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Defense Policy / Programs

• Defense Intelligence Agency Report Details Space-Based Threats From Competitors DoD News 12 Apr 2022 -- The Defense Intelligence Agency today released the new unclassified report, "Challenges to Security in Space 2022," which is a follow-up to its similarly titled report in 2019.
• Russia & China Seeking to Become Leading Space Powers, US Defense Intelligence Agency Claims Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- Russia and China seek to become leading space powers and intend to create new global space norms to undercut the United States' global leadership, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said on Tuesday.
• DAF COVID-19 Statistics - Apr. 12, 2022 US Air Force 12 Apr 2022
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing, April 12, 2022 DoD 12 Apr 2022
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks and Senior Defense Officials Discuss DoD's Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request and the National Defense Strategy With Defense Industry Executives DoD 12 Apr 2022
• VP-46 Arrives on Station in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet US Navy 12 Apr 2022 -- The "Grey Knights" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 along with Mobile Tactical Operations Center (MTOC) 2 and MTOC 6 arrived on-station for a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.
• Navy Conducts Battle Damage Repair Exercise US Navy 12 Apr 2022 -- Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit Two (MDSU2) and Naval Sea Systems Command activities took part in a battle damage repair exercise on the ex-USS Boone (FFG-28) to test their emergent repair capabilities March 22- 29 while underway in the Atlantic and at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JBL) in Virginia Beach.
• USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Arrives in Tromsø US Navy 12 Apr 2022 -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Tromsø, Norway for a scheduled port visit, April 11, 2022.
• Navy, Marine Corps Support Fixed Wing Refueling Operations in Iceland US Navy 12 Apr 2022 -- U.S. aircraft often fly to the farthest reaches of the globe. To sustain this, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps created small, specialized teams that move mountains to make that flight possible.
• Africom Commander Warns Against Neglect of Africa VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- Former President Barack Obama "pivoted" towards Africa, his predecessor Donald Trump away from it, and current U.S. leader Joe Biden has had his hands full with the pandemic at home and now the war in Ukraine.
• State Partnership Program critical to security cooperation in 93 countries AFRICOM 12 Apr 2022 -- What began with 13 partnerships in 1993 is now up to 87 partnerships with 93 countries, the SPP is guided by foreign policy goals to support combatant commanders and chiefs of mission.
• US aircraft carrier deploys off Korean peninsula amid tensions with North Korea Press TV 12 Apr 2022 -- A US nuclear-powered carrier strike group has been deployed to the waters off the Korean peninsula for the first time since 2017 amid rapidly escalating tensions with North Korea over its missile tests.
• US Steps Up Military Displays as North Korea Tests Bigger Weapons VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- A U.S. aircraft carrier has neared the coast of South Korea for the first time since 2017, the latest show of U.S. military strength following North Korea's recent long-range missile test.
• 808 Squadron shows its versatility in Tonga Australia DOD 12 Apr 2022 -- During Operation Tonga Assist 2022, crews from Navy's 808 Squadron completed dozens of missions around the 169-island archipelago, including VIP flights, airlifting essential stores and equipment, and transporting medical teams and COVID-19 vaccines to outlying islands.
• India deploys maritime patrol aircraft to Darwin Australia DOD 12 Apr 2022 -- India's Navy will deploy a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to Darwin from 11-15 April to conduct coordinated exercises with a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
• ARMY CHIEF INDUCTS INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED SPECIALIST VEHICLES INTO SERVICE India PIB 12 Apr 2022 -- General MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), accompanied by Lt Gen Manoj Pande, the Vice Chief of Army Staff is on a two day visit to Pune.
• Second successful high-altitude flight-test of Anti-Tank Guided Missile 'HELINA' India PIB 12 Apr 2022 -- As part of the ongoing user validation trials, indigenously-developed Anti-Tank Guided Missile 'HELINA' was again successfully flight-tested from Advanced Light Helicopter on April 12, 2022. Teams of Indian Air Force and Indian Army, along with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), conducted the trial at the high altitude range. This is the second successful flight-test in successive days.
• India - Australia Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (Mpra) Coordinated Operations India PIB 12 Apr 2022 -- A P8I Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft of the Indian Navy have arrived at Darwin, Australia.
• Press Statement by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh after India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue India PIB 12 Apr 2022 -- "Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, Dr Jaishankar, Members of Press, ladies and gentlemen,
• Taiwan's military conducts drill to counter simulated air attack CNA 12 Apr 2022 -- Taiwan held an air defense drill early Tuesday morning to test the readiness of its military against a simulated aerial attack, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• Taiwan military issues civil defense handbook CNA 12 Apr 2022 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has released a civil defense handbook aimed at teaching Taiwanese how to seek refuge in major nationwide emergencies, including a military conflict, to be better prepared for various contingencies.
• Taiwan's drills, defense handbook 'futile in resisting reunification' Global Times 12 Apr 2022 -- The island of Taiwan on Tuesday held military exercises and released a civil defense handbook in an apparent move to hype cross-Straits tensions, which was met with a negative reception on the island, and mainland experts said that neither move will be helpful to Taiwan secessionists should a conflict break out.
• State Department Unveils US 2021 Human Rights Report VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- A U.S. State Department annual report highlighted concerns about continuing human rights abuses in Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, Egypt and other authoritarian nations, as well as the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on rights practices around the world.
• Acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Lisa Peterson on the Release of the 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken on the Release of the 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Uruguayan Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with President Maia Sandu of Moldova The White House 12 Apr 2022
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom The White House 12 Apr 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Australian DFAT Secretary Kathryn Campbell US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki The White House 12 Apr 2022
• Department Press Briefing – April 12, 2022 US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 12, 2022
• Three Florida Men Indicted for Rigging Bids and Defrauding the U.S. Military US Dept. of Justice 12 Apr 2022 -- A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging three Florida men with conspiring to rig bids for customized promotional products to the U.S. Army and charging two of them with conspiring to defraud the United States. Two of the men were arrested early this morning, and all three appeared in court for initial appearances this afternoon.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 12 April 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Apr 2022
• Muslim Scholars, Activists: Taliban Ban on Girls' Education Not Justified VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- The Taliban have portrayed their leader's ban on secondary education for Afghan women and girls as based in religious principles, but Muslim scholars and activists say gender-based denial of education has no religious justification.
• Iran FM: Taliban must explain attacks on diplomatic missions in Afghanistan Press TV 12 Apr 2022 -- Iran says Afghanistan's acting Taliban government is responsible for maintaining the security of Tehran's diplomatic missions in the country and should thus provide explanations for the attacks on the Iranian embassy in Kabul and its consulate in the eastern city of Herat.
• Four Chinese Ships Enter Waters Near Disputed Senkaku Islands, Reports Say Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- Four Chinese government ships on Tuesday entered the waters of the East China Sea near the disputed Senkaku Islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, Japanese media has reported.
• 300-meter giant jacket, developed by CNOOC, is deployed in South China Sea Global Times 12 Apr 2022 -- Asia's first 300-meter deep-water jacket Haiji One, designed and built independently by a Chinese team, was successfully deployed into water and accurately positioned in the eastern part of the South China Sea on Monday, which will help increase offshore oil and gas production.
• Saudi-led coalition's fiasco in Yemen now 'talk of the town' around the globe, says Ansarullah leader Press TV 12 Apr 2022 -- The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement says the international community has realized that Saudi Arabia and its regional allies have miserably failed in their devastating war and siege against the Arab country and that they are seeking to exit the quagmire.
• Latest Shoot-Out Along Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Increases Tensions RFE/RL 12 Apr 2022 -- Kyrgyzstan's Border Guard Service says one person has been wounded in the latest shoot-out near a disputed segment of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.
• EU Ends Training Program for Malian Troops, Blames Russians for Moura Killings Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- Western Europe once ruled 90% of Africa as colonial subjects and has tried to retain similar relationships with the now-independent countries in what African theorists have called "neo-colonialism." As African states look to Russia and China for fairer deals and less meddling, the West has accused them of colonialism, too.
• Colombia's experience shows the importance of holistic and inclusive approaches to sustaining peace UK FCDO 12 Apr 2022 -- Statement by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon at the Security Council briefing on Colombia
• Success of Colombia peace process hinges on ending violence: Mission chief UN News 12 Apr 2022 -- Colombia's dynamic peace process - which saw fresh strides with the holding of a largely peaceful parliamentary election last month - will succeed or fail based on efforts to halt the deadly violence faced by former combatants, social leaders and human rights defenders, the senior UN official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.
• Cyprus: Rights experts call for urgent solutions for missing persons tragedy UN News 12 Apr 2022 -- A top UN-appointed human rights panel issued an appeal on Tuesday for faster progress towards finding the remains of those who disappeared during deadly violence that split the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, decades ago.
• Police Deploy to Villages in Nigeria's Plateau State After Attacks Kill 70 VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- Police in Nigeria's central Plateau state say they have sent extra officers to nine villages where gunmen on Sunday reportedly killed more than 70 people and burned down houses. Police and locals say hundreds of villagers have fled their homes since then. Attacks by armed gangs are becoming increasingly common in northern and central Nigeria.
• Ukraine conflict putting global trade recovery at risk: WTO UN News 12 Apr 2022 -- The war in Ukraine has created immense human suffering but it is also putting the fragile recovery of global trade at risk, and the impact will be felt across the planet, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Tuesday.
• Russia-Ukraine War Threatens Recovery of Global Economy VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- The World Trade Organization reports the war in Ukraine has dealt a severe blow to the global economy, shattering expectations of a recovery from the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on world trade and business confidence.

News Reports

• UN Security Council Veto Holders Could Face Accountability VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- Nearly 40 countries plan to bring a draft resolution to the U.N. General Assembly that seeks to hold the five veto-wielding countries in the Security Council accountable when they exercise that right.
• Food Crisis Inches Toward Record High in West, Central Africa VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- An estimated 250 million people in Africa lack access to daily food, with the number impacted in west and central Africa expected to reach a record high. Officials and aid groups from more than 50 African countries meet this week in Equatorial Guinea to discuss ways of improving the continent's agricultural food systems.
• Humanitarians urge action to avert famine in Somalia and South Sudan UN News 12 Apr 2022 -- The threat of famine is very real in Somalia and South Sudan and urgent action is needed now to avoid a catastrophe, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday.
• South Sudan Facing Food Crisis VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- More than 7 million South Sudanese will be facing a food crisis by July because of floods, drought and armed clashes.
• Joint FAO-OCHA-UNICEF-WFP Press Release on the Drought Emergency in Somalia WFP 12 Apr 2022 -- Somalia is facing famine conditions as a perfect storm of poor rain, skyrocketing food prices and huge funding shortfalls leaves almost 40% of Somalis on the brink.
• Famine Looms in Somalia as Aid Funding Runs Dry VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- U.N. agencies are calling on international donors to act now and provide the funds needed to prevent another potentially devastating famine in Somalia. Millions of Somalis are in need of life-saving assistance.
• Two Illinois Men Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in Bombing of Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center and Weapons Charges US Dept. of Justice 12 Apr 2022 -- Two Illinois men were today sentenced to 190 months and 170 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the 2017 bombing of Dar al-Farooq (DAF) Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.
• United States Leads Seizure of One of the World's Largest Hacker Forums and Arrests Administrator US Dept. of Justice 12 Apr 2022 -- The Department of Justice today announced the seizure of the RaidForums website, a popular marketplace for cybercriminals to buy and sell hacked data, and unsealed criminal charges against RaidForums' founder and chief administrator, Diogo Santos Coelho, 21, of Portugal. Coelho was arrested in the United Kingdom on Jan. 31, at the United States' request and remains in custody pending the resolution of his extradition proceedings.
• Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Three Irish Transnational Criminals to Justice US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022 -- The U.S. Department of State is announcing rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to each of the arrests and/or convictions of Irish transnational organized criminal Christopher Vincent Kinahan and his two sons, Daniel Joseph Kinahan and Christopher Kinahan, Jr., for participating in, or conspiring to participate in, transnational organized crime.
• El Salvador Detains Over 10,000 People During Anti-Crime Operation, President Says Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- El Salvador detained more than 10,000 individuals during country-wide operation to combat a wave of violent deaths, President Nayib Bukele said on Tuesday.
• Poland Arrests Russian Man On Espionage Charge RFE/RL 12 Apr 2022 -- A prosecutor-general's office says it has arrested a Russian national on suspicion that he allegedly collected information about Poland's military units, their supplies, and staff members at the request of Russian intelligence.
• Joint news conference with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- Following the talks, Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made statements for the press and answered media questions.
• Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin held talks with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at Vostochny Cosmodrome.
• Meeting with Roscosmos General Director Dmitry Rogozin President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- Completing his trip to the Amur Region, Vladimir Putin met with General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities.
• Conversation with Vostochny Cosmodrome employees President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with Vostochny Cosmodrome employees.
• Russia to Resume Lunar Programme - Putin Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- On the 61st anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's flight into space, the Russian president announced that the country will proceed with its space exploration plans despite all the pressure from abroad.
• Ceremony for presenting state decorations President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- While on a visit to Vostochny Cosmodrome, Vladimir Putin presented state decorations to three employees of the Yury Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Centre.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Croatia's unfriendly actions Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Apr 2022
• EU Adds Airlines Licensed In Russia To Blacklist Over Safety Concerns RFE/RL 12 Apr 2022 -- Twenty-one airlines licensed in Russia have been blacklisted by the European Union over safety concerns.
• Europol Launches Operation to Identify Russian Assets Under EU Sanctions Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- The EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) has announced the beginning of Operation Oscar to help EU countries identify assets owned by individuals and legal entities sanctioned in connection with Russia's military operation in Ukraine.
• France's SocGen Bank Sells Rosbank, Pulls Out of Russian Market at $3.36 Billion Loss Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- On Monday, French bank Société Générale announced it, too, would end its activities in Russia, following decisions to do so by France's two larger banks, BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole.
• Russia Did Not Default on Foreign Debt, All Issues Should Be Raised With US, Finance Minister Says Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- Russia made the last payment on its Eurobonds on 4 April using rubles, due to banks managing those payments refusing to convert the country's currency into dollars. The banks denied the operation citing the US sanctions imposed on Russia over its special military operation in Ukraine.
• Russia Arrests Opposition Figure Following Prediction About Putin VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- A prominent Russian opposition activist was arrested Monday near his home in Moscow and sentenced to 15 days in jail for allegedly disobeying a police order.
• US State Department Orders Non-Emergency Personnel to Leave Shanghai VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- The U.S. State Department has ordered all non-emergency personnel stationed in Shanghai to leave the eastern Chinese city, which is struggling to deal with an escalating surge of new COVID-19 cases.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 12, 2022 PRC MofA 12 Apr 2022
• US human rights report cites China's violations in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet Radio Free Asia 12 Apr 2022 -- China's abuses targeting Uyghurs, Hongkongers and Tibetans are among some of the worst human rights violations around the world, the U.S. Department of State said Tuesday.
• John Lee highlights Article 23 of the HK Basic Law as top priority Global Times 12 Apr 2022 -- After meeting with about 100 Election Committee members online and listened to their feedback about the government's future policies , John Lee Ka-chiu said he had secured more than 700 nominations as of 6 pm Tuesday. The former chief secretary for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who is now running in the upcoming chief executive election, also highlighted the national security legislation before he planned to submit his nomination form to the Electoral Affairs Commission on Wednesday.
• Hong Kong police are 'weaponizing' the law against outspoken media mogul: lawyers Radio Free Asia 12 Apr 2022 -- Lawyers for jailed pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai, who is awaiting trial under a draconian national security law, have called on the United Nations to investigate the multiple criminal cases against him.
• Govt of Solomon Islands cautions public against fake news following 'leaked correspondence with Chinese embassy' Global Times 12 Apr 2022 -- The government of the Solomon Islands warned against fake news and misinterpreted commentaries on social media after some documents containing government correspondence with the Chinese embassy in Honiara were allegedly leaked.
• U.S. Citizen Who Conspired to Assist North Korea in Evading Sanctions Sentenced to Over Five Years and Fined $100,000 US Dept. of Justice 12 Apr 2022 -- A U.S. citizen who conspired to provide services to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea), including technical advice on using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade sanctions, was sentenced to 63 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
• As North Korea's economy struggles, disabled soldiers suffer more than most Radio Free Asia 12 Apr 2022 -- North Korean soldiers who were injured during their service are now unable to depend on the state to care for them due to worsening economic conditions, sources in the country told RFA.
• Experts: New Sanctions Unlikely to Deter North Korea From Nuclear Path VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- Even as the United States calls for imposing new sanctions on North Korea, experts suggest increased enforcement of current sanctions might do more to pressure the regime into reversing course as Pyongyang celebrates its nuclear achievements.
• Iran to launch new power plants to catch up with demand Press TV 12 Apr 2022 -- Iranian Energy Ministry plans to launch several new power plants within the next two months to catch up with an increasing demand for electricity that could create a shortage of 10 gigawatts (GW) over the peak summer days.
• Iran negotiators will resist against excessive demands: Ayatollah Khamenei Press TV 12 Apr 2022 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says talks aimed at reviving the 2015 deal with world powers "are going well," stressing that Iran has resisted and will continue to resist against excessive demands.
• Myanmar Central Bank official confirmed alive after assassination attempt Radio Free Asia 12 Apr 2022 -- The deputy governor of Myanmar's Central Bank is alive and recuperating at a military hospital in the country's commercial capital Yangon, junta officials said Tuesday, dispelling reports that she had died after being shot last weekend.
• Shehbaz Sharif elected new Pakistan PM, vows to promote CPEC projects Global Times 12 Apr 2022 -- Political changes within Pakistan could bring instability after the new prime minister was elected on Monday because the struggles between the supporters of ousted former prime minister Imran Khan and other political parties are unlikely to end easily, and although China doesn't need to be worried about its solid friendship with Pakistan, internal chaos in the country could affect some cooperation projects to some extent, said analysts from China and Pakistan.
• Pakistan to Seek Deepening of 'Important' Ties With US VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- Pakistan's new government said Tuesday it would "constructively and positively" engage with the United States to promote "shared goals" of regional peace, security and development.
• Pakistan's Imran Khan: Down But Not Out RFE/RL Gandhara 12 Apr 2022 -- After the ignominy of becoming the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted from power through a no-confidence vote, Imran Khan was expected to disappear into political irrelevance.
• Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Calls for Immediate Parliamentary Elections Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has demanded that immediate parliamentary elections be held in the country to appoint a new prime minister via public election.
• Is This the End of France's Old Ruling Parties? VOA 12 Apr 2022 -- They ruled for nearly four decades, spawning presidents like Francois Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac, and Nicolas Sarkozy. But today, France's traditional left and center-right political parties are struggling for relevance, their already shaky fates potentially sealed with the 2022 presidential vote.
• Biden Presses India Not To Increase Purchase Of Russian Oil RFE/RL 12 Apr 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to accelerate purchases of Russian oil, saying doing so would not be in India's interest and could hamper the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine.
• Government Seizes Large Kazakhtelecom Stake From Nazarbaev's Nephew RFE/RL 12 Apr 2022 -- A large stake in Kazakhstan's communications monopoly, Kazakhtelecom, owned by former President Nursultan Nazarbaev's nephew has been seized by the government.
• Sri Lanka Announces Default on External Debt Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- The island country has been mired in a major economic and political crisis: last weekend, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dissolved his entire Cabinet, except his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa amid a nationwide wave of unrest.