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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Shoots Down Mysterious High-Altitude Object Over Alaska VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- A U.S. fighter jet shot down a mysterious, high-altitude object that traveled into American airspace Friday, acting on orders from President Joe Biden after it was determined the object posed a potential threat to commercial aviation.
• Air Force Shoots Down 'High-Altitude Object' off Alaskan Coast DoD News 10 Feb 2023 -- An Air Force F-22 shot down a "high-altitude object" off the Northern coast of Alaska that posed a threat to civilian airliners, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today.
• US shoots down 'high altitude object' over Alaska Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden ordered a "high altitude object" shot down by fighter aircraft on Friday, an official said, a week after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was found floating across the United States.
• US Shoots Down 'High-Altitude Object' Over Alaska That Posed 'Threat' to Civilian Aircraft Sputnik 10 Feb 2023 -- The US shot down a second high-altitude object over US airspace, the White House said on Friday. A balloon downed last weekend after transiting North America was Chinese-owned, but the Pentagon has not yet made any claims about the origins of this unidentified object.
• Statement from the Minister of National Defence Canada 10 Feb 2023 -- "Today at the Pentagon, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and I participated in a call with NORAD Commander, General Glen VanHerck regarding a high-altitude object detected over Alaska. The object did not fly into Canadian airspace."

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing DoD 10 Feb 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Bilateral Meeting With Canadian Minister of National Defence Anita Anand DoD 10 Feb 2023
• Chinese Balloon 'Egregious Violation' of US Airspace, White House Says VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- President Joe Biden ordered the Pentagon to shoot down an unidentified object over Alaska on Friday, less than a week after a U.S. fighter jet fired a missile to take down a Chinese surveillance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks and DoD Senior Leaders Attend 26th Council of Governors Plenary Meeting DoD 10 Feb 2023
• Canada, U.S. Support NORAD Modernization DoD News 10 Feb 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand today discussed modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and military assistance for Ukraine's defense at a meeting at the Pentagon.
• Defense Official Says Allies, Partners Are Key to Defense DoD News 10 Feb 2023 -- Allies and partners are an integral part of the U.S. National Defense Strategy, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, said today.
• Commander, Task Force 68 Seabees and Georgian Land Defense Forces Celebrate Completion of Poti Infrastructure Project US Navy 10 Feb 2023 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, working under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68's Commander, Task Unit (CTU) 68.2.4, and Georgian Land Forces leadership celebrated the completion of a railroad loading yard in Poti, Georgia, Feb. 1, 2023.
• Gen. Langley visits West and North African partners AFRICOM 10 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley visited Senegal, Algeria and Ghana, Feb. 6-10, on his second trip to Africa in 2023.
• Philippines, US armies to expand joint exercises amid regional tensions Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- The Philippines and the United States are set to hold larger joint army exercises this year amid tensions in the region with China.
• China's defense minister snubs US counterpart over balloon shooting Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese defense minister refused a phone call with his U.S. counterpart over the balloon incident, citing the lack of goodwill on the U.S side, China's ministry of defense has confirmed.
• China joins multinational naval drills in Pakistan, contributing to safeguarding sea lines, CPEC Global Times 10 Feb 2023 -- China, together with host Pakistan and more than 50 participating countries, kicked off the AMAN-23 multinational maritime exercise in Karachi on Friday. The drills are expected to enhance the participants' interoperability against instabilities and threats in the Indian Ocean region and safeguard vital international sea lines of communication and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
• KPA Commanding Officers Visit Kumsusan Palace of Sun KCNA 10 Feb 2023 -- On the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army (KPA), all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il who performed immortal exploits for the founding and development of the Juche-oriented revolutionary armed forces.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Has Photo Session with Service Members Participating in Military Parade KCNA 10 Feb 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on February 9 had a photo session with the commanding officers and soldiers of units at all levels who took part in the military parade for celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Has Photo Session with Participants in Celebrations of 75th Founding Anniversary of KPA KCNA 10 Feb 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, had a photo session with the participants in the celebrations of the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA) on February 9.
• Defence Minister Anita Anand meets with U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, at the Pentagon Canada 10 Feb 2023 -- Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand visited the Pentagon for a bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III.
• Canada DOD: Modernizing NORAD To Include Building More Modernized Surveillance System Sputnik 10 Feb 2023 -- Upgrading of the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) will include modernization of its surveillance system, Anita Anand, Minister of Canada's National Defence, said in an event on Friday.
• Raksha Mantri calls for increased investments in Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridors to achieve 'Make in India, Make for the World' vision for shared global prosperity India PIB 10 Feb 2023 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called for more investment in Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) to achieve 'Make in India, Make for the World' as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for shared global prosperity.
• IMPORT IN DEFENCE SECTOR India PIB 10 Feb 2023 -- Capital procurement of defence equipment are undertaken from various domestic as well as foreign vendors, based on threat perception, operational challenges and technological changes so as to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness and to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.
• SELF-RELIANCE IN PRODUCTION OF DEFENCE PRODUCTS India PIB 10 Feb 2023 -- The Government has undertaken a number of policy initiatives for indigenous manufacturing of state-of-the-art technology defence products. These initiatives, inter-alia, include:
• LAUNCH OF FIRST ACTCM BARGE, YARD 125 (LSAM 15) AT M/s SURYADIPTA PROJECTS PVT LTD, THANE India PIB 10 Feb 2023 -- Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, Yard 125 (LSAM 15) was launched by Capt Prashant Saxena, AWPS (Mbi) on 10 Feb 23 at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane. With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is proud flag bearer of "Make in India" initiative of Ministry of Defence.
• 11th India-Mongolia Joint Working Group Meeting Held in New Delhi India PIB 10 Feb 2023 -- The 11th meeting of India-Mongolia Joint Working Group was held today on 10th February 2023 in New Delhi. Both sides reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and identified means to further enhance the existing areas of cooperation and articulated steps in this direction. During the meeting, both the sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defense cooperation between the two countries despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19 pandemic.
• Many nations asking for Iran-made military equipment: Defense minister Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Iran's defense minister says the country has made remarkable advancements in producing military equipment following the 1979 Revolution.
• Opening speech by the Minister for Defence Pål Jonson at the conference on security and defence within the framework of Sweden's presidency of the EU Government Offices of Sweden 10 Feb 2023
• Digital Press Briefing with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2023
• Special Online Briefing with Ambassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2023
• Department Press Briefing - February 10, 2023 US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2023
• Joint Statement Following the Meeting Between President Biden and President Lula1 The White House 10 Feb 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and President Lula da Silva of Brazil Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 10 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Moncada US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with French Foreign Minister Colonna US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby, February 10, 2023 The White House 10 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 10, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 10 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 Feb 2023
• International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers: Joint statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell and UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Virginia Gamba European External Action Service (EEAS) 10 Feb 2023 -- Joint statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell and UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba on the occasion of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.
• Bombing in Southwestern Pakistan Kills 2 Army Officers VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- The bombing of a Pakistan military vehicle in a turbulent southwestern region has killed at least two army officers and injured several others.
• Ethnic Chin rebels dispute junta claim of martial law in one key township Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- Ethnic Chin soldiers claim to have taken control of nearly all of Thantlang township in Chin state, in western Myanmar near India, despite the junta's recent declaration of martial law in the area, but residents who fled fighting say they cannot return home amid the risk of military airstrikes.
• UNHCR's Grandi lauds progress in Burundian refugee returns, urges more support UNHCR 10 Feb 2023 -- As conditions in Burundi improve, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has emphasized UNHCR's commitment to supporting refugees to return safely from countries of asylum, and their subsequent reintegration.
• Tibetan leader visits US, says Biden would meet Dalai Lama Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden would be willing to meet with the Dalai Lama in person, according to Tibetan exile leader Penpa Tsering, who met former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this week as part of his second trip to the United States in as many years.
• WFP delivers nutrition assistance to people cut off by conflict in eastern DRC WFP 10 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has for the first time in four months, delivered life-saving food and nutrition assistance to Rutshuru Territory, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 28,000 malnourished children, pregnant and nursing mothers were no longer receiving nutrition assistance due to access restrictions caused by renewed violence.
• South Sudan Accuses Kenya of Border Encroachment VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- South Sudan has accused Kenya of trying to steal disputed territory along their border after communal clashes left at least eight people dead.

News Reports

• Some Turkish Quake Survivors Rescued From Rubble, but Hopes for More Fade VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- The prospect of rescuing more people in Turkey and Syria — trapped under the rubble four days after the 7.8 magnitude and the 7.5 magnitude earthquakes — is fading, but on Friday several survivors were pulled from the ruins in Hatay province in Turkey's south, including a woman and her 6-month-old daughter.
• WHO sends health supplies to reach 400 000 people impacted by the earthquakes in Türkiye and the Syrian Arab Republic WHO 10 Feb 2023
• Turkey-Syria quake: Death toll passes 23,700 as Erdogan admits rescue efforts were slow Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- The number of victims of the devastating earthquake on Friday exceeded 23,700 people, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted that the rescue teams' response to the massive earthquakes in the south of the country was not as fast as the government expected.
• More aid reaches Syria's quake victims but it's not enough, say UN aid agencies UN News 10 Feb 2023 -- A second UN aid convoy reached northwest Syria on Friday to help victims of the still-unfolding earthquake tragedy, but humanitarians have warned that far more lifesaving help is needed, and much more quickly.
• UNHCR: Over 5 million may be left displaced in Syria by quake UNHCR 10 Feb 2023 -- As many as 5.3 million people in Syria may have been left homeless by the earthquake that struck the country and Türkiye at the start of the week, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has been rushing aid to the badly impacted parts of the country.
• WFP accelerates earthquake response in Syria and Türkiye WFP 10 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered urgently needed food assistance to 115,000 people in Syria and Türkiye in the first four days since deadly earthquakes struck the region, killing thousands and forcing tens of thousands into the freezing outside temperatures. Distributions are ongoing.
• In wake of global criticism, US issues temporary sanctions waiver for Syria Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Washington has issued a temporary sanctions waiver to allow earthquake relief funds to reach Syria, following widespread criticism that the bans are hampering international aid efforts in the country.
• Moldova Prime Minister, Government Resigns VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita announced Friday she and her government were resigning after 18 months, as Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine stifled her efforts to initiate reforms aimed at joining the European Union.
• Moldovan President Wastes No Time In Appointing PM Candidate Amid Crises Sparked By War In Ukraine RFE/RL 10 Feb 2023 -- Moldovan President Maia Sandu has nominated former Interior Minister Dorin Recean as prime minister after Natalia Gavrilita stepped down just a year and a half into her government's mandate, automatically triggering the resignation of the entire cabinet and plunging one of Europe's poorest countries into a political crisis as war rages in neighboring Ukraine.
• Ruling Party in Moldova Ready to Form New Cabinet, Head of Parliament Says Sputnik 10 Feb 2023 -- The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity in Moldova is ready to ensure the formation of a new government after the resignation of the country's prime minister, Parliament Head Igor Grosu said on Friday.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 10, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 Feb 2023
• Greetings to employees and veterans of Russian Foreign Ministry President of Russia 10 Feb 2023 -- Vladimir Putin congratulated current staff and veterans of the Russian Federation Foreign Ministry on their professional holiday, Diplomatic Worker's Day.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks following the ceremony of laying flowers at the Foreign Ministry's commemorative plaques on Diplomatic Worker's Day, February 10, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 Feb 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's greetings on the occasion of Diplomatic Worker's Day, Moscow, February 10, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 Feb 2023
• Russia has 'tools' to respond to EU's 10th package of sanctions: Deputy FM Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Russia says it possesses sufficient "tools" to counter the latest US-led anti-Moscow sanctions to be slapped later this month by the European Union on the Russian nation over Ukraine's war.
• Russia to remove euro, only keeps yuan and gold in National Wealth Fund Global Times 10 Feb 2023 -- Russia's finance ministry said will reset the share of euro in its National Wealth Fund (NWF) starting from this year, leaving only gold, Chinese yuan and rubles, Russian media reported on Thursday.
• Russia to cut oil output 'voluntarily' by 500,000 bpd after Western price cap Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Russia plans to cut oil production "voluntarily" by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said, after the West imposed price caps on Russian oil and oil products.
• Russia to Voluntarily Reduce Oil Production by 500,000 Bpd in March, Moscow Says Sputnik 10 Feb 2023 -- Russia will voluntarily reduce oil production by 500,000 barrels per day in March in order to contribute to the restoration of market relations, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.
• Defying sanctions, Russia will replace Siemens turbines with Iran-made ones: Report Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Russia will reportedly replace German-made hydropower-plant turbines with Iranian-made ones as Western sanctions have halted operations of Siemens in Russia since February 2022.
• The Week In Russia: A Long War RFE/RL 10 Feb 2023 -- The investigation onto the downing of Flight MH17 in 2014 found "strong indications" that Russian President Vladimir Putin was involved -- but ends without reaching "the high bar of complete and conclusive evidence." More than eight years later, the war rages in the Donbas and beyond.
• Chechnya Lawmakers Change Kadyrov's Title To 'Father Of The People' RFE/RL 10 Feb 2023 -- Lawmakers in the Russian region of Chechnya have approved a bill on changing the Chechen version of the official title of the region's authoritarian leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, into what can be translated as "father of the people."
• Russia Had No Opportunity Yet to Send Food as Part of Grain Deal, Russian Envoy to UN Says Sputnik 10 Feb 2023 -- Russia has not yet been able to export any food as part of the grain deal, as seizures and general licenses issued by the West for Russian goods are a sham and do not allow exporting products, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia said in an interview with Sputnik.
• Russia launches cargo ship to int'l space station People's Daily 10 Feb 2023 -- Russia successfully launched the Progress MS-22 cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos said.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 10, 2023 PRC MofA 10 Feb 2023
• China expresses strong opposition to US escalating manipulation of airship incident Global Times 10 Feb 2023 -- China expressed strong opposition and dissatisfaction toward a bill passed by the US Congress concerning the airship incident, which is purely a political manipulation by the US, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
• Fact check: Spy Balloon? What to know about Chinese civilian airship in US airspace People's Daily 10 Feb 2023 -- A Chinese civilian unmanned airship unintendedly entered US airspace last week due to force majeure and was shot down by the US military on Saturday.
• US, China Compete for Africa's Rare Earth Minerals VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- South Africa hosted the world's biggest mining investment conference this week, with industry experts in attendance saying the U.S. and China are in a race for the critical minerals — such as cobalt and lithium — that will likely power the projected transition to clean energy.
• UK Lawmakers Demand Cancellation of Visit by Xinjiang Official Accused in Uyghur Genocide VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- A group of British members of Parliament are calling on the government to cancel a planned visit by Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, due to his alleged involvement in what has been described as Uyghur genocide.
• Lawmakers, rights groups condemn Xinjiang official's possible visit to Europe Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- European parliamentarians and human rights groups have strongly objected to a visit to the United Kingdom and Europe Union next week by the China-installed Uyghur leader of Xinjiang, saying that he has played a key role in the persecution of the mostly Muslim minority group.
• Ahead of congress, police send petitioners from across China back to their hometowns Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- Chinese authorities are stepping up security measures ahead of next month's annual parliamentary and advisory sessions in Beijing, detaining dozens of people coming to the capital with grievances and forcing them to go back home, Radio Free Asia has learned.
• Xi Jinping Meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen PRC MofA 10 Feb 2023 -- On February 10, 2023, President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
• China, Cambodia open new era for building community with a shared future Global Times 10 Feb 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen on Friday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, realizing an "appointment made three years ago" and underscoring the ironclad friendship between the two countries, which celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
• Cambodia and China shore up ties with new agreements Radio Free Asia 10 Feb 2023 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen oversaw the signing ceremonies for 12 agreements with China on Friday during an official trip to Beijing, and introduced two of his sons to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
• China unlikely to launch 'major aggression' against Taiwan by 2030: U.S. official CNA 10 Feb 2023 -- Ely Ratner, United States assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said at a Senate hearing Thursday that he does not think China will engage in any "major aggression" against Taiwan before the end of this decade.
• Senior CPC official meets visiting KMT vice chairperson, stresses 1992 Consensus and countering 'Taiwan independence' Global Times 10 Feb 2023 -- Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday met with Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Beijing. Both sides expressed willingness to promote exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits, as well as adhering to the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and opposing "Taiwan independence."
• Mainland's Taiwan affairs official meets visiting KMT vice chairperson People's Daily 10 Feb 2023 -- Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met on Thursday with Andrew Hsia, vice chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party.
• Mainland, Taiwan keen on boosting cooperation People's Daily 10 Feb 2023 -- Song Tao, head of the Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs authority, met with Hsia Li-yan, vice-chairman of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang party, on Thursday in Beijing to call for strengthening of mutual trust and exchanges.
• Participants in Celebrations of 75th Founding Anniversary of KPA Tour Pyongyang KCNA 10 Feb 2023 -- Service personnel of the Korean People's Army (KPA), who attended the celebrations of the 75th founding anniversary of the KPA under the great loving care and benevolence of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), spent significant days, warmly welcomed by citizens from the first day when they arrived in Pyongyang.
• Receptions Given for Activists in Displaying Noble Traits for Assistance to Army KCNA 10 Feb 2023 -- Receptions were given for the activists in displaying noble traits for assistance to the army who were invited as special delegates to the celebrations of the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA) at the People's Palace of Culture, Okryu Restaurant, Chongryu Restaurant, Pyongyang Noodle House and other places on Thursday.
• Iranian Officials Urge Unions To More Strictly Adhere To Mandatory Hijab Law RFE/RL 10 Feb 2023 -- Officials in the Iranian capital, Tehran, have sent a letter to trade unions that calls for stricter enforcement and adherence to the mandatory hijab in stores and businesses.
• Anti-government Protests Draw Thousands in Iran's Southeast VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- Iranian activists' organizations on social media report thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of cities in Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province on Friday, including the provincial capital, Zahedan.
• U.S.-led West's refusal to accept Iran's realities basis of "wrong" policies: Iranian president People's Daily 10 Feb 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday slammed the refusal by the United States and some Western countries to accept Iran's realities, which has been the basis of their "strategic mistakes and wrong policies" on Iran and the Middle East over the past years.
• Iran says Israel involved in Isfahan drone attack, arrests main elements Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Iranian security forces have arrested the main perpetrators of a recent foiled drone attack in the central city of Isfahan, in which Israeli "mercenaries" were involved.
• US, E3 trapped in miscalculations, illusion in face of Iran: Raisi IRNA 09 Feb 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic declared its readiness to finalize the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, but the United States and the European trio (Britain, France, and Germany) have been trapped in illusion and miscalculations.
• Window for JCPOA revival not to stay open forever: FM Amirabdollahian IRNA 10 Feb 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has emphasized that there is still time to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, but the opportunity will not remain forever.
• Raeisi: Iran has been ready for deal on JCPOA but US, E3 made miscalculation Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has reiterated Tehran's readiness to reach a "fair" final agreement on reviving the US-abandoned 2015 nuclear deal, saying, however, that the delusional US and its European allies made a miscalculation by deciding to interfere in Iran's domestic affairs.
• International Media Grapples With Characterizing Myanmar Opposition Government VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar's opposition National Unity Government recently raised the argument that it has been mischaracterized by the international news media.
• Rights Groups Warn of More Torture, Executions in Myanmar as Martial Law Spreads VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- Rights groups are warning of a likely rise in arbitrary arrests, torture and executions by Myanmar's military regime after the junta's move last week to place swaths of the country that are home to millions of people under martial law.
• Pakistan says agrees to IMF conditions on $1.1bn payout, deal still elusive Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- Pakistan says it has agreed to conditions laid down by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release about $1.1 billion in financial aid, while the UN financial body says discussions are still underway to release funds critical to keep the country's economy afloat.
• Pakistan's Key Financial Bailout Talks with IMF Remain Inconclusive VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund have held days of talks on reviving a stalled $6.5 billion bailout program but have failed to reach a deal to help prevent a looming default facing the South Asian nation.
• 14th Round of Pakistan-France Bilateral Political Consultations Held in Paris Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 Feb 2023 -- The 14th round of Pakistan-France Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Paris today.
• US signals U-turn on plans to sanction India over purchasing Russian oil Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- US President Joe Biden's administration has no plans to sanction India over its continued purchase of oil from Russia, despite a US-led anti-Moscow oil embargo targeting the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine.
• Successful flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) India PIB 10 Feb 2023 -- Today, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) successfully launched three satellites into their intended orbits. In its second developmental flight, the SSLV-D2 vehicle placed EOS-07, Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2 satellites into their intended 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 37 degrees. It took-off from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 09:18 hours IST and took about 15 minutes to inject the satellites.
• More Belarusian 'Railway Guerrillas' Handed Prison Terms For Trying To Derail Russian Military Moves RFE/RL 10 Feb 2023 -- Three more Belarusian activists who were arrested for allegedly damaging railways in the country to disrupt the supply of Russian arms and troops to Ukraine have been sentenced in the eastern city of Mahilyou.
• South Africa declares national 'state of disaster' over crippling energy crisis Press TV 10 Feb 2023 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, amid mounting public anger, has declared a national "state of disaster" over the country's crippling power crisis, warning that it poses an "existential threat" to the economy and social fabric.
• South Africa Declares 'State of Disaster' Amid Electricity Crisis Sputnik 10 Feb 2023 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday declared "a national state of disaster" to overcome the electricity crisis gripping his country.
• Analysts Skeptical About South Africa's 'State of Disaster' VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- In his state of the union speech late Thursday, South Africa's president, declared a state of disaster to deal with the country's electricity crisis. The emergency powers were key to helping South Africa cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. But analysts are skeptical the added powers will hasten an increase in electricity, and they worry it could feed corruption.
• Countering Systemic Corruption in Defense of Bulgarian Democratic Institutions US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2023 -- The United States, in coordination with the United Kingdom, is taking action to counter systemic corruption in Bulgaria by designating five former Bulgarian government officials as well as five entities for corrupt acts that resulted in illicit personal gain, undermined the country's democratic institutions, and perpetuated its corrosive dependence on Russian energy sources.
• Treasury Sanctions Corrupt Elites Across Bulgarian Political Spectrum US Treasury 10 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned five current or former Bulgarian government officials — Rumen Stoyanov Ovcharov (Ovcharov), Aleksandar Hristov Nikolov (Nikolov), Ivan Kirov Genov (Genov), Nikolay Simeonov Malinov (Malinov), and Vladislav Ivanov Goranov (Goranov) — for their extensive involvement in corruption in Bulgaria. OFAC also designated four entities owned or controlled by Malinov, as well as an entity owned or controlled by Goranov.
• 'A Systemic Pattern Of Personal Enrichment': U.S., Britain Slap Sanctions On Eight Bulgarian Politicians RFE/RL 10 Feb 2023 -- Britain and the United States on February 10 announced sanctions on eight Bulgarian politicians who have served as members of parliament and held top government jobs in a coordinated action targeting corruption in the NATO and EU-member country.
• UK sanctions high profile Bulgarian figures involved in corruption UK FCDO 10 Feb 2023 -- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announces new sanctions that target 3 influential Bulgarian individuals involved in offences including abuse of public institution funds.
• Nicaragua: Statement by the Spokesperson on the release of political prisoners European External Action Service (EEAS) 10 Feb 2023 -- On 9 February, the Nicaraguan authorities released and deported 222 political prisoners, including three EU nationals, to the US. The EU has consistently called, by all means available, for their release. Although they should not have spent one single day in prison, today the EU expresses satisfaction and relief.
• Russia supports Sudan's efforts to resolve political crisis without foreign dictations: FM People's Daily 10 Feb 2023 -- Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday expressed Russia's support for Sudan's efforts to resolve the country's political crisis without foreign dictations.
• Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea Seek Reinstatement Into ECOWAS and AU Sputnik 10 Feb 2023 -- West Africa has experienced a series of military coups over the past several years that were mainly caused by terrorism-driven instability. Following coups in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, all three countries were suspended from the key regional bodies.
• New UN report warns of spike in gang attacks, 'gross human rights abuses' in Haiti UN News 10 Feb 2023 -- Extreme violence and gross human rights abuses, including mass incidents of murder, gang rape and sniper attacks, have sharply increased in Cité Soleil on the outskirts of the Haitian capital, said a UN report published on Friday.
• Nigerian Presidential Candidates Are in Final Push for Votes VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- Two of the three candidates considered front runners in Nigeria's Feb. 25 presidential rallies held their first major rallies this week., with security a key topic on the campaign trail.