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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Defense Official Says F-15s Struck Iranian-Backed Militia Facilities in Syria DoD News 26 Feb 2021 -- Last night's U.S. military airstrike over eastern Syria involved two F-15E Strike Eagles that dropped seven, precision-guided munitions, which totally destroyed nine facilities and partially destroyed two others, functionally destroying them, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
• Pentagon Believes Properly Notified Russia About US Strikes in Syria Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- The United States believes it properly notified Russia ahead of its airstrikes in Syria without compromising the security of the mission, Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby responded on Friday to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's criticism of the US short-term warning regarding the attack.
• US Informed Russia Via Deconfliction Channel About Thursday Airstrike in Syria, Pentagon Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- The United States informed Russia through the deconfliction channel about Thursday's airstrike in eastern Syria that targeted Iran-backed militia groups, Defence Department spokesperson John Kirby said in an interview on Friday.
• Three Democratic senators say Biden should brief Congress on Syria strike Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- A number of Democratic US lawmakers have found faults with the legal justifications of President Joe Biden's administration for the airstrikes against Iraqi counter-terrorism force on the border with Syria, demanding that officials at the White House immediately brief Congress on the matter.
• U.S. strikes Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria -- Pentagon People's Daily 26 Feb 2021 -- The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. military had conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria.
• US bombs Iraq's anti-terror fighters on Biden's order Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- The US says President Joe Biden ordered military airstrikes against facilities belonging to anti-terror resistance groups on the Iraqi-Syrian border.
• Syria Strongly Slams 'Cowardly' US Airstrike, Warns Such Move Will Escalate Tensions Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- Syria condemns in the strongest terms the recent US airstrike on areas near the Iraqi border describing the move as a "cowardly" act, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Friday, adding that such actions will result in the escalation of tensions in the region.
• Who Are Iran-backed Militants Struck by US in Syria? VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. military Thursday struck facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in eastern Syria, a decision the Pentagon said President Joe Biden authorized in response to recent attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq.
• Iraq's Defence Ministry Denies Exchanging Intelligence With US Before Syria Airstrike Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- The Iraqi Ministry of Defence denied on Friday having provided intelligence to the United States before its airstrike in eastern Syria, as it was claimed by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
• U.S. Bombs Iran-Backed Militias Blamed For Rocket Attacks In Iraq RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- The United States has launched airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting facilities used by Iran-backed militias on the border with Iraq, the Pentagon said.
• Pakistan Urges US to 'Quickly' Complete Review of Peace Deal with Afghan Taliban VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- A senior Pakistan diplomat Friday stressed the need for the United States to demonstrate urgency in concluding its reassessment of a February 2020 peace pact with Afghanistan's Taliban to enable the ensuing reconciliation talks between warring Afghans to move forward.
• Afghans 'Disappointed' One Year into US-Taliban Deal VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- A year into the U.S.-Taliban agreement, Afghan leaders say they are frustrated with the continued rise of violence by the militant group that has taken a toll on civilians.
• Three Killed In Attack Targeting Slain Afghan Reporter's Family RFE/RL Gandhara 26 Feb 2021 -- Three family members of a slain journalist in western Afghanistan have been shot dead by gunmen amid a rising wave of killings targeting journalists and civil society activists.
• German Defense Minister Pays Surprise Visit To Troops In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 26 Feb 2021 -- German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has paid an unannounced visit to Afghanistan in a show of the country's commitment to the peace process.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. 5th Fleet Responds to COVID-19 Aboard USS San Diego and USS Philippine Sea US Navy Press Release 26 Feb 2021 -- U.S. 5th Fleet took immediate actions to identify, isolate, test, and treat affected Sailors and Marines aboard two ships.
• Negative for Covid-19 US Air Force 26 Feb 2021 -- Nearly a year ago, in the midst of pandemic, a team composed of representatives of more than a dozen military and civilian organizations responded to a Joint Urgent Operational Need request, issued by U.S. Transportation Command, to develop equipment and procedures to enable the high-capacity airlift of COVID-19 patients on mobility aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules, while maintaining the health and readiness of aeromedical personnel and aircrews.
• Just enough, just in time: AFCEC targets rapid airfield repair solution US Air Force 26 Feb 2021 -- The Air Force Civil Engineer Center laboratory at Tyndall Air Force Base is on a mission to repair battle-damaged runways as quickly as possible, with minimal materials, manpower and equipment.
• Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Returns from Deployment US Navy 26 Feb 2021 -- More than 5,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) returned to San Diego Feb. 26 after nearly 11-months deployed in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
• Greek, U.S. Naval Forces Conduct Passing Exercise in Arabian Gulf US Navy 26 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats USCGC Adak (WPB 1333) and USCGC Maui (WPB 1304) participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Greek guided-missile frigate HS Hydra (F452) in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 25.
• U.S. Navy Conducts First At-Sea Power Module Replenishment US Navy Press Release 26 Feb 2021 -- The "Titans" of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 and members of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 successfully delivered an F-35C power module aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U. S. Navy's first, at-sea replenishment for this component.
• U.S. Africa Command leadership visits Nigeria AFRICOM 26 Feb 2021 -- U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wrapped up a three-day West African visit Feb. 22-25 with a stop in Nigeria yesterday to meet with the nation's leaders and further the long-standing partnership and security cooperation between the two nations.
• Movement of Army Preposition Stock requires support from multiple units, organizations Army News 26 Feb 2021 -- As part of the redistribution of Army Preposition Stock, more than 100 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and several 20 foot containers were shipped from Leghorn Army Depot, Italy, to a new APS site location.
• United States Department of Defense Signs Memorandum of Understanding for Defense Cooperation With Ministry of Defence for the Republic of North Macedonia DoD 26 Feb 2021 -- The United States Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Dr. Mara Karlin, and the Minister of Defence of the Republic of North Macedonia, Radmila Shekerinska, co-signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate defense cooperation today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, H.E. Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah DoD 26 Feb 2021
• Pentagon Leaders Can't Decide to Replace Falling-Apart E-3 Early Warning Plane Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- "Eyes in the sky" airborne radar systems are expected to be some of the first targets in a shooting war between major powers, and the preeminence of American systems has led Russia and China to develop long-range anti-radiation missiles dubbed "AWACS killers."
• General Notes Value, Limitations of New START Treaty DoD News 26 Feb 2021 -- America's nuclear triad consists of heavy bombers, submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
• US Space Force Chief Sees 'Fused Connection' With Commercial Industry as Key to Success Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- Because of its small size and high dependency on advanced technology, the US Space Force is perhaps better positioned than any branch of the US military to become a cash-cow for private industry.
• Joint doorstep statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel ahead of a meeting of the European Council NATO 26 Feb 2021
• EU, NATO Leaders Discuss Security Priorities for Europe VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Friday took part in a European Union summit to discuss security and defense priorities for the alliance.
• US officials visit domestic manufacturing of explosive ordnance facilities Australia DOD 26 Feb 2021 -- Representatives from the United States Department of Defense have this week visited the Australian-owned munitions production factories in Mulwala in NSW, and Benalla in VIC.
• HMAS Sheean tours Tasmania Australia DOD 26 Feb 2021 -- Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Sheean will visit Beauty Point in northern Tasmania later this week, the first in a series of port visits to the state.
• Aircraft supports humanitarian relief operation in Fiji Australia DOD 26 Feb 2021 -- In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Ana, a RAAF C-17A Globemaster III delivered much needed humanitarian relief supplies to Fiji to assist with recovery efforts.
• China, Singapore wrap up joint naval drill PLA Daily 26 Feb 2021 -- The 36th Chinese naval escort taskforce held a joint naval drill with the Singapore navy in waters near Singapore on February 24. The joint drill lasted about eight hours and was successfully completed at 7 p.m. on the same day.
• 102nd Mekong River joint patrol completed PLA Daily 26 Feb 2021 -- The 102nd Mekong River joint patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand concluded on Friday, with three Chinese law-enforcement vessels returning home to port.
• China's defense budget to continue to rise in 2021, buttressed by economic upturn, strong fiscal foundation: experts Global Times 26 Feb 2021 -- Despite the impact of COVID-19 over the past year, many Chinese military analysts and observers believe that the country's defense budget for 2021 will continue to increase, likely at a higher growth rate than 2020, and they name China's positive economic growth, the tough military threats China is facing and China's own rightful needs to develop national defense capacity as the main reasons.
• China Said to be Installing Missile Base Near Border with Vietnam VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- To the alarm of the Vietnamese government, China is apparently building a surface-to-air missile base 20 kilometers from its border with Vietnam, as a long-term precaution and near-term warning to neighboring countries, observers say.
• Israel develops advanced long-range air-to-air, surface-to-air missile People's Daily 26 Feb 2021 -- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a state-owned Israeli technology company, said on Thursday it had developed an advanced air-to-air and surface-to-air missile.
• New satellite photos show clearer view of Israeli nuclear facility, reveal major project underway Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- New satellite photos show a clearer view of a secretive nuclear arms factory of the Israeli regime, which is the only possessor of atomic bombs in the Middle East, revealing that the site is undergoing what appears to be the biggest construction project in decades.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Mexican Foreign Secretary Ebrard US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Mexican Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Press Availability US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Garneau US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Mexican Secretary of Economy Clouthier US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021
• Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris Call with President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo The White House 26 Feb 2021
• Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris Call with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark The White House 26 Feb 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 26, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 26 February 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Feb 2021
• UN Security Council demands COVID-19 vaccine ceasefires; WHO pushes for more action to speed up inoculations UN News 26 Feb 2021 -- The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution calling on all Member States to support a "sustained humanitarian pause" to local conflicts, in order to allow for COVID-19 vaccinations. Briefing journalists afterwards, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus argued that more could be done.
• UN Security Council ceasefires resolution passed unanimously: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 26 Feb 2021 -- United Nations Security Council Resolution 2565 for ceasefires in conflict zones to allow the delivery of coronairus (COVID-19) vaccines was unanimously agreed.
• Yemen Civilians Caught in Vise of Humanitarian and Rights Abuses, UN Experts Say VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- United Nations experts report widespread violations of international human rights and humanitarian law continue at an alarming rate as Yemen enters its seventh year of civil war.
• In Yemen's man-made catastrophe, women and girls pay the price UN News 26 Feb 2021 -- Midwife Lena Al-Shurmani, remembers meeting Abia at Al Mawa Camp in Yemen's Ibb Governorate. Abia was 15 years old and eight months pregnant. "I was very worried," Ms. Al-Shurmani recalled. "She had a prolapsed uterus, and she was severely malnourished."
• Yemen 'wants either real peace or war until victory' Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- The Yemeni government says it will not accept disingenuous attempts at peace, urging the United States and Britain to drop their support for the Saudi-led coalition waging war on Yemen before encouraging an end to the war.
• Several killed as Yemeni army, allies fighters launch missile strike on Saudi-led forces in Ma'rib Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- Yemeni army forces and allied fighters from Popular Committees have launched a missile strike against a position of Saudi-led militants in Yemen's strategic central province of Ma'rib, killing and wounding scores of them.
• Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Ballistic Missile Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 26 Feb 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki "Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this evening (Friday) a ballistic missile launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia from (Sa'dah) Govenorate, Yemen, to target civilians and civilian objects in the Southern Region.
• The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward Southern Region SPA 26 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 26 Feb 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki.
• Islamic State Exploiting Security Gaps to Step Up Violence, US Partners Warn VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- The Islamic State terror group appears to be exploiting security gaps across Syria and Iraq to reposition its forces and help fuel an increase in violence that is reenergizing fighters and supporters.
• Iran reaffirms support for Syria to defeat terrorism, restore security Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran will keep supporting Syria in various fields, particularly in the war against terrorism and in the efforts to ensure security and stability across the country.
• Statement by President Biden on the Anniversary of Russia's Illegal Invasion of Ukraine The White House 26 Feb 2021
• Biden Says US Will Never Recognise Crimea's Reunification With Russia Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- US President Joe Biden said on Friday that Washington would never recognise Crimea's decision to rejoin Russia.
• On Eve of Russia Invasion Anniversary, US, EU Reaffirm Crimea Belongs to Ukraine VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- On the eve of the seventh anniversary of the Russian invasion and seizure of Crimea, the United States and European Union have reaffirmed their positions that Crimea belongs to Ukraine.
• Biden Says U.S. Stands With Ukraine, Will Never Recognize Crimea Annexation RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States will continue to back Ukraine against Russian aggression and will never recognize the Kremlin's annexation of its neighbor's territory.
• Amnesty: Eritrean troops 'massacred' hundreds in Ethiopia's Tigray Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- Eritrean troops have committed a "massacre" during an offensive on the ancient town of Axum in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, according to a report released by Amnesty International.
• India, China Establish Hotline to Reduce Border Tensions VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- India and China have agreed to establish a hotline between their foreign ministers, days after they pulled back thousands of troops that were facing off along their common border since a deadly clash in June.
• China, India vow to improve ties after deadly border clash Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discuss border control and other bilateral issues during a lengthy phone call.
• Palestinian elections raise hopes for two-State solution, Middle East Coordinator tells Security Council UN News 26 Feb 2021 -- The holding of free and fair elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territory will help "clear the path" for restoring a legitimate political horizon to realize a long sought two-State solution, the leading UN diplomat for the region told the Security Council on Friday.

News Reports

• FBI Monitoring Domestic Extremists Who Might Threaten Biden's Speech to Congress VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- The FBI is keeping close watch on violent domestic extremists who might pose a threat to the U.S. Capitol when President Joe Biden delivers a speech before a joint session of Congress next month, a senior FBI official said Friday.
• Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin Delivers Remarks on Domestic Terrorism US Dept. of Justice 26 Feb 2021 -- Remarks as Delivered
• Southern Colorado Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years for Plotting to Blow Up Synagogue US Dept. of Justice 26 Feb 2021 -- Defendant planned to carry out act of domestic terrorism
• U.S. Offers Reward For Russian Businessman Accused Of 2016 Election Interference RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- The United States is offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Kremlin-friendly Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin in connection with alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
• Treasury Sanctions the Saudi Rapid Intervention Force and Former Deputy Head of Saudi Arabia's General Intelligence Presidency for Roles in the Murder of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi US Treasury 26 Feb 2021 -- "Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Ahmad Hassan Mohammed al Asiri, Saudi Arabia's former Deputy Head of General Intelligence Presidency, and Saudi Arabia's Rapid Intervention Force in connection with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi."
• The Government of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Completely Rejects the Assessment in the Report Submitted to US' Congress Regarding Murder of Saudi Citizen Jamal Khashoggi SPA 26 Feb 2021 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has followed the report submitted to the United States' Congress regarding the heinous murder of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi.
• Saudi Arabia 'Completely Rejects' US Khashoggi Report Assessment Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- A US intelligence report blaming Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for ordering the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) earlier on Friday.
• Accountability for the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2021 -- In October 2018, the world was horrified by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, in the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.
• US Intelligence Report Singles Out Saudi Crown Prince in Khashoggi Killing VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. released a declassified intelligence report Friday that assessed that Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the grisly murder of Saudi dissident and Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Turkey, adding it is "highly unlikely" it would have been done without the prince's approval.
• ODNI Releases Assessment on the Saudi Government's Role in Killing of Jamal Khashoggi Director of National Intelligence 26 Feb 2021 -- Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines today submitted to Congress an Intelligence Community assessment regarding the Saudi Government's role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• "Assessing the Saudi Government's Role in the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi" Director of National Intelligence 26 Feb 2021 -- Consistent with Sections 1277 and 5714 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (P.L. 116-92) and with the commitment made during her January 19, 2021 nomination hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines today declassified an Intelligence Community assessment regarding the Saudi Government's role in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
• Biden Administration Declassifies Intel Report on Killing of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- While the report alleges that Mohammed bin Salman "broadly supported using violent measures if necessary to silence" Khashoggi, Riyadh has repeatedly denied the royal family's involvement in the journalist's killing, branding it a "rogue operation".
• Myanmar UN Envoy Appeals to World to Stop Military Takeover VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's U.N. envoy appealed to the international community Friday to reject a military coup in his country and "use any means necessary" to protect the people.
• Myanmar Diplomat Makes Dramatic Anti-Coup Appeal at UN as Crackdown Deepens Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's U.N. envoy from the deposed civilian government made a dramatic appeal on Friday for the world body to "use any means necessary to take action" to restore democracy and ensure the security of the people, while the junta that seized power nearly a month ago nullified the results of the 2020 democratic elections.
• Myanmar Ambassador to UN denounces military coup, as envoy warns democratic processes have been ‘pushed aside' UN News 26 Feb 2021 -- As the democratically elected leader of Myanmar, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still in detention following the military takeover that triggered country-wide protests, violence and arrests, the UN envoy for the country observed on Friday, declaring that "democratic processes have been pushed aside".
• Reflecting on international concern for Myanmar's people and a peaceful and democratic future UK FCDO 26 Feb 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly Briefing on Myanmar
• Relief programmes hit by ongoing crisis in Myanmar, UN humanitarian office says UN News 26 Feb 2021 -- The political unrest in Myanmar has impacted the ability of humanitarians to respond to the needs of vulnerable communities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country's conflict-affected areas, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday.
• Police, mob of junta supporters attack anti-coup protesters in Myanmar Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- Police in Myanmar have attacked anti-coup protesters in the country's two biggest cities, and a mob of junta supporters have attacked demonstrators with knives and clubs.
• Myanmar's Military Reportedly Moved Aung San Suu Kyi to Unknown Location Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- Myanmar's military has relocated deposed State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi from the place where she was kept under house arrest to an unknown location six days ago, Myanmar Now reported on Friday, citing sources.
• Myanmar Police Fire Warning Shots to Disperse Protesters VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- Police and security forces in Myanmar's largest city fired warning shots Friday as they moved to break up a group of about 1,000 demonstrators who had gathered at a popular shopping mall in Yangon's Tamwe neighborhood overnight to protest a military-appointed official.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 26, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Feb 2021
• The Week In Russia: 'Ghastly Zealot' Or Medieval Prince? Neither One Will Stand On Lubyanka Square As Statue Vote Abruptly Stopped RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- There were two iconic moments in the abortive August 1991 coup whose failure hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union -- three if you count the telling press conference of the plotters, with self-declared "acting president" Gennady Yanayev's hands trembling as if he had steeled himself for the spotlight with some vodka shots.
• Russian Prison Authority Confirms Navalny Transfer, Doesn't Reveal Location RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- Russia's prison authority has confirmed that opposition political leader Aleksei Navalny has been moved from the Moscow detention center where had been held since mid-January to another prison.
• Chinese Businessman Charged With Conspiring To Steal Trade Secrets US Dept. of Justice 26 Feb 2021 -- WASHINGTON – Chi Lung Winsman Ng, aka Winsman Ng, 64, a Chinese businessman residing in Hong Kong, was indicted yesterday for conspiring to steal General Electric's (GE) trade secrets involving the company's silicon carbide MOSFET technology worth millions of dollars.
• UN Rights Chief Says Abuses in Xinjiang Must be 'Independently Assessed' Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2021 -- The United Nations lead official for human rights called on Friday for a full and independent investigation of human rights abuses in northwest China's Xinjiang region, where reports say over a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been held in a vast network of internment camps since 2017.
• Chinese Companies Buy up UK Private Schools, Sparking Fears of CCP Influence Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2021 -- Chinese companies have bought up 17 U.K. private schools in the United Kingdom in recent years, sparking fears of expanding Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence in the country as the schools struggle financially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, British media reported.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 26, 2021 PRC MofA 26 Feb 2021
• China Punishes Australia as Proxy for the West Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2021 -- As China's ban on coal imports from Australia drags on, questions are rising about whether Beijing's political punishment of a major trading partner is worth the cost.
• Hong Kong Police Could Charge Dozens of Pro-Democracy Activists Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2021 -- National security police in Hong Kong look set to bring subversion charges against more than 50 opposition politicians and activists in a city-wide crackdown on dissent under a draconian law imposed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Hong Kong University Axes Support For Student Union Amid Crackdown Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2021 -- Amid a city-wide crackdown on all forms of peaceful dissent, students at Hong Kong's universities are fighting a rearguard action over freedom of speech after the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) withdrew recognition for the student union.
• More hostility toward China over human rights seen within EU; bloc's leadership urged to act to maintain sound bilateral ties Global Times 26 Feb 2021 -- Some European countries have recently taken turns criticizing China for what they said "repressing" Uygurs in its Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, especially at the ongoing UN Human Rights Council. Against the backdrop of increasing China-EU trade exchanges, politicizing human rights issues may cast hurdles to ties, analysts said, noting that the EU should have more independence from the US and avoid being bound to the US' warship of attacking China in fields like human rights.
• China hits back at Netherlands over 'genocide' claim Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- China has hit back at the Netherlands for accusing Beijing of committing "genocide" against the Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang region.
• Biden Warns Iran: 'Be Careful' VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday warned Iran to tread carefully in Iraq following a U.S. airstrike that destroyed parts of a compound used by Iranian-backed militias as they travel between Syria and Iraq.
• 'Diplomatic window of opportunity' open to bring Iran deal back on track: EU Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- The European Union's top foreign policy official has called for a concerted effort to use what he has referred to as a "diplomatic window of opportunity" in order to revive a 2015 nuclear agreement signed between Iran and major world powers.
• Israel Getting Ready to 'Take Action' to Stop Iran From Going Nuclear, Defence Minister Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- Joe Biden's campaign promise to get the US back into the Iran nuclear deal has yet to bear fruit, with Washington demanding that Tehran reduce its enrichment activities first. In the meantime, media reports suggest that Israel – the Middle East's only alleged nuclear weapons state, is engaged in major construction at its Dimona research facility.
• Armenian PM Nikol Pashinian Warns Of 'Attempted Military Coup' As U.S. And Russia Call For Restraint RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has rejected calls to resign and warned of "an attempted military coup" as the United States and Russia urged all sides to deescalate an intensifying political crisis.
• Pakistan Given Extension For Removal From Terror-Financing Watch List To Address 'Deficiencies' RFE/RL Gandhara 26 Feb 2021 -- A global money-laundering watchdog has given Pakistan an extension until June to be removed from a terrorism-financing list.
• Ukraine Slaps Sanctions On Ex-Yanukovych Officials RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine has announced a fresh set of sanctions against 10 individuals close to ousted pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych, the latest in a series of moves by incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration against actors with ties to Russia.
• EU declares Venezuelan envoy 'persona non grata' Press TV 26 Feb 2021 -- In yet another hostile measure adopted by the European Union (EU) against the government in Caracas, Brussels has declared Venezuela's ambassador to the 27-member bloc "persona non grata" after imposing sanctions on the Latin American country.
• Thousands Of Georgians Take To Streets To Protest Opposition Leader's Arrest, Call For Snap Elections RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- Thousands of Georgians took to the streets in the nation's capital on February 26 to protest a police raid on the headquarters of an opposition party and the arrest of its leader.
• UK statement on the re-emergence of Ebola in Guinea UK FCDO 26 Feb 2021 -- The Minister for Africa stated he is deeply concerned about recent cases of Ebola reported in Guinea, and confirmed that the UK is already offering support.
• WHO Deems Human Spread of H5N8 Bird Flu Low VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- The World Health Organization on Friday said there is low risk of human-to-human spread of the H5N8 strain of bird flu, after a case of the virus being transmitted to people was recorded Feb. 20 in Russia.