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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Navy Seizes 1,400 Assault Rifles During Illicit Weapons Interdiction US Navy 22 Dec 2021 -- U.S. 5th Fleet ships seized approximately 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles and 226,600 rounds of ammunition from a stateless fishing vessel during a flag verification boarding in accordance with customary international law in the North Arabian Sea, Dec. 20.
• US Navy Seizes 1,400 AK-47s From 'Stateless Vessel' in North Arabian Sea Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- US Navy coastal patrol ships USS Tempest (PC 2) and USS Typhoon (PC 5) reportedly conducted the seizure on December 20, along a route of the North Arabian Sea that has been historically used to traffic weapons and munitions to Houthi militants in Yemen, according to the service.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Year in Review: National Guard delivered at home and abroad Army News 22 Dec 2021 -- When a series of tornadoes slashed across parts of eight Midwest states late in the evening of Dec. 10, Spc. Zach Neisz sprang into action. He grabbed an ax, flashlight and medical kit and drove to Dawson Springs, Kentucky, to help any way he could.
• US, Ukrainian infantry soldiers connect at Combined Resolve XVI in Germany Army News 22 Dec 2021 -- On the snow covered hills of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, U.S. and Ukrainian soldiers solidified their partnership through more ways than just combat training.
• Defense Production Act Title III Presidential Determination for Radiation-Hardened and Strategic Radiation-Hardened Microelectronics Production Capability DoD 22 Dec 2021 -- The president issued an authorization on Dec. 21, 2021 to utilize Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III to strengthen and expand the domestic industrial base for radiation-hardened and strategic radiation-hardened microelectronics.
• Defense Production Act Title III Presidential Determinations for Submarine Industrial Base Production Capacity Essential to the Virginia Class Attack Submarine Program DoD 22 Dec 2021 -- The president signed on Dec. 21, 2021 three determinations permitting the use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to strengthen the U.S. submarine industrial base. The expansion of the authority will allow the U.S. Navy to maintain its maritime superiority.
• F-15C Eagle Weapons School sunsets at Nellis US Air Force 22 Dec 2021 -- The Air Force is continuing to modernize its future fighter force, and part of that evolution includes the sunset of the F-15C Eagle division of the United States Air Force Weapons School Weapons Instructor Course.
• Underwater Construction Team ONE Completes Subject Matter Expert Exchange with Cyprus US Navy 22 Dec 2021 -- U.S. Navy Divers assigned to Construction Dive Detachment ALFA (CDD/A), a detachment of Underwater Construction Team (UCT) ONE, completed a Cyprus subject matter expert exchange at the Naval Base Lieutenant General Evangelos Florakis in Mari, Cyprus, Dec. 21, 2021.
• Petkov Says Bulgaria Hasn't Discussed NATO Troop Deployment, Calls For More Diplomacy RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- Bulgaria's Prime Minister Kiril Petkov says his government has neither discussed nor taken any decision on an eventual deployment of NATO troops in the Black Sea country as a response to Russia's troop buildup near the border with Ukraine.
• Bulgarian Prime Minister Says Defense Minister's Position on NATO Troops 'Personal' Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- The Bulgarian government has not put up for discussion the need for deployment of additional NATO forces in the country, and the defense minster's position concerning the issue is his personal opinion which does not reflect the official position of Sofia, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Wednesday.
• First Round of Russia-US Talks on Security Guarantees Set for Early 2022, Lavrov Says Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier confirmed that the White House had signalled its readiness to engage in negotiations with Russia on its security proposals.
• US, Russia to Hold Talks in Bid to Ease Ukraine Standoff VOA 22 Dec 2021 -- Russian and U.S. negotiators will hold talks in January to discuss Moscow's demand that NATO halt its eastward expansion into the countries of the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine, Russia's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, said Wednesday.
• Putin vows response to Western "aggressive" policy People's Daily 22 Dec 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his country will take countermeasures if the West continues its "aggressive" policy, but remains ready for negotiations.
• Russia warns of harsh response to any provocation Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- Russia says it does not seek an armed conflict with Ukraine but will harshly respond to any provocations.
• Russia Says 'Provocative Activity' by US, NATO in Black Sea Aims to Hamper Nord Stream 2 Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- Russia has repeatedly warned against politicising the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which was completed in September and is currently undergoing certification by European and German regulators.
• China develops world's most powerful Stirling engine Global Times 22 Dec 2021 -- In a latest highlight of China's efforts to domestically develop high-quality engines of different types, the country recently made a major breakthrough in making the world's most powerful Stirling engine, a type of heat engine with applications in power generation and submarine propulsion.
• 8th Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion to South Sudan completes rotation PLA Daily 22 Dec 2021 -- The 350-member 2nd echelon of the 8th Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion to South Sudan (Juba) arrived at the mission area in Juba on December 21. This marked that all 700 troops of the 8th Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion to South Sudan have arrived in the mission area and started to perform one-year peacekeeping mission.
• Chinese Army Reportedly Improving Its Electronic Warfare Capabilities Near South China Sea Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- Beijing remains embroiled in a protracted dispute with Washington and a number of Asia-Pacific countries on the territorial status of islands in the South China Sea, where the US often conducts "freedom of navigation" missions.
• DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile 'Pralay' India PIB 22 Dec 2021 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted maiden flight test of indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile 'Pralay', from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on December 22, 2021
• Rafale Deal: India Imposes $1.1 Mln Fine on French Missile Maker Over Delay in Offset Commitments Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government inked a contract with France for the delivery of 36 Rafale fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Twenty-six jets have already been delivered under the contract, with the remaining 10 scheduled to be in India next year. France has also offered India more Rafale jets.
• Iran makes technology of producing drone indigenous IRNA 22 Dec 2021 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force has said that the country achieved technology of producing drone and made this technology as indigenous.
• IRGC Ground Force employs new homegrown tank in military exercise Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- Marking the third day of massive joint military exercises, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Ground Force has employed an advanced homegrown tank dubbed Karrar for the first time.
• Video: Iran Tests Out New Tank, Precision Combat Drones in 'Great Prophet' War Games Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- During multi-day war games across Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has deployed several new weapons, including improved tanks and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Second indigenous trainer delivered to Taiwan Air Force CNA 22 Dec 2021 -- Taiwan's Air Force on Wednesday took delivery of the second indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT) to roll off the production line of local aircraft maker Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC), meeting a goal set by the government-funded company and the military.
• Defense chief confident in military's counter-espionage capabilities CNA 22 Dec 2021 -- Taiwan's defense minister said on Wednesday he had full confidence in the armed forces' counter-espionage capabilities in response to a foreign media report that China's spies had infiltrated the nation's military to steal defense technologies and defense plans.
• UK and Japan to develop future fighter jet engine demonstrator UK MOD 22 Dec 2021 -- The UK and Japan announce plans to develop a future fighter aircraft engine demonstrator and agree to explore further combat air technologies.
• Indonesia Scraps Deal to Buy Russian Sukhois; Will Acquire US, French Warplanes BenarNews 22 Dec 2021 -- Indonesia has abandoned a deal to purchase Sukhoi fighter-jets from Russia and has narrowed its acquisition choice to U.S.-made F-15s and French-made Rafales, the Indonesian air force chief said Wednesday.
• US approves sale of Javelin missiles to Lithuania amid Russia tensions Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- The US State Department has approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Lithuania in a $125-million deal amid escalating tensions between Russia and the US over Ukraine.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with EU High Representative Borrell US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Thani US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2021
• Joint Statement on Meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group The White House 22 Dec 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, December 22, 2021 The White House 22 Dec 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 22, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 22 December 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Dec 2021
• War Ends in Afghanistan but Uncertainty, Starvation Loom VOA 22 Dec 2021 -- The stunning Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August and the chaotic final U.S. military withdrawal from the country later that month marked an end to America's longest war, spanning almost two decades, in the outgoing year 2021.
• UN Adopts Humanitarian Aid Resolution for War-Torn Afghanistan VOA 22 Dec 2021 -- The U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution introduced by the U.S. aimed at facilitating aid to Afghanistan, where war and international sanctions have left the country near a humanitarian disaster and economic collapse.
• U.S. Permits Some Transactions With Taliban To Send Aid To Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Dec 2021 -- The United States has announced additional steps aimed at easing the flow of assistance to those in need in Afghanistan, as the the war-torn country teeters on the brink of a humanitarian crisis after Taliban militants seized power in August.
• Issuance of Additional General Licenses and Guidance in Support of Assistance to Afghanistan US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2021 -- The United States is working tirelessly with the international community to ensure humanitarian assistance and other essential support flows to the people of Afghanistan to support those in need.
• Treasury Issues Additional General Licenses and Guidance in Support of Humanitarian Assistance and Other Support to Afghanistan US Treasury 22 Dec 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued three General Licenses to facilitate the continued flow of humanitarian assistance and other support for the Afghan people.
• READOUT: Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo's Meeting with Nongovernmental Organizations Operating in Afghanistan US Treasury 22 Dec 2021 -- Ahead of the release of Treasury's General Licenses and guidance in support of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo hosted a roundtable with over 100 representatives from more than 50 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to reinforce the U.S. government's commitment to supporting humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
• Security Council paves way for aid to reach desperate Afghans UN News 22 Dec 2021 -- The Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution clearing the way for aid to reach Afghans in desperate need of basic support, while preventing funds from falling into the hands of the Taliban, a move welcomed by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator as a "milestone" decision that will save lives.
• Typhoon Rai damages South China Sea outposts of the Philippines, Vietnam Radio Free Asia 22 Dec 2021 -- Typhoon Rai, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines and Vietnam this year, caused severe damage to some of their major outposts in the South China Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard and Vietnamese media.
• German warship in S.China Sea more 'symbolic' than 'threat' Global Times 22 Dec 2021 -- For the first time in two decades, Germany dispatched a warship to the South China Sea in an attempt to expand further military deployments in Asia.
• Yemen alert: 8 million face reduced rations amid funding shortages UN News 22 Dec 2021 -- The UN food relief agency warned on Wednesday that it is running out of funds to continue providing food assistance to 13 million Yemenis.
• UN cuts food aid to Yemen due to lack of funds Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- The food-assistance branch of the United Nations has announced that it will reduce food rations for millions of Yemeni people from next month due to funding shortage, as a protracted Saudi-led bombing campaign pushes more people into hunger in the impoverished country.
• Over two dozen Saudi mercenaries killed as Yemeni forces target militants in Ma'rib Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- More than two dozen Saudi-sponsored militants loyal to former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi have been killed after Yemeni army troops and their allied fighters from Popular Committees carried operations against their bases in the country's strategic central province of Ma'rib.
• IDF's Former Intel Chief Hayman Admits Israel Was Involved in Soleimani's Assassination Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- In a recent interview, a former leading Israel Defense Force (IDF) official admitted for the first time that Israel played a role in the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Iraq, which was carried out by a US drone.
• As Putin Hints At War In Ukraine, State TV Amplifies The Threat RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- When presenter Olga Skabeyeva entered the studio of the popular Russian talk show 60 Minutes this week, she began the program the way she usually does: by slamming the Ukrainian government and pouring vitriol on its backers in the West.
• Western Nations at UN Warn Russia of 'Severe Cost' in Case of Aggression Against Ukraine Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- The United States, the European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and a number of other countries at the United Nations on Wednesday warned Russia of "severe cost" in case the latter advances on Ukraine.
• Dutch Prosecutors Seek Life Sentences For MH17 Suspects RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- Dutch prosecutors have requested life sentences for three Russians and a Ukrainian on trial in absentia on charges of playing a role in downing a passenger jet over Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people.
• Pentagon Says Russia's Statement on US Preparing Provocation in Ukraine 'False' Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby called "false" the statement made by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that US private military companies located in the Donetsk region are preparing a provocation with chemical components in eastern Ukraine.
• Rival militias mobilize in Libya's capital amid tensions over delayed election Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- The postponement of Libya's presidential election has created a new power vacuum, triggering security concerns across the country.
• Libya calls off long-awaited presidential election Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- Libya has called off a presidential election after the parliament's election committee ruled out the possibility of holding the vote on Friday.
• Kyrgyzstan Accuses Tajik Border Guards Of Opening Fire On Truck Driver Near Disputed Border RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- Kyrgyz authorities say Tajik border guards opened fire on a truck and attempted to abduct the driver near a disputed sector of the border between the two Central Asian states where ethnic-related incidents have been frequent in recent years.
• Somali Officials Announce Cease-Fire in Bosaso VOA 22 Dec 2021 -- Somali officials in the semiautonomous region of Puntland have announced a cease-fire following two days of heavy fighting between two security forces in the commercial port town of Bosaso.
• Readout from NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Senior Administration Official Travel to Israel and the West Bank The White House 22 Dec 2021

News Reports

• CISA, FBI, NSA and International Partners Issue Advisory to Mitigate Apache Log4J Vulnerabilities CISA 22 Dec 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Security Agency (NSA), Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), Computer Emergency Response Team New Zealand (CERT NZ), New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NZ NCSC), and the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK) issued a joint cybersecurity advisory with technical details, mitigations, and resources to address known vulnerabilities in the Apache Log4j software library.
• National Cyber Director Unveils New Approach at Cyber War College Conference DoD News 22 Dec 2021 -- After almost two years of operating within the COVID-19 environment, Cassandra C. Lewis knew it was time that her organization's annual flagship conference focus on the enduring impacts of the pandemic.
• How A Convicted Russian Cybercriminal Made $6,000 A Month Working For The FBI RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- After being arrested by Spanish police in 2017, Pyotr Levashov said he so feared being extradited to the United States to face crimes related to his prolific spamming operations that he might take his own life.
• Designation of al-Qa'ida Network in Brazil US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2021 -- Al-Qa'ida and its regional affiliates continue to pose a threat to countries around the world. The United States is taking action today to stem the funding of this terrorist group by designating members of a Brazil-based network of al-Qa'ida-affiliated individuals and their companies as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
• Treasury Designates al-Qa'ida Support Network in Brazil US Treasury 22 Dec 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated members of a Brazil-based network of al-Qa'ida-affiliated individuals and their companies for providing support to the terrorist group. Today's action targets three individuals and two entities, including al-Qa'ida operative in Brazil Haytham Ahmad Shukri Ahmad Al-Maghrabi (Al-Maghrabi), as Specially Designated Global Terrorists pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended.
• Harvard professor convicted by US jury of 'lying' about China ties Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- A professor at Harvard University has been convicted of charges that he lied about his ties to a Chinese recruitment program amid growing crackdown on China's influence within US research.
• What To Watch For When Putin Meets The Press RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's end-of-the-year press conference, on December 23, comes at a time of intense tensions between Moscow and the West, with Russia massing forces near its border with Ukraine and calling for "security guarantees" that would block NATO enlargement and drastically restrict the alliance's activity across the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, rolling back the results of the U.S.S.R.'s collapse 30 years ago this month.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with RT television channel, Moscow, December 22, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Dec 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on December 22, 2021 PRC MofA 22 Dec 2021
• US sanctions nothing but bluster, scrap paper which will only stimulate China's determination to protect HK: liaison office Global Times 22 Dec 2021 -- Liaison office of the central government in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said US' sanctions on officials of the office was nothing but bluster and scrap paper, which will only further stimulate China's strong will and determination to protect Hong Kong.
• Xi praises new electoral system, highlights HK democratic path Global Times 22 Dec 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in Beijing on Wednesday for her annual duty report trip, two days after the Legislative Council (LegCo) election successfully concluded, which ushered in a new era for local governance.
• Premier Li meets with HK chief executive Carrie Lam, expresses central govt's support for HK governance Global Times 22 Dec 2021 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, on Wednesday morning during her annual duty trip to Beijing, and highly recognized her past year work of governing the city. Li also emphasized the central government's unswerving support for fully carrying on "one country, two systems," and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong."
• China approves major rare-earth merger to stabilize supply chain Global Times 22 Dec 2021 -- China's state asset administration has approved a major merger of rare-earth assets under various state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to form a new company, according to a filing from one of the SOEs involved, marking a significant step toward the country's efforts to optimize the management of the key resources.
• China mulls tighter laws on sexual harassment, discrimination against women Radio Free Asia 22 Dec 2021 -- Chinese lawmakers could tighten legal regulations on sexual harassment and other women's rights issues despite the widespread suppression by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of the country's feminist and #MeToo movements, including sexual assault allegations by tennis star Peng Shuai.
• HKSAR gov't slams joint statement by G7 FMs, EU representative on LegCo election People's Daily 22 Dec 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday strongly opposed a joint statement by foreign ministers of Group of Seven (G7) countries and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) on the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) election.
• Hong Kong's democracy opens new chapter featuring diversity: commissioner's office of Chinese foreign ministry People's Daily 22 Dec 2021 -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said Monday that the seventh Legislative Council (LegCo) election of the HKSAR is a big step forward in the development of democracy with Hong Kong features.
• Attempt to undermine HK prosperity, stability will fail: FM spokesperson People's Daily 22 Dec 2021 -- China is firmly opposed to and condemns colluding Western countries who make irresponsible remarks on the election of the seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a foreign ministry spokesperson said here Tuesday, adding that any attempt to undermine HKSAR's prosperity and stability is doomed to fail.
• China develops complete BDS industrial chain PLA Daily 22 Dec 2021 -- China has developed a complete industrial chain of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), according to the China Satellite Navigation Office (CSNO).
• Seoul's Peace Initiative at Odds with Biden's Coalition-Building Strategy VOA 22 Dec 2021 -- South Korea's efforts to revive diplomacy with North Korea stand at odds with the Biden administration's strategy of building an international coalition to counter the dual threats posed by North Korea and China, experts say.
• U.S. National-Security Adviser Warns Iran Nuclear Diplomacy May Be Exhausted Within 'Weeks' RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan has warned that current diplomatic efforts aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran may be exhausted within "weeks."
• Israel Could Attack Iran's Nuclear Programme Tomorrow If Needed, Says Air Force Future Head Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- The statement comes as US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is visiting Israel for detailed talks with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Iran's nuclear programme. Israel has claimed Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons whereas Iran insists it's nuclear programme is intended only for peaceful purposes.
• White House: US, Israel Agree Iran's 'Rapidly Advancing' Nuke Programme is 'Grave Threat' to Peace Sputnik 22 Dec 2021 -- The White House statement comes in the wake of negotiations in Vienna on the possibility of restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - an accord envisaging Tehran scaling back its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
• US, Israel Reaffirm Deal to Keep Iran from Developing Nuclear Weapons VOA 22 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. and Israel said Iran's nuclear program "poses a grave threat to the region" and vowed to keep Iran from getting a nuclear weapon following a meeting in Israel between U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart, Eyal Hulata.
• EU's top court allows European firms to scrap Iran deals Press TV 22 Dec 2021 -- The EU's supreme court has intervened to protect European companies against legal action by Iran for failing to fulfill their contractual obligations.
• UN Urges Belarus, Poland To Address 'Appalling Situation' Along Their Border RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- The UN human rights office says that Belarus and Poland are forcing migrants and refugees back and forth across their border, often leaving them cold and with no food, clean water, or safe shelter.
• Mayor Of Yerevan Removed Amid Conflict With Armenia's Ruling Party RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- The city council of Armenia's capital has voted to remove Mayor Hayk Marutian and replace him with one of his deputies, Hrachya Sargisian.
• North Macedonia's Prime Minister Submits His Resignation To Parliament RFE/RL 22 Dec 2021 -- North Macedonia's prime minister, Zoran Zaev, submitted his resignation to parliament on December 22, and lawmakers were expected to approve it during a legislative session the following day.
• Public Designation of Former Maltese Public Officials Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of State announces the public designation of former Maltese public officials Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri due to their involvement in significant corruption.
• Malawi President Announces Economic Recovery Plan Amid COVID Pandemic VOA 22 Dec 2021 -- Malawi's president has announced a plan to help the country's struggling economy recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan, which includes government-wide spending cuts, follows nationwide protests against the high cost of living in Malawi, one of Africa's poorest nations.