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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US base in northern Iraq targeted with several rockets: Reports Press TV 20 Feb 2021 -- Several rockets have hit a US military base in Iraq's northern province of Salahuddin.
• Roadside bomb explosions in Afghanistan kill three, wound 20 Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- Two separate roadside bomb explosions have killed at least three people including a child and wounded 20 others in Afghanistan as several parts of the war-ravaged country continue to contend with rising violence.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Chinese military to build new-type training system amid external threats Global Times 21 Feb 2021 -- The Chinese military announced on Saturday that it will build a new type of training system that would improve military training in all respects, strengthen the capability to win wars and build the Chinese military into a world-class one.
• Iran Navy 71st fleet ends expedition at high seas IRNA 21 Feb 2021 -- Iranian Navy 71st fleet ending expedition at high seas docked at the southern port of Bandar Abbas.
• Iran held 10 maneuvers in Trump's last two months: Military chief Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- The Islamic Republic conducted 10 military maneuvers during the last two months of the tenure of Donald Trump, the former US president, to counter mounting pressure from his administration, says Iran's top military commander.
• Seven People Killed as Nigerian Military Aircraft Crashes Near Abuja - Photo, Video Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- An Abuja Airport spokeswoman said that a Nigerian Air Force plane crashed on Sunday while approaching the runway. However, authorities haven't provided further details on the incident.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemen's UN-brokered prisoner swap negotiations end in no deal Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- UN-brokered talks between Yemeni authorities and Saudi-backed former government officials over prisoner exchange have failed.
• Syrian troops open humanitarian corridor for civilians trapped in terrorist-held areas in Idlib Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- Syrian government forces have opened a new humanitarian corridor in the northwestern province of Idlib for the safe exit of civilians fleeing violence by foreign-backed terrorists.
• Libya's GNA Interior Minister Survives Assassination Attempt After Convoy Attacked West of Tripoli Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- The incident reportedly occurred on the Janzur-Tripoli highway. According to preliminary reports, one of the attackers has been neutralised.
• Libya's Interior Minister Survives Assassination Attempt VOA 21 Feb 2021 -- Libya's interior minister survived unscathed Sunday an attack by gunmen on his motorcade, according to sources from his office.
• Update: China, India expected to further disengage border troops following latest talks Global Times 21 Feb 2021 -- China and India reportedly held the 10th round of corps commander-level talks on Saturday, and Chinese analysts predicted on Sunday that the two countries' troops could further disengage at other previous hot spots after smooth disengagement at the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso days earlier.
• Joint Press Release of the 10th Round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting India PIB 21 Feb 2021 -- On February 20, the 10th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on the Chinese side of the Moldo/Chushul border meeting point.

News Reports

• Top Biden Adviser Suggests Russia Could See U.S. Response To SolarWinds Hack Within 'Weeks' RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan has warned that the United States will respond within "weeks, not months" to a suspected Russian cyberattack, discovered in December, that targeted branches of the U.S. government and other key institutions.
• Russia Reports First Case Of H5N8 Bird Flu In Humans RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- Russia has reported the first case of a bird-flu strain, H5N8, being passed from birds to humans.
• Russia confirms world's 1st case of human infection with A(H5N8) bird flu virus Global Times 21 Feb 2021 -- Russia has confirmed the first case of human infection with the avian influenza A(H5N8) virus in the world, a Russian sanitary official announced on Saturday.
• Guinea's Ebola Vaccination Postponed Amid Problems With Delivery Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- Ebola vaccination in Guinea is being delayed as the plane carrying a batch of vaccine doses was unable to land, the Guinea branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
• New Shooting Death in Yangon as Myanmar Braces for Major 'Five Two' Protests Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2021 -- The fatal shooting of a security guard in Myanmar's largest city was confirmed by family members Sunday, bringing the weekend death toll from the suppression of anti-military demonstrations to three, as protesters mourned fallen colleagues and the junta imposed curfews ahead of major nationwide protests planned to start the week.
• Bloody crackdown in Myanmar unacceptable to democracies: Taiwan CNA 21 Feb 2021 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Sunday that the bloody crackdown by Myanmar's military on pro-democracy protesters are "not acceptable" to the democratic world.
• Myanmar tensions far from over as UN chief slams junta's deadly crackdown Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations has censured Myanmar's military junta over a deadly crackdown on anti-coup protesters in the country.
• Secretary-General condemns deadly violence against protestors in Myanmar UN News 21 Feb 2021 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the lethal use of force against peaceful protestors in Myanmar, where demonstrations against the military takeover of the Government have been growing.
• Thousands Protest in Myanmar after 2 Demonstrators Killed VOA 21 Feb 2021 -- Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Myanmar again Sunday, a day after two people were killed when police and security forces used live and rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and slingshots against those protesting the military's February 1 coup.
• Austria Expects 'Broad Support' For New Russia Sanctions In Response To Navalny's Jailing RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg expects the European Union to adopt new sanctions against Russia over the case of opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
• Beijing to step up global influence campaign: Taiwanese expert CNA 21 Feb 2021 -- Beijing is expected to step up its global influence campaign after the Communist Party of China (CPC) issued revised regulations on united front work in early January, according to an expert from a government-funded think tank in Taiwan.
• Taiwan scrambles jets after Chinese military exercises in South China Sea Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- Taiwan's air force has scrambled jets for two straight days after the Chinese military carried out drills in the South China Sea.
• US Starts Hostage Talks With Iran VOA 21 Feb 2021 -- White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the United States has started talks with Iran over the return of at least five American hostages whom Tehran is holding.
• Sullivan: U.S. Has 'Begun' To Talk With Iranians About Detained Americans RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- President Joe Biden's national-security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on February 21 that the new administration has "begun to communicate with the Iranians" on the issue of detained Americans.
• Joint statement by the Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Head of the AEOI and the Director General of the IAEA IAEA 21 Feb 2021 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recalled and reaffirmed the spirit of cooperation and enhanced mutual trust that led to the Joint Statement in Tehran on 26 August 2020, and the importance of continuing that cooperation and trust.
• Nuclear energy agency reaches temporary inspection solution with Iran UN News 21 Feb 2021 -- The UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reached a temporary deal with Iran so that monitoring of the country's nuclear programme can continue, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi announced at a press conference in Vienna on Sunday.
• Iran, IAEA reach 'temporary bilateral technical understanding' Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have reached a "temporary bilateral technical understanding" during the visit of the IAEA chief to Tehran, according to a joint statement.
• IAEA Chief Says Iran To Give 'Less Access' To UN Nuclear Inspectors RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency said after talks in Iran on February 21 over Tehran's threat to curb international inspections that the two sides reached an agreement but that Iran will suspend a key document on cooperation and offer "less access" to inspectors.
• Iran, IAEA Hold 'Fruitful' Talks Amid Looming Embargo on Nuclear Inspections Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held "fruitful" talks as the time approaches for Tehran's deadline on IAEA inspections of its nuclear facilities, Iranian permanent representative to the international organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on Sunday.
• Zarif: US must commit to JCPOA by taking corrective measures IRNA 21 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday demanded taking corrective measures by the US and abiding by its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• IAEA chief meets with Zarif in Tehran IRNA 21 Feb 2021 -- Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi met Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday.
• IAEA DG, AEOI chief meet in Tehran IRNA 21 Feb 2021 -- Director-General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi and Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Salehi held talks in Tehran on Sunday.
• Opt-out from IAEA Additional Protocol does not mean exit from JCPOA: Araghchi IRNA 21 Feb 2021 -- Opt-out from IAEA Additional Protocol does not mean exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday.
• Talks will begin once illegal sanctions are removed: Iran FM Zarif ISNA 21 Feb 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tells Press TV that the Islamic Republic will be open to negotiations on reviving the historic 2015 nuclear accord once all signatories begin fulfilling their obligations.
• Foreign Ministry spokesman: No direct talks with US on any matter Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- The spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry has dismissed a claim by a US official that Tehran and Washington have begun direct talks over American prisoners in Iran and vice versa, saying that there has been no direct talks between the two countries on any matter.
• Iran's foreign minister, IAEA chief discuss cooperation, settlement of issues Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- The Iranian foreign minister and the UN nuclear agency chief discuss bilateral cooperation and the settlement of issues pertaining to Tehran's nuclear program ahead of the expiry of Tehran's deadline to limit inspections by the IAEA if US sanctions are not lifted.
• IAEA head meets with Iran nuclear chief in Tehran Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has held talks with Ali-Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), after arriving in Tehran.
• Iran says considering EU's offer of informal meeting with US, P4+1 Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- A senior Iranian diplomat says the country is considering the European Union's offer to host an informal meeting between Iran and other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, with Washington also attending as a guest.
• Zarif: Iran to Reverse Remedial Measures If US 'Effectively' Fulfills Its Obligations Under JCPOA Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- Iran's top diplomat has repeatedly said that Iran needs actions, not promises, as well as guarantees from the Biden administration that "illegal measures" taken by former US President Donald Trump will not be implemented again in the future.
• Iran Studies EU Proposal to Hold Meeting of JCPOA Members With US Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- Tehran is considering the proposal of the European Union to hold an informal meeting between the members of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) together with the United States, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday.
• Erdogan Says 'Common Interests' With US 'Far Outweigh' Differences in Opinion - Report Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- The relationship between Washington and Ankara has been complicated over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, as well as their conflicting views on the Kurds and the US' refusal to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who the Turkish government has accused of involvement in the 2016 attempted coup.
• Niger holds 2nd round of presidential election Press TV 21 Feb 2021 -- People have taken to polling stations in Niger to vote in a presidential run-off between two political heavyweights in the West African country.
• Bosniaks Boycott Rerun Vote In Scarred Eastern City Of Srebrenica RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- Reports from eastern Bosnia-Herzegovina suggest that many Bosniaks boycotted a repeat election in the city of Srebrenica on February 21 after local authorities claimed fraud in November voting.
• Kyrgyz Villagers Losing Patience With State's Failure To Resolve Border Problems With Tajikistan, Uzbekistan RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- Fresh from medical treatment in Germany, Kyrgyz national security head Kamchybek Tashiev urgently flew from Bishkek to the southern Batken region on February 18 to deal with people's growing anger over the failure by officials to resolve pressing border issues.
• Rearrested Kyrgyz Powerbroker Matraimov Sent To Pretrial Detention RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- A court in Bishkek has ruled to place Raimbek Matraimov, the controversial former deputy chief of the Customs Service who was rearrested on corruption charges this week, in pretrial detention.
• Algerian President Announces Government Reshuffle Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday announced a government reshuffle and replaced several ministers, his office said.
• Sudan's Central Bank Announces Currency Unification Amid Plummeting Rates Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- The Central Bank of Sudan deployed a series of measures on Sunday for the standardisation of the national currency rate in a bid to avert its rapid depreciation.
• India Gives Fresh Maritime Loan to Maldives After Snatching Crucial Projects From China Sputnik 21 Feb 2021 -- India has started signing a slew of projects with the Maldives under the Ibrahim Mohamed Solih government in an attempt to counter China, which has taken up key infrastructure projects in the island nation in the Indian Ocean Region as part of its One Belt, One Road connectivity initiative.