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News Reports

Current Operations

• Oregon Guard helps respond to COVID surge at 40 hospitals Army News 13 Jan 2022 -- The surge of COVID-19 cases prompted Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to order an increase of National Guard members assisting at hospitals around the state, boosting the number of Guardsmen on hospital relief missions from 500 to over 1,200 at 40 hospitals.
• More Active Troops to Help Take COVID-Related Pressure Off Civilian Hospitals DoD News 13 Jan 2022 -- The Pentagon announced today that an additional 1,000 active duty military personnel will be made available to help with a whole-of-government approach to combating the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Awards Contracts to Purchase COVID-19 Antigen Over-the-Counter Test Kits in Support of POTUS' 500 Million Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests DoD 13 Jan 2022 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded contracts to Abbott Rapid Dx North America, LLC (Orlando, Florida), iHealth Lab Inc. (Mountain View, California), and Roche Diagnostics Corporation (Indianapolis, Indiana), purchasing a combined total of 380 million over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Redesignates the DoD Chief Sustainability Officer DoD 13 Jan 2022
• Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby Holds an Off-Camera Press Briefing DoD 13 Jan 2022
• Seymour Johnson AFB tests lead wing, ACE during exercise at Kinston Regional Jetport US Air Force 13 Jan 2022 -- Eight F-15E Strike Eagles from the 335th Fighter Squadron and Airmen from the 4th Mission Support Group and 4th Maintenance Group assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base participated in a lead wing and agile combat employment (ACE) exercise at Kinston Regional Jetport, Jan. 11.
• Navy Trains to Counter Drone Threats at Point Mugu US Navy 13 Jan 2022 -- The Pacific Target Marine Operations (PTMO), a division Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division's Threat/Target Systems Department, recently deployed small-drones over Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu to provide cost-effective unmanned aerial system (UAS) familiarization and threat training.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukraine's Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov DoD 13 Jan 2022
• Readout of Japan, Republic of Korea and U.S. Defense Trilateral Call DoD 13 Jan 2022 -- Defense officials from Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States conducted a call on January 13, 2022 to discuss regional security affairs.
• NATO Secretary General discusses the security situation in eastern Europe with the President of Estonia NATO 13 Jan 2022
• NATO chief warns of 'real risk' of war as talks with Russia end Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has warned of "a real risk" of a new war in Europe, stressing the need for further dialog between members of the Western military alliance and Russia to resolve the ongoing crisis over Ukraine.
• OSCE Meeting Ends, No Movement Made In Russia-Ukraine Crisis RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- A third round of talks in Europe in a week aimed at defusing tensions between Russia and the West appears to have ended in deadlock, with neither side budging on their core positions in tense diplomacy seeking to avoid a major security crisis.
• Russia Questions Whether Ukraine Talks Are Worth Renewing VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- One of Russia's top diplomats says he can see no reason to renew talks with the U.S. and NATO about Russian troops massed at the border with Ukraine anytime soon, and he accused Western powers Thursday of being concerned only about their own security needs while ignoring Moscow's.
• No Breakthrough as OSCE-Russia Talks on Ukraine Conclude VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- Negotiators say talks between Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna ended Thursday with no breakthrough toward defusing tensions regarding Russian troops massed at the border with Ukraine.
• Russia Remains Open About Military Deployment to Cuba and Venezuela Amid Security Guarantee Impasse Sputnik 13 Jan 2022 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday that he will not confirm or deny anything regarding the possibility of the deployment of Russian military infrastructure in Cuba and Venezuela.
• Russia to Respond if West Rejects European Security Guarantees, OSCE Envoy Says Sputnik 13 Jan 2022 -- Russia will have to take measures if the United States and NATO fail to provide a constructive response on Russian-requested security guarantees within a reasonable time, Russian Permanent Representative to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Alexander Lukashevich, said on Wednesday.
• Russia: Talks on Ukraine at 'dead end', US sanctions on Putin mean severing relations Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- Russia says talks with the West over the situation around Ukraine have hit a "dead end," and that there is no reason to hold a new round of negotiations over security guarantees demanded by Moscow regarding NATO's eastward expansion and Kiev's membership in the US-led military alliance.
• New Type 052D destroyer Guilin makes training appearance Global Times 13 Jan 2022 -- The Guilin, a Type 052D guided missile destroyer newly commissioned into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) South Sea Fleet, participated in a live-fire exercise at the start of 2022, with analysts saying on Thursday that the warship can rapidly achieve initial operational capability.
• As China Declares Type 055 Cruiser Lhasa Battle-Worthy, Two More Reportedly Begun in Dalian Sputnik 13 Jan 2022 -- The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has declared its second Type 055 missile cruiser to be combat worthy following war games held in the Yellow Sea last week. The stealthy warships are the second-largest non-carrier warships afloat anywhere in the world, closely following the US' troubled Zumwalt-class destroyers.
• China, France hold 16th defense strategy consultation PLA Daily 13 Jan 2022 -- The militaries of China and France held the 16th China-France Defense Strategy Consultation via video link on January 13. The consultation was co-chaired by Lieutenant General Shao Yuanming, vice chief of the Joint Staff Department under China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and Lieutenant General Luc De Rancourt, deputy director general for international relations and strategy of the French Ministry of Defence. The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional security situation, relations between the two militaries and other issues of common concern.
• Iranian commander promises more satellite launches IRNA 13 Jan 2022 -- Commander of IRGC Aerospace Force said on Thursday that Iran will launch more satellites by using inexpensive propellers.
• IRGC commander: Iran successfully tests its first satellite carrier operating on solid fuel Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- The commander of Iran Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Aerospace Division says the country has mastered the technology of satellite carriers and has tested its first such carrier using solid fuel.
• IRGC holds biggest combinatory drill in southeast Iran IRNA 13 Jan 2022 -- Qods Headquarters of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force held the biggest compound civil-military exercise in southeastern Iran on Thursday.
• Iran's IRGC Ground Force holds largest ever combined military drill in southeast Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Ground Force has launched the largest ever combined military exercise in the country's southeast.
• Qatari Security Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Participate in (Arabian Gulf Security 3) Exercise SPA 13 Jan 2022 -- The security force of Qatar, participating in the joint Gulf tactical exercise of the security services of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) for Arab States (Arabian Gulf Security 3), which is hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has arrived in the exercise operations area in the Eastern region.
• Kuwaiti Security Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Participate in (Arabian Gulf Security 3) Exercise SPA 13 Jan 2022 -- The security force of the State of Kuwait, participating in the joint Gulf tactical exercise of the security services of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) for Arab States (Arabian Gulf Security 3), which is hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has arrived in the exercise operations area in the Eastern region.
• Bahraini Security Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Participate in (Arabian Gulf Security 3) Exercise SPA 13 Jan 2022 -- The security force of the Kingdom of Bahrain, participating in the joint Gulf tactical exercise of the security services of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) for Arab States (Arabian Gulf Security 3), which is hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has arrived in the exercise operations area in the Eastern region.
• Royal Oman Police' Security Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Participate in Joint Exercise "Arab Gulf Security 3" SPA 13 Jan 2022 -- A security force from Royal Oman Police has arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the joint tactical exercise of the security forces from Gulf Cooperation Council member states "Arab Gulf Security 3".
• UAE security forces arrives to participate in GCC Security Exercise 3 SPA 13 Jan 2022 -- The security force of the United Arab Emirates has arrived to participate in the joint Arab Gulf tactical exercise of the security services of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and taking place in the Eastern Province.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Icelandic Foreign Minister Gylfadottir US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Czech Foreign Minister Lipavsky US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with the Speaker of Iraq's Council of Representatives al-Halbousi US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, January 13, 2022 The White House 13 Jan 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 13, 2022

Other Conflicts

• UN releases $150 million for underfunded humanitarian crises UN News 13 Jan 2022 -- About $150 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the largest allocation ever, was released on Thursday to boost underfunded humanitarian operations across 13 countries.
• UN chief: 'We are in a race against time to help the Afghan people' UN News 13 Jan 2022 -- Describing a "nightmare unfolding in Afghanistan", the United Nations' Secretary-General, António Guterres, warned on Thursday that the world is "in a race against time to help the Afghan people."
• UN Chief Calls For Release Of Frozen Afghan Bank Reserves, More Aid To Fight Starvation RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Jan 2022 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the conditional release of frozen Afghan foreign currency reserves and urgent international funding as millions of people in the country face starvation in a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
• HRW Report: Taliban's Takeover Turned Afghan Crisis Into Catastrophe RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Jan 2022 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the Taliban's return to power following the complete withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan in August has aggravated the humanitarian and economic situation in the war-torn country amid an abrupt deterioration of human rights.
• Taliban Threats To Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Underline Tension Between Militant Group And Central Asian Neighbors RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- The first two weeks of this year have brought a reminder that Central Asia's relationship with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are far from smooth and could potentially turn bad very quickly.
• Report: Afghan Rights Crisis Worsens Under Taliban VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- The Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan has accelerated the country's human rights crisis and humanitarian catastrophe, a new report warned Thursday.
• Detailed US government study declares China's maritime claims unlawful Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- The U.S. State Department has issued its most comprehensive study yet on China's sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea and concludes that they amount to an unlawful claim to most of the disputed waterway and "gravely undermine the rule of law."
• Non-member US plays magistrate of UN convention to sow discord in South China Sea: Chinese FM Global Times 13 Jan 2022 -- The US was trying to distort international law and sow discord in regions around the South China Sea by touting a report which claims that China's maritime sovereignty in most of the South China Sea was unlawful, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
• Yemen hits UAE-backed militants, Daesh in combined missile, drone operation Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- Yemen's army and its allied Popular Committees stage a combined missile and drone operation targeting United Arab Emirates-backed militants and Daesh terrorists in the southern province of Shabwah.
• Several rockets fired at Baghdad's Green Zone, two people injured Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- At least three rockets have been fired towards the fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, with two of them landing in the US embassy.
• TPLF Shell, Seize Several Towns Outside Tigray Border as Ethiopian Gov Pushes Peace Talks Sputnik 13 Jan 2022 -- The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was reported as shelling and occupying several towns near the borders of Ethiopia's northern Tigray state on Tuesday - the group's biggest offensive action in several weeks, since its last offensive was defeated.
• More than 20,000 refugees displaced by a month of fighting in Myanmar's Kayin state Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- More than 20,000 people who fled fighting between the military and anti-junta forces in two townships in Myanmar's Kayin state remain displaced as clashes continue in the area, residents and aid groups said Wednesday, creating a humanitarian crisis that is spilling across the border into neighboring Thailand.
• Taliban Takeover In Afghanistan Bolsters Pakistan's Insurgency RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Jan 2022 -- When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, government officials, retired military officers, and hard-line clerics in neighboring Pakistan celebrated the militant group's return to power.
• Pakistani Taliban Confirms Killing Of Former Spokesman RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Jan 2022 -- The Pakistani Taliban has confirmed the killing of its former spokesman who was once among the central leaders of the outlawed group.
• Pakistani Taliban Confirm Killing of Wanted Senior Commander in Afghanistan VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- An outlawed militant alliance fighting the government of Pakistan confirmed Thursday that one of its top commanders was killed in neighboring Afghanistan earlier in the week.
• JOINT PRESS RELEASE OF THE 14TH ROUND OF INDIA-CHINA CORPS COMMANDER LEVEL MEETING India PIB 13 Jan 2022 -- The 14th round India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on 12th January 2022
• Pakistan Accuses India of Staging Covert Military Operation to Hide Violence in Kashmir Sputnik 13 Jan 2022 -- India and Pakistan have been observing a ceasefire at the Line of Control between the two countries since February 2021. However, the Indian Army has accused the Pakistan military of assisting what it describes as "terrorists" in the border area to disturb law and order in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region.
• Western Diplomats Warn of Impending Disaster in Sahel VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- Western diplomats fear the spread of extremist groups and persistent economic and social problems in Western Africa and the Sahel are nearing a tipping point that could have disastrous consequences for the region and beyond.
• Terrorism hike in Central African Republic targets UN People's Daily 13 Jan 2022 -- United Nations Peacekeepers report a significant increase in terrorist attacks in the Central African Republic, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.
• Interview: US 'deeply concerned' by China's human rights abuses in Tibet Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- On Dec. 20, 2021, U.S. Undersecretary of State Uzra Zeya was designated by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to serve as U.S. special coordinator for Tibetan issues. She will serve in this role concurrently with her position as undersecretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights. On Jan. 13, RFA Tibetan Service reporter Tashi Wangchuk spoke with Uzra Zeya about her new role and the challenges lying ahead. The interview was edited for length.
• China steps up repression in Xinjiang and Tibet, rights group says Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- China in 2021 increased its repression of ethnic minorities in Tibet and the northwestern region of Xinjiang, severely restricting freedom of religion and pursuing coercive assimilationist policies aimed at creating a single national identity, a rights group said Thursday.

News Reports

• Leader of Oath Keepers and 10 Other Individuals Indicted in Federal Court for Seditious Conspiracy and Other Offenses Related to U.S. Capitol Breach US Dept. of Justice 13 Jan 2022 -- A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment yesterday, which was unsealed today, charging 11 defendants with seditious conspiracy and other charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
• Extremist Group Leader Arrested, Charged With Sedition in US Capitol Riot VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- The founder and leader of a far-right group has been arrested and charged in federal court with seditious conspiracy for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
• The release of PETs first Assessment of the espionage threat to Denmark Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) 13 Jan 2022-- The threat from foreign intelligence activities in Denmark has increased. The threat relates to espionage, influence activities, harassment, attempts to illegally procure products, technology and knowledge and, in exceptional cases, assassination attempts. These are the findings of the new PET publication "Assessment of the espionage threat to Denmark".
• Readout of White House Meeting on Software Security The White House 13 Jan 2022
• Telephone conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev President of Russia 13 Jan 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
• Russia-Led CSTO Troops Begin Withdrawal From Kazakhstan RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- Troops from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have begun to withdraw from Kazakhstan after being called in to help stabilize the Central Asian nation following deadly unrest sparked by a fuel price hike amid an apparent standoff with loyalists of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev.
• CSTO Peacekeepers Handing Over Strategic Objects in Kazakhstan as Riots Cease Sputnik 13 Jan 2022 -- The peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) have begun handing over protected facilities to the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
• Experts Fear Turn to Russia, Greater Authoritarianism in Kazakhstan VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- While much of the world was focused on last week's deadly conflict between security forces and protesters in Kazakhstan, independent analysts were intrigued by another struggle playing out — this one between the rival camps of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his still-powerful predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
• Watchdogs Urge Kazakh Officials To Respect Rights After Unrest RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have urged Kazakh authorities to respect human rights after detaining thousands amid anti-government rallies that turned deadly in the former Soviet republic's largest city, Almaty, last week.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview on Channel One's "The Great Game" political talk show, Moscow, January 13, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jan 2022
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, January 13, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jan 2022
• Energy Monitor Says Gazprom Largely To Blame For Natural-Gas Storage Deficit In Europe RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has blamed Russia for worsening Europe's natural-gas crisis, saying that high prices and low storage levels largely stem from the behavior of state-owned gas supplier Gazprom.
• U.S. Senate To Vote On Republican-Backed Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Bill; Democrats Propose Rival Legislation RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote this week on a bill sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) to slap sanctions on the operators of the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline in Europe.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on January 13, 2022 PRC MofA 13 Jan 2022
• HK Police to fully adopt Chinese-style foot drills from July 1 Global Times 13 Jan 2022 -- While the Hong Kong Disciplined Services have been gradually introducing Chinese-style marching since the beginning of 2021, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) decided to fully transform from British style to the Chinese-style foot drills starting from July 1 in both ceremonies and all levels of foot drills and daily etiquette, a spokesperson of the HKPF told the Global Times on Thursday.
• Hong Kong COVID-19 Tracking App Spurs Opposition VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- A new Hong Kong mandate that restaurants and other establishments require use of an app aimed at recording people's locations and telling them if they have been near a COVID-19 patient has spurred opposition from the city's pro-democracy voices.
• First LegCo meeting unveils good democracy in HK Global Times 13 Jan 2022 -- As the 7th Legislative Council (LegCo) completed its first meeting on Wednesday after electoral reform ensured that only patriots can govern the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the chamber not only featured a new look that underscores the constitutional status of the city, but was also filled with a rational and constructive atmosphere.
• HKSAR's 7th-term LegCo holds 1st meeting People's Daily 13 Jan 2022 -- The seventh-term Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held its first meeting on Wednesday.
• Turkey allows no terrorist activities that infringe China's sovereignty to be conducted on its territory: Turkish FM Global Times 13 Jan 2022 -- Turkey won't allow terrorist activities targeting China or any anti-China activities that infringe China's sovereignty to take place on Turkey's territory, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu said during talks with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday.
• Special Representative for the DPRK Kim's Calls with Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Representative Noh and Japanese Director General Funakoshi US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2022
• Panetta: US Should Tell North Korea Provocations Put Regime at Risk VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- The Biden administration should send a strong message to Pyongyang in response to North Korea's recent missile tests, a former U.S. defense secretary said.
• North Korean tire shortage grounds vehicles, disrupts commerce Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- A shortage of tires in North Korea is forcing many of the nation's motor vehicles off the road, crippling the ability of some companies to carry out normal business operations, company officials in the country told RFA.
• North Korea Warns US After New Sanctions Follow Ballistic Missile Launches Sputnik 13 Jan 2022 -- On Friday, North Korea warned the United States that Pyongyang will take a "stronger and certain reaction" after the US implementation of new sanctions following a series of missile launches by the DPRK.
• N.Korea reports new hypersonic missile test; US, Japan hypes move Global Times 13 Jan 2022 -- North Korea on Wednesday reported the latest test of a hypersonic missile with the witness of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and missile analysts pointed out related data revealed that North Korea may have acquired the technologies but still needs more tests to demonstrate and enhance the weapon's accuracy.
• US hits North Korean officials with sanctions after missile test Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- The administration of US President Joe Biden has slapped sanctions on five North Korean officials over Pyongyang's latest ballistic missile test.
• Iran opens its first super heavy oil refinery in Qeshm Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi is to officially inaugurate a first super heavy oil refinery in Iran on Friday as the country moves ahead with plans to develop its massive petroleum sector despite sanctions imposed by the United States.
• 8th round of Vienna talks continue in Austrian capital as Iran says no to interim agreement Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- The eighth round of negotiations between Iran and the remaining signatories to the 2015 deal continues in the Austrian capital as sources close to the talks say the Iranian team insists on a long-term and reliable agreement, rejecting an interim one.
• Malaysia: Cambodian prime minister should have consulted ASEAN before Myanmar visit Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- Indonesia and Malaysia, two of ASEAN's founders, on Thursday criticized the Cambodian prime minister's controversial trip to crisis-ridden Myanmar last week, with Kuala Lumpur's top diplomat saying Hun Sen should have consulted other members of the bloc first.
• Northern Ireland Protocol talks with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 13 Jan 2022 -- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss welcomes Vice President Maroš Šefčovič to Chevening House for the latest round of negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
• First UK Annual Sanctions Report shows how UK independent sanctions underpin Global Britain's role on the world stage UK FCDO 13 Jan 2022 -- The UK's Annual Sanctions Report for 2021 details, for the first time, the full extent of its new autonomous sanctions since exiting the European Union.
• Lebanon transportation, labor unions go on strike to protest economic crisis Press TV 13 Jan 2022 -- Lebanon's public transportation and labor unions have started a nationwide general strike to protest the dire economic conditions in the Mediterranean country.
• Cambodian authorities tell opposition party, 'Take down your signs' Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- Authorities in Cambodia are ordering an opposition party to remove a sign from a public road, sparking accusations of political bias in favor of the Cambodian People's Party whose leader Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for more than 35 years.
• Cambodia government is 'playing with fire,' defiant labor leader says Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- The day before her arrest for leading a strike against one of the most profitable gaming companies in the world, Chhim Sithar shaved her hair and had a photo taken of herself holding a banner declaring: "I am imprison[ed] after demanding Naga Corp. to respect union right[s]."
• Turkey, Armenia Voice Optimism Ahead Of Normalization Talks RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- Turkey and Armenia both expressed optimism on January 13 ahead of the start of talks in Moscow to normalize relations as part of a broader Russia-mediated regional peace effort involving Azerbaijan.
• Moldova Pays Gazprom December Gas Bill, Asks For January Extension RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- Moldova's gas distribution company, Moldovagaz, says it has paid Russian state-owned gas giant Gazprom for natural gas supplied in December as the country struggles to pay for higher energy prices.
• Internet In Turkmenistan, Already The World's Slowest, Faces Further Restrictions RFE/RL 13 Jan 2022 -- Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has ordered the National Security Ministry to impose further controls on the Internet in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation, which is already known for having the world's slowest and most expensive service.
• Analysts: Burkina Faso Likely Averted Coup Linked to Military Infighting VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- Burkina Faso's military prosecutor this week said authorities had arrested eight soldiers for what local media reported was a plot to overthrow the state. Burkina Faso has been rattled by increasingly deadly Islamist militant attacks and widespread protests over insecurity. Analysts warn the military may be unhappy with the government and its efforts to halt the attacks.
• Sudan Security Forces Fire Live Rounds, Tear Gas on Anti-Coup Protesters, Activists Say VOA 13 Jan 2022 -- Sudanese security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas on pro-democracy protesters in the capital of Khartoum on Thursday, according to activists, as nationwide demonstrations against an October 25, 2021, military coup continued.