COVID-19 - Daily News

02 March 2021 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

US floats idea of interim government for Afghanistan with Taliban participation Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has proposed the formation of an interim government in the country that would include the Taliban militant group, Afghan local media say.
An Afghan Parliamentarian And The Mysterious Stash Of Cash, Gold Bars Seized At The Dushanbe Airport RFE/RL Gandhara 02 Mar 2021 -- A high-ranking Afghan politician has found himself at the center of a scandal in Tajikistan involving $15 million in cash and some 90 kilos of gold bars seized from smugglers at the Dushanbe airport in November.

Defense Policy / Programs

Pentagon Press Secretary Provides an Off-Camera Press Briefing DoD 02 Mar 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 02 Mar 2021
Secretary of Defense Message on Reaffirming DOD Values and Ethical Conduct DoD 02 Mar 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has reaffirmed Department of Defense values and ethical conduct in a message to the DOD workforce.
DOD Announces $14 Million Agreement With Draper in Support of Computer Chips Advanced Packaging Solutions DoD 02 Mar 2021 -- The Department of Defense (DOD) entered into a $14 million agreement with Draper to enhance the U.S.'s ability for volume production of advanced packaging solutions for computer chips embedded within defense systems.
Admiral Offers Vision for Indo-Pacific DoD News 02 Mar 2021 -- Key to military success and supporting free and open societies in the Indo-Pacific region are: fostering innovation, thinking critically, developing expertise, challenging assumptions and working collectively to realize the full potential of the joint force, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said.
U.S. Army, South Korea Alliance Strengthens During COVID-19 Vaccine Operations DoD News 02 Mar 2021 -- Hard times always reveal true friends, and it will also show what a strong alliance looks like. From the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic, U.S. Forces Korea has been working with local national agencies and organizations in South Korea to form a united front in the fight against the disease. As one of the largest medical assets in USFK, the 549th Hospital Center and Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital have been pivotal to the South Korea-U.S. COVID-19 response.
Hagåtña Fury 21 | CLR-3 Marines put 'Fight Now' concept to the test USMC News 02 Mar 2021 -- During exercise Hagåtña Fury 21, Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 3 honed expeditionary advanced base operations and distributed maritime operations capabilities across U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, alongside elements of 3d Marine Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, from February 18 to March 1.
MARMC, Blue Water, USS Gerald R. Ford Partner for UAS Exercise US Navy 02 Mar 2021 -- Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) hosted the Blue Water Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Skyways team for an exercise that could impact the way the Navy handles transporting parts for repairs needed aboard forward-deployed ships.
Sudan Welcomes First US Navy Ship Visit in Decades VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- U.S. naval forces are visiting Sudan for the first time in decades, following Sudan's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Secretary General welcomes NATO Parliamentary Assembly at an important juncture for the transatlantic community NATO 02 Mar 2021 -- Members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA) attended a virtual meeting with the North Atlantic Council, on 2 March 2021, to exchange views on NATO's agenda for the year.

Russia Ready to Return to Open Skies Treaty, Upper House Speaker Says Sputnik 02 Mar 2021 -- Moscow is ready to return to the Treaty on Open Skies, which enables the signatories to carry out unarmed military surveillance flights, but the US has not yet made its final decision on the agreement, upper chamber speaker Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with Sputnik.

PLA commissions upgraded destroyer, naval drills show Global Times 02 Mar 2021 -- A newly commissioned, upgraded variation of the Type 052D destroyer recently made its public debut in a series of maritime exercises by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, and analysts said more warships of this class are expected to join the service soon.
Military ties support China-Russia strategic cooperation: ministry Global Times 02 Mar 2021 -- Military relations stand as a bright spot and an important supporting force of the strategic cooperation between China and Russia, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said Monday.
China, ROK sign revised memorandum of understanding: Defense Ministry PLA Daily 02 Mar 2021 -- The defense ministries of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) has signed a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment and use of direct communication lines between the air forces and navies of the two countries, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) today.

IAF Participation in EX Desert FLAG VI India PIB 02 Mar 2021 -- Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

Pentagon affirms 'robust' Saudi relations despite revelations in Khashoggi report Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- The US Defense Department says it continues to have "robust" relations with the Saudi military, despite the revelation made in a declassified US intelligence report that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.

New trainer jets to enter operational test phase CNA 02 Mar 2021 -- Taiwan's new indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT) has recently completed internal flight tests and will soon enter the operational test phase with the help of Taiwan's Air Force to make sure the trainer meets its needs, its manufacturer said Tuesday.

First flight for Loyal Wingman Australia DOD 02 Mar 2021 -- The Loyal Wingman took to the skies today in a successful first flight test - a major step in a significant innovation project for Defence, the Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing Defence Australia.
Exercise filled with refuelling missions Australia DOD 02 Mar 2021 -- The morning sunlight streamed through the cabin windows. The whir of the turbofan engines was almost hypnotic.

Joint Statement on the United States – Iceland Strategic Dialogue US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021 -- The following is the text of a joint statement by the Governments of the United States of America and Iceland following their strategic dialogue via secure video conference today.
Secretary Blinken's Call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Thani US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Omamo US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Norwegian Foreign Minister Søreide US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Venezuelan Interim President Guaidó US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021
Department Press Briefing – March 2, 2021 US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Luigi Mattiolo, Diplomatic Advisor to the Italian Prime Minister The White House 02 Mar 2021
Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris Call with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia The White House 02 Mar 2021
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 2, 2021 The White House 02 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For March 2, 2021
L3Harris Technologies to Design Long-Endurance Autonomous Surface Ship Concept for US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency L3Harris Technologies 02 Mar 2021 -- L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has been selected to design an autonomous surface ship concept for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to demonstrate the reliability and feasibility of an unmanned ship performing lengthy missions.

Other Conflicts

2 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Mar 2021

New Technologies Can Help Southeast Asia Fight Illegal Activity at Sea, Report Says Radio Free Asia 02 Mar 2021 -- Southeast Asian governments are unable to effectively detect and track ships operating in their waters, which allows illegal fishing, piracy, and other dangerous activities to flourish, according to a new report published by the U.S. Naval War College.

Designation of Two Ansarallah Leaders in Yemen US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021 -- Ansarallah, sometimes referred to as the Houthis, plays a significant role in the conflict in Yemen and exacerbates the dire humanitarian plight of the Yemeni people. The war has destabilized the country, displaced four million Yemenis since the beginning of the conflict, and unleashed one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Treasury Sanctions Key Military Leaders of the Ansarallah Militia in Yemen US Treasury 02 Mar 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two key militants of the Iranian-backed Ansarallah, sometimes referred to as the Houthis, whose actions have prolonged Yemen's civil war and exacerbated the country's humanitarian crisis.
US Sanctions 2 Houthi Leaders in Yemen VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- The United States imposed sanctions Tuesday on two senior leaders of the Iranian-backed Houthi militant group in Yemen.
Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward Southern Region SPA 02 Mar 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki
Yemen warns: Saudi oil giant in crosshairs if Ma'rib oilfields attacked Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- Yemen warns of attacking the Saudi Arabian oil giant's facilities if a Riyadh-led coalition waging a war against the country strikes oilfields in a western province that is being liberated by Yemeni forces.

Turkey-Iran Tensions Rise as Ankara Expands Operations in Iraq VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Turkish-Iranian tensions are rising over Turkey's ongoing military operations against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. The regional rivals are engaged in increasingly bitter diplomatic sparring as Ankara threatens to expand its Iraqi operations to a strategically important region used by an Iranian-backed militia.

Quds Military Base confirms terrorist attack on IRGC IRNA 02 Mar 2021 -- The Quds Military Base has confirmed a terrorist attack launched at the Islamic Republic Guards Corps (IRGC) engineering personnel in southern Iran, the public relation office of IRGC reported on Tuesday.

Rights experts condemn ongoing demolition of Palestinian Bedouin village UN News 02 Mar 2021 -- Two independent UN human rights experts are urging Israel to halt efforts to demolish the Palestinian village of Humsa Al-Bqai'a, fearing it is part of a wider pattern of forcible removals and displacement.

Tel Aviv trying to 'influence' ICC to protect Israelis against war crimes probe Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- Israel is working to "influence" the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to protect its forces against possible rulings on war crimes, says the regime's minister of military affairs.

Morocco cuts all contacts with German Embassy Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- Morocco has cut all contacts with the German Embassy in the capital, Rabat, in protest at Berlin's stance on the disputed Western Sahara region.

Abducted girls released in northwest Nigeria, as fresh attacks rock country's northeast UN News 02 Mar 2021 -- While the release of more than 200 girls abducted from their school on Friday in northwest Nigeria is a welcome development said senior UN officials there on Tuesday, civilians and aid facilities have come under attack in the country's northeast, highlighting the plight of civilians who have suffered years of conflict and insecurity.
Thousands Flee Violence in Northwestern Nigeria for Safety in Niger VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations refugee agency reports surging violence in northwest Nigeria has prompted more than 7,500 refugees to flee for safety into neighboring Niger.

UN Appeals for $266M to End Food Cuts to Millions of Refugees in Eastern Africa VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- The World Food Program and the U.N. Refugee Agency are appealing for $266 million to restore full food rations for more than 3 million refugees in Eastern Africa.
UN agencies appeal for $266 million to feed refugees in eastern Africa UN News 02 Mar 2021 -- A funding shortfall is putting the lives of some three million refugees in eastern Africa at risk, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday.

News Reports

FBI Director: No Evidence Left-Wing Activists Attacked US Capitol VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday defended the bureau against criticism that it missed warning signs about the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and failed to adequately sound the alarm about the possibility of violence by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
FBI Chief Says Riot at US Capitol Was 'Domestic Terrorism' VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- The director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation told a Senate panel Tuesday that the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building aimed at preventing the certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory over Donald Trump was domestic terrorism.
FBI chief says Trump supporters committed 'terrorism' in Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- The director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says the acts of a mob of former President Donald Trump supporters during an attack on the US Capitol building on January 6 constituted "domestic terrorism."

CISA Issues Emergency Directive Requiring Federal Agencies to Patch Critical Vulnerability CISA 02 Mar 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued Emergency Directive (ED) 21-02 today requiring federal civilian departments and agencies running Microsoft Exchange on-premises products to update or disconnect the products from their networks until updated with the Microsoft patch released yesterday.

Remarks by President Biden on the Administration's COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts The White House 02 Mar 2021
Biden: Enough Vaccine for Every Adult American by End of May VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Merck will help its pharmaceutical competitor Johnson & Johnson make the single-shot coronavirus vaccine. That was announced on Tuesday by President Joe Biden.

Teen Shot Dead as Troops Use Violence to Quell Myanmar Protesters Radio Free Asia 02 Mar 2021 -- A teenager was shot dead after taunting soldiers and at least six anti-junta protesters were injured Tuesday when security forces used tear gas, stun grenades, and gunfire to break up demonstrations across Myanmar.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Call for End to Violence in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 02 Mar 2021 -- Southeast Asian nations called Tuesday for a halt to escalating violence in Myanmar, and dialogue to end the crisis there, as some countries demanded the immediate release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others detained by the military after it seized power last month.
ASEAN Urges Peaceful Solution to Myanmar Coup Standoff VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pushed for the release of Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a return to democracy after meeting Tuesday on the state of the country.
ASEAN to Hold Talks on Myanmar Political Crisis VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, are holding talks Tuesday to discuss the worsening political crisis in Myanmar.
Who Represents Myanmar at UN? VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar's dueling governments each now claim to represent the country at the United Nations, making it likely that member states will have to step in and decide whose ambassador to recognize.

Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on new US anti-Russia sanctions Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Mar 2021 -- "The US Administration, teamed up with the EU, has made a hostile move towards Russia by announcing new sanctions "to punish Moscow.""
Russia to respond to planned US, EU sanctions over Navalny case Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- Russia says it will respond to planned sanctions by the United States over the case of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, depending on their content and nature.
Imposing Sanctions on Russia for the Poisoning and Imprisonment of Aleksey Navalny US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2021 -- The United States joins the European Union in condemning and responding to the Russian Federation's use of a chemical weapon in the attempted assassination of Russian opposition figure Aleksey Navalny in August 2020 and his subsequent imprisonment in January 2021.
Treasury Sanctions Russian Officials in Response to the Novichok Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny US Treasury 02 Mar 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) joined the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce in imposing sanctions in response to Russia's poisoning and subsequent imprisonment of Russian opposition figure Aleksey Navalny.
US Sanctions Russians for Role in Navalny Attack VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- For the first time, the administration of President Joe Biden is taking punitive action against Russia.
U.S., EU Slap Sanctions On Russia Over Navalny Poisoning, Arrest RFE/RL 02 Mar 2021 -- The United States and the European Union have announced coordinated sanctions against Russian officials over the poisoning and imprisonment of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, as the White House sets a firmer tone with Moscow while also demonstrating a united front against Kremlin aggression.
Prominent Russian Rights Group Shuts Down Over 'Foreign Agent' Laws RFE/RL 02 Mar 2021 -- Veteran Russian activist Lev Ponomaryov has shut his well-respected human rights organization due to the country's controversial laws on "foreign agents."

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 2, 2021 PRC MofA 02 Mar 2021
US Warns World Getting 'Taste' of Chinese Domination VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Top U.S. officials are warning that countries around the world can no longer hide from the ramifications of an ever more ambitious and aggressive China.
Court Hearing for 47 Hong Kong Activists Adjourned as Protesters Gather VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Dozens of pro-democracy activists returned to a Hong Kong courtroom Tuesday, as their marathon hearing on charges of subversion entered a second day.
China condemns Australia for granting 'protection visas' to Hong Hong residents Global Times 02 Mar 2021 -- China's Foreign Ministry on Monday urged Australia to abandon its interference in China's Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) affairs, after the Australian government granted protection visas to Hong Kong passport holders in December, which came following years of rejected applications.
HK electoral system overhaul a highlight of two sessions Global Times 02 Mar 2021 -- Ahead of China's most important annual political event that kicks off on Thursday, an overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system is expected to top the agenda, raising considerable public discussion about how to define patriotism and interpret love for the Communist Party of China (CPC)-led country, the essence of which has been proposed as fundamental for the principle of only patriots governing Hong Kong.
HK representatives speak of urgency to improve systems related to "patriots governing Hong Kong" Global Times 02 Mar 2021 -- Representatives from Hong Kong attending a two-day symposium spoke of the urgency to improve related systems of "patriots governing Hong Kong" and plug loopholes in Hong Kong's electoral and other systems.
Chinese embassy slams UK accusation on national security law as absurd, after 47 Hong Kong politicians and activists charged Global Times 02 Mar 2021 -- UK's claim that China's national security law "stifles any political dissent" and "violates the Joint Declaration" is absurd and confuses right and wrong, the Chinese embassy said on Tuesday, after UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab made remarks on the decision by Hong Kong Police Force to charge 47 Hong Kong politicians and activists.
Protesters in Hong Kong, Myanmar, Unite Under Banner of 'Milk Tea Alliance' Radio Free Asia 02 Mar 2021 -- As protesters in Hong Kong gathered outside a court in the city in support of 47 pro-democracy politicians and activists charged with "subversion" under the national security law, some raised the mockingjay salute in solidarity with protesters in Myanmar.
Australia, Turkey to Join Nations Debating Label of Genocide Over Xinjiang Abuses Radio Free Asia 02 Mar 2021 -- Australia and Turkey are moving to investigate whether to label human rights violations in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) as genocide, following a similar designation by the White House and recent parliamentary motions in Canada and the Netherlands.
China firmly opposes politicizing human rights issues: spokesperson Global Times 02 Mar 2021 -- A foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday expressed firm opposition to the wrong actions of politicizing human rights issues and interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights issues.

North Korea Conceals Suspected Nuclear Warehouse, Alleged Satellite Photos Suggest Sputnik 02 Mar 2021 -- The previous US administration attempted to negotiate the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, but the talks stalled before the sides could reach any agreement.

Only way to revive JCPOA is lifting of anti-Iran sanctions: Rouhani IRNA 02 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the 2015 nuclear deal as a multilateral and international agreement, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231; noting that the US should lift sanctions to revive the accord.
Agreement with IAEA token of Iran's good faith: Gov't spokesman IRNA 02 Mar 2021 -- Spokesman of Iranian Government Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday that Iran's agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a clear message of Tehran's good faith in giving a chance to diplomacy.
Iran warns against closure of windows of opportunity for US ISNA 02 Mar 2021 -- Iran's government spokesman, Ali Rabiei stressed that the US policy of maximum pressure against Iran has failed, leaving Washington with no choice but to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.
Rouhani to Macron: Failure to seize chances of saving Iran deal to complicate impasse Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called on the parties to the 2015 nuclear deal not to miss the remaining chances to revive the landmark agreement, warning that any "unconstructive" move at the UN nuclear watchdog's upcoming board meeting will complicate the stalemate surrounding the accord.
Iranian administration: Deal with IAEA goodwill gesture in support of diplomacy Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- Iran says the temporary bilateral technical understanding it has reached with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), shows "goodwill" on the part of the Islamic Republic and gives diplomacy a chance to resolve the nuclear issue.
Biden's Iran Travel Ban Repeal Reignites Debate About Whether US Can Effectively Vet Iranians VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's quick January repeal of his predecessor's travel ban on Iran has not yet revived Iranian arrivals to the United States, but it has reignited a debate about which Iranians the U.S. should allow to enter and whether existing methods for vetting them are effective.

Lukashenka: There Will Be 'No Transfer Of Power' In Belarus RFE/RL 02 Mar 2021 -- Autocratic leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka says there will be "no transfer of power" in Belarus, where thousands have demonstrated across the country since early August demanding his resignation over an elections they say was rigged.

Macron 'Playing with Fire,' Says France's Leading Left-wing Newspaper VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron is being pulled in contrary political directions, swerving both left and right, as he seeks to work out the political trajectory most likely to secure him reelection next year, according to critics and analysts.
French ex-president Sarkozy sentenced to 3 years on corruption charges People's Daily 02 Mar 2021 -- A French court on Monday convicted former president Nicolas Sarkozy on charges of corruption and influence peddling and handed him three-year prison sentence, including two years suspended.

Reporters without Borders files lawsuit against Saudi crown prince, others over Khashoggi murder Press TV 02 Mar 2021 -- The Paris-based press group Reporters without Borders has filed a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and four other senior Saudi officials in Germany over the brutal killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi and other crimes against humanity.
No Proof on Crown Prince's Link to Khashoggi's Murder in CIA Intel Report, Saudi Diplomat Says Sputnik 02 Mar 2021 -- The US intelligence report on the assassination of columnist Khashoggi contains no evidence that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman had been involved in this crime, the country's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, Abdallah AlMouallimi, said, adding that the document only makes suggestions.
Saudi Crown Prince Accused of Crimes Against Humanity VOA 02 Mar 2021 -- Media monitoring group Reporters Without Borders said Tuesday it had filed a criminal case with German prosecutors targeting the Saudi crown prince and others for the killing in Turkey of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Two Men Charged in Ecuadorian Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme US Dept. of Justice 02 Mar 2021 -- Criminal complaints have been unsealed charging two Ecuadorian citizens for their alleged roles in a bribery and money laundering scheme involving Ecuador's public police pension fund (ISSPOL).

Conviction of Cambodia's Opposition Leadership Prompts International Backlash Radio Free Asia 02 Mar 2021 -- The U.S., EU, and Australia called on Cambodia's government Tuesday to uphold the freedom of expression and pursue national reconciliation through inclusive dialogue after a court sentenced opposition leaders to lengthy jail terms and amid mass trials of dozens of the party's members.

EU Envoy In Pristina To Discuss Kosovo-Serbia Normalization Process RFE/RL 02 Mar 2021 -- The European Union's special envoy for talks between Serbia and Kosovo, Miroslav Lajcak, says there is a "clear understanding" among Kosovo's leaders of the importance of EU-mediated normalization talks with neighboring Serbia.

Armenian President Will Not Sign Decree on Dismissal of General Staff Chief Sputnik 02 Mar 2021 -- Armenian President Armen Sarkissian will not sign a decree on the dismissal of General Staff Chief Onik Gasparyan, and, in this case, the decision will enter into force automatically under the country's constitution, the president's office said on Tuesday.

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