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News Reports

Current Operations

• NATO Chief Says Afghanistan Troop Pullout Depends on Taliban VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- Key Western defense officials appear to be signaling that a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan will not permit for the withdrawal of some 10,000 troops under the terms of a deal signed with the Taliban last February.
• Russia Alleges US, Not Taliban, Breaching Afghan Peace Deal VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- A top Russian diplomat says the Taliban insurgency is "flawlessly" adhering to the terms of a 2020 peace deal with the United States to help end the war in Afghanistan and is urging Washington not to renege on its commitments.
• Four Policemen Killed In Afghanistan Attacks RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Feb 2021 -- Two Afghan policemen were shot dead in eastern parts of Kabul on February 17, officials said, in the latest such attack in the capital.
• U.S. Commander: 'Much Higher' Taliban Violence Threatens Intra-Afghan Talks RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Feb 2021 -- Unusually high levels of fighting in the winter by Taliban militants risks further endangering an already fragile peace process in Afghanistan, according to the commander of U.S. forces in the war-wracked country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Directed Energy Combined Test Force oversees testing of anti-drone weapon US Air Force 17 Feb 2021 -- Throughout 2020, the 704th Test Group's Operating Location-AA, part of the Directed Energy Combined Test Force, or DE CTF, focused much of its effort on the testing of weapons designed to prevent adversarial drone observation and assault.
• Patrol Coastal Ships USS Shamal, USS Tornado and USS Zephyr Decommissioning Ceremonies US Navy 17 Feb 2021 -- Patrol coastal ships (PCs) were designed to provide littoral operations such as patrolling coastlines and interdiction surveillance. They are particularly suited for maritime homeland security missions and are capable of quickly responding to emergent requirements in a shallow water environment. PCs also work together with the U.S. Coast Guard to help protect the U.S. coastline, ports and waterways from terrorist attacks, illegal drugs and illegal immigration.
• Japan, US agree to extend deal on military base payments Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Washington and Tokyo have decided to extend an agreement on Japanese financial support for thousands of US troops stationed in the country.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Updates Reporters on DOD Operations DoD 17 Feb 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• USAFCENT tri-wing integration generates rapid airpower CENTCOM 17 Feb 2021 -- Three air expeditionary wings assigned to U.S. Air Forces Central participated in an integrated combat turn exercise, Feb. 13, 2021.
• Japanese CEO and Employees Charged in Scheme to Defraud U.S. Navy and Dump Wastewater in Ocean US Dept. of Justice 17 Feb 2021 -- Three Japanese nationals, including the president and chief executive officer of Yokohama, Japan-based Kanto Kosan Co. Ltd. (Kanto Kosan) were indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday in connection with an alleged long-running scheme to defraud the U.S. Navy and pollute Japanese waters by dumping contaminated water removed from U.S. Navy ships into the ocean.
• US Aims to 'Revitalize' Ties with NATO as Major Decisions Loom VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will be using his first ministerial meeting with NATO allies Wednesday to try to repair the frayed relationship, acknowledging that long-standing ties were, at times, strained under former U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Readout of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks at Day One of the NATO Defense Ministerial DoD 17 Feb 2021
• Austin Pleased With Discussions With NATO Leaders DoD News 17 Feb 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was pleased with the discussions held as part of the virtual NATO Defense Ministerial today, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
• NATO Defense Ministers Aim for New Chapter in Alliance History DoD News 17 Feb 2021 -- Europe and North America have an opportunity to open a new chapter in the security relationship within NATO, and the alliance defense chiefs are examining proposals during their virtual defense meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels today.
• Online press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the first day of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 17 Feb 2021
• NATO meets for post-Trump talks as Afghanistan pullout deadline looms Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- NATO defense ministers have met to discuss the possibility of staying in Afghanistan beyond the May withdrawal deadline agreed between the Taliban militant group and the United States under the administration of former US President Donald Trump.
• Coronavirus response: NATO and Latvia support to Ukraine NATO 17 Feb 2021 -- On February 17, Ukraine started receiving over 9000 litres of surface disinfectant from NATO's Pandemic Response Stockpile. The donation was coordinated by NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and the Republic of Latvia to respond to Ukraine's request for international assistance for COVID-19. The disinfectant will be distributed to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and its border guard detachments at border crossing points across the country.
• NATO Delivers Disinfectant To Ukraine To Help Battle COVID-19 RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- NATO says it is delivering over 9,000 liters of surface disinfectant to Ukraine in response to Kyiv's request for international assistance to combat COVID-19.
• Two Russian Su-27s Intercept French Military Aircraft Heading for Russian Borders Over Black Sea Sputnik 17 Feb 2021 -- Two Russian Su-27 fighters intercepted a group of French military aircraft over the Black Sea and escorted them until they flew away from Russia's borders, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) told reporters.
• PLA Navy commissions final Type 056A corvettes specialized in coastal defense Global Times 17 Feb 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently commissioned its last batch of Type 056A corvettes specialized in coastal defense, with the total number of the Type 056 series reaching 72, as analysts predicted on Wednesday that China could then shift focus to produce more larger warships as part of the country's aim to build a blue-water navy.
• Taiwan coast guard ships add new livery to distinguish them from China's CNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Taiwan's more-than 200 coast guard vessels will all soon be emblazoned with the word "Taiwan" to distinguish them from Chinese vessels.
• Increased outlay for BRO in Budget 2021-22 to boost border infrastructure India PIB 17 Feb 2021 -- Union Budget 2021-22 has proposed increased funding for Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to boost infrastructure in frontier areas.
• Union Cabinet approves enhanced delegation of financial powers under Capital Procurement to Deputy Chiefs and Command Chiefs of Armed Forces India PIB 17 Feb 2021 -- The Union Cabinet today approved enhanced delegation of Financial Powers under Capital Procurement to levels below Vice-Chief of Armed Forces.
• Navy forces conduct night shooting in joint military drills IRNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Spokesman for the Iran-Russia 2021 hybrid Maritime Security Belt Exercise Gholamreza Tahani said on Wednesday that night shooting operation to air targets was conducted.
• Iranian, Russian navies practice anti-piracy operations on 2nd day of drills Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Iranian and Russian naval forces have practiced anti-piracy operations, during which they rescued two hijacked merchant vessels, on the second day of their joint naval maneuvers in the Sea of Oman and the northern part of the Indian Ocean.
• Iran not seeking nukes but has right to access peaceful nuclear tech: Rouhani Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani has reiterated that Iran does not seek to develop nuclear weapons or a secretive nuclear program, but reserves the right to use peaceful nuclear technologies.
• WMDs have no place in Iran's defense doctrine: Rouhani IRNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic is determined that weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including nuclear weapons, have no place in the country's defense strategy.
• Royal Navy seizes £11 million worth of drugs in Arabian Sea UK MOD 17 Feb 2021 -- Royal Marines supported by the Royal Navy Warship HMS Montrose have intercepted over 2.6 tonnes of illicit drugs.
• Statement by Greg Moriarty, Secretary of the Department of Defence - Global Switch Ultimo Australia DOD 17 Feb 2021 -- Australians can be assured that Defence's data is safe.
• Finland - Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System DSCA 17 Feb 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Finland of Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $91.2 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Brolo US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2021
• Department Press Briefing – February 17, 2021 US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Call with National Security Advisor Hermogenes Esperon of the Philippines The White House 17 Feb 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Stephen Lovegrove, Incoming National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The White House 17 Feb 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel The White House 17 Feb 2021
• U.S. Neglecting Western Balkans As China Takes 'Smart' Regional Approach, Former Croatian President Says RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- The United States needs to step up its engagement with the Western Balkans if it wants to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the region, the former president of Croatia said.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 17, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 17 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Feb 2021
• US warship sails near islands claimed by China Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- The United States Navy says it has sailed a warship near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea.
• Chinese Research Ship Collects Samples, Tests Submersibles in Vietnam-Claimed Waters Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- A Chinese government scientific research ship has completed an expedition in waters disputed by Vietnam and China in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media and data from a ship-tracking platform.
• Intense Fighting Reported Outside Yemen's Marib VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- Intense fighting has been reported along several fronts outside the Yemeni city of Marib, controlled by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government of President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi. Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control the nearby capital of Sanaa, have been trying to capture Marib and strategic points surrounding it, including oil and gas production facilities.
• Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV In Yemeni Airspace Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 17 Feb 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki:
• Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward Khamis Mushait City SPA 17 Feb 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki
• Saudi-led Coalition Intercepts, Destroys Houthi Drone – Reports Sputnik 17 Feb 2021 -- The Saudi-led coalition has intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Yemeni Shia Houthi rebels, Saudi media reported.
• Joint Statement by the Representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey on the International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format, Sochi, 16-17 February 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Feb 2021 -- The representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey as guarantors of the Astana format:
• Iranian, Russian diplomats discuss Syria peace in Sochi ISNA 17 Feb 2021 -- The Iranian delegation headed by Ali-Asghar Khaji, the Iranian foreign minister's senior assistant in special political affairs, which has travelled to the Russian city of Sochi to attend the 15th International Meeting on Syria within the Astana Format, held talks with the Russian delegation headed by Alexander Lavrentiev, the Russian president's special envoy for Syria.
• Peace guarantors stress respect for Syria sovereignty, cooperation on eradicating terror Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Iran, Russia, and Turkey, the states that have been serving as the guarantors of an all-Syria ceasefire, stress the importance of respect for the Arab country's sovereignty and lay emphasis on the need to fight terrorism there until its complete eradication.
• Iran, Russia, Turkey resume Syria peace talks in Sochi Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey have launched a new round of negotiations in the Astana format between Syrian government delegates and representatives of foreign-sponsored opposition groups, months after the intra-Syrian peace talks were called off amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Claims Turkey Boosting Military Presence in Country Sputnik 17 Feb 2021 -- Syria's Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan on Wednesday at the Astana-format talks in Russia's Sochi accused Ankara of strengthening its military presence in the country.
• Food insecurity in Syria reaches record levels: WFP UN News 17 Feb 2021 -- The number of Syrians who lack access to sufficient food has reached a record 12.4 million, or nearly 60 per cent of the population, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Wednesday, citing "alarming" new national data.
• Joint statement: Rocket attacks in Erbil on 15 February 2021 UK FCDO 17 Feb 2021 -- The following statement was released by the US, France, Germany, Italy and the UK following the February 15 attack in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
• All foreign forces, mercenaries must leave Libya: UN's Guterres Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres has called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, which is moving toward the formation of a unity government ten years after its revolution.
• The Human Cost Of Balochistan's Separatist Conflict RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Feb 2021 -- The mysterious death of her daughter shattered Jamila, a grandmother in her 60s. She recalls the day she sent her eldest daughter, Karima Baloch, into exile in response to mounting threats in Pakistan.
• South Waziristan Bazaar Under Lockdown After Attack On Security Forces RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Feb 2021 -- Pakistani security forces have locked down two areas of the northwestern South Waziristan tribal district as they conduct search operations for militants following two recent deadly attacks claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.
• France's Macron rules out immediate reduction in troop numbers in Sahel Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out any immediate decrease in the number of French troops deployed to the Sahel region in West Africa.
• Judge At Kosovo Court Alerts EU Diplomats To Attempts To Undermine Court's Work RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- The head of a special court investigating war crimes allegedly committed during Kosovo's war of independence has told EU diplomats that the court is facing increased efforts to impede ongoing legal proceedings.
• 'Triple threat' adds to long-standing crises menacing food security in Somalia - FAO UN News 17 Feb 2021 -- Poor rainfall, flooding and desert locusts are contributing to extreme food insecurity in Somalia, threating 2.6 million people, the UN agriculture agency said in a new analysis released on Wednesday.
• Cameroonians Protest Alleged Rebel Murders of Village Chiefs VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- Hundreds of Cameroonians marched in the capital Yaoundé to protest the murders of three village chiefs by suspected rebels.

News Reports

• UNHCR to Help Identify Migrants in Mexico Eligible to Enter US VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will work to identify the most needy migrants waiting in Mexico and help them complete paperwork to pursue asylum claims in the United States, a U.S. official told VOA.
• Three North Koreans Indicted in Sony Hack VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. Justice Department has indicted three North Korean computer programmers for trying to extort and steal more than $1.3 billion as part of a global cyber scheme that included the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
• US Charges Three North Korean Spies for Attempted Cybertheft of $1.3B Worldwide Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- The United States has charged three North Korean military intelligence operatives with attempting the cybertheft of $1.3 billion from banks and cryptocurrency companies around the world, including South and Southeast Asia, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday.
• CISA, FBI, and Treasury Expose Latest Tool in North Korea's Cryptocurrency Theft Scheme – AppleJeus CISA 17 Feb 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued a joint cybersecurity advisory about North Korean government malicious activity the U.S. government refers to as "AppleJeus."
• Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers Delivers Remarks on the National Security Cyber Investigation into North Korean Operatives US Dept. of Justice 17 Feb 2021 -- Justice Department Announces New Charges in United States v. Jon Chang Hyok, Kim Il, and Park Jin Hyok (CDCA)
• Three North Korean Military Hackers Indicted in Wide-Ranging Scheme to Commit Cyberattacks and Financial Crimes Across the Globe US Dept. of Justice 17 Feb 2021 -- Indictment Expands 2018 Case that Detailed Attack on Sony Pictures and Creation of WannaCry Ransomware by Adding Two New Defendants and Recent Global Schemes to Steal Money and Cryptocurrency from Banks and Businesses while Operating in North Korea, China
• US Charges 3 North Korean Hackers in $1.3Bln Cyber Scheme, Justice Department Says Sputnik 17 Feb 2021 -- The United States has charged three North Korean hackers for allegedly orchestrating cyberattacks around the world to obtain $1.3 billion from financial institutions and businesses, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.
• Gunfire at Mandalay Rail Station Amid Creative Myanmar Protests And Appeals to Civil Servants Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- Police fired guns and sprayed teargas to disperse anti-coup demonstrators who were blocking tracks at a railway station in Myanmar's second-largest city Wednesday, as military junta opponents clogged streets with vehicles in a widening protest movement vying for the support of civil servants.
• Protesters in Myanmar Stage Largest Rallies Yet Against Junta VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- An apparent record number of people demonstrated in Myanmar Wednesday against the military since it's Feb. 1 coup, despite a ban on gatherings of at least five people.
• UN Rights Expert: Myanmar's Youth Will Not Go Backward VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- The U.N. special rapporteur for Myanmar says the country's youth have "had a taste of freedom" and are not going to give up trying to reverse the military coup in their country.
• People stage big show of opposition to coup in Myanmar Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- People have taken to the streets in force in Myanmar's largest city of Yangon to protest the recent military coup and the detention of civilian leaders in the Southeast Asian country.
• We are prepared for the worst: Lawyer of Myanmar's Suu Kyi Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- The lawyer of Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi says he is preparing 'for the worst,' expressing his fear of a prolonged trial.
• Indonesia's Foreign Minister in Diplomatic Push for ASEAN Action on Myanmar Coup Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi traveled to Brunei on Wednesday and was to visit Singapore a day later as part of a diplomatic push to get Southeast Asian neighbors more involved in addressing the military coup in Myanmar.
• Myanmar crisis: 'Terrified' UN rights expert sounds alarm ahead of expected protests UN News 17 Feb 2021 -- The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has warned of the potential for a sharp uptick in violence on Wednesday, as protests continue against the 1 February military takeover of the government.
• U.S. Lawmakers Call On Biden Administration To Update Congress On Nord Stream 2 Sanctions RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called on the Biden administration to brief Congress on its steps to stop a controversial Russian natural-gas pipeline to Europe amid concerns it is nearing completion.
• European Court of Human Rights Calls on Russia to Free Navalny VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is calling on Russia to release top Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny.
• European Rights Court Rules Russia Should 'Immediately' Release Navalny RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has called for the "immediate" release of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, a demand quickly rejected by Russian officials.
• Ex-President Of Russian Track And Field Federation, Other Officials Banned In Doping Case RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- The former head of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF), Dmitry Shlyakhtin, was among five officials banned on February 17 for four years after a disciplinary tribunal upheld all charges against them in a probe into high jumper Danil Lysenko.
• Forced to Pledge Allegiance, Hong Kong Civil Servants Wary About Future VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- Hong Kong's government has given employees at public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) until Thursday to decide whether to sign an oath of loyalty to the Chinese special administrative region, VOA has been told.
• Jimmy Lai arrested in prison on fresh charge of national security violations Global Times 17 Feb 2021 -- Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai was arrested by Hong Kong police on charges of "aiding criminals" and "colluding with foreign forces" while he is still in custody for suspected violations of the national security law for Hong Kong after he was denied bail.
• Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Rearrested on Further Charges Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- Police in Hong Kong have rearrested jailed pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, who is currently awaiting trial for "collusion with foreign powers" under a draconian national security law, this time on suspicion of aiding an activist who tried to flee to democratic Taiwan by speedboat.
• US President Biden Warns China of 'Repercussions' For Rights Abuses in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- China will face "repercussions" if it continues to perpetrate human rights abuses against its people, U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday, including Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), where Washington has said authorities are carrying out genocide and crimes against humanity.
• China not targeting US in rare-earth exports, but option remains Global Times 17 Feb 2021 -- China's rare-earth exports to the US are not being restricted and are continuing unaffected, but reviews of such an option may have been done and measures could be taken against foreign companies that hurt China's interests, when necessary, experts and industry sources said.
• Chinese Company to Begin Exploring Iron Mining in Laos' Xaysomboun Province Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- A Chinese company has signed an agreement with central Laos' Xaysomboun province to begin preliminary studies for iron mining operations, RFA has learned, raising fears of polluted rivers and fields among villagers and environmentalists.
• Chinese spy planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ for 11th day in February CNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Two Chinese spy planes entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, the 11th day on which such intrusions have occurred in February.
• Hungry North Koreans Gripe at Being Forced to Sing and Dance For Late Former Leader Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2021 -- North Koreans pressed into mass public tributes to late leader Kim Jong Il for his 79th birth anniversary this month are now struggling to support themselves after missing work for political meetings, patriotic singing contests and dance parties, sources in the country told RFA.
• As Biden Mulls North Korea, Some Urge Arms Control Approach VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump tried threats of "fire and fury," followed by personal letters and made-for-TV summits to convince North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons.
• Blame Game Intensifies Over Iranian Accomplice To Assassination Of Top Nuclear Scientist RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- A blame game has intensified in Iran more than two months after the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist and the purported mastermind of an alleged atomic-weapons effort, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
• Iran Wants 'Action Not Words' From Parties To Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iran wants to see "action not words" from the signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, after the new U.S. administration said it could return to the pact that was abandoned by former President Donald Trump.
• Rouhani: Lifting inhuman US sanctions only way to maintain JCPOA IRNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the only way to maintain the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is to lift inhuman US sanctions.
• Supreme Leader: Rhetorics enough; Iran seeks only action on JCPOA IRNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Iran has had enough of rhetorics about the JCPOA and seeks only action this time. He said Iran will take action only when it sees the other parties are taking action as well.
• About JCPOA, the other side's actions matter not their promises: Supreme Leader ISNA 17 Feb 2021 -- On the anniversary of the Popular Uprising of the People of Tabriz, which took place on February 18, 1978, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei met with people from East Azerbaijan Province via video conference on Wednesday.
• Iran's envoy explains measures that Iran will halt from February 23 ISNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Ambassador and permanent representative of Iran to the International Organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharibabadi explained measures that Iran will take from February 23 based on the resolution of the Parliament on stopping the implementation of the Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• US Calls on Iran to Reverse Decision to Limit IAEA Inspections, State Department Says Sputnik 17 Feb 2021 -- The United States urged Iran to reverse the decision to limit inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
• IAEA confirms Iran notified it of plan to end Additional Protocol inspections Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran has informed the UN nuclear watchdog of its plan to cease the voluntary implementation of Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty's Safeguards Agreements.
• So far, Biden has retained Trump's disgraceful maximum pressure policy: Zarif Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says so far, the administration of US President Joe Biden has kept up his predecessor Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" policy towards Iran that has brought along nothing but defeat and disgrace for Washington.
• Trial Opens Of Former Belarusian Banker, Would-Be Presidential Candidate RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- Viktar Babaryka, a former Belarusian banker whose bid to challenge Alyaksandr Lukashenka in last year's presidential election was halted by his arrest, and his six co-defendants have gone on trial.
• UK-Canada joint ministerial statement on crackdown on Belarusian civil society UK FCDO 17 Feb 2021 -- The UK and Canada have issued a statement in response to detentions and targeted raids by the Belarusian authorities against human rights and media organisations.
• Visegrad Group Marks 30 Years, Discusses Common Goals RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- Leaders of four Central European nations - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia - gathered on February 17 in the Polish city of Krakow to mark 30 years of the Visegrad Group, an informal body of political and economic cooperation in the region.
• Georgian Court Rules To Detain Opposition Leader RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- A Georgian court has ruled to place the head of the country's main opposition force in pretrial detention in a case denounced by the opposition as a political witch hunt.
• Heir Apparent? The Grooming Of Turkmenistan's Serdar Berdymukhammedov RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- It has been obvious for several years that Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has been grooming his son, Serdar, to become the country's next leader.
• Ten Years After Arab Spring, Egypt's Press Freedom Dwindles VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- In February 2011, thousands gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding democracy and greater freedoms, including for the media.