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Defense Policy / Programs

• US president signs annual defense bill worth of $770 billion Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has signed the country's annual defense bill after it was passed by the House and subsequently the Senate.
• Biden Signs $768 Bln Defence Bill With $7 Bln for EU Deterrence and $300 Mln for Ukraine Aid Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- According to the White House, at least $7 billion will also be allocated for operations in the Indo-Pacific.
• 568th AMXS completes first year of depot production at new KC-46A campus US Air Force 27 Dec 2021 -- Members of the 568th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base had a busy first year of depot production, completing maintenance work on 23 scheduled KC-46A Pegasus aircraft.
• Russia Lays Down More Conditions for Peace Talks VOA 27 Dec 2021 -- The announcement by Russia's Defense Ministry Saturday that 10,000 troops deployed along the border with Ukraine are to return to their permanent bases isn't easing the alarm of Western officials, who see the risks mounting of Russian military action.
• Russia-US talks on security guarantees to be held next month: Lavrov Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- Russia's foreign minister says talks on a list of security guarantees Moscow wants from Washington regarding the rubbing points in relations with NATO over Ukraine are scheduled to be held between Russian and American officials next month.
• Lavrov Says Security Talks With Washington To Take Place After Russian Holidays RFE/RL 27 Dec 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says talks between Washington and Moscow to discuss security issues will take place after Russia's holiday season is over and that Russia wants military officials involved in its negotiations with NATO.
• Russian Defence Ministry: NATO Preparing for Large-Scale High-Intensity Conflict With Moscow Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- Moscow has expressed concerns about the concentration of Western alliance missile systems, troops, warships, and aircraft near Russia's borders, and NATO's decades' long eastward expansion. This month, the Russian Foreign Ministry formally signalled that it considers Ukraine to be a "red line" for Moscow that NATO is strongly advised not to cross.
• Russia Demands NATO to Cancel Its Decision That Ukraine, Georgia Can Someday Join Alliance Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia sees NATO's expansion to Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova as a matter of life and death.
• Russia holds military drill near Ukraine to brace up for potential confrontation with West Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- Russian military forces have staged a military exercise to practice repelling airstrikes by adversaries amid Moscow's worsening standoff with the West.
• Chinese defense minister holds video talks with Japanese counterpart PLA Daily 27 Dec 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe held video talks with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi on Monday.
• 13 years on: PLA Navy continues escorting in Gulf of Aden PLA Daily 27 Dec 2021 -- The year 2021 marks the 13th anniversary of the PLA Navy performing escort missions at the Gulf of Aden, to where the PLA Navy has now dispatched 39 batches of escort taskforces.
• PLA Hong Kong Garrison organizes joint patrol PLA Daily 27 Dec 2021 -- Recently, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison organized the joint patrol exercise in the fourth quarter of the year. The army, navy and air force troops assigned to the garrison jointly conducted combat drills on patrol, search and rescue, as well as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS).
• India Building Nuclear-Hardened Storage Facilities Along Forward Posts: Army Chief Engineer Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- India has shown exemplary work by transporting vast quantities of ammunition, equipment, fuel, and winter supplies to Ladakh for two consecutive winters at a rapid pace. However, it has also faced situations in the past few years that show the limitation of mechanised mobility at forward posts due to environmental risks in the Himalayas.
• Taiwan military locates potential seller of torpedo decoys: source CNA 27 Dec 2021 -- The military has begun discussions with a foreign country over the sale of torpedo decoys for Taiwan's ongoing indigenous submarine project, a military source told CNA Monday.
• Turkey Says Its Mid-Range Air Defenсe System Ready for Deployment Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- Turkey's medium-range air defence system Hisar O+ is ready for deployment for use by the country's armed forces after passing the final test, Turkish Presidency of Defenсe Industries (SSB) chief Ismail Demir said.
• Unidentified Foreign Nation Orders Variant F-35 Jet Version Design Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- Lockheed Martin has won an almost $50 million US Navy contract to design a version or variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for an unspecified foreign nation, the Defense Department said in a press release.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Polish National Security Bureau Chief Pawel Soloch and Head of the International Policy Bureau Jakub Kumoch The White House 27 Dec 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 27, 2021 DoD 27 Dec 2021

Other Conflicts

• Taliban Arrest Head of Private TV Network VOA 27 Dec 2021 -- The whereabouts of a prominent Afghan TV station owner remains unknown a day after he was arrested by the Taliban on Sunday, according to the executive's son.
• Pakistan Slams Taliban Curbs on Afghan Women VOA 27 Dec 2021 -- A Pakistani government minister Monday criticized neighboring Afghanistan's ruling Islamist Taliban for placing curbs on women, denouncing the curbs as "retrogressive thinking" and as posing threat to his country.
• Japan Conducts Military Exercises to Prevent Chinese Invasion of Disputed Islands, Reports Say Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- In recent years, Tokyo voiced concern regarding Beijing's activities in the region, especially with regard to the disputed Senkaku Islands, known in China as the Diaoyudao Islands.
• Chinese defense minister urges Japan to learn from history, after Japanese forces' mock drills concerning Diaoyu Islands Global Times 27 Dec 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe told Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi on Monday that Japan should face squarely up to and learn from history, and that China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the East China Sea and the Diaoyu Islands, shortly after Japanese media reported that Japan recently conducted an exercise under the assumption that "foreign forces" occupied the Diaoyu Islands.
• China threatens hefty fines for foreign fishermen Radio Free Asia 27 Dec 2021 -- The Chinese government has issued a new regulation threatening hefty fines on activities of foreign fishermen in China's claimed "jurisdictional waters."
• UN Special Envoy calls for New Year's ceasefire in Myanmar UN News 27 Dec 2021 -- The UN Special Envoy on Myanmar has appealed for a New Year's ceasefire following weeks of escalating violence in the country.
• 'Horrified': UN official condemns massacre of civilians in Myanmar, urges probe Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- A senior UN official says he was "horrified" by reports that at least 35 civilians, including women and children, were killed and their bodies were burned in Myanmar, urging probe into the incident.
• UN condemns attack in Myanmar's Kayah state that left dozens of civilians dead Radio Free Asia 27 Dec 2021 -- The United Nations has condemned an attack against civilians in Myanmar's Kayah state in which unknown assailants reportedly forced nearly three dozen people, including at least one child, from their vehicles, killed them and burned their bodies.
• UN envoy says 'deeply concerned' about escalating violence in Myanmar Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- The United Nations (UN) special envoy to Myanmar has expressed deep concern about the escalation of violence in the country, calling for a ceasefire between the military junta and rival armed groups on the New Year.
• Syria strongly condemns Israel's plan to double settler population in occupied Golan Heights Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- Syria has strongly condemned the controversial Israeli plan to double the settler population in the Golan Heights, warning against the "unprecedented and dangerous" uptick in the Tel Aviv regime's land expropriation and settlement expansion activities in the strategic area.
• Bosnian Prosecutors Indict Man For Crimes Against Humanity RFE/RL 27 Dec 2021 -- The Prosecutor-General's Office of Bosnia-Herzegovina says it has filed an indictment against Novica Tripkovic for crimes against humanity in the eastern town of Foca during the 1992-95 Bosnian War.
• Central African Republic: Scores of militias forced out of Boyo UN News 27 Dec 2021 -- UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) have ousted scores of militants from the embattled town of Boyo, in the south of the country.

News Reports

• Norwegian Intelligence Service Boss Blames Russia for Digital Attacks Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- In response, the Russian embassy called the spying allegations "a set of worn-out clichés", stressing that in recent years, only one example of espionage between Norway and Russia has been proven in court, and the person in question had Norwegian citizenship.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Solovyov Live YouTube channel, Moscow, December 27, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 Dec 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on December 27, 2021 PRC MofA 27 Dec 2021
• China's appointment of new Xinjiang chief will not change repression of Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 27 Dec 2021 -- China has appointed the governor of coastal Guangdong province as the new Communist Party secretary of its far-western Xinjiang region, replacing Chen Quanguo, considered the architect of the brutal crackdown on Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.
• China to continuously promote high-quality construction of BRI in 2022: Foreign Ministry Global Times 27 Dec 2021 -- China will continue to promotea high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative with all parties in 2022 and try to achieve fruitful results, said Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, on Monday in response to media questions over a newly signed cooperation plan between China and Cuba.
• China honors pledges to scrap ownership limits on foreign automakers in new negative list Global Times 27 Dec 2021 -- China on Monday unveiled a nationwide negative list for 2021 - in a move that observers called "a signature and phased step in high-level opening-up of the economy" - that drastically reduced barriers for foreign investment for five years in a row, with a full scrapping of restrictions on foreign ownership in passenger cars and a further easing in foreign investment in the production of key communications equipment.
• China Develops New Heavy Space Launch Vehicle Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- China is currently working on creating a heavy launch vehicle capable of carrying a 150-tonne spacecraft into low-earth orbit, China National Space Administration (CNSA) deputy head Wu Yanhua said on Monday.
• Taiwan protests Nicaragua's confiscation of its former assets CNA 27 Dec 2021 -- Taiwan's government on Monday publicly protested a decision by the Nicaraguan government to confiscate assets formerly owed by Taiwan in the Central American country and hand them to China, after the two countries ended diplomatic relations earlier this month.
• South Korea Urges North to Start New Year With Dialogue, Unification Ministry Says Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- The South Korean Unification Ministry urged the North on Monday to begin the new year with dialogue and cooperation, following the North's announcement of a meeting planned to be held by the Workers' Party on plans for 2022.
• Eighth round of Iran nuclear talks may solidify consensus, pave way for agreement Global Times 27 Dec 2021 -- Negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015 resumed on Monday in Vienna, the eighth round of talks. There are cautious hopes of a consensus this time, with many participants indicating they are eager to see the restoration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) based on a new joint document that includes the lifting of sanctions.
• JCPOA Joint Committee meeting commences in Vienna IRNA 27 Dec 2021 -- The eighth round of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) concluded in Vienna on Monday. Elaborations on the content of a draft to revive the 2015 agreement will be followed in different levels and frameworks later.
• Iran urges resolve for good deal ahead of Vienna talks IRNA 27 Dec 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh ahead of resuming talks on the JCPOA recommended the other parties to come to Vienna with a determination to reach a good deal.
• Iran should be able to fully enjoy JCPOA's economic benefits: FM ISNA 27 Dec 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed on Monday, "In Vienna talks, we should reach a point where Iranian oil can be sold easily and without any restrictions and its money can be transferred in foreign currency to Iran's bank accounts and we should be able to fully enjoy the JCPOA's economic benefits".
• Iran, P4+1 hold fresh round of Vienna talks focused on removing sanctions imposed on Tehran Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- Iran and the five remaining signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal have held a new round of talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna focused on the removal of all sanctions imposed on Tehran after Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement.
• New round of Vienna talks between Iran, P4+1 to be based on agreed joint document: Tehran Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- The remaining parties to the US-abandoned 2015 agreement, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), are set to resume negotiations in Vienna with the aim of reviving the deal and removing Washington's sanctions against Tehran.
• Talks Aimed At Reviving Iran Nuclear Deal Resume In Vienna RFE/RL 27 Dec 2021 -- Talks aimed at reviving a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers have restarted in Vienna, with Tehran saying that negotiations should focus on lifting sanctions on the Islamic republic and "guarantees" that Washington will return to the fold.
• Iran Insists Petrol Export Sanctions Be Removed as Eighth Round of JCPOA Revival Talks Begin Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- The eighth round of talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal began on Monday, just days after the seventh round ended. Earlier this month, US posturing that Tehran's sincerity was dubious nearly torpedoed the talks, which could defuse a four-year showdown in the Middle East.
• Israel Ready to Act Alone to Prevent Nuclear Iran, Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- Israel is ready to act alone to prevent the revival of Iran's nuclear programme, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid told the Israeli parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on Monday as Vienna talks proceeded.
• US assassination of Soleimani manifestation of state terrorism: Iran Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says the US assassination of top Iranian anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani, which occurred in January 2020, is a manifestation of "state terrorism."
• Iran, Iraq sign final agreement on cross-border railway: Minister Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- Iran and Iraq have signed a final and binding agreement on how they will jointly contribute to the construction of a stretch of railway that connects Iranian rail network to the Mediterranean coast in Syria.
• Myanmar Court Delays Verdict in Aung San Suu Kyi Trial VOA 27 Dec 2021 -- A verdict in the trial of Myanmar's ousted de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on charges of illegally importing and possessing portable two-way radios has been postponed until January 10.
• Christian clergymen, places of worship targeted under Myanmar's junta Radio Free Asia 27 Dec 2021 -- At least five Christian clergymen have been killed and four others are in detention in Myanmar since the military seized power in a coup, highlighting how the junta has targeted leaders of the religion over the past 10 months.
• Belarusian Draft Constitutional Amendments Would Give Lukashenka Immunity RFE/RL 27 Dec 2021 -- Belarus's authoritarian leader has proposed long-awaited constitutional amendments that include his immunity from any potential prosecution and a redistribution of power to the national assembly that some analysts say he eventually plans to head.
• Somalia's PM accuses president of 'coup attempt' after suspension over corruption allegation Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- Somalia's premier has denounced a decision by the country's Western-backed president to suspend him over allegations of corruption and misuse of public land, describing the move as "a blatant coup attempt."
• Somalia's West-backed president suspends PM Roble as election row deepens Press TV 27 Dec 2021 -- Somalia's Western-backed president has announced the sacking of his prime minister a day after the two top officials quarreled over long-delayed elections in the restive Horn of Africa country.
• Somali President Dismisses Prime Minister Over Corruption Claims, Reports Say Sputnik 27 Dec 2021 -- Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo has removed Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble from his duties while corruption allegations against him are being investigated, marking another low point in the ongoing rivalry between the two senior officials, media reported.
• Somali President Suspends PM Over Election and Mismanagement VOA 27 Dec 2021 -- The president of Somalia has suspended the country's prime minister over alleged corruption in the latest fight over who will lead the country and the nation's delayed elections. Critics of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmaajo, say he is looking to stay in power by any means necessary. As Mohammed Kahiye reports from Mogadishu, Somalia, the two men recently disagreed on the electoral process.