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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Somali, U.S. forces engage insurgents in support of the Federal Government of Somalia AFRICOM 16 Feb 2023 -- At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Feb 15, 2023.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by President Biden on the United States' Response to Recent Aerial Objects The White House 16 Feb 2023
• Biden seeks 'common global norms' for aerial objects Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday he would seek new "common global norms" for launching and maintaining unmanned aerial objects, following a two-week period in which U.S. forces shot down three such objects and an alleged Chinese spy balloon.
• US media: Biden to set new guidelines on Chinese spy balloons Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- New details have emerged about the suspected Chinese spy balloon with President Joe Biden expected to deliver remarks to address the incident while Beijing continues slamming U.S. "overreaction."
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur Press Briefing in Tallinn, Estonia DoD 16 Feb 2023
• Austin Assures Baltic States of U.S. Commitment DoD News 16 Feb 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III re-emphasized that the United States is totally dedicated to the defense of the Baltic republics.
• Leaders Outline Agency's Role in DOD Additive Manufacturing Capabilities DoD News 16 Feb 2023 -- The Defense Logistics Agency is working to develop common technology, standards and processes for additive manufacturing that will enable the military services to share data and increase readiness while saving money, an agency leader said during the 7th Annual Military Additive Manufacturing Summit in Tampa, Florida, Feb. 1-2.
• Military helicopter crashes in U.S. Alabama, 2 killed People's Daily 16 Feb 2023 -- A military helicopter crashed in Madison County, the southeastern U.S. state of Alabama, on Wednesday afternoon, killing both people on board.
• US will keep its military presence in the Baltic region: Austin Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said the United States will keep its military presence in the Baltic region in Russia's backyard, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington over the Ukraine conflict.
• US Army to Order $993Mln Worth of Heavy Artillery Ammunition: Pentagon Sputnik 16 Feb 2023 -- The US Army is going to order almost $1 billion worth of 155 mm heavy artillery howitzer ammunition, the Defense Department announced.
• Wreck Site Identified as World War II Submarine USS Albacore (SS 218) US Navy 16 Feb 2023 -- Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) confirmed the identity of a wreck site off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, as USS Albacore (SS 218) Feb. 16.
• CARAT/MAREX Timor-Leste Concludes, Strengthens Regional Partnerships US Navy 16 Feb 2023 -- Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Timor-Leste 2023 concluded in Dili, Timor-Leste, Feb. 15, following six days of in-person engagements that enhanced collaboration between the Timor-Leste military and police forces and the U.S. military.
• U.S. Donates Equipment to Pakistan Navy School after Participating in Naval Exercise US Navy 16 Feb 2023 -- Members of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) donated $5,000 of equipment to a special needs school Feb. 15 after U.S. 5th Fleet completed its participation in a five-day Pakistan-led multinational naval exercise in the North Arabian Sea.
• USS Barry Departs 7th Fleet and Japan after Six Years of Forward-Deployed Service US Navy 16 Feb 2023 -- USS Barry (DDG 52) departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan Feb. 17, as part of a scheduled homeport shift following six years of service forward-deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet.
• Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Apalachicola US Navy 16 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), Feb. 16.
• Stoltenberg: 'Time Is Now' for Turkey to Approve Finland, Sweden Joining NATO VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday "the time is now to ratify both Finland and Sweden" as new members of the alliance.
• NATO chief urges bigger defense budgets People's Daily 16 Feb 2023 -- The member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should commit to spending at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense by next year, the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.
• The President: The USA plays a key role in ensuring the security of NATO's eastern flank President of the Republic of Lithuania 16 Feb 2023 -- On Wednesday, President Gitanas Nausėda met remotely with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová. The meeting was held in preparation for next week's summit between the leaders of the Bucharest Nine and US President Joe Biden in Warsaw.
• Secretary General: NATO stands with Türkiye, working to deploy shelters and tents NATO 16 Feb 2023 -- In a visit to Ankara on Thursday (16 February 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg offered NATO's deepest condolences to the Turkish people and all those affected by the devastating earthquakes of 6 February. He conveyed this message of solidarity in meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoǧan and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
• NATO Chief Pledges Support for Earthquake-Hit Turkey VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Thursday in a show of solidarity following last week's earthquake that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria.
• Press conference with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu NATO 16 Feb 2023
• US Orders Nearly $1Bln in Heavy Artillery Ammunition as Ukraine Burns Through Aid Sputnik 16 Feb 2023 -- The US Army is going to order almost $1blon worth of 155 mm heavy artillery howitzer ammunition, the Defense Department announced.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 16 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.
• Minister Joly travels to Ukraine to discuss ongoing and unwavering Canadian support for Ukraine Canada 16 Feb 2023 -- As the one-year mark of President Vladimir Putin's illegal war in Ukraine approaches, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, travelled to Ukraine to reaffirm Canada's steadfast support for the people of Ukraine and to discuss Canada's role in the path toward peace with Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, and the President's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak.
• Navy launches third domestically made missile corvette CNA 16 Feb 2023 -- The Navy on Thursday held a launch ceremony in Yilan County for its third domestically built Tuo Chiang-class corvette, naming it the "Hsu Chiang" after a river in Keelung.
• Taiwan military finds Chinese weather balloon debris on frontline islet CNA 16 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's military found the wreckage of a suspected Chinese weather balloon on one of its offshore frontline islets near China early on Thursday.
• Korea's 'Black Eagles' acrobatic team makes refueling stop at Kaohsiung CNA 16 Feb 2023 -- The South Korean air force's "Black Eagles" aerobatic team made a refueling stop at Taiwan's southern Kaohsiung airport on Thursday en route to Australia for an air show later this month in Melbourne.
• Australia to Boost Border Protection After Visa Changes VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- Extra military surveillance aircraft and ships have been sent to Australia's northern waters to boost border protection efforts. The move comes amid warnings from the conservative opposition that government changes this week to refugee visas could see a resumption in people-smuggling activities.
• VISIT OF JAPANESE NAVAL SHIPS TO KOCHI India PIB 16 Feb 2023 -- Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Uraga and Awaji made port call at Kochi from 14 -16 Feb 23.Capt Nakai Eichi, Commander, Minesweeper Division One along with Commanding Officers of JS Uraga and JS Awaji called on Commodore Upal Kundu, Chief Staff Officer (Training), Southern Naval Command and discussed matters of mutual interest. The ship's crew visited professional training schools and ship of Southern Naval Command.
• INDO JAPAN JOINT TRAINING EXERCISE "DHARMA GUARDIAN" TO COMMENCE AT CAMP IMAZU IN SHIGA PROVINCE, JAPAN India PIB 16 Feb 2023 -- The 4th edition of joint military exercise, "EX DHARMA GUARDIAN", between India and Japan is being conducted at Camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan from 17 February to 02 March 2023. Notably, in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN which is an annual training event with Japan, is crucial and significant in terms of security challenges faced by both nations in the backdrop of current global situation.
• The Netherlands - M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) DSCA 16 Feb 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and related equipment for an estimated cost of $670 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Canada deploys two Kingston-class ships to Haiti in response to the worsening security crisis Canada 16 Feb 2023 -- Today, the Government of Canada announced the deployment of two Royal Canadian Navy Kingston-class Vessels to Haiti in light of the worsening security crisis in the country. Canada is providing this assistance in response to Haiti's request for assistance as violence continues to escalate in the country.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marsudi US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Descôtes US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, February 16, 2023 The White House 16 Feb 2023
• Department Press Briefing - February 16, 2023 US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 16, 2023
• China Sanctions US Companies Following Arms Sales to Taiwan VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- China's commerce ministry announced Thursday that it was imposing sanctions on two U.S. defense companies for selling arms to Taiwan, banning them from moving goods into China or making any new investments in the nation.
• China slaps sanctions on Lockheed Martin, Raytheon over arms sales to Taiwan region Global Times 16 Feb 2023 -- China on Thursday added two major US defense contractors Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Missiles & Defense to its unreliable entities list and imposed several sanctions, including a ban on trade activities related to China and huge fines, against the firms for participating in arms sales to the island of Taiwan.
• China blacklists US firms Lockheed Martin, Raytheon over Taiwan arms sales Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- China has imposed trading and investment sanctions on American aerospace manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies over arms sales to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).
• China Sanctions US' Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Over Arms Sales to Taiwan: Authorities Sputnik 16 Feb 2023 -- Beijing labeled US defense companies Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin as "unreliable entities" and put them on the sanctions list on Thursday, citing their weapons sales to Taiwan, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 16 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Feb 2023
• Impoverished Afghans Turn To Booming Crystal-Meth Industry To Eke Out A Living RFE/RL 16 Feb 2023 -- A devastating humanitarian and economic crisis has forced millions of Afghans to find new sources of income.
• China-Philippines diplomats, coast guards communicating through bilateral liaison mechanisms: FM Global Times 16 Feb 2023 -- The China Coast Guard ship did not direct lasers at the Philippine crew, and the hand-held equipment did not inflict damage on anything or anyone on the vessel and the Philippines' allegation does not reflect the truth, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in Wednesday's press briefing. The US is trying to use the incident to undermine China-Philippines ties and instigate tension in the South China Sea, Wang said.
• Horn of Africa: $84 million appeal to support migrants along risky route to Yemen UN News 16 Feb 2023 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and partners are seeking $84 million to provide humanitarian and development assistance to over one million migrants in the Horn of Africa and communities hosting them.
• Sustained "no regrets" humanitarian efforts urgently needed in response to drought in the Horn of Africa UNOCHA 16 Feb 2023 -- Catastrophic consequences of the multi-year drought will continue in 2023, leaving communities in urgent need of assistance. Seasonal forecasts suggest a reasonable chance that the upcoming March-May rains will again underperform which, should it occur, would be an unprecedented sixth poor season. Communities will need years to recover from this historically severe drought.
• UN Security Council extends Yemen sanctions measures People's Daily 16 Feb 2023 -- The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Wednesday to renew Yemen sanctions measures of asset freeze and travel ban until Nov. 15, 2023.
• UN extends sanctions on Yemen's Ansarullah for nine months Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- The UN Security Council has unanimously voted to renew for nine months its sanctions against several leaders and top officials of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement, which has been running the Sana'a government since 2014.
• Washington 'Trying to Wrap Its Head Around' Pakistan's Security Situation, US Official Says VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- A top State Department official said the United States was prepared to work with Pakistan as the country assessed the renewed threat of terrorism. However, the official would not say whether Washington would support any Pakistani action against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan.
• Four Iraqi soldiers killed in raid foiling Daesh plots to target pilgrims north of Baghdad Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- Four Iraqi army soldiers have been killed in a counter-terrorism operation north of the capital Baghdad, which thwarted plots by Daesh terrorists to target pilgrims during the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Musa al-Kazim, the great grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the seventh Shia Imam.
• Myanmar military kills 7 villagers in Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- Residents of a Sagaing region village say they found the bodies of seven unidentified men when they returned after a junta raid.
• UN experts warn of 'catastrophic consequences' if Rohingya refugee rations are cut UN News 16 Feb 2023 -- UN independent experts on Thursday warned of catastrophic consequences for Myanmar Rohingya refugee families living in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, if life-saving food aid is slashed.
• Armenian Prime Minister Proposes Demilitarized Zone Around Nagorno-Karabakh RFE/RL 16 Feb 2023 -- Armenia has proposed creating a demilitarized zone around Nagorno-Karabakh with international guarantees as part of its latest peace plan on the breakaway region, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has announced.
• Somali Government Says Hundreds of Al-Shabab Militants Killed VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- The Somali government Thursday said its soldiers — backed by international partners and local clan militias — have killed upwards of 350 al-Shabab militants and wounded dozens more in different operations in the country's south and central regions.
• Over 200 Al-Shabaab Terrorists Killed in Somali Army Operations Sputnik 16 Feb 2023 -- The Al-Qaeda*-affiliated al-Shabaab* terrorist organization has been fighting against the Somalia government since the mid-2000s. Mogadishu, with the help of external forces, is trying to defeat the terrorist group, and is carrying out successful operations.
• Ethiopia Warns the UNHRC Could Undermine Peace Process in Tigray Sputnik 16 Feb 2023 -- According to various estimations, the Tigray conflict resulted in around 80,000 to 600,000 deaths. The crisis started in November 2020 after attacks on Ethiopian military bases carried out by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in what the latter deemed a preemptive strike.
• US$1.3 billion needed to reach 6 million people in North-East Nigeria with humanitarian assistance in 2023 UNOCHA 16 Feb 2023 -- The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for north-east Nigeria launched today requests US$1.3 billion to provide critical lifesaving assistance to 6 million people suffering from the devastating impact of the continuing 13 year long non-international armed conflict. This is an increase of 500,000 people from the 5.5 million people identified for assistance in 2022.
• Women's Protest in Cameroon Pushes Military to Release Detained Youths VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- Cameroon's military has released about 30 youths it detained as suspected rebels after a protest by several hundred women, including mothers of those detained. The women from the Southwestern town of Ekona also accused Cameroon's military of committing abuses in the region, which it denies.

News Reports

• Iran rejects presence of al-Qaeda leader in Iran IRNA 16 Feb 2023 -- Iranian mission to the United Nations on Thursday refuted claims about the presence of the al-Qaeda leader in Iran.
• US Backs UN Assessment that New Al-Qaida Leader is in Iran VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- The United States said Wednesday its assessment aligns with a United Nations report concluding that the new de facto head of the al-Qaida terror group, Saif al-Adel, is based in Iran.
• Iran says US created al-Qaeda, Daesh, rejects 'absurd' claim Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has categorically dismissed claims made by the US administration about the presence of a leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist group in Iran, saying linking the terror outfit to Iran is "absurd" as those who created al-Qaeda and Daesh are to blame for the spread of terrorism across the world.
• Notorious Tajik Islamic State Recruiter Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison In Dushanbe RFE/RL 16 Feb 2023 -- A notorious Islamic State recruiter from Tajikistan, Parviz Saidrahmonov (aka Abu Dovud), was sentenced to 21 years in prison in November on terrorism charges in Dushanbe, Tajik Supreme Court officials said on February 16.
• Can't We Just Be Friends? Russian Think Tank Rates Neighbors' Attitudes Toward Moscow RFE/RL 16 Feb 2023 -- Russia has something of a preoccupation with unfriendliness these days, so it should come as no surprise that a Kremlin-linked think tank has come up with a way to rank Moscow's neighbors from BFF to archenemies.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 16, 2023 PRC MofA 16 Feb 2023
• Biden to Speak to Xi About Alleged Chinese Spy Balloon VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- President Joe Biden will speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the suspected surveillance balloon that he ordered shot down this month, underscoring the tense relations between the two countries over an incident that has already disrupted lines of bilateral communication at the highest levels.
• US urged to reflect on China-US relations, correct wrongdoings over balloon incident Global Times 16 Feb 2023 -- The "balloon episode" continued to weigh on already strained China-US relations as Chinese authorities voiced strong dissatisfaction and opposition on Thursday to the latest resolutions passed by the US Congress, urging some US politicians to stop escalating tensions over the incident and stop smear campaign against China.
• Biden's reported plan to bar US investments in Chinese high-tech firms undermines market rules: MOFCOM Global Times 16 Feb 2023 -- Biden's reported plan to bar US investments in some Chinese technology companies undermines market rules as well as global trade practices, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson of Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) told a regular press conference on Thursday.
• China blasts US over Congress resolutions on airship People's Daily 16 Feb 2023 -- China accused the United States of political manipulation on Thursday and urged it not to "escalate the situation" after both chambers of the US Congress adopted resolutions condemning the entry of an unmanned Chinese civilian airship into US airspace.
• Top Biden China adviser steps down from role Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- A key China policy adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden will step down next month, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. The staffing change comes in the middle of a feud between Washington and Beijing over the alleged use of spy balloons.
• China to take countermeasures against U.S. entities undermining China's sovereignty, security: spokesperson People's Daily 16 Feb 2023 -- China will take countermeasures in accordance with the law against relevant U.S. entities that have undermined China's sovereignty and security in response to U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies and institutions, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here Wednesday.
• Wang Yi meets Macron ahead of security conference Global Times 16 Feb 2023 -- Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday on strengthening bilateral cooperation, upholding multilateralism, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in his first stop of his Europe trip. He will also attend the Munich Security Conference, which kicks off on Friday, where Wang will convey China's vision on security.
• Macron meets China's top diplomat, to further advance China-France high-level exchanges Global Times 16 Feb 2023 -- French President Emmanuel Macron met China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Wednesday (local time) at the Elysee Palace where Wang said China always considers France as a priority partner for cooperation, and is willing to further advance high-level exchanges with the European nation.
• Hong Kong may pause new law, but national security rules keep popping up everywhere Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- Hong Kong should hold off tabling more security legislation to avoid spooking voters at the next presidential election in democratic Taiwan, whose president Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide victory in 2020 after voicing outspoken criticism of the city's crackdown on dissent in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, a pro-Beijing commentator has said.
• UNESCO Accused of Complicity in China's Treatment of Uyghur Heritage VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- A report released by Washington-based Uyghur Human Rights Project accuses UNESCO of sanitizing the persecution of Uyghurs and destruction of their cultural heritage in China.
• China's silver protesters 'bewitched by rumors,' official social media post claims Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party's propaganda machine has cranked into action in the wake of "silver protests" by thousands of retired workers in two major cities this week, warning people not to believe "rumors" that medical insurance reforms will leave pensioners worse off.
• Older Chinese Protest Health Care Reform That Reduces Benefits VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- Hundreds of discontented Chinese retirees protested on Wednesday because of cuts to their monthly medical allowances that are part of reforms to a complex public health care system strained by three years of pandemic-related expenses.
• Taiwan remains beacon of democracy: Visiting Paraguay president CNA 16 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan continues to "serve as a beacon of democracy in the region" despite facing sustained pressure, Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez, who is on a five-day visit to Taiwan, said on Thursday in Taipei.
• McCarthy will 'definitely' visit Taiwan this year: KMT official CNA 16 Feb 2023 -- U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will "definitely" visit Taiwan this year, even though the Republican has yet to announce a timeline for a visit, according to Alexander Huang (黃介正), head of Kuomintang's (KMT) Department of International Affairs.
• S Korea White Paper calls North 'enemy' amid Korean Peninsula tensions Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- South Korea has called the nuclear-armed North its "enemy" in a new defense White Paper, signaling a further hardening of Seoul's position toward Pyongyang.
• Joint Statement by the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council Members on Iran US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2023 -- Senior officials of the United States (U.S.) and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened a meeting of the Working Group on Iran at the GCC's headquarters in Riyadh on February 15, 2023.
• Q&A: Israel Will Prevent Iran From Acquiring Nuclear Weapons Capability, Envoy Says VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- Israel's envoy in the United States has sought to clarify his nation's red line on Iran's nuclear program, telling VOA that Israel will prevent its main regional foe from acquiring a capability to become a nuclear-armed state.
• Iran's response to joint US-PGCC statement IRNA 16 Feb 2023 -- Reacting to statement of the 3rd session of US-PGCC Joint Workgroup, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said such statements are in line with old US policy of sowing seeds of discord among regional countries.
• Iran, China call for resuming full implementation of JCPOA IRNA 16 Feb 2023 -- Tehran and Beijing on Thursday underlined the need for lifting all the sanctions on Tehran so as to pave the way for full implementation of a hard-won multilateral nuclear deal - known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran, China urge closer coordination to help sanctions relief negotiations IRNA 16 Feb 2023 -- Senior officials from Iran and China on Thursday underlined the need for both countries to work more closely to help the course of talks on putting an end to the sanctions on Tehran.
• Iran offers $40bn worth of petroleum projects to China Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- Iran has offered some $40 billion worth of investment projects in its petroleum sector to China during a recent visit by President Ebrahim Raeisi to Beijing, according to the Iranian Oil Ministry's deputy for international affairs.
• Iran, China presidents urge JCPOA implementation, verifiable removal of sanctions Press TV 16 Feb 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have called for the full and effective implementation of the Iran nuclear deal by all sides and the removal of all US sanctions against Tehran in a verifiable manner.
• Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Thursday 16 February 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Feb 2023
• EP plenary: Repression against the people of Belarus European External Action Service (EEAS) 16 Feb 2023
• Political prisoners in Belarus: UK statement to the OSCE, February 2023 UK FCDO 16 Feb 2023 -- Deputy Ambassador Brown again calls on the Belarusian regime to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and to respect OSCE commitments.
• UN launches $1 billion appeal to scale-up aid operations in Türkiye UN News 16 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations on Thursday launched a $1 billion appeal for Türkiye to assist more than five million people affected by the cataclysmic earthquakes last week, the largest to hit the country in a century.
• UN issues call for $1 billion to help millions of people in Türkiye affected by devastating quakes UNOCHA 16 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations today launched a three-month flash appeal for US$1 billion for Türkiye so that humanitarian agencies can help more than 5 million people affected by last week's cataclysmic earthquakes — the largest to hit the country in a century — in support of the Government-led response.
• Muslims Rush to Aid Turkey, Syria VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- As the number of people killed by the February 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria keeps rising, so do the funding and donations from different parts of the world aimed at assisting survivors.
• Multiple Factors Hampering Delivery of Aid to Syria Quake Areas VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- The death toll from last week's earthquakes that hit parts of southern Turkey and northern Syria has reached more than 41,000, and aid groups say humanitarian assistance into affected areas of Syria has been slow.
• Nicaragua: Statement by the Spokesperson on revoking citizenship of political opponents European External Action Service (EEAS) 16 Feb 2023 -- After releasing and deporting 222 political prisoners to the US last week and stripping them of the Nicaraguan citizenship, the Nicaraguan authorities announced this Wednesday that they were revoking the citizenship of a further 94 dissidents, and confiscating their property.
• Nicaragua's Move to Strip Citizenship from 94 Political Opponents US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2023 -- The United States condemns the Government of Nicaragua decision to strip nationality from 94 of its citizens and its citizenship revocation from the 222 political prisoners released last week.
• Nicaragua Strips Over 90 People of Nationality Accused of State Treason, Media Reports Sputnik 16 Feb 2023 -- A Nicaraguan court has accused 94 people of state treason and stripped them of the country's citizenship, local media reported on Wednesday.
• Moldova Swears In New Pro-Western Government RFE/RL 16 Feb 2023 -- A new pro-Western government led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean has been sworn in in Moldova after receiving the backing of 62 lawmakers from the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) in the 101-seat parliament.
• Serbian Far-Right Leader Arrested After Nationalists Try To Storm Presidency In Belgrade RFE/RL 16 Feb 2023 -- The leader of a far-right political party in Serbia has been arrested by police in Belgrade after a rally he organized of nationalists turned violent on February 15.
• Nigerian President Gives Lifeline to Old Currency to Ease Transition VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has extended by 60 days the deadline for older currency notes to remain legal tender following violent protests over a shortage of cash.
• Nigeria's President Buhari Extends Old Naira Circulation for 60 Days Amid Currency Crisis Sputnik 16 Feb 2023 -- The redesign of the country's national currency naira was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year in a bid to curb high inflation rates and to fight counterfeiting. It was previously announced that the deadline to turn in old banknotes was February 10, after which they would stop being legal tender.
• United States to Repatriate Nearly $1 Million to Federal Republic of Nigeria US Dept. of Justice 16 Feb 2023 -- The Department of Justice announced today that it is sharing approximately $954,807 with the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) in accordance with an agreement between the governments to repatriate assets the United States forfeited that were traceable to the kleptocracy of former Governor of the State of Bayelsa in Nigeria, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha.
• Actions to Impose Visa Restrictions on Haitians Involved in Street Gangs and Other Haitian Criminal Organizations US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2023 -- "Today, the United States announces additional steps taken to support the people of Haiti by continuing to promote accountability for individuals who foment violence, corruption, and instability."
• Papua New Guinea commission to review political system, role of British monarch Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- Papua New Guinea has begun a review of its system of government that will recommend whether the British monarch should be replaced as head of state and if the prime minister should be directly elected.
• Equatorial Guinea Vice President's Superyacht, Properties Seized in South Africa VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- A South African court this week seized a superyacht and two properties of Equatorial Guinea's vice president, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. The property is expected to be auctioned to pay a South African businessman who sued him for wrongful arrest and torture after an airline deal went wrong. The vice president is also the son and presumed successor Equatorial Guinea's president, Teodoro Obiang, who rules the country with an iron fist.
• US Foreign Aid Agency Continues to Invest in Africa VOA 16 Feb 2023 -- Branching out from the usual bilateral agreements between the United States and individual nations, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) recently crafted a new type of grant to promote cross-border economic integration and trade between two African countries.