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News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraq, US-led Coalition Ramp Up Pressure on IS VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- Iraq and its Western allies appear to be accelerating a crackdown on elements of Islamic State, taking more key terror group leaders off the battlefield.
• Congressional Study Group Says US Should Not Rush Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan Sputnik 03 Feb 2021 -- A US congressionally mandated study group recommended in a report released on Wednesday that the United States not rush to pull troops out of Afghanistan if the Taliban fail to abide by the agreement they struck with Washington last February.
• Afghanistan: Detainee torture allegations remain 'alarming', UN report reveals UN News 03 Feb 2021 -- Torture claims among people detained for security or terrorism-related offences in Afghanistan remain high, according to a new UN human rights report published on Wednesday.
• UN Report Says Widespread Torture In Afghan Detention Centers RFE/RL Gandhara 03 Feb 2021 -- Nearly one-third of people detained on terror or security charges in Afghanistan are subject to torture or mistreatment in detention centers, according to a UN report.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary Conducts Off-Camera Briefing DoD 03 Feb 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• 7th Fleet Destroyer transits Taiwan Strait US Navy 03 Feb 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit Feb. 4 (local time) in accordance with international law. The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.
• USS Rafael Peralta Arrives in Yokosuka, Joins U.S 7th Fleet US Navy 03 Feb 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) arrived Feb. 4, to its new forward deployed location in Yokosuka, Japan.
• DOD Announces Release of the DOD Regional Sea Level Database DoD 03 Feb 2021 -- The Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program announced the public release of the DOD Regional Sea Level database today at https://drsl.serdp-estcp.org.
• Defense Official Discusses Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Human Decision-Making, AI DoD News 03 Feb 2021 -- Defeating a swarm of small unmanned aircraft systems may one day require faster decision making than what a single human being can provide, and may mean the use of artificial intelligence to make those decisions. Right now, though, rules of engagement still require a human in the loop.
• Austin Orders Military Stand Down to Address Challenge of Extremism in the Ranks DoD News 03 Feb 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered a DOD-wide stand down to discuss the problem of extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said today.
• On the Extension of the New START Treaty with the Russian Federation US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2021 -- "President Biden pledged to keep the American people safe from nuclear threats by restoring U.S. leadership on arms control and nonproliferation. Today, the United States took the first step toward making good on that pledge when it extended the New START Treaty with the Russian Federation for five years."
• New START Treaty Mythbusters US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2021 -- Fact Sheet
• US, Russia reach deal to extend nuclear arms treaty Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- The United States and Russia have reached a new deal to extend for five years a key nuclear arms treaty between the the two superpowers.
• New START Extension Agreement Comes Into Force, to Remain in Effect Until 5 February 2026 Sputnik 03 Feb 2021 -- The agreement on the extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) entered into force on 3 February, with Russia and the United States exchanging relevant notes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
• Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the extension of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Feb 2021 -- On February 3, 2021 the MFA of Russia and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow exchanged diplomatic notes regarding the completion of internal procedures required for the entry into force of the Agreement to extend the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of April 8, 2010 (New START).
• U.S., Russia Extend New START Nuclear Arms Treaty For 5 Years RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Russia and the United States have formally extended the New START nuclear arms-control treaty for another five years, just days before it was set to expire.
• North Atlantic Council Statement on the Extension of the New START Treaty NATO 03 Feb 2021
• NATO Boosts Black Sea Naval Presence VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- When it comes to the Black Sea, international attention has been focused for weeks on the opulent $1.37 billion mansion jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says is owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Manufacture of Equipment India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- The Government has taken a decision to put an interim embargo on import of 101 defence weapons/platforms with an intention to promote manufacture by Indian Industries.
• Joint Maritime Exercise India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Indian Navy conducts/participates in bilateral/multilateral maritime exercises and coordinated patrols (CORPATS) with friendly foreign countries on a regular basis.
• Anti-Access Area Denial Capabilities India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Indian Army is conscious of the threats manifesting along our borders and all measures as deemed necessary are being taken to mitigate the same.
• Ease of Doing Business in Defence Manufacturing India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Following measures have been taken up by Government to increase the ease of doing business in defence:
• Make in India Initiative India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Make in India initiative was launched by the Government on September 25, 2014 with the objective of facilitating investment, fostering innovation, building the best in class manufacturing infrastructure, making it easy to do business and enhancing skill development. The initiative is further aimed at creating a conducive environment for investment, modern and efficient infrastructure, opening up new sectors for foreign investment and forging a partnership between government and industry through positive mind-set.
• Shortage of Fighter Aircraft India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- The deficiencies in number of fighter squadrons arise from time to time due to obsolescence and phasing out of equipment. These deficiencies are made good by planned induction, which is a continuous process.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh releases DRDO Documents & Procedures at Aero India 2021 India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released the Export Compendium of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which consists of defence systems and platforms, which can be exported to friendly countries at Aero-India 2021 on the inaugural day.
• Rs. 48,000 Crore Contract for 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas handed over to HAL at the Inaugural Ceremony of Aero India 2021 India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Today at Inaugural Ceremony of Aero India 2021, in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, the Contract for 83 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Iran self-sufficient in rebuilding, overhauling helicopters: Cmdr IRNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Iran has successfully attained self-sufficiency in rebuilding and overhauling helicopters, Commander of Army Aviation Second Brigadier-General Yousef Ghorbani said on Wednesday.
• Iran to upgrade technology for manufacturing jetfighters: Defense Minister IRNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Iranian Minister of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces Brigadier-General Amir Hatami said on Wednesday that Iran is working to upgrade technology for manufacturing jetfighters.
• Iran to upgrade its fighter plane technology: Defense chief Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Iran's defense chief says US sanctions have not prevented the Islamic Republic from advancing its air defense squadrons, declaring that the country is seeking to upgrade its fighter aircraft technology to an even higher degree.
• Taiwan military announces rule changes to reservist call-up system CNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Taiwan's military on Wednesday announced that beginning in 2022 it will introduce new rules governing the call up of reservists to improve the combat readiness of the country's reserve forces.
• UK commits to deeper defence and security cooperation with Japan UK MOD 03 Feb 2021 -- HMS Queen Elizabeth's deployment to Indo Pacific later this year will enhance Japan and UK defence cooperation
• Biden to Set Foreign Policy Tone in Thursday Remarks VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will set the tone for his foreign policy vision during his first major speech at the State Department on Thursday.
• Department Press Briefing – February 3, 2021 US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea The White House 03 Feb 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia The White House 03 Feb 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 3, 2021 The White House 03 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Senior Polish Officials The White House 03 Feb 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 3, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 3 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Feb 2021
• Biden Administration Promises Continued US Support For Tibet Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2021 -- The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden will continue to promote policies supporting human rights for Tibetans living under Chinese rule, working with allies to press Beijing to engage in dialogue with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the State Department said this week.
• Impact of Abrogation of Article 370 On J&K India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- After the constitutional changes and reorganization of the erstwhile State of Jammu-Kashmir, the Union territories of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh have been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation. As a result, all the rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and benefits of all the Central Laws that were being enjoyed by other citizens of the country are now available to the people of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Stimulus Package for J & K India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved business revival package of Rs. 1,352.99 Crore on 25th September, 2020.
• Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over LoC ceasefire violations People's Daily 03 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat on Tuesday to lodge a protest over ceasefire violations by Indian military along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir region, the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said.
• Lebanon fires missile at Israeli drone breaching airspace Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Lebanon's armed forces have fired a missile at an Israeli drone as the aircraft violated the Lebanese airspace.
• Urgent steps needed to alleviate suffering in Ethiopia's Tigray region: Guterres UN News 03 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations Secretary-General, on Tuesday, voiced grave concerns over the crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region and underscored the need for urgent efforts to protect populations at risk.
• Two Soldiers, Four 'Terrorists' Killed In Raid In Pakistan Tribal District RFE/RL Gandhara 03 Feb 2021 -- The Pakistani military says troops have raided a militant compound in the northwestern North Waziristan tribal district, triggering a shoot-out that killed four "terrorists" and two soldiers.
• 'Meaningful and inclusive' dialogue essential to end upsurge in clashes across Central African Republic UN News 03 Feb 2021 -- The UN chief António Guterres on Wednesday said he continues to be "very concerned" about armed clashes and the threat to civilian life across the Central African Republic, where around 200,000 have been displaced by fighting in under two months.

News Reports

• Government of Canada lists 13 new groups as terrorist entities and completes review of seven others Public Safety Canada 03 Feb 2021 -- Canadians expect their government to take all necessary steps to keep them safe, while safeguarding their values, their rights and freedoms and the open, inclusive character of our country. The Criminal Code listing regime is an important tool for countering terrorism in Canada and globally, and is part of that commitment.
• Canada Designates 'Neo-Fascist' Proud Boys as Terrorist Entity VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- Canada became the first country Wednesday to formally designate the Proud Boys a terrorist entity, according to the nation's public safety ministry.
• Member of Proud Boys Charged with Obstructing an Official Proceeding, Other Charges Related to the Jan. 6 Riots USAG - DC 03 Feb 2021 -- A member of the Proud Boys, a nationalist organization, was arrested today and charged in federal court in the District of Columbia with obstructing or impeding an official proceeding, among other charges.
• G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Situation in Burma US Dept. of State 03 Feb 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.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Charged And Held as Doctors Mount Civil Disobedience Drive Against Myanmar Army Coup Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2021 -- Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been remanded in custody on obscure import law charges, her party's spokesman said Wednesday as citizens and health workers stepped up a campaign against Monday's military takeover in the multi-ethnic nation of 54 million people.
• G-7 Condemns Myanmar Coup VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- Foreign ministers from the G-7 group of nations on Wednesday condemned the coup in Myanmar and expressed deep concern about the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders.
• G7 calls for return to political rule in coup-hit Myanmar Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major industrialized countries have expressed deep concern about the recent military coup in Myanmar and the detention of the country's top political leaders.
• Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Charged With Illegally Importing Walkie-Talkies VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- Authorities in Myanmar have filed charges against detained de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi for violating import-export laws, two days after the military seized power.
• Myanmar's police file charges against Suu Kyi Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's police have filed charges against the overthrown de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sought her detention until mid-February for investigation in the wake of a recent military coup.
• FM denies claims China backs Myanmar upheaval, expresses shock on doc leak at UN Security Council Global Times 03 Feb 2021 -- China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday refuted claims that China may have supported or acquiesced in the political upheaval in Myanmar.
• Chinese Economic Ties Imply Beijing Support for Myanmar Coup: Analyst Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2021 -- The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s wide-ranging economic interests in Myanmar have likely led to a muted response to the military coup in the country from Beijing, according to a Chinese political commentator.
• UN Chief: 'Unacceptable' Myanmar Coup Must Fail VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the United Nations would work to mobilize key international actors to pressure Myanmar "to make sure" that the country's military coup fails.
• Inter-Parliamentary Union Condemns Myanmar Coup as Threat to Democracy, Human Rights VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- The Inter-Parliamentary Union has strongly condemned the military coup in Myanmar, calling it a major setback for democracy and a subversion of the will of the people. IPU membership includes parliamentary bodies from 179 of the world's 193 countries.
• Documents Show Firm That Created Security, Communications Systems For Russian Government Also Worked On 'Putin's Palace' RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Last month, jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation released a video exposé detailing a $1.35 billion residential complex on the Black Sea coast that was allegedly built for President Vladimir Putin's use. Navalny's team called the massive project "the world's largest bribe."
• Russia Ups Legal Pressure on Foreign Media Outlets VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- At an appeals hearing Tuesday, Russian prosecutors accused journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva of being a "mouthpiece of the West" as the court upheld her conviction of "justifying terrorism."
• Russia Dismisses Western Criticism of Navalny Sentencing VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- The Russian government dismissed Western criticism Wednesday of its sentencing of opposition politician Alexey Navalny and the massive rallies that followed that resulted in the arrest of hundreds of protestors.
• Russia: UN rights office 'deeply dismayed' by Navalny sentencing UN News 03 Feb 2021 -- The UN human rights office, OHCHR, expressed dismay on Wednesday over the sentencing of Russian opposition politician and activist Aleksei Navalny, and urged the authorities to release scores of his supporters arrested during rallies protesting his detention.
• Russian court hands down prison term to Alexei Navalny Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- A court in Russia has sentenced opposition figure Alexei Navalny to three and a half years in prison for breaking the terms of a suspended sentence he had received seven years ago for an embezzlement case.
• Moscow Defiant As Pressure Mounts On Russia Over Navalny Prison Sentence RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Russian officials stood defiant as Western countries ratcheted up pressure on the Kremlin after a Moscow court a day earlier sentenced Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to jail time, a move that sparked immediate protests in Russia amid suspicions the ruling was aimed at crushing growing dissent inside Russia.
• Russia's Opposition Takes Stock After Navalny Jailing RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Ahead of a ruling that would land him behind bars for more than two years, Aleksei Navalny stood behind the glass of a courtroom cage on February 2 to address the thousands who took the streets in his support for two consecutive weekends and denounce the government he says orchestrated his prosecution after it failed to ensure his silence through assassination.
• Russian opposition leader Navalny gets 3.5 years in prison People's Daily 03 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court on Tuesday sentenced Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 3.5 years in real jail time in defiance of pressure from domestic protesters and Western countries.
• Bangladesh secretly purchased mass surveillance equipment from Israel: Report Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Bangladesh has reportedly purchased mass surveillance equipment from Israel to spy on its own people, even though the country claims to have no official relations with the Tel Aviv regime.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 3, 2021 PRC MofA 03 Feb 2021
• Hong Kong to 'Reform' Critical Thinking Program With China-Focused Content Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2021 -- The Hong Kong government has revealed to the education sector its plans to re-purpose Liberal Studies in the city's schools, skewing it towards the patriotic indoctrination favored by Beijing.
• Lawmakers Urge Probe of Xinjiang Genocide Amid Reports of 'Systematic' Rape in Internment Camps Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2021 -- International lawmakers have called on their governments to urgently probe allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in response to shocking new allegations of widespread rape by former internment camp detainees.
• U.S. urges China to stop pressuring Taiwan CNA 03 Feb 2021 -- The United States has urged Beijing to stop putting pressure on Taiwan in multiple spheres in response to a senior Chinese official's comment that Washington should respect Beijing's position on Taiwan.
• North Korea's Systematic Rights Violations May Amount to Crimes Against Humanity, UN Says VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- A report by the UN Human Rights Office accuses North Korea of systematic, widespread human rights violations to maintain control over the population, which UN officials say may amount to crimes against humanity.
• Complaint Seeks Forfeiture of Iranian Oil Aboard Tanker Based on Connection to Terror Group US Dept. of Justice 03 Feb 2021 -- The United States filed a forfeiture complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that all oil aboard a Liberian-flagged vessel, the M/T Achilleas (Achilleas), is subject to forfeiture based on U.S. terrorism forfeiture laws.
• Iran says non-participant US has no right to assess Iran JCPOA compliance IRNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Spokesperson for Iranian permanent mission to the United Nations Alireza Miryousefi said that non-participant United States has no right to assess Iranian compliance to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
• No clause of JCPOA to change, no one to be added to it: President Rouhani ISNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Defending the year 1400 budget bill, Iranian president reiterated that it is the right of the Islamic Consultative Assembly to approve or reject the budget bill, but in connection with this budget, there were interviews and defamation for two months, which we did not expect".
• EU trying to revitalize JCPOA IRNA 03 Feb 2021 -- The European Union is trying to revitalize the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as well as highlight its role as a key player in resolving international disputes.
• Rouhani rejects calls for changes to Iran deal, its original signatories Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has once again rejected calls for changes to the content of the 2015 nuclear deal and its original participants, after France said any new negotiations on the multilateral agreement should also include the Saudi regime.
• Iran: Not up to US to assess Iran's compliance with JCPOA Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations says the US is no longer a participant to the 2015 nuclear deal and thus in no position to comment on Tehran's compliance with its obligations under the accord.
• Crew of seized South Korean ship allowed to leave Iran: Khatibzadeh ISNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh says Tehran has, in a humanitarian move, allowed the crew members of the South Korean ship seized by Iran due to environmental concerns, to leave the country.
• South Korea finalizing talks with US on using Iran's frozen assets to pay UN dues: Official Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- A South Korean Foreign Ministry official says his country is finalizing talks with the US on Iran's payment of its UN membership dues through using some of its frozen assets in the East Asian nation.
• Supreme Leader: Enemies can do nothing to confront Islamic Republic IRNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said in an online meeting with the eulogists (Maddahan) on Wednesday that enemies cannot do anything to confront the Islamic Republic and that Islam and the Islamic Republic will become stronger and stronger every day.
• Iran's gas refining capacity up 28-fold in 42 years IRNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Iran's daily gas refining capacity stood at 36 million cubic meters before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, which experienced a 28-fold increase within 42 years.
• UN's Top Court Says It Can Hear U.S.-Iran Sanctions Case RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- The UN's highest court has ruled that it can consider a case filed by Iran against the United States that seeks to lift sanctions on Tehran.
• Iran hails UN court's rebuff of US objections in sanctions case Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hails an interim ruling by the United Nations' top court rebuffing Washington's claim that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to judge a lawsuit filed by Tehran against illegal US sanctions.
• Iran carries operation to successfully release borderguards from captivity IRNA 03 Feb 2021 -- Iran's intelligence forces carried a successful operation in southeastern Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchestan to release two borderguards abducted by Jaish al-Zolm terrorist group two years ago.
• Arabic In Schools: New Requirement Rekindles Identity Debate In Pakistan RFE/RL Gandhara 03 Feb 2021 -- A new bill making the study of Arabic compulsory at Islamabad's schools has rekindled a debate over whether the Pakistani capital should mold the country's diverse population into an Islamic nation or embrace being a multicultural state.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session SPA 03 Feb 2021 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister, chaired today the Cabinet's virtual session.
• Space Activities in India India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Government today said that ISRO has got a structured technology transfer mechanism to transfer the identified technologies developed by ISRO for spin-off and other commercial applications on non-exclusive basis.
• EU Questions Ukrainian President's Sanctions On TV Stations RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- The European Union has questioned a move by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to sanction three television stations nominally owned by a member of a pro-Russian faction.
• Ukraine Sanctions 'Russian Trojan Horse' Media Assets Associated With Putin Friend RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine has sanctioned the media assets connected to a political heavyweight with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kyiv's latest move against pro-Kremlin figures inside the country.
• Lao Villagers Relocated From China-Backed Dam Lack Land to Grow Crops Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2021 -- Lao villagers resettled in mountaintop towns to make way for construction the China-backed Namtha 1 Dam in Luang Namtha province in northern Laos have been given houses and other facilities but now have no land to farm, leaving them unable to make a living in their new homes, Lao sources say.
• Trimmed-Down Kyrgyz Cabinet Sworn In After Parliament's Approval RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has approved a new, slimmed down government as the Central Asian nation moves forward less than four months after a public uprising ousted the country's rulers for the third time since 2005.
• Italy Summons 'Super Mario' to Halt Political Turmoil VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- Italy's president has turned to a former banker dubbed "Super Mario" to set up a government of national unity to replace a shaky coalition that collapsed last week amid infighting.