02 January 2022 Military News

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on COVID Status DoD 02 Jan 2022
Over 200 US Marines Discharged as Service Rejects Thousands of COVID Vaccine Exemption Requests Sputnik 02 Jan 2022 -- In August 2021, the Pentagon announced it would immediately require all service members be vaccinated against COVID-19. While the Army and Navy have yet to issue a round of related discharges, thousands of vaccine exemption requests have been denied, and over two dozen airmen and hundreds of Marines have been booted from service.

Finnish PM, President on NATO: Finland Should Keep Options Open, May Join at Will Sputnik 02 Jan 2022 -- While formally retaining its non-alignment from the Cold War-era, Finland has been inching closer to the alliance through various joint drills and training activities, the acquisition of US-made equipment and allowing NATO to use its land, airspace and territorial waters; along with Sweden, it enjoys the status of special partner.

Taiwan likely to be limited to RIMPAC observer role: think tank CNA 02 Jan 2022 -- Taiwan will most likely be limited to observer status if it is invited to the United States-organized Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) military exercise, according to the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), a Ministry of National Defense (MND) think tank.

New Afghan Army Nearly Complete as Tens of Thousands Join, Says Taliban Sputnik 02 Jan 2022 -- The Taliban (under UN sanctions for terrorism) said on Sunday it was about to form a regular standing army of 100,000 fighters, months after taking power in Afghanistan.

2021: Myanmar's post-coup bloodshed eclipsed other conflicts in Southeast Asia Radio Free Asia 02 Jan 2022 -- Southeast Asia's longtime conflicts cooled in 2021, a development overshadowed by the Feb. 1 coup in Myanmar and ensuing civil war.

Army spokesman: Yemeni forces liberated 12,000 sq km of land in 2 major ops in 2021 Press TV 02 Jan 2022 -- The spokesman for Yemen's army and allied fighters from the Popular Committees says the country's forces carried out two major operations against the Saudi-led coalition and their allied forces in 2021, liberating 12,000 square kilometers of land in five provinces.
UAE establishing second military airport on Yemen's strategic Socotra island, report says Press TV 02 Jan 2022 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reportedly constructing its second military airport, with the help of a team of foreign military experts, on the strategic island of Socotra.

Russian Jets Knock Out Water Supply In Syria's Idlib RFE/RL 02 Jan 2022 -- Russian warplanes have bombed a pumping station that provides water to rebel-controlled Idlib city in northwestern Syria, potentially depriving hundreds of thousands of people in the overcrowded city of water, according to witnesses and a monitoring group.

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on President Biden's Call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine The White House 02 Jan 2022
U.S. Will 'Respond Decisively' If Russia Invades Ukraine, Biden Tells Zelenskiy RFE/RL 02 Jan 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the U.S. and its allies will "respond decisively" if Russia further invades Ukraine, according to a White House statement on January 2.
White House: Biden Told Zelensky US, Allies Will 'Respond Decisively' if Russia 'Invades' Ukraine Sputnik 02 Jan 2022 -- On Sunday, United States President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to detail that the US and its allies would "respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine."
Biden to Ukraine: US, Allies Would 'Respond Decisively if Russia Further Invades' VOA 02 Jan 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday that the United States and its allies would "respond decisively" should Russia further invade Ukraine.
Biden, Zelenskiy To Speak By Phone As U.S. Prepares For Series Of Talks With Russia RFE/RL 02 Jan 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on January 2 as the two leaders plan to review preparations for upcoming diplomatic engagements aimed at de-escalating tensions over a Russian military buildup near Ukraine.

January 6 Riot Probe Wants to Know Why Trump Failed to Call It Off VOA 02 Jan 2022 -- The congressional investigation into the riot at the U.S. Capitol last January is zeroing in on why then-President Donald Trump did nothing for more than three hours to stop his supporters from ransacking the building and clashing with police as lawmakers sought to certify that he had lost the 2020 election, the panel's chairman said Sunday.

Why US Is Raising Pressure on China Over Treatment of Tibetans, Uyghurs VOA 02 Jan 2022 -- Human rights advocates are welcoming what they see as increased U.S. attention to Chinese behavior in its volatile Tibet and Xinjiang regions, suggesting that lobbying by rights groups may have contributed to the surge of pressure on Beijing.

Mainland hopes for complete reunification People's Daily 02 Jan 2022 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Saturday expressed hope for the complete reunification of the motherland and denounced Taiwan authority's attempts to seek independence.

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Kumsusan Palace of Sun KCNA 02 Jan 2022 -- Greeting the new year with confidence and optimism after seeing off the year 2021 that witnessed the clear victories etched in the history of the country along with the historic 8th Congress of the Party, the whole country is overflowing with great reverence for President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il, the founder and builders and the eternal leaders of our dignified and strong Party and state.

Pres Raisi orders paying swift compensation to Ukrainian plane victims' families IRNA 02 Jan 2022 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday during his cabinet meeting ordered to to pay compensation to the bereaved families of the Ukrainian plane incident.

Putin, Erdogan Pledge To Boost Russia-Turkey Ties RFE/RL 02 Jan 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have vowed to boost ties, both sides said.

2 protesters killed as Sudan security forces clash with anti-coup demonstrators in capital, other cities Press TV 02 Jan 2022 -- Two protesters have been killed and many others injured as Sudanese security forces clashed with anti-coup demonstrators in the capital Khartoum and other major cities.
Sudanese PM Hamdok Resigns Months After Ouster, Deal With Military Junta Sputnik 02 Jan 2022 -- In November 2021, ousted Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok regained power via an agreement with the coup leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a former chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan. Despite the power agreement, deadly protests and widespread criticism of Hamdok's government have yet to die down.

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