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News Reports

Current Operations

• Utah National Guard supports hospitals facing COVID surge Army News 15 Feb 2022 -- For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, Utah National Guard members are providing direct hospital support in non-medical roles.

Defense Policy / Programs

• State of Competition in the Defense Industrial Base DoD 15 Feb 2022 -- Today, the Defense Department released the State of Competition in the Defense Industrial Base report, as directed by Executive Order 14036.
• Ukraine Will Dominate Defense Secretary's Europe Trip DoD News 15 Feb 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is traveling to Europe for meetings with NATO allies during an especially fraught time.
• US Defense Chief Austin in Brussels for High Stakes NATO Talks VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has arrived in Brussels for talks with NATO leadership and allied defense ministers, as tens of thousands of Russian troops have surrounded Ukraine from the north, south and east.
• USS Anchorage, 1st Marine Division Exercise Waterborne Capabilities of ACVs US Navy 15 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Marines assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion (3D AABN), 1st Marine Division (1stMarDiv) participated in a waterborne training evolution with Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 12-13, 2022.
• US, UK Navy Chiefs Meet, Discuss Cooperation and Interoperability US Navy Press Release 15 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with his U.K. counterpart Royal Navy First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Adm. Sir Ben Key at the Pentagon, Feb. 15.
• DAF COVID-19 Statistics - Feb. 15, 2022 US Air Force 15 Feb 2022
• Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 15 Feb 2022
• Joint Expeditionary Force Military Chiefs Agree to 'Work Together on Shared Challenges' Amid Rising Tensions with Russia UK MOD 15 Feb 2022 -- The UK's Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin met with his counterparts from the other Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) to discuss the situation in and around Ukraine and European security issues.
• NATO Says Received Ukraine's Request for International Emergency Assistance Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- NATO has received a request from Ukraine for international assistance in case of emergencies of a "various nature" that may affect the civilian population, the alliance said in a statement.
• Canada Sends Machine Guns and Sniper Rifles Worth Over $7 Mln to Ukraine Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- Canada's military assistance to Ukraine includes machine guns and sniper rifles, the Canadian Department of National Defence said in a statement.
• Chinese naval ships arrive in Tonga with disaster relief supplies PLA Daily 15 Feb 2022 -- A disaster relief supplies transportation fleet dispatched by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy arrived at the Nuku'alofa Port, Tonga, around 10:00 a.m. UTC+13, February 15, 2022.
• Statement from Chief of Air Force - Flying Hours for the F-35A Lightning ll Australia DOD 15 Feb 2022 -- "I reject criticisms made in The Australian article 'Defence revises down planned availability of the F-35A jet fleet'. The criticisms contained are completely unfounded."
• HMAS Supply arrives in Tonga Australia DOD 15 Feb 2022 -- Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMAS Supply arrived in Tongan waters as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022 on February 12.
• UK and Japan to work together on world-leading fighter jet sensor UK MOD 15 Feb 2022 -- The UK and Japan have today signed a Letter of Arrangement (LOA) to jointly conduct cooperative research on a world-leading fighter jet sensor
• Israel Suspends US-Ukraine Iron Dome Deal Fearing Moscow Backlash, Reports Say Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- Israel has suspended participation in a deal on the transfer of Iron Dome missile defense system to Kiev signed between the United States and Ukraine fearing damaging bilateral relations with Russia amid tensions on the Ukrainian border, Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported on Tuesday.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Counselor Chollet and Under Secretary Fernandez Meet with Bulgarian Energy Delegation US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Rama US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mori US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Call with President Emmanuel Macron of France The White House 15 Feb 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 15, 2022 The White House 15 Feb 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 15, 2022

Other Conflicts

• 15 February 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Feb 2022
• Islamic State, Al-Qaida Building Support in Afghanistan, Report Says VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Despite lingering concerns among some officials in Washington that Afghanistan is on its way to once again becoming a terrorist haven, recent U.S. defense and intelligence assessments seem to indicate that at least for now, groups like Islamic State and al-Qaida are not ready to use the country as a launch pad for attacks against the West.
• Afghan Taliban's Quest for International Recognition Stuck in Neutral VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Despite establishing near-total control over Afghanistan since regaining power six months ago, the Taliban have been struggling to secure international legitimacy for their government amid a growing humanitarian and economic crisis.
• Taliban Seeking 110,000-Strong Army After 6 Months in Power VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- The acting defense minister of Afghanistan's Taliban government has announced plans to build a 110,000-strong army for Afghanistan.
• Britain to Co-Host Summit on Worsening Afghan Humanitarian Crisis VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Britain announced Tuesday it would co-host an international conference with the United Nations next month to help address the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where aid workers fear acute hunger could kill more people than the preceding 20 years of war.
• Taliban Warns It Will 'Reconsider' Policy Towards US If It Does Not Receive Frozen Assets VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Afghanistan's hardline Islamic rulers say they plan to "reconsider" their policy towards the United States if the administration of President Joe Biden refuses to return the full $7 billion in assets that have been frozen in the United States.
• US Inundated With Humanitarian Parole Requests From Afghans VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- After nearly 20 years of war, the U.S. and its allies left Afghanistan last August, helping to evacuate more than 130,000 Afghans in the chaotic last weeks in Kabul. Many of those Afghans hoped for a life in the U.S.
• Taliban threaten to reconsider policy toward US over assets freeze Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- The Taliban have warned the United States that they will be forced to reconsider their policy toward Washington if it refuses to free Afghanistan's assets.
• Lead Afghan Negotiator Says Secured Sanctions Easing at Oslo Talks Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- The interim Afghan government has agreed sanctions relief with Western envoys during January's talks in Oslo, the acting Afghan foreign minister told Sputnik.
• Funding for Food Aid Rapidly Running Out in Yemen VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- The U.N. humanitarian chief warned Tuesday that aid to millions of Yemenis is in jeopardy as donor funding is rapidly running out.
• Sharp escalation in fighting across Yemen risks spiralling out of control UN News 15 Feb 2022 -- Recent attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia indicate how the conflict in Yemen risks spiralling out of control, the chief UN mediator for the country told the Security Council on Tuesday, as he called for "serious efforts" to be made by Yemeni parties, the region and the international community, to end the fighting, now in its seventh year.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at the joint news conference with following talks OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau, Moscow, February 15, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Feb 2022
• News conference following Russian-German talks President of Russia 15 Feb 2022 -- Following Russian-German talks, Vladimir Putin and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz made statements for the press and answered journalists' questions.
• Talks with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz President of Russia 15 Feb 2022 -- The President of Russia held talks with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz in the Kremlin.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with French, German, Italian and UK Counterparts US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Transatlantic Quad Foreign Ministers US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Morgan US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with President of European Council Frédéric Bernard The White House 15 Feb 2022
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Polish Head of the International Policy Bureau Jakub Kumoch The White House 15 Feb 2022
• Remarks by President Biden Providing an Update on Russia and Ukraine The White House 15 Feb 2022
• Biden Says Attack On Ukraine Still Possible, As West Looks To Verify Russian Troop Pullback RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden says a Russian attack on Ukraine is still "very much a possibility," but high-level diplomacy to resolve the crisis over Russia's military buildup will continue in consultation with allies.
• Biden says Russian attack on Ukraine still possible Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- US President Joe Biden has said that a renewed invasion of Ukraine is "still very much a possibility" hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is not after a war.
• Biden: Ukraine Invasion 'Still Very Much a Possibility,' Urges Diplomacy VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Washington believes a Russian invasion of Ukraine is "still very much a possibility," and he appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue talks — or risk severe consequences.
• Russia Keeps West Guessing on Its Ukraine Intentions VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Russia says it is withdrawing some of its forces from areas close to the Ukrainian border after completing military drills, mocking Western intelligence agencies for naming February 16 as the date a Russian invasion of its neighbor would start.
• Stoltenberg Says No Signs Yet On Ground To Confirm Russian Troop Pullback RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance has yet to see signs on the ground to back up Russian claims that it has pulled back some troops from border areas with Ukraine, though there are signs from Moscow that it is willing to continue dialogue to give some room for hope that a crisis in the region can be averted.
• Stoltenberg: Moscow's Signals About Continuation of Diplomatic Efforts Are Encouraging Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- Signs from Moscow regarding the need to continue diplomatic efforts are encouraging, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.
• Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Website Among Several Hit By Cyberattack RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- The websites of the Ukrainian armed forces and several Ukrainian ministries and banks have been crippled by a cyberattack, the Ukrainian government says.
• Some Russian troops return from Ukraine border in a sign of de-escalation Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- Some Russian troops deployed in areas bordering Ukraine are returning to their bases following the completion of drills, Russia's defense ministry said Tuesday, in a major step toward de-escalation.
• U.K. Ambassador To Ukraine Warns Cost Of Russian Invasion Will Be 'High' For Both Sides RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- The British ambassador to Ukraine says the international community must make it clear to Russia that the cost of an invasion would be "high" for both sides as the crisis over the Kremlin's buildup of troops near the border reaches a "critical phase."
• Kremlin: US talk of imminent Ukraine invasion 'baseless hysteria' Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- The Kremlin has denounced as "baseless hysteria" weeks-long US claims that Russia is about to invade Ukraine, as some Russian troops deployed near the Ukrainian border are returning to their permanent bases following the completion of drills.
• Russian Lawmakers Approve Resolution To Recognize Separatist Regions In Ukraine RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- The Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has voted in favor of sending a resolution to ask President Vladimir Putin to recognize two territories in eastern Ukraine held by separatists as independent states.
• Russian State Duma Approves Draft Bill on Recognition of DPR and LPR Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- According to speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, parliament will send a formal address to President Vladimir Putin, calling for the recognition of the republics in Donbass.
• Federal Chancellor Scholz in Moscow - Courageous and responsible action is the order of the day Germany - Federal Government 15 Feb 2022 -- In view of the build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine, Federal Chancellor Scholz travelled to Russia for his inaugural visit. He appealed for courageous and responsible action on all sides. After all, he said: "For my generation, war in Europe is now inconceivable - and we must ensure that it stays that way."
• German Chancellor Scholz Says Ukrainian President Promised Him to Discuss Bills on Status of Donbass Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly promised that all bills on the status of Donbass and changes to the Ukrainian constitution would soon be discussed within the framework of the contact group, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday.
• Could Moldova's Breakaway Transdniester Play A Role In Russian Attack On Ukraine? RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine is on edge as it faces what analysts call the greatest buildup of military forces in Europe in decades.
• As Ukraine Tensions Mount, Romania Is Mostly Unprepared For War Refugees RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- NGOs and local leaders say Romania appears ill-prepared for a major influx of refugees if fighting dramatically escalates in neighboring Ukraine and civilians are forced to flee, despite government assurances to the contrary.
• Foreign Secretary statement on Russia's failure to turn up to OSCE military build-up meeting UK FCDO 15 Feb 2022 -- Liz Truss statement on Russia's failure to send a representative to an OSCE meeting about its military build-up on the border with Ukraine.
• Has Ukraine Triggered a Geopolitical Awakening in Europe? VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Western media outlets have been eager to explain in sweeping geopolitical terms why Ukraine matters — presumably fearing readers and audiences might think the fate of a far-flung country on the edge of Europe has no significance for them.
• Eyeing Ukraine, Putin Huddles In A Tight, Hawkish Circle RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- In March 2014, shortly after Russian troops seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with U.S. President Barack Obama to discuss the first land grab in Europe since the end of World War II.
• Putin: Russia does not want war, ready to continue security talks with West Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country is not after a war in Europe, as Moscow proposed holding negotiations on security across the continent and amid tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine.
• US, NATO Positively Responded to Russian Initiatives They Have Been Rejecting for Years, Lavrov Says Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- The alliance and the US both rejected key security proposals forwarded by Moscow in December of last year to soothe the tensions around Ukraine. These proposals included the non-inclusion of Ukraine in NATO and withdrawal of the alliance's troops, which Moscow views as a security threat, to their 1997 boundaries.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Press release on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Feb 2022
• Russia Fine-Tuning Info Ops as Tensions With Ukraine Rise VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Russia's effort to encircle Ukraine with more than 150,000 troops has been accompanied by a shift in its information operations, including a noted increase in ongoing campaigns targeting audiences in the United States, according to a senior U.S. Homeland Security official.
• UN chief calls for diplomacy to defuse Russia-Ukraine tensions People's Daily 15 Feb 2022 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for diplomacy to defuse the heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
• Le Drian Says France Will Totally Pull Out of Mali, But 'Not Leaving' Sahel Region Sputnik 15 Feb 2022 -- In the latest development of France's row with Mali, Paris has opted to totally pull out of the Sahelian nation, saying it will continue fighting terrorist groups in nearby nations. However, its presence there is scarcely more welcomed by the local population than in Mali.
• Report documents 'war crimes' in Myanmar's Kayah state Radio Free Asia 15 Feb 2022 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should back a U.N. Security Council-mandated arms embargo prohibiting the sale of weapons to Myanmar's junta, an international human rights group said Tuesday, citing reports of military abuses in Kayah state it warned could amount to war crimes.
• On the Lifting of the State of Emergency in Ethiopia US Dept. of State 15 Feb 2022
• Ethiopian Lawmakers Approve Lifting State of Emergency VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Ethiopian lawmakers have voted (Tuesday) for an early end to the state of emergency declared in November as Tigray forces moved toward the capital.
• Terror Attacks Surge as Elections Drag in Somalia VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- A senior African Union official said Tuesday that while al-Shabab continues to be the main security threat in Somalia, the AU is also monitoring a possible resurgence of Islamic State.
• Rapid completion of credible elections crucial for Somalia UK FCDO 15 Feb 2022 -- Statement delivered by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Somalia
• Somalia: Elections must be finalized amid worsening drought, Security Council hears UN News 15 Feb 2022 -- Somalia's leaders must put aside their differences and urgently conclude a credible election process, the UN's senior official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday, noting that national elections are now more than a year behind schedule and women's representation remains significantly off-track.

News Reports

• Kremlin Faces New Charges in Trial Outside of Moscow VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny went on trial Tuesday in a penal colony outside of Moscow, accused of embezzlement and contempt of court. If convicted, he could face up to 15 more years in prison.
• Jailed Kremlin Critic Navalny Begins New Trial, Faces Sentence Of More Than 10 Years RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- The trial of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has started inside a penal colony on new charges of embezzlement - which he calls politically motivated - that could see as many as 10 more years tacked on to his prison time.
• Swiss Trading Giant Sells Stake In Russian Oil Firm After EU Sanctions RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- Switzerland-based mining and commodities trading giant Glencore has said it recently sold its stake in a Russian oil company after its founder was placed under sanctions by the European Union.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 15, 2022 PRC MofA 15 Feb 2022
• US Looking to Japan, South Korea Allies to Assist in Resisting China's Expansion VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Discussion of Taiwan at weekend talks involving Japan, South Korea and the United States, analysts say, could be seen as a signal U.S. President Joe Biden aims to broaden the network of Asia-Pacific countries that could resist China's expansion.
• Journalists warn of chilling impact of Hong Kong's planned 'fake news' law Radio Free Asia 15 Feb 2022 -- Journalists in Hong Kong say the government's draft law banning "fake news" could make it harder for independent news outlets to operate, as well as limiting the activities of social media accounts that post factual content.
• The Implications of Deepening Economic Ties Between Pakistan, China VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- A series of new financial agreements between China and Pakistan are signaling a shift in political alignments in the region with implications for South Asian neighbors, the United States and for the economic future of Pakistan itself.
• Chinese mainland opposes Taiwan-related content in "U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy" People's Daily 15 Feb 2022 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson Monday voiced firm opposition against the Taiwan-related content in a so-called "U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy" report recently released by the U.S. administration.
• Satellite Images Suggest Operations Resumed at North Korea's Uranium Enrichment Plant VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- North Korea appears to have resumed uranium enrichment plant (UEP) operations at its Yongbyon facility used to make nuclear weapons, according to a former nuclear inspector after analyzing satellite imagery that revealed new activities.
• North Korea marks phase two of new homes project, phase one still incomplete Radio Free Asia 15 Feb 2022 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is celebrating plans to build another 10,000 new homes for residents of Pyongyang, even as work on the first 10,000 pledged under a capital building scheme has fallen behind schedule, sources in the country told RFA.
• Campaigning for March 9 presidential vote kicks off in South Korea amid scandal, controversies Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- Campaigning for South Korea's presidential election officially has kicked off, in what is expected to be the tightest race for the top post in 20 years amid controversies surrounding two key contenders.
• Good deal within reach in Vienna if West adopts realistic approach: Iran FM Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the talks underway in Vienna between Tehran and the P4+1 group of countries can yield a "good" agreement if the Western side chooses to pursue a "realistic" approach.
• Iranian Official Sees Verification, Guarantees As 'Integral' To Revived Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- A top Iranian security official has indicated that verification and guarantees would be among the things needed to reach an agreement to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran's FM says "good agreement" within reach in short term if West shows seriousness People's Daily 15 Feb 2022 -- Iran said Monday a "good agreement" will be within reach in the short term, if the United States and the E3 group of France, Britain and Germany show seriousness to fully honor their commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal.
• Myanmar Issue Hardens Divisions in ASEAN VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Efforts by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to bring Myanmar back into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have cemented a split within the trade group between mainland authoritarian governments and democratic maritime powers, analysts said.
• 'People's Administrations' supplant junta rule in Myanmar's remote border regions Radio Free Asia 15 Feb 2022 -- One year after Myanmar's coup, anti-junta "People's Administrations" are consolidating power in the country's Sagaing and Magwe regions and Chin and Kayah states amid increased resistance to military rule, sources said Monday.
• US Seeks Extradition of Ex-Honduran President VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- The United States has formally asked Honduras to extradite former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who Washington suspects of being involved in illicit drug trafficking.
• US asks Honduras to arrest, extradite ex-president Hernández Press TV 15 Feb 2022 -- The United States has asked Honduras to arrest and extradite former President Juan Orlando Hernández based on "credible media reports" accusing him of corruption and drug trafficking.
• France Returns $10 Million To Tashkent That Was 'Illegally' Earned By Late Uzbek President's Daughter RFE/RL 15 Feb 2022 -- Uzbek officials say their efforts to get back assets "illegally" earned by the jailed daughter of late President Islam Karimov has led to the return of $10 million to Tashkent from France.
• Canada Braces for Prospect of Future Climate Refugees VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- With climate change making many regions of the world less hospitable, immigration experts in Canada are urging the government to begin considering ways to open its doors to a potential flood of climate refugees.
• High-Ranking Nigerian Police Officer Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking VOA 15 Feb 2022 -- Nigerian police have arrested a high-ranking police officer and four other officers for alleged involvement in an international cocaine smuggling cartel. Deputy police commissioner Abba Kyari had already been suspended since August over an indictment linking him to money laundering and fraud in the United States.