• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• US sends F-35 jets to Germany amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- The United States has deployed F-35 fighter jets to Germany as part of a plan to bolster NATO forces amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe.
• US Redeploys Several F-35 Fighters to Germany to 'Deter Aggression' As Tensions Worsen Over Ukraine Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- NATO earlier deployed a large chunk of its forces closer to its eastern frontiers citing the alleged threat that Russia would "invade" Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied planning to attack its neighbour and condemned the West's "hysteria" over the alleged offensive.
• 405th AFSB LOGCAP provides vital life support services to Flintlock 2022 exercise in Africa AFRICOM 17 Feb 2022 -- As the program management office for the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program on the African continent, the 405th Army Field Support Brigade was tasked with providing base life support services this month for U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual special operations exercise. About 400 service members from 10 African partner and allied nations are participating in exercise Flintlock 2022. This year the exercise is hosted by Cote d'Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast.
• March brings Joint Pacific Multi-national Readiness Center Exercise to Fort Greely, DTA Army News 17 Feb 2022 -- Recognizing that dynamic security challenges demand dynamic training environments, remote, Interior Alaska and the Donnelly Training Area are being called upon to host Joint Pacific Multi-national Readiness Center exercise 22-02 March 7-27.
• DoD Releases Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies DoD 17 Feb 2022 -- Today, the Department released the annual report on sexual harassment and violence at the Military Service Academies.
• Acting Director of the Sexual Assault Response Prevention Office Dr. Nate Galbreath and Director of Health & Resilience Research With the Office of People Analytics Dr. Ashlea Klahr Hold a Media Roundtable on the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies DoD 17 Feb 2022 -- Dr. Nathan Galbreath, Acting Director, Sexual Assault and Response Prevention Office; Dr. Ashlea Klahr, Director of Health and Resilience Research, Office of People Analytics
• Readout of the U.S.-Guatemala Defense Bilateral Working Group DoD 17 Feb 2022
• Large-Scale International Exercise in Middle East, Africa Concludes US Navy 17 Feb 2022 -- Maritime partners from 60 nations and international organizations concluded the Middle East region's largest maritime exercise Feb. 17 at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain.
• U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Navy Hold Strategic Dialogue US Navy 17 Feb 2022 -- Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy, Vice Adm. Bill Merz and his Australian counterpart, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Royal Australian Navy, Deputy Chief of Navy, co-hosted a strategic dialogue via video teleconference Feb. 16.
• U.S. 7th Fleet hosts III MEF for Naval Integration Staff Talks US Navy 17 Feb 2022 -- U.S. 7th Fleet hosted leadership and staff from III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for Naval Integration staff talks, February 14-18.
• Russia-Ukraine Crisis High on Agenda as Harris Heads to Munich VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris travels Thursday to Munich, where officials say she will focus on consulting with allies about the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
• Pentagon Chief: US to Relocate Some Troops to Bulgaria for Drills, Better Interoperability Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- NATO countries have been moving their troops towards the eastern boundaries of the bloc under the pretext of responding to alleged Russian plans to invade Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly rejected these unsubstantiated claims and demanded that the alliance move its forces back to its 1997 lines.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Holds a Press Conference at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium DoD 17 Feb 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• NATO Leaders Look to Defense, Deterrence Against Russia DoD News 17 Feb 2022 -- NATO will continue to strengthen its defense and deterrence capabilities in the face of challenges from Russia, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the conclusion of the Defense Ministerial in Brussels today.
• Defense Secretary Says U.S. Commitment to NATO Defense 'Ironclad' DoD News 17 Feb 2022 -- The NATO allies are united in opposing Russia's actions along Ukraine's borders, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphatically said U.S. commitment to the common defense is ironclad.
• NATO Defence Ministers reaffirm their strong commitment to open door policy, and the importance of partnerships NATO 17 Feb 2022 -- Today (17 February 2022), NATO Defence Ministers "met with our close partners Ukraine and Georgia; we addressed the continued threat of Russian aggression, the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea region, and NATO's strong political and practical support for both countries," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the second day of the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence NATO 17 Feb 2022
• UK contribution to NATO uplift bolsters defences in eastern Europe UK MOD 17 Feb 2022 -- UK's substantial contribution to NATO's uplift in Eastern Europe is strengthening the Alliance's Defences on land, sea and air, amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
• Press release on submitting a written reaction to the US response concerning security guarantees Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Feb 2022
• Russia warns of 'military and technical measures', says US security proposals ignore its major concerns Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Russia has warned of "military and technical measures" if the US refuses to give it legally-binding security guarantees and ignores its concerns.
• Here's what Russia told US and NATO after its proposals were rejected RT 17 Feb 2022 -- Moscow addressed the situation in Ukraine, US nuclear weapons in Europe, NATO violating treaties, and the law-based way forward. The overall sentiment of the 10-page document, published by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Thursday, was that the US and its allies refused to even address Russia's "red lines" and key security interests. The MFA also addressed specific issues such as Ukraine, Crimea, US troop presence and weapons build-up along Russian borders, as well as arms control. Here are the key takeaways.
• Russian Foreign Ministry Releases Response to US on Security Guarantees Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier in the day that the response to the United States on the security proposals would be made public. A State Department official has confirmed to CBS that the response was received by US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan.
• Some 20 Russian Warships of Caspian Flotilla Leave for Naval Exercises Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- Some 20 warships of the Caspian Flotilla have left their home basis in Russia's Dagestan for naval drills in the Caspian Sea, the Russian Southern Military District said on Thursday.
• First Russian Military Units Return to Home Bases After Drills Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- Russia's Defence Ministry also said that after the completion of the military drills in Belarus, Russian troops will return to their permanent bases.
• Russian Tank Units Returning to Home Base From Planned Drills, MoD Says Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- The units of the tank army of Russia's Western Military District (WMD) are returning to the site of permanent deployment after conducting planned exercises, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.
• Venezuela's Maduro endorses 'powerful military cooperation' with Russia Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has endorsed "powerful military cooperation" with Russia following high-level discussions between Caracas and Moscow.
• Russia, Venezuela Agree to Boost Military Cooperation to Protect Peace, Maduro Says Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- Russia and Venezuela have reviewed plans for cooperation in the military sphere and agreed to boost it to protect peace and sovereignty in the South American country, President Nicolas Maduro said after a meeting with a Russian government delegation.
• President Lukashenko: Belarus may purchase Russian S-400 missile systems Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says his country may purchase advanced Russian-made S-400 air defense systems to boost the country's defense capabilities amid growing tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine.
• Lukashenka, Putin To Meet Amid Joint Belarus-Russia Military Exercises RFE/RL 17 Feb 2022 -- Belarus's authoritarian leader, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, says he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 18 to discuss "further activities" regarding joint military forces as the two countries hold military exercises together.
• Poland - M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tank DSCA 17 Feb 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland of M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tanks and related equipment for an estimated cost of $6.0 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Two Servicemen Die, Two More Injured in Syrian Army Helicopter Crash Landing Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- The Syrian Army has said that a helicopter had to make an emergency landing after experiencing a technical issue.
• Amid Ukraine crisis, U.S. reaffirms commitment to Taiwan CNA 17 Feb 2022 -- The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan amid concerns that a rumored Russian invasion of Ukraine could have knock-on effects for Indo-Pacific security.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Middle East and North Africa Coordinator McGurk's Travel to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates The White House 17 Feb 2022
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan The White House 17 Feb 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 17, 2022

Other Conflicts

• 17 February 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Feb 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Grundberg US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2022
• Enemies employing sanctions, divisive policies as they continue aggression in Yemen: Ansarullah chief Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- The leader of Yemen's popular Ansarullah resistance movement says enemies are using sanctions and an economic pressure campaign in order to create divisions among different walks of life in Yemen, and pit people against each other.
• Syria repels Israeli attack on Damascus countryside Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Syria's air defenses repel another attack by the Israeli regime on the outskirts of the Arab country's capital Damascus.
• Illegal military formation with Russian Federation support increased number of provocations before UN Security Council meeting Ukraine MOD 17 Feb 2022 -- On February 17, from 4.55 a.m., the illegal military formations from several Russian-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk areas has conducted more then 40 provocative shelling of Joint Forces positions and civil infrastructure, using conventional artillery, grenade launchers, mortars and tanks on Novoaidarske, Popasnianske, and Toretsk directions.
• Operative information on situation in JFO area as of 14.00 February 17, 2022 Ukraine MOD 17 Feb 2022 -- Today, the Russian occupation forces shelled STANYTSIA LUHANSKA, Luhansk region. Terrorists fired 32 shots from 122mm heavy artillery systems. The building of kindergarten with children was damaged. Also, the infrastructure was damaged and a half of the locality was left with no power.
• Operative information on situation in JFO area as of 11.00 February 17, 2022 Ukraine MOD 17 Feb 2022 -- As of 11.00 February 17, 2022, the Ukrainian Defence Forces recorded 29 ceasefire violations committed by the Russian occupation forces, 27 of which by using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements.
• Ukraine is not the goal of Kremlin, they want that all the world trembled - Oleksii Reznikov Ukraine MOD 17 Feb 2022 -- In the interview to RBK-Ukraine Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov spoke about threat of Russia's incursion, reaction of the West, new weapons, recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, cancellation of conscription and Ukrainian Bayraktars.
• Update on the situation in the Joint Forces Operation area as of 07.00 February 17, 2022 Ukraine MOD 17 Feb 2022
• With Events Evolving Rapidly in Ukraine, Political Affairs Chief Calls for Diplomacy, Maximum Restraint, as Security Council Evaluates Minsk Accords UN Security Council 17 Feb 2022 -- Against the backdrop of evolving events in eastern Ukraine — including reported violations of the ceasefire agreement in the last 24 hours — it has become clear that the situation is perilous, and diplomacy must urgently prevail, the top United Nations political official told the Security Council this morning.
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Draghi of Italy The White House 17 Feb 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Polish Foreign Minister Rau US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Liimets US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2022
• Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure The White House 17 Feb 2022
• Biden: 'Very High' Likelihood Russia Will Invade Ukraine VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday there is a "very high" likelihood that Russia will invade Ukraine in the next several days.
• Biden Warns Threat Of Russian Invasion Of Ukraine 'Very High' As Russia Expels No. 2 Diplomat RFE/RL 17 Feb 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden says the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine is "very high" but that the door to a diplomatic solution remains open, even after Russia expelled the No. 2 official from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken on Russia's Threat to Peace and Security at the UN Security Council US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2022 -- " As we meet today, the most immediate threat to peace and security is Russia's looming aggression against Ukraine. The stakes go far beyond Ukraine. This is a moment of peril for the lives and safety of millions of people, as well as for the foundation of the United Nations Charter and the rules-based international order that preserves stability worldwide. This crisis directly affects every member of this council and every country in the world."
• Blinken at UN: Russian Attack on Ukraine 'In Coming Days' VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that the world could expect to see Russia attack Ukraine within days and that intelligence information indicated it could be preceded by a fabricated pretext.
• 5,000 US troops arrive in Poland as Biden warns of high risk of Russia invasion of Ukraine Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Nearly 5,000 American troops have arrived in Poland as US President Joe Biden said he believes Russia is on the verge of invading Ukraine.
• Fringes of Right and Left Warn Against US Involvement in Ukraine VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- The crisis in Ukraine has united most Republicans and Democrats in a rare moment of bipartisan agreement that the United States must stand strong against the aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Western Allies Fear Kremlin Set to Prolong Armed Intimidation VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine's Western allies were warning last week of an "imminent" attack by Russia, and earlier this week that shifted to an assault remaining a "distinct possibility." But now a consensus is forming that the Kremlin intends to keep NATO and Kyiv in suspense and is preparing to persist with a strategy of armed blackmail for the foreseeable future.
• Kremlin says West's accusations about Russia's troop pullback from Ukraine 'unfounded' Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Russia has lambasted "unfounded accusations" by the US and NATO that it was not withdrawing troops from the Ukrainian border, saying it will take time to draw to a close the current military exercises.
• Kremlin: Biden's Claims That Russia Could Attack Ukraine 'in Coming Days' Escalate Tensions Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- The US president claimed earlier in the day that there is "every indication" that Russia is "prepared to attack Ukraine". POTUS did not elaborate on what those indications were, except for alleged an alleged Russian troop buildup, or why, in his view, Moscow's preparedness means that the Kremlin will order an offensive.
• Russia Urges US to Stop Fuelling 'Militarist Rage', Focus on Settling Intra-Ukrainian Conflict Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- The Russian Embassy in the United States has called on Washington to focus on a diplomatic settlement of the intra-Ukrainian conflict instead of fuelling the ongoing "military rage" by journalists around the allegedly looming Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• We urge Russia to match its words with actions: Minister Cleverly's statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 17 Feb 2022 -- James Cleverly, Minister for Europe and North America, gave a statement at the United Nations Security Council briefing on the crisis at Ukraine's border.
• United Kingdom, Poland and Ukraine foreign ministers' joint statement, February 2022 UK FCDO 17 Feb 2022 -- The UK Foreign Secretary, Polish Foreign Affairs Minister and Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister gave a statement on joint work to build resilience in Ukraine.
• OSCE reports on conflict in eastern Ukraine: UK response UK FCDO 17 Feb 2022 -- UK Ambassador Neil Bush responds to OSCE reports by Ambassadors Çevik and Kinnunen on Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
• Foreign Secretary's keynote speech in Ukraine, 17 February 2022 UK FCDO 17 Feb 2022 -- Liz Truss spoke at Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv on how nations can work together to make sure that Ukraine, and all of us, are safer in the years to come.
• Russia must pull back, or there will be trouble in the pipeline: article by Liz Truss UK FCDO 17 Feb 2022 -- In The Telegraph the Foreign Secretary writes the UK and our allies must stand up to and defuse Russian aggression towards Ukraine for a more secure future for all.
• Ukraine crisis: UN political affairs chief calls for 'maximum restraint' UN News 17 Feb 2022 -- Amid competing narratives of events unfolding swiftly in and around Ukraine - one detailing the withdrawal of Russian troops from the borders and another proclaiming that an attack is imminent - the UN political affairs chief called on Thursday for the parties to make meaningful progress on implementation of the 2015 Minsk agreements, as she briefed the Security Council.
• Britain Joins Criticism Of Duma Proposal To Recognize Eastern Ukrainian Regions As Independent RFE/RL 17 Feb 2022 -- Britain has warned the Kremlin against formally recognizing two eastern regions in Ukraine as independent, saying such a move would show "flagrant disregard" for Moscow's commitments to a peace process started years ago to end a conflict in the two regions.
• Belarus' Decision on Recognition of DPR, LPR Will Be Joint With Russia, Lukashenko Says Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- Earlier, the Russian Parliament, the Duma, voted in favour of requesting the president to recognise the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. Commenting on the request, Putin said that Russia will always act in Donbass' interests and stressed the importance of the Minsk agreements.
• Ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine say attacked by govt. forces Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Ethnic Russians in Ukraine's Donbass region say government forces have repeatedly attacked them, but Kiev denies the allegation, amid growing security tensions between Moscow and the US-led NATO over Ukraine.
• Ukrainian Forces Shell Outskirts of Donetsk, DPR Says Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- Earlier on Thursday, the militia of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) in eastern Ukraine stated that the situation in the region has deteriorated significantly over the past day, as Kiev is trying to escalate the conflict.
• Duma requests Putin recognises Donetsk and Luhansk as independent: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 17 Feb 2022 -- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has criticised the Duma's request that Vladimir Putin recognises the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent.
• Ukraine 'invasion' day passes peacefully, defies 'war hype' Global Times 17 Feb 2022 -- Although the US previously claimed that Russia planned to attack Ukraine on Wednesday, the day passed peacefully with the recent partial pullback of Russian troops from some border areas, although Washington and NATO said they did not see the pullback and are insistent on their claims of imminent war to prevent an easing of tensions.
• Biden, Scholz cast doubt over Russia pullback as NATO mulls new combat units Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have called on Russia to take "real steps towards de-escalation," reiterating that they have seen no significant withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukraine border.
• Joint declaration on the fight against the terrorist threat and the support to peace and security in the Sahel and West Africa Germany Federal Foreign Office 17 Feb 2022 -- On the eve of the European Union - African Union Summit, we, Sahelian and neighbouring countries as well as international partners, met to discuss the situation in the Sahel. We remain committed to supporting Mali and its people in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace and stability and to fight terrorist threats in the Sahel region.
• France Announces Military Withdrawal from Mali VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- France and its allies Thursday announced a coordinated military withdrawal from Mali. France sent troops to push occupying militants out of northern Mali in 2013 and has been fighting insurgents alongside Malian troops ever since. Analysts say the withdrawal could have serious implications for security in Mali and across the region.
• France to pull troops from Mali after 10 years of failure Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- France has announced that it will withdraw thousands of troops from Mali due to a breakdown in relations with the country, a decade after launching a war without the initial approval of the United Nations or even the French parliament.
• Terrorist Cattle Rustling Part of Toxic Mix of Food Insecurity in Sahel VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- The U.N World Food Program says Africa's Sahel region is facing unprecedented food insecurity, caused by soaring prices, terrorist activity, high regional demand and COVID-19.
• Myanmar's Ethnic Armies, Resistance Forces Plan to Boost Operations VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- Ethnic armies in Myanmar opposed to the country's post-coup junta, and anti-junta resistance groups say they plan to increase military operations and guerrilla warfare in cities, despite difficulties in obtaining and weapons and ammunition, although some are coming in from neighboring Thailand.
• South Sudan: Sharp decline in violence against civilians UN News 17 Feb 2022 -- Reported incidents of violence against civilians fell by around 42 per cent in 2021 compared with the previous year, according to a new report released by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday.
• Ethiopian Government Rights Body Calls for Release of Prisoners Held Under State of Emergency VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- Ethiopian lawmakers voted Tuesday to lift a state of emergency in place since November, enacted when forces from the Tigray region threatened to move in on the capital. Tigrayan forces later pulled back to Tigray in late December, but observers say the warring parties are effectively at a standoff. Despite the lifting of the state of emergency, the Ethiopian government has yet to release thousands of civilians detained under the emergency law and held without due process.

News Reports

• US, Allies Warn Possible Russian Cyberattacks Could Reverberate Globally VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- The United States and its Western allies are bracing for the possibility that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would have a ripple effect in cyberspace, even if Western entities are not initially the intended target.
• Treasury Works with Government of Mexico to Sanction Facilitator of CJNG's Illicit Activities in Puerto Vallarta US Treasury 17 Feb 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Sergio Armando Orozco Rodriguez (a.k.a. "Chocho") pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059. This individual acts for or on behalf of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) by facilitating various illicit activities in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi di Maio, Moscow, February 17, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Feb 2022
• Russia Expels US Deputy Chief of Mission Bart Gorman in Tit-for-Tat Move Sputnik 17 Feb 2022 -- The news comes amid ongoing tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine, which has seen the United States and its allies accuse Moscow of planning an invasion of Ukraine, a claim the Kremlin has rejected as absurd and false. The two sides also have disagreements over a number of issues, including security demands Russia issued late last year.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 17, 2022 PRC MofA 17 Feb 2022
• World Bank investment arm complicit in China's repression of Uyghurs, report says Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2022 -- The World Bank's private lending arm provided nearly half a billion dollars to four Chinese companies accused of using Uyghur forced labor in China's far-western Xinjiang region, according to an investigative report issued Thursday.
• US Says China Remains Global Top Source of Counterfeit Goods VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- China continues to be the top global source of counterfeit products, but it is far from the only major concern regarding pirated goods, according to the annual notorious-markets list released Thursday by the office of the U.S. trade representative.
• European Parliament adopts security policies with Taiwan provisions CNA 17 Feb 2022 -- The European Parliament on Thursday adopted two security policies which include provisions that support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and call for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
• Chinese anti-sub helicopter enters Taiwan ADIZ for first time Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2022 -- A Chinese anti-submarine helicopter was spotted inside Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) for the first time this week, the island's Ministry of National Defense said.
• Cabinet approves bill to toughen penalties for economic espionage CNA 17 Feb 2022 -- The Cabinet on Thursday approved draft amendments to the National Security Act to make economic espionage a crime punishable by a jail term of up to 12 years and a fine of NT$100 million (US$3.59 million).
• Taiwan to change law to prevent 'economic espionage' by China Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2022 -- The democratic island of Taiwan on Thursday laid out plans to defend its semiconductor industry from "economic espionage," boosting penalties for anyone leaking its cutting-edge technologies to China or other hostile countries.
• North Korea releases thousands of prisoners to celebrate former leader's birthday Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2022 -- North Korea released several thousands of prisoners as part of a celebration for a major holiday, a move that prompted joyful family reunions but also alarm about the abuse many former inmates appear to have suffered while in captivity, sources in the country told RFA.
• Iran rejects Reuters report on deal in Vienna talks as effort to boost Western side's standing Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Iran has rejected a report by Reuters news agency about a deal having been drafted in the Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 Iran deal, saying that it is only meant to boost the position of the Western parties to the talks and has nothing to do with what is happening on the ground in the Austrian capital.
• Enemies seek to deprive Iranians of peaceful nuclear energy: Ayatollah Khamenei Press TV 17 Feb 2022 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says enemies are seeking to deprive Iranians of peaceful nuclear energy, stressing once again that the Islamic Republic has never sought nuclear weapons.
• Khamenei Says Iran Wants Nuclear Energy, Not Weapons, As Talks Progress RFE/RL 17 Feb 2022 -- Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said Tehran needs nuclear energy, not weapons, amid signs of a breakthrough in long-running negotiations to revive a landmark atomic deal with world powers.
• CBI says is negotiating with S. Korea to release frozen funds IRNA 17 Feb 2022 -- Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran said on Thursday that they were holding talks with South Korea to release funds frozen due to US sanctions.
• Bagheri: Agreement closer to get than ever before IRNA 17 Feb 2022 -- Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani negotiator said that the JCPOA countries are now closer to an agreement than any time before.
• ASEAN envoy to attempt meeting with shadow government in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 17 Feb 2022 -- Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon said Thursday that he will travel to Myanmar next month and attempt to meet with the country's shadow government in a bid to resolve the spiraling political crisis there.
• Whither The Oligarchs? Amid Russia Crisis, Fears For Ukraine's Struggle To Uproot Corruption RFE/RL 17 Feb 2022 -- The jets - private, elite, and chartered - were clearly seen on the flight trackers, as was the direction they were headed in: out of Ukraine, toward the West, away from a country facing the threat of a major new Russian invasion.
• Applause in Tanzania After President Meets Exiled Opposition Leader in Belgium VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- Tanzanian political figures are applauding after President Samia Suluhu Hassan met in Brussels Wednesday with opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Lissu has lived in Belgium since a 2017 assassination attempt. He returned to Tanzania in 2020 to run for president but fled the country again after protests against his election loss and what he said were threats to his life.
• Former Honduran President, Accused of Drug Crimes, Awaits Next Step VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- Behind bars and waiting for trial, former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was arrested this week at his home in Palmas de San Ignacio following an extradition request from the United States. It was the latest twist in his case, which follows his departure from power just more than two weeks ago.
• Haiti Aid Conference Brings $600 Million in Pledges VOA 17 Feb 2022 -- A conference Tuesday led by the United Nations and Haiti's government brought pledges of $600 million to help Haiti recover from a powerful earthquake that struck southern Haiti last year.