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• Remarks by President Biden Ahead of the One-Year Anniversary of Russia's Brutal and Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine The White House 21 Feb 2023
• FACT SHEET: One Year of Supporting Ukraine The White House 21 Feb 2023
• After Putin Blames West For War, Biden Says Ukraine Will 'Never Be A Victory For Russia' RFE/RL 21 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden used a speech in the Polish capital on February 21 to reiterate "unwavering" support for neighboring Ukraine in its war with Russia, hours after President Vladimir Putin sought to justify Russia's unprovoked invasion and announced he'd suspended Moscow's last remaining nuclear arms treaty with the United States.
• Biden: 'Ukraine Will Never Be a Victory for Russia. Never' DoD News 21 Feb 2023 -- After an unprecedented visit to Ukraine, President Joe Biden told a Warsaw crowd that "brutality will never grind down the will of a free Ukraine. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never."
• Biden Defends Western Support of Ukraine Against Russia's Year-long Invasion VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday night in Warsaw robustly defended the Western alliance's year-long effort to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion and vowed it would not stop.
• Rallying NATO allies in Poland, Biden vows unwavering support for Ukraine Press TV 21 Feb 2023 -- US President Joe Biden has arrived in Poland after an unannounced visit to Ukraine, and rallied NATO allies, stressing "unwavering" support for the ex-Soviet republic in its current war with Russia.
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland The White House 21 Feb 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and President Andrzej Duda of Poland After Bilateral Meeting The White House 21 Feb 2023
• On-the-Record Press Call by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan The White House 21 Feb 2023
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland The White House 21 Feb 2023
• Meeting of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and US President Joseph R. Biden Republic of Poland 21 Feb 2023
• Biden Offers 'Strong Support' To Moldova Amid Rising Russia Tensions RFE/RL 21 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden met with Moldova's president in Poland on February 21 to offer support amid increasing bellicosity from Moscow as the former Soviet republic expresses fears it could be the next target in the Kremlin's sights after Ukraine.
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Maia Sandu of Moldova The White House 21 Feb 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Senior Undersecretary and Officer in Charge of the Department of National Defense Carlito Galvez DoD 21 Feb 2023
• US State Department says America's nuclear posture remains unchanged Press TV 21 Feb 2023 -- The impact of Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest statement regarding nuclear arms has not been clarified and so Americans will not change their nuke strategy, the US State Department has said.
• US military showcases airpower at Aero India 23 US Air Force 21 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. military represented combat airpower in the skies over Aero India 23 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, India, Feb. 13-17.
• USCG Cutter Spencer (WMEC 905) Arrives in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire US Navy 21 Feb 2023 -- The Famous-class medium endurance USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905) arrived in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire for a scheduled port visit, Feb. 16, 2023.
• USS Roosevelt Completes 4th FDNF-E Patrol US Navy 21 Feb 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, following the completion of its fourth Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, Feb. 4, 2023.
• CTF 70 IW Leaders Partner with JMSDF to Promote OPSEC for Mission Success US Navy 21 Feb 2023 -- Members of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70's Information Warfare (IW) team met with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to exchange IW knowledge and experience, in Funakoshi, Japan, Feb. 14.
• SECNAV Delivers Remarks at the National Press Club US Navy 21 Feb 2023
• In Finland, Guard Leaders Look to Enhance Already Strong Ties Army News 21 Feb 2023 -- The National Guard's most senior general met with Finland's defense leadership and observed military training during a three-day stop last week.
• Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.2 Begins in Israel CENTCOM 21 Feb 2023 -- Approximately 200 Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering infantry and artillery elements of the Israeli Defense Force, are participating in Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.2, set to occur at various locations within Israel from 19 February to 1 March, 2023.
• Türkiye expects Sweden's "positive steps" despite U.S. push for rapid NATO accession People's Daily 21 Feb 2023 -- Turkish foreign minister on Monday reaffirmed Ankara's demands for more Swedish steps over its security concerns despite U.S. pushes for Sweden and Finland's rapid accession into NATO.
• Putin's Reckless Decision to "Suspend" New START Will Increase Chances of Global Nuclear Arms Race Arms Control Association 21 Feb 2023 -- In a rambling attempt to justify Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine one year ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to suspend implementation of the last remaining treaty limiting the world's two largest nuclear arsenals, the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
• Presidential Address to Federal Assembly President of Russia 21 Feb 2023 -- Vladimir Putin delivered his Address to the Federal Assembly. The ceremony took place in Gostiny Dvor, Moscow.
• Putin's Speech: From Russia's Economic Growth & Military Advancements to New START Suspension Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 21 delivered a keynote speech addressing the Federal Assembly. Even though the West targeted Russia's economy, society, and military, it has failed to inflict damage on the nation, according to Putin.
• Arms Control: Statement by the High Representative on Russia 's obligations under New START Treaty European External Action Service (EEAS) 21 Feb 2023 -- The EU deplores the announcement by President Putin to suspend Russia's obligations under New START Treaty.
• Foreign Ministry statement in connection with the Russian Federation suspending the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Feb 2023
• From New START Freeze to Reasons for Ukraine Op: Key Takeaways From Putin's Federal Assembly Address Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- Vladimir Putin delivered an annual address to the Federal Assembly on February 21, underscoring that his speech came at a "borderline time of drastic changes in the world, defining the future of the entire country."
• West Warns Of Instability As Putin Suspends Russian Participation In Nuclear Treaty RFE/RL 21 Feb 2023 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia is suspending its participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the last remaining nuclear arms accord with the United States, further raising concerns over global security during Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Putin: Russia to Suspend Participation in START Nuclear Treaty VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday he is suspending Moscow's participation in the New START treaty, the last remaining U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control pact.
• Putin Announces Suspension of New START Treaty, Orders New Strategic Systems Be Put on Combat Duty Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- The Russian president made the announcement during the course of a major annual address to lawmakers on Tuesday that focused on the security crisis in Ukraine and the broader global tensions between the West and Russia.
• Russia blames US for decision to suspend New START treaty Press TV 21 Feb 2023 -- Russia says it has concluded that the United States has been in violation of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty, accusing Washington of being in non-compliance with its provisions and of trying to undermine Russia's national security.
• New START Suspension Bill Submitted to Russian State Duma, to Be Considered on Wednesday Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- The presidential bill to suspend Russia's participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) has been submitted to the State Duma, the Russian parliament's lower house speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, told reporters.
• Russia to Continue Complying With New START Quantitative Restrictions, ICBM Notifications Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- During his address to the Federal Assembly, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Putin emphasized that Russia did not withdraw the accord, but merely froze it, and could return to the deal under certain circumstances.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to questions from the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin TV programme, Moscow, February 21, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2023
• Political Momentum Grows for Sending F-16 Jets to Ukraine VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- Since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of his country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's pleas to the U.S. for advanced fighter jets have gone largely unanswered, but even as experts warn that the planes might not make much of a near-term difference in the conflict, the idea is gaining support.
• EU Mulls Using Own Budget to Finance Purchase of Weapons for Ukraine, Reports Suggest Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- The European Union is considering the possibility of using its own budget to finance purchases of weapons and ammunition supplied to Ukraine, UK press reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
• Zelensky Says US, Ukraine Working on Delivery of Arms Not Previously Supplied to Kiev Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday, following the meeting with US President Joe Biden in Kiev, that Ukraine and the United States are working on the delivery of arms, including long-range weapons, that have yet to be supplied to Kiev.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 21 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.
• Ukraine: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba and NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg European External Action Service (EEAS) 21 Feb 2023
• NATO Secretary General welcomes Ukraine Foreign Minister Kuleba and EU High Representative Borrell to NATO Headquarters NATO 21 Feb 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and EU High Representative Josep Borrell to NATO Headquarters today (21 February 2023).
• Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell NATO 21 Feb 2023
• What Joint Drills With South African, Russian Navies Mean for China VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- South Africa is under fire for hosting joint naval exercises with Russia during the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, with critics saying it will be a propaganda victory for Moscow. But what does the third participant in the drills, China, have to gain from the tripartite exercises taking place this week?
• China seals deal to export L15 trainer jet to UAE, displays Y-20 cargo plane & FC-31 stealth fighter at expo Global Times 21 Feb 2023 -- China's aviation industry announced on Tuesday that a deal to export the domestically developed L15 advanced trainer jet to the UAE has been sealed, as it put the latest, aerial refueling-capable variant of the aircraft on display at an ongoing defense expo in Abu Dhabi, with experts hailing the aircraft as one of the best trainers in the world.
• Military's new shooting training simulates real battlefield: Army CNA 21 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's Army held a media event Tuesday to showcase its new shooting training program that puts more of an emphasis on simulating real battlefield conditions so that soldiers are better prepared for real combat environments.
• Taiwan's President Says Taipei Will Strengthen Military Ties With US VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's president said the self-ruled island will deepen its military ties with the United States.
• Raksha Mantri holds telephonic conversation with UK Secretary of State for Defence; Discusses ways to enhance defence industrial cooperation India PIB 21 Feb 2023 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with UK Secretary of State for Defence Mr Ben Wallace on February 21, 2023. The conversation was cordial, positive and focused on future growth of the bilateral defence relationship. Both Ministers discussed a wide range of defence and security issues, including regional developments and the Indo-Pacific.
• KEEL LAYING OF SECOND SHIP (BY 524, MALWAN) AND THIRD SHIP (BY 525, MANGROL), AT M/S CSL, KOCHI, ON 21 FEB 23 India PIB 21 Feb 2023 -- Keel laying of Second ship (BY 524, Malwan) and third ship (BY 525, Mangrol) of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) (CSL) project was presided by R Adm Sandeep Mehta, ACWP&A and R Adm I B Uthaiah, DG WDB, respectively on 21 Feb 23, in presence of Shri Madhu S Nair, CMD, CSL and other senior officials of Indian Navy and CSL at M/s CSL, Kochi.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias Before Their Meeting and the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue Kick-Off US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Niki Lymperaki of Mega TV US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Greek Opposition Leader Alexis Tsipras US Dept. of State 21 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 21, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 21 February 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Feb 2023
• The international community must make UN peacekeeping fit for today's challenges UK FCDO 21 Feb 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the opening plenary and general debate on peacekeeping operations
• Busiest Crossing on Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Remains Closed for Third Day VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban authorities were in talks Tuesday to resolve differences that led to the closure of their busiest border crossing two days ago, stranding thousands of cargo trucks and travelers on both sides, according to officials in both countries.
• Junta shelling injures 4, forces more than 1,000 to flee Kayin state town Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar's military shelled residential areas of a town in Kayin state, injuring four civilians including a small child.
• China increases surveillance, security in run-up to Tibetan New Year celebrations Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese government has imposed intense restrictions on residents of Tibet's capital for the Tibetan New Year, with security forces ramping up surveillance and monitoring of residents and conducting random searches, Tibetans inside the region said.
• Somali Security Forces Overpower Al-Shabab Attackers in Mogadishu VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- Somali security forces have ended a more than 7-hour-long siege of al-Shabab militants at a residential building in the east of Mogadishu, the Somali government said.
• Amidst ongoing human rights violations, the UK urges parties across Central Africa to work towards a peace process UK FCDO 21 Feb 2023 -- Statement by Alice Jacobs, UK Deputy Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Central Africa
• UNHCR and partners appeal for US$1.3 billion to support South Sudanese refugees UNHCR 21 Feb 2023 -- To protect and assist 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees in the region this year, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with 108 humanitarian and development partners, is today appealing for US$1.3 billion. The funds will go towards supporting South Sudanese refugees and their local host communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.
• UN Security Council condemns attack on UN peacekeepers in Mali People's Daily 22 Feb 2023 -- The UN Security Council strongly condemned Tuesday's attack against the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, which left three peacekeepers from Senegal dead and five others injured.
• Mali: Three UN peacekeepers killed in explosive attack UN News 21 Feb 2023 -- Three peacekeepers in Mali were killed and five others seriously injured when their vehicle hit an explosive device, the UN Mission in the country, MINUSMA, reported on Tuesday.
• Scores Killed in Cameroon's Battles with Separatists Ahead of Senate Elections VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- Cameroon's military says it has killed scores of armed separatists in clashes this month and at least 15 have surrendered. The rebels, who vowed to disrupt March senate elections in Cameroon's western regions, claim to have killed scores of government troops.
• Philippine shift to territorial defense downplays internal security challenges Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- Gunmen killed four police officers last week in a roadside ambush targeting the governor of Lanao del Sur, a province in the southern Philippines.

News Reports

• Blinken tells China's top diplomat balloon 'unacceptable violation of US sovereignty' Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- China and the U.S. continued to trade accusations over the suspected spy balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast earlier this month as the two countries' top diplomats met.
• ISS Crew to Remain on Orbital Outpost for an Extra Six Months VOA 21 Feb 2023 -- Two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut will remain aboard the International Space Station for an extra six months because of damage to their Russian spacecraft.
• UN Security Council debates Nord Stream pipeline incidents UN News 21 Feb 2023 -- The Security Council on Tuesday heatedly debated Russia's request for a UN-led inquiry into the September explosions along the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
• Russia-Africa Summit to Bring Cooperation to New Level, Russian Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- In 2023, the Russian-African ties are developing further. Russia is holding joint naval exercises with China and South Africa and is preparing to host the second Russia-Africa Summit in summer. At the same time, this year is marked by the Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov's visits to African countries in January and February.
• Russia, China must stick together against West: Russian official Press TV 21 Feb 2023 -- Nikolay Patrushev, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, has told China's top diplomat that the two countries must stick together over a range of issues against the West.
• In Latest Diatribe Against West, Putin Tries To Normalize War, Isolation For Russians RFE/RL 21 Feb 2023 -- One of the few concrete proposals that Russian President Vladimir Putin made during his nearly two-hour address to the nation was that all participants in the "special military operation" - as the Russian government calls its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last February -- should be granted two weeks' home leave every six months.
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo on International Sanctions Against Russia US Treasury 21 Feb 2023
• 20th CPC Central Committee to hold 2nd plenary session Global Times 21 Feb 2023 -- The second plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will be held from February 26 to 28 in Beijing, according to a decision made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Tuesday. Experts said the upcoming meeting is making full political preparations for China's orderly orchestrated development plan after the country successfully fought the COVID-19.
• 20th CPC Central Committee to hold 2nd plenary session People's Daily 21 Feb 2023 -- The second plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will be held from Feb. 26 to 28 in Beijing, according to a decision made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Tuesday.
• China releases Global Security Initiative Concept Paper, 'a timely, necessary and targeted' blueprint for tackling hotspot issues Global Times 21 Feb 2023 -- China released a Global Security Initiative (GSI) Concept Paper on Tuesday, fully elaborating a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept and providing China's wisdom in tackling growing risks and challenges in traditional and non-traditional security areas. Chinese diplomats and experts hailed the release of the document as timely, necessary and targeted, saying that it provides a detailed blueprint in tackling global and regional hotspot issues in an effective way, especially further clarifying China's peace-promoting position on the Ukraine crisis.
• China issues Global Security Initiative (GSI) Concept Paper, calling to resolve disputes through dialogue and rejecting power politics Global Times 21 Feb 2023 -- A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, China announced in the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper it released on Tuesday amid growing risks and challenges that the world faces today, particularly in light of the Ukraine crisis, with the aim of eliminating the root causes of international conflicts and improving global security.
• Malicious intention behind US' fake news about China supplying weapons to Russia: Chinese FM Global Times 21 Feb 2023 -- What are the intentions behind the US in spreading false information about China "providing weapons" for the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Where is the conscience of the US, the world's largest arms provider, when its military industry is making a fortune from the battlefield in Ukraine? The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday in response to recent remarks of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about China considering arming Russia with lethal support.
• Wang Yi Touts Rock-Solid Ties With Russia as Moscow Lauds 'More Just' Order Two Nations are Building Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- Russia and China have ramped up bilateral economic, trade, and diplomatic cooperation over the past year amid the expansion of the Ukraine crisis into a full-on proxy conflict between Moscow and the West. At the same time, Russia has reiterated that the Taiwan issue is China's internal matter, and called on the US and its allies to butt out.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 21, 2023 PRC MofA 21 Feb 2023
• Public increasingly optimistic about U.S. troops coming to Taiwan's aid: Poll CNA 21 Feb 2023 -- The percentage of people who believe that the United States will send troops to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion is increasing, according to a new opinion poll released Tuesday.
• Visiting U.S. lawmakers meet with President Tsai CNA 21 Feb 2023 -- A visiting United States House of Representatives delegation led by Democrat Ro Khanna met with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in Taipei Tuesday.
• Any separatist act of soliciting foreign support will only backfire, FM warns as Tsai vows to enhance military ties with US Global Times 21 Feb 2023 -- Any separatist attempt or act of soliciting foreign support to undermine cross-Straits relations will only backfire and will not succeed, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday when asked to comment on reports that Taiwan authorities will boost military exchanges with the US after the island's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen met with US lawmakers.
• US-China war over Taiwan would be biggest since WWII, Australian expert says Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- The United States cannot win a war against China over Taiwan, four Australian defense experts have said in a series of interviews conducted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
• China Slams US For 'Double Standards' Over North Korea Nuclear Issue, Says Sanctions a 'Dead End' Sputnik 21 Feb 2023 -- The Security Council met on Monday after North Korea conducted yet another short-range ballistic missile test, firing two missiles towards its eastern waters in a warning to the United States, which is continuing to flex its military muscles near the country's border.
• World leaders condemn North Korea's latest missile launch Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- The leaders of the G-7 have joined the condemnation of North Korea's weekend missile launch, calling the test a "reckless" threat to peace, as experts said Pyongyang is verging on the ability to launch missiles that can strike the continental United States without "re-entry" issues.
• Iran, Russia emphasizes necessity of continuing cooperation with independent nations to fight against unilateralism ISNA 21 Feb 2023 -- Russian deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, who is visiting Tehran for consultations over issues of mutual interest, has met with Ali Bagheri the Iranian deputy foreign minister for political affairs.
• Iran, Russia highlight need for expanding, strengthening cooperation ISNA 21 Feb 2023 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, who is visiting Tehran for talks with his Iranian counterpart, met with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
• West's concerns about Iran's nuclear program resemble 'crocodile tears': Russia Press TV 21 Feb 2023 -- A senior Russian diplomat says the concerns raised repeatedly by Western countries in their media about Iran's nuclear program are no more than "crocodile tears" as the issue can be resolved in a diplomatic manner.
• Iran: EU sanctions further expose bloc's miscalculation, deviation from dialogue Press TV 21 Feb 2023 -- European Union's fresh sanctions against a number of Iranian entities and individuals were illegal and "another failed miscalculation" by the bloc, an Iranian ambassador says.
• Iranian Foundation Praises Rushdie's Alleged Attacker, Offers Gift Of Farmland RFE/RL 21 Feb 2023 -- An Iranian foundation close to the country's Islamic government has praised the man who is accused of violently attacking novelist Salman Rushdie last year, leaving the writer severely injured, and said it was offering him a reward of farmland.
• German foreign minister: No legal grounds to designate Iran's IRGC as 'terrorist' entity Press TV 21 Feb 2023 -- Germany says there is no legal basis for blacklisting Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a "terrorist organization," echoing earlier remarks made last month by the European Union's foreign policy chief.
• Myanmar junta's confiscation of food, medicine leaves Kayah state residents at risk Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- Residents and internally displaced persons in Myanmar's war-torn Kayah state are facing a humanitarian emergency as junta forces confiscate food and medicine at dozens of security checkpoints along major land routes in the southeastern state as fighting there intensifies, local sources said.
• Myanmar junta's switch to electronic voting won't bode well for voters, analysts say Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- Myanmar's ruling junta is considering the use of electronic voting machines in an upcoming election, a move that poses security risks for those who vote against military-backed parties and allow the regime to manipulate the votes using census data, analysts say.
• Earthquake relief: NATO Allies and partners airlift tents to Türkiye NATO 21 Feb 2023 -- A C-17 heavy cargo aircraft on Tuesday (21 February 2023) arrived at Incirlik airport in Türkiye carrying 500 tents for hundreds of people displaced by the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February.
• 1.5 million now homeless in Türkiye after quake disaster, warn UN development experts UN News 21 Feb 2023 -- As the death toll from the 6 February earthquake disaster topped 41,000 in Türkiye, UN development experts said on Tuesday that 1.5 million people have been made homeless in the south of the country, where at least 500,000 new homes will need to be built.
• United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria a.i., Mike Robson, statement on strikes on central Damascus UNOCHA 21 Feb 2023 -- The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria a.i., Mr Mike Robson, is deeply concerned about Sunday strikes on the Kafer Souseh neighbourhood in central Damascus.
• Forgiveness And Unity? Japarov's Dubai Gathering Of All Former Kyrgyz Presidents Causes Surprise, Alarm RFE/RL 21 Feb 2023 -- There is a monument in the center of Kyrgyzstan's capital that honors the people killed amid political turbulence more than a dozen years ago.