Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement by the Global Coalition on Countering Daesh/ISIS Globally US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2022 -- The Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS remains resolutely committed to achieving the enduring defeat of ISIS. Recent events in Syria underscore both the success we continue to have in degrading Daesh/ISIS leadership and the continuing threat the terrorist group poses in the region and beyond.
• Battle against Da'esh, a 'long-term game', Voronkov tells Security Council UN News 09 Feb 2022 -- The global fight against the shadowy, ever-morphing threat posed by the ISIL terrorist group - known officially as Da'esh - and its affiliates, remains a "long-term game" for which there are "no quick fixes," the UN counter-terrorism chief told the Security Council on Wednesday.
• Islamic State Could be Headed for Generational Change VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Intelligence agencies and private analysts say there is little doubt Islamic State senior leaders already have a good idea of who will be next to lead the terror group as it seeks to reestablish a physical caliphate and strike at the West.
• Islamic State Out to Prove It's More Than Its Leader VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- The Islamic State is so far showing few signs of faltering, just days after U.S. special operation forces dropped into northwest Syria and surrounded the terror group's leader, who they say then blew himself up without a fight.

Defense Policy / Programs

• American Physical Society Releases New Report on US Missile Defense American Physical Society 09 Feb 2022 -- The capabilities of US systems intended to defend against the nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that North Korea may have or could obtain are currently low and will likely continue to be low for the next 15 years, according to a new technical report commissioned by the American Physical Society's Panel on Public Affairs.
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 09 Feb 2022
• Secretary of Defense Austin Approves More DoD Advisory Committees for Resumption of Operations DoD 09 Feb 2022 -- After careful consideration of the recommendations resulting from the zero-based review of all DoD advisory committees, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has approved the following advisory committees for resumption of operations. The recommendations for other boards are still under consideration, and we will announce the results for more advisory committees in coming weeks.
• US surveillance vessel spotted in area of downed fighter jet Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2022 -- Ship-tracking data seen by RFA show a U.S. Navy ocean surveillance vessel in the area believed to be the salvage site for the crashed F-35C fighter jet, an indication that recovery operations may be underway.
• 31st MEU Conducts VBSS Training Aboard USS Miguel Keith in Support of Exercise Noble Fusion US Navy 09 Feb 2022 -- Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard the USS America (LHA 6), conducted visit board, search and seizure (VBSS) training aboard the USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) as part of Exercise Noble Fusion, Feb. 5, 2022.
• Project Avenger: Simulators Get Live Air Traffic Control for More Immersive Flight Training US Navy 09 Feb 2022 -- Student Naval aviators (SNA) with Training Air Wing (TW) 4, located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, now have the capability to speak directly with live air traffic control (ATC) personnel during simulator training, a significant advancement to the Navy's undergraduate primary flight training.
• Tennessee Guard military police unit trains for deployment Army News 09 Feb 2022 -- Tennessee National Guard Soldiers preparing for deployment participated in a three-day exercise focused on communication skills and M240 machine gun teams firing at moving targets during day and night operations.
• Lithuania Seeks Permanent U.S. Military Presence In Country RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- Lithuania's president says the Baltic nation will ask the United States to permanently station troops in the country as Western allies seek to beef up security amid concerns about Russia's military intentions in the tense region.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Defense Trilateral Call With Japan, Republic of Korea DoD 09 Feb 2022
• Pentagon Holds Trilateral Meeting with South Korea, Japan Defense Chiefs Over DPRK Missile Tests Sputnik 09 Feb 2022 -- On Tuesday, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Foreign Ministry published a statement declaring that North Korea was the only county that can "shake the world by firing a missile with the US mainland in its range." The memo also touted that only a handful of countries possess "hydrogen bombs, [ICBMs], and hypersonic missiles."
• NATO Deputy Secretary General marks fifth anniversary of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania NATO 09 Feb 2022 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană visited NATO's multinational battlegroup in Rukla, Lithuania on Wednesday (9 February) to participate in a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence.
• Russia calls Ukraine's reported plan to acquire US missiles 'provocative' Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- Russia has censured as "a provocation" a reported Ukrainian request for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile systems from the United States, stressing that considering such supplies would deal a setback to efforts to ease an ongoing crisis between Moscow and the West over Ukraine.
• Moscow on Potential Delivery of US THAAD Systems to Ukraine: Russia Urges to Avoid 'Stupidity' Sputnik 09 Feb 2022 -- The statement comes amid a standoff between the Kremlin and the West over the list of security demands Russian authorities made last year, which Moscow says are needed to defuse the crisis in Ukraine and lower tensions in Europe.
• China slams US recent approval of arms sale to Taiwan PLA Daily 09 Feb 2022 -- "The move by the United States grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines the relations of the two countries," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian on Wednesday when responding to the statement made by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the US Department of Defense on Feb. 7 saying that the US has approved a $100 million sale of the Patriot missile defense system and its supporting services to Taiwan.
• Chinese Military Vows to Thwart Foreign Meddling as US Sells $100Mln Worth of Arms to Taiwan Sputnik 09 Feb 2022 -- Beijing previously urged Washington to stop meddling in China's internal affairs, and pledged to take all the necessary actions to protect its sovereignty.
• China censures $100-million US arms sale deal with Chinese Taipei Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- China's Defense Ministry has denounced a $100-million US arms sale to Chinese Taipei.
• DPP arms deals would only push Taiwan towards disaster: spokesperson People's Daily 09 Feb 2022 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Tuesday lashed out at Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority over its potential purchase of arms from the United States, saying that such a provocative action would only "push Taiwan towards disaster."
• China urges U.S. to halt arms sale to Taiwan: spokesperson People's Daily 09 Feb 2022 -- China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the United States' plan for the sale of arms worth 100 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan and urges its immediate cancellation, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
• Indian Army Implements Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) of Ammunition Stock India PIB 09 Feb 2022 -- The Indian Army commenced implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging of its ammunition inventory today
• Atal Tunnel officially recognised as 'Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 feet' by World Book of Records India PIB 09 Feb 2022 -- Atal Tunnel has officially been certified by World Book of Records, as the 'World's Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet', during a landmark ceremony on 09 February 2022, in New Delhi
• Iran unveils Kheibar Shekan missile with 1,450 KM range IRNA 09 Feb 2022 -- The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday unveiled new missile called "Kheibar Shekan" with 1,450 Kilometers range.
• IRGC unveils new strategic long-range missile named "Kheibar-Shekan" ISNA 09 Feb 2022 -- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled the new strategic long-range missile with pinpoint accuracy on Wednesday.
• IRGC unveils precision strike ballistic missile with range of 1,450 km Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new ballistic missile with a range of 1,450 kilometers (900 miles), which enjoys high agility and is capable of striking its designated targets with pinpoint accuracy.
• Iran Unveils Missile That Could Reportedly Reach Israel, U.S. Bases In Region RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- Iran has unveiled a new missile with a reported range of 1,450 kilometers that would bring within reach both U.S. bases in the region as well archrival Israel.
• Iran Pledges to Advance Ballistic Missile Programme Sputnik 09 Feb 2022 -- Nations in the West have long been expressing concerns about Iran's ballistic missile programme, urging Tehran to slash it during the signing of the Iran nuclear deal in 2015. Iran insisted that it needs these missiles for defensive purposes and will not end the programme.
• China donates military, construction equipment to Philippine defense department Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2022 -- China has agreed to donate millions of dollars in military and construction equipment to the Philippine government despite a bitter dispute over the South China Sea, officials said Wednesday.
• Blinken Arrives in Australia to Tout US Focus on Pacific VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Australia on Wednesday on a trip aimed at reinforcing the Biden administration's commitment to the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions, while also focusing on the crisis in Ukraine.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with NATO Deputy Secretary General Geoana, EEAS Secretary General Sannino, the OSCE Chair-in-Office represented by Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Przydacz, and OSCE Secretary General Schmid US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2022
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.'s Call with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia The White House 09 Feb 2022
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.'s Call with President Emmanuel Macron of France The White House 09 Feb 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 9, 2022 The White House 09 Feb 2022
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Senior Officials from the Federal Republic of Nigeria The White House 09 Feb 2022
• Department Press Briefing – February 9, 2022 US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 9, 2022

Other Conflicts

• 9 February 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Feb 2022
• Aid to Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan a 'Moral Hazard,' US Lawmakers Say VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Six months after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, lawmakers have few good options for sending aid to prop up the struggling Afghan economy without enabling the Taliban.
• Escalating Violence In A Restive Pakistani Province Resurrects A Forgotten Conflict RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Feb 2022 -- Since the beginning of this year, violent attacks by secular ethnic Baluch separatists in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan have dramatically risen. The once ragtag guerrillas relying on "hit-and-run" tactics are now turning to high-profile suicide attacks that cause mass casualties.
• Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan Seen as 'Rude Awakening' for Pakistan VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Observers saw the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan last year as a strategic victory for neighboring Pakistan after years of frosty relations between Islamabad and the Western-backed government in Kabul that collapsed last August. Security concerns along the two nations' border have since complicated the picture.
• Syria's foreign ministry condemns Israeli attacks on Damascus, warns of consequences Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- Syria's foreign ministry has strongly condemned the latest Israeli attacks on the Syrian territories that killed and injured a number of Syrian soldiers.
• Syrian defenses confront Israeli missile attack on Damascus' countryside Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- Syria's air defenses have intercepted and confronted an Israeli missile attack on the Arab country's capital Damascus' countryside.
• Top Russian Commanders Arrive in Belarus for Military Drills VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Top Russian commanders arrived in neighboring Belarus on Wednesday, set to oversee 30,000 Russian troops as they train for 10 days with the Belarusian military in the latest show of Moscow's force along the Ukrainian border.
• War in Ukraine Could Spark a Regional Conflict, Officials Warn VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- An international humanitarian official warns a war in Ukraine would be cataclysmic, potentially engulfing neighboring countries and turning into a regional conflict.
• US Says Diplomatic Path Preferred to Resolve Russia-Ukraine Crisis VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the optimal resolution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis is a diplomatic one and that he expects to consult with his counterparts from France, Germany and Britain in the coming days.
• British PM To Visit Warsaw Over Ukraine RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will embark on a one-day diplomatic tour with stops in Poland and NATO headquarters in Brussels amid tensions over the security situation in Europe as Russia amasses tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine.
• Foreign Secretary flies to Moscow to urge de-escalation of Russian aggression against Ukraine UK FCDO 09 Feb 2022 -- Liz Truss will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and make clear the only way forward is for Russia to cease aggression and engage in meaningful talks.
• British Foreign Secretary Arrives In Moscow As European Leaders Pledge Unity On Ukraine RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has arrived in Moscow on February 9 for talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as European leaders take center stage in efforts to defuse an ongoing crisis prompted by Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine that the West suspects is the prelude to an invasion.
• France, Germany mediating in Ukraine crisis through shuttle diplomacy People's Daily 09 Feb 2022 -- France, which is holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, and its ally Germany have been engaged in shuttle diplomacy, trying to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis.
• Backlash to Macron's Ukraine Proposals Builds VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- French President Emmanuel Macron is pursuing a poisoned peace plan, say critics in Europe, who fear the outcome of his talks this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be to strengthen Moscow's hand in the crisis over Ukraine.
• What Are the Minsk Accords? VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- The so-called Minsk accords of 2014 and 2015 attempted to end the war in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine between Ukraine and Russian-speaking separatists in the disputed areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.
• Ukrainian, French leaders discuss Ukraine's peace process People's Daily 09 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron met on Tuesday to discuss the peace process aimed at resolving the crisis in and around Ukraine, Zelensky's press service reported.
• Nearly 40 civilians killed in 10 days by military in Myanmar's Sagaing Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2022 -- Military troops killed more than three dozen civilians — including women and children — in four townships in Myanmar's Sagaing region in a span of 10 days beginning late last month, residents and members of the anti-junta People's Defense Force (PDF) militia said Wednesday.
• Ethiopia in 'much better place' to resolve Tigray conflict: Mohammed UN News 09 Feb 2022 -- On the last day of a five-day trip to Ethiopia, the Deputy Secretary-General said the East African nation is in "a much better place" to resolve the conflict that erupted 15 months ago in Tigray.
• 'Peace is indispensable' says UN deputy chief in Ethiopia, hearing stories of conflict and hope UN News 09 Feb 2022 -- From survivors of rape to young women entrepreneurs, the UN Deputy Secretary-General has spent the week meeting some of those whose lives have been upended by conflict in Ethiopia, but also hearing stories of hope that point towards the "indispensable" value of a return to lasting peace across the African nation.
• WHO Says Crucial Supplies Not Reaching Embattled Northern Ethiopia VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- World Health Organization officials say insecurity and bureaucratic difficulties continue to prevent medical supplies and other crucial relief from reaching millions of beleaguered civilians in conflict-ridden northern Ethiopia.
• ICJ Orders Uganda to Pay $325 Million to DR Congo VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- The International Court of Justice on Wednesday ordered Uganda to pay $325 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as reparations for Uganda's invasion of the DRC in the late 1990s.
• UN's top court orders Uganda to pay $325 million to DR Congo UN News 09 Feb 2022 -- Uganda must pay the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) $325 million in reparations related to the brutal conflict between the two nations from 1998 to 2003, the UN's highest court ruled on Wednesday.
• Iraq makes final reparation payment to Kuwait for 1990 invasion UN News 09 Feb 2022 -- More than 30 years after the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) was created to ensure restitution for Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion of 1990, the reparations body announced on Wednesday that it had processed its final claim, amounting to $52.4 billion in total.
• Mali, France Say Attack Kills at Least 20 Militants VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Mali's army has confirmed it took part in a joint attack last week with French and European forces that killed at least 20 Islamist militants. The attack in southern Mali went ahead despite rising tensions between Mali's government and the country's former colonial power.
• Saakashvili Says 'Secret' Meetings Kept Minsk From Recognizing Breakaway Georgian Regions RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili says he held a series of "secret" meetings with authoritarian Belarusian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka in London to help persuade him not to follow Russia in recognizing the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
• Mauritius sends ship to presss claim to Chagos Islands, calls UK 'illegal colonial occupier' Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- The island nation of Mauritius is sending a survey ship to the Chagos Islands to press the country's claim for the strategically important Indian Ocean archipelago, which is occupied by Britain and is home to an American military base.
• China Backs Argentina's 'Legitimate Claim' to Falklands as Truss Calls It 'Part of British Family' Sputnik 09 Feb 2022 -- On Monday, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged China "to respect the Falklands' sovereignty", describing the territory as "part of the British family".
• Libyan Lawmakers Set to Choose New Prime Minister VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Libya's parliament is set to vote on a new prime minister on Thursday, but incumbent Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah has rejected the balloting, saying Libyans should not have another period with an interim government.

News Reports

• Continuing our efforts to combat global terrorist threats UK FCDO 09 Feb 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe at the Security Council Meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts
• One in five US white supremacist group applicants claim military ties Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- In a startling revelation, one out of five applicants to a white supremacist and neo-fascist hate group in the US, Patriot Front, have held current or former military positions, according to leaked documents.
• CISA, FBI, NSA and International Partners Issue Advisory on Ransomware Trends from 2021 CISA 09 Feb 2022 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Security Agency (NSA), Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), and the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK) issued a joint Cybersecurity Advisory outlining the growing international threat posed by ransomware over the past year.
• China Suspected of Cyberattacks Targeting US Organizations VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Media giant News Corp is investigating a cyberattack that has accessed the email and documents of some of its employees and journalists.
• Satellite Losses Show Threat Solar Storms Pose to Tech VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- As if we didn't have enough to worry about: Some scientists are warning about the inevitable catastrophic effects on modern life from a super-sized solar storm.
• How Russian Energy Giant LUKoil Makes Millions In Bulgaria But Pays Almost No Tax RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- "The champion of our petrochemical industry." So boasted Todor Zhivkov, then-communist leader of Bulgaria, when the country's first oil refinery at Burgas on the Black Sea coast launched operations in 1963.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on February 9, 2022 PRC MofA 09 Feb 2022
• Hong Kong says criticism of its media crackdown 'erroneous,' 'opinionated' Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2022 -- Hong Kong's government on Wednesday "strongly condemned" criticism from 21 governments of its crackdown on independent media under the national security law.
• China rejects 'coercion' accusation as Lithuanian FM hypes it in Australia Global Times 09 Feb 2022 -- While hyping the "coercion" accusation against China, Lithuania is anxiously seeking political support from countries around China and trying to draw more countries into its anti-China clique during its Foreign Minister's visit to Singapore and Australia. However, analysts said its plans are doomed as China's market and industrial chain influence are irreplaceable and its attempts to continue provocation against China's sovereignty is meeting with increasing opposition.
• Draft Article 23 bill to be submitted to HKSAR's LegCo by year-end: security chief People's Daily 09 Feb 2022 -- The draft bill for legislation in accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is expected to be submitted to the HKSAR's Legislative Council (LegCo) for deliberation by the end of this year, a senior official said Tuesday.
• Rare-earth supplies in China to remain tight amid surging prices Global Times 09 Feb 2022 -- Hot demand for rare-earth metals used in electric vehicles (EVs) and disrupted rare-earth imports from Myanmar have together sent the prices of the scarce materials in China up about 14 percent so far in 2022, with tight supplies.
• China Calls on US to Stop Sanctioning North Korea Sputnik 09 Feb 2022 -- The United States needs to stop imposing endless sanctions and putting pressure on North Korea if they are sincerely concerned about the well-being of the North Korean people, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday.
• North Korea installs solar panels to bolster underpowered cellular network Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2022 -- North Korea is installing solar panels and batteries on cellular towers to stop rolling power outages from crippling the country's mobile phone network, sources in the country told RFA.
• Iran's president: US insistence on Trump's failed policies main obstacle to progress in Vienna Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the current US administration's adherence to the failed policies of its predecessor with regard to Iran is the main obstacle to making "acceptable progress" in the Vienna negotiations which aim at bringing the 2015 Iran deal back to life.
• U.S. Says Deal 'In Sight,' But Warns Iran That Time Is Running Out For Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- Washington has again warned Iran it is running out of time to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement, telling Tehran it will be impossible to return to the landmark accord if a deal is not struck within the next few weeks.
• EU Voices Support For Belarusian Journalists, Demands Release Of Political Prisoners RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- The European Union has reiterated its support for independent Belarusian journalists and called for the release of all political prisoners, 18 months after the disputed presidential election that triggered a wave of brutal repression against opponents of strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Report: Representative of Sudan's ruling council paying secret visit to Israel Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- Reports say a Sudanese official is paying a visit to Israel to promote bilateral ties with the regime, despite anti-Israel sentiment among the people of Sudan.
• More Workers Strike In Kazakhstan's Restive West RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- Hundreds of workers at the Burghylau oil company in the western town of Zhanaozen have launched a strike demanding higher salaries and better work conditions, joining workers at other energy companies in the restive western Manghystau region.
• HRW Urges Independent Inquiry Into Deadly Kazakh Protests RFE/RL 09 Feb 2022 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Kazakh authorities to invite international experts to join its domestic investigative efforts into serious human rights violations during a deadly wave of unrest in the country last month.
• Six opposition parties mull alliance to challenge Cambodia's ruling party Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2022 -- Six of Cambodia's opposition groups, including the quickly growing Candlelight Party, are in talks to form a political alliance to compete with Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) ahead of a general election slated for next year.
• Millions of people face hunger in Horn of Africa amid frequent droughts Press TV 09 Feb 2022 -- Millions of people are facing hunger in the Horn of Africa as droughts recur, according to the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP).
• Vietnam a 'country of particular concern,' US religious freedom agency says Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2022 -- Despite some improvements, Vietnam remains a "country of particular concern" in terms of allowing its citizens to freely practice their religion, the 15th consecutive year the country has been so designated by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
• Mexican President Calls for 'Pause' in Diplomatic Relations With Spain VOA 09 Feb 2022 -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called Wednesday for "pausing" diplomatic relations with Spain, not breaking them, as he escalated his criticism of Mexico's former colonial power, which he says has exploited Mexico.