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Defense Policy / Programs

• Senior Defense Officials Hold a Background Briefing, June 15, 2022 DoD 15 Jun 2022
• DOD Preparing for Climate Change Impacts, Official Says DoD News 15 Jun 2022 -- Climate change has serious implications for national security, said the Defense Department's chief sustainability officer and senior advisor for climate.
• Congressional Action Can Help DOD Weather Microelectronics Supply Crunch DoD News 15 Jun 2022 -- Lawmakers on Capitol Hill can help the Defense Department make it through supply shortages for microchips and microelectronics both now and into the future, said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks.
• Hawaiian raptors strengthen regional readiness at the Keystone of the Pacific US Air Force 15 Jun 2022 -- The skies over the Keystone of the Pacific recently featured unique guests, as several visiting F-22 Raptors and Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, conducted a series of missions at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
• Moody AEROnet enhances partner nations' airpower US Air Force 15 Jun 2022 -- Gaining air superiority requires cutting-edge technologies. Since January, a team from the 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Force Base has been working with four partner nations to integrate combat data networks into each country's uniquely developed air-to-ground tactics, techniques and procedures.
• USS Arleigh Burke begins second FDNF-E patrol US Navy 15 Jun 2022 -- Forward-deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain to begin its second (FDNF-E) patrol, June 1, 2022.
• Lasting Mine Countermeasures partnerships built during BALTOPS 22 US Navy 15 Jun 2022 -- Service members from 11 nations participated in the exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 22) at the Swedish Naval Warfare Centre in Ravlunda, Sweden, June 5-17.
• London Tech Bridge Breaks Down Barriers with New Collaboration Space US Navy 15 Jun 2022 -- The U.K.-based Tech Bridge hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 13 to celebrate the grand opening of its innovation hub. The London Tech Bridge will leverage partnerships with the U.S. Office of Naval Research Global and Royal Navy Office of the Chief Technology Officer to foster connectivity, agility and innovation. The location will sponsor dialogue, joint investment and cooperative development between the two navies.
• BALTOPS nations join forces to rehearse personnel rescue and recovery US Navy 15 Jun 2022 -- NATO and partner nation forces worked together to practice Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR) procedures in a range of environments as part of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 22.
• Chief of Naval Operations Visits Iceland, Discusses Maritime Security and Partnership US Navy Press Release 15 Jun 2022 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday travelled to Iceland, June 13-15, as part of a week-long trip to Iceland and Germany.
• NATO Combined Air Operations Centre UEDEM controls largest BALTOPS air play US Navy 15 Jun 2022 -- From June 5 to 17, fourteen NATO Allies and two partner nations are participating in the multinational maritime-focused annual exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS). NATO's Northern Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) staff ensure control of participating aircraft.
• NATO Secretary General previews meeting of Allied Defence Ministers NATO 15 Jun 2022 -- NATO Defence Ministers are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday (15-16 June 2022) to address how to make NATO stronger and further support partner nations. Ministers will be joined this evening by Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov to update Allies on what Ukraine urgently needs.
• Secretary General joins meeting of seven NATO Allies to prepare the Madrid Summit NATO 15 Jun 2022 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joined the leaders of seven NATO Allies in The Hague on Tuesday (14 June 2022) to help prepare the Alliance's Summit in Madrid.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General opens "InnovX-BCR DemoDay" innovation conference NATO 15 Jun 2022 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană opened the "InnovX-BCR DemoDay" innovation conference in Romania on Wednesday (15 June 2022).
• Joint Statement by the United States Department of Defense, the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom DoD 15 Jun 2022 -- The United States, United Kingdom, and Germany are deeply committed to supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's unprovoked invasion. Russia has shifted its focus to the Donbas region, where it is engaging in a systematic long-range rocket and artillery barrage against defensive Ukrainian military positions and civilian infrastructure alike.
• Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 15 Jun 2022
• $1 Billion in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 15 Jun 2022 -- This afternoon, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $1 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine. This includes an authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $350 million, as well as $650 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.
• Harpoon Weapon System, More Howitzers Headed to Ukraine DoD News 15 Jun 2022 -- The Defense Department announced today an additional $1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, which will include Harpoon coastal defense systems, more 155mm howitzers, and more ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS.
• $1 Billion of New U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 15 Jun 2022 -- Today, we announced an additional $1 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine. Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, I am authorizing our twelfth drawdown of arms and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine's defense since August 2021, valued at up to $350 million.
• US Sending New $1 Billion Tranche of Weapons to Ukraine VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- The United States is sending $1 billion more in military aid to Ukraine, Washington's 12th and biggest tranche yet of weaponry and equipment intended to confront Russia's slow but relentless advance on Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.
• U.S. Announces More Weapons For Ukraine As Defense Ministers Meet To Discuss Increasing Aid RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- The United States has announced additional rounds of weapons for Ukraine valued at around $1 billion as Ukraine presses the West to deliver more military aid in the face of a Russian offensive in the eastern Donbas region.
• US to Send Ukraine $1Bln Package With Harpoon Missile Launchers, Howitzers: Reports Sputnik 15 Jun 2022 -- The United States is expected to announce a $1 billion defense package for Ukraine that includes Harpoon missile launchers, howitzers and ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), Politico reported on Tuesday.
• Biden announces another $1 bn in military aid for Ukraine, fanning flames of war Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- The US government on Wednesday announced that it will provide Ukraine with an additional $1 billion in military aid, in response to repeated pleas for support from Kiev.
• Secretary of Defense Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Milley Hold a Press Briefing After the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, June 15, 2022 DoD 15 Jun 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley
• Secretary Austin Bilateral Meeting With Ukraine Minister of Defence Reznikov DoD 15 Jun 2022
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Delivers Opening Remarks at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium DoD 15 Jun 2022
• Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered) DoD 15 Jun 2022
• Austin Convenes Contact Group at 'Pivotal Moment' for Ukraine DoD News 15 Jun 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III convened the third meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Belgium and urged nations to "not lose steam" in their efforts to supply Ukraine with the means to defend itself from the Russian invasion.
• Secretary General participates in Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting NATO 15 Jun 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in a meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels on Wednesday (15 June 2022), to discuss Ukraine's urgent needs for military equipment.
• More Than 50 Nations Pledge to Help Build Ukraine's Defense DoD News 15 Jun 2022 -- Representatives from more than 50 nations pledged to get more military capabilities into the hands of Ukrainian forces battling Russian invaders, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today in Brussels.
• Every day we are fighting for Ukraine to receive the necessary weapons and equipment, but the courage, wisdom and tactical skills of our heroes cannot be imported - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 15 Jun 2022
• Allies to Discuss Ukraine's Defense Needs VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- U.S. Defense Minister Lloyd Austin is leading a meeting of dozens of his counterparts from NATO member states and other parts of the world Wednesday to discuss their latest efforts to boost military aid to Ukraine in the face of the nearly four-month Russian invasion.
• Joint statement by Joint Expeditionary Force Defence Ministers UK MOD 15 Jun 2022 -- Ministers released a statement welcoming Finland and Sweden's applications for NATO membership.
• PLA Navy's Type 055 large destroyer Lhasa holds 1st far sea drills in Sea of Japan Global Times 15 Jun 2022 -- China's second Type 055 large destroyer, the Lhasa, is reportedly holding its first far sea drills by entering the Sea of Japan, with experts saying on Wednesday that the ship has achieved full operational capability and demonstrated its capabilities in deterring possible foreign military interference in the Taiwan Straits at a time when the US and Japan have been repeatedly provoking China over the Taiwan question.
• Senior Chinese diplomat meets U.S. national security advisor PLA Daily 15 Jun 2022 -- Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan here on Monday.
• Six F-16Vs depart Taiwan for pilot training in U.S.: source CNA 15 Jun 2022 -- A total of six Taiwan Air Force F-16V fighters left an eastern air base Wednesday morning for a United States air base where they will be used to train Taiwanese pilots, a military source told CNA.
• Inviting Taiwan to join PALS a provocative move by US, Japan: experts Global Times 15 Jun 2022 -- Inviting the island of Taiwan to join the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) as an observer shows the hosts, the US and Japan, are upping the ante in consolidating military ties with the island and egging on Taiwan secessionism, said military experts.
• Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II, successfully tested India PIB 15 Jun 2022 -- A successful training launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II was carried out on June 15, 2022 at approximately 1930 hrs from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. The missile is a proven system and is capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision.
• Japan's defense minister hopes for "smoother" sharing of military intelligence with S. Korea People's Daily 15 Jun 2022 -- Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said Tuesday he expected a key military pact made with South Korea on sharing information between them would become smoother under South Korea's new administration.
• Saudi Armed Forces, US Counterpart Hold Final Planning Conference for "Urgent Fury 22" Exercise SPA 15 Jun 2022 -- The Saudi Armed Forces, represented by the Dariya Joint Operations Center, held the final planning conference between the Saudi Armed Forces and US Forces for the exercise maneuvers "Urgent Fury 22", in the presence of representatives of government institutions concerned with implementing this exercise.
• Night flights finish for Exercise Diamond Storm Australia DOD 15 Jun 2022 -- Over the last two weeks, Air Force aviators successfully completed the day and night flying elements of Exercise Diamond Storm from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, with the last night-time mission planned for the evening of June 16.
• Nuclear-armed states spent $82.4bn on nukes in 2021, US topped list: Report Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- The world's nine nuclear-armed countries - led by the US - spent $82.4 billion upgrading their atomic arsenal in 2021, eight percent more than the previous year, an anti-nuke campaign group has unveiled.
• Strengthening our engagement in the Western Balkans: German participation in EUFOR-ALTHEA Germany Federal Foreign Office 15 Jun 2022 -- Germany has not contributed personnel the EU stabilisation force EUFOR-ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2012. The Cabinet decision to rejoin the operation, taken shortly after Foreign Minister Baerbock's trip to the Western Balkans, is a key sign of Germany's strong commitment to the region.
• Defence Secretary meets Joint Expeditionary Force Defence Ministers in Oslo UK MOD 15 Jun 2022 -- The Defence Secretary met with Defence Ministers from other Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations this week (14 - 15 June) to discuss their joint approach to shared security threats.
• Nicaragua renews Russian training exercise approval, irking Washington Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- In a move that has irked the United States, Nicaragua on Tuesday renewed a decade-long decree allowing Russian forces to train in the Central American country, causing further strains in relations between Managua and Washington.
• Nepal's Plan to Sign US Pact Triggers Protests as Opposition Warns Deuba of Strategic Consequences Sputnik 15 Jun 2022 -- The Sher Bahadur Deuba government had secured parliamentary approval for the US government's $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact last February despite massive street protests. Fresh controversy started on Tuesday following a leak claiming the Deuba government is set to sign a military deal with the US.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 15 Jun 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez at the 200th Anniversary of U.S.-Colombian Relations Celebration US Dept. of State 15 Jun 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Federated States of Micronesia President Panuelo US Dept. of State 15 Jun 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 15, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 15 June 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Jun 2022
• Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council - on Women, Peace and Security UN Secretary-General 15 Jun 2022
• Russia Says 'Inclusive' Afghan Government Key to Recognizing Taliban VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- Russia said Wednesday it was not considering granting legitimacy to Afghanistan's Taliban authorities but maintained that humanitarian problems facing the conflict-torn nation oblige many countries to "enter into contacts" with the new rulers in Kabul.
• Russia hints it may recognize Taliban's caretaker govt. in Afghanistan Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan has said that Moscow may recognize the caretaker Taliban government in Kabul regardless of the views that United States or other countries may hold.
• Afghanistan facing 'the darkest moments' in a generation UN News 15 Jun 2022 -- The Afghanistan people are experiencing some of "the darkest moments" in a generation the UN human rights chief told Human Rights Council on Wednesday.
• Astana Talks: Iranian diplomat says Tehran, Moscow on the same page on Syria Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- On day one of the 18th round of Astana talks on Syria that kicked off in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan on Wednesday, Iran's representative stressed uniformity of views on Syria between Moscow and Tehran.
• Russia Says 'Inclusive' Afghan Government Key to Recognizing Taliban VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- Russia said Wednesday it was not considering granting legitimacy to Afghanistan's Taliban authorities but maintained that humanitarian problems facing the conflict-torn nation oblige many countries to "enter into contacts" with the new rulers in Kabul.
• Russia hints it may recognize Taliban's caretaker govt. in Afghanistan Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan has said that Moscow may recognize the caretaker Taliban government in Kabul regardless of the views that United States or other countries may hold.
• Afghanistan facing 'the darkest moments' in a generation UN News 15 Jun 2022 -- The Afghanistan people are experiencing some of "the darkest moments" in a generation the UN human rights chief told Human Rights Council on Wednesday.
• Tanzania: More violence feared over bid to evict Maasai from ancestral lands UN News 15 Jun 2022 -- The reported use of live ammunition by security forces in Tanzania, against ethnic Maasai herders, and the death of a police officer, have been condemned by top UN-appointed independent rights experts.
• Report: 'Perpetual Occupation' of Palestinian Territory Root Cause of Violence VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- A U.N. fact-finding mission blames what it calls the "perpetual occupation" of Palestinian areas by Israel as the root cause of ongoing violence in this volatile region. The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel has submitted its first report to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

News Reports

• Witnesses to Testify How Trump Implored Pence to Upend 2020 Election VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- The panel of lawmakers investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol last year is set Thursday to hear testimony about how former President Donald Trump pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to thwart Congress from certifying that Democrat Joe Biden had won the presidency.
• China issues monkeypox guidance as WHO considers declaring 'emergency of international concern' Global Times 15 Jun 2022 -- China's health authorities on Wednesday issued monkeypox diagnosis and treatment guidelines via official social media accounts as cases have been reported across nearly 30 non-endemic countries and regions since May, with experts calling for monitoring the potential risk of the virus being imported into China.
• WHO to decide whether monkeypox represents public health emergency People's Daily 15 Jun 2022 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that it will convene a meeting next week to assess whether the current monkeypox outbreak outside of the traditional endemic areas in Africa has already turned into a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
• U.S. Sanctions Members of Russian Violent Extremist Group US Treasury 15 Jun 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating two key supporters of the ethnically motivated violent extremist group known as the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended. RIM was previously designated by the U.S. Department of State as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization on April 7, 2020 for having provided training for acts of terrorism. Concurrent with OFAC's action today, the U.S. Department of State also designated an individual for posing a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.
• Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist US Dept. of State 15 Jun 2022 -- The U.S. government remains deeply concerned about the evolving racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist (REMVE) threat worldwide.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, St Petersburg, June 15, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Jun 2022
• Telephone conversation with President of China Xi Jinping President of Russia 15 Jun 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping during which the two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of issues on the bilateral and international agendas.
• Xi talks with Putin over phone PRC MofA 15 Jun 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday afternoon held a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
• China's Xi reaffirms support for Russia's 'sovereignty, security' amid Ukraine war Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday reaffirmed his country's support for Russia's "sovereignty and security" amid tensions between Moscow and the West over the war in Ukraine.
• China Ready to Back Russia on Sovereignty, Security Issues, Xi Jinping Says After Talking to Putin Sputnik 15 Jun 2022 -- The Russian president's spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier confirmed reports that the presidents of Russia and China held a phone conversation, promising that additional details would be released later.
• Germany Says Russian Gas Cut Is Attempt To Drive Up Price RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- Russian gas giant Gazprom says it will further reduce daily gas deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, a move that Germany's economy minister slammed as a pretext to sow uncertainty and drive up prices.
• Kazakh President Vows Not To Violate Sanctions Against Russia RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has vowed that Kazakhstan won't break international sanctions imposed against Russia over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
• The Rosatom Exemption: How Russia's State-Run Nuclear Giant Has Escaped Sanctions RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- Europe has grappled with how to end its Russian energy addiction more than ever since Vladimir Putin launched his country's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
• Navalny Transferred To Russian Prison With Harsher Conditions RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- Jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has been transferred to a prison with harsher conditions.
• Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa President of Russia 15 Jun 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African side's initiative.
• Russia imposes personal sanctions against British media representatives, defense figures People's Daily 15 Jun 2022 -- Russia has imposed personal sanctions against 29 media representatives and 20 defense figures of the United Kingdom in a retaliatory move, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 15, 2022 PRC MofA 15 Jun 2022
• Amid Rising Tension with Beijing, US Creates 'China House' VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- Amid tensions in bilateral relations, the U.S. State Department is creating a new entity known as "China House" to better track what China is doing around the world.
• New Hong Kong school history textbooks say the city 'never was a British colony' Radio Free Asia 15 Jun 2022 -- A nationalistic program of Moral, Civic and National Education brought in to replace Liberal Studies in Hong Kong's primary and secondary schools has removed references to the city's status as a former British colony, local media reported.
• UN member states criticize China over Uyghurs at Human Rights Council session Radio Free Asia 15 Jun 2022 -- Nearly 50 United Nations member states on Wednesday issued a joint statement criticizing China's atrocities against Uyghurs and calling on the U.N. human rights chief to release a long-overdue report on abuses in Xinjiang.
• US likely to turn Taiwan island into 'bigger nut to crack' in military talks, but secessionists will find it hard to celebrate its 'cannon fodder' destiny Global Times 15 Jun 2022 -- As a slew of saber-rattling security meetings between the US and the secessionist Taiwan authorities are expected to start on Wednesday (US time), following the recent China-US dialogue between defense chiefs and senior diplomats, Chinese mainland experts viewed it as a scene for the US to further press the authorities on the island to accept US arrangements for arms sales, or even act as a battle front for it.
• Measures against 'Taiwan independence' provocations an act of justice to safeguard China's sovereignty: Taiwan Affairs Office Global Times 15 Jun 2022 -- In response to the comment made by Taiwan's "Mainland Affairs Council" that China's resolution to fight "Taiwan independence" secessionists with armed forces is a "declaration of war," Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council said that all necessary measures taken in response to the provocation and coercion of the "Taiwan independence" secessionists are an act of justice to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and it is China's internal affair in terms of what kind of measure to take to solve the Taiwan question.
• Mainland customs to increase nucleic acid testing on imported cold-chain products and packages from Taiwan Global Times 15 Jun 2022 -- Chinese mainland customs will increase nucleic acid testing for traces of coronavirus on imported cold-chain products and packages from Taiwan, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday.
• Mainland will resolutely respond to "Taiwan independence" provocations: spokesperson People's Daily 15 Jun 2022 -- The Chinese mainland will actively and resolutely respond to any provocations from "Taiwan independence" secessionists, said a mainland spokesperson Wednesday.
• US Calls Taiwan Strait 'International Waterway' as China Warns Against 'False Claim' About Area Sputnik 15 Jun 2022 -- While the US has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Washington continues to channel weapons and other support to Taipei in an informal manner. China, which views the island as its province, has repeatedly condemned US support for Taiwan, slamming it as a violation of the communiques underpinning the Washington-Taipei diplomatic relationship.
• Wheat, Barley Harvest Brisk in DPRK KCNA 15 Jun 2022 -- Wheat and barley harvest is in full swing at farms of South Hwanghae Province in the DPRK.
• Vast Project for Gravity-fed Waterway Completed in DPRK KCNA 15 Jun 2022 -- The people in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK completed the project for 40 km-long gravity-fed waterway in Kumya County, overcoming manifold hardships and difficulties including sudden health crisis.
• Iran plans two more research launches for indigenous satellite carrier rocket Zoljanah Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- A spokesman for Iran's defense ministry says the Islamic Republic plans to carry out two more launches of its domestically-developed hybrid-propellant satellite carrier rocket called Zoljanah.
• Iran warns IAEA chief not to 'complicate matters' Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has advised the UN nuclear agency's director general to refrain from complicating the situation through political statements.
• Iranian Protests Spread As Discontent Over Sanction-Hit Economy Grows RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- Merchants and shopkeepers at bazaars have continued protests in more cities across Iran as the economy reels from U.S. sanctions and the rial weakens to historic lows against the dollar.
• Rights experts alarmed by violent civil society crackdown in Iran UN News 15 Jun 2022 -- UN independent human rights experts have deplored the recent violent crackdown on civil society in Iran, calling on Wednesday for independent investigations into excessive use of force against protestors.
• More than 40 anti-regime protesters arrested in Yangon in two days Radio Free Asia 15 Jun 2022 -- Myanmar's military junta is targeting younger protesters in the country's business capital, Yangon, arresting more than 40 men and women on Monday and Tuesday. Witnesses said those arrested were aged between 18 and 30.
• Rampant Violations in Myanmar Could Constitute Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- In her oral update on conditions in Myanmar, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for action to bring Myanmar's generals to account and return the country to democratic rule. She told the council that the lives and future of Myanmar's people are hanging in the balance.
• Remarks by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič at the press conference on the Protocol of Ireland / Northern Ireland European Commission 15 Jun 2022
• Commission launches infringement proceedings against the UK for breaking international law and provides further details on possible solutions to facilitate the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland European Commission 15 Jun 2022 -- The European Commission has today launched infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom for not complying with significant parts of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.
• Questions and answers on the Commission´s reaction to the United Kingdom's bill overriding core parts of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland European Commission 15 Jun 2022
• EU launches legal action against UK over plan to rip up N. Ireland protocol Press TV 15 Jun 2022 -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday launched fresh legal proceedings against Britain over its failure to implement parts of the post-Brexit trade deal it agreed with Brussels, accusing London of imperiling peace in Northern Ireland.
• EU Begins Legal Proceedings Against UK Over N. Ireland Protocol Bill Sputnik 15 Jun 2022 -- UK PM Boris Johnson earlier announced that the government had introduced a bill that would amend the Northern Ireland Protocol - a provision in the Brexit agreement with the EU, which allowed the UK to prevent a hard border from being placed between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but was devised only as a temporarily solution.
• India to Host ASEAN Foreign Ministers Amid Efforts to Increase Engagement in Indo Pacific VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- Four years ago, India hosted the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its annual Republic Day Parade — a symbolic gesture by New Delhi to give momentum to its partnerships with the10-member grouping.
• India's Religious Tensions Prompt Calls for Boycotts VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- Religious tensions in India have prompted some activists, both inside and outside the world's second most populous country, to call for a boycott of Indian products and of Qatar Airways.
• EU, Egypt, Israel Agree to Export Israeli Liquified Natural Gas to Europe VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- Egypt, Israel and the European Union signed a gas deal Wednesday in which Egypt will export Israeli liquified natural gas to Europe via two Egyptian LNG plants.
• Statement by President von der Leyen with Egyptian President El-Sisi European Commission 15 Jun 2022
• Kazakhstan: corruption is a serious concern, more transparency and independence needed Council of Europe 15 Jun 2022 -- The Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published its first evaluation report on Kazakhstan, focusing on issues such as independence, specialisation and means available to national bodies engaged in the prevention of and fight against corruption; extent and scope of immunities; proceeds of corruption, as well as public administration and liability of legal persons for corruption.
• Kazakh Reforms Get Mixed Reviews From Analysts, Critics VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- A package of constitutional reforms billed as strengthening Kazakhstan's parliament and reining in presidential powers is getting mixed reviews from analysts and opposition members, who say the changes are welcome but fall far short of bringing real democracy to the oil-rich Central Asian nation.
• Paper Shows France's Vision Of New 'Community' For All Of Europe RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- France's vision of a new "European political community" involves core European Union states entering into a political union with nonmembers that it believes will strengthen the security, stability, and prosperity of Europe as a whole in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Laos to sell $350 million in high-interest bonds to combat inflation Radio Free Asia 15 Jun 2022 -- The Lao government is so desperate for cash that it is offering about U.S. $340 million in bonds with a six-month interest rate of 20 percent, terms that sources told RFA sounded too good to be true.
• Membership of a political party 'cannot be grounds for arrest' UN group says Radio Free Asia 15 Jun 2022 -- The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) has criticized the case against a Vietnamese Australian facing a 12-year sentence as lacking grounds for arrest.
• Former Cambodian opposition chief Kem Sokha claims end to alliance with Sam Rainsy Radio Free Asia 15 Jun 2022 -- Cambodia's top opposition partnership of the past decade is no more, one half of the duo said Wednesday, confirming rumors of a split within the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and raising questions over who can mount a legitimate political challenge to strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen.
• Mass Sentencing of Opposition Activists in Cambodia US Dept. of State 15 Jun 2022 -- The United States is deeply concerned by the June 14 mass conviction of opposition activists in Cambodia, including Cambodian-American lawyer Theary Seng.
• OSCE Says 2021 Uzbek Presidential Poll Lacked Competition RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- A delegation from the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) says a presidential election held in Uzbekistan in October 2021 lacked competition, allowing incumbent Shavkat Mirziyoev to win without facing any serious challenger.
• In Change Of Tactics, Armenian Opposition Scales Back Protests RFE/RL 15 Jun 2022 -- More than six weeks after the start of their "resistance movement," Armenia's main opposition groups have announced they will scale back almost daily demonstrations aimed at toppling Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and instead focus on weekly rallies to build larger crowds of protesters upset over the government's handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute with Azerbaijan.
• New Somali President Appoints Prime Minister VOA 15 Jun 2022 -- Somalia's new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on Wednesday picked a member of the lower house of parliament, Hamza Abdi Barre, as the new prime minister.