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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraqi Government Examines In-Country Missile Attacks on U.S. Bases DoD News 23 Feb 2021 -- The Iraqi government is investigating three attacks on U.S. bases in the country and is doing a careful and complete job, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
• Afghan Civilian Casualties Soared Following Start of Peace Talks, UN Says VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations said Tuesday that civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan declined by 15% last year but surged in the final three months after peace talks between the government and Taliban insurgents began in September.
• 'Disturbing spike' in Afghan civilian casualties after peace talks began: UN report UN News 23 Feb 2021 -- Civilian casualties in Afghanistan witnessed a sharp rise since peace negotiations started in September last year, even though overall deaths and injuries dropped in 2020, compared to the previous year, according to a UN human rights report launched Tuesday.
• UN concerned at surge in civilian casualties as Taliban, govt. resume peace talks in Doha Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations (UN) says civilian casualties in Afghanistan have seen a sharp rise since US-brokered intra-Afghan peace talks began last year.
• Afghan Peace Talks Resume In Qatar As UN Calls For Cease-Fire RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Feb 2021 -- Peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have resumed in Qatar after a delay of more than a month amid escalating violence in the war-wracked country as the United Nations called again for an immediate cease-fire to curb civilian casualties.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 23 Feb 2021
• Defense Department Has Multiple Priorities in COVID-19 Battle DoD News 23 Feb 2021 -- BY When the COVID-19 virus spread to the United States, the Defense Department took on many roles: protecting its people, supporting the national pandemic response, and ensuring the armed forces were ready to meet DOD's national security mission, a department official said today.
• UN rights experts call for US to address ongoing violations at 'Kafkaesque' Guantánamo military prison UN News 23 Feb 2021 -- In response to the Biden Administration's announced review into closing the infamous Guantánamo Bay detention centre in Cuba, independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday said it was vital to also address ongoing violations being committed against the 40 or so inmates still incarcerated there.
• Cyber Workforce Vital to Protecting National Security DoD News 23 Feb 2021 -- During Engineers Week, the Defense Department is highlighting its efforts to develop a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce and to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Holds an Off-Camera Press Briefing DoD 23 Feb 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• Newest handheld leader radios get tested by elite Army Airborne forces Army News 23 Feb 2021 -- Airborne Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 82nd Airborne Division, completed almost two weeks testing the Army's newest small leader radio (LR) packages.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Thailand Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Prayut Chan-o-cha DoD 23 Feb 2021
• Engineers With Both Government, Private Sector Experience Make 'Most Impact' DoD News 23 Feb 2021 -- During Engineers Week, the Defense Department is highlighting its efforts to develop a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce and to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology.
• Engineers Key to Defense Space Efforts: 'We Have Your Back' DoD News 23 Feb 2021 -- During Engineers Week, the Defense Department is highlighting its efforts to develop a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce and to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology.
• Quantum Science to Deliver Cutting-Edge Technology to Warfighters, Official Says DoD News 23 Feb 2021 -- During Engineers Week, the Defense Department is highlighting its efforts to develop a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce and to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology.
• Army partners with Air Force's THOR for base defense US Air Force 23 Feb 2021 -- In an effort to counter the increasing threat posed by enemy drones and other airborne threats, the U.S. Army is making an investment in directed energy prototype technology, with the Tactical High Power Operational Responder, or THOR, system, developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, playing a key role.
• Pacific-Based Marines, Navy Complete Integrated Training for Joint Exercise US Navy 23 Feb 2021 -- III Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 21, a joint exercise that further enhanced the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to respond to crises or contingencies, concluded February 12.
• Navy to Remove Island on USS Bonhomme Richard US Navy Press Release 23 Feb 2021 -- As part of USS Bonhomme Richard's (LHD 6) on-going inactivation availability, contractors will start the process of removing the ship's island Feb. 23.
• US Envoy Urges Nations to Look at Security Implications of Climate Change VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry urged the U.N. Security Council Tuesday to start treating the climate crisis like the "urgent security threat" that it is.
• Coronavirus response: NATO support to Tunisia NATO 23 Feb 2021 -- On February 22, Tunisia received 100,000 FFP2 masks disposable and 15,000 disposable suits for biological protection, from the Pandemic Response Trust Fund. The donation was coordinated by NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) in response to Tunisia's request for international assistance. It was made possible with financial contributions by Belgium, Germany and Norway.
• Germany Contracts Israeli Protection Systems for Leopard Tanks Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- The German defenсe ministry has signed a deal with the Israeli military to buy active tank protection systems for its mainstay Leopards from the Rafael defenсe firm.
• DAC approves proposals worth Rs 13,700 crore India PIB 23 Feb 2021 -- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals of various weapons/platforms/equipment/systems required by the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, in New Delhi on February 23, 2021.
• Taiwan's new defense chief assumes post CNA 23 Feb 2021 -- Former intelligence chief Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) officially became Taiwan's Minister of National Defense on Tuesday in a ceremony held behind closed doors.
• UAE Company Presents Country's First Domestic Air Defense Missile System Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- UAE weapons company Halcon on Tuesday presented the country's first air defense missile system SkyKnight, the company said.
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call With Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi of Iraq The White House 23 Feb 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 23, 2021 The White House 23 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Polish Foreign Minister Rau US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Cabo Verdean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Figueiredo US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Momen US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2021
• Department Press Briefing – February 23, 2021 US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 23, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 23 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Feb 2021
• Japan asserting claim over disputed islets draws ire of S. Korea People's Daily 23 Feb 2021 -- Japan on Monday asserted its claims over the disputed islets in the Sea of Japan during a ceremony, drawing a harsh backlash from South Korea.
• Ma'rib battle: Yemeni army close to retaking city from Saudi-led forces Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- Victory appears to be on the horizon in the heated battle for Yemen's strategic central province of Ma'rib as army troops, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have reportedly taken control of most areas there and dislodged Saudi-led coalition forces and Riyadh-backed militants from those regions.
• Turkey accuses Greece of 'harassing' research ship in Aegean Sea Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- Turkey has accused the Greek military of "harassing" a Turkish vessel in the Aegean Sea, despite efforts by Athens and Ankara to resolve their differences over the disputed waters.
• Turkey Accuses Greek Military of 'Harassing' Research Vessel in the Aegean Sea Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Turkey sent the TCG Cesme in the international waters of the Aegean Sea until 2 March to do hydrographic surveying. Greece objected to the move, saying that it damages a renewed dialogue the two countries have managed to establish recently.
• For France and Sahel Partners, Many Ideas Emerging But No Clear Strategy VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Less than a week after a key summit gathering of France and its five regional military partners in the Sahel conflict, fresh casualties in Niger offered a reality check to the high-level discourse on achievements.
• Malaysia Deports More Than 1,000 Myanmar Nationals Despite Court Order Radio Free Asia 23 Feb 2021 -- Malaysia expelled more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals on Tuesday despite a court order halting the mass deportation aboard Myanmar navy ships, after rights groups said that some could face persecution back in their home country.
• Violence in western Ethiopia forced 7,000 to flee into Sudan: UN Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- At least 7,000 people who fled escalating ethnic violence in western Ethiopia have sought refuge in neighboring Sudan, the United Nations refugee agency says.
• Western Ethiopia Fighting Sends Thousands Fleeing to Sudan VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports intercommunal violence in Ethiopia's Western Benishangul Gumuz region has sent thousands of people fleeing for safety to Sudan's Blue Nile State in recent weeks.
• DRC President Condemns Assassination of Italy's Ambassador, 2 Others VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi is urging the central African nation's investigative services to identify those responsible for the assassination of Italy's ambassador, Luca Attanasio, and two other people in an attack on a World Food Program (WFP) convoy in the country.
• China Tightens Restrictions on Tibetan New Year Events, Citing COVID-19 Concerns Radio Free Asia 23 Feb 2021 -- Authorities in Tibetan areas of China have further tightened restrictions on public gatherings at Buddhist monasteries during the Lunar New Year period, limiting attendance at previously widely attended religious ceremonies in one case to the resident monks, Tibetan sources say.

News Reports

• Former Security Officials Cite Intelligence Failure on Capitol Riot VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Former officials responsible for securing the U.S. Capitol testified Tuesday before Congress for the first time since the January 6 attack on the complex, blaming deficient intelligence for the failure to prevent what they characterized as a "planned and coordinated" insurrection by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
• US Security Officials Blame Intelligence for Failure to Prepare for Capitol Assault Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- US security officials told a Senate panel on Tuesday that an assault on the Capitol caught them off guard as there was no intelligence to predict it and all preparations were made for a different scenario.
• US security officials blame 'poor intelligence' for deadly Capitol riot Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- Senior law enforcement officials in charge of security for the US Capitol, testifying publicly for the first time since the January 6 insurrection, have blamed poor intelligence and each other for failing to pre-empt the deadly riot.
• US Tech Executives Warn SolarWinds Hack Bigger, More Reckless Than Previously Disclosed VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Executives with technology companies impacted by the massive cybersecurity breach known as the SolarWinds hack are giving U.S. lawmakers more reason to worry, warning the intrusion is both bigger and more dangerous than first realized.
• Microsoft President Blames Russia Intelligence Agency for SolarWinds Hack Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Microsoft President Brad Smith told a US Senate panel there is substantial evidence that a Russian intelligence agency was involved in the massive SolarWinds hacking attack and there are no leads that would incriminate other suspects.
• Readout of Secretary Mayorkas' Call with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson DHS 23 Feb 2021
• CISA Announces New Enhanced Cybersecurity Services Provider CISA 23 Feb 2021 -- Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced that Viasat, a global communications company, will join CISA's Enhanced Cybersecurity Services (ECS) program as a new service provider (SP).
• CISA and AVANGRID Conduct Virtual Exercise to Improve Emergency Response and Recovery Plans CISA 23 Feb 2021 -- Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and AVANGRID, a sustainable energy company providing services in 24 states, conducted a virtual tabletop exercise to test and identify the safety procedures AVANGRID has implemented since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify additional procedures necessary to ensure employee safety operations and business continuity in the out years.
• Guinea Receives Ebola Vaccine, Neighbors Prepare VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- West African countries are taking steps to prevent a regional outbreak of Ebola after the deadly virus killed at least five people in Guinea.
• Ebola infects 14 people, kills 9 in Guinea, DRC: Africa CDC People's Daily 23 Feb 2021 -- Two African countries of Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have reported 14 Ebola virus cases and nine deaths so far, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Monday.
• G7 foreign ministers condemn Myanmar junta violence Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- The Group of Seven (G7) countries has "firmly" condemned the heavy-handed crackdown committed by Myanmar's junta against anti-coup protesters.
• G7 Nations Condemn Myanmar Coup as Some Detained Protesters Are Released Radio Free Asia 23 Feb 2021 -- The Group of Seven industrial democracies on Tuesday condemned the Myanmar military regime's use of violence against protesters rejecting the coup that deposed the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi more than three weeks ago, while the U.S. slapped sanctions on two junta generals.
• G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Burma US Dept. of State 23 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.
• Myanmar Anti-Coup Protesters Return to Streets After Observing General Strike VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Protesters in Myanmar took part in yet another day of demonstrations against the country's military junta Tuesday, although in much smaller numbers than the massive turnout in many cities and towns seen the previous day.
• Navalny Supporters: EU Sanctions on Russia Are Too Weak VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- A European Union foreign ministers' decision to impose fresh sanctions on Russia for jailing Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny has frustrated Russian political activists, who say the proposed punitive action is feeble and warn it will have little impact on Moscow.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 23, 2021 PRC MofA 23 Feb 2021
• China's Call to Reboot US Ties Unlikely to be Answered: Analysts Radio Free Asia 23 Feb 2021 -- China's call on the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to draw a line under the tensions of the Trump era and reboot ties is unlikely to gain traction in Washington, analysts told RFA.
• Chinese FM refutes 'avert blame' accusations by US State Dept, urges constructive dialogue Global Times 23 Feb 2021 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has refuted accusations made by the US State Department spokesperson that Beijing has been averting blame, saying that China has expounded its position multiple times with facts and data, and urges the US to establish constructive dialogue with China and bring China-US relations back to the right track.
• Chinese Mission Spokesperson refutes UK remarks on human rights PLA Daily 23 Feb 2021 -- Chinese Mission Spokesperson Liu Yuyin has refuted the erroneous remarks related to China by the Foreign Secretary of the UK during the 46th Human Rights Council.
• Hong Kong Democracy Activists Jailed Over Police Headquarters Protest Denied Bail Radio Free Asia 23 Feb 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong on Tuesday denied an application for bail from jailed democracy activists Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam pending their appeal against their sentence on charges related to "illegal assembly" during a mass siege of police headquarters on June 21, 2019.
• Hong Kong Leader Backs Call by Key Chinese Official for Electoral Changes VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam is supporting a call made by a key Chinese official for electoral reforms that would ensure the city's legislature is filled with pro-Beijing loyalists.
• Canadian Parliament Declares China's Treatment Of Uyghurs Genocide RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Canada's House of Commons voted to label Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs as genocide hours after China claimed its treatment of the minority group was a "shining example" of progressive policies.
• Chinese FM warns Canadian politicians not to place party interests above bilateral relations Global Times 23 Feb 2021 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Embassy to Canada firmly oppose Canada's interference in Xinjiang and its calls to remove the 2022 Winter Olympic Games from Beijing, after the Canadian parliament passed a motion that determined policies in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region constituted "genocide."
• Party chief rejects Xinjiang genocide claims, foreign delegates condemn West's interference in region Global Times 23 Feb 2021 -- The Party chief of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region defended China's policy and debunked accusations of "forced labor" and "genocide" in the region at a virtual event on Monday, while representatives from foreign political parties at the event condemned some Western countries for using human rights as a cover to interfere in other countries' domestic affairs.
• China urges UK, other countries to stop politicizing human rights, refutes erroneous remarks on Xinjiang Global Times 23 Feb 2021 -- Human rights should not be used to serve political ends or as a tool to smear other countries and contain their development, Liu Yuyin, spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to UN at Geneva, said in a speech on Monday refuting erroneous remarks made by the UK foreign secretary at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council related to China's Xinjiang.
• China rejects slander under the pretext of 'protecting human rights' and welcomes UN's High Commissioner to visit Xinjiang: FM Global Times 23 Feb 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday addressed the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council via video link, where he shared China's philosophy, practices, and experiences in human rights protection and put forward important views and propositions on global human rights governance on behalf of China, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
• China hopes more foreign media will report Xinjiang in objective, fair manner: spokesperson People's Daily 23 Feb 2021 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday said that more and more people of insight from the international society have understood the situation in Xinjiang and the Chinese government's policies, and have spoken up for them.
• China dismisses West's 'slanderous' claims of genocide against Uighurs as 'political hype' Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- China has dismissed as "slanderous" allegations made by Western countries that Beijing is committing "genocide" against the Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang, inviting the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the region.
• China's repression will not deter Taiwan's global outreach: MOFA CNA 23 Feb 2021 -- Beijing's repression will not stop Taiwan's efforts to expand its international engagement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.
• Taiwan's new China affairs head pledges to break cross-strait impasse CNA 23 Feb 2021 -- Taiwan's new top China affairs chief pledged during his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday to do his best to break the impasse with China without sacrificing the nation's sovereignty, but offered no specifics on how he planned to achieve that.
• Experts accuse Iran of rights violations in shooting down Ukraine airlines flight UN News 23 Feb 2021 -- Iran committed multiple human rights violations in shooting downing Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Flight PS752 last year and in the aftermath of the deadly attack, two independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said on Tuesday.
• E3 foreign ministers' statement on the JCPoA: 23 February 2021 UK FCDO 23 Feb 2021 -- The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom respond to Iran's suspension of the Additional Protocol.
• Zarif: Accord with IAEA shows Iran's "good faith" IRNA 23 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a Twitter message that the agreements between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) show Tehran's good faith and "all remedial measures are reversible".
• Russia welcomes Iran-IAEA deal on nuclear verification People's Daily 23 Feb 2021 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday that it welcomes the agreement reached by Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sunday to continue "essential verification" for up to three months.
• U.S. return to JCPOA only correct approach to resolve impasse on Iranian nuclear issue: FM spokesperson People's Daily 23 Feb 2021 -- The return of the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the only correct approach to resolve the impasse on the Iranian nuclear issue, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here Monday.
• U.S. reaffirms willingness to engage Iran over nuclear issue People's Daily 23 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. Department of State on Monday reaffirmed the willingness to engage with Tehran over the nuclear issue, downplaying new threats by the Iranian leadership to boost uranium enrichment.
• US must put words into action, swiftly honor JCPOA commitments under UN resolution: Iran Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- Iran has slammed the new US administration for the mere talk of a return to the 2015 nuclear deal, while sticking, in practice, with the "maximum pressure" campaign initiated by ex-president Donald Trump, calling on Washington to reverse course and immediately begin respecting the UN resolution that endorsed the agreement.
• South Korea to unfreeze Iran money after 'consultations' with US Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- South Korea says the Iranian assets locked in the Asian country will be released after consultations with the United States.
• IAEA Demands Iran Explain 'Undeclared Nuclear Material' RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- The UN nuclear watchdog said on February 23 that it is "deeply concerned" that Iran secretly kept "undeclared nuclear material" at an "undeclared location" as the agency warned that Tehran continued to exceed "many limits" set by its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
• Top Iran, China diplomats say speedy US return to JCPOA, sanctions removal 'key' to breaking nuclear deadlock Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- Senior diplomats of Iran and China say a swift return of the United States to a multilateral 2015 nuclear deal and removal of the sanctions it re-imposed on the Islamic Republic is crucial to ending the current impasse over the landmark agreement.
• China, Iran Say US Return to JCPOA, Sanctions Lift 'Key' to Breaking Nuclear Deadlock Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Beijing and Tehran believe that the United States' return to the Iran nuclear deal and sanctions lift are vital to resolving the nuclear impasse, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said after a bilateral call.
• US Insists That Iran Cooperate With IAEA Without Delay Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- The United States is calling on Iran to immediately cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on alleged undeclared atomic materials, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday.
• Israel 'Will Do Everything' to Prevent Iran Getting Nuclear Weapons, Netanyahu Says Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Netanyahu's statement comes after he convened a strategic meeting which included Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to discuss the Biden administration's willingness to negotiate with Iran on the nuclear deal.
• Iran Continues Installing Next-Generation Uranium Enrichment Centrifuges, Spokesman Says Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Iran is pressing ahead with upgrading its uranium enrichment capabilities at two facilities as the US has yet to lift the sanctions past Tehran's deadline, government spokesman Ali Rabiei said Tuesday.
• Iran to increase uranium enrichment to 60% if needed: Imam Khamenei ISNA 23 Feb 2021 -- At the end of the eighth session of the fifth term of the Assembly of Experts for the Leadership, members of the Assembly met with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday evening.
• Clashes Reported In Southeastern Iran After Fuel Smugglers Killed RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Feb 2021 -- Citizens and security forces have clashed in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan Province, a day after the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) opened fire on fuel smugglers, killing as many as 10 of them.
• UN Rapporteur: Iran Tried To 'Mislead' After Shooting Down Ukraine Passenger Jet RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- A UN special rapporteur has accused Iran of misleading denials and inadequate investigations after the accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet after takeoff from Tehran's international airport in January 2020.
• Tsikhanouskaya Calls On Belarusians To Attend Nationwide Street Rallies On March 25 RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on Belarusians to continue their protests with street rallies on March 25 against Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who has run the country since 1994.
• Ukraine Takes Russia To European Human Rights Court Over 'Targeted Assassinations' RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine has accused Russia of the "targeted assassinations" of "perceived opponents" in a case filed at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the latest in a series of legal complaints against Moscow.
• Thousands Rally In Tbilisi After Opposition Party Leader's Dramatic Arrest RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Thousands of representatives of different opposition parties and civil rights activists rallied in front of Georgia's government building on February 23, demanding the immediate release of opposition leader Nika Melia after he was detained hours earlier when police stormed his party's offices.
• Georgian Dream Lawmakers OK New Government On Sharply Divided Caucasus Landscape RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- The Georgian parliament has approved a new government led by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili following the surprise exit last week of a prime minister from the same ruling party angry over its handling of accusations targeting an opposition leader.
• Georgian Police Detain Opposition Figure Melia, Deploy Tear Gas at Party Office Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Georgian police have deployed tear gas at the office of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party, detaining its leader, Nika Melia, and over 10 other activists, the Georgian Internal Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Arrest of Opposition Members in Georgia US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2021 -- The United States is deeply troubled by the arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia and other members of the opposition in Georgia.
• Georgian Authorities Arrest Opposition Leader Melia VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Georgian police raided the main opposition party's headquarters Tuesday and arrested opposition leader Nika Melia.
• Venezuela: New EU sanctions based on false arguments, amount to aggression Press TV 23 Feb 2021 -- Venezuela has condemned the European Union (EU) for imposing a new round of sanctions on more than a dozen senior officials, lawmakers and members of the security forces in the South American state, saying the measure is based on "false arguments about honorable citizens."
• Moldovan Constitutional Court Blocks President's Effort To Force New Elections RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Moldova's Constitutional Court on February 23 has blocked pro-EU President Maia Sandu's second attempt to nominate a prime minister, extending a standoff with pro-Russia legislators and hindering her effort to force early parliamentary elections.
• Dozens Arrested As Armenian Opposition Protests Again In Capital RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Thousands of opposition supporters have gathered in downtown Yerevan for the latest protest demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's resignation following Armenians' bitter defeat to Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Exclusive: RFE/RL Probe Reveals Secret Mountain Resort Built For Uzbek President RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Uzbek state companies have built a secret luxury mountain resort for use by President Shavkat Mirziyoev, including a new reservoir that locals say has disrupted their water supply and displaced families, a new RFE/RL investigation has found.
• UN Security Council Expresses Serious Concern About Haiti, Calls for Elections VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations Security Council has expressed serious concern about Haiti's worsening political instability and called for elections to be held this year.
• Facilitating democratic processes and tackling human rights challenges in Haiti: UK statement UK FCDO 23 Feb 2021 -- UK statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen at the Security Council briefing on Haiti.
• Somalia Accuses UAE of Promoting Political Standoff and Violent Protest VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Somalia has accused the United Arab Emirates of fueling a political stand-off and opposition protests that are threatening the African nation's stability. The tensions stem from Somalia's delayed elections and a controversy over the president's legitimacy.