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• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 20 Dec 2021
• Department of Defense Releases Report on Countering Extremist Activities and Outlines Next Steps DoD 20 Dec 2021 -- On February 3, 2021, Secretary Austin directed a one-day stand down at all levels to hold an in-depth conversation on the values underpinning national service, the oath of office, and the importance of unit cohesion, as well as to gain a better understanding of the scope of the problem of extremist activity within the ranks.
• DOD Issues Guidance on Plans to Counter Extremist Activity in the Force DoD News 20 Dec 2021 -- On April 9, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III established the Countering Extremist Activity Working Group to examine how the services are implementing these actions and reviewing and updating the definition of extremism in Department of Defense Instruction 1325.06.
• US Army's Combined Resolve XVI Comes to a Close Army News 20 Dec 2021 -- Combined Resolve XVI tests the ability of the U.S. Army and its allied forces on their ability to work in a joint, multinational environment against adversaries. This rotation marked the 16th Combined Resolve exercise, which consisted of approximately 4,600 soldiers from the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Slovakia, Italy, Serbia, Lithuania, Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, and the United States.
• RSAF, USAF conduct combined operations in KSA CENTCOM 20 Dec 2021 -- In the desert skies above Taif's King Fahad Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing integrated with Royal Saudi Air Forces to execute a combined training exercise.
• Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and Royal Australian Navy Conduct Bilateral Training Exercise US Navy 20 Dec 2021 -- The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group conducted a bilateral training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to test and refine warfighting principles, Dec. 10-19, 2021.
• Navy Completes Initial Carrier Demo for MQ-25 Program US Navy 20 Dec 2021 -- The Navy completed an Unmanned Carrier Aviation Demonstration (UCAD) of its MQ-25 unmanned air system prototype in December aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), laying the groundwork for future carrier-based UAS operations.
• NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka Awards Contract for Littoral Combat Ship Repair and Maintenance US Navy 20 Dec 2021 -- A contract recently awarded to Austal USA LLC by Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka will enable littoral combat ships (LCS) deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and ports throughout to receive more efficient and expedient emergent repairs and continuous maintenance. Starting in January 2022, the firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract will run through December 2023, with three further 12-month option periods.
• US Says It Is Ready to Start Talks With Russia VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- The White House said Monday the United States is ready to start diplomatic talks with Russia through multiple channels, but it made clear that Moscow must address Western concerns about its military buildup along the Ukrainian border.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Yuriy Ushakov, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Russia The White House 20 Dec 2021
• Russia pushes US on security guarantees, says military option on Ukraine still likely Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Russia says it is primarily important for the United States to respond on security guarantees regarding the situation around Ukraine, warning of a possible military action if NATO fails to come up with a political solution to ease Moscow's concerns.
• Polish, Lithuanian Leaders Back Kyiv And Call For No 'Concessions' To Russia RFE/RL 20 Dec 2021 -- Poland and Lithuania have joined Ukraine in calling for stronger sanctions against Russia, with Polish President Andrzej Duda saying that "everything must be done" to prevent potential Russian military aggression against Ukraine.
• Russia to React Proportionately If NATO Deploys Strike Weapons, Deputy FM Says Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- Moscow will respond proportionately if NATO countries deploy strike weapons on their territory, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.
• White House: US Ready to Engage in Diplomacy With Russia, Says Dialogue Must Be Based on Reciprocity Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- Earlier, Russia called for a resumption of the NATO-Russia channel of communication along the military line amid simmering tensions near the Ukrainian border.
• Kremlin: Deployment of Weapons Near Russia to Require Measures to Balance Situation Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- The deployment of various types of weapons near Russian territory will require steps to balance the situation, according to the Kremlin.
• NATO Should Stop Escalation to Prevent Possible Military Response From Russia, Diplomat Says Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- NATO understands that it is impossible to constantly hit Russia's weak spots, dialogue is necessary, otherwise Moscow will have to give a military response, Konstantin Gavrilov, who heads the Russian delegation at the arms control negotiations in Vienna, said on Monday.
• Norwegian Foreign Minister Calls Russia's Security Proposals to US, NATO 'Completely Unrealistic' Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- In draft security proposals presented by Russia last week, the Western alliance is asked to discard its military activities in Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, while both NATO and Russia are required not to deploy intermediate and short-range missiles in areas from where they can hit each other.
• Recent South China Sea missions seen as sign China confident in carrier fleet Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2021 -- China has recently deployed both of its active aircraft carriers on combat-oriented drills in the South China Sea, an indication that Beijing is growing more confident about its carrier fleet's capabilities, said analysts.
• PLA troops to receive new Type-21 combat and operation uniforms PLA Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- With the approval of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), the Type-21 combat and operation uniforms are to be distributed to all service members of the Chinese military since this winter to replace the old ones.
• Dependable supply ship farewelled Australia DOD 20 Dec 2021 -- HMAS Sirius was decommissioned from the Royal Australian Navy on December 18 after more than 15 years' dedicated service providing fuel and stores to ships at sea.
• Australia - Hellfire AGM-114R2 Missiles DSCA 20 Dec 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Hellfire AGM-114R2 Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $108 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Sound of explosion in Bushehr comes from military drills: Iranian official Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Following reports of an explosion-like sound near Iran's nuclear power plant near the southern city of Bushehr, an Iranian official says it was an anti-aircraft fire, which was part of military drills in the area.
• Iran's IRGC stages massive military exercise along southern shores Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched a large-scale military exercise in an area stretching along the southern shores of the country on the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with the participation of airborne units, ground, and naval forces.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guards Hold Major Military Drill In Southern Iran RFE/RL 20 Dec 2021 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) kicked off five days of military maneuvers across the country's south on December 20, state television reported, amid continued tensions with the West over Tehran's nuclear program.
• Iran Conducts Air Defence Drills Above Bushehr Nuclear Facility Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- The Iranian armed forces carried out an air defence exercise in the airspace above the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Monday morning, Deputy Governor-General of the Bushehr Province for Political, Security, and Social Affairs, Mohammad Taqi Irani, said.
• MIG-21 Aircraft India PIB 20 Dec 2021 -- Tejas is not being inducted as a replacement of MIG-21 fighter aircraft, but as a part of modernisation of IAF
• New Armament Production Units India PIB 20 Dec 2021 -- In the last five years, a total of 194 Industrial Licenses have been issued to private companies in Defence sector for manufacturing of items like ammunitions, artillery guns, howitzers, air defence guns, UAVs, destroyers, frigates, night vision devices, ballistic protection items, radars, opto-electronic devices etc
• Defence Agreement with Russia on Assault Rifles India PIB 20 Dec 2021 -- A contract for procurement of quantity 6,01,427 Assault Rifles AK-203 was signed on December 06, 2021 between Ministry of Defence and M/s Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL)- a Joint Venture established between India, represented by the Defence PSUs-Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) & Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Russia, represented by Rosoboronexport (RoE) & Concern Kalashnikov (CK), in the share holding of 50
• Royal Saudi Air Force and the US Air Force kick off Bilateral "Combat Readiness" Exercise SPA 20 Dec 2021 -- The bilateral exercise (Combat Readiness) between the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces and the U.S. Air Force has started at King Abdullah Airbase in the Western Sector, it was reported here today.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Slovenian Foreign Minister Logar US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, December 20, 2021 The White House 20 Dec 2021
• Department Press Briefing – December 20, 2021 US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 20, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 20 December 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Dec 2021
• New Survey Shows Afghan Media 'Carnage' After Taliban Takeover RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Dec 2021 -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August has had a "dramatic" impact on the country's media, with more than four out of every 10 media outlets having disappeared and 60 percent of journalists and other media workers no longer being able to work.
• Afghanistan's economy in 'free fall'; 97% population staring at poverty, warns UN Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Afghanistan's crisis-stricken economy is in "free fall", the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator has said, warning that if decisive and compassionate action is not taken, it may "pull the entire population with it".
• Several Saudi cities come under intense Yemeni retaliation Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Yemen's defense forces have launched intense retaliatory fire against "several" Saudi Arabian cities, using ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Disclosed Carrying Out a Limited Military Operation Against Legitimate Military Targets in Sana'a Airport Following their Use for Military Purposes by the Houthis, and their Direct Contribution to Military Action SPA 20 Dec 2021 -- Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki issued the following statement: "The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has carried out this evening, Monday (20 December 2021), a limited military operation against legitimate military targets in Sana'a Airport after they were used for military purposes by the terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia.
• UN envoy outlines 'possibilities for progress' in Syria next year UN News 20 Dec 2021 -- Now is the time to explore whether a political process in Syria can meaningfully move forward in 2022, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen told the Security Council on Monday.
• Nothing can replace the scale or scope of the UN mandated Syrian cross-border mechanism UK FCDO 20 Dec 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Syria
• No Signs of Russia Deescalating on Ukraine Border VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- Russia has not let up with a military build-up along the border with Ukraine since U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a two-hour video conference earlier this month, say Western security sources.
• Dutch Prosecutors Insist MH17 Was Downed by Buk Missile From Donbass Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- The Dutch prosecutor's office insists that Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014 was downed by a Buk missile from the Pervomayskoye settlement controlled by the Donbass militia, Prosecutor Thijs Berger said on Monday.
• MH17 Trial: Dutch Prosecutors Start Closing Arguments, Say Victims 'Didn't Stand A Chance' RFE/RL 20 Dec 2021 -- Dutch prosecutors said on December 20 that the 298 victims of the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine "didn't stand a chance" once a rocket hit the aircraft, as they began their closing arguments in the closely watched trial.
• Violation of LoC by Pakistan India PIB 20 Dec 2021 -- A total 5,601 instances of Cease Fire Violations (CFVs) were reported along the LoC under operational control of Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir from 30 November 2019 to 29 November 2021
• Gunmen kill 38 civilians in northwest Nigeria in latest bloodshed Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Gunmen in northwest Nigeria have killed at least 38 people in three separate attacks, in a latest spell of violence to hit the troubled region, local reports said.
• TPLF Claims Withdrawal to Tigray From Occupied Areas Amid Ethiopian Government Counteroffensive Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- Amid a powerful counteroffensive by the Ethiopian government, the leader of Tigray State has appealed to the United Nations for help, announcing on Monday that Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces had been pulled back to Tigray. The pullout is just one peace condition laid out by Addis prior to the TPLF's invasion of Amhara and Afar.
• Tigray Forces Announce Withdrawal From Afar, Amhara Regions VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- After months of fighting, forces of the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front say they are withdrawing their forces to their home Tigray region.
• Millions of Somalis Facing Conflict, Drought, Disease Need Lifesaving Assistance VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- The United Nations estimates 7.7 million people, half of Somalia's population, will require humanitarian assistance and protection in 2022.It is appealing for $1.5 billion to assist 5.5 million of the most vulnerable among them.
• UN rapporteur: Rohingya militants kill, abuse refugees in Bangladesh camps Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2021 -- A United Nations envoy says he has "credible" information about Rohingya militants being involved in kidnapping, abusing and even killing fellow Rohingya at refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

News Reports

• Bowling Green Man Arrested on Multiple Terrorism Charges US Dept. of Justice 20 Dec 2021 -- A federal court in Kentucky unsealed an indictment today charging a dual U.S.-Bosnian citizen with providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. The defendant is also charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and receiving military type training from ISIS.
• Readout of CISA Call with Critical Infrastructure Partners on Log4j Vulnerabilities and the Need for Increased Vigilance this Holiday Season CISA 20 Dec 2021 -- This afternoon, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) held a call with critical infrastructure entities from the public and private sectors to emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant against cyber threats over the holiday season, particularly with the widespread exploitation of vulnerabilities in the Log4j software, which pose a severe risk to network security.
• U.S. Charges Extradited Kremlin-Linked Russian Businessman With Cybercrimes, Names Four Other Russian Suspects RFE/RL 20 Dec 2021 -- U.S. authorities have unveiled the formal charges against Kremlin-linked Russian businessman Vladislav Klyushin, who was extradited from Switzerland to the United States last week over his alleged involvement in a global scheme to trade on hacked confidential information.
• Russia Expels Two German Diplomats In Growing Spat Over Murder Verdict RFE/RL 20 Dec 2021 -- Russia says it is expelling two German diplomats from Moscow in a tit-for-tat move following Germany's expulsion of two Russian diplomats after a court in Berlin convicted a Russian man last week of fatally shooting a former Chechen militant in Berlin on the Kremlin's orders in 2019. Berlin had expelled two Russian diplomats in response.
• Russia Expels Two German Diplomats Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- German ambassador in Moscow Geza Andreas von Geyr has been summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry and informed about the expulsion of two German diplomats over Berlin's similar move, the ministry said on Monday.
• Russia Expels 2 German Diplomats in Retaliatory Move VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- Russia expelled two German diplomats on Monday in response to Germany's expulsion of two Russian diplomats last week.
• Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov's interview with Interfax News Agency, December 18, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2021
• Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko's interview published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta on December 20, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on December 20, 2021 PRC MofA 20 Dec 2021
• Chinese Foreign Minister: Beijing Would Not Fear Confrontation With US Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- Relations between China and the United States have been in a downward spiral in light of American officials accusing Beijing of human rights violations against Muslim minorities, announcing a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics to be held in the country and continuing to ramp up allegations of China's responsibility for the COVID-19 pandemic.
• China-Russia ties withstand tests and blossom with vitality, setting example of mutual trust: FM Wang Yi Global Times 20 Dec 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday spoke highly of China-Russia strategic coordination, saying the two countries have set an example of strategic mutual trust and injected more stability into an uncertain world.
• G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Hong Kong Legislative Council Elections US Dept. of State 20 Dec 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.
• Joint Statement on Hong Kong Legislative Council Elections US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2021 -- "We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, noting the outcome of the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong, express our grave concern over the erosion of democratic elements of the Special Administrative Region's electoral system."
• Hong Kong Autonomy Act Report to Congress US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2021 -- The Hong Kong Autonomy Act Report to Congress, released today, underscores the United States' deep concerns about Beijing's clear efforts to deprive Hong Kongers of a meaningful voice in the December 19 Legislative Council (LegCo) elections.
• US, Western Allies Express 'Grave Concern' Over Hong Kong Vote VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- The United States and four other Western countries expressed "grave concern" Monday about the "erosion of democratic elements" in Hong Kong as pro-Beijing candidates swept to victory in the city's legislative elections after laws were changed to favor China's Communist Party loyalists.
• China issues white paper on HKSAR democracy, stresses CPC, central govt's role as guardian of its democracy Global Times 20 Dec 2021 -- Shortly after the Legislative Council election in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) concluded on Monday morning with all 90 seats elected, the Chinese central government released a white paper on Monday titled Hong Kong Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems, which stresses that there is no question that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government designed, created, safeguarded and pushed forward Hong Kong's democratic system.
• White Paper sets facts straight over Hong Kong democracy Global Times 20 Dec 2021 -- Shortly after the Legislative Council (LegCo) election in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) concluded on Monday morning with all 90 seats elected, the Chinese central government released a white paper on Monday titled Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems, which stresses that there is no question that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government designed, created, safeguarded and pushed forward Hong Kong's democratic system.
• All 90 members of HKSAR's 7th-term LegCo elected, ushering in effective governance with patriots-only principle Global Times 20 Dec 2021 -- All the 90 members of the 7th-term Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were elected on Monday. They were elected by the Election Committee constituency (40 seats), functional constituencies (30 seats), and geographical constituencies (20 seats) after over 1.35 million Hong Kong residents voted on Sunday.
• China issues white paper on HK's democratic progress under framework of "one country, two systems" People's Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- China's State Council Information Office on Monday issued a white paper titled "Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems."
• Official explains white paper on Hong Kong's democracy People's Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- China on Monday released a white paper on the development of democracy in its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). A senior official overseeing Hong Kong affairs explained the white paper to the media.
• Chinese white paper on HK democracy timely, significant: gov't spokesperson People's Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- A Chinese white paper on the development of democracy in its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is timely and of great significance, a government spokesperson said Monday.
• Election Committee constituency voter turnout tops 90 pct in HKSAR's 7th-term LegCo election People's Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- The cumulative turnout rate in the Election Committee constituency of the seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) hit 90.06 percent as of 3:30 p.m. local time Sunday.
• 7th-term LegCo to open new chapter on good governance for Hong Kong: Carrie Lam People's Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government is confident that the seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) can effectively enhance the governance efficiency of the HKSAR and open a new chapter on good governance for Hong Kong, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Sunday.
• 20 members of HKSAR's 7th-term LegCo elected by geographical constituencies People's Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- Twenty members of the seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been elected by 10 geographical constituencies, the Electoral Affairs Commission said Monday morning.
• HKSAR's 7th-term LegCo election kicks off, active voting urged People's Daily 20 Dec 2021 -- The election for the seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) kicked off Sunday morning, the first since the improvement to the HKSAR electoral system.
• French parliamentary delegation leaves Taiwan after five-day trip CNA 20 Dec 2021 -- A group of French parliamentarians led by François de Rugy, chair of the French National Assembly's France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, left Taiwan late Sunday following a five-day visit.
• Taiwan is a wanderer who will eventually return home, not a pawn to be used: FM Wang Yi Global Times 20 Dec 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi re-emphasized on Monday China's firm determination for national reunification, describing the island of Taiwan as a wanderer who will eventually return home.
• China says Taipei no chess piece to be used by others, will finally come home Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- China's foreign minister has stressed the need for Taipei to be reunited with Beijing, saying the self-ruled island is "not a chess piece to be used by others."
• Iran says US offered no tangible proposal, text to P4+1 in Vienna Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says the United States has offered "no tangible proposal or text" to the P4+1 group of countries in the Austrian capital of Vienna, where high-ranking talks are underway to remove the US sanctions against Iran and revive the 2015 agreement.
• US Prepares Additional Options on Iran in Case Diplomacy Fails Sputnik 20 Dec 2021 -- The United States is preparing additional options on Iran regarding talks to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement - formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - if diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue fail, White House spokesperson Jan Psaki said.
• More than 90 sentenced to death by military courts in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2021 -- More than 90 people have been sentenced to death by military courts in Myanmar's Yangon region since the country's army overthrew civilian rule in a Feb. 1 coup, according to reports in Myanmar's junta-controlled media.
• Thousands of refugees amassed at Thai border amid fighting in Myanmar's Kayin state Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2021 -- Some 10,000 civilians from Myanmar have been forced to seek refuge along the country's shared border with Thailand amid fighting between junta troops and joint forces consisting of ethnic Karen groups and prodemocracy militias in Kayin state's Lay Kay Kaw township, according to sources.
• Myanmar's junta used helicopters to target anti-coup fighters in Sagaing: Report Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Myanmar's junta has launched an aerial raid on anti-coup fighters in a central village, local witnesses and a spokesman for the military junta say.
• Myanmar Court Delays Verdict in Aung San Suu Kyi's Latest Trial VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- Verdicts in the most recent trial of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was delayed to December 27, a legal official familiar with charges against her said on Monday.
• Erdogan vows to fight inflation, higher interest rates despite growing skepticism Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to rein in the country's alarmingly surging inflation and reaffirmed his support to low interest rates.
• Ukraine Accuses Ex-President Poroshenko Of Treason RFE/RL 20 Dec 2021 -- Ukrainian authorities have placed Petro Poroshenko under formal investigation for high treason, accusing the former president of links to financing Russia-backed separatists fighting government forces in the country's east.
• One protester killed, at least 125 others injured in anti-coup protests in Sudan Press TV 20 Dec 2021 -- Sudanese security forces have shot dead a protester and injured scores of others during a brutal crackdown on anti-coup demonstrators in the capital, Khartoum and other cities across the African country.
• Charges Against Kyrgyz Ex-President In Kumtor Case Dropped, Says Associate RFE/RL 20 Dec 2021 -- Charges in the high-profile Kumtor gold-mine case against the ousted first president of independent Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akaev, have been dropped, his associate says.
• What the Pandora Papers Mean in Fight Against Corruption VOA 20 Dec 2021 -- The release of the Pandora Papers in October garnered worldwide attention, with the leaked documents revealing the hidden wealth of some of the most powerful people in the world.