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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Leader of ISIS Dead Following U.S. Raid in Syria DoD News 03 Feb 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today that the United States and its citizens are safer after the death of the leader of ISIS in northwest Syria.
• Statement by President Joe Biden The White House 03 Feb 2022
• Remarks by President Biden on a Successful Counterterrorism Operation The White House 03 Feb 2022
• Background Press Call By Senior Administration Officials On U.S. Counterterrorism Operations in Syria The White House 03 Feb 2022
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Raid Against ISIS Amir Hajii Abdullah DoD 03 Feb 2022 -- "I am immensely proud of the U.S. forces who conducted an operation against Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of ISIS. He detonated an explosive device during the operation, killing himself and members of his family."
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 03 Feb 2022
• DoD Statement on Feb. 2, 2022 Counterterrorism Operation in Northwest Syria DoD 03 Feb 2022
• An Important Milestone in the Campaign Against ISIS US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2022 -- The military operation authorized by President Biden and carried out by U.S. forces last night in northwest Syria has resulted in the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of ISIS - a significant victory in the global fight to disrupt and dismantle ISIS.
• US Calls Death of Islamic State Leader 'Significant Blow' VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Top U.S. officials are hopeful that a risky nighttime raid, months in the making, will deal one of the world's most resilient terror groups a long-lasting setback and blunt its efforts to strike at the United States and its Western allies.
• US Says IS Leader Killed Himself in Act of Cowardice VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Months after U.S. intelligence operatives tracked the leader of the Islamic State terror group to a non-descript residential building in northwest Syria, Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla, detonated an explosive, killing himself and his family while U.S. forces closed in.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Michael Murphy Returns to Homeport US Navy 03 Feb 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, following an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operation, Feb. 3.
• DoD, GSA Announce RFI to Gather Information for Supplying 24/7 Carbon Pollution-Free Electricity for Federal Government DoD 03 Feb 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market information and capabilities in supplying carbon pollution-free electricity to the federal government. This is an important step forward in transforming how the U.S. government buys and manages electricity, and it puts the nation on a path to achieving a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035.
• Department of Defense Technology Vision for an Era of Competition DoD 03 Feb 2022 -- The Department of Defense announced today a new technology vision established by Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu. This technology vision, anchored by the USD(R&E)'s three strategic pillars of mission focus, foundation building and succeeding through teamwork, will be used to develop a National Defense Science and Technology strategy based on an updated National Defense Strategy.
• Readout of Round Table Meeting with Hypersonics Industry Executives DoD 03 Feb 2022
• DOD Turns to Industry to Meet Carbon Pollution-Free Energy Targets DoD News 03 Feb 2022 -- Today, the Defense Department issued a Request for Information on costs and technologies to support the department's shift to purchasing a 100% carbon pollution-free electricity.
• Recapitalization of Refuelers, Transport Ships Critical to Transcom Mission DoD News 03 Feb 2022 -- Much of the U.S. military's fleet of refueling aircraft is old — the newest KC-135 Stratotanker, for instance, was built in 1965. And sealift ships available to the U.S. military are also nearing the time when they'll be expected to retire.
• Keen Edge 22 USMC News 03 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Forces, including III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self Defense Forces participated in Keen Edge 22, a bilateral command post exercise, from Jan. 27 through Feb. 3.
• US Air Force Says Will Finally Fix Lightning Strike Problem That Grounded F-35s During Storms Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- The Pentagon's most advanced fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin F-35, has been banned for years from flying close to thunderstorms - just one of many design flaws for which the futuristic and hugely expensive aircraft has been lambasted.
• NAVCENT Hosts Defense Leaders from Bahrain, Israel US Navy 03 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) hosted defense leaders from Bahrain and Israel, Feb. 3, for discussions on regional maritime security cooperation.
• CNO Visits Philadelphia Navy Commands; Emphasizes Importance of Columbia-class Submarines US Navy Press Release 03 Feb 2022 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday and Rear Adm. Douglas Perry, director, undersea warfare division, visited Philadelphia-based Navy commands, Feb. 3.
• Cyber Warfare Prominent during Keen Edge 22 US Navy 03 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/ U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F) took part in Keen Edge 22, a bilateral, command post exercise led by the Japan Joint Staff and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Jan. 26 - Feb. 3.
• Realignment of Responsibility for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program DoD 03 Feb 2022 -- On Feb. 2, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks directed the realignment of responsibility for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. With this directive, the responsibility for the program transitions from the USD(A&S) to the DoD CIO.
• Mariners alerted over US fighter jet salvage, may take 2 months Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- The Japanese Coast Guard has issued a navigation warning for mariners to beware of salvage operations as the U.S. Navy is preparing to recover the F-35C fighter that crashed last week in the South China Sea.
• Chinese Rescue Vessels 'Sent to Site of US F-35 Jet Crash' in South China Sea Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- In late January, a US F-35 Lightning II jet crash-landed in the South China Sea - the pilot safely ejected from the aircraft before being evacuated by a military helicopter.
• U.S. to deploy additional 3,000 troops to Europe amid Ukraine tensions People's Daily 03 Feb 2022 -- The United States will deploy additional troops to Europe, the Defense Department announced Wednesday, citing tensions on Ukraine's borders.
• Russia slams US troops deployment, says it escalates tensions in Europe Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Russia has urged the United States to stop escalating tensions over Ukraine after Washington announced it will be deploying several thousand troops to Eastern Europe.
• Russia slams growing US military buildup in Eastern Europe as 'destructive' Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Russia has slammed the increasing military buildup by the United States in Eastern Europe and near Russian borders as "destructive" and said it will diminish the likelihood of finding a political solution to the current standoff over Ukraine.
• Secretary General welcomes Prime Minister of North Macedonia to NATO NATO 03 Feb 2022 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (3 February 2022), thanking him for North Macedonia's efforts to promote security, stability and progress in the Western Balkans.
• NATO and EU Ambassadors meet to discuss crisis in Ukraine NATO 03 Feb 2022 -- sia's military build-up in and around Ukraine and the implications for European and international security were discussed at today's (03 February 2022) informal meeting between the North Atlantic Council and the European Union's Political and Security Committee (PSC).
• NATO Chief Discusses Ukraine With Hungarian Prime Minister After His Visit to Russia Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has discussed the situation around Ukraine with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the aftermath of the latter's visit to Moscow.
• RAF Jets Scrambled for Second Time in Two Days to Intercept Aircraft Approaching UK Area of Interest Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- The incident is the second of its kind in less than 24 hours. On Wednesday, the Royal Air Force scrambled Typhoon jets to escort four Russian strategic bombers operating north of Scotland.
• UK and Nigeria strengthen security and defence partnership to tackle terrorism and build regional security UK MOD 03 Feb 2022 -- The UK and Nigeria held the first UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership dialogue in London this week.
• Saudi Arabia - Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT) DSCA 03 Feb 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $23.7 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Jordan - F-16 C/D Block 70 Aircraft DSCA 03 Feb 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Jordan of F-16 C/D Block 70 Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.21 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• United Arab Emirates - Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case DSCA 03 Feb 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Philippine Cruise Missiles Deal Signals Pushback Against China VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Philippines leaders are moving to purchase sophisticated anti-ship cruise missiles in what analysts see as a sign of new resolve to stand up to China in a maritime dispute and to pivot further toward Manila's traditional ally, the United States.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Signing Ceremony with Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok And Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad' US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Chung US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2022
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki The White House 03 Feb 2022
• Department Press Briefing – February 3, 2022 US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 3, 2022

Other Conflicts

• 3 February 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Feb 2022
• Pneumonia cases soaring in Afghanistan, killing children: NGO Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Pneumonia cases in Afghanistan are soaring, killing children, who are unable to access healthcare facilities, the UK-based international NGO Save the Children says.
• Concerned over civilian deaths, UN spokesperson welcomes 'any successes' against ISIL terror group UN News 03 Feb 2022 -- Following an attack by United States Special Forces in northwestern Syria that culminated in the death of the leader of the ISIL terrorist network, the deputy UN Spokesperson on Thursday expressed concern over reported civilian casualties, but welcomed any move contributing to the group's defeat.
• Pakistan Says Attacks On Bases Repulsed; Up To 12 Soldiers, 15 Attackers Killed RFE/RL Gandhara 03 Feb 2022 -- Pakistan's military has repelled nighttime assaults on two army bases in the southwestern Balochistan Province that killed up to 12 soldiers and 15 militants, authorities say.
• Pakistan: Militant Attack on Army Bases Kills 7 Troops, 15 'Terrorists' VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Pakistan said Thursday security forces had successfully repulsed overnight militant attacks on two army bases in southwestern Baluchistan province that killed seven soldiers and 15 assailants.
• US Aware of Russian Plan to Use Staged Attack as Pretext for Ukraine Offensive: Senior US Official VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- The United States has information indicating that Russia has developed a plan to stage a false Ukrainian military attack on Russian territory and leverage it as a pretext for an attack against Ukraine, according to a senior Biden administration official.
• U.S. Says New Intelligence Shows Russian Plans To Create Pretext For Invading Ukraine RFE/RL 03 Feb 2022 -- The United States has obtained intelligence indicating that Russia has formed a plan to stage a false attack, which would serve as justification for an invasion of Ukraine, according to the U.S. State Department and U.S. officials quoted in news reports on February 3.
• Pentagon Claims Russians 'Likely to Want to Fabricate' Attack by Ukraine to Justify Invasion Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- After months of claiming a Russian invasion of Ukraine was "imminent," the Biden administration on Wednesday said it would stop using the term because it "sends a message that we weren't intending to send," according to spokesperson Jen Psaki.
• US says Russian invasion of Ukraine no longer 'imminent' as it deploys more troops to Eastern Europe Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- The administration of President Joe Biden is no longer using the word "imminent" to describe a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, backing away from an assessment US officials had repeatedly voiced in recent days.
• Erdogan Reiterates Offer To Mediate In Ukraine-Russia Standoff RFE/RL 03 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has welcomed an offer from visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to mediate in Kyiv's standoff with Moscow.
• Israeli committee approves plan for 1,500 new settlement units in occupied East al-Quds Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- An Israeli committee has approved a plan for the construction of 1,500 new settler units in the occupied East al-Quds, as the regime steps up its land grab and forced eviction policies in the Palestinian territories in defiance of international law.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with UN Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2022
• DR Congo: More peacekeepers deployed in wake of deadly camp attack UN News 03 Feb 2022 -- Peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have stepped up their presence in the area around a camp for displaced people in Ituri province following a deadly attack this week, the United Nations said on Thursday.
• Refugee Advocate Condemns Killing of Civilians in DRC Camp VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Aid groups have condemned a militia group for killing at least 60 people at a camp for internally displaced people in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Norwegian Refugee Council, which supports a school in the region, says two of the school's students are among those killed.

News Reports

• DHS Launches First-Ever Cyber Safety Review Board DHS 03 Feb 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the establishment of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), as directed in President Biden's Executive Order 14028 on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity. The CSRB is an unprecedented public-private initiative that will bring together government and industry leaders to elevate our nation's cybersecurity.
• US Launches First-Ever Cyber Safety Review Board Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- The US government has created a new Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) to ensure cybersecurity resilience across the entire federal workforce, the Department of Homeland security (DHS) announced in a press release on Thursday.
• Designation of an Indonesia-Based Organization for Support to Terrorism US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2022 -- The United States is designating World Human Care, an Indonesia-based organization that has provided financial support to Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia (MMI), an Indonesia-based terrorist group. World Human Care provides financial support for MMI activities in Syria under the pretense of providing humanitarian aid.
• Treasury Sanctions Organization Supporting Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia US Treasury 03 Feb 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated World Human Care, a non-governmental organization established by the Indonesia-based designated terrorist group Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia (MMI) to provide financial support for MMI extremists in Syria under the guise of humanitarian aid.
• Remarks by Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes Elizabeth Rosenberg at the Union of Arab Banks Conference US Treasury 03 Feb 2022
• Deadline Nears for US on Seized Afghan Funds Sought By 9/11 Victims VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Freeze it indefinitely, return it to Afghanistan or give it to 9/11 victims' families? The Biden administration has until February 11 to tell a U.S. court what it thinks should happen to $7 billion of Afghan government funds currently frozen at the New York Federal Reserve.
• US diplomats, spies may have been hit by electromagnetic energy: Report Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Electromagnetic energy pulses and ultrasound might have hit the American diplomats and spies who suffered from a mysterious illness known as Havana Syndrome, a US intelligence report says.
• West African Bloc: Coup 'Contagion' Must Be Contained Before Region Devastated VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- The chairman of the West African bloc ECOWAS said a surge of coups since a military government took power in Mali in 2020 must be contained before it devastates the whole region.
• Guinea Bissau President Withstands Coup Attempt VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Guinea-Bissau is the latest West African country to be swept up in a coup contagion that has already hit Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Though Tuesday's coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau was unsuccessful, the country continues to reel from political instability, corruption and drug trafficking.
• Guinea-Bissau gov't confirms 11 dead after failed coup attempt People's Daily 03 Feb 2022 -- The minister of tourism and spokesman for the government of Guinea-Bissau, Fernando Vaz, confirmed on Wednesday 11 people died during the failed coup attempt that took place in the country on Tuesday.
• West Africa bloc chairman: Mali coup set dangerous trend in Sahel Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- The chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says a coup in Mali has been "contagious" and led to subsequent military takeovers across the troubled region.
• Mali Government Blames Sanctions for Treasury Bonds Default VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Mali has failed to meet debt payments of some $40 million in treasury bonds, blaming sanctions imposed on the country's military junta by West African bloc ECOWAS.
• Netherlands Says Should Be Ready for Potential Gas Shortage Amid Tensions Around Ukraine Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- The Dutch government should prepare for a possible shortage of national gas reserves amid an escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, including through the diversification of suppliers and energy carriers, the Foreign and Defense Ministries said on Thursday.
• Telephone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron President of Russia 03 Feb 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron at the latter's initiative.
• Article by Vladimir Putin "Russia and China: A Future-Oriented Strategic Partnership" for the Chinese News Agency Xinhua President of Russia 03 Feb 2022
• Will Western Sanctions on Russia Work? VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- With tensions between Russia and Ukraine ratcheting up, some former diplomats and Kremlin watchers are debating the effectiveness of any sanctions imposed on Moscow should it invade its neighbor to the west.
• Russia Shuts Down Deutsche Welle Broadcast in Response to Germany's RT DE Ban Sputnik 03 Feb 2022 -- Earlier, German media regulator MABB officially banned RT DE from broadcasting in Germany, claiming that it does not have the necessary permission.
• Press release on retaliatory measures against German media operating in the Russian Federation following the ban on RT DE broadcasting in Germany Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Feb 2022
• Russia Bans Deutsche Welle In Response To German Court Decision On RT DE RFE/RL 03 Feb 2022 -- Russia says it is shutting down the operations of Deutsche Welle (DW) in response to the closure of Russia's state-controlled RT DE earlier this week, a move the German broadcaster called "absurd" as it vowed to continue broadcasting.
• Russia shuts down German broadcaster's operations after Berlin bans RT DE Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Russia has closed the Moscow-based bureau of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle and stripped its staff of their accreditation, in a retaliatory move after Berlin banned Russian broadcaster RT amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine's crisis.
• Moscow to target German media in Russia over ban on RT DE Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Moscow says it will take "retaliatory measures" against German news media operating in Russia after Germany's media watchdog decided to ban the German-language service of Russian broadcaster RT.
• Russian Newspaper Removes Investigative Materials By Navalny's Team At State's Request RFE/RL 03 Feb 2022 -- The Russian newspaper Novaya gazeta says it has acted on a request by authorities and has removed investigative materials produced by the team of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny that suggest corruption among the country's top officials, including President Vladimir Putin.
• Putin Meets Chechen Leader Amid Outcry Over Threats Against Activist's Family RFE/RL 03 Feb 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian, Kremlin-backed leader of the North Caucasus region of Chechnya, amid a public outcry over open threats made by the volatile region's leadership to kill the family of a human rights lawyer.
• China, Russia are 'stabilizers for challenging world', Xi-Putin meeting to address critical issues, may ink new deals: experts Global Times 03 Feb 2022 -- A day ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Chinese media that the meeting of the heads of state plays a crucial role in the close cooperation between Moscow and Beijing on the basis of mutual political trust. President Putin noted the two nations will play a pivotal role to safeguard stability in today's challenging world.
• Putin's trip to Beijing lends support to Olympics amid boycotts Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- Russian president Vladimir Putin will visit China on the opening day of the Winter Olympics on Feb. 4, holding talks with ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping amid ongoing tensions over the build-up of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine.
• US urged to help Uyghurs in deportation peril in Morocco, Saudi Arabia Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- Uyghurs facing imminent deportation from Morocco and Saudi Arabia to China, where they are at risk of torture and other human rights violations, are in dire need diplomatic intervention from Washington, a Congressional advisory body said in a recent letter to the top U.S. diplomat.
• Officials distribute unidentified drugs amid COVID outbreak in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- Local Chinese officials, including security personnel, are giving unidentified drugs to Uyghurs in a county near Ghulja city in the northwestern Xinjiang region that has been locked down due to an increase in coronavirus infections, county officials and residents said.
• China's state security targets family of doctor who blew whistle on Olympic doping Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- As the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gears up for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, state security police in Shanghai have forced the son of a retired Chinese sports team doctor who blew the whistle on organized doping to try to prevent her from publishing what she knows, on pain of losing his home.
• Top diplomats of S.Korea, U.S. hold phone talks over DPRK's missile tests People's Daily 03 Feb 2022 -- The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States held phone talks Thursday over the recent missile tests by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Seoul's foreign ministry said.
• North Korea cracks down on 'vicious capitalist' loan sharks Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- High-interest lending, known more formally as usury and more commonly as loan sharking, is on the rise in North Korea as economic turmoil pushes some families to the brink.
• Iran increases gas supply to Turkey, pipeline repairs postponed: Report Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Iran's flow of gas to Turkey has increased after a major reduction reported last month as industry sources say full supplies will be restored in early spring when Iran is planned to carry out repairs on export pipelines on its side of the border.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Pro-Democracy Activists from Burma US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2022
• Experts: Sanctions Against Myanmar Not Enough to Bring About Change VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Sanctions imposed on Myanmar officials aren't enough to force change within the conflict-torn country, experts say.
• Cambodia Says Myanmar Junta's Foreign Minister Not Invited to Upcoming ASEAN Meeting VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Cambodia, the incumbent chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, says the Myanmar Junta's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin will not be invited to attend the 10-nation bloc's top diplomatic gathering in Phnom Penh this month.
• ASEAN top diplomat retreat to exclude Myanmar junta envoy-host Cambodia Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- The foreign minister of Myanmar's military regime will not be invited to a mid-February Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial retreat, host Cambodia said Thursday, citing the lack of movement on an agreement the regional bloc struck with the junta leader last year.
• Myanmar shadow government says junta should not take stand in genocide trial Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2022 -- A decision by Myanmar's shadow government to withdraw preliminary objections to charges of genocide against ethnic Rohingyas at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was made to ensure the case is not fought by a party that does not represent the will of the people, its foreign minister said Thursday.
• 'US not finished with sanctions on Myanmar military' Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- Counselor of the US Department of State Chollet Derek says the country will continue to slap new sanctions on the Myanmar military and its affiliates.
• Political prisoners in Belarus: joint statement, 3 February 2022 UK FCDO 03 Feb 2022 -- UK Ambassador Neil Bush delivers a statement on behalf of 37 OSCE participating States to call for the release of over 1,000 political prisoners in Belarus.
• Kazakhstan Says Looking Into Dozens Of Alleged Abuses Following Deadly Protests RFE/RL 03 Feb 2022 -- Kazakhstan says it has launched nearly 100 investigations into alleged illegal detentions and rights abuses of those arrested during and after the deadly anti-government protests last month, heeding the demands of domestic and international human rights groups.
• Pakistani PM Heads to China for Olympics, Bilateral Talks VOA 03 Feb 2022 -- Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, traveled to China Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and meet with Chinese leaders on cementing a traditionally close relationship between the countries.
• Hezbollah parliamentary bloc says fully committed to Lebanon's National Accord Document Press TV 03 Feb 2022 -- The Resistance Bloc - the political wing of the Hezbollah resistance movement - in the Lebanese parliament says it is fully committed to the National Accord Document as the Mediterranean country is preparing to hold general elections in May.
• Brussels Will Have Little Recourse If Hungarian Elections Aren't Free And Fair, EU Official Tells RFE/RL RFE/RL 03 Feb 2022 -- The EU's vice president for values and transparency says the bloc is likely to have no room to take action if Hungary's elections in April fail to meet democratic standards.