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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Central Command Supports Partner Forces in Major Iranian Weapons Seizure CENTCOM 01 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Central Command supported a maritime interdiction earlier this month that resulted in the seizure by partner naval forces of weapons that originated in Iran and were bound for Yemen.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Philippines, U.S. Announce Four New EDCA Sites DoD 01 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Philippines and the United States are proud to announce their plans to accelerate the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the agreement to designate four new Agreed Locations in strategic areas of the country and the substantial completion of the projects in the existing five Agreed Locations.
• Austin Visit to Philippine Base Highlights Benefits of U.S-Philippine Alliance DoD News 01 Feb 2023 -- The Philippines and the United States are fundamentally agreed on the vision they see for the Indo-Pacific region — one that is free of coercion and where countries operate according to international law.
• US defense chief visits troops, discusses anti-terror cooperation in Philippines Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III visited a military base Wednesday in the southern Philippines, where about 100 American troops are helping their Filipino counterparts in operations against the remnants of militant groups linked to Islamic State extremists.
• Pentagon Claims Proposed Chinese-Owned Mill by North Dakota Air Base Poses 'Significant Threat' Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- The US has claimed in recent years that many things associated with China pose a threat to national security, from Huawei's 5G internet service to Confucius Institutes. According to a senior US Air Force official, the latest threat is a corn mill that a Chinese-owned company is seeking to build.
• Turkey says it does not support Sweden's NATO bid over Quran sacrilege Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has a positive view of Finland's request to join NATO, but he will not support Sweden's proposal amid tensions over the sacrilege of the Holy Quran.
• Turkish President Says Ankara 'Positive' About Finland's NATO Membership Bid Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- Turkey is positive about Finland's membership in NATO but cannot approve Sweden's bid as long as the Swedish authorities allow protesters to desecrate the Quran under police protection, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.
• Sweden Took No Concrete Steps Towards Fulfilling Obligations on NATO Accession, Ankara Says Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- Turkey does not see concrete steps from Sweden with regards to fulfilling its obligations to Ankara on the country's accession to NATO, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.
• What are Longer-Range GLSDB Rockets that the US May Soon Send to Ukraine? Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- Ukraine has already received a wide assortment of advanced military hardware from the US and its allies, including multiple launch rocket systems and armored vehicles. Now, as Kiev is about to receive M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks, the Ukrainian leadership also seeks to get its hands on long-range rockets capable of striking deep within Russia.
• Poland Says Sending F-16 Jets to Ukraine Now Not on Agenda Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- Sending F-16 fighters to Ukraine is not on the agenda now as it is a very complicated process, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Marcin Ociepa said on Wednesday.
• Spain Plans to Send Up to 6 Leopard 2A4 Tanks to Ukraine, Media Reports Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- The Spanish government is going to send from four to six Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine and is discussing the plans with the country's military industry, Spanish media reported on Wednesday, citing sources in the government.
• In Search of Ukraine Weapons, NATO Looks East VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- Until last year, many countries in Western Europe had long-standing policies against sending weapons into war zones. Russia's invasion of Ukraine quickly changed all that.
• President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Russia's war of aggression and progress of Finland's NATO membership process Finnish Government 01 Feb 2023 -- In their meeting on Wednesday 1 February, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and the progress of Finland's NATO membership process.
• Russia says seeks to retain New START nuclear treaty with US Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- Russia says it seeks to preserve its last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the United States, despite Washington's "destructive" approach towards arms control.
• White House Says Peskov's Comments Show New START Seen as Mutual Interest Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's comments show that both Russia and the United States believe the New START Treaty is in their mutual interest, deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for defense policy and arms control for the White House National Security Council said on Wednesday.
• Q&A: Russia's Nuclear Weapons More Effective as Propaganda, Retired US Lieutenant General Says VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- With troops stalled in eastern Ukraine, Russia has increasingly resorted to routine airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and towns, a strategy aimed at exhausting Ukraine economically and morally.
• US readies $2 billion-plus Ukraine military package: Report Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- The United States has put together a new weapons package worth more than $2 billion for delivery to Ukraine.
• China reveals tailless concept for next-generation fighter jet Global Times 01 Feb 2023 -- A promotional video released by the Chinese aviation industry on Tuesday featured computer generated images showing what analysts said on Wednesday could represent a concept of the country's next-generation fighter jet, which reflects China's determination to outpace the US in new warplane development.
• Defence gets Rs 5.94 lakh crore in Budget 2023-24, a jump of 13% over previous year India PIB 01 Feb 2023 -- The Armed Forces have to be battle ready to meet any eventuality. Towards that end, Non-Salary revenue outlay has been enhanced significantly from Rs 62,431 crore in Budget Estimates (BE) 2022-23 to Rs 90,000 crore in BE 2023-24, representing a 44% jump. This expenditure is expected to close critical gaps in the combat capabilities and equip the Forces in terms of ammunition, sustenance of weapons & assets, military reserves etc.
• South Korea to Test New High-Power Hyunmoo Ballistic Missile on February 3, Media Reports Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- South Korea is going to test a new high-power ballistic missile, known as Hyunmoo-5, on February 3 as part of efforts to deter threats posed by North Korea, the Korean news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
• US opens Solomon Islands embassy as it vies for influence with China Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- The United States opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands after a three-decade absence, attempting to signal a commitment to a Pacific island country that has become a focus of U.S.-China rivalry in the region.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Biruta US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Serbian President Vucic US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Peruvian Foreign Minister Gervasi US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Algerian Foreign Minister Lamamra US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 01 Feb 2023
• Press Gaggle by White House Spokesperson Ian Sams The White House 01 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 1, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 1 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Feb 2023
• 751 million US dollars requested for the humanitarian response plan 2023 UNOCHA 01 Feb 2023 -- The humanitarian community in Mali launched an appeal for 751 million US dollars to meet the urgent needs of 5.7 million people, over half of whom are women and children. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview, the targeted 5.7 million people are the most vulnerable of the 8.8 million people in need.
• Actions to Impose Additional Visa Restrictions in Response to the Taliban's Ban on Women's University Education and Working with NGOs US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023 -- "I am taking action today to impose additional visa restrictions on certain current or former Taliban members, members of non-state security groups, and other individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, repressing women and girls in Afghanistan through restrictive policies and violence, including the Taliban's decision to ban women from universities and from working with NGOs."
• CENTCOM Commander Congratulates Yemen on Interdiction of UAV Engines CENTCOM 01 Feb 2023 -- Today, Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla called the Yemeni Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Saghir Hamood Bin Aziz to congratulate him on the recent successful Yemeni interdiction of 100 unmanned aerial vehicle engines bound for Houthi militants.
• Taliban Tell Pakistan Not to Blame Afghanistan for Mosque Bombing VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- Afghanistan's Taliban rulers Wednesday rejected allegations their territory was used in this week's mosque bombing in Pakistan, urging the neighboring country to thoroughly investigate such terror acts before blaming others.
• Police Officers In Peshawar Demonstrate To Demand Thorough Investigation Of Mosque Bombing RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- Dozens of police officers protested in Peshawar on February 1 to demand the government conduct a full and transparent investigation of a suicide attack on a mosque earlier this week that killed 101 people and injured 221 others.
• The Mosque Bombing in Peshawar, Pakistan US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023 -- The United States strongly condemns the January 30 bombing at a mosque in Peshawar's Police Lines district.
• Blinken wraps up visit to Jerusalem, West Bank, with little progress in ending Israeli-Palestinian violence People's Daily 01 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank on Tuesday, with little progress made in de-escalating the Israeli-Palestinian tensions, experts said.
• China imposes new cybersecurity rules in Tibet Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- Chinese authorities imposed a new cyber law in Tibet that went into effect Wednesday, with the government announcing tougher punishments for anyone creating "public disorder by engaging in separatist acts."
• Regional Leaders Vow to Support Somalia's War Against Al-Shabab VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- The leaders of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia met Wednesday in the Somali capital to discuss the ongoing fight against al-Shabab militants. The security summit took place amid an offensive by Somalia and its allies against the Islamist militants. Somalia in the past year has won significant victories against the group, which has also increased its counterattacks.

News Reports

• FBI Agents Find No New Classified Documents at Biden's Vacation Retreat VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- FBI agents reported they found no new classified documents in a search Wednesday at U.S. President Joe Biden's vacation retreat in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, his personal lawyer said, although they did take some materials for further review.
• Azerbaijan Reportedly Detains Dozens Suspected Of Spying For Iran RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry has detained around 40 people it suspects of being part of an Iranian spy network that used religion to push pro-Iranian propaganda.
• US. Department of Homeland Security and Finnish Ministry of the Interior enhance internal security cooperation DHS 01 Feb 2023 -- On January 31, 2023, Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security John K. Tien and Krista Mikkonen, Minister of Interior of Finland, and their respective delegations met in Washington, D.C.
• Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Attempting to Travel Overseas to Join ISIS-K US Dept. of Justice 01 Feb 2023 -- A Beavercreek, Ohio, man, who was arrested by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force at John Glenn International Airport in 2018 while trying to travel to Afghanistan to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) or ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), was sentenced today in federal court.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 1, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Feb 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with the television channel, RT Arabic, Moscow, February 1, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Feb 2023
• Sanctioning Evasion Network Supporting Russia's Military-Industrial Complex US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023 -- The United States, in coordination with our allies and partners, will continue to fully enforce our sanctions against Russia's war machine and those that support its efforts. These actions will decrease Russia's ability to wage war and weaken its military-industrial complex.
• Treasury Targets Global Sanctions Evasion Network Supporting Russia's Military-Industrial Complex US Treasury 01 Feb 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed full blocking sanctions against 22 individuals and entities across multiple countries related to a sanctions evasion network supporting Russia's military-industrial complex. Today's action, taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, are part of the U.S. strategy to methodically and intensively target sanctions evasion efforts around the globe, close down key backfilling channels, expose facilitators and enablers, and limit Russia's access to revenue needed to wage its brutal war in Ukraine. Over the last year, Treasury has sanctioned over 100 individuals and entities engaging in activity to circumvent international sanctions and export controls imposed on Russia.
• New U.S. Sanctions Target Russian Arms Trader's Global Network, Treasury Department Says RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- The United States has imposed Russian-related sanctions on 22 individuals and entities in multiple countries that the U.S. Treasury Department says are part of a global network set up to evade previously announced sanctions targeting Russia's defense industry.
• U.S. Official Asserts Sanctions Cutting Off Russian War Machine RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- Western sanctions against Russia have been "very effective" in cutting off Russia's war machine, a U.S. official asserted, amid growing questions about Moscow's ability to circumvent the measures.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Chief of Staff for Navalny, Leonid Volkov US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023
• State Department Engages with Gold Industry to Discuss Sanctions US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2023 -- Yesterday, Ambassador James O'Brien, Head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination, led an interagency discussion with leading companies and associations across the gold sector.
• Russia approves agreement on gas supply to China via Far Eastern route, encouraging payments in own currencies Global Times 01 Feb 2023 -- The Russian government has approved a draft intergovernmental agreement on gas supplies to China through the Far Eastern route, with the two countries encouraging payments in their own national currencies, Tass reported on Monday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 1, 2023 PRC MofA 01 Feb 2023
• China accuses US of eyeing 'technological hegemony' over Huawei sanctions Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- China has accused the United States of seeking "technological hegemony" as Washington has stepped up pressure on Chinese tech giant Huawei by blocking its access to American suppliers.
• UK should stop using BN(O) issue to interfere in China's affairs: Chinese authorities Global Times 01 Feb 2023 -- The Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy in the UK slammed the UK side on Wednesday, saying that playing the card of the British National (Overseas) visa, known as the BN(O) scheme, is a shameful act. They urged the British side to stop interfering in China's internal affairs.
• John Lee says HKSAR gov't to focus on economic development, city promotion to visitors People's Daily 01 Feb 2023 -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Tuesday that the HKSAR government has two main goals, namely preparing for the full resumption to normalcy while focusing on economic development and promoting Hong Kong to overseas and Chinese mainland visitors.
• Lawmakers, rights lawyer urge additional pressure on China to end Uyghur repression Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- The United States must ramp up pressure on the Chinese government to stop the severe repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang and do more to enforce recent laws passed by U.S. lawmakers addressing the forced labor of the predominantly Muslim minority group, two U.S. congressmen and a human rights lawyer told RFA.
• Canadian lawmakers pass motion to accept 10,000 Uyghur refugees Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- Canada's parliament on Wednesday unanimously passed a motion to resettle 10,000 Uyghur refugees to Canada in response to the Chinese government's efforts to forcibly return members of the mostly Muslim group back to China, where they are at risk of persecution.
• Calls grow among overseas universities, activists for release of Chinese protesters Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- Calls are growing among overseas rights groups, universities and student campaigners for authorities in China to release people - many of them young graduates of overseas universities - detained for taking part in the November 2022 "white paper" protests.
• Taipei to keep tabs on Blinken's China visit CNA 01 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it will keep close tabs on United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China on Feb. 5 and 6, the first trip by a U.S. secretary of state to Beijing since October 2018.
• Czech president-elect defends phone call with Tsai; EU repeats One-China stance CNA 01 Feb 2023 -- Czech Republic President-elect Petr Pavel defended on Tuesday his decision to engage in a phone conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) a day earlier despite objections from China, saying that the Central European country is a sovereign state and "we do what we think is right."
• PLA ramps up drills around Taiwan amid McCarthy's island visit hype Global Times 01 Feb 2023 -- Defense authorities on the island of Taiwan on Wednesday reported intense warplane and warship activities conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) around the island over the previous day amid media reports saying that US house speaker Kevin McCarthy might visit the island in spring.
• Taiwan parties, groups lodge protest against potential McCarthy visit PLA Daily 01 Feb 2023 -- More than 20 pro-unification parties and groups from Taiwan protested a possible trip to Taiwan by United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, saying it might arouse another military crisis across the Taiwan Straits.
• 20 PLA warplanes detected crossing Taiwan Strait median line: MND CNA 01 Feb 2023 -- A total of 34 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval ships were detected in the general vicinity of Taiwan from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, including 20 airplanes that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
• South Korean expert says North Korea may test a new solid-fuel ICBM in February Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- North Korea may test a new type of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile in February or in the first half of the year at the latest, a report by a South Korea-based researcher says.
• North Korea Rejects Talks With US, Citing 'Hostile Policy' VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- North Korea on Thursday ruled out the idea of dialogue with the United States, accusing Washington of a "full-scale offensive" that is turning the Korean Peninsula into a "war zone."
• US Nomination of North Korea Rights Envoy Revives Hope for Divided Families VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- The nomination of the U.S. special envoy for human rights in North Korea, along with new legislation, has revived hopes for Korean Americans who want to see family in North Korea whom they have not seen since their separation during the Korean War.
• Three-revolution Team Movement Brisk in DPRK KCNA 01 Feb 2023 -- The three-revolution team movement gets brisk in DPRK along with the three-revolution red flag movement.
• Rodong Sinmun on Bolstering up Military Capability for Self-Defence KCNA 01 Feb 2023 -- It is a bitter lesson of history that if one depends on others without one's own things, one will become the weak and ultimately fall prey to the imperialists, to say nothing of failing to defend the sovereignty and dignity of a country, says Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in an article.
• Rodong Sinmun Calls for Boosting Might of Three-Revolution Team Movement KCNA 01 Feb 2023 -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday dedicates an editorial to the 50th anniversary of the start of the three-revolution team movement.
• North Korea arrests entire family after mother called South Korea Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- Authorities in North Korea have arrested a family of four after one of them was caught making banned telephone calls to her child in South Korea, a punishment that residents say is excessive, sources in the country told Radio Free Asia.
• Iranian Chief of Staff: Tehran, Pyongyang cooperation based on peace, stability ISNA 01 Feb 2023 -- The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri congratulated the appointment of General Pak Su-il as the new head of the General Staff Department of North Korean Army, calling for deterring any move that disrupts global security.
• IAEA head must visit Iran with 'specific objective', says Iran's nuclear chief Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- The chief of Iran's nuclear agency says any visit by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the country needs to have a "specific objective", in an oblique reference to the UN nuclear watchdog's political approach.
• Official: Iran can increase oil production from 3.8 to 6 million bpd IRNA 01 Feb 2023 -- Managing director of Persia Oil and Gas Development Company referring to activities of 19 explorer companies, said that by applying three methods, Iran can increase its oil production from current 3.8 up to 6 million barrels per day within the next 5 years.
• Iran Alleges Kurds' Role in Drone Strike at Defense Ministry Site, Media Reports Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- Tehran has evidence that Kurds helped smuggle drone parts and explosives into Iran from Iraq in preparation for last week's attack on a facility of the country's defense ministry, an Iranian news agency reported on Wednesday.
• Kurdistan-based terrorists involved in drone strike on Isfahan defense site: Report Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- A recent report has revealed that anti-Iran terrorists operating in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region were involved in a recent drone strike on a military workshop in the central Iranian city of Isfahan.
• Adviser To Iranian Sunni Leader Detained Over Comments On Protests RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- A senior adviser to Molavi Abdolhamid, a spiritual leader for Iran's Sunni Muslim population, has been arrested amid months of unrest in Iran sparked by the death of a young woman while she was detained by the notorious morality police for an alleged dress code violation.
• Iranian Student Council Says 11 Professors Fired For Protest Support RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- Almost a dozen Iranian university professors have been fired from their jobs at Ferdowsi University in the northeastern city of Mashhad following their support for students in nationwide protests over the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
• The Farda Briefing: Embassy Attack Further Strains Relations Between Iran And Azerbaijan RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023
• Azerbaijan bent on straining ties with Iran by politicizing embassy incident Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- In the wake of Friday's shooting incident at Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran, a series of hostile measures taken by Baku have led to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
• Myanmar's Exiled Opposition Leader Says Military Junta Stalls Progress to Maintain Control VOA 01 Feb 2023
• Suu Kyi Portraits, Flags and Chants as Bangkok Hosts Myanmar Anti-Coup Protest VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- Several hundred Myanmar pro-democracy protesters gathered outside their country's embassy in Bangkok Wednesday, two years after a coup by a junta that has killed thousands of civilians in airstrikes and military massacres, and now wants to hold elections across a broken nation.
• Myanmar Marks Second Anniversary of Military-Led Overthrow of Civilian Government VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- Supporters of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement are engaging in a nationwide boycott of all economic activity Wednesday to mark the two-year anniversary of the military's overthrow of the civilian government.
• Myanmar activists call for civil disobedience Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- Democracy activists in Myanmar have called on businesses across the country to go on strike to mark the anniversary of a military coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically-elected government and put the junta at the helm in 2021.
• Under the gun in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- Two years ago, the Myanmar junta ousted a democratically elected government in a coup, claiming election irregularities that military regime leaders have failed to prove. In the months since, the military's efforts to consolidate power has created a calamity that has left thousands dead and forced more than 1.2 million citizens from their homes.
• Targeted sanctions in response to human rights violations in Myanmar and Iran Australia MFA 01 Feb 2023 -- The Australian Government is imposing targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on individuals responsible for egregious human rights abuses in Myanmar, as well as sanctions on entities enabling the repression of its people.
• Visit of National Security Advisor to Washington DC (January 30-February 01, 2023) India MEA 01 Feb 2023 -- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is on an official visit to Washington DC from 30 January to 1 February 2023. He is accompanied by senior Government of India officials as well as leaders of Indian industry.
• Saudi Arabia executions almost doubled under MBS, King Salman: Report Press TV 01 Feb 2023 -- The rate of executions in Saudi Arabia since King Salman and his son Mohammed bin Salman came to power in 2015 has almost doubled annually, according to a new report, highlighting flagrant human rights violations in the Arab country.
• Trade talks and training troops top of the agenda at annual UK-Australia summit UK FCDO 01 Feb 2023 -- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will host their Australian counterparts in London and Portsmouth at the annual AUKMIN summit.
• Prominent labor leader joins Cambodian opposition Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- Prominent Cambodian labor leader Rong Chhun has announced he is joining the opposition Candlelight Party, saying he wants to help it to win upcoming national elections.
• US signs agreement to help Laos fight illegal logging in protected forests Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2023 -- The United States has agreed to provide funding and equipment to Laos to help combat illegal logging in its national protest forests, an official at the U.S. Embassy in Laos said.
• In Uzbekistan's Karakalpakstan, Trial Over Deadly Unrest Makes A 'Hero' Of Its Intended Villain RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- In previous years in Uzbekistan, a trial like the one that concluded on January 31 in the city of Bukhara would have played out behind closed doors.
• Bulgarian Parliament Passes Resolution Declaring Soviet-Era Famine Genocide RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- The Bulgarian National Assembly has approved legislation declaring the 1932-33 famine caused by the policies of the Soviet government led by Joseph Stalin a genocide.
• Bulgaria, Serbia Break Ground On Pipeline Aimed At Easing Russian Gas Dependence RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, have launched the construction of a gas pipeline that will link the two countries and help ease the region's dependence on Russian supplies, which have become less reliable amid Moscow's war against Ukraine.
• Saakashvili Tells Georgian Court He Wants 'Opportunity For Adequate Treatment' RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- Jailed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is being treated in a private clinic in Tbilisi for health problems, has asked for "the opportunity for adequate treatment" during a court hearing on having his sentence suspended so he can be transferred abroad for more intensive care.
• Malawi Reshuffles Cabinet, Reduces Number of Ministerial Posts Sputnik 01 Feb 2023 -- Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party has served as president of the landlocked Southern African country since June 2020. Before he started his political career, Chakwera was known as a leading theologian.
• Cambodia Seeks More Loans From Beijing Amid Fears of 'Debt Trap' VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to visit Beijing next week looking to borrow more than $4 billion for a high-speed railway line that will connect Cambodia's capital with the economic hub on the Thai border.
• Global Corruption Worsens, but Africa Makes Progress VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- The past year saw little progress in tackling global corruption due to greater violence and insecurity, according to the organization Transparency International's "Corruption Perceptions Index 2022." However, there are some encouraging signs that corruption is being successfully tackled in parts of Africa.