Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban delegation arrives in Tehran for talks on Afghan peace with top Iranian officials Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- A high-ranking Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the group's top political leader, is visiting Iran for talks on the Afghan peace process and relevant topics.
• Afghan Negotiators Accuse Taliban Of Foot Dragging In Doha Peace Talks RFE/RL Gandhara 26 Jan 2021 -- Afghan government negotiators are accusing the Taliban of stalling peace talks in Qatar as frustration builds in Kabul over continued militant attacks.
• Iran Hosts Taliban to 'Exchange Views' on US-backed Afghan Peace Process VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- Senior leaders of Afghanistan's Taliban insurgency traveled to Iran Tuesday to "exchange views" on U.S.-brokered peace negotiations between warring Afghan parties.
• Italy continues its contribution to Afghanistan's lasting security, through the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission NATO 26 Jan 2021 -- HERAT (Afghanistan) – On Jan. 26, 2021, Italian Army Brigadier General Alberto Vezzoli, Commander of the "Julia" Brigade and Multinational Land Force, officially handed over the command of Train, Advise, Assist Command-West (TAAC-W) at Camp Arena to Italian Army Brigadier General Beniamino Vergori, Commander of the "Folgore" Brigade. The ceremony was attended by the Italian Minister of Defence Hon. Lorenzo Guerini and presided over by Italian Army Lieutenant General Nicola Zanelli, Deputy Commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. Many other distinguished civilian and military guests also attended, including the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo, and Italian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vittorio Sandalli.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Australian Minister of Defense Linda Reynolds DoD 26 Jan 2021
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Passing of Colombian Minister of Defense Carlos Holmes Trujillo García DoD 26 Jan 2021
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call With Canadian Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan DoD 26 Jan 2021
• F-35 simulator building unveiled during Winter Fury USMC News 26 Jan 2021 -- 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing dedicates its inaugural F-35 simulator building aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, January 21. This marks the next step in streamlining the training process of the fifth-generation joint strike fighter, which has been recognized as one of the most advanced aircraft in military history.
• Biden moves to repeal Trump's transgender military ban People's Daily 26 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed an executive order seeking to repeal his predecessor Donald Trump's ban on most transgender people serving in the military.
• Red Flag 21-1 kicks off at Nellis AFB US Air Force 26 Jan 2021 -- Southern Nevada residents may notice an increase in military aircraft activity from Jan. 25 through Feb. 12 as Nellis Air Force Base begins exercise Red Flag 21-1, one of the U.S. Air Force's largest combat training exercises.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 26 Jan 2021
• Commander Lists 5 Tasks to Ensuring Continued Space Superiority DoD News 26 Jan 2021 -- Of the 11 Defense Department combatant commands, the U.S. Space Command has the largest area of responsibility — starting at 100 kilometers above the earth and expanding into infinity, said its commander.
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of NATO The White House 26 Jan 2021
• NATO Secretary General speaks with US President Biden NATO 26 Jan 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to Joe Biden, President of the United States, this evening. He congratulated the President on his inauguration, which was a powerful demonstration of the strength of America's democracy and the values we share, and the start of a new chapter for our transatlantic Alliance.
• NATO Secretary General shares views on euro-atlantic security with Greek Foreign Minister NATO 26 Jan 2021 -- Today (26 January 2021), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with the Foreign Minister of Greece Nikos Dendias at NATO Headquarters. They shared views on a number of topics, including the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Secretary General's NATO 2030 initiative, and Libya.
• NATO Secretary General and the Lithuanian Foreign Minister shared views on NATO's future NATO 26 Jan 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (26 January). They exchanged views on the forward-looking NATO2030 process that will ensure the Alliance remains ready to face tomorrow's challenges, and keep its citizens safe in the next decade and beyond.
• Spanish Air Force joins NATO enhanced Air Policing in Romania for the first time NATO 26 Jan 2021 -- RAMSTEIN, Germany -- Six Spanish Air Force Eurofighters touched down at Mihail Koglaniceanu Air Base, Romania, on January 25, 2021, to start flying NATO Air Policing missions alongside the Romanian Air Force.
• Putin Submits Agreement on New START Extension for Ratification to Russian State Duma Sputnik 26 Jan 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted an agreement on the extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) to the Russian parliament's lower house for ratification, according to the State Duma database.
• Russian Tu-142 Planes Conduct Scheduled Flight Over Bering Sea, Sea of Chukotsk Sputnik 26 Jan 2021 -- Russia's Tu-142 antisubmarine aircraft performed a scheduled flight over the Bering Sea and the Sea of Chukotsk, the flight range exceeded 8,000 kilometres (4,970 miles), the Eastern Military District said on Tuesday.
• China's western airspace more secure with PLA Army, Air Force integration Global Times 26 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command has begun to integrate air defense systems of the Army and Air Force in a move experts said on Tuesday can complement each other's capabilities and better secure China's air security in joint operations in the region.
• Japanese Defence Minister Dismisses Reports About Secret Deal With US Military Sputnik 26 Jan 2021 -- Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi on Tuesday denied earlier reports about a secret deal with the United States military concerning the joint use of an American Marine base in the southern prefecture of Okinawa.
• Air Force showcases Taiwan-made long-range cruise missile in drill CNA 26 Jan 2021 -- Taiwan's Air Force on Tuesday conducted a rare public drill of loading a type of locally made cruise missiles that reportedly has a range within reach of coastal Chinese provinces to one of its fighters, amid increasing military threats from the other side of the Taiwan Strait.
• Hornets farewelled at Williamtown Australia DOD 26 Jan 2021 -- An eight-ship formation of F/A-18A/B Hornets filled the Williamtown skyline in a fitting farewell to the aircraft as it was retired from No. 77 Squadron on December 11.
• Greece, France Finalize $2.8 Billion Fighter Jet Deal VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- Greece and France have sealed a $2.8 billion deal for the purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets for the Greek air force. The deal is part of a larger weapons purchase program that Greece is carrying out as it sits down to negotiate a solution to a growing dispute with Turkey over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Greece, France sign Rafale jet deal worth 2.5 bln euros Global Times 26 Jan 2021 -- Greece signed a contract with France on Monday for the purchase of 18 French-made Rafale fighter aircraft for 2.5 billion euros (3.03 billion US dollars).
• U.S. Senate Confirms Antony Blinken As Secretary Of State RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Senate has confirmed Antony Blinken as the new secretary of state with bipartisan support.
• US Senate Confirms Blinken to Lead State Department VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Senate confirmed Antony Blinken to be the country's top diplomat Tuesday, paving the way for the Biden administration's eventual reversal of the Trump administration's isolationist policies.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Canadian Foreign Minister Garneau US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Mexican Foreign Secretary Ebrard US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice, January 26, 2021 The White House 26 Jan 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with ROK Foreign Minister Kang US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 26, 2021
• Elbit Systems Awarded $172 Million Contract to Supply Light Tanks to a Country in Asia-Pacific Elbit 26 Jan 2021 -- Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $172 million to supply light tanks to the Army of a country in Asia-Pacific. The contract will be performed over a three-year period.

Other Conflicts

• 26 January 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jan 2021
• Guterres calls for 'renewed approach to multilateralism', through new peacebuilding appeal UN News 26 Jan 2021 -- Against the backdrop of a COVID-19 crisis that has exacerbated pre-pandemic challenges and a global ceasefire appeal to combat it, the UN chief called for new peacebuilding funds on Tuesday, promising a "renewed approach to multilateralism and international cooperation".
• Reiterating the UK's full support for the Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire UK FCDO 26 Jan 2021 -- Statement by UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward at Security Council briefing on resolution 2532 on Covid-19
• Beijing Announces Military Drills in South China Sea After US Aircraft Carrier Enters Area Sputnik 26 Jan 2021 -- On Monday, Beijing accused Washington of "flexing its muscles" in the region, a few days after the US Navy sent the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group to the South China Sea "to foster maritime security".
• Israeli regime opens liaison office in Morocco: Report Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- The Israeli regime has reportedly opened a liaison office in Morocco, shortly after Rabat normalized relations with Tel Aviv.
• At UN, Biden Administration Backs Separate State for Palestinians VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- The acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has reaffirmed the Biden administration's commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and said it hopes to "slowly build" shattered confidence between the two sides.
• Normalisation should help deliver Israeli-Palestinian peace UK FCDO 26 Jan 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the Middle East
• UN ready to support Palestinian elections, new envoy tells Security Council UN News 26 Jan 2021 -- Palestinian elections scheduled for later this year will be a crucial step towards unity, the new UN envoy in the region, Tor Wennesland, said on Tuesday in his first briefing to the Security Council.
• UN rights experts urge Israel to respect international obligations UN News 26 Jan 2021 -- UN independent rights experts on Tuesday, described Israel's conviction of human rights defender Issa Amro earlier this month, as showing disdain for the country's international obligations.
• Former Colombian Paramilitary Leader Arrested VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- A former paramilitary leader in Colombia is in custody in the South American country Tuesday, a day after being deported from United States, where he served a 16-year sentence for drug trafficking.

News Reports

• US watchdog to probe if Justice Dept. officials sought to help Trump overturn election Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- The US Justice Department's internal watchdog has announced an investigation into whether current or former department officials tried to improperly "alter the result of the November presidential election."
• US Capitol Riot Prompts Fresh Focus on Extremism in US Police Ranks VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- The January 6 deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol has renewed attention to what has long been an open secret in police departments across the country -- right wing extremists populating their ranks.
• DC National Guard Chief Says Pentagon Hamstrung His Ability to Command Prior to Capitol Insurrection Sputnik 26 Jan 2021 -- The former chief of US Capitol Police said that he called the Pentagon for assistance half a dozen times as his officers lost control of the deadly insurrection outside the legislature on January 6, but was rebuffed by senior defense figures reportedly over fears of how the public would react to the move.
• German Court Sentences Tajik Man To Seven Years On Terror Charges RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- A court in Germany has sentenced an asylum seeker from Tajikistan to seven years in prison for membership in the Islamic State (IS) extremist group and plotting attacks in Albania and Germany.
• U.S. Intelligence Analyst Given Stiff Prison Sentence For Trying To Pass Information To Russia RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- A U.S. intelligence analyst has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for kidnapping and stealing national-security materials with the intent of selling them to Russia.
• Telephone conversation with US President Joseph Biden President of Russia 26 Jan 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States of America Joseph Biden.
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia The White House 26 Jan 2021
• Biden, Putin Hold First Phone Discussions VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- For the first time since his inauguration, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke Tuesday with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, expressing concerns about the arrest of dissident Alexei Navalny, Moscow's cyber-espionage campaign and bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan, two senior Biden administration officials said.
• In First Phone Call, Biden Warns Putin On Navalny, Ukraine, Agrees On Treaty Extension RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has spoken with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for the first time since his inauguration last week, raising concerns about some of the Kremlin's activities, including the treatment of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny and the seizure of the Crimean peninsula.
• Biden 'Very Concerned' About Russia's Treatment Of Navalny RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed concern over Moscow's crackdown on Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny and anti-government protesters.
• G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Arrest and Detention of Alexey Navalny US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.
• G7 Foreign Ministers Condemn Russia Over Navalny Detention, 'Violent Suppression' Of Protests RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major industrial nations have condemned Russia for the "politically motivated" detention of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny and the "violent suppression" of protesters demanding his release over the weekend.
• To Discredit Navalny Protesters, Russia Spreads 'Myth' Of Mass Youth Participation RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- Among the footage from Russia-wide protests against the jailing of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny on January 23, one clip stood out.
• Media Watchdog Calls For EU Sanctions Over Russia's 'Heavy-Handed' Crackdown On Protests RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling on the European Union to impose further sanctions on Russian officials after "more than 50 journalists were arbitrarily detained" during nationwide anti-government protests last weekend.
• Lawyer For Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation Forcibly Kicked Out Of Russia RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- A lawyer and Belarusian citizen who works for jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) says he was handcuffed and forced into a car with a sack over his head before being taken on a 10-hour drive to the border by plainclothes police and handed over to Belarusian authorities.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on January 26, 2021 PRC MofA 26 Jan 2021
• China urges Biden to correct Trump policy, as US sends negative signals Global Times 26 Jan 2021 -- China on Tuesday called on the new administration of US President Joe Biden to reverse what officials called the "wrong policies" toward China under former president Donald Trump, and instead take a positive and constructive approach to pull bilateral ties back to the right path, in a direct response to what analysts said was rather negative signals from the new US administration of repeating similar grievances and ill intentions that were a hallmark of the previous government.
• China's Xi offers indirect advice for new US administration Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has implicitly warned US President Joe Biden that he would risk a "new Cold War" if he followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Donald Trump, calling for multilateralism instead.
• President Xi's emphasis on multilateralism significant for world to face challenges: FM Global Times 26 Jan 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at Davos Agenda, which mentioned pursuit of multilateralism many times, lays out a road for an increasingly complex world. Against the backdrop of global economic recession, Xi's speech has highlighted China's proposal for addressing global challenges, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• US government should be fair toward HK national security law: Lam Global Times 26 Jan 2021 -- Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that she hoped the Biden administration should take a fair attitude on HK national security law.
• Hong Kong Should 'Leave Behind Myth of Western Democracy': Pro-China Paper Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2021 -- A China-backed newspaper on Tuesday warned that Hong Kong would have to leave behind any notion of "Western" democracy, suggesting that the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is planning to further tighten its grip on the city's political life amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent.
• Hong Kong Activists Feel Pressure as Chinese Authorities Approach Relatives in Mainland China VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- A pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong is the latest to disclose that Chinese authorities questioned his family and friends in mainland China for information about him.
• New-material rocket tanks to boost China's space launch capability and manned missions Global Times 26 Jan 2021 -- China has successfully developed two types of rocket tank prototypes made from new lighter but stronger materials, and according to industry insiders, these advances will further help reduce the weight of rocket bodies and consequently enhance the rockets' space launch capabilities, laying the foundation for the new generation of heavy-lift and even manned rockets.
• Construction Delayed on Showcase Hospital Project in North Korean Capital Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2021 -- A North Korean state-sponsored project to build a state-of-the-art hospital in the capital Pyongyang has been severely delayed due to a year-long suspension of trade with China over coronavirus concerns, government officials told RFA.
• Trump's Gone, But North Korea Tensions Still Loom in US-South Korea Alliance VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- After U.S. President Joe Biden took office last week, perhaps no world leader breathed a bigger public sigh of relief than South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
• Drive for Increased Power Production in DPRK KCNA 26 Jan 2021 -- All the officials and workers in the electric-power industrial sector, one of the key industrial sectors in the DPRK, have turned out in the struggle to carry out the important tasks set forth at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
• Iran Will Return to Full Compliance With JCPOA if US Lifts Sanctions, FM Zarif Says Sputnik 26 Jan 2021 -- Tehran will resume full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if the US lifts sanctions that currently hinder Iran's cooperation with foreign nations, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday.
• Zarif: America must make up for its mistake IRNA 26 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, referring to the US unilateral exit from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said on Tuesday that the United States must first make up for its mistake, and then Iran will respond appropriately.
• Iran will only respond to actions, not words: Zarif to US Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will take proper action whenever the United States lifts the sanctions to pave the way for its return to the 2015 nuclear deal, stressing that the Islamic Republic takes Washington's actions, not words, as its yardstick.
• US should abide by JCPOA, UNSC Resolution 2231: Iran FM IRNA 26 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Moscow and Tehran stress on the need for the US compliance with the Iran nuclear deal and the UN Security Council's Resolution 2231.
• Iranian Rival Camps Lined Up to Gain from Biden's Administration Radio Farda 26 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's website has published a series of exclusive interviews with seven top-ranking officials in Iran. Published from January 11 to January 18, and titled "Decisive Word," the interviews reflect attitudes of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and two of his predecessors, Ali Akbar Velayati and Kamal Kharrazi; the speaker of Iran's Majlis parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and his predecessor, Ali Larijani; the Deputy President and head of Iran Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Ali Akbar Salehi; and former Secretary of the Islamic Republic Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili.
• Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov's remarks and replies to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, Moscow, January 26, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Jan 2021
• Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov's remarks and replies to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, Moscow, January 26, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Jan 2021
• Russian FM: Iran, Russia discuss construction of new units for Bushehr power plant IRNA 26 Jan 2021 -- The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif here on Tuesday said that Russia and Iran discussed the construction of new units of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
• Russia Joins Iran In Call For U.S. To Lift Sanctions To Rejoin Nuclear Pact RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- Moscow has joined Tehran in calling on U.S. President Joe Biden to lift crippling economic sanctions on Iran if he wants to save a multination deal aimed at keeping the Middle Eastern country's nuclear program in check.
• Iran to invest $20bn for development of new gas fields: Petroleum official Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- An Iranian Oil Ministry official says the government aims to spend some $20 billion in new investment for development of gas fields to meet a growing demand for energy in the country.
• Iran building 30-million-barrel strategic reserves Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- Iran has decided to build strategic reserves for 30 million barrels of oil as a buffer against the impact of sanctions, the CEO of the Iranian company in charge of the project says.
• Brother Of Iranian VP Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For 'Currency Smuggling' RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- Iran has sentenced the brother of First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri to two years in prison on finance-related charges.
• Indonesia: Tankers' Crews Caught 'Red-Handed' in Illegal Oil Transfer, Confessed Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2021 -- The crews of two tankers seized by Indonesia over the weekend admitted that they were carrying out an unauthorized oil transfer from an Iran-flagged vessel to a Panama-flagged one and hiding their ships' identities, a spokesman for the Indonesian coast guard said on Tuesday.
• Locals Fear Investors In Chinese Trade Hub Are Pushing Them Out Of Gwadar RFE/RL Gandhara 26 Jan 2021 -- Pakistani millionaires are snapping up real estate in the impoverished city of Gwadar in response to China's multibillion-dollar investments that aim to transform the coastal area of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan Province into a commercial hub and a lynchpin of Beijing's footprint in the region.
• Broadcasters Under Pressure To Be on Same Wavelength as Turkey's Ruling Party VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- Olay TV began broadcasting late last year with ambitions to become a mainstream national news channel in Turkey's polarized media environment. But the channel lasted just 26 days before closing under what its editor said was government pressure.
• Security Council reforms must reflect 21st century realities, says UN Assembly President UN News 26 Jan 2021 -- The President of the General Assembly, on Monday, underscored the importance of effectiveness and efficiency for all bodies of the United Nations so that the Organization can deliver results for people everywhere.
• Myanmar's Military Refuses to Rule Out Coup Over Election Fraud Claims Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2021 -- Myanmar's powerful military on Tuesday declined to rule out staging a coup over its claim that the country's 2020 elections were tainted by voter fraud, as experts warned the dispute is leading to a political crisis in the nascent democracy that emerged from harsh army junta rule only a decade ago.
• Italian PM Resigns, Plunging Country Into Fresh Political Turmoil VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte handed in his resignation Tuesday, the opening shot in a bid to shape a new, more stable "government of national safety." His resignation, which came after his uneasy coalition government lost the support of a junior center-left governing partner, has plunged the pandemic-struck country into fresh political turmoil.
• Italian PM Conte resigns amid deepening political crisis Press TV 26 Jan 2021 -- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has handed in his resignation amid growing criticism of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and an ensuing financial crisis grappling the European nation.
• Former Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister Asanov Sent To Pretrial Detention Again RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- Former Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister and ex-presidential candidate Kursan Asanov has been placed in a detention center over his role in anti-government protests against the official results of parliamentary elections that ousted the government and President Sooronbai Jeenbekov in October.
• Uzbek Lawmakers Propose Moving Presidential Election Forward To October RFE/RL 26 Jan 2021 -- Uzbek parliament's lower chamber, the Oliy Majlis, has proposed moving up presidential elections to October from December as part of a package of election law changes to bring voting to "international standards."
• European Parliament Calls For Release of Political Prisoners in Vietnam, Cites Dashed Hopes in Trade Deal Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2021 -- The European Parliament is demanding the immediate release in Vietnam of three journalists jailed this month on anti-state charges, calling respect for freedom of expression an essential element of a free trade agreement signed between the EU and Vietnam in 2019.
• Ugandan Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Freed From De Facto House Arrest VOA 26 Jan 2021 -- Ugandan security forces have ended their de facto house arrest of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine.