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News Reports

Current Operations

• South Carolina National Guard supports winter weather response efforts Army News 21 Jan 2022 -- The South Carolina National Guard is prepared with personnel and equipment at several locations throughout South Carolina Jan. 21, 2022 as part of vehicle recovery teams in support of civil authorities responding to expected winter weather conditions.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 21 Jan 2022
• Neptune Strike '22 Kicks off Monday in Mediterranean DoD News 21 Jan 2022 -- Starting Monday, NATO partners, including the United States, kick off the 12-day maritime exercise "Neptune Strike '22" in the Mediterranean Sea, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said during a briefing today.
• US Navy Bares Teeth With Rare Publication of Cruise Missile Submarine's Cyprus Stopover Sputnik 21 Jan 2022 -- The Pentagon has let slip the location of an attack submarine likely to be used in the event of a shooting war, and it's within range of the eastern Ukrainian border with Russia, where the US has claimed for months a Russian invasion is likely.
• US further ratchets up tensions with Russia, plans naval drills in the Mediterranean Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- The United States is further ratcheting up tensions with Russia, announced large-scale NATO naval exercises in the Mediterranean.
• NATO ships patrol Baltic Sea NATO 21 Jan 2022 -- Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) is currently on a scheduled deployment to the Baltic Sea since 14 January.
• Russia says US vowed to provide response to demands of security guarantees 'next week' Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- Russia says the United States has promised to provide the Kremlin with a written response to its security demands, after "frank" talks between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Geneva, January 21, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Jan 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022
• Lavrov-Blinken Talks Wrap Up With Two Sides 'on Clear Path to Understanding' Sputnik 21 Jan 2022 -- A new round of negotiations between top Russian and American officials will take place after Washington provides a written response to Moscow's security proposals.
• China's latest Wing Loong drone makes maiden flight; upgrades seen Global Times 21 Jan 2022 -- The Wing Loong-1E, a latest member in the Wing Loong drone family of China, made its maiden flight this week, with experts saying on Friday that the new aircraft is expected to be better than its predecessor in terms of range, endurance, efficiency and reliability, while remaining cost-efficient.
• China gears up for 2022 military recruitment People's Daily 21 Jan 2022 -- Military recruitment for the first half of 2022 will start on Feb. 15 and end on March 31, according to a teleconference on China's conscription work in Beijing Thursday.
• Marine Security Belt 2022 Exercise kicks off in Indian Ocean IRNA 21 Jan 2022 -- Naval forces from China, Russia and Iran launched the Marine Security Belt 2022 Exercise early Friday.
• Iran, Russia, China kick off joint military drills in Indian Ocean amid growing ties Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- Iran, Russia, and China have kicked off joint military drills in the north of the Indian Ocean, with vessels from the three countries hitting pre-determined targets at sea.
• China, Russia, Iran complete joint drill amid 'restrictions on sea routes from some major powers' Global Times 21 Jan 2022 -- China, Russia and Iran held a three-day maritime joint exercise in the Gulf of Oman, aiming to deepen pragmatic cooperation among the navies of the three countries, China's Ministry of National Defense announced on Thursday.
• British Army flying new elite attack helicopters UK MOD 21 Jan 2022 -- More than a dozen new AH-64E Apaches - one of the most advanced attack helicopters anywhere in the world - are undergoing test flights with the British Army.
• UK to support Tonga tsunami response with aid and Royal Navy ship UK MOD 21 Jan 2022 -- The UK is sending vital humanitarian assistance and redeploying a Royal Navy ship to support Tonga respond to the catastrophic tsunami that hit the islands.
• Australian Defence Secretary Wallace Says Deployment of UK Nuclear Submarines Not Yet Discussed Sputnik 21 Jan 2022 -- Australia and the United Kingdom have not discussed the possibility of stationing British nuclear submarines on the Australian continent, while a greater frequency of military exercises can be expected, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said on Friday.
• UK and Australia conclude first AUKMIN since pandemic UK FCDO 21 Jan 2022 -- UK and Australian minsters concluded vital defence and security talks following the first AUKMIN meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
• Air Force unveils F-5 fighter jet with upgraded ejection seat CNA 21 Jan 2022 -- An F-5 fighter jet belonging to the 7th Flight Training Wing and its new ejection seat was showcased at an Air Force base in Taitung County during a visit by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Friday.
• Baltic States To Send Weapons To Ukraine In Face Of Possible Russian Invasion RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have announced they will provide anti-armor and antiaircraft missiles to Ukraine to help the country in the event of a possible Russian invasion.
• UK Dispatches 30 Elite Troops to Ukraine Amid Escalation Fears, Reports Suggest Sputnik 21 Jan 2022 -- The United Kingdom has sent a group of around 30 elite troops to Ukraine to train the country's armed forces on anti-tank weapons transferred to Kiev by London amid concerns about the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, Sky News reported.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Swiss President and Foreign Minister Cassis US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022
• Background Press Call By Senior Administration Officials On President Biden's Meeting With Prime Minister Kishida of Japan The White House 21 Jan 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Kishida of Japan The White House 21 Jan 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, January 21, 2022 The White House 21 Jan 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 21, 2022

Other Conflicts

• EU Says It Will Establish 'Minimal' Presence In Afghanistan After Five-Month Hiatus RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Jan 2022 -- The European Union says it is reestablishing a "minimal" presence in Afghanistan for humanitarian purposes as a major economic crisis has pushed millions of Afghan into poverty, though the bloc stressed the move doesn't mean it is formally recognizing the Taliban-led administration.
• Mysterious Attacks On Afghan Activists, Journalists Raise Fears Over Free Speech Under Taliban RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Jan 2022 -- The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan had already left free speech and media freedoms out in the cold. A recent spate of mysterious attacks on activists and journalists has raised fears that the worst may be yet to come.
• Taliban Rebuke Biden for Questioning Afghan Unity, Governance VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- The Taliban Friday sharply criticized U.S. President Joe Biden for declaring Afghanistan "not susceptible to unity," and questioning the competence of the Islamist group's ability to govern, asserting the humanitarian and economic crisis in their country had been precipitated by the U.S. sanctions.
• Norway to Host Talks with Taliban on Afghan Aid and Human Rights VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- Norway said Friday that Taliban delegates, Afghan civil society representatives and officials from "a number of allied countries" will gather in Oslo next week for three days of talks on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and human rights.
• Report puts spotlight on PLA units deployed in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- New units of People's Liberation Army have been established and existing ones upgraded over the past decade to man outposts in the South China Sea, leaving China's military better positioned to project power in the region, according to a new report.
• Chinese military calls U.S. warship's trespassing a "serious provocation" People's Daily 21 Jan 2022 -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday called the trespassing of a U.S. warship into China's territorial waters a serious provocation.
• UN, Aid Groups Decry Latest Deadly Yemen Escalation VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- The United Nations and international aid organizations have expressed concern and outrage over Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen Friday that killed at least 70 people and knocked out the country's internet.
• Yemen's Supreme Political Council: Saudi massacres will not go unpunished Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- Yemen's Supreme Political Council says the massacres committed by the Saudi-led coalition "will not go unpunished," condemning international silence on the atrocities against the Yemeni people.
• Frenzied Saudi bombing of Yemen: Reports of over 180 casualties Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- Saudi warplanes have bombed homes in Yemen's western city of Hudaydah and a detention center in northern Sa'ada, with initial reports putting casualties above 180 people.
• UN chief alarmed at continued Saudi airstrikes on Yemen Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voices alarm at continued Saudi Arabian airstrikes against various locations in Yemen, including hugely sensitive and lifeline targets.
• Urging De-Escalation and Mitigation of Civilian Harm in Yemen US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022 -- The escalation in Yemen, which resulted in more than 100 casualties in recent days, is of great concern for the United States. In particular, we are aware of reports of a Saudi-led Coalition strike that hit a detention center today, killing at least 70 people. This airstrike comes just days after the deliberate Houthi attack on civilians in Abu Dhabi that also resulted in several casualties.
• Yemen: UN mission warns of 'devastating' loss of life, as Guterres condemns coalition airstrikes UN News 21 Jan 2022 -- The UN chief has condemned airstrikes launched early on Friday by the Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi rebels in Yemen, that struck a detention centre in the rebel-held city of Saada, which have left at least 60 dead, and more than hundred injured.
• UN chief alarmed at continued Saudi airstrikes on Yemen Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voices alarm at continued Saudi Arabian airstrikes against various locations in Yemen, including hugely sensitive and lifeline targets.
• Islamic State Operatives, US-Backed Forces Clash in Syria VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- Fighting raged for a second day in northeastern Syria, following what authorities described as a foiled plot by Islamic State terror group sleeper cells to break their captured comrades out of prison.
• Myanmar junta forces burn down 132 houses after firefight in small village Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- Security forces loyal to Myanmar's military junta this week burned down 132 houses after a firefight at a village in the central Magway region, the second arson attack in the village in 30 days, residents of the village told RFA.
• Little Progress Apparent in Ukraine Standoff, but Talks to Continue VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- The United States and Russia appeared to make little progress in the increasingly high-stakes standoff over Ukraine, each side leaving the latest round of high-level talks Friday promising only to keep talking.
• Blinken Pledges 'Swift Response' to Any Russian Aggression in Ukraine, Leaves Diplomatic Channels Open VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated after meeting Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva that the United States and its allies are ready to respond to a Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
• U.S., Russia Say Talks On Ukraine Crisis Useful Despite Lack Of Progress RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- No breakthrough has emerged after a new round of talks between the United States and Russia on tensions over Ukraine, though the January 21 meeting helped clear a path to understanding each other's positions amid fears Moscow will invade its neighbor despite Western warnings of severe consequences.
• Blinken threatens Russia with 'swift, severe' response Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- After the American-Russian talks in Geneva, Switzerland, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has threatened Russia with a "swift, severe" response if Russia invades neighboring Ukraine, despite Moscow's repeated denials.
• The Digital Sleuths Exposing Russia's Military Buildup Near Ukraine RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- As Russia has moved tens of thousands of troops toward its border with Ukraine in recent months, hinted of an armed response if NATO does not acquiesce to its demands, and announced large military exercises in Belarus, the sheer scale of its mobilization has been hard for Moscow to downplay or deny.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022
• READOUT: Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo's Call with Ukraine Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko US Treasury 21 Jan 2022
• Maintaining momentum to realise the full promise of the Colombian Peace Agreement UK FCDO 21 Jan 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on Colombia
• Tigray: Eritrean refugees 'scared and struggling to eat' amid aid obstacles UN News 21 Jan 2022 -- For the first time in weeks, aid teams have reached refugee camps in Ethiopia's Tigray region, only to find that some Eritrean nationals living there have likely died of preventable diseases, while others are "scared and struggling to get enough to eat", the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.
• UN relief chief pledges support for Nigeria UN News 21 Jan 2022 -- Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, has ended a four-day visit to Nigeria, pledging support and promising the United Nations will do everything it can to help rebuild the lives of vulnerable families who have been impacted by violence and extremism there.

News Reports

• Texas Man Arrested for Making Election-Related Threats to Government Officials US Dept. of Justice 21 Jan 2022 -- A Texas man was arrested today in Travis County, Texas, for allegedly sending threatening election-related communications to government officials on Jan. 5, 2021.
• Sanctioning International Hizballah Network US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022 -- The United States is designating Hizballah-affiliated financial facilitator Adnan Ayad, as well as members of an international network of facilitators and companies connected to him and to Adel Diab, Ayad's business partner and fellow Hizballah financier. Diab was designated on January 18 of this year.
• Treasury Sanctions International Hizballah Network US Treasury 21 Jan 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Hizballah-affiliated financial facilitator Adnan Ayad, as well as members of an international network of facilitators and companies connected to him and to Adel Diab, Adnan Ayad's business partner and fellow Hizballah financier who was designated by OFAC on January 18, 2022.
• US Still Looking for 'Havana Syndrome' Answers VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- The top U.S. spy agency has concluded a mysterious illness plaguing American diplomats and other officials around the world is not nearly as widespread as initially feared and is most likely not the work of a foreign adversary.
• CIA Finds Russia, Foreign Actor Unlikely Behind Havana Syndrome RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- The CIA assesses it is unlikely that Russia or another foreign government is behind hundreds of mysterious health incidents affecting U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers worldwide that has come to be known as Havana Syndrome, an official with the spy agency said.
• The Foreign Ministry's answers to the media questions submitted for the news conference on Russia's foreign policy performance in 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Jan 2022
• The Week In Russia: War Fears, A Year In Prison, And The Omicron Onslaught RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- A flurry of diplomacy continued, as did a Russian military buildup near Ukraine's borders, amid grim signs that Moscow's discussions with the West over its demands for sweeping concessions that would roll back post-Cold War developments in Europe could soon be replaced by the use of force.
• University of Arkansas Professor Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Agents About Patents in China US Dept. of Justice 21 Jan 2022 -- An Arkansas man and University of Arkansas Professor pleaded guilty today to one count of making a false statement to the FBI about the existence of patents for his inventions in the People's Republic of China (PRC).
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on January 21, 2022 PRC MofA 21 Jan 2022
• European parliament slams Hong Kong rights abuses under draconian security law Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- The European Parliament passed a motion on Friday condemning ongoing human rights abuses by authorities in Hong Kong under a crackdown on dissent linked to a draconian national security law imposed by China.
• European Parliament resolution on HK 'waste paper, joke' Global Times 21 Jan 2022 -- Chinese authorities firmly rejected the so-called Hong Kong-related resolution of the European Parliament (EP) which smeared Hong Kong's democracy and freedom, calling it a "a piece of waste paper and a joke."
• Security researchers spot flaws, surveillance in official Beijing Olympics app Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- As the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gears up to host the 2022 Winter Olympics from Feb. 4, security researchers in Canada have highlighted "serious security flaws" in a compulsory app for all participants.
• China's disciplinary agency vows to maintain strong, persistent crackdown on corruption People's Daily 21 Jan 2022 -- The Communist Party of China's (CPC) top disciplinary agency pledged to maintain strong and persistent crackdown on corruption in a communique released Thursday.
• US Urges Lithuania to Rename Taiwan Representative Office to Ease Row With China, Reports Say Sputnik 21 Jan 2022 -- The United States has urged Lithuania to change the name of the Taiwanese official representative office in its capital, Vilnius, to narrow differences with China, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing sources.
• North Korea holds 'emergency' lectures nationwide, but citizens left wondering why Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- When North Koreans got the word to report to work for a special announcement, many expected a major announcement. Instead, they said they heard more of the same: directives about loyalty to the country and its leaders.
• Experts: Facing Few Options, Biden Should Change Course on North Korea VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- Experts say the Biden administration faces limited options for dealing with North Korea unless it drastically changes its course as Pyongyang considers the resumption of nuclear and long-range missile tests.
• Pres. Raeisi: Iran, Russia reached 'fundamental agreements' on expanding ties Press TV 21 Jan 2022 -- President Ebrahim Raeisi has said that Iran and Russia reached "fundamental agreements" on expanding all-out bilateral relations to secure mutual interests.
• Blinken Says He Discussed Iran Nuclear Deal Efforts With Lavrov, Cautions Time Is Running Out RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have discussed international efforts to revive a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran amid concerns that time is running out to bring negotiations to a successful conclusion.
• Myanmar military tribunal sentences prominent activist, former lawmaker to death Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar special military tribunal on Friday sentenced a veteran political activist and former lawmaker under the previous democratically elected government to death for activities supporting opponents of the junta that has ruled the country since February, the government said.
• Cambodia's Hun Sen hits back at Malaysian FM for criticizing Myanmar strategy Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister and ASEAN chair Hun Sen, in a phone call with Indonesia's president on Friday, lashed out at Malaysia's foreign minister for being "arrogant" by criticizing Phnom Penh's strategy to deal with Myanmar.
• French Oil Company TotalEnergies Leaves Myanmar VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- French Oil Company TotalEnergies and U.S. oil company Chevron have announced they are pulling out of a major joint gas project in Myanmar, citing the February coup.
• Upcoming Constitutional Referendum In Belarus: joint statement UK FCDO 21 Jan 2022 -- Delivered by Canadian Ambassador Jocelyn Kinnear on behalf of 37 OSCE states.
• U.S. Charges Four Belarusian Officials With Piracy In Forced Landing Of Flight Using Bomb Hoax RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- The U.S. Department of Justice has charged four Belarusian government officials with conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy in the 2021 forced landing of a Ryanair flight to Minsk so that security services could arrest a dissident journalist.
• Kazakh President Says 'Gap Between Rich And Poor' Sparked Deadly Protests RFE/RL 21 Jan 2022 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev says an "unacceptable gap" between rich and poor led to deadly anti-government protests that shook the Central Asian country earlier in January.
• Foreign Secretary Liz Truss' speech to the Lowy Institute UK FCDO 21 Jan 2022 -- Liz Truss spoke about how threats to freedom, democracy and the rule of law are global, and why nations like the UK and Australia have to respond together.
• Briefing with Senior State Department Official On the Haiti Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2022