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Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Travels to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command DoD 03 Feb 2023 -- Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks traveled to Tampa, Florida, today for visits to U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) headquarters and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) headquarters.
• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Visits Norway to Deepen Special Operations Integration DoD 03 Feb 2023
• Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing DoD 03 Feb 2023
• 13th MEU practice humanitarian assistance, disaster relief in Sri Lanka USMC News 03 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief scenario as part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training/Marine Exercise 2023 series in Mullikulam, Sri Lanka from January 22 to 24, 2023.
• The Barrier Boats of NSA Souda Bay Port Operations US Navy 03 Feb 2023 -- Sailors in Port Operations at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay welcome two new, 30-foot Modutech work boats to the team.
• George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group arrives in Piraeus, Greece US Navy 03 Feb 2023 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) - along with the embarked staff of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG arrived in Piraeus, Greece, for a scheduled port visit, Feb. 3, 2023.
• USFF and CNIC to Conduct Annual Force Protection Training Exercise at CONUS Installations US Navy 03 Feb 2023 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), will conduct their annual two-part force protection exercise, Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain (CSSC23), Feb. 6-17, 2023 at all Navy installations in the continental United States.
• USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) Arrives in Souda Bay, Greece US Navy 03 Feb 2023 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, for a scheduled port visit, Jan. 30.
• Navy saves millions using DLA Disposition Services for ship recycling US Navy 03 Feb 2023 -- Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services is assisting the U.S. Navy in recycling five retired ships as part of a scrap sales contract to protect the environment and save taxpayer money.
• 7th Fleet Travels to the Republic of Korea for 7th Annual Anti-Submarine Warfare Cooperation Committee Meeting US Navy 03 Feb 2023 -- Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visited Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet (CRF) Base in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Feb. 2, to attend the 7th Anti-Submarine Warfare Cooperation Committee (ASWCC) meeting as the co-chair of the event.
• Future USS Marinette (LCS 25) Delivered to Navy US Navy 03 Feb 2023 -- The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Marinette (LCS 25) from Lockheed Martin this week at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin.
• Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the New START Treaty NATO 03 Feb 2023
• Finland, Sweden committed to joining NATO together, PMs say People's Daily 03 Feb 2023 -- Finland remains determined to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) together with Sweden, visiting Prime Minister Sanna Marin said when she met her Swedish counterpart here on Thursday.
• London Reportedly Considering Labeling Wagner Group Terrorist Organization Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- The UK Home Office is discussing potential plans to designate the Wagner Group private military company a terrorist organization, The Telegraph reports.
• NATO throws weight behind 'destructive' US approach against Russia on arms treaty Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- Members of the US-led military alliance of NATO have supported Washington's accusations that Russia is violating the New START nuclear arms control treaty, days after Russia said it wanted to preserve the treaty despite a "destructive" US approach to arms control.
• Russia's response to threats not limited to use of armored vehicles: Putin People's Daily 03 Feb 2023 -- Russia's response to threats against the country will not be limited to the use of armored vehicles, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
• Russia's War in Ukraine: Myths and Lessons Estonia MoD 03 Feb 2023 -- Following Russia's full-blown invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Euro-Atlantic community has been unanimously supporting Ukraine's road to victory, but considerably diverging on Russia's long-term threat.
• Military support to Ukraine will continue Republic of Poland 03 Feb 2023 -- On Friday, February 3, the head of the Ministry of Defense visited Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
• Ukraine asks for 'accelerated' arms supplies from Western allies Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Kiev forces would be able to make advancements in eastern Ukraine's pro-Russia regions if the former Soviet republic's current Western backers sped up weapons deliveries.
• Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 03 Feb 2023
• Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 03 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces a significant new package of security assistance for Ukraine. This includes the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $425 million, as well as $1.75 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.
• Air Defense Systems, Long-Range Fires Capability to be Sent to Ukraine DoD News 03 Feb 2023 -- The Defense Department today announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine.
• Critical New U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023 -- The United States is announcing today two new security assistance packages to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia's brutal war.
• Ukraine: EU supports de-mining of liberated areas with additional €25 million programme European External Action Service (EEAS) 03 Feb 2023 -- In the margins of the EU-Ukraine Summit taking place in Kyiv on Friday, High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell announced an additional programme of up to €25 million to support Ukraine's de-mining of the liberated territories temporarily occupied by Russian armed forces.
• US, France, Italy sending more arms to Ukraine despite Russia's warnings Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- The United States, France, and Italy have all announced sending more weapons to Ukraine, playing down warnings by Russia, which is carrying out a military operation against the ex-Soviet republic.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 03 Feb 2023 -- Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview.
• UK: Warplanes no 'magic wand' in Ukraine conflict Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- The United Kingdom repeats its reservation about arming Ukraine with warplanes as Kiev has requested so it can stand up to an ongoing

• Norway strengthens the Armed Forces through purchase of new tanks Government of Norway 03 Feb 2023 -- The Norwegian Government has decided to acquire 54 main battle tanks (MBT) of the Leopard 2 type from German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, with an option to purchase an additional 18 units.
• Norway Preparing for Its Largest Military Drill of the Year Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- The biennal international exercise Joint Viking includes land, navy, and air forces, as well as allied contributions. This year's edition is expected to host a total of 10,000 Norwegian and allied soldiers.
• U.S. Australia Defense Bilateral Meeting DoD 03 Feb 2023
• Austin Notes Progress on Development of Australia's Nuclear-Powered Sub DoD News 03 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. and Australia signaled their continued commitment to AUKUS, which is the trilateral security pact among Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S., formed in 2021, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023
• Blinken: US Committed to Improving Allied Defense of South Korea VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after meeting with his South Korean counterpart that the United States is committed to "improving its allied defense" of South Korea and called the alliance between the two nations the "linchpin" of peace in the region.
• South Korea, US Stage Another Joint Air Drills to Improve Military Cohesion Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- South Korea and the United States staged joint air drills for the second time this week, involving American F-22 and F-35B stealth fighters, to improve operational capabilities, the South Korean air force said on Friday.
• OPERATION SADBHAVANA IN LADAKH India PIB 03 Feb 2023 -- As part of 'Operation SADBHAVANA', Indian Army is undertaking multiple welfare activities such as running of Army Goodwill Schools, Infrastructure Development Projects and Education Tours etc. for the children living in remote areas of Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.
• ORDNANCE FACTORY BOARD India PIB 03 Feb 2023 -- To enhance functional autonomy, efficiency and unleash new growth potential and innovation in Ordnance Factories, the Government of India has decided to convert the production units of Ordnance Factory Board into 7 Defence Public Sector Undertakings. The details are as follows:
• PROJECTS OF DRDO India PIB 03 Feb 2023 -- The Government has worked out the Mission Mode (MM) projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). As on date, DRDO is working on 55 MM Projects for a total sanctioned cost of Rs 73,942.82 crore.
• Commander: IRGC real might to humiliate, defeat enemy on event day IRNA 03 Feb 2023 -- Commander of IRGC Navay said if enemy will dare to attack Iran, IRGC's response at the warfront and on the event day will be spectacular, and will defeat them humiliatingly.
• IRGC Navy developed best military equipment without relying on any superpower: Commander Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says his forces enjoy state-of-the-art military equipment and are not dependent on any superpower.
• State Dept: Biden White House Backs Sale of F-16s to Turkey But Congress Must Be Onboard Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- The US State Department supports the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, but Congress has to also be on board since it is not solely up to the department to decide on the issue, spokesperson Ned Price said.
• EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA AND THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY MEET IN LONDON European External Action Service (EEAS) 03 Feb 2023 -- Operation Atalanta Commander, Spanish VADM José M. Nuñez Torrente, chaired XIII Industry Strategy Meeting in London, hosted by H.E. Head of the EU Delegation to the UK, Ambassador. Pedro A. Serrano de Haro
• Joint Statement on the Strategic Dialogue Between Poland and the United States Republic of Poland 03 Feb 2023 -- The Governments of Poland and the United States held the 14th session of the Poland-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in Warsaw on February 2, 2023.
• Joint Statement on the Strategic Dialogue Between the United States and Poland US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Poland on the occasion of the 14th session of the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Philadelphia, PA The White House 03 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 3, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 3 February 202 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Feb 2023
• Letters to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Widespread Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan and the Potential for a Deepening Economic Collapse in Afghanistan The White House 03 Feb 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Widespread Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan and the Potential for a Deepening Economic Collapse in Afghanistan The White House 03 Feb 2023
• US: Taliban Should Meet Promises Before Seeking Legitimacy VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- The United States Friday renewed criticism of Afghanistan's Islamist Taliban for reneging on promises they would govern the country in a responsible way and respect the rights of all Afghans, including women.
• Terror network involved in Pakistan's deadly mosque bombing: official People's Daily 03 Feb 2023 -- The Pakistani police have found a network of terrorists behind the deadly suicide bombing on a mosque in the northwest Peshawar city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a senior police official said on Thursday.
• Cameroon Says Separatists Relaunch Attacks, IED Use After Death of Self Proclaimed General VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- Cameroon says separatists have killed and abducted villagers in the troubled South-West region in retaliation after the military this week killed a rebel leader and three of his men. The military blamed the self-declared general, nicknamed Transporter, for several atrocities, which the rebels deny.
• CAR's Army Defeated Most Armed Groups With Support From Russian Instructors, Ambassador Says Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- The military of the Central African Republic (CAR), with the support of Russian military instructors, has defeated most of the illegal armed groups in the country, Russian Ambassador to CAR Alexander Bikantov has told Sputnik.
• UN rights chief appeals for Israelis and Palestinians to end 'illogic of escalation' UN News 03 Feb 2023 -- As violence mounts between Israelis and Palestinians, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday called for an end to the "illogic of escalation", appealing for leaders to urgently work to resolve their decades-long conflict.
• Kenya to Reopen First Somali Border Post After 10-Year Shutdown VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- Kenya has announced plans to re-open its Mandera border crossing with Somalia as part of efforts to improve border security and crack down on smuggled goods.

News Reports

• Remarks by U.S. Department of the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson in Türkiye US Treasury 03 Feb 2023 -- While in Istanbul, Türkiye, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson met with the Banks Association of Turkey to discuss the implementation of international sanctions on Russia for its war against Ukraine.
• New York Man and Alabama Woman Sentenced for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 03 Feb 2023 -- James Bradley, aka Abdullah, 21, of the Bronx, New York, and Arwa Muthana, 30, of Hoover, Alabama, were sentenced to 11 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release and nine years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release, respectively, for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
• Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council President of Russia 03 Feb 2023 -- The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council, via videoconference.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a meeting of the United Russia General Council's Commission on International Cooperation and Support for Compatriots Abroad, Moscow, February 3, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Feb 2023
• G7 Agree to Price Cap for Refined Russian Oil VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- The Group of Seven industrialized countries agreed Friday on a price cap for refined Russian oil exports.
• Statement by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on the Announcement on the Price Caps for Seaborne Russian-Origin Petroleum Products US Treasury 03 Feb 2023 -- Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen released the following statement following the announcement by the price cap coalition to set price caps on the price of seaborne Russian refined oil products.
• Russian Envoy Tells Sputnik Moscow Will Respond to 'Ridiculous' New Canadian Sanctions Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- The latest round of sanctions imposed by Canada against Russia is "ridiculous" and Moscow will respond accordingly, Russian Ambassador in Ottawa Oleg Stepanov told Sputnik on Friday.
• Canada sanctions additional Russian propagandists Canada 03 Feb 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing further sanctions in relation to Russia's illegal invasion and attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory.
• Canada Imposes Sanctions on 38 Russian Individuals,16 Entities Including Rossiya Segodyna Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- The Canadian Government has imposed Russia-related sanctions on 38 individuals and 16 entities, including MIA Rossiya Segodyna, Global Affairs Canada said on Friday.
• The Week In Russia: Stalingrad And A 'Stupid, Criminal War' RFE/RL 03 Feb 2023 -- Seeking to subjugate Ukraine through brute force, Russian President Vladimir Putin turned to the historic Battle of Stalingrad in an attempt to justify a war that has killed tens of thousands of people, engendered countless accusations of atrocities by Moscow's forces, and clouded his own country's future.
• EU 'Deeply Disturbed' Over Navalny Solitary Reports On Second Anniversary Of Sentencing RFE/RL 03 Feb 2023 -- The European Union, marking the second anniversary of the "politically motivated" sentencing of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, says it is "deeply disturbed" over reports of his treatment behind bars.
• Pentagon: Another Chinese Balloon Spotted Over Latin America VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. Defense Department said Friday another Chinese surveillance balloon is sailing over Latin America, two days after a similar high-altitude balloon was discovered traveling over the United States.
• General Says Chinese Surveillance Balloon Now Over Center of U.S. DoD News 03 Feb 2023 -- As of noon today, the maneuverable Chinese surveillance balloon, which was over Montana yesterday, was at an altitude of about 60,000 feet and floating over the center of the continental United States in an easterly direction, posing no risk to commercial aviation, military assets or people on the ground, said the Pentagon press secretary.
• US says Chinese balloon is for spying, as Blinken delays trip Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- The Pentagon said that a Chinese high-altitude balloon flying over the U.S. had the capability to conduct surveillance and was controllable, despite China's contention it is a weather-monitoring system that had simply been blown off course.
• China rejects US' spy balloon accusation, says civilian airship deviated from planned course caused by force majeure Global Times 03 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that an unmanned airship that appeared in the US is a civilian airship from China that deviated far from its planned course, and said China will continue communicating with the US to properly handle the unexpected situation caused by force majeure.
• China says balloon flying over US is 'civilian airship' blown off course Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- China has hit back at US accusations over the balloon sighted flying over the United States, saying that the balloon is a civilian meteorological "airship" used for scientific research purposes.
• Pentagon accuses China of flying spy balloon over US; Beijing 'verifying' claims Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- Washington has accused China of flying a surveillance balloon over sensitive sites ahead of a planned visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing, with China warning against any "hype" over the issue before verification of facts.
• Pentagon: Suspected Chinese Surveillance Balloon Being Tracked Over Northern US Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- While there is no official confirmation the balloon belongs to China, US intelligence said they have "very high confidence" it is operated by the Chinese government. US defense officials also indicated that while the incident is not unprecedented, the device is staying over the US longer than usual.
• Beijing Says Speculation Related to 'Spy Balloon' Over US Inappropriate Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- Speculation on the topic of a "spy balloon" allegedly detected over the United States will not contribute to the resolution of the issue until all the details are established, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.
• US Postpones Blinken's China Trip After Spy Balloon Discovery VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed his trip to Beijing after a Chinese balloon was discovered hovering in American airspace.
• Blinken delays China trip after balloon detection Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indefinitely delayed a planned trip to China this weekend, with an official citing a "violation of our sovereignty" after a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected flying over the state of Montana.
• Blinken Postpones Beijing Trip Over Chinese Balloon in Sky Over US Until 'Conditions Are Right' Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly suspended his trip to China this weekend, citing the detection of a Chinese high-altitude balloon over the continental United States.
• US hypes spy balloon, brings 'China threat' to new level Global Times 03 Feb 2023 -- Recent signals sent from the US on China have been utterly chaotic, which may bring more uncertainty to already strained bilateral relations, Chinese analysts said on Friday. They urged the US to be more sincere in fixing relations with China instead of making provocative actions against it, especially after the picture of a white balloon made headlines in the US and some Western countries on Friday, as Pentagon officials claimed that a Chinese spy balloon hovering over Montana this week had a flight path that took it over "sensitive sites" in the US.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Unintended Entry of a Chinese Unmanned Airship into US Airspace Due to Force Majeure PRC MofA 03 Feb 2023
• China Says Balloon Seen Over US is Civilian Airship That Blew Off Course Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- China's Foreign Ministry has explained that the balloon is used for "research purposes" and that it deviated from its planned course due to winds.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with People's Republic of China (PRC) CCP Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023
• Senior State Department Officials On the People's Republic of China US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023
• Chinese Ambassador to Canada Reportedly Summoned Over Balloon Incident Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- Global Affairs Canada summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Ottawa over the incident involving a balloon flying over the country, a Canadian news agency reported on Friday.
• Statement on High Altitude Surveillance Balloon Canada 03 Feb 2023 -- A high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked by NORAD.
• Japan urged to act prudently on historical issues, Taiwan question amid NATO pressure Global Times 03 Feb 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged Japan to keep its promises and act prudently on historical issues, on the Taiwan question and in the field of military security. It comes amid efforts by NATO to seek stronger ties with the country to counter China.
• US' repeated hypes of Xinjiang-related lies only aim to make excuses to contain China: FM Global Times 03 Feb 2023 -- Relevant US remarks over China's Xinjiang region disregarded basic facts, slandered China's policy on religions, were full of ideological prejudice, and severely interfere in China's internal affairs, which China firmly opposes, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning said at Friday's routine press briefing.
• INTERVIEW: 'China's strategy is to seduce with money, reinforce with intimidation' Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- During the Trump administration, Keith Krach was under-secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment. He oversaw the development and implementation of the Clean Network Alliance of Democracies, a U.S.-led global effort to address long-term threats to data privacy, security, human rights and collaboration from authoritarian actors. In July 2020, he was also the first American diplomat to call China's mistreatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang a genocide.
• Chinese Lending at 13-Year Low; US Pledges Africa Investment VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- Recent visits to Africa by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen came as a new study found China's overseas investments in the COVID-19 era are at a 13-year low. China has invested heavily in Africa through its Belt and Road Initiative and the U.S. has also recently pledged investments, with analysts saying Washington is trying to compete with China for influence on the continent.
• CIA director: China readying for Taiwan invasion by 2027 Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to be able invade Taiwan within the next four years, CIA director William Burns said Thursday.
• 9 U.S. Congress members ask Blinken to visit Taiwan on China trip CNA 03 Feb 2023 -- Nine members of the U.S. House of Representatives have called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make a stopover in Taipei on his Feb. 5-6 trip to Beijing in keeping with the spirit of the Taiwan Travel Act and honor what he called a "rock solid" commitment from the Joe Biden administration to Taiwan.
• Taiwan Legislator Criticizes China Response to Possible Taipei Visit by US Official VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- The president of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan is calling China's response to the possibility of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy's visiting Taiwan "excessive," saying that exchanges between Taiwan's unicameral legislature and the legislatures of the United States, Europe, Japan and other countries are the norm in democracies.
• Enlarged Plenary Meeting of C.C., SPYL KCNA 03 Feb 2023 -- The 8th enlarged plenary meeting of the 10th Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League (SPYL) in the DPRK was held through video conferencing on Thursday.
• 24th Plenary Meeting of 14th SPA Standing Committee of DPRK Held KCNA 03 Feb 2023 -- The 24th Plenary Meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday.
• Statement by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the IAEA's Latest Report on Iran's Nuclear Program US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023 -- The following joint statement was released by the Governments of the France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Iranian Protesters Burn Government Propaganda Banners RFE/RL 03 Feb 2023 -- Protesters in several Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran, have set fire to government banners commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in a continued show of defiance amid unrest over the death of a young woman while in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly.
• U.S. Targets Executives Of Iranian Drone Maker In Latest Sanctions Designation RFE/RL 03 Feb 2023 -- The United States has imposed new sanctions on a previously designated Iranian drone maker, Paravar Pars, this time targeting the board of directors.
• U.S. Sanctions Leadership of Iranian UAV Manufacturer US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023 -- The United States is designating eight Iranian individuals in leadership roles at Paravar Pars, an Iranian firm that produces unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force. Iranian UAVs are being transferred to Russia for use in its brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine.
• Treasury Sanctions Board of Directors of Iranian UAV Manufacturer US Treasury 03 Feb 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating eight senior executives of Paravar Pars Company (Paravar Pars), an Iran-based firm that was previously sanctioned by the United States and European Union for manufacturing Shahed-series unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGC ASF). OFAC is also identifying two Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) vessels, the IRIS MAKRAN and the frigate IRIS DENA, as property in which the Government of Iran has an interest.
• Iran stands against US excessive demands: FM Amirabdollahian IRNA 03 Feb 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has underlined that the Iranian nation has stood against the United States' excessive demands endlessly and that the Islamic nation has achieved significant progress.
• Iran FM leaves Nicaragua for Venezuela IRNA 03 Feb 2023 -- Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian has finished his trip to Nicaragua and left for Venezuela as the second leg of his Latin American tour.
• AEOI chief terms IAEA stance on Iran as regrettable IRNA 03 Feb 2023 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami has said that one of the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had mistakenly reported changes in the Fordow enrichment facility, and the IAEA's stance on Iran is regrettable.
• Myanmar junta declares martial law in 37 townships across the country Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar's military junta has declared martial law in 37 townships across the country and authorized military tribunals to hand down life sentences and the death penalty for a wide range of offenses, a move that political and military analysts say will lead to more bloodshed, displacement and terror.
• Junta burns nearly 5,000 homes in a month, Myanmar's shadow government says Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- A series of brutal arson attacks across Myanmar destroyed 4,807 homes and burned 23 people to death, according to the shadow National Unity Government.
• Pakistan PM says 'will have to agree' to 'unimaginable' IMF bailout conditions Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the government would have to agree to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout conditions that are "beyond imagination" amid the rapidly worsening economic crisis.
• Lula says Bolsonaro sought 'coup', senator reveals conspiracy meeting Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says his right-wing predecessor Jair Bolsonaro actively participated in planning for his supporters to storm government buildings on January 8.
• Cambodia condemns US for honoring union leader as human rights defender Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- Cambodia lashed out at the United States for giving a human rights defender award to a union leader involved in a labor strike by casino workers demanding better wages and working conditions, saying the move honored "a law-breaking person."
• Why An Old Bulgarian-Macedonian Feud Over An Ottoman-Era Revolutionary Is Flaring Up Once Again RFE/RL 03 Feb 2023 -- Even this long after his death at the hands of Ottoman police in 1903, Balkan revolutionary Gotse Delchev can't find peace. Last century, the tug-of-war over Delchev's place in shared history and tightly interwoven national narratives led to his burial, exhumation, and reburial in Greece, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia.