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News Reports

Current Operations

• USCENTCOM conducts three raids in eastern Syria CENTCOM 20 Dec 2022 -- Over the past 48 hours, US Central Command forces conducted three helicopter raids in eastern Syria resulting in the detention of six ISIS operatives, including al-Zubaydi, an Islamic State Syria Province

Defense Policy / Programs

• Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, Holds a Press Briefing DoD 20 Dec 2022
• I MEF, ESG-3 conclude Exercise Steel Knight 23 USMC News 20 Dec 2022 -- As threats from around the world remain on our nation's horizon, the Navy and Marine Corps remain ready to respond at a moment's notice.
• US sends B-52 bombers, F-22 fighters for war games with South Korea Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- South Korea and the United States have conducted a combined "military air drill" on Tuesday involving US nuclear-capable bombers and advanced stealth jets, Seoul said, amid rapidly escalating tensions with North Korea.
• US Invests Billions in World's Northernmost Military Base in Greenland Sputnik 20 Dec 2022 -- The Thule Air Base was commissioned during the Cold War in the early Fifties and plays a key role in the US military's ability to detect and provide early warnings for potential ballistic missile attacks. Coupled with promised upgrades of the base, the massive maintenance contract indicates the US' newfound strategic commitment to the Arctic.
• US Air Force Grounds Entire B-2 Nuclear Bomber Fleet Amid Search for Defects Sputnik 20 Dec 2022 -- The US Air Force has grounded all 20 B-2 Spirit bombers until further notice amid an ongoing search for potential safety defects following an accident, Air Force Times reported.
• Readout of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.'s travel to Poland US Air Force 20 Dec 2022 -- U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. traveled to Poland Dec. 18-19 and met with Polish Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Gen. Rajmund Andrzejczak, Commander of the General Command of the Armed Forces Gen. Jaroslaw Mika, Deputy Commander of the General Command of the Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Cezary Wiśniewski, Inspector of the Air Force Maj. Gen. Jacek Pszczola, and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces Operational Command Maj. Gen. Dariusz Malinowski.
• U.S. Navy Demonstrates New Launch and Recovery Solutions for Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles US Navy 20 Dec 2022 -- A collaborative research and development effort led by a U.S. Navy team recently demonstrated a new launch and recovery concept for large unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), with staff from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), which is headquartered in Virginia.
• MRTS 3D® Moves Forward With Implementation US Navy 20 Dec 2022 -- The Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System (MRTS) 3D® was implemented for testing for the first time on a Navy ship, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), from Nov. 29 to Dec. 11, 2022.
• USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) Completes First Forward-Deployed Naval Forces- Europe Patrol US Navy 20 Dec 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) returned to Rota, Spain, Dec. 20, marking the completion of her first Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations.
• U.S. Navy Advances Interoperability with Search and Rescue System of the Republic of Cyprus US Navy 20 Dec 2022 -- U.S. Sixth Fleet's Commander, Task Force (CTF) 67 held a week-long training event with the Search and Rescue System of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) in the island to promote mutual understanding and enhance interoperability and collective capacity, Dec. 10-18, 2022.
• Strengthening Scientific Diplomacy: ONR Global Celebrates 20 Years in Santiago, Chile US Navy 20 Dec 2022 -- Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, as well as other leaders from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and ONR Global — the command's international arm — recently traveled to Santiago, Chile, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ONR Global's office in that city.
• USNS Comfort Completes Its Final Mission Stop of CP 2022 in Haiti US Navy 20 Dec 2022 -- U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) completed its fifth and final mission stop of Continuing Promise 2022 in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 17, 2022.
• Multilateral Air Defense Flag and General Officers Gather at Annual IAMD Summit Army News 20 Dec 2022 -- The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command hosted the Annual Multilateral Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Summit at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Hawaii from December 5-9, 2022.
• Turkey Accuses Greece of Trying to Intercept Turkish F-16 Jets During NATO Training Sputnik 20 Dec 2022 -- The Greek Air Force tried to intercept Turkish fighter jets during a NATO exercise over the Aegean Sea, with Turkey giving an appropriate response, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 20 Dec 2022
• President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss NATO issues and Russia's invasion of Ukraine Finnish Government 20 Dec 2022
• China, Russia to hold joint naval drill in East China Sea, displaying capability amid US, Japanese provocations Global Times 20 Dec 2022 -- China and Russia will hold a week-long joint naval drill in the East China Sea starting Wednesday, in a move which analysts said on Tuesday displays the two countries' capabilities in tackling maritime security threats and safeguarding peace and stability at a complicated time when the US keeps promoting its "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and Japan has broken away from its defense-only principle, instigating tensions in the Taiwan Straits.
• First batch of dual-degree female pilot cadets make maiden solo flight PLA Daily 20 Dec 2022 -- Recently, the first batch of female pilot cadets jointly cultivated by the PLA Air Force Aviation University, Tsinghua University and Peking University come to their maiden solo flight test.
• China plays active role in reaching positive results at Review Conference of BWC PLA Daily 20 Dec 2022 -- The 9th Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) closed in Geneva on December 16. Under the active promotion of Chinese delegation, which was led by the Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Li Song, the conference reached a final document which has decided to further strengthen the effectiveness of the BWC and promote complete compliance. To this end, a working group shall be established to carry out substantive work in compliance and verification, international cooperation, scientific and technological review, national compliance and other aspects, and committed to exploring measures to strengthen the BWC, including legally binding methods.
• Taiwan military to lengthen boot camp training for voluntary soldiers CNA 20 Dec 2022 -- New voluntary military recruits will undergo more intense and longer boot camp training from next year in order to boost their combat preparedness, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on Tuesday.
• Press Statement of Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK Kim Yo Jong KCNA 20 Dec 2022 -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press statement on Tuesday:
• Kim Jong Un's Sister Says Everyone Will Soon See What North Korean Missiles Can Do Sputnik 20 Dec 2022 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister and deputy director of a department of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee, Kim Yo Jong said those who doubt the capabilities of North Korea's missiles will soon be able to see what they can do, the Korean state news agency reported.
• Press Statement of Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 20 Dec 2022 -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following press statement on Dec. 20:
• N. Korea blasts Japan's $320bn 'security strategy', calls it 'new aggression policy' Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- North Korea has denounced Japan's new security strategy, describing it as a "serious" threat against international peace and vowing to show "actual action" in response to Tokyo's "wrong" choice.
• North Korea says sanctions not able to stop its missile development program, slams Japan's security strategy Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- North Korea has strongly criticized both the South and Japan for respectively trying to impose fresh sanctions on Pyongyang to stop its weapons development program and adopting a threatening military strategy.
• Experts: North Korea's ICBMs Pose Preemption Challenges for US VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- North Korea's rapidly advancing ICBM capabilities pose a growing threat to the United States and its allies, according to experts who say it will become increasingly difficult to destroy Pyongyang's missiles prior to launch with preemptive strikes.
• US B-52s Fly Near South Korea, as North Korea Ramps Up Threats VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- The United States flew nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers and F-22 stealth fighter jets near South Korea Tuesday as part of a demonstration of U.S. "extended deterrence" against North Korea, said South Korea's military.
• 6th India-Maldives Joint Staff Talks held in New Delhi to further bolster bilateral defence cooperation India PIB 20 Dec 2022 -- 6th Joint Staff Talks (JST) between India and the Maldives were held in New Delhi on December 20, 2022. The meeting was conducted in a friendly, warm and extremely cordial atmosphere.
• LAUNCH OF 'ARNALA', FIRST SHIP OF ASW SWC (GRSE) PROJECT ON 20 DEC 22 AT M/s L&T, KATTUPALLI India PIB 20 Dec 2022 -- 'Arnala', the first of 08 x ASW SWC Project, being built by GRSE for Indian Navy was launched on 20 Dec 22 at M/s L&T, Kattupalli, Chennai. She made her first contact with water of Bay of Bengal at 1040 hrs at the Launch Ceremony graced by Smt Rasika Chaube, Financial Adviser (Defence Services), Ministry of Defence.
• DELIVERY OF FIFTH SCORPENE SUBMARINE 'VAGIR' TO INDIAN NAVY India PIB 20 Dec 2022 -- The fifth submarine of the Project - 75, Kalvari Class submarines, Yard 11879 was delivered to the Indian Navy today, 20 Dec 22. Project - 75 includes indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design.
• INTER SERVICES AFFILIATION OF THE MAHAR REGIMENT OF INDIAN ARMY WITH NO 8 SQUADRON OF INDIAN AIR FORCE India PIB 20 Dec 2022 -- The affiliation of the Mahar Regiment of the Indian Army and 8 Squadron of the Indian Air Force was formally signed at a solemn ceremony at Air Force Station Bareilly on 19 December 2022.
• The Ninth Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2022 -- The Ninth Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Review Conference concluded on December 16 with the adoption by consensus of a final document, which launches a new, expert-led process to strengthen the BWC to address the challenges of the future.
• Thailand recovers bodies, searches for more missing sailors from sunken warship Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2022 -- Rescuers on Tuesday recovered the bodies of at least five sailors who died after a Thai warship sank during bad weather in the Gulf of Thailand, Royal Thai Navy officials said Tuesday, admitting there weren't enough life vests aboard.
• Improving Humanitarian Aid Delivery by Expanding Authorizations Across U.S. Sanctions US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2022 -- The United States is committed to protecting humanitarian access and removing impediments - real and perceived - to the delivery of legitimate humanitarian aid around the world.
• Treasury Implements Historic Humanitarian Sanctions Exceptions US Treasury 20 Dec 2022 -- Today, following this month's adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2664, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took historic steps to further enable the flow of legitimate humanitarian assistance supporting the basic human needs of vulnerable populations while continuing to deny resources to malicious actors.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bhutto Zardari US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Morrison US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2022
• Department Press Briefing - December 20, 2022 US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2022
• Digital Press Briefing on U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Outcomes US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 20, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 20 December 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Dec 2022
• Afghanistan in the Security Council Government of Norway 20 Dec 2022 -- Statement by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt, in the Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, 20 December 2022.
• Standing with Afghanistan's Women and Girls US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2022 -- The United States condemns in the strongest terms the Taliban's indefensible decision to ban women from universities, keep secondary schools closed to girls, and continue to impose other restrictions on the ability of women and girls in Afghanistan to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Afghanistan: UN envoy highlights need to continue dialogue with Taliban UN News 20 Dec 2022 -- Despite their differing positions, dialogue between the Taliban authorities and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) must continue for the sake of the country's people, the top UN official there told the Security Council on Tuesday.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Taliban Restrictions on Women's Education and Rights The White House 20 Dec 2022
• Frustrated with the Taliban, US Officials Meet Anti-Taliban Figures VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- When U.S. and Taliban representatives signed an agreement for peace in Afghanistan in February 2020, they agreed to "seek positive relations with each other." But over the past year, their differences have only widened.
• US Welcomes Release of 2 Americans from Taliban Detention VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- The State Department has welcomed the release of two U.S. nationals from Taliban detention in Afghanistan. The two were en route to Qatar on Tuesday from where they will fly to the U.S. to reunite with their families.
• How Should Countries Engage with the Afghan Taliban? VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Broad international recognition remained elusive for the Afghan Taliban in 2022. After more than a year in power, no foreign nation has officially recognized the Taliban government, although China, Russia, Pakistan and Turkmenistan have accredited Taliban diplomats.
• Taliban Ban Women From Universities in Afghanistan VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban leaders Tuesday ordered public and private universities across the country to immediately suspend female students access to higher education until further notice.
• US Lawmakers Fail to Pass Afghan Adjustment Act by Year's End VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- A major bill that would provide a pathway to permanent residency for tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees has not yet drawn enough support to pass Congress, but lawmakers Tuesday proposed 4,000 additional visas for Afghans.
• U.S., Britain Condemn Taliban's Ban On Women Attending University In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Dec 2022 -- The United States and Britain have condemned an order issued on December 20 by the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan banning university education for women nationwide.
• The Taliban are failing to live up to their commitments to the Afghan people: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 20 Dec 2022 -- Ambassador Barbara Woodward speaks at the UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan
• Pakistan Raid Kills All Taliban Hostage-Takers, Releases Hostages Government says RFE/RL 20 Dec 2022 -- Pakistani special forces raided a counterterrorism police center in the northwestern city of Bannu on December 20, killing all Pakistani Taliban militants who had taken hostages inside the compound, officials said.
• Afghanistan-Based Fugitive Militant Chief Admits Directing Terrorism in Pakistan VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- The leader of an outlawed militant alliance waging terrorism in Pakistan praised his fighters Tuesday for taking several security officials hostage inside a provincial police counterterrorism interrogation center and urged them not to surrender, come what may.
• Terrifying future awaits Saudi Arabia, allies over war on Yemen: Senior Ansarullah official Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- A top-ranking Yemeni official has warned that terrifying future and terrible fate await Saudi Arabia and its regional allies, which have waged a devastating war and a brutal siege against Yemen.
• India beefs up military presence at tense border with China Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar says the country has scaled up troop deployment along a disputed border with China to an unprecedented level, following a new stand-off there last week.
• Azerbaijan's closure of the Lachin corridor could have severe humanitarian consequences: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 20 Dec 2022 -- Ambassador James Kariuki speaks at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on Armenia and Azerbaijan
• Grant to UN Mission in Mali boosts inclusivity for women in peacekeeping UN News 20 Dec 2022 -- A $1.5 million grant to the UN's peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, announced on Tuesday, is designed to enable a more inclusive environment for women blue helmets serving in the country, while also improving living conditions.
• Chinese Nationals Get Medical Attention After Rescue from Captivity in Nigeria VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Nigerian officials say seven Chinese nationals received medical attention Monday after being rescued from nearly six months in captivity. Nigerian military forces recovered the abductees in a weekend operation in the central state of Kaduna.

News Reports

• New York Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 20 Dec 2022 -- A New York man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support or resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.
• Russia seeking cooperation with Iran on gas turbines Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- Russia wants to cooperate with Iran on manufacturing of gas turbines needed in its power plants, says the Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov as the two countries keep expanding joint efforts against foreign sanctions targeting their economies.
• Russia's Lower House Approves Bill Criminalizing Desecration Of St. George Ribbon RFE/RL 20 Dec 2022 -- Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has approved the final reading of a bill criminalizing the desecration of the St. George ribbon, which was banned in Ukraine as a symbol of Russian aggression in 2017.
• Russia's State Duma Passes Law on Penalties for Desecration of St. George's Ribbons Sputnik 20 Dec 2022 -- The Russian State Duma at a plenary session on Tuesday adopted a law equating the Saint George ribbon, a symbol of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, to official symbols of military glory and providing for penalties of up to 5 million rubles ($72,448) or imprisonment for up to five years for public desecration of the symbol.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 20, 2022 PRC MofA 20 Dec 2022
• Xi talks with Cote d'Ivoire's president over phone PLA Daily 20 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday afternoon made a phone conversation with Cote d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara at the latter's request.
• China completes construction of second biggest hydro plant SPA 20 Dec 2022 -- China's second largest hydropower facility on the upstream branch of the Yangtze river was formally completed on Tuesday after the last generating unit was connected to the grid, state broadcaster CCTV said, according to Reuters.
• Xi Jinping Speaks with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany on the Phone PRC MofA 20 Dec 2022 -- On the evening of December 20, 2022, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the latter's request.
• Xi Jinping Speaks with Côte d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara on the Phone PRC MofA 20 Dec 2022 -- On the afternoon of December 20, 2022, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Côte d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara at the latter's request.
• Xi stresses writing new chapter in China's Constitution practice in new era People's Daily 20 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed writing a new chapter in the practice of China's Constitution in the new era, as the country marks the 40th anniversary of the enactment of its current Constitution this year.
• Australian Foreign Minister Heads to Beijing in Breakthrough Diplomatic Visit VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong flies to China on Tuesday, signaling an improvement in bilateral relations.
• China firmly opposes any official contact between EU, Taiwan Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- China has strongly warned the European Union (EU) against establishing any official contact with Chinese Taipei, urging the bloc to "act prudently" to avoid harming China-EU relations.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry Calls on EU to Treat Taiwan Issue Cautiously Sputnik 20 Dec 2022 -- China strongly opposes any form of official interaction between the European Union and Taiwan and calls on the bloc to treat the Taiwan issue cautiously as well respect the One China policy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry Slams Guatemala's Plan to Hold Taiwan Summit Sputnik 20 Dec 2022 -- Taiwan is an unalienable part of China, and any attempts to make the island into a separate diplomatic actor run contrary to international norms, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday, commenting on Guatemala's plans to hold a meeting of "Taiwan-friendly" countries.
• Taiwan probes TikTok amid fears of 'digital opium' targeting island's youngsters Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2022 -- Authorities in Taiwan are investigating TikTok amid reports the Chinese-owned social media platform set up an illegal subsidiary on the democratic island, as analysts warned that widespread use of the app could result in Beijing feeding "digital opium" to the island's children and young people.
• Iran: US sanctions violating human rights of all living there, say UN experts UN News 20 Dec 2022 -- US sanctions on Iran are resulting in harm to the country's environment and preventing everyone there - including migrants and Afghan refugees - from fully enjoying their rights to health and life, and contributing to other factors such as rising air pollution, UN-appointed independent experts said on Tuesday.
• Commissioners Named to UN Probe of Iran Protest Crackdown VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- The president of the U.N. Human Rights Council has announced the members of an independent international fact-finding mission tasked with investigating Iran's deadly crackdown on peaceful protesters.
• Iranian Currency Weakens Further Amid Protests, Rumor That Nuclear Deal Is 'Dead' RFE/RL 20 Dec 2022 -- Iran's national currency, the rial, fell to a record low against the U.S. dollar as unrest triggered by the death in custody of a young woman over an alleged head scarf violation continues to rock the country.
• Iranian Lawmakers Propose Plan To Punish 'Fake News' As Protests Roil Nation RFE/RL 20 Dec 2022 -- Hard-line Iranian lawmakers have proposed a plan to impose tougher penalties against those who publish news that is deemed to have "negative social consequences."
• FM Amirabdollahian, Borrel call for restoring JCPOA IRNA 20 Dec 2022 -- The European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell after meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a tweet on Tuesday said that the meeting between the two sides in Jordan amidst deteriorating Iran-EU relations was necessary.
• Iran urges EU to take necessary decisions for an agreement IRNA 20 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Tuesday urged the European Union to refrain from politicizing issues and take the necessary decision for announcing an agreement.
• Iran to US: Stop deception IRNA 20 Dec 2022 -- The ambassador and permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations censured the United States for its unilateral policies, advising Washington to "stop deception".
• US support for anti-Iran terror cult further proves fake image of American human rights: Tehran Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the United States for lionizing the ringleader of the anti-Iran terrorist cult of the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO), and for reiterating its alliance with terrorists and murderers of thousands of Iranians.
• Iran FM to EU: Realistic approach needed to achieve deal on JCPOA revival Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- Iran's foreign minister has called on the other parties to the 2015 deal to adopt a "constructive and realistic" approach and take necessary political decisions to facilitate the finalization of long-stalled negotiations aimed at reviving the multilateral agreement.
• Iran FM, EU foreign policy chief meet in Jordan amid stalled JCPOA revival talks Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has met in Jordan amid stalled talks to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement, which was abandoned by the United States three years after its conclusion.
• UN calls on US to lift Iran sanctions, extend waivers on oil trade Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- The United Nations has called on the United States to lift or waive its sanctions against Iran as per the 2015 nuclear agreement, and to extend the waivers regarding the trade in oil with the country.
• Iran envoy: US must choose diplomacy over pressure, confrontation if it really seeks JCPOA revival Press TV 20 Dec 2022 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to the UN says if the United States really seeks the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it must choose diplomacy over pressure and confrontation.
• India Remains Steadfast in Partnership with Russia VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Despite pressure from Western countries, India has remained steadfast in its partnership with Russia, refusing to condemn the war in Ukraine and not joining Western sanctions against Moscow. However, analysts say, this has not affected, nor is it likely to affect, India's growing ties with the United States.
• Iraq: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Second Baghdad Conference in Jordan European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Dec 2022
• Rights Watchdog Says Failure To Investigate January Protest Abuses Leaves 'Damaging Legacy' For Kazakhstan RFE/RL 20 Dec 2022 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called out Kazakh authorities' for their "failure" to effectively investigate "the serious loss of life and other grave human rights violations" that occurred during and after protests in January that resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people.
• Canada imposes additional sanctions against Haitian elites Canada 20 Dec 2022 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations in response to acts of significant corruption that are fueling the crisis in the country.
• Working group does not recommend total ban on Russian real estate ownership Finnish MoD 20 Dec 2022 -- The cross-administrative working group considered a total ban on Russian real estate ownership, but does not see it as an effective or appropriate restrictive measure.
• Property and health scandals are Vietnam's highest profile corruption cases in 2022 Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2022 -- More than 900 State officials and employees were investigated by police for corruption and abuse of power in 2022, according to Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security.
• Cambodian opposition figure to appeal defamation verdicts Radio Free Asia 20 Dec 2022 -- A senior leader of Cambodia's main opposition party will ask the country's Supreme Court to overturn his conviction in a defamation case brought by election officials and Cambodia's ruling party, a defense attorney said Tuesday.
• Zelenskiy Calls On Georgia To Transfer Jailed Saakashvili To Clinic Abroad RFE/RL 20 Dec 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged Georgian authorities "to be merciful" and transfer jailed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is a Ukrainian citizen, to a medical facility abroad given the deteriorating state of his health.
• Relatives Demand Release Of Kyrgyz Politicians, Activists Jailed For Border Deal Protest RFE/RL 20 Dec 2022 -- The relatives of 26 Kyrgyz politicians and activists arrested in late October for protesting against a border deal with Uzbekistan have demanded their immediate release, saying they want to meet with President Sadyr Japarov.
• Somalia: Urgent support needed for rural communities facing famine UN News 20 Dec 2022 -- Famine is fast approaching in Somalia and more than 700,000 people could face starvation next year, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Tuesday, citing the latest Integrated Food Security Phase (IPC) analysis.
• UN: International Support Can Pull Back Somalia From Brink of Famine VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- U.N. agencies say that large-scale, sustained humanitarian assistance can prevent Somalia's looming famine from turning into a full-blown disaster in the coming months.
• Changes in US-Venezuela Relationship Could Augur More Engagement VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Recent minor changes in the relationship between the United States and Venezuela may signal that a greater degree of engagement between the two countries is possible in 2023, though experts remain doubtful that the Biden administration's goal of seeing free and fair presidential elections there in 2024 is likely to be achieved.
• Niger Urges Rich Nations to Make 'Climate Loss Fund' Operational VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- The "loss and damage" fund agreed to last month at the COP27 climate conference aims for rich nations to help those that have borne the brunt of their global warming emissions. In Niger, climate change has fueled desertification and conflict as communities compete for dwindling resources.
• Lots of Business Deals Reached During the US Africa Summit VOA 20 Dec 2022 -- Nearly 15 new commitments between U.S. and African businesses were announced during last week's U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, in fields ranging from mining to healthcare to basketball.