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• USAFRICOM's Exercise Justified Accord 2023 begins in Kenya Army News 09 Feb 2023 -- Justified Accord is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), this multinational exercise brings together more than 20 countries from four continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.
• Military planners put final touches on African Lion 23 JTF validation exercise Army News 09 Feb 2023 -- U.S. military and interagency planners finished designing the exercise scenario for African Lion 23 at the Gen. John Shalikashvili Mission Command Center on Lucius D. Clay Kaserne here Feb. 6-10.
• CENTCOM Commander Visit to Qatar Highlights Focus on "People, Partners, and Innovation" CENTCOM 09 Feb 2023 -- Continuing a multi-country visit to the Middle East, Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, visited Qatar from February 8 to 9. During the visit, Kurilla and CENTCOM's component commanders and senior staff met with Lt. Gen. (Pilot) Salem Bin Hamad Al-Nabit, Chief of Staff of Qatari Armed Forces, and the senior Qatari military commanders and staff. The leaders discussed the current security situation in the region and the growing partnership between CENTCOM and the Qatari Armed Forces.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Bilateral Meeting With Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze of Georgia DoD 09 Feb 2023
• Georgia Scheduled for More U.S. Military Assistance DoD News 09 Feb 2023 -- In January, the Defense Department notified Congress of its intent to fund $33 million in security assistance for Georgia.
• III MSB kicks off Bushido Strike in South Korea USMC News 09 Feb 2023 -- More than 90 Marines and sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF Information Group, started their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in South Korea during Bushido Strike 2023 from Jan. 28 to Feb. 28, 2023.
• Asia Fact Check Lab: Did the U.S. balloon strike violate international norms? Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- A Chinese high-altitude balloon entered U.S. airspace on Jan. 31 and was shot down by a U.S. F-22 fighter jet on Feb. 4. China's Ministry of National Defense claimed the U.S. response was "an obvious overreaction." China's Foreign Ministry said the action "violated international norms and the spirit of international law."
• Malmstrom RED HORSE Squadron builds relationships in Philippines US Air Force 09 Feb 2023 -- Airmen from the 819th RED HORSE Squadron out of Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, traveled to the Philippines to work alongside their Philippine Air Force counterparts in a field training event, Jan. 23 through Feb. 3.
• Readout of Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall's bilateral meeting with UK Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey US Air Force 09 Feb 2023 -- Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall met with United Kingdom Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey Feb. 8 at the Pentagon to discuss strengthening U.S.-U.K. cooperation on a range of shared air and space priorities.
• USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) Conducts Port Visit to Singapore US Navy 09 Feb 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) departed from Singapore after a scheduled port visit at Changi Naval Base Feb. 5th.
• USS Lake Champlain Conducts Port Visit in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico US Navy 09 Feb 2023 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) arrived in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to conduct a port visit, Feb 5-8.
• Future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. Successfully Installs EASR Antenna US Navy 09 Feb 2023 -- The Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) antenna landed on the future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), Jan.16, 2023.
• Moscow rejects U.S. claims on Russia's failure to comply with New START People's Daily 09 Feb 2023 -- Moscow strongly rejects claims made by the United States on Russia's alleged non-compliance with the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
• Zelenskyy Addresses EU Parliament, Says Ukraine Will Emerge Victorious and Become Part of EU VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- European Union leaders welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a standing ovation Thursday as he pleaded for fighter jets to fend off Russia's nearly year-long invasion and pushed for European Union membership for his war-torn country.
• Zelenskiy Tells EU Leaders There Is No Free Europe Without A Free Ukraine RFE/RL 09 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has told EU leaders that a free Europe is not possible without a free Ukraine, as he pressed for more weapons to aid Kyiv's defense against invading Russian forces.
• Ukrainian president visits Britain for defense cooperation People's Daily 09 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday to discuss defense cooperation. This was his second visit outside his country since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• In France, Ukraine's Zelensky presses for fighter jets Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has traveled to France, his second foreign destination in a single day after the United Kingdom, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, pressing them for more weaponry, fighter jets in particular, amid the ongoing war with Russia.
• SpaceX Set to Prevent Ukraine's Army From Using Starlink Internet to Control Drones Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- Elon Musk's space company SpaceX has taken steps to prevent Ukraine's armed forces from using the Starlink satellite constellation for controlling and targeting drones as the technology was "never intended to be weaponized," Gwynne Shotwell, the president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, said on Wednesday.
• US: Chinese Military Likely at Center of Balloon-Spying Operation VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- The United States said Thursday that the Chinese balloon shot down by the U.S. military over the weekend was capable of collecting intelligence signals and was part of a Chinese military surveillance program around the globe.
• US to 'Explore' Retaliation for Balloon Flyover as White House Alleges Vast Chinese Spy Operation Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- Although the US Air Force already shot down the Chinese high-altitude balloon that flew over much of the US last week, the Biden administration is reportedly still considering further punitive actions in response to the flight. The Pentagon has claimed the balloon carried sensitive equipment for monitoring signals.
• DOD Is Focused on China, Defense Official Says DoD News 09 Feb 2023 -- A Defense Department official today stressed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that China remains the pacing challenge for the U.S. government.
• China declines US proposal for phone call between defense chiefs on civilian unmanned airship incident PLA Daily 09 Feb 2023 -- China has declined the US proposal for a telephone conversation between the defense chiefs of China and the US, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, in a statement on Thursday.
• China Seen Risking Escalation With Spy Balloon Silence VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Anger and disgust over China's decision to violate the sovereign airspace of dozens of countries and scour the globe with a fleet of surveillance balloons is giving way in Washington to larger concerns about Beijing's behavior — behavior that could bode ill for future incidents.
• Australia Reaffirms Support for Security Accord with US, UK VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles on Thursday told Parliament that the controversial AUKUS submarine deal with the U.S. and the U.K. enhances Australian sovereignty and does not increase dependence on the United States as claimed by critics. The pact was signed by Australia, the United States and Britain in September 2021 but has been condemned by China.
• Flexing its military muscle, North Korea shows off missiles-and potential new leader Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- With his wife and daughter at his side, supreme leader Kim Jong Un looked on as missile after missile was paraded past his podium as North Korea flexed its military muscle on Army Foundation Day.
• North Korea shows off advanced ICBM at nighttime military parade Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- North Korea has staged a massive military parade to mark the founding anniversary of its armed forces, displaying more intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which state-run media claimed have the "maximum nuclear attack capability."
• North Korean Leader Mum as Military Parade Rolls Out Largest ICBM Display VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- A grand nighttime event in Pyongyang Wednesday parading military hardware featured the largest contingent of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles to date, including a handful believed to be mock-ups of nuclear-capable missiles that would run on solid-fuel engines.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Shows Warm Paternal Love for KPA Service Personnel KCNA 09 Feb 2023 -- On the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA), all the service personnel and people of the DPRK are recollecting with deep emotion the blood ties between the Supreme Commander and the soldiers which are shining along the militant road of the powerful revolutionary army.
• Military Parade Marks 75th KPA Birthday KCNA 09 Feb 2023 -- The Korean People's Army (KPA) has taken the lead in accomplishing the great cause of building up a rich country with a strong army, while displaying its glory and might as the armed forces of the great Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) that built a powerful socialist country, independent in politics, self-supporting in the economy and self-reliant in national defence, for the first time in the 5 000-year-old history of the nation. 75 years of its heroic struggle are shining in the history of the Juche revolution.
• People's Delegations Visit KPA Units KCNA 09 Feb 2023 -- With the great pride in having an excellent army which has left traces of sacred service and feats in the 75-year-long journey under the guidance of the peerlessly illustrious commanders, the Korean people extend warm encouragement to all the service personnel of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
• UK and Italy agree to deepen cooperation in space and cyber domains UK MOD 09 Feb 2023 -- Defence Ministers agreed to work together to support Ukraine, as NATO partners. Further collaboration will take place through shared projects like the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)
• UK Starts Building Third Dreadnought Class Ballistic Missile Submarine: BAE Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- Work has begun on building the United Kingdom's third Dreadnought class ballistic missile submarine Warspite in the north of England, BAE Systems announced in a press release on Thursday.
• Nuclear submarine steel cut milestone supports jobs across the UK UK MOD 09 Feb 2023 -- A significant milestone has been reached in the build programme for the Dreadnought ballistic missile submarine programme.
• Singapore - Air-to-Ground Munitions Kits and Services DSCA 09 Feb 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Singapore of air-to-ground munitions kits, and related equipment and services for an estimated cost of $55 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Ministry of the Interior's report: Finland has civil defence shelters for about 4.8 million people Finnish Government 09 Feb 2023 -- Finland has around 50,500 civil defence shelters with space for about 4.8 million people. Finland has a sufficient number of places in shelters. Civil defence shelters are located in large cities in particular.
• The President and the King of the Belgians discussed defense and security cooperation President of the Republic of Lithuania 09 Feb 2023 -- President Gitanas Nausėda is on a working visit to Brussels, where on Thursday he met with King Philippe of the Belgians. The Lithuanian leader and the Belgian monarch discussed bilateral economic and military cooperation, as well as security issues.
• Philippines, Japan bolster defense alliance over 'challenging' security environment Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- The Philippines and Japan agreed to strengthen their defense alliance and to give troops from Tokyo easier access to its Southeast Asian neighbor, their leaders said Thursday, as both nations face security challenges involving China.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2023
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Tampa, Florida The White House 09 Feb 2023
• Department Press Briefing - February 9, 2023 US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 9, 2023
• Man Sentenced for Scheme Involving U.S.-Funded Military Contracts US Dept. of Justice 09 Feb 2023 -- A Massachusetts man was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for his role in a scheme in which he accepted bribes from an Afghan company in exchange for helping it deceive the U.S. military into awarding at least 10 contracts at inflated values.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 9 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Feb 2023
• Pakistan Skips Russia-hosted Multilateral Talks on Afghanistan VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Pakistan confirmed Thursday that it skipped this week's Russia-hosted multilateral consultations on Afghanistan, suggesting there are other forums in which it can more effectively contribute to the Afghan peace process.
• UN troops kill 8 civilians in DR Congo convoy attack Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- United Nations peacekeepers have killed eight civilians during an attack on their supply convoy in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Chisinau Confirms Zelenskiy Statement On Russian Plan To Destabilize Moldova RFE/RL 09 Feb 2023 -- Moldova's intelligence service has confirmed statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleging that Russia has acted to destabilize the country.
• Suspension of the Joint Investigation into the downing of Flight MH17 Australia MFA 09 Feb 2023 -- The Australian Government acknowledges the announcement by the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service and the MH17 Joint Investigation Team that they will suspend their investigation into additional individuals responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

News Reports

• Britain, U.S. Jointly Announce Sanctions Against Seven Russians Over Cybercrime RFE/RL 09 Feb 2023 -- Britain and the United States have announced sanctions against seven Russians accused of running a notorious hacking gang that launched ransomware attacks against businesses, schools, and hospitals in both countries and elsewhere in the world.
• Taking Joint Action Against Cybercriminals US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2023 -- The United States and the United Kingdom are taking coordinated action today targeting cybercriminals who launched assaults against our critical infrastructure. We will continue to work with the United Kingdom and with other international partners to expose and disrupt cybercrime emanating from Russia.
• United States and United Kingdom Sanction Members of Russia-Based Trickbot Cybercrime Gang US Treasury 09 Feb 2023 -- Today, the United States, in coordination with the United Kingdom, is designating seven individuals who are part of the Russia-based cybercrime gang Trickbot. This action represents the very first sanctions of their kind for the U.K., and result from a collaborative partnership between the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.K.'s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office; National Crime Agency; and His Majesty's Treasury to disrupt Russian cybercrime and ransomware.
• UK cracks down on ransomware actors UK FCDO 09 Feb 2023 -- The UK has sanctioned 7 Russian cyber criminals through coordinated actions with the US government.
• ISIL terror threat still high and increasing in conflict zones, Security Council hears UN News 09 Feb 2023 -- Despite leadership losses and diminished cash reserves, the extremist group ISIL, or Da'esh, continues to pose a threat to international peace and security, the UN counter-terrorism chief warned on Thursday in New York.
• UK remains committed to global fight against terrorism as threat from Daesh and its affiliates continues to grow: UK Statement at UN Security Council UK FCDO 09 Feb 2023 -- Statement delivered by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council briefing on counter terrorism
• UN General Assembly hears call for worldwide pandemic warning system UN News 09 Feb 2023 -- Epidemiologists and researchers briefing the UN General Assembly in the first of its kind science session earlier this week, called for pathogen surveillance and an open-source global early warning system that would include data from a wide range of sources and streams.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2023
• U.S. Assistance to Emergency Earthquake Response Efforts in Türkiye and Syria US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2023 -- The February 6th earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria have devastated millions. Within hours of the first quake, the United States, at the direction of President Biden, quickly mobilized federal agencies and partners to urgently provide life-saving assistance in close coordination with our Turkish Allies and partner organizations in Syria.
• Death toll tops 21,000 from Turkey-Syria quake as hopes for survivors fade Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- The death toll from this week's massive earthquakes and aftershocks in Syria and Turkey has surpassed 21,000, as hopes for finding survivors trapped are fading.
• Rescue Crews Search for Earthquake Survivors in Turkey, Syria as Death Toll Surpasses 20,000 VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Rescue crews in Turkey and Syria raced against time Thursday and a lack of equipment to find survivors buried in the rubble of buildings toppled by powerful earthquakes that struck the region Monday and left more than 20,000 people dead so far.
• Transcript of Special Briefing on Operation Dost (February 08, 2023) India MEA 09 Feb 2023
• Death toll surpasses 12,000 as quake relief in Türkiye, Syria enters 3rd day People's Daily 09 Feb 2023 -- The number of fatalities from Monday's devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria has surpassed 12,000, as chances have become smaller to find more survivors in cold weather before the golden 72 hours are over.
• First UN aid convoy reaches Syria's quake-hit northwest since disaster UN News 09 Feb 2023 -- As a UN aid convoy reached Syria on Thursday for the first time since devastating earthquakes cut off supply lines from Türkiye three days ago, UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for assurances that desperately needed assistance inside Syria would not be held up or "politicized".
• First UN Aid Convoy Reaches Quake-hit Northern Syria VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the first aid convoy reached victims in northern Syria on Thursday, as he appealed for more access and funds to assist the millions affected by the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.
• President Assad: Many countries 'under US pressure' not to help quake-stricken Syria Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- President Bashar al-Assad has expressed his appreciation of help from world countries to the Syrian nation and government in the recent devastating earthquake, stressing, however, that many countries are "under pressure from the United States" not to help the Arab country.
• Tunisia to resume diplomatic relations with Syria Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Tunisia has said that it aims to resume diplomatic ties with Syria after a ten-year interval.
• Meeting with Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev President of Russia 09 Feb 2023 -- Vladimir Putin and Vitaly Savelyev held a working meeting at the Kremlin.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to the Republic of the Sudan Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Feb 2023
• Russia targets scores of US officials in tit-for-tat sanction spree Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Russia has imposed sanctions on scores of American officials, retaliating for Wwashington's stepped-up campaign of striking Russian figures with similar coercive measures.
• Putin says Russian economy does well, shows growth despite sanctions Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that despite the West's economic sanctions against the nation, the country was doing well and economists expected to see growth this year.
• Russia, Iran Studying Use of Digital Currencies for Export-Import Operations Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- Russia and Iran are studying the possibility of using digital currencies for export-import operations, but a regulatory framework is required, Russian Ambassador to Tehran Alexey Dedov said in an interview with Sputnik.
• Russia calls for international probe after Seymour Hersh report on Nord Stream blasts Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Russia has called for an international investigation after a new report by famous American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh alleged that the United States was behind Russian Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions.
• Hersh's Nord Stream Blasts Report Shows Need for Open Investigation, Kremlin Says Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- The report of investigative journalist Seymour Hersh on Washington's involvement in the explosions at Nord Streams has once again pointed to the need for an open international investigation into the incidents and punishment for those responsible, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
• Russia Performed 100 Successful Launches of Space Rockets in a Row For First Time, Roscosmos Says Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- A Soyuz-2.1a rocket with the Progress MS-22 cargo spacecraft, bound for the International Space Station (ISS), was launched from the Baikonur space center on Thursday, according to a broadcast by Russian state space corporation Roscosmos.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 9, 2023 PRC MofA 09 Feb 2023
• China censures Biden for 'extremely irresponsible' comments about Xi Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Beijing has blasted US President Joe Biden for his "extremely irresponsible" comments about Chinese President Xi Jinping that he is struggling with "enormous problems" back home.
• Biden says US not seeking conflict with China after warnings over balloon Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- US President Joe Biden says Washington is not looking for a conflict with China, shortly after warning Beijing against what he called threats to American sovereignty.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry Says Biden Violated Diplomatic Etiquette Over Remarks About Xi Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- Statements by US President Joe Biden that he warned Chinese President Xi Jinping of losing Western investment if Beijing supports Moscow are irresponsible and violate the foundations of diplomatic etiquette, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday.
• Sherman: China has 'penetrated' UN to declaw its oversight Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- China's government has "penetrated" the United Nations, undercutting its oversight functions by stacking bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Council with its own people, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told a Senate hearing on Thursday.
• Hong Kong official slams 'violence' as court window shatters during subversion trial Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- Hong Kong Justice Secretary Paul Lam condemned "violence and intimidation" targeting the judiciary after a projectile broke a court window during the prominent subversion trial of 47 opposition activists on Wednesday, prompting police to search the area with metal detectors.
• China opposed to defining entire China-U.S. relations by competition: FM spokesperson People's Daily 09 Feb 2023 -- China on Wednesday urged the United States to view China in an objective and rational way, follow a positive and practical China policy, and work with China to bring bilateral relations back on a track of stable and sound development.
• Mainland calls on Taiwan to stop making excuses, obstructing direct cross-Strait flights People's Daily 09 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese mainland has called on the Taiwan side to stop using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to obstruct the resumption of direct flights across the Taiwan Strait, according to a mainland spokesperson on Wednesday.
• Families Of Victims Urge Diplomats To Boycott Iranian Revolution Ceremonies RFE/RL 09 Feb 2023 -- The families of those killed by authorities in Iran - including people who have died in recent mass protests over the death of a young woman while in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly - have launched a campaign on Twitter asking foreign diplomats not to participate in a government ceremony for the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
• U.S. Citizen Sentenced for Conspiring to Provide Electronic Equipment and Technology to the Government of Iran US Dept. of Justice 09 Feb 2023 -- Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Kambiz Attar Kashani, 44, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiring to illegally export U.S. goods and technology to end users in Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, in violation of the International Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
• Invoking anti-Iran charges, US lawmakers call for crackdown on Iran's drone program Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Iran's advancing capabilities to manufacture and operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have had US officials worried, with a bipartisan group of 60 lawmakers urging the Biden administration to target the country's drone program, saying it has "far-reaching implications" for American interests in the region and beyond.
• Designating Entities Involved in the Iranian Petrochemical and Petroleum Products Trade US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2023 -- The United States is designating nine entities, pursuant to Executive Order 13846, that are involved in Iran's petrochemical and petroleum products trade.
• Treasury Sanctions Companies Involved in Production, Sale, and Shipment of Iranian Petrochemicals and Petroleum US Treasury 09 Feb 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned nine entities across multiple jurisdictions that have played a critical role in the production, sale, and shipment of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum to buyers in Asia.
• US Treasury targets Iranian petrochemicals, subsidiaries in fresh sanctions Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- The administration of US President Joe Biden has imposed a fresh round of sanctions against the Islamic Republic by targeting several Iran-based petrochemical companies as part of Washington's so-called pressure campaign against Tehran.
• Iran condemns US sanctions, says Biden continues failed policy of Trump Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Iran has strongly condemned new US sanctions on a number of petrochemical companies, saying President Joe Biden continues the failed policy of his predecessor, Donald Trump.
• Raeisi: West made grave miscalculations, unable to understand Iran's realities Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the United States and the three European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal made grave miscalculations by instigating the recent riots in Iran, stressing that their ongoing bids to tarnish the Islamic Republic's image are all doomed to failure.
• FM Amirabdollahian reacts to West's machinations against Iran IRNA 09 Feb 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in an interview with American media on Thursday responded to the false claims about the recent turmoil and western media machinations against Iran.
• FM: Iran continues cooperation with IAEA IRNA 09 Feb 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic of Iran continues its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for reaching Iranians' interests.
• IAEA gives Iran's nuclear information to JCPOA opponents: Nuclear chief Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has criticized the UN nuclear watchdog for the leakage of information about the country's nuclear energy program to the opponents of diplomatic efforts to revive the nuclear agreement.
• Indonesian ex-general: Any military envoy to Myanmar must meet all parties Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- If ASEAN chair Indonesia sends a general as special envoy to Myanmar, that facilitator must be allowed to meet all parties there, said an ex-Indonesian general who aided the Burmese transition to democracy from junta rule over a decade ago.
• Visit of NSA to Moscow (07-09 February 2023) India MEA 09 Feb 2023 -- NSA Shri Ajit Doval visited Moscow from 07-09 February 2023. He participated at the 5th Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/National Security Advisers on Afghanistan on 08 February 2023.
• Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan's meeting with Director General of the Organization of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Feb 2023
• Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Thursday 09 February 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Feb 2023
• Bailout Talks Between IMF, Pakistan End Without Deal VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Talks between the International Monetary Fund and cash-strapped Pakistan for the release of much-needed funds from a bailout package have ended without any official announcement.
• IAEA's Network for Response and Assistance for Nuclear Emergencies Grows Beyond 40 Countries IAEA 09 Feb 2023 -- The IAEA's Response and Assistance Network (RANET), a group of states offering international assistance to countries responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies, has grown to 41 countries after Italy registered this week.
• Western Envoys Vow to Resume Support for Sudan Transition VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Special envoys from the European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Norway, and the U.S. have vowed to support Sudan's transition to a civilian-led government.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan Ali Al-Sadiq Ali following talks, Khartoum, February 9, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Feb 2023
• Russia's Lavrov in Khartoum backs Sudan bid to lift UN sanctions Press TV 09 Feb 2023 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has pledged support for a call by Sudanese officials to lift long-standing UN sanctions on the African nation.
• Ashgabat Exodus: Turkmen Seek Passports To Leave Poverty-Stricken Country RFE/RL 09 Feb 2023 -- With skyrocketing unemployment, runaway inflation, food shortages, corruption, and a government bent on controlling every facet of its citizens' lives, it's not surprising that people want to leave Turkmenistan.
• Release of Political Prisoners from Nicaragua US Dept. of State 09 Feb 2023 -- Today, the United States welcomes 222 individuals who had been imprisoned by the Government of Nicaragua for exercising their fundamental freedoms and have endured lengthy unjust detentions.
• 222 Nicaraguan Prisoners Released, Brought to US VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- More than 220 inmates considered by many to be political prisoners of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government were released Thursday and flown to the United States, the State Department announced.
• Haiti: UNICEF reports nine-fold increase in violence targeting schools UN News 09 Feb 2023 -- Acts of armed violence targeting schools in Haiti have spiked nine-fold in one year amid rising insecurity and widespread unrest, UNICEF warned on Thursday.
• Nigerian AG Challenges Supreme Court Ruling on Currency Deadline VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Nigeria's government is challenging a Supreme Court order that suspended Friday's deadline for the phaseout of old currency notes, saying it lacks jurisdiction. The issue of when the old currency becomes invalid has turned into a significant issue as Nigeria prepares for elections a little more than two weeks away.
• Papua New Guinea police role in Solomon Islands formalized by new agreement Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- Papua New Guinea's police presence in the neighboring Solomon Islands that followed anti-China rioting in late 2021 has been formalized by an agreement between the two countries.
• US Deeply Concerned About Malawi's Hindrance of Corruption Fight VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Malawi's government has rejected U.S. concerns that it is waging a campaign of intimidation against the country's anti-corruption chief. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe on Wednesday condemned what it called harassment of Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau director, Martha Chizuma.