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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Islamic State Poised for Possible Resurgence in Afghanistan, US Officials Warn VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- The Islamic State's affiliate in Afghanistan – seemingly pushed to the brink last year following unrelenting pressure from the U.S. and Afghan militaries, and by multiple Taliban offenses – appears to have recovered and may soon look to strike further afield, according to U.S. military and intelligence officials.
• Violence Still 'Too High' in Afghanistan, US General Says VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Multiple attacks in Afghanistan Tuesday killed at least 10 police officers and government employees, a day after a top U.S. general warned violence in Afghanistan was "simply too high."
• Four Afghan Government Employees Shot Dead In Kabul RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Feb 2021 -- Afghan officials say unidentified gunmen have shot dead four government employees in the capital.
• India-Funded Dam Project Promises Clean Water For Kabul Residents RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Feb 2021 -- Afghanistan and India have signed an agreement to build a $236 million dam that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says will provide residents of the capital, Kabul, with clean water.
• Signing ceremony of MoU for the construction of the Lalandar "Shatoot" Dam in Afghanistan India PIB 09 Feb 2021 -- A signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] for the construction of the Lalandar [Shatoot] Dam in Afghanistan took place over VTC on 9 February 2021. The MoU was signed by EAM Dr. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Mr. Hanif Atmar, in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Afghanistan H.E. Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
• Militants kill four Afghan government employees in Kabul ambush Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Heavily-armed militants have killed at least four government employees during an ambush in central Kabul as violent attacks continue to rock the Afghan capital city.
• Michigan National Guard maintains unprecedented pace in 2021 Army News 09 Feb 2021 -- In 2020, the men and women of the Michigan National Guard were there time and time again to support their fellow Michiganders, from providing COVID-19 relief and assisting with recovery after 500-year floods to serving as a peaceful presence during civil disturbances.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 09 Feb 2021
• Pentagon: Extremist groups aggressively recruiting US military service members Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- The Pentagon has acknowledged that extremist groups are "very aggressively" recruiting US military service members, amid reports that a significant percentage of former President Donald Trump's extremist supporters who launched a violent march on the Capitol on January 6 were active duty service members and others were military veterans.
• DOD Announces New Deputy Secretary of Defense DoD 09 Feb 2021 -- The Honorable Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks was sworn in as the 35th Deputy Secretary of Defense today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana DoD 09 Feb 2021
• New Officials Sworn-In at the Department of Defense DoD 09 Feb 2021 -- The following individuals have been sworn-in virtually or in-person from Jan. 21, 2021, through today, Feb. 9, 2021.
• Hicks Takes Reins as Deputy Secretary of Defense DoD News 09 Feb 2021 -- The Defense Department's glass ceiling is cracking: Kathleen H. Hicks was sworn in as the 35th deputy secretary of defense today.
• Great Power Competition Adds to Challenges in Middle East DoD News 09 Feb 2021 -- Great power competition is adding a level of risk and uncertainty in an already risky and uncertain part of the world: the Middle East, the commander of U.S. Central Command said.
• Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, Embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Enter Arabian Gulf US Navy 09 Feb 2021 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) and dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) transited the Strait of Hormuz, entering the Arabian Gulf Feb. 8.
• China completes construction of medium-thrust aeroengine production line Global Times 09 Feb 2021 -- A Chinese arms firm has recently completed construction of a third-generation medium-thrust aeroengine production line, and analysts said that China can now mass produce warplanes without having to rely on imported engines.
• China's largest maritime patrol ship in Taiwan Straits launched Global Times 09 Feb 2021 -- A patrol ship in the Taiwan Straits, developed by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corp (CSIC), held its launching ceremony on Monday, and will become China's largest maritime patrol rescue vessel in the Straits after it is commissioned.
• North Korea advanced weapons programs under sanctions in 2020: UN Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- A United Nations (UN) report says North Korea maintained and developed its nuclear and ballistic missile programs under harsh international sanctions last year.
• UN Sanctions Report Shows North Korea Made Progress in Missile Technology, Source Claims Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- North Korea continued to develop its defence infrastructure in 2020 and achieved notable progress in its missile technology throughout the past year, a UN source with knowledge of the sanctions monitoring regime told Sputnik.
• Leaked Report Says Cybercrime Spree Funded N Korea Nukes, Missiles VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- A confidential United Nations report says North Korea has used cyberattacks to steal hundreds of millions of dollars to fund its nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities, in violation of international law.
• IRGC Ground Force set to stage military drill in coming days: Commander Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force is set to stage a military exercise in the coming days to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, says the force commander.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 9, 2021 The White House 09 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Sudanese PM Hamdok US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Singapore Foreign Minister Balakrishnan US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2021
• Department Press Briefing – February 9, 2021 US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 9, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 9 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Feb 2021
• Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Operates with Nimitz Carrier Strike Group US Navy 09 Feb 2021 -- The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group conducted dual carrier operations with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea Feb. 9.
• Two US Navy carrier groups conduct exercises in South China Sea Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Two US Navy carrier groups have conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea in a move decried by Beijing as damaging peace and stability in the region.
• US dual carrier drills in S. China Sea 'symbolic, not militarily practical' Global Times 09 Feb 2021 -- The US dual aircraft carrier operations in the South China Sea on Tuesday have more symbolic and political meanings rather than military significance, as the US is fully aware of the power of China's anti-ship ballistic missiles, Chinese military experts said.
• U.S. Carrier Strike Groups, French Submarine Complete South China Sea Operations Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- Two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups conducted dual operations in the South China Sea on Tuesday, the latest in a series of U.S. military maneuvers in those turbulent waters.
• Philippines to Increase Sea Presence in Response to Chinese Coast Guard Law Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- The new Philippine military commander said Tuesday he was ordering more assets deployed to the South China Sea to safeguard fishermen after Beijing passed a law empowering its coast guard to use force against foreign boats in the contested waterway.
• US plans to keep up pressure on Yemen's Ansarullah despite delisting plan Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- The US State Department spokesman says Washington will keep up pressure on the leadership of Yemen's popular Ansarullah movement, even though Secretary of State Antony Blinken is said to be planning to delist the group as a "terrorist" organization.
• Pentagon claims US troops 'not guarding' oil fields in Syria Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- A Pentagon spokesman has claimed that the American troops deployed to Syria are not protecting oil reserves in the Arab country, while admitting that an American firm is exploiting Syrian oil without authorization from Damascus.
• US Troops Not Involved in Guarding Syria's Stolen Oil, Pentagon Says Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- In 2019, the US redeployed troops from the Syrian-Turkish border into the war-torn country's interior, with President Donald Trump admitting freely that the forces were assigned to "take the oil." Russia estimates that the Pentagon, the CIA, contractors and Kurdish militias make over $30 million a month smuggling the stolen oil out of the country.
• Without 'constructive international diplomacy' Syria's peace process will not move forward UN News 09 Feb 2021 -- The UN Special Envoy for Syria said there had to be "constructive international diplomacy" if the peace process is to move forward in any way, appearing before the Security Council behind closed doors on Tuesday.
• Ukraine Demands Twitter Remove 'Official' Russian Foreign Ministry Account In Occupied Crimea RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine is calling on Twitter to remove a "blue check" verified account of the Russian Foreign Ministry's office in Crimea, accusing the social-media giant of promoting Kremlin propaganda.
• Azerbaijan Sues Armenia At European Court Over Nagorno-Karabakh RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- Azerbaijan has filed a lawsuit against Armenia with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), accusing Yerevan of human rights violations during its almost 30-year occupation of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts, and during the 44-day conflict over the disputed region in 2020.
• New ICC ruling 'opens the door' for justice in occupied Palestine – Independent UN expert UN News 09 Feb 2021 -- The ruling of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that is does have jurisdiction over grave crimes committed in occupied Palestinian territory is a "significant step forward in the quest for justice and accountability", an independent UN human rights expert said on Tuesday.
• At Least 10 Dead in New Congo Attack VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- At least 10 people have died in an overnight attack on a village in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

News Reports

• US Senate to Proceed with Trump Impeachment Trial VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to proceed with the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump on a charge that he incited insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last month by urging hundreds of his supporters to confront lawmakers as they met to certify that Democrat Joe Biden had defeated him in last November's election.
• Myanmar Forces Raid Ruling Party Headquarters, Woman Shot in Anti-Coup Protests Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar security forces raided the headquarters of deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party on Tuesday, a party official said, as nationwide demonstrations against the military takeover turned bloody when police fired on a large crowd in the capital, wounding two protesters.
• Health Care Feels The Pinch as Myanmar Medical Workers Join Civil Disobedience Movement Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's health service is on the verge of a breakdown as medical workers and providers join a nationwide civil disobedience campaign opposing the military power takeover, forcing most hospitals and intensive care units in government facilities to close their doors, hospital officials in Yangon said Tuesday.
• Myanmar Police Crack Down on Protesters VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar police cracked down on people protesting Myanmar's military coup in the capital of Naypyitaw on Tuesday by firing warning shots, rubber bullets and water cannons, seriously injuring at least two protesters with what are believed to be gunshot wounds.
• Demonstrations Resume in Myanmar Against Military Junta Despite Curfews and Restrictions VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Demonstrators gathered in the streets of Myanmar's capital again Tuesday for a fourth consecutive day, defying a set of restrictions imposed by the military junta aimed at stopping the massive protests against the overthrow of the elected civilian government.
• Myanmar: UN office expresses 'strong concern' at use of force against demonstrators UN News 09 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations in Myanmar has voiced strong concerns over Tuesday's reported use of force by security forces against demonstrators protesting the military takeover and arrests of elected leaders and politicians.
• Myanmar's military raids ruling party's headquarters Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's military has raided ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party headquarters in the country's largest city of Yangon, as military rulers seek to stamp out growing protests against a military coup.
• Myanmar anti-coup rallies: Military attacks protesters with rubber bullets, tear gas Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's military has fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of people who took to the streets for the fourth consecutive day to protest against the recent coup d'état in the country.
• Six Injured, Two Critically, as Myanmar Police Disperse Protests in Capital, Reports Say Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- Six people were injured, two of them critically, in a police shooting during protests in the Myanmar capital of Naypyitaw on Tuesday, media reported.
• Military Deployed to Yangon's Streets as Myanmar Protests Enter 4th Day, Reports Suggest Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- Soldiers wearing bulletproof vests and armed with both metal shields and automatic firearms have joined police deployed on the streets of Myanmar's largest city of Yangon as nationwide protests against the military takeover entered the fourth day on Tuesday, The Irrawaddy news website reported.
• Haitians Alarmed After President Retires 3 Supreme Court Justices VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Haitian President Jovenel Moise has retired three Supreme Court justices, two days after announcing a foiled coup attempt.
• Tensions Run High in Haiti Amid New Anti-Government Protest Calling for President to Step Down VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Tensions are running high in Haiti Tuesday, a day after police clashed with anti-government protesters demanding that embattled President Jovenel Moise resign.
• Top EU Diplomat Says Bloc Mulls New Sanctions Against 'Merciless' Russia RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has said his visit to Moscow last week showed that Russia is heading down a "worrisome, authoritarian route," and warned the Kremlin it could face new sanctions over the jailing of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.
• EU's Top Diplomat Borrell Says Bloc Could Impose Further Sanctions on Russia Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- The European Union might impose new sanctions on Russia, the high representative for the foreign policy, Josep Borrell, said Tuesday, adding that he would make some "concrete proposals" at the upcoming high-level meeting.
• Navalny Spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh Remanded Under House Arrest RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court has rejected an appeal by Kira Yarmysh, spokeswoman of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, against her detention.
• Navalny Team Switches Tactics In Call For New Protest In Russia RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- The leader of the network of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's teams across Russia has called for new anti-government protests in courtyards and backyards across the country, a change in tactics from mass street rallies that resulted in thousands of arrests.
• Russia calls Navalny associates 'traitors' over push for Western sanctions Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Russia has accused the associates of opposition figure Alexei Navalny of treason for pushing the West to consider possible sanctions against the Kremlin over his imprisonment.
• Russian State TV Investigated The German House Where Navalny Recuperated From Novichok. Mockery Ensued. RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- It was billed as a bombshell: an exposé on Russian state television that promised to rip the roof off the "luxurious" German house where opposition politician Aleksei Navalny lived while recuperating from a near-fatal nerve-agent poisoning, allegedly at the hands of Russian security agents.
• Germany Offered U.S. 'Dirty Deal' On Nord Stream 2, Eco-Group Claims RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- An environmental and consumer protection group says the German government offered U.S. President Donald Trump's administration financial support of up to 1 billion euros ($1.21 billion) in a bid to prevent Washington from imposing sanctions on the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 9, 2021 PRC MofA 09 Feb 2021
• Chinese Summit Gets Chilly Reception From Central, Eastern European Countries RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping chaired a long-delayed summit with Central and Eastern European countries amid growing division in the region over how to view Beijing's growing influence.
• Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Denied Bail in Test of National Security Law Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- Hong Kong's highest court on Thursday denied bail to pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, nearly six months after his arrest for alleged fraud and "colluding with foreign powers" in violation of a draconian national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party.
• Hong Kong's Highest Court Denies Bail for Media Tycoon and Pro-Democracy Activist VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai remains behind bars after the city's highest court denied him bail during a court appearance Tuesday.
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• Jimmy Lai denied bail in 'landmark ruling signaling HK common law system adapting to national security law' Global Times 09 Feb 2021 -- Hong Kong's top court denied bail on Tuesday for media tycoon and secessionist Jimmy Lai, who will stay behind bars until his trial on national security charges in April.
• China Uses Rape as Torture Tactic Against Uighur Detainees, Victims Say VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Uighurs who were once detained in internment camps in China's Xinjiang region say they have been sexually abused and raped during interrogations by Chinese authorities, while also witnessing other fellow detainees being raped.
• Lies about Xinjiang prove to be complete farce: FM spokesperson People's Daily 09 Feb 2021 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that lies about China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region concocted by some Western anti-China forces are "a complete farce to slander and smear China."
• Transportation Chief, Fellow 'Meshrep' Members Confirmed Jailed in Xinjiang's Kashgar Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- The head of Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture's Department of Transportation in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has been confirmed jailed for seven years, along with several members of his fraternal organization for Uyghur men, according to official sources.
• China Blocks Clubhouse App After Users Embrace 'Sensitive' Political Topics Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- After three days of a free-speech bonanza that included discussions of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) genocidal policies in Xinjiang and Tibet, its crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, and its military threats against democratic Taiwan, China's internet censorship machinery finally cranked into gear and banned the audio chat app Clubhouse.
• China Jails Publisher Geng Xiaonan, Who Spoke in Support of Dissident Xu Zhangrun Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2021 -- A court in Beijing has sentenced Chinese literary figure Geng Xiaonan, who angered the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by expressing public support for dissident professor Xu Zhangrun, to three years' imprisonment after finding her guilty of "illegal business operations."
• China's control center examines 52 BeiDou satellites PLA Daily 09 Feb 2021 -- China's Xi'an Satellite Control Center has completed a health check of 52 in-orbit BeiDou navigation satellites (BDS) ahead of the Spring Festival holiday, the Chinese Lunar New Year, the center said Tuesday.
• China publishes technical requirements for key civilian BDS products PLA Daily 09 Feb 2021 -- China has published six documents detailing technical requirements and test methods for key, or basic, civilian products using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS).
• Key to cross-strait peace lies in Beijing: President Tsai CNA 09 Feb 2021 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday said the key to maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait lies in the hands of China, but she reiterated her administration's willingness to engage in "meaningful dialogue" with Beijing on equal terms.
• South Korea's New Top Diplomat Says Dialogue With North Not Choice, But Obligation Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- A peace process on the Korean Peninsula is not a matter of choice, but an obligation, South Korea's new foreign minister said on Tuesday.
• North Korea Uses Military Holiday to Shake Down Citizens for Supplies Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2021 -- North Korea has forced citizens to donate aid to the military ahead of Army Day Monday, sparking resentment among people who can barely support themselves in an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, sources in the impoverished country told RFA.
• N.Korea holds WPK Central Committee plenum Global Times 09 Feb 2021 -- The ruling party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a plenary meeting on Monday to further carry out plans for the policies adopted at the eighth party congress in January, the Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday.
• 2nd Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee Held KCNA 09 Feb 2021 -- All the Party members and other people across the country, much encouraged by the practical programme for struggle and advance set forth at the historic 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), are full of confidence and enthusiasm to dynamically advance towards a fresh victory in the socialist construction by tiding over current challenges and difficulties by dint of single-minded unity and self-reliance under the leadership of the great Party.
• Iran set to unveil 50 nuclear achievements in April: AEOI chief IRNA 09 Feb 2021 -- Iran will unveil more than 50 achievements in the area of nuclear industry on April 9, the National Day of Nuclear Technology, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday.
• No one should expect Iran to take first step towards JCPOA: Rouhani Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani says no party should expect Iran to take the first step towards reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that the buck stops with the country that has abandoned the agreement.
• Zarif recounts Biden's choices: Go down Trump's failed path or return to compliance with Iran deal Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Iran's foreign minister says it is the United States that has to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement because Washington is the party that abandoned the deal and violated its terms, warning the new American administration against building on the failed policies of its predecessor.
• Iran hits milestone of 1 billion cubic meters in gas production Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zanganeh says Iran's gas production has hit the record high above 1 billion cubic meters a day, a milestone reached three years after the US imposed its most draconian sanctions ever on the Islamic Republic.
• Iran adding 100m barrels oil storage capacity IRNA 09 Feb 2021 -- CEO of Oil Industries Engineering and Construction Company (OIEC) said on Tuesday that it's working to add 100 million barrels to oil storage capacity, with a 3.5 million barrels storage under construction in Qeshm island.
• Pakistan's Top Court Orders Authorities To Rebuild Hindu Temple Destroyed By Mob RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has directed regional authorities in northwestern Pakistan to rebuild a century-old Hindu shrine that was destroyed in a mob attack in late December.
• Pakistan Approves Temporary Extension in Afghan Transit Trade Pact VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan has approved a three-month extension in its decade-old transit trade agreement with landlocked Afghanistan, allowing the two sides to finalize and sign a revised version of the document currently under review.
• UAE Probe Successfully Begins Orbit of Mars VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) space agency announced Tuesday that its unmanned Mars probe has arrived at the red planet and successfully entered orbit.
• Secretary General welcomes Ukrainian Prime Minister to NATO Headquarters NATO 09 Feb 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (9 February 2021). The Secretary General thanked Ukraine for its important contributions to NATO missions and operations and stressed that the country's status as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner will deepen NATO-Ukraine cooperation.
• Uzbek President Signs Law On Moving Forward Election RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has signed into law a bill approved by parliament on moving up the presidential election to October.
• UN chief welcomes Colombia's 'act of solidarity' with 1.7 million Venezuelans UN News 09 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations Secretary-General, on Monday, applauded the announcement by the President of Colombia that the country will provide temporary protection to all Venezuelans in its territory.
• Diesel Shortage Raises Fears for Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Experts are warning of a looming humanitarian crisis in Venezuela if President Joe Biden's new U.S. administration does not lift restrictions that are preventing the South American country from swapping its plentiful crude oil reserves for refined diesel fuel from abroad.
• Sudan Prime Minister Hamdok Names New Cabinet VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has named a new cabinet as he tries to push through major reforms and secure financing from foreign entities. The new cabinet includes leaders of rebel groups that signed a peace agreement with the government in the South Sudan capital, Juba, in October.
• Ecuador Voters to Determine Country's Next President in Runoff Election VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Ecuadorean presidential candidate Andrés Arauz is heading for a runoff vote in national elections after leading among a field of 16 candidates but not winning enough votes for an outright victory.
• Four Thai Activists Denied Bail Ahead of Next Month's Trial VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- Four Thai activists were denied bail Tuesday and a court determined they should be held until their trial for crimes against the monarchy during student-led protests last year in the capital, Bangkok.