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Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French Foreign Minister Le Drian US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2022
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Acting Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis Joint Press Conference DoD 19 Feb 2022
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting in Lithuania With Estonian Minister of Defense Kalle Laanet, Latvian Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis DoD 19 Feb 2022
• Remarks by Vice President Harris at the Munich Security Conference The White House 19 Feb 2022
• NATO Secretary General meets world leaders at the Munich Security Conference NATO 19 Feb 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the critical security situation in Europe caused by Russia's military build-up in and around Ukraine and the implications for European and international security in a series of bilateral meetings at the Munich Security Conference on Friday and Saturday (18-19 February 2022).
• NATO Secretary General: there is no real security in Europe without a strong transatlantic bond NATO 19 Feb 2022 -- In a ‎keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday (19 February 2022), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of a strong transatlantic relationship for European security.
• Speech by Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and Member of the German Bundestag, at the Munich Security Conference Germany - Federal Government 19 Feb 2022
• Federal Chancellor Scholz at the Munich Security Conference Nothing less than peace in Europe is at stake Germany - Federal Government 19 Feb 2022
• Strategic deterrence forces exercise President of Russia 19 Feb 2022 -- A scheduled strategic deterrence forces exercise was held under the supervision of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin, which also included launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.
• Putin Oversees Russia's Strategic Nuclear Exercises As Tensions Soar Over Ukraine RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Russia has test-fired its latest hypersonic ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and nuclear-capable ballistic missiles as part of "planned" drills, the Kremlin said on February 19, as tensions escalate over Ukraine.
• Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces heads strategic deterrence forces exercise Russia MoD 19 Feb 2022 -- On February 19, 2022, under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Cheif of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation VladimirPutin a planned exercise of the strategic deterrence forces was held, during which ballistic and cruise missiles were launched.
• Russian Military Fires Kinzhal Hypersonic Missiles, Yars ICBM, Kalibr & Zircon in Drills - Videos Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aircraft-deployed hypersonic cruise missile system is nuclear capable, and is one of several hypersonic weapons rolled out by Russia in the late 2010s in a bid to preserve global strategic stability amid US efforts to build a missile defence shield.
• Putin Launches Exercises of Strategic Deterrence Forces With Ballistic Missile Tests - Video Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the start of the drills to test the strategic deterrence with launches of ballistic missiles, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
• Russia test fires nuclear-capable missiles amid rising tensions with US Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- Russia has test fired nuclear-capable ballistic missiles amid rising tensions with the US and its allies over Ukraine, saying it also successfully test-launched hypersonic and cruise missiles at sea and land-based targets during planned exercises by Russia's nuclear forces.
• Chinese vessel lasing ADF aircraft Australia DOD 19 Feb 2022 -- Defence can confirm that on 17 February 2022, a P-8A Poseidon detected a laser illuminating the aircraft while in flight over Australia's northern approaches.
• Australia Accuses Chinese Guided-Missile Destroyer of Aiming Laser at Its Surveillance Aircraft Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- The incident comes amid strained ties between Australia and China over Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanding an international enquiry into the origins of COVID-19 and an ongoing trade war between the two nations. China, Australia's largest trading partner, is also unhappy about Canberra's membership of US-led alliances such as Quad and AUKUS.
• Secretary Blinken's Trilateral Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne and UK Foreign Secretary Truss on AUKUS US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2022
• PM speech at the Munich Security Conference: 19 February 2022 UK MOD 19 Feb 2022 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson's speech at the Munich Security Conference 2022.
• Ukrainian President Confirms Attendance At Munich Conference Despite Invasion Fears RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend the Munich Security Conference on February 19, his office said, despite U.S. warnings of a Russian invasion.
• Ukraine's NATO Membership Not on Agenda, Won't Happen in Foreseeable Future, German Chancellor Says Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine's ambassador to Germany has adamantly demanded membership in the Western alliance for his country, warning that Kiev may be forced to pursue nuclear weapons if its membership bid is declined. Last week, German media reported that officials in Berlin were consciously avoiding the "pain in the a**" diplomat over his "undiplomatic contact."
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Ekaterina Kotrikadze of Dozhd TV US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Stefan Kornelius of Süddeutsche Zeitung US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2022

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• UN food agency says 95% of people in Afghanistan do not have enough to eat Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) says 95 percent of people in Afghanistan "do not have enough to eat," as the United States has frozen Afghan government assets worth billions of dollars and international sanctions against the ruling Taliban have plunged the Asian country into a full-blown economic crisis.
• Norway Refuses to Recognise Taliban Government in Afghanistan Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said Oslo is not considering the recognition of the Taliban (under UN sanctions for terrorism) that seized power in Afghanistan last August.
• Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of All Afghan Nationals from U.S. Military Bases DHS 19 Feb 2022 -- Today, Operation Allies Welcome announced that all remaining Afghan evacuees have departed Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where they have been temporarily housed since evacuating Afghanistan, to be resettled in their new communities across the nation.
• Updated situation in the Joint Forces Operation area as of 11.00 February 19, 2022 Ukraine MOD 19 Feb 2022
• Ukraine is well aware of what is happening on our borders and does not react to provocations - Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 19 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine has been in a tense situation for many years, but today the risks have increased due to the significant concentration of Russian troops on our borders. However, the Ukrainian defense forces understand everything and do not react to provocations. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his participation in a panel discussion in the framework of the 58th Munich Security Conference.
• Ukraine initiates consultations in the framework of the Budapest Memorandum - Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference President of Ukraine 19 Feb 2022 -- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiates consultations with the guarantor states of the Budapest Memorandum. He said this during a speech at the 58th Munich Security Conference.
• G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Russia and Ukraine US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2022 -- The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union.
• G7 Sees No Sign Of Reduced Russian Activity Near Ukraine RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Foreign ministers from the G7 group of rich nations said on February 19 that they saw no evidence of Russia reducing its military activity near Ukraine's borders and remain "gravely concerned" about the situation.
• Biden to Huddle with National Security Council Sunday on Ukraine VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with the National Security Council on Sunday, the White House announced Saturday as it reaffirmed that "Russia could launch an attack against Ukraine at any time," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
• Biden says 'convinced' Putin has decided to invade Ukraine Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- President Joe Biden repeated his claim Friday that the US had intelligence showing his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has made up his mind to invade Ukraine.
• Biden to Hold National Security Council Meeting on Ukraine Sunday - White House Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- US President Joe Biden will hold a meeting of the National Security Council on the situation in Ukraine on Sunday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says.
• Shelling, Mortar Fire Intensify in Ukraine's Donbas as War Clouds Gather VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- Shelling and mortar fire picked up tempo overnight Saturday in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, with the heavy bombardment spurring fears a major military clash is in the offing.
• Statement from Press Secretary Jen Psaki on President Biden's Briefings on Ukraine The White House 19 Feb 2022
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and President Zelenskyy Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 19 Feb 2022
• Russian Forces 'Uncoiling,' Poised to Strike Ukraine, Austin Says DoD News 19 Feb 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is visiting with the leaders of the frontline NATO states in Vilnius, Lithuania, the day after President Joe Biden told the American people that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided on war with Ukraine.
• Russia Is 'Poised To Strike' Ukraine, Says U.S. Defense Secretary RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on February 19 that Moscow's military was "poised to strike" Ukraine, even as he voiced hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin would step back from the brink of war.
• NATO Chief Says Signs Suggest Russia Plans A 'Full-Scale Attack' On Ukraine RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- NATO expects that the Russian Army will mount "a full-scale attack" on neighboring Ukraine.
• NATO Relocates Staff From Kyiv, Lufthansa Suspends Ukraine Flights RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Amid growing fears of a possible Russian invasion, NATO has relocated Ukraine staff from Kyiv while the German airline Lufthansa has announced that it is suspending flights to and from the Ukrainian capital and Odesa.
• Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Will Defend Itself With Or Without Partners Amid Soaring Tensions With Russia RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined calls by Western leaders on February 19 for Russia to de-escalate amid soaring tensions with at least 150,000 Russian troops on Ukraine's borders fueling fears of an imminent invasion.
• Ukraine says soldier killed amid West's drumbeat of war with Russia Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- The Ukrainian military has announced the death of one of its soldiers in an alleged shelling by pro-Russia forces in the country's volatile east, amid tensions between Moscow and Kiev.
• Two explosions hit Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, gas pipeline on fire Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- Two explosions have rocked Ukraine's eastern separatist region of Luhansk, one hitting a gas pipeline, amid fears that Kiev might be trying to provoke a flare-up involving the pro-Russian forces there.
• Videos By Russia-Backed Separatists In Eastern Ukraine Calling For 'Emergency' Evacuation Were Filmed Two Days Earlier RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Videos of Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine ordering an "emergency" evacuation posted on February 18 were actually filmed on February 16, an analysis by RFE/RL's Russian Service of metadata from the messaging app Telegram shows.
• Ukraine Officials Come Under Shelling As Separatist Leaders Order Military Mobilization RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Top Ukrainian officials, including Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskiy, came under a shelling attack during a tour of the front line of the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.
• Two Shells From Ukrainian Territory Hit Russia's Rostov Region - Video, Photo Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- Earlier on Saturday, a law enforcement source said that two shells had exploded in Russia's Rostov region, close to the border with Ukraine.
• Authorities in Lugansk Find Explosive Device on Bridge Used by Evacuation Buses Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- The breakaway eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk have been placed on high alert amid reports of hundreds of violations of the Minsk ceasefire by Ukrainian troops firing artillery, mortars, and anti-tank weapons across the line of contact over the past 48 hours.
• Kiev Seeks to Clear Donbass of Russian-Speaking People, DPR Says, Citing Intercepted Military Plan Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- Self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) intelligence obtained a plan for a Ukrainian offensive operation against the republics, Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the DPR militia said on Saturday.
• DPR, LPR Order General Military Mobilisation as Kiev Continues to Shell Donbass Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- On Friday, the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) announced the evacuation of their citizens to Russia's Rostov Region after the Ukrainian army launched an attack against the republics.
• DPR Village Left Without Power, Water as Key Pumping Station Damaged in Shelling by Ukrainian Forces Sputnik 19 Feb 2022 -- The Ukrainian forces shelled the village of Vasilyevka in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), firing four 82-millimeter mortars, the DPR representative office in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination on ceasefire (JCCC) said.
• Kiev must hold dialogue with Donbas to restore peace in Ukraine: Putin People's Daily 19 Feb 2022 -- Kiev authorities have to hold dialogue with representatives from Donbas to restore peace in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a briefing following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow on Friday.
• Putin orders aid to Russia's Rostov Region as refugees flood in from Donbas People's Daily 19 Feb 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the Russian Emergencies Ministry to provide assistance to the country's southern Rostov Region amid an influx of refugees coming from eastern Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
• Two explosions hit Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, gas pipeline on fire Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- Two explosions have rocked Ukraine's eastern separatist region of Luhansk, one hitting a gas pipeline, amid fears that Kiev might be trying to provoke a flare-up involving the pro-Russian forces there.
• Mali says 'neutralized' 57 terrorists after telling French troops to leave Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- The Mali army says it "neutralized" 60 terrorists following a clash with armed Takfiri militants in the northeast of the West African nation.
• Eight Malian Soldiers Killed, 14 Wounded in Clash With Militants VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- The Malian defense ministry said late Friday in a statement that eight soldiers have been killed, 14 wounded, and five are missing, following clashes with militants Friday afternoon in northern Mali.
• In Somalia town, bomb blast kills 10 amid tightened security for elections Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- At least ten people have been killed and scores of others injured in a bomb attack at a local restaurant in a central town in Somalia.
• Two Pre-Election Attacks in Somalia Kill at Least 15, Injure Dozens VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- At least 15 people have been killed in Somalia and more than 30 others injured in two attacks just as the country's indirect parliamentary elections enter their final stage.
• UN Agency Condemns Rising Militia Violence in Northeastern DRC VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, is condemning the rise of militia group attacks on displaced people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

News Reports

• Trump took classified material from White House to Florida: US National Archives Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- The US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has confirmed that former president Donald Trump stored classified documents at his Florida villa after he left office.
• Judge says no presidential immunity for Trump over incitement of Jan. 6 Capitol attack Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- A federal judge says civil lawsuits seeking to hold Donald Trump accountable for the deadly Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol can move forward, in a rare ruling that could see the former president prosecuted for inciting the insurrection.
• Why Asian Gaming Hub Macao Is Getting Tougher on its Big Casinos VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- For many serious patrons of casinos, Chinese-ruled Macao has been the mecca of gaming, with high-end shopping and even higher-stakes tables. One of the world's biggest gambling centers before the COVID-19 closures, Macao is now experiencing tougher scrutiny on its casino scene as part of what analysts describe as an effort to control crime and capital outflows that rippled into the mainland China economy.
• HKSAR chief executive election postponement necessary, sensible, legitimate: mainland People's Daily 19 Feb 2022 -- The postponement of the election for the chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was necessary, sensible and legitimate, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said on Friday.
• Bolton: US Should Confront China on North Korea VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- A former White House national security adviser said the Biden administration should call on China to act to show that it is serious about denuclearizing North Korea and that Washington's options for dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile programs are running out fast.
• Iran conditions final agreement on US, E3 determination IRNA 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Saturday that Iran has already made its serious decisions and "it is now up to the E3 and the US to do the same, urgently".
• FM: Iran ready to achieve good deal at earliest possible time IRNA 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian voiced Iran's readiness to reach a good agreement in the Vienna talks on the removal of unlawful sanctions unilaterally imposed by the US against Iran.
• FM: Vienna hub of developments in important areas for Iran, int'l community IRNA 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a meeting with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg stressed Vienna is the center of developments in important areas for Iran and the international community.
• Pres. Raisi: Any agreement in Vienna should include lifting of sanctions, provision of valid guarantee IRNA 19 Feb 2022 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi stressed that any agreement in Vienna should include the lifting of sanctions, the provision of a valid guarantee, and the cessation of political issues and claims.
• Agreement in Vienna talks possible: German chancellor IRNA 19 Feb 2022 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underlined that there is an opportunity to reach a consensus in the Vienna talks, which can pave the grounds for lifting anti-Iran sanctions.
• Iran, Germany discuss bilateral ties, Vienna talks ISNA 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has sat down with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and discussed with her bilateral, regional and international issues.
• FM underlines lifting all incompatible sanctions with JCPOA IRNA 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a meeting with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra stressed lifting all sanctions which are inconsistent with the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.
• Iran's take of 'good agreement' in Vienna talks IRNA 19 Feb 2022 -- The issue of reaching a good agreement in Vienna, Austria, on revival of the 2015 nuclear deal and removal of anti-Iran sanctions have been highlighted in recent days, so Iran newspaper reviewed factors of a good deal in the eyes of the Iranians.
• FM underlines Iran's position on need to lift all sanctions inconsistent with JCPOA ISNA 19 Feb 2022 -- On the sidelines of the 58th Munich Security Conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra to discuss the state of bilateral relations and some issues of mutual concern.
• Iranian FM meets UN chief on sidelines of Munich security conference ISNA 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has met with UN Secretary General António Guterres on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
• Reaching agreement hinges on US political conduct: Iran FM Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- Iran's foreign minister says reaching an agreement with world powers through the Vienna talks depends entirely on the United States' political conduct and the Europeans' attention to the principles of negotiation, asserting that the US and its European allies would be to blame if the talks founder.
• Raeisi to Macron: Any Vienna agreement must remove all anti-Iran sanctions, provide credible guarantees Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says any possible agreement between Iran and the P4+1 group of countries in the Austrian capital of Vienna must include the removal of all sanctions, the provision of valid guarantees and cessation of political issues and claims.
• Iran urges negotiating partners in Vienna to consider its red lines Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- Iran has called on the remaining participants to the 2015 Iran deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to consider the Islamic Republic's red lines and avoid using media hype to sway negotiations in Vienna.
• Iran Nuclear Talks At 'Moment Of Truth,' Says German Chancellor RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on Iran not to spoil the ongoing talks aimed at saving the 2015 nuclear agreement.
• Saudi Arabia Wants Fresh Round Of Talks With Iran, Says Foreign Minister RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said on February 19 that the kingdom was looking to schedule a fifth round of direct talks with Iran despite a "lack of substantive progress" in previous rounds.
• Iran FM warns of Afghan refugee crisis, Yemen disaster in meeting with UN chief Press TV 19 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has warned of the burden of a new wave of refugees from Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover of the Central Asian country and also stated that the ongoing Yemen crisis has reached a critical point that requires concerted international efforts.
• Vienna nuke talks "very close to good, accessible agreement": Iran FM People's Daily 19 Feb 2022 -- The Iranian foreign minister said on Friday that the talks between Iran and the world powers on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal in Vienna are "very close to a good and accessible agreement," official news agency IRNA reported.
• India Seals Trade Pact With UAE as It Pursues Free Trade Deals VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- India and the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement Friday that the two countries expect will increase bilateral trade to $100 billion in five years. It is the first of several free trade deals that New Delhi is racing to conclude this year to expand its pandemic-hit economy.
• China-built roads benefit local residents, boost economy in Kyrgyzstan, says official People's Daily 19 Feb 2022 -- Cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China in the past three decades has seen a lot of achievements in various sectors, including road infrastructure, a Kyrgyz official has said.
• 'Expect No Change': Turkmen Voters React To Berdymukhammedov's 'Serdar Election' RFE/RL 19 Feb 2022 -- There is little enthusiasm in Turkmenistan for the March 12 presidential election in the tightly controlled Central Asian country as they say the outcome won't bring any real changes to their lives.
• Ethiopian Dam Starts Generating Power VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- A controversial hydroelectric dam built on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia will officially begin generating power Sunday as the construction project reaches 80% completion.
• US Indo-Pacific Strategy Short on Trade Incentives, Experts Say VOA 19 Feb 2022 -- A major initiative to strengthen and cement America's ties with Asia and counterbalance China's expanding influence lacks robust trade incentives that are viewed as politically perilous in the United States, where protectionist sentiment runs high, experts told VOA.