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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Forces, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Participate in Resilient Shield 2022 US Navy 21 Feb 2022 -- U.S. and Japan Self-Defense Forces will participate in Resilient Shield 2022 from Feb. 21- 25, at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), Japan, and other command centers throughout the region.Resilient Shield is an annual computer-based Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint (FST-J) exercise focused on Ballistic Missile Defense
• Ukraine Seeks to Join NATO Despite Pressure From European Countries, Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine is seeking to become a NATO member despite signals from some European countries urging it to abandon this idea, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, adding that the United States is not one of them.
• China's Z-20 helicopter enters armed police service, offers mobility in anti-terrorist missions Global Times 21 Feb 2022 -- The Z-20, China's latest domestically developed tactical utility helicopter, is now in service with the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force, together with the larger, plateau-operable Z-8G transport helicopter, and this will enhance the mobility and flexibility of the armed police in tasks including anti-terrorist, disaster relief and emergency rescue missions, analysts said on Monday.
• China imposes sanctions against Raytheon, Lockheed firms over Taipei arms deal Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- China says it will impose sanctions on two major military contractors of the United States that have already drawn sanctions from Beijing over their arms sales to the Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), the self-governed Chinese island.
• China to Take Measures Against US Over Sale of Weapons to Taiwan - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- On 11 February, the Biden administration unveiled its new Indo-Pacific strategy that focuses on strengthening US partnerships and Washington's presence in the region amid the increasing "challenges" posed by Chinese activity.
• China vows to take countermeasures against Raytheon, Lockheed Martin for US' arms sale plan to Taiwan Global Times 21 Feb 2022 -- China decided to take countermeasures against Raytheon and Lockheed Martin after the two US defense firms acted as the main contractors in the latest US arms sale to the island of Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.
• Darwin maintenance centre plan progresses Australia DOD 21 Feb 2022 -- Prime Minister Scott Morrison on February 18 announced the release of a tender for an industry partner to head a new Navy regional maintenance centre in Darwin.
• China slams Australia's groundless accusations on PLA Navy's operations against ADF aircraft's approach PLA Daily 21 Feb 2022 -- The Chinese PLA naval vessel maintained safe, normative and professional operations all along in the whole process when encountering the aircraft attached to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which conforms to the International Law and related international practices, said Spokesperson Senior Colonel Tan Kefei of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday.
• Canberra Calls on Beijing to Conduct 'Full Investigation' Into PLA Navy Vessel Laser Incident Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- Canberra says that its P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft was targeted by a laser from a Chinese navy vessel in the Arafura Sea on 17 February. Australia has also released images of the PLA-N's Luyang-class guided missile destroyer and Yuzhao-class amphibious transport dock vessel doing rounds of Australian waters last week to back its claims.
• UPDATE: Australia's claim about PLA vessel's laser deployment false: Chinese authorities Global Times 22 Feb 2022 -- Australia's accusation that a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy flotilla pointed a laser at an Australian patrol aircraft is false, and it was the Australian aircraft that flew close to the Chinese vessels and provocatively dropped sonobuoys, Chinese authorities said on Monday.
• China Accuses Australian Aircraft of 'Harassing' PLA Navy Vessels & Dropping Sonar Around Them Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- Canberra alleges that its P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft was targeted by a laser from a Chinese navy vessel in the Arafura Sea on 17 February. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that the lasing incident "endangered" the lives of Australian defence personnel.
• China Slams Australia for 'Maliciously' Spreading Info Over Laser Incident Involving PLA Ship Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- Canberra alleges that its P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft was targeted by a laser from a Chinese navy vessel in the Arafura Sea on 17 February. The sea is located off Australia's northern coast, between its Northern Territory and the Indonesian province of Papua.
• Australia's accusation of PLA vessel's laser deployment 'false mud-throwing at China' Global Times 21 Feb 2022 -- Australia on Saturday accused a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy flotilla of aiming at laser at an Australian patrol aircraft, calling the move "unsafe," but this only exposes the Australian aircraft's unsafe, provocative close-in reconnaissance on the Chinese ships in the first place, and it is an attempt to throw mud at China when the PLA has been sending assistance to other countries in the region like Tonga and the Solomon Islands, helping them overcome disaster and epidemic, experts said on Sunday.
• EXERCISE EASTERN BRIDGE -VI AT AIR FORCE STATION JODHPUR India PIB 21 Feb 2022 -- The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) are scheduled to participate in a bilateral exercise named Eastern Bridge-VI from 21 to 25 February 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur
• Pilot, co-pilot sacrifice themselves to save lives in Iranian aircraft crash Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- Three people, including a civilian, have lost their lives as a Northrop F-5 light fighter jet operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force crashed in the country's northwestern province of East Azarbaijan.
• Iranian Jet Fighter Crashes In Central Tabriz, Killing Two Pilots, Civilian RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- An Iranian fighter jet crashed into a school stadium in a residential area of the northwest Iranian city of Tabriz, killing two pilots and at least one civilian, state media report.
• Israeli Army Successfully Tests Naval Version of Iron Dome Missile Defence System Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it had successfully tested the naval configuration of the Iron Dome missile defence system.
• Vietnam beefs up its maritime militia, still dwarfed by China's Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2022 -- Vietnam is strengthening its maritime militia. In late January, it held a flag-hoisting ceremony in Vung Tau province for a new militia unit consisting of five gleaming steel-hulled boats that Chinese researchers claim are equipped with heavy machine guns.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 21 February 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Feb 2022
• Stop violence at European borders and protect refugees - UNHCR UN News 21 Feb 2022 -- UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi urged on Monday for greater protection for refugees and asylum-seekers in Europe.
• Taliban Reject Fresh US Criticism of Kabul Government VOA 21 Feb 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban Monday strongly defended their government against fresh criticism by the United States that the male-only leadership in Kabul is "dominated by one ethnicity" and lacks inclusivity.
• Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić on the recognition of the so-called "people's republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk by the Russian Federation Council of Europe 21 Feb 2022 -- "The recognition of the so-called 'people's republics' of Donetsk and Luhansk by the Russian Federation is in violation of international law and represents a unilateral breach of the Minsk agreements - which remain the only basis for a settlement of the conflict in Donbas.
• Madness Or Method? Why Putin Recognized The Russia-Backed Separatists In Ukraine RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- At the end of a bitter and bellicose speech in which he took aggressive aim at Kyiv and the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was recognizing the Moscow-backed separatist entities that control parts of eastern Ukraine as independent countries -- and quickly signed a decree making it official.
• Putin Orders Troops Into Ukraine After Recognizing Separatists' Independence Bid RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian troops to be sent into a separatist-held region of eastern Ukraine in a military escalation that Western leaders have warned will spark massive consequences for Moscow.
• Washington Announces Sanctions After Putin Recognizes Breakaway Ukraine Regions VOA 21 Feb 2022 -- The White House said Monday it will slap sanctions on the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized them as independent states.
• Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Russian Announcement on Eastern Ukraine The White House 21 Feb 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine The White House 21 Feb 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Call with President Macron of France and Chancellor Scholz of Germany The White House 21 Feb 2022
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on Russia and Ukraine The White House 21 Feb 2022
• FACT SHEET: Executive Order to Impose Costs for President Putin's Action to Recognize So-Called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics The White House 21 Feb 2022
• Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate regarding the Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting Certain Transactions with Respect to Continued Russian Efforts to Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine The White House 21 Feb 2022
• Executive Order on Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Continued Russian Efforts to Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine The White House 21 Feb 2022
• Security Council emergency meeting on Ukraine: Major conflict must be 'prevented at all costs' UN News 21 Feb 2022 -- With "great concern and sadness", the UN political and peacebuilding chief opened an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday night on the "unfolding dangerous situation in and around Ukraine".
• Kremlin Decision on Eastern Ukraine US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2022 -- We strongly condemn President Putin's decision to recognize the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" as "independent." As we said when the Duma first made its request: this decision represents a complete rejection of Russia's commitments under the Minsk agreements, directly contradicts Russia's claimed commitment to diplomacy, and is a clear attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Department of State Presence in Ukraine US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2022 -- Today the Department of State is again taking action for the safety and security of U.S. citizens, including our personnel. For security reasons, Department of State personnel currently in Lviv will spend the night in Poland.
• Borrell: EU's Answer to Russia on Possible Escalation Over Ukraine Crisis May Also Affect Belarus Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- The European Union's answer to Russia on a possible escalation in Ukraine would also be applied to Belarus, should the latter be involved, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday.
• Russia Recognises Donbass Republics' Independence Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- Earlier in the day, in an emergency session of the Russian Security Council, the Russian president consulted with ministers, senior security officials and members of the government to present their views on the matter and its potential political, economic and strategic implications.
• Ukraine Requests UNSC Consultations Under Budapest Memorandum Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that Kiev has requested the UN Security Council to immediately hold consultations under the Budapest memorandum to discuss deescalation and steps to ensure security of Ukraine.
• Biden Signs Order Blocking US Economic Activity in Autonomous LPR, DPR Regions Recognized by Russia Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- US President Joe Biden has issued an executive order prohibiting Americans from engaging in economic activity in the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. The two breakaway regions of Ukraine were formally recognized as sovereign nations by Russia earlier on Monday.
• Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on today's recognition by President Putin of the separatist self-declared "People's Republics" in eastern Ukraine Germany Federal Foreign Office 21 Feb 2022 -- Statement by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on today's recognition by President Putin of the separatist self-declared "People's Republics" in eastern Ukraine (21 February 2022):
• Statement by Foreign Minister Baerbock following the meeting of the Federal Government's crisis unit at the Federal Foreign Office on the Russian attack against Ukraine Germany Federal Foreign Office 21 Feb 2022 -- "We have woken up in a different world today. After months of preparations, of lies and propaganda, President Putin last night decided to follow up his threats with egregious actions. With the military attack against Ukraine, the Russian Government is breaking the most fundamental rules of the international order before the eyes of the world. Russia alone has chosen this course."
• The President of the Republic condemns the decision taken by the President of the Russian Federation to recognize the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine. Élysée - President of France 21 Feb 2022 -- "The President of the Republic condemns the decision taken by the President of the Russian Federation to recognize the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine."
• Telephone conversations with President of France Emmanuel Macron and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz President of Russia 21 Feb 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had telephone conversations with President of France Emmanuel Macron and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz.
• Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the recognition by Russia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk ''People's Republics'' NATO 21 Feb 2022 -- "I condemn Russia's decision to extend recognition to the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic". This further undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution of the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreements, to which Russia is a party."
• Address by the President of the Russian Federation President of Russia 21 Feb 2022 -- "My address concerns the events in Ukraine and why this is so important for us, for Russia. Of course, my message is also addressed to our compatriots in Ukraine. The matter is very serious and needs to be discussed in depth. The situation in Donbass has reached a critical, acute stage. I am speaking to you directly today not only to explain what is happening but also to inform you of the decisions being made as well as potential further steps. I would like to emphasise again that Ukraine is not just a neighbouring country for us. It is an inalienable part of our own history, culture and spiritual space. "
• Signing of documents recognising Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics President of Russia 21 Feb 2022
• Putin declares Lugansk and Donetsk independent republics Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognizing breakaway Lugansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine as independent republics.
• Putin: Russia Has Done Everything to Peacefully Resolve Tensions in Donbass Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- The Russian president pointed out that the confrontation between the authorities in Kiev and the people living in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics started when these self-proclaimed republics were founded.
• Russian Military and FSB Prevent Illegal Crossing of Border by Sabotage Group From Ukraine Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- The development comes amid the continued escalation of fighting in the Donbass breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, which have reported intensified shelling, mortar fire, sniping, and sabotage attacks by Ukrainian forces. The breakaways mobilised their reserves and announced an evacuation of the civilian populations to Russia on Friday.
• Germany's Scholz Talks With Putin, Condemns Possible Recognition Plan As 'Unilateral Breach' RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on February 21 as part of efforts that a Scholz spokesman said were intended to "prevent a catastrophe" in Ukraine.
• Putin: Russia considers recognizing breakaway Ukrainian regions Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is considering recognizing the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, a step that could further escalate tensions between Moscow and the West.
• A briefing on operative information in the JFO area Ukraine MOD 21 Feb 2022
• Review of misinformation and fakes disseminated by the Russian Federation Ukraine MOD 21 Feb 2022 -- The adversary continues to utilize the propaganda machine to wage information warfare, to falsely accuse the Armed Forces of Ukraine and further escalate the situation.
• Russian occupation forces carried out yet another provocation Ukraine MOD 21 Feb 2022 -- Yesterday at around 9 pm, Russian occupation forces carried out yet another provocation with the aim of falsely accusing Ukrainian service members. Aggressor opened heavy armament fire from the settlement of LOBACHEVE targeting LUHANSK.
• Update on the situation in the Joint Forces Operation area as of 07.00 February 21, 2022 Ukraine MOD 21 Feb 2022
• The Situation in and around Ukraine, including the deteriorating situation in Eastern Ukraine U.S. Mission to the OSCE 21 Feb 2022 -- As delivered by Ambassador Michael Carpenter to the Permanent Council, Vienna
• Special OSCE meeting on the situation in and around Ukraine: UK statement UK FCDO 21 Feb 2022 -- On behalf of the UK, Ambassador Neil Bush shares Ukraine's significant concerns about the current situation and calls on Russia to comply with OSCE commitments.
• Defence Secretary updates Parliament on the latest situation regarding Russia's actions towards Ukraine UK MOD 21 Feb 2022 -- The last 48 hours have seen a continued Russian military build-up along Ukraine's borders, Ben Wallace told the House of Commons
• Macron, Putin hold phone call over Ukraine, stress need for diplomatic solution People's Daily 21 Feb 2022 -- French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin pledged to "avoid an escalation, reduce risks and preserve peace" in eastern Ukraine during a phone call on Sunday, the French presidential office said in a press release.
• EU Tells Kyiv That Time Is Not Right Yet For Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- The European Union has told Ukraine it is not ready to slap sanctions on Moscow at this time, but it did back plans for financial assistance to the country struggling under the threat of attack from Russia.
• Biden administration prepares sanctions package against Russia in case of invasion of Ukraine: Sources Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- The administration of US President Joe Biden has reportedly prepared an initial package of sanctions against Russia in case of an invasion against Ukraine, as Washington continues to stoke tension between Moscow and Kiev by hyping a long-claimed imminent attack on the former Soviet state.
• Russia says no concrete plans for Putin-Biden summit over Ukraine, but stresses diplomatic contacts remain active Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- Russia says there are no concrete plans yet for a summit between President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Joe Biden, following reports that the two leaders had agreed to meet to discuss the Ukraine crisis.
• Kremlin Not Ruling Out Possible Contacts Between Putin and Biden Sputnik 21 Feb 2022 -- Dmitry Peskov was speaking after French President Emmanuel Macron said Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden had agreed in principle to a summit over the Ukraine crisis.
• Russia warns West of dire consequences of its 'provocations' over Ukraine Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- The Kremlin strongly warns the West against keeping up its daily predictions of a "Russian invasion" of Ukraine, cautioning that they might lead to dire consequences.
• U.S. Reportedly Tells UN Of Russian Plans To Target Ukrainians For Killings, Camps RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- The United States has told the United Nations it has "credible information" about alleged plans by Russia to target specific Ukrainians to kill or to send to camps should it decide to invade the country, according to a letter seen by multiple news agencies.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with People's Republic of China (PRC) State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2022
• Strive for peace over Ukraine, FM counsels People's Daily 21 Feb 2022 -- Eastern European nation should serve as bridge between East, West, Wang says
• Russia warns West of dire consequences of its 'provocations' over Ukraine Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- The Kremlin strongly warns the West against keeping up its daily predictions of a "Russian invasion" of Ukraine, cautioning that they might lead to dire consequences.
• UN court hearings resume in Rohingya genocide case Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- The United Nations' highest court is set to hear Myanmar's preliminary objections to a genocide case brought against it over a brutal 2017 crackdown by the military on the Rohingya Muslim minority.
• Joint statement on the meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: 21 February 2022 UK FCDO 21 Feb 2022 -- The UK Foreign Secretary and European Commission Vice-President gave a joint UK-EU statement on the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee 21 February meeting.
• UN to CAR Military, Russian Mercenaries: Stop Obstructing Rights Investigations VOA 21 Feb 2022 -- The United Nations' independent expert on human rights in the Central African Republic says the government and its Russian allies should stop obstructing investigations.
• Al-Shabab Collects Millions to Spend on Weapons, Report Finds VOA 21 Feb 2022 -- Somalia's al-Shabab militant group has an annual budget of $24 million to spend on purchasing weapons, a new report finds.
• EU Policy Chief Urges Quick Action To Prevent Bosnia From Falling 'Apart In Pieces' RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged the bloc's foreign ministers to take quick action to prevent a "critical" crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina from breaking apart the fragile Western Balkan nation.

News Reports

• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad, Moscow, February 21, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Feb 2022
• Press release on the information published by the US Embassy in Moscow regarding terrorist attacks allegedly being prepared in the Russian Federation Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Feb 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address at the Valdai Discussion Club's conference Russia and the Middle East: Strategic Rapprochement and the Intertwinement of Interests, Moscow, February 21, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Feb 2022
• Russia Steadily Rebuilding Presence in Africa VOA 21 Feb 2022 -- Russia has drawn the world's attention with its aggressive stance toward Ukraine. The former Soviet power has been rebuilding ties with Africa more quietly, strengthening economic and military cooperation, but also raising Western concerns about its tactics and goals there.
• Jailed Kremlin Critic Navalny's New Trial Resumes RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- The trial of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has resumed 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.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 21, 2022 PRC MofA 21 Feb 2022
• Crackdown on foreign videos catches North Korean military officers Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2022 -- North Korea has punished more than 10 military officials after they were caught in possession of "impure" video files-South Korean TV shows, Japanese porn and Hollywood films-as a crackdown on illegal foreign media shifted to focus on high-ranking men in uniform, military sources told RFA.
• Removal of anti-Iran sanctions, valid guarantees essential to any deal in Vienna: President Raeisi Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi says any agreement with the P4+1 group of countries in Vienna for the revival of the 2015 deal requires the removal of all anti-Iran sanctions, protection of the Iranian nation's interests, valid guarantees, and closure of political cases.
• Negotiations with US not agenda of Iranian delegates in Vienna: Shamkhani Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council has ruled out holding talks with the United States during the ongoing sanctions removal talks in Vienna, saying negotiations with the American side is not on the agenda of representatives from the Islamic Republic.
• Iran censures West's lack of resolve to make political decisions in Vienna talks Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has decried the Western sides for lacking the resolve to make political decisions critical to negotiations in Vienna between Tehran and the P4+1 group of countries over the 2015 Iran deal.
• Iran Claims 'Significant Progress' Achieved In Vienna Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry said talks in Vienna on reviving Tehran's landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers have made "significant progress," although there are still unresolved issues.
• Iran's Raisi Attends Qatar Gas Conference Seeking To Bolster Gulf Ties RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi says he is hoping to bolster trade and political ties with Gulf nations as he attends a conference of gas-exporting nations in Qatar - the first visit to the country in 11 years by an Iranian president.
• Pakistan Toughens Law Against Fake News VOA 21 Feb 2022 -- Pakistan is under fire for toughening its controversial cybercrime law to allow anyone to file a complaint against posting so-called fake news on Twitter and Facebook, and for increasing the prison term from three to five years for those found guilty.
• Investigative Report Says Credit Suisse Harbored Dirty Money From Former Soviet Republics, Balkans RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- An international journalistic investigation claims that Switzerland's second-largest bank, Credit Suisse, has for decades administered billions of dollars in hidden wealth belonging to dictators, human rights abusers, and individuals suspected of corruption and other criminal activity -- some of them from former Soviet republics and Balkan states.
• No letup in Sudan demos as anti-coup protesters march on Press TV 21 Feb 2022 -- Thousands of people across Sudan have once again protested against the October 2021 military coup as they braved tear gas, calling for a civilian rule and justice for dozens of people killed during anti-junta protests.
• Saakashvili Launches New Hunger Strike To Protest Health Care RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has launched a new hunger strike to protest the government's refusing to provide adequate health care for him and the "the way the authorities treat me and our people."
• Two More Candidates Seen As Loyal To Turkmen President Registered In Election RFE/RL 21 Feb 2022 -- Election officials in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan have registered two more presidential candidates known as being loyal to the authoritarian President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.