COVID-19 - Daily News

15 December 2021 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

AFNORTH's CAP takes flight to assist tornado recovery US Air Force 15 Dec 2021 -- AFNORTH Civil Air Patrol aircrews are flying storm surveys to assist the National Weather Service and the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency in gauging the official intensities of the deadly tornadoes that ripped into the Midwest on Dec. 10.

Defense Policy / Programs

Navy Starts Administrative Separations for COVID-19 Vaccine Refusers US Navy 15 Dec 2021 -- The Navy issued guidance to commanders to move forward with administrative separations for service members continuing to refuse the COVID-19 vaccination, while leaving the door open for those who change their minds.
DoD hosts Combined Space Operations Initiative Principals Board DoD 15 Dec 2021 -- The Department of Defense hosted the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) initiative Principals Board at Cape Canaveral, Florida, December 7-8 with counterparts from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to steer national security space cooperation.
Joint Statement on 8th United States - New Zealand Defense Policy Dialogue DoD 15 Dec 2021 -- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Dr. Ely Ratner, and Deputy Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning, Michael Swain, met virtually to conduct the 8th annual United States - New Zealand Defense Policy Dialogue, December 15 (Washington) and December 16 (Wellington).
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Bilateral Meeting with Canadian Minister of National Defence Anita Anand DoD 15 Dec 2021
USS Arleigh Burke Departs Black Sea, Arrives in Golcuk, Turkey US Navy 15 Dec 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) departed the Black Sea, arriving in Golcuk, Turkey for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 15.
USS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in Gulf of Aden US Navy 15 Dec 2021 -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducted a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
USS Ralph Johnson Participates in Resolute Dragon US Navy 15 Dec 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), is underway supporting U.S. Marines and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) as part of Resolute Dragon, Dec. 15.

Coronavirus Response: NATO donates ventilators to Tunisia NATO 15 Dec 2021 -- On 15 December 2021, Tunisia received 10 ventilators from NATO's Pandemic Response Stockpile to help the country respond to coronavirus infections. NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre and Hungary coordinated the donation to provide pandemic relief to Tunisia.
NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Georgia discussed the security situation in the region NATO 15 Dec 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (15 December). They discussed political and practical cooperation as well as the security situation in the region.

Kremlin Says Moscow Handed Security-Guarantee Proposals To U.S. RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- Russia has presented the United States with a set of proposals for binding Western security guarantees during a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried in Moscow on December 15, the Kremlin said.

PLA holds drills surrounding China's 2nd largest island to 'enhance combat preparedness' Global Times 15 Dec 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched on Wednesday a series of exercises in three different directions of Hainan Island, China's second largest island only behind the island of Taiwan, in a move analysts said aims to enhance the troops' joint combat preparedness in possible amphibious landing missions on islands.
China's 39th naval escort taskforce completes escort mission PLA Daily 15 Dec 2021 -- The 39th Chinese naval escort taskforce has safely escorted a Qatari oil tanker, a Liberian cargo ship and Singaporean oil tanker to the designated waters in the Gulf of Aden on December 14, local time, completing the 1457th escort mission conducted by Chinese Navy in this area.

Launch of Al-Kaseh 3 exercise between Royal Saudi Land Forces and their Pakistani counterpart SPA 15 Dec 2021 -- The activities of Al-Kaseh 3 exercise in the northern region were launched with the participation of the Royal Saudi Land Forces and the Pakistani Army, in the presence of the Commander of the Northern Region, General Saleh bin Ahmed Al-Zahrani, at the Prince Khalid bin Sultan Command Center.

National Cyber Strategy: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 15 Dec 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has released a statement on the launch of the UK's National Cyber Strategy.
New Blueprint to protect UK from Cyber Threats UK MOD 15 Dec 2021 -- A new National Cyber Strategy has been announced, setting out how we will protect and promote UK interests in rapidly evolving online world

Defence Ministerial oral statement on the AJAX programme UK MOD 15 Dec 2021 -- Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin updates the House of Commons on the AJAX programme and announces the publication of the AJAX Health and Safety report.

Secretary Blinken's Call with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Momen US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2021
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2021
Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure The White House 15 Dec 2021
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with National Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan of Armenia The White House 15 Dec 2021
Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 15 Dec 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For Dec. 15, 2021

Other Conflicts

15 December 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Dec 2021

German warship enters South China Sea on 1st deployment to region in 20 years Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- The frigate Bayern is sailing through the South China Sea as part of the first deployment of a German warship to the Indo-Pacific in almost 20 years.

'Let Them Die': Rights Report Documents Possible War Crimes In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Dec 2021 -- Amnesty International says it has documented torture and extrajudicial executions committed by the Taliban as the group seized power in Afghanistan in August.
US dismisses possibility of unfreezing Afghanistan's assets Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- The United States says it has no plan to unfreeze nearly $10 billion worth of Afghanistan's assets to help the Taliban administration deal with the humanitarian situation across the crisis-stricken country.
Amnesty Demands Probe of Afghan War Crimes by All Parties VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- A global human rights group is accusing all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan of inflicting "extensive" casualties on civilians before the U.S.-backed government in Kabul collapsed and the Islamist Taliban took power last August.

UN agency begins COVID vaccine rollout for 7,500 stranded migrants in Yemen UN News 15 Dec 2021 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has begun a COVID-19 vaccination campaign for migrants stranded in Yemen. The goal is to inoculate around 7,500 people at its Migrant Response Points in Aden and Ma'rib.
Yemen targets key Saudi airbase with several ballistic missiles Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- The Yemeni armed forces' spokesman says the country has fired several ballistic missiles against the King Khaled Airbase in southwestern Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the kingdom and its allies' escalating attacks on Yemen.
Yemeni forces take control of key positions on border with Saudi Arabia Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- Yemeni army and allied fighters from Popular Committees have made fresh gains, taking control of key positions in the northeastern province of Jawf on the border with Saudi Arabia.

EU threatens Russia with 'unprecedented measures' over Ukraine Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- The European Union (EU) has threatened Russia with "unprecedented measures" and "serious consequences" in response to "further aggression" against Ukraine.
European Leaders Favor Use Of Normandy Format To Resolve Conflict Between Russia, Ukraine RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has told European Union leaders that Ukraine is ready for talks with Russia in any format but urged Western countries to keep pressure on Moscow through sanctions.
EU Warns Russia of 'Unprecedented Measures' for Ukraine Aggression VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen Wednesday warned Russia it could face "unprecedented measures" if it does not de-escalate its aggressive posture against Ukraine.
Fundamental freedoms squeezed in Ukraine, Human Rights Council hears UN News 15 Dec 2021 -- The UN Human Rights Council heard on Wednesday that fundamental freedoms in Ukraine have been squeezed in Government-controlled areas, as well as across the contact line in eastern territories, held by mainly pro-Russian separatists.
Criticism of Russia Military Build-up Dominates UN Session on Rights in Ukraine VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- A U.N. Human Rights Council debate on Ukraine Wednesday drifted into criticism of Russia's large-scale military buildup along the Ukrainian border. U.S. and British representatives voiced support for Ukraine, while a Russian diplomat completely ignored the issue.

Clashes in Myanmar's Karen-controlled territory follow military raids Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- Armed conflict broke out Wednesday between Myanmar's military and a joint force of anti-junta fighters in territory controlled by the Karen ethnic group a day after government troops conducted several raids in the area, detaining more than 20 political activists who had taken refuge there, residents said.

French Army Leaves Timbuktu for First Time Since Arriving in 2013 VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- French troops have left a military base in Timbuktu, Mali, where they were posted since liberating the area from Islamist militants in 2013. French forces have been gradually withdrawing from the region, despite ongoing fighting with militants that threatens stability. Locals are expressing unease about the French troops' departure.
French forces leave Mali's Timbuktu base after nearly a decade Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- French troops have left a key military base in the city of Timbuktu in northern Mali, handing it over to the Malian army nearly a decade after a military intervention in the West African country.
Potential Deployment of the Wagner Group in Mali US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2021 -- We are alarmed by a potential deployment of Russia-backed Wagner Group forces in Mali. We understand that the reported deal - costing $10 million per month - diverts money that could be used to support the Malian Armed Forces and public services to pay for the deployment of Yevgeniy Prigozhin's Wagner Group forces to Mali. Wagner forces - which are known for their destabilizing activities and human rights abuses - will not bring peace to Mali, but rather will destabilize the country further.
U.S. Warns Mali Against Accepting Deal To Deploy Russian Mercenaries RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- The United States has warned Mali against deploying Russia-backed Vagner Group forces, saying a reported deal between the country and the private military contractor would divert money away from efforts to fight terrorism and could ultimately destabilize the region.

Continued efforts to support and promote peace, stability and security in Central Africa UK FCDO 15 Dec 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe at the Security Council briefing on the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa

Armenian, Azerbaijani Leaders Hold 'Significant' Talks RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held "significant" EU-mediated talks in Brussels, European Council President Charles Michel said.

Implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan remains too slow UK FCDO 15 Dec 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on South Sudan
South Sudan: 'Headwinds' warning from UN mission chief over peace accord UN News 15 Dec 2021 -- The UN Special Representative in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, issued a warning to the Security Council on Wednesday that new "headwinds" could threaten the country's fragile peace accord, following years of brutal civil conflict.

News Reports

US House Votes 222-208 to Refer Contempt Charges Against Top Trump Aide VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a resolution that calls on the Justice Department to formally charge Mark Meadows, former President Donald Trump's chief of staff, with criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to testify to the special committee investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol by Trump's supporters.

Letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade The White House 15 Dec 2021
Combating Transnational Crime and Imposing Sanctions on Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2021 -- When transnational criminal organizations engage in drug and firearms trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and money laundering, among other illicit activities, they threaten global public health, safety, and U.S. national security, while facilitating corruption that undermines the stability and security of partner nations.
Treasury Uses New Sanctions Authority to Combat Global Illicit Drug Trade US Treasury 15 Dec 2021 -- Today, President Biden signed a new Executive Order (E.O.) to modernize the U.S. Department of the Treasury's sanctions authorities used to combat the illicit drug trade.

Russia vows 'adequate response' in expulsion of diplomats from Germany Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- Russia says it will adequately respond to the expulsion of two of its diplomats from Berlin, amid tensions between Moscow and the West.
Germany Expels Two Russian Diplomats After Court Finds Man Guilty Of Killing Ordered By Moscow RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- Germany has expelled two Russian diplomats after a court in Berlin convicted a Russian man of fatally shooting a former Chechen militant in 2019 in Berlin on Moscow's orders.
Germany Expels 2 Russian Diplomats Over 2019 Killing VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- Germany is expelling two Russian diplomats over what a German court said was a Russian-ordered killing of a German citizen of Chechen origin in Berlin in 2019.

Report Indicates Greater Huawei Involvement in Surveillance VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- The Chinese telecom giant Huawei has consistently claimed it does not actively partner with the Chinese government in gathering intelligence on individuals within China, but a report by The Washington Post this week showing the company appears to have marketed surveillance technology to government customers calls the company's assertions into question.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, December 15, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Dec 2021
Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov's meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Dec 2021
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Russian Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Yuriy Ushakov The White House 15 Dec 2021
Navalny's Daughter Urges Europe To Confront 'Dictators' As She Accepts Sakharov Prize On Behalf Of Imprisoned Father RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- The daughter of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has urged European Union governments to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as she collected the Sakharov Prize on his behalf during a ceremony in the French city of Strasbourg.

Chinese President Xi, Russia's Putin, Hold Video Meeting VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met Wednesday via video conference, stressing their strong alliance amid both countries' deteriorating relations with the west.
Putin, Xi hail Russia-China relations as 'better than alliance' Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- Presidents of Russia and China have hailed the relationship between their countries as better than "alliance," at a time of high tensions with the West.
Russia, China Present Unified Front Amid Rising Tensions With West RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- The leaders of Russia and China sought to display a unified front in the face of both countries' increasingly tense relations with the West, hailing their "model" relations during a video call on December 15.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on December 15, 2021 PRC MofA 15 Dec 2021
HK high court orders Jimmy Lai's Next Digital to wind up under company laws Global Times 15 Dec 2021 -- The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday has ordered Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily, founded by jailed Hong Kong secessionist Jimmy Lai, must be wound up according to relevant company laws, after a petition was presented in September.
US House passes measure clamping down on products from China's Xinjiang Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- The US House of Representatives has passed legislation banning imports from China's Xinjiang region citing alleged human rights violations there.
UK high court allows Uyghur forced labor case to proceed Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- The High Court of England and Wales said on Wednesday that a Uyghur rights advocacy group could proceed with a case against U.K. authorities for permitting the importation of cotton goods produced with Uyghur forced labor in China.
U.S. House Passes Bill To Block Chinese Imports Over Uyghur Abuses RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill to ensure imports from China's Xinjiang region are not made with forced labor due to concerns about human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority.
US Poised to Become First Country to Ban Goods Made by Uyghur Slave Labor VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. Congress moved one step closer this week to making the United States the first country to ban the import of goods produced by Uyghur slave labor.
Charting the Future of China's Infrastructure Projects in Africa After a Decade of Lending VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- China is financing the construction of four coal-fired power plants in southern Africa, despite its climate pledge in September to quit supporting such infrastructure overseas. But the new facilities taking shape in South Africa and Zimbabwe are just a few of Beijing's massive investments in airports, railway lines and other national infrastructure on the African continent.

French parliamentarian delegation touches down in Taiwan CNA 15 Dec 2021 -- A delegation of French parliamentarians led by François de Rugy, chair of the French National Assembly's France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, arrived in Taiwan Wednesday for a five-day visit during which it will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
Nicaragua asks Taiwan embassy staff to leave in two weeks: MOFA CNA 15 Dec 2021 -- The Nicaragua government has given a two-week deadline for the staff of the Taiwan embassy and technical mission there to depart, after the two countries severed diplomatic ties on Dec. 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed Wednesday.

North Korea publicly executed at least 27 people since 2011, report says Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- North Korea has held at least 27 public executions during the 10-year reign of Kim Jong Un, a report published by a South Korean human rights organization said Wednesday.
Maritime trade between North Korea and China picks up Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- Maritime trade between North Korea and China appears to have resumed, with Chinese port cities in the northern Yellow Sea scrambling to hire enough workers to quickly load ships bound for North Korea after a nearly two-year cut-off in trade to fight the pandemic.
Joint statement on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea UK FCDO 15 Dec 2021 -- Delivered by US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on behalf of Estonia, France, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Some on Security Council Seek Public Discussion of N. Korea Rights Abuses VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- Several U.N. Security Council members plus Japan urged their counterparts on the 15-nation council Wednesday to hold a public meeting regarding North Korea's human rights situation.

Iran, UN Atomic Agency Agree On Reinstalling Damaged Cameras At Nuclear Site RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- Iran and the UN's nuclear watchdog have announced an agreement on replacing damaged cameras at an Iranian nuclear complex amid Western warnings that talks with Tehran on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal were "rapidly reaching the end of the road."
European Powers Warn Iran Nuclear Talks Nearing 'End Of The Road' RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- Three European powers said on December 14 that talks with Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal are "rapidly reaching the end of the road," while Tehran accused Western powers of playing a "blame game."
Iran allows IAEA to replace damaged cameras at Karaj site IRNA 15 Dec 2021 -- Iran voluntarily allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to replace the damaged cameras at Karaj's TESA site with the new ones in the wake of a recent agreement with the IAEA.
FM: Iran reaches good agreement with IAEA IRNA 15 Dec 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Wednesday that Iran has reached a good agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
FM Spox sees progress in Iran-IAEA talks IRNA 15 Dec 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that the talks between the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the director-general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have led to progress and gaps over several issues have narrowed.
Iran voluntarily allows IAEA to replace its damaged cameras with new ones ISNA 15 Dec 2021 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran in a voluntarily act allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to replaced its damaged cameras with new ones.
Iranian Foreign Ministry rejects GCC's 'unconstructive' communiqué amid diplomatic moves Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemns a thoroughly anti-Tehran communiqué issued at the end of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s most recent summit, stressing the Islamic Republic will brook no meddling in its internal affairs, including its peaceful nuclear program.
Iran takes voluntary action to resolve misunderstanding with International Atomic Energy Agency Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- Iran has taken a "voluntary" action to help resolve an instance of misunderstanding with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
UN urges US to lift anti-Iran sanctions in line with JCPOA Press TV 15 Dec 2021 -- The United Nations has called on the United States to lift sanctions against Iran in line with the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, which Washington has abandoned, and extend waivers regarding oil trade with the Islamic Republic, amid a diplomatic process in Vienna to revitalize the troubled agreement.

Myanmar's junta 'regards journalists as enemies,' say reporters after photog's death Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- Press freedom in Myanmar is under relentless attack from the junta, journalists said Wednesday, amid an ongoing crackdown on the media by authorities that led to the first death of a reporter since the military seized control of the country 10 months ago.
Blinken: Washington weighing more ways to put Myanmar on democratic path Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- Washington is considering "additional steps" to press the Burmese junta into putting Myanmar on the path to democracy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said here Wednesday before cutting short his first official Southeast Asia trip after someone in his traveling party tested positive for COVID-19.
Cambodia's Hun Sen names ASEAN envoy to Myanmar Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday named his country's top diplomat as special envoy to Myanmar in a move aimed at resolving the political crisis in that country that has seen more than a thousand killed in protests calling for a return to democratic rule.
US Examining Additional Measure to Pressure Myanmar Junta VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday it is necessary to look at applying additional measures against Myanmar where 10 months after a military coup "the crisis has only continued to worsen."

'The Dictator's Revenge': Who Are The Six Belarusians Sentenced To Major Prison Terms RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- One ran a video blog that morphed into a thwarted presidential campaign. Another challenged Alyaksandr Lukashenka for the presidency of Belarus 11 years ago and has been in and out of prison for political protests. Yet another was a blogger whose Telegram channel was Belarus's second-most read.

South African High Court Orders Zuma Back to Jail VOA 15 Dec 2021 -- South Africa's High Court has ordered former President Jacob Zuma back to jail, to serve out the remainder of his 15-month sentence for contempt of court.It called the decision in September to release Zuma on medical parole unlawful.

Vietnamese land rights activists draw heavy prison terms in Hanoi trial Radio Free Asia 15 Dec 2021 -- A court in Vietnam on Wednesday sentenced two land rights activists to a total of 16 years in prison for speaking out against a deadly police assault last year against villagers living on disputed land outside of Hanoi.

Tajik President's Daughter Becomes Ambassador To Britain RFE/RL 15 Dec 2021 -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on December 15 appointed his third daughter, Ruhshona Rahmonova, to be the country's ambassador to Britain.

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