared during a rural teacher-themed social welfare event via video link on Wednesday, according to media reports.
• China's Richest Man Makes First Public Appearance Since October VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Chinese billionaire Jack Ma has made his first public appearance since openly criticizing China's financial regulatory system just over two months ago.
• China unveils draft rules to tighten oversight on non-banking payment platforms Global Times 20 Jan 2021 -- China's central bank unveiled draft rules for non-banking payment institutions on Wednesday, intending to flesh out the regulatory toolbox that would include an anti-monopoly regulatory toughening of the payment sphere.
• Biden to make sure Taiwan can defend itself: Blinken CNA 20 Jan 2021 -- The Joe Biden administration will maintain the United States' commitment to ensure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself against aggression, said Antony Blinken, Biden's pick to head the U.S. Department of State.
• Shift in U.S.-Taiwan Ties Unlikely Under Biden: Analysts Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's pick for Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed moves by the Trump administration to remove curbs on official contacts with the democratic island of Taiwan, although analysts said it remains to be seen whether the new administration will continue to move in the direction of greater recognition for the Taiwanese government.
• Rouhani: Trump created oppression, corruption in his term IRNA 20 Jan 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the outgoing US President Donald Trump created oppression, corruption and difficulty in his four years.
• Several US officials put on Iran's sanctions list: Khatibzadeh ISNA 20 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says the country has put on its sanctions list a host of senior US officials for their role and involvement in Washington's acts of terror against Iran and Iranian nationals and violation of their human rights.
• Rouhani: Trump registered state terrorism on US record by assassinating Soleimani Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says outgoing American president, Donald Trump, registered state terrorism on America's official record by openly accepting responsibility for the assassination of top Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in a third country.
• EU's Borrell calls for close cooperation with US on Iran deal as Biden is to be sworn in Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- The EU foreign policy chief has called for closer cooperation between the bloc and the new US administration on three key areas, including the Iran nuclear deal, after the end of what he called 'governing by tweeting' of Donald Trump.
• Trump's political life over, but JCPOA alive: President Rouhani ISNA 20 Jan 2021 -- In the honour of the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the end of 16 years of struggle and resistance of the Iranian nation, the President emphasised, "February 1979, coinciding with the lunar year 99, was a great victory against tyranny and colonisation of the Iranian nation and this year in solar year 99 also sees the victory of the Iranian nation against maximum pressure and economic terrorism and the end of another tyrant's era".
• Zarif demands full commitment to JCPOA in return for termination of sanctions IRNA 20 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif reacting to Ireland's expressed interest in playing role in preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reiterated that Iran is ready, if sanctions are terminated and US commitments are met, put on agenda full commitment to JCPOA in response.
• US turns to blatant hostage-taking of Iranian nationals: Khatibzade ISNA 20 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh pointed to the arrest of an Iranian university professor in the United States, stressing that Washington has turned to blatant hostage-taking of Iranian nationals.
• Tehran Denounces 'Hostage Taking' After Iranian Accused Of Being Agent Arrested in U.S. RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- Tehran has accused Washington of "hostage taking" after an Iranian political scientist was arrested in the United States and accused of being an agent of Iran's government.
• South Korea promises to release Iran assets without practical step IRNA 20 Jan 2021 -- Governor of Central Bank of Iran (CBI) says South Korean officials promise to release Iranian assets but take no practical steps to pay South Korean arrears to Iran.
• South Korean banks must compensate for these two years' losses IRNA 20 Jan 2021 -- Governor of the Central Bank Iran (CBI) said we believe the Korean banks that have blocked Iran's monetary assets must pay compensation for these two years appropriately, and of course the amount is a technical matter that needs to be calculated by experts in banking and financial affairs.
• US should rejoin Iran nuclear deal with no preconditions: China Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- China has called on the incoming US administration to rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with no preconditions and remove the unilateral sanctions on the country.
• Tunisians press on with protests against poverty, high cost of living Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Tunisians have once again protested against poverty and high cost of living, in the fourth night of street clashes between riot police and protesters in the North African country.
• Tsikhanouskaya To Address UN Security Council Over Belarus Crackdown RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya will address the United Nations' Security Council this week over an ongoing crackdown on protesters and independent media in her country.
• HRW Denounces Kazakhstan's 'Shocking' Crackdown On Rights Groups RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says an ongoing "crackdown" on human rights groups in Kazakhstan for alleged financial-reporting violations casts "serious doubt" that the Central Asian country's leadership is serious about improving its human rights record.
• Pakistani PM Promises High-Speed Internet To Tribal Region RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Jan 2021 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that high-speed Internet connections will become operational in the tribal region of South Waziristan on January 20.
• Incoming US intel chief vows to release report on who ordered Khashoggi murder Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- US President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for the United States' top intelligence position has pledged to release an unclassified report on who directed the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as per a congressional demand that the outgoing Donald Trump administration defied.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session SPA 20 Jan 2021 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister, chaired today the Cabinet's virtual session.
• New Law Threatens Future of Turkish NGOs VOA 20 Jan 2021 -- Nearly 680 non-governmental organizations in Turkey have condemned a new law aimed at increasing oversight of them, with critics saying it threatens to silence one of the country's last independent and critical voices.
• Egypt, Qatar agree to resume diplomatic relations after three years Press TV 20 Jan 2021 -- Egypt and Qatar have agreed to resume diplomatic relations against the backdrop of more than three years of dispute between Doha and the Saudi-led quartet of Arab states.
• Egypt and Qatar Have Agreed to Restore Diplomatic Ties, Cairo Says Sputnik 20 Jan 2021 -- In 2017, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of meddling and sponsoring terrorism.
• Kyrgyz Tycoon, Wife Change Names After Hit With U.S. Magnitsky Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- The former deputy chief of Kyrgyzstan's Customs Service, Raimbek Matraimov, has changed his last name after being placed on the U.S. Magnitsky sanctions list for his alleged involvement in the illegal funneling of hundreds of millions of dollars abroad.
• 'Swamp Of Poverty': Uzbek Cotton Farmers Refusing To Work With 'Cluster' Monopoly RFE/RL 20 Jan 2021 -- Uzbek farmers say they are fed up with the private monopolies they've been "forced" to work through in recent years to grow and sell crops under Uzbekistan's agriculture reform strategy -- the so-called "cluster" system.
• Venezuela's Foreign Ministry Calls Trump's Latest Sanctions Desperate Aggression Sputnik 20 Jan 2021 -- Venezuela condemned the publication by the US Department of the Treasury of new sanctions lists shortly before the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden.