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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Has Made No Decisions on Military Postures in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pentagon Says Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- The United States has not yet decided on its military postures in either Iraq or Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday.
• Several Blasts Rock Afghanistan, Killing At Least Three, Taliban Denies Responsibility RFE/RL Gandhara 02 Feb 2021 -- A series of explosions has rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least three people as a wave of violence continues to sweep across the war-torn country.
• Iran says ready to encourage all Afghan groups to back Kabul, join national talks Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran says the recent visit to Tehran by a Taliban delegation was coordinated with Kabul, and that the Islamic Republic stands ready to engage in dialog with all political groups in neighboring Afghanistan with the aim of encouraging them to back the central government and take part in national peace talks.
• Car bomb attacks kill two in Afghan capital Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- A series of car bomb attacks have hit the Afghan capital, Kabul, leaving two people dead, officials say.
• Washington National Guard supports 4 vaccination sites Army News 02 Feb 2021 -- As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine climbs, more than 150 Washington National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are helping the state ensure Washingtonians receive their first dose.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Philippine Sea interdicts over $2.8 Million of heroin in North Arabian Sea CENTCOM 02 Feb 2021 -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), deployed to U.S. Fifth Fleet and operating in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), interdicted a shipment of more than 600 lbs. (275 kg) of suspected narcotics from a dhow in the international waters of the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 30.
• Senior Department of Defense Officials Hold Background Briefing on DOD Advisory Boards DoD 02 Feb 2021 -- Senior Defense Department Officials
• DOD Announces Zero-Based Review of Advisory Committees DoD 02 Feb 2021 -- On January 30, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a memo directing a zero-based review of all DOD advisory committees, to include any advisory committee that is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C., Appendix). The review will focus the department's advisory committee efforts to align with the most pressing strategic priorities and the National Defense Strategy.
• Austin Directs 'Zero-Based Review' of DOD Advisory Committees DoD News 02 Feb 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has directed a "zero-based review" of all Defense Department advisory committees, DOD officials said today.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Nominee Emphasizes Reform, Modernization DoD News 02 Feb 2021 -- BY The overriding mission of the Defense Department is to deter adversaries and defend the United States and its citizens, the nominee for deputy secretary of defense said.
• Nimitz Carrier Group Sails Into Indo-Pacific Command DoD News 02 Feb 2021 -- The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is departing the Central Command area of responsibility and moving into the U.S. Indo-Pacific region, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby announced today.
• US Decision to Move USS Nimitz Will Not Affect Posture in Middle East, Spokesman Says Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- The decision to move the USS Nimitz carrier strike group from the Middle East to the Indo-PACOM area of responsibility will not affect the US military presence in the region, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday.
• Hanscom AFB branch provides radars to NATO, completes mission US Air Force 02 Feb 2021 -- A team at Hanscom Air Force Base recently closed down their branch after providing NATO with an advanced radar capable of delivering high-quality imagery for combat operations.
• Defense Fuel Service Point Tests Readiness US Navy 02 Feb 2021 -- Communications, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka
  Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka recently performed a drill to test its ability to receive and issue fuel in the event its facilities are impaired or negatively affected.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 02 Feb 2021
• Chinese naval escort taskforces conduct mission-handover in Gulf of Aden PLA Daily 02 Feb 2021 -- The 36th and the 37th Chinese naval escort taskforces held a mission-handover ceremony in the Gulf of Aden on January 31, local time. After the ceremony, the 37th taskforce officially replaced the 36th taskforce in carrying out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somali.
• Buying weaponry won't help India's military modernization with modest rise of defense budget: expert Global Times 02 Feb 2021 -- Heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, India's economy is estimated to report its worst-ever contraction of 7.7 percent in 2020-21, leading to a modest increase of the defense budget - and the additional spending will reportedly be to buy new military hardware following several standoffs with China.
• IAF's Indigenisation Thrust in Maintenance of Aircraft Fleet India PIB 02 Feb 2021 -- Indian Air Force operates a variety of aircraft fleets of foreign origin ranging from legacy MiG-21 Bison to the state-of-the-art Rafale aircraft. For increased self-reliance and to meet sustenance requirements in product support of IAF aircraft and systems, indigenisation of aircraft as well as systems spares and setting up of indigenous Repair and Overhaul (ROH) facilities for aggregates are key focus areas of IAF.
• South Korea drops description of Japan as 'partner' in latest defense paper Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- South Korea's Defense Ministry has dropped its description of Japan as a "partner" in its latest defense white paper, as differences between the two neighbors have continued to deepen over a range of issues in recent years.
• US National Security Advisor Voices Concerns Over Turkey's S-400 Purchases Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a phone call with the Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey Ibrahim Kalin said that Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system undermines NATO effectiveness, the White House said.
• U.S. Pledges Continued Economic, Military Support To Ukraine RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged continued U.S. economic and military support to Ukraine under President Joe Biden's new administration.
• Huge boost for missile program Australia DOD 02 Feb 2021 -- With ranges hundreds of kilometres greater than the current inventory, new anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles are being considered as part of a $1 billion investment into advanced guided weapons for Navy under Project SEA 1300 Phase 1.
• Turkey, Azerbaijan Begin Joint Military Drills Near Armenian Border RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Turkey and Azerbaijan have begun large-scale joint military exercises in eastern Anatolia near the border with Armenia.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Ibrahim Kalin, Spokesperson and Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey The White House 02 Feb 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Emma Aparici, Chief Diplomatic Advisor to the President of Spain The White House 02 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Swiss President Parmelin US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2021
• Department Press Briefing – February 2, 2021 US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 2, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 2 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Feb 2021
• The decision to designate the Houthis (Ansar Allah) a foreign terrorist organization, and how it's impacting the United Nations UN News 02 Feb 2021 -- On 10 January, the former United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, announced the designation of the Houthis (Ansar Allah) as a foreign terrorist organization and a specially designated global terrorist entity. The designation entered into effect on 19 January.
• 20,000 Eritrean refugees missing after camps destroyed in Ethiopia: UN Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations (UN) has raised the alarm about the "grave" situation of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, saying some 20,000 people are missing after two of their camps were destroyed in the country's war-torn Tigray region.
• Human rights: Widespread attacks in DR Congo may amount to crimes against humanity UN News 02 Feb 2021 -- The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has warned against potential crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following a spike in attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) armed group, in two provinces in the east of the country.
• Armed Group in DR Congo Blamed for Spike in Deaths, Rights Violations VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- A U.N. report finds an alarming surge in human rights violations and civilian deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri and North Kivu provinces. It blames the surge on increased attacks by an armed group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

News Reports

• Alejandro Mayorkas Sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security DHS 02 Feb 2021 -- Today, Alejandro Mayorkas was officially sworn in as the seventh Secretary of Homeland Security. Secretary Mayorkas took the oath this afternoon after the Senate voted to confirm him.
• CISA Takes the Next Step in Advancing Emergency Communications Next Generation Priority Services CISA 02 Feb 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced today it will pilot a new technology in support of the Next Generation Network Priority Service (NGN-PS) Phase 2 program, which provides first responders and emergency managers with priority voice, data, and video communications during emergencies and widespread outages. This pilot is part of CISA's ongoing development of priority services for voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based networks.
• Briefing with Senior State Department Officials On the State Department's Assessment of Recent Events in Burma US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2021
• US Declares Ouster of Myanmar Government a Military Coup VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. State Department has officially declared the military takeover in Myanmar a coup.
• US vows to slap sanctions on Myanmar with democracy, would only add 'fuel to the fire' Global Times 02 Feb 2021 -- The US once again waved its stick of sanctions against Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country neighboring India and China, with "democracy and freedom" as its silver bullet, following the Myanmar army's detention of Myanmar leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.
• Myanmar military coup: Minister Adams' statement, 2 February 2021 UK FCDO 02 Feb 2021 -- Minister Nigel Adams updated the House of Commons on the UK government's response to the Myanmar military coup and the unlawful imprisonment of civilians.
• Security Council unity 'crucial' to support democracy in Myanmar UN News 02 Feb 2021 -- The UN Special Envoy on Myanmar appealed on Tuesday for the Security Council to unite in support of democracy in the country in the wake of the recent power grab by the military and the declaration of a one-year state of emergency.
• World Bank concerned over coup in Myanmar Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- The World Bank has expressed concern about the safety of its staff and partners in Myanmar, where the military has staged a coup.
• News Stations Still Closed in Myanmar, Some Other Channels Reopen Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2021 -- Broadcast news stations remain closed in Myanmar following a government takeover by the country's military on Monday, though some private stations that were at first shut down have been allowed to reopen, sources in Myanmar say.
• Citizens Clamor Against Myanmar Coup as Detained Leaders Demand Freedom Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2021 -- Shocked and angry citizens in cities across Myanmar banged pots and pans on Tuesday to register opposition to the military coup that deposed and arrested leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her civilian government, whose members appealed for a reversal of the takeover while the army announced its new ruling council.
• UN Rights Expert: International Response to Myanmar Coup Must Be Unequivocal VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- U.N. Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Tom Andrews said Tuesday the military takeover in that country is "unacceptable" and requires a strong and unequivocal international response.
• Myanmar Junta Seen Cozying Up to China if West Gets Tough VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- The military government that seized power in Myanmar will get along well with its authoritarian neighbor China in the long term, despite historical misgivings, and grow closer if international sanctions isolate the Southeast Asian state from Western powers, observers say.
• Myanmar Democracy Party Calls For Release of Aung Sang Suu Kyi, President, Others VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's National League for Democracy called Tuesday for the release of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other party leaders.
• ASEAN Lawmakers' Group: Regional Bloc Must Expel Myanmar if Coup Holds Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2021 -- A grouping of Southeast Asian nations needs to pressure Myanmar and kick it out of the bloc if military leaders there don't end the coup they launched this week, an association of MPs from across the region said Tuesday.
• Pentagon Does Not Foresee Need for US Military Solution in Myanmar, Spokesman Says Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- The US Defense Department does not see the need for the American military to have a role in Myanmar, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday.
• Myanmar Suspends All Flights Until June Following Alleged Military Coup, Reports Say Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's military, also known as the Tatmadaw, has issued a notice suspending all flights, including those serving domestic locations, after Monday's alleged coup that saw several prominent officials detained, domestic media outlets reported on Tuesday.
• Myanmar's military holding lawmakers in 'open-air prison' after coup Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Hundreds of lawmakers in Myanmar are being held in "an open-air detention center" in the country's capital, Naypyidaw, a day after the military staged a coup and detained de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as some of her party members.
• Deep fears of violent crackdown in Myanmar, UN rights chief warns UN News 02 Feb 2021 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced "deep fears" of a violent crackdown on dissenting voices in Myanmar, where the military assumed all powers and declared a state of emergency after overthrowing the civilian government and arresting top political leaders, on Monday.
• Military releases Myanmar's regional, state chief ministers Global Times 02 Feb 2021 -- A majority of regional and state chief ministers were released on Tuesday after the military's one-day detention, a senior military official told Xinhua.
• Major cabinet reshuffle announced in Myanmar People's Daily 02 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar military announced a major cabinet reshuffle hours after a state of emergency was declared on Monday.
• Myanmar's regional, state chief ministers released after detention by military People's Daily 02 Feb 2021 -- A majority of regional and state chief ministers were released on Tuesday after the military's one-day detention, a senior military official told Xinhua.
• The Sentencing of Russian Opposition Figure Aleksey Navalny US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2021 -- The United States is deeply concerned by Russian authorities' decision to sentence opposition figure Aleksey Navalny to two years and eight months imprisonment, replacing his suspended sentence with jail time.
• Russia: UK responds to Navalny sentencing UK FCDO 02 Feb 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called for the immediate release of Alexey Navalny after his sentencing in Moscow.
• Russian Court Sentences Alexei Navalny to 3.5 Years in Prison VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- A Russian court has sentenced opposition politician Alexei Navalny to three and a half years in prison, defying condemnation abroad and public outcry at home to send one of the Kremlin's most vocal critics to jail.
• Russia believes Navalny's poisoning case a 'sham' Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Russia believes that the case of opposition figure Alexei Navalny is nothing but a "sham," since Moscow has not been provided with any information to prove Western allegations that he was recently poisoned, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.
• Russia slams foreign diplomats' presence at Navalny hearing as meddling Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Russia says the presence of foreign diplomats at a court hearing for Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny is evidence of Western meddling in Moscow's internal affairs.
• Moscow Court Rules To Give Navalny Prison Time, West Reacts Sharply RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court has ordered Aleksei Navalny to serve 2 years and 8 months in prison after finding him guilty of violating his parole in a reversal of a suspended sentence the Russian opposition politician says was driven by President Vladimir Putin's "fear and hatred."
• World Reacts To Russian Court Reversal Of Navalny Sentence RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- A judge in Moscow has ordered a suspended 3 1/2 year sentence that opposition politician Aleksei Navalny received in 2014 to be changed to time in a penal colony, adding that time previously spent under house arrest in the sentence would count as time served, thus reducing his incarceration to 2 years and 8 months.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, Moscow, February 2, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Feb 2021
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to questions at a joint news conference following talks with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, Moscow, February 2, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Feb 2021
• Russian Foreign Ministry Warns West Against Meddling in Russia's Affairs Over Navalny Case Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday, commenting on calls of Western countries for the release of Alexey Navalny, that there was no need to interfere in the affairs of a sovereign state.
• 'Green Light To Use Any Cruelty': Russian Protest Witnesses Describe Brutal Police Crackdown RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Authorities in Russia have been at pains to portray participants in two waves of mass protests in support of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny as unruly hooligans with whom it was only possible to deal forcefully.
• World Anti-Doping Agency Decides Not To Appeal Ruling On Russia Ban RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says it has decided not to appeal the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) ruling that halved Russia's international ban for doping offenses to the Swiss federal court.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 2, 2021 PRC MofA 02 Feb 2021
• China's chief diplomat urges US to remove 'stumbling blocks' for exchanges Global Times 02 Feb 2021 -- When China's senior official on foreign affairs Yang Jiechi delivered a speech on China-US relations on Tuesday, he urged the Biden administration to remove "stumbling blocks" for exchanges and reaffirmed China's bottom lines on issues regarding its sovereignty, while stressing the hope for cooperation.
• China calls on Biden administration to focus on cooperation, manage differences People's Daily 02 Feb 2021 -- Senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi on Tuesday called on the Biden administration to focus on cooperation and manage differences in bilateral ties so as to bring the relationship back to its former course of sound and steady development.
• Implementation of national security law in HKSAR "anchor" for Hong Kong to change from chaos to order: Carrie Lam People's Daily 02 Feb 2021 -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam has said that the implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR is the "anchor" for Hong Kong to change from chaos to order.
• China Strikes Off Rights Lawyer Who Defended Hong Kong 12, Wuhan Reporter Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2021 -- Authorities in the central Chinese province of Henan have struck off a human rights lawyer after he tried to represent one of the 12 Hong Kong protesters detained by the China Coast Guard as they tried to flee to the democratic island of Taiwan.
• Two-Thirds of Religious Figures Detained in Hometown of Uyghur Who Decried Genocide Designation Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2021 -- Authorities have detained some two-thirds of religious leaders in the home township of man claiming to be an imam in a propaganda video condemning the U.S. for designating abuses in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) as genocide, according to officials.
• China Signals Further Clampdown on Citizen Journalism With License Scheme Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2021 -- China's internet regulator has announced a crackdown on citizen journalism around the country, banning anyone from posting news-related information online without a license.
• Chinese spy plane enters Taiwan ADIZ, 12th straight day of incursions CNA 02 Feb 2021 -- A Chinese military spy plane entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday evening, the 12th consecutive day there have been intrusions, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• Taiwan to play key role in U.S.' China containment policy: scholars CNA 02 Feb 2021 -- As the Biden administration seeks to contain China, Taiwan's strategic location makes it likely the country will play a pivotal role, Taiwanese scholars said Tuesday during a forum.
• DPR Korea: Impunity prevails in prisons, amid potential 'crimes against humanity' – Bachelet UN News 02 Feb 2021 -- The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) is gravely concerned by "credible accounts of forced labour" in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) prison system, according to a new report published on Tuesday.
• Experts: Biden Thought Likely to Reverse Trump's North Korea Policies VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- The Biden administration is likely to reverse the Trump administration's North Korea policies, but experts see little hope for significant progress toward denuclearization in the face of Pyongyang's determination to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.
• Iran installs more centrifuges in Natanz, Fordow: Envoy IRNA 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday that Iran has installed new centrifuges in Fordow and Natanz in the framework of steps to reduce commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
• Iran installs advanced centrifuges at Natanz, Fordow nuclear sites: Envoy Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran's representative to the Vienna-based organizations says the country has installed new cascades of advanced centrifuges at two nuclear sites in Natanz and Fordow to increase enrichment capacity.
• Iran Begins Installing Advanced IR-6 Centrifuges at Fordow Nuclear Plant, Envoy Says Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran has begun installing advanced IR-6 centrifuges, which are banned under the 2015 nuclear deal, at its underground nuclear facility in Fordow, the country's permanent representative to the international organisations in Vienna, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on Tuesday.
• Iran Agrees To Release Crew Members of Detained South Korean Ship RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran has agreed to allow the crew members of a South Korean vessel it seized for allegedly polluting the environment to leave the country,
• Iran Releases South Korean-Flagged Tanker Crew VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran has released 19 crew members and the captain of a South Korean tanker that was seized in the Persian Gulf last month, Iranian state TV announced Tuesday.
• Iran gives permission to crew of seized South Korean tanker to leave: Foreign Ministry spokesman Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran says it has given permission to the crew members of a South Korean vessel it seized last month for environmental pollution to leave the country in a humanitarian gesture.
• Dy FM discusses Iran's frozen fund with S Korean official IRNA 02 Feb 2021 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi and South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Jong-Kun in a telephone call late on Tuesday discussed the issue of releasing of Iran's frozen fund in South Korea.
• South Korean vessel's crew seized by Iran granted permission to leave: Spox IRNA 02 Feb 2021 -- Spokesman of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Tuesday that in a humanitarian move, the crew members of the South Korean vessel seized by the Iranian security forces in the Persian Gulf on January 4 for causing environmental pollution were granted permission to leave the country.
• Zarif says Iran ready to respond "immediately" after US returns to commitments IRNA 02 Feb 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says that the United States needs to come back to its commitments and "Iran will be ready to respond immediately.
• China urges pressure on US to rejoin JCPOA without preconditions Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- China has called for an "unconditional" US return to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and removal of the sanctions it restored against the Islamic Republic after unilaterally abandoning the UN-endorsed agreement.
• US US must stop arms sales to region before any talks on Iran missiles: Zarif Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran's foreign minister says the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, officially known as the JCPOA, did not include Iran's defensive capabilities because the US was not prepared to stop its arms sales to the region as a precondition.
• Iran's Hard-Line Parliament Rejects Rohani Government's Budget Draft RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran's parliament has rejected a draft state budget proposed by President Hassan Rohani's government, amid a political struggle between moderates and conservative hard-liners ahead of the presidential election in June.
• Milestone for Iran; Sending human into orbit in 2031 IRNA 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran has planned to send humans to space in 10 years (2031), Head of Iran's Aerospace Research Institute Fathollah Ommi said on Tuesday.
• Bolsonaro Allies Elected to Leadership Roles in Brazilian Congress VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- A second lawmaker endorsed by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been elected to a critical leadership role in Congress, possibly bolstering his political future amid dozens of calls for his resignation.
• Pakistan's Supreme Court Confirms Decision To Release Men Accused In Daniel Pearl Murder Case RFE/RL Gandhara 02 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered the release from prison of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the man acquitted of the gruesome beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl.
• Pakistani Court Orders Better Lodging for Man Convicted in US Journalist Pearl's Murder VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan's highest court has ordered that a man previously convicted of kidnapping and killing American journalist Daniel Pearl be moved from jail to a secure but more comfortable lodging and given access to his family.
• Vietnamese communist party wraps up 13th national congress People's Daily 02 Feb 2021 -- The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) concluded Monday morning in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.
• Netizens in Cambodia Draw Parallels Between Myanmar's Coup And PM Hun Sen Power Grabs Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2021 -- Netizens in Cambodia took to social media Tuesday in the wake of a military coup in regional neighbor Myanmar to lambast their country's government for its own authoritarian rule and to draw comparisons between the takeover and moves by Prime Minister Hun Sen to solidify power.
• Kyrgyzstan's First 'Islamic' Party Sparks Controversy RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Kyrgyz journalist turned politician Myktybek Arstanbek - who is known for promoting Islamic values on social media and in public statements - insists he is not a religious figure.