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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Feb. 15 Summary of Red Sea activities CENTCOM 16 Feb 2024 -- On Feb. 15, at approximately 4:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The missile was headed toward MV Lycavitos, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned and operated bulk carrier. The ship reported no injuries but very minor damage in the attack and continued its voyage.
• US Cyberattack Hit 2 Iranian Military Ships in Red Sea VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- The United States carried out a cyberattack earlier this month against two Iranian military ships as part of its multipronged response to the killing of three U.S. soldiers by Iran-backed proxies, VOA has confirmed.
• Missiles strike US-occupied base in eastern Syria: Report Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- A military base in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, where US occupation troops and their allied militants are stationed, has come under a missile attack amid rising anti-US sentiments over Washington's support for the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army Corps of Engineers provides global infrastructure support Army News 16 Feb 2024 -- The approximately 37,000 members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work year-round to provide emergency response, environmental support, and infrastructure upgrades to customers in more than 130 countries worldwide.
• Ratner Describes Strategy Driven Changes in Indo-Pacific DoD News 16 Feb 2024 -- In only two years, U.S. officials have made many positive inroads with allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific.
• DOD Releases Strategy to Build Resilient, Healthy Environments for Service Members and Families DoD News 16 Feb 2024 -- The Defense Department released a new strategy this week aimed at ensuring the U.S. military installations throughout the world support the quality-of-life needs of service members, military families and the civilian workforce well into the future.
• Navy to Commission Future Expeditionary Sea Base USS John L. Canley US Navy Press Release 16 Feb 2024 -- The Navy will commission the future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) as the newest Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB) during a 10:00 a.m. PST ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 17, in Coronado, California.
• Joint press statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Minister-President of Bavaria, Markus Söder NATO 16 Feb 2024
• NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 16 Feb 2024 -- NATO strengthens its defence posture and shall continue supporting Ukraine in countering the Russian aggression - these were the key topics of the recent Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels
• NATO Draws Up Plan to Deploy Forces in Europe in Event of Conflict With Russia - Reports Sputnik 16 Feb 2024 -- NATO's Joint Support and Enabling Command center in Germany is drawing up a plan for the deployment of the alliance's forces across Europe, including their support and reinforcement in the event of a conflict with Russia, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Friday, citing unnamed officials.
• NATO defence ministers discuss strengthening bloc's deterrence, support to Ukraine People's Daily 16 Feb 2024 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) sought to further strengthen the bloc's deterrence and defence, and support to Ukraine, at its defence ministers meeting here on Thursday.
• US Suggests Russia Can Be Talked Out of Launching New Anti-Satellite System VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- Russian plans to launch a new, space-based anti-satellite weapon system that could potentially wreak havoc on Earth are not set in stone, according to U.S. President Joe Biden, who suggested Friday that there was a still a chance to persuade Moscow to change course.
• On Tour For 'New Security Architecture,' Zelenskiy Signs Key Agreement With Germany As Ukraine Withdraws From Southern Avdiyivka RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz signed a key security agreement on February 16 between their countries before the Ukrainian leader travels to France to initial a similar deal with President Emmanuel Macron.
• Ukraine, France Set to Sign Bilateral Security Agreement in Paris VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Paris Friday, where France and Ukraine are set to sign a bilateral security agreement.
• Agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and France President of Ukraine 16 Feb 2024
• In Paris, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron signed the Agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and France President of Ukraine 16 Feb 2024
• Ukraine has never had more powerful documents than the one signed today with Germany - Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the negotiations with Olaf Scholz President of Ukraine 16 Feb 2024
• Agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Germany President of Ukraine 16 Feb 2024
• In Berlin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olaf Scholz signed a security agreement between Ukraine and Germany in the framework of the G7 Vilnius Declaration President of Ukraine 16 Feb 2024
• War in Ukraine - The arms and military equipment Germany is sending to Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 16 Feb 2024 -- 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.
• Federal Chancellor Scholz and Ukrainian President Zelensky have signed an agreement on long-term security commitments. The Federal Chancellor said he was shocked to hear of Alexei Navalny's death. Germany - Federal Government 16 Feb 2024 -- Following his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz highlighted the special quality of relations between Germany and Ukraine, while also paying tribute to the resilience of all the brave Ukrainian women and men.
• "For as long as it takes": Ukraine's security is also our security Germany Federal Foreign Office 16 Feb 2024 -- As part of the G7, we have agreed with Ukraine that bilateral security assurances will be negotiated. Today, Germany was the second country to conclude the negotiations. Read more to find out what the Agreement says and what it means.
• Senior Defense Official Holds A Background Briefing on the Outcomes of the 19th Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting DoD 16 Feb 2024
• Official Says Without U.S. Funding, Ukraine's Defense Will Likely Collapse DoD News 16 Feb 2024 -- Despite generous military support for Ukraine by allies and partners, unless Congress passes the Defense Department's supplemental funding request, Ukraine will not be able to defend itself against Russian aggression, a senior defense official told the news media today.
• Swift response validates Cope North partnerships Australia DOD 16 Feb 2024 -- During Exercise Cope North 24, Royal Australian Air Force and United States Air Force assets and personnel were rapidly re-tasked to respond to a real-world aeromedical evacuation (AE).
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: DAC clears capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 84,560 crore to boost the capabilities of the Armed Forces & Indian Coast Guard India PIB 16 Feb 2024 -- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, accorded approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 84,560 crore
• US, allies' academia collaborated with Iran university on drone research: Report Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- A report has unveiled that academics from prestigious universities in the US, the UK, and Australia collaborated with a prominent Iranian university on research concerning unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones.
• IRGC Commander Hails Iran's Missile and Drone Power, Teases New Naval Drone Capabilities Sputnik 16 Feb 2024 -- Iran's military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have spent months on high alert in anticipation of possible Israeli and US aggression to escalate the Gaza crisis into a regional crisis, with Tehran warning Washington and its top regional ally that any provocation would be met with a swift response.
• Munich Security Conference To Focus On War In Ukraine, Trump's View Of NATO RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on February 16 is due to open the 60th Munich Security Conference at a critical time as the U.S. presidential election campaign heats up with a rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden looking likely and with a major U.S. military aid package for Ukraine bogged down in the House of Representatives.
• Remarks by Vice President Harris at the Munich Security Conference | Munich, Germany The White House 16 Feb 2024
• Vice President Harris Rejects Isolationism, Authoritarianism, and Recent Attacks on NATO While Making Forceful Case for America's Continued Global Leadership During Munich Security Conference The White House 16 Feb 2024
• Harris Affirms U.S. Commitment to Stand With Allies, Lead in 'Unsettled Times' DoD News 16 Feb 2024 -- Vice President Kamala Harris today underscored the critical role of U.S. leadership as world leaders confront global conflicts and threats to international peace and stability.
• In Munich, Guterres calls for new global order that works for all UN News 16 Feb 2024 -- Global governance in its present form is entrenching divisions and fuelling discontent, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told world leaders attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday.
• Secretary-General's remarks to the Munich Security Conference: Growing the Pie: A Global Order that works for Everyone UN Secretary-General 16 Feb 2024
• UN Chief: Current Global Order Fails Millions VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- The U.N. secretary-general told the Munich Security Conference Friday that the current global order is not working and that millions of ordinary people are paying "a terrible price."
• Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols and Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Ramin Toloui Previewing Secretary Blinken's Upcoming Travel to Argentina and Brazil US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Denkov and Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Robert Golob of Slovenia The White House 16 Feb 2024
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan En Route Pittsburgh, PA The White House 16 Feb 2024
• Deputy Secretary Campbell's Call with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Okano US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Al-Sudani of Iraq The White House 16 Feb 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with German Vice Chancellor and Economic Minister Habeck US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 16, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 16 February 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Feb 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• 24h Operational Update: IDF Troops Strike Hamas Terrorist Infrastructure in Joint Ground and Aerial Operations Israel Defense Forces 16 Feb 2024
• Israel Planning Offensive on Gaza's Rafah Despite International Outcry VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Friday that Israel was "thoroughly planning" a military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite growing international concerns about the safety of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge there.
• Feb. 15: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 16 Feb 2024
• Death toll of Gaza war mounts to 28,663 IRNA 16 Feb 2024 -- 133 days past the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, the death toll in the occupied Palestinian territory has mounted to 28,663, according to local media.
• Gaza Health Officials Say 5 Die After Israeli Forces Raid Hospital VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- Israeli forces searched the grounds of southern Gaza's Nasser Hospital hospital Friday, a day after raiding the complex. The hospital's generators stopped working after the raid, the Hamas-controlled Gazan health ministry said, and five patients in intensive care died when their oxygen was cut off.
• Israel kills Hamas, Hezbollah commanders, vows to expand attacks People's Daily 16 Feb 2024 -- Israel announced on Thursday that its forces killed two commanders from Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while vowing to expand the attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.
• Situation Around Rafah Does Not Require Additional Measures Against Israel - ICJ Sputnik 16 Feb 2024 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Friday that the situation around Rafah does not require the introduction of any additional measures against Israel that are being demanded by South Africa.
• Lifesaving medical care collapsing under assault in Gaza: WHO UN News 16 Feb 2024 -- The largest remaining hospital in southern Gaza is "barely functional", the UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday amid reports of intense attacks by Israeli forces.
• UNRWA Situation Report #78 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (All information from 13-14 February 2024, is valid as of 14 February 2024 at 22:30 (local time)) UNRWA 16 Feb 2024
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with President Herzog of Israel The White House 16 Feb 2024
• Iranian, Saudi foreign ministers discuss developments in Gaza, Rafah Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia have discussed regional and international issues, most notably the recent developments in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the strip amid Israel's savage attacks.
• Arab countries 'increasingly restricting' US action against Iran amid Gaza war: Report Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- A number of Arab countries are reportedly "increasingly restricting" the United States and its allies from conducting attacks from their soil against Iran and resistant groups in the West Asia region amid the Israeli onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Ireland pledges funding for UNRWA after US-led withdrawal of support Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Ireland has pledged €20 million ($16.7 million) funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees after the US and its allies suspended their assistance for the agency based on unsubstantiated Israeli allegations.
• Brazil: No explanation for Israel's behavior in Gaza Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said Israel's behavior in the Gaza Strip, which is enduring a genocidal war by the occupying regime, is beyond explanation.
• Egypt Building Wall Near Gaza Strip's City of Rafah - Reports Sputnik 16 Feb 2024 -- A wall commissioned by the Egyptian army is being constructed on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip near the latter's city of Rafah, which is the target of a planned Israeli ground offensive, the New York Times reported on Friday, having analyzed satellite images and videos and citing construction workers.
• "Our goal is to establish immediate ceasefire and ensure uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 16 Feb 2024 -- Addressing citizens in Giresun, President Erdoğan said: "Israel's massacres in Gaza have been escalating. Israel, which cannot break the Gazan people's resistance and determination through bombs, is starving them into surrender. Our goal is to establish immediate ceasefire and ensure uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza as much as needed."
• Lebanon lodges complaint at UN against Israel over deadly strikes Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Lebanon's permanent mission to the United Nations has filed a formal complaint before the UN Security Council following the death of at least 10 civilians in two Israeli airstrikes in the south of the country.
• Six members of Hezbollah, Amal killed in south Lebanon Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance group and Amal movement have announced that six of their members were killed in Israeli strikes in the country's south.
• Israel to 'pay with blood' price of killing Lebanese civilians: Nasrallah Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- The secretary general of Lebanon's Hezbollah says the Israeli regime will "pay with blood" the price for the recent killing of civilians in the country's south, stressing that the massacre will not force the resistance movement to back down from supporting Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Two Israeli settlers killed in Kiryat Malakhi retaliatory shooting Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Kiryat Malakhi in the southern part of the 1948-occupied Palestinian territories.
• US Reinstates Sanctions on Yemen's Houthi Rebels, Effective Friday VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- The United States has reinstated sanctions on Yemen's Houthi rebels effective Friday, following their continued attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, endangering maritime security.
• 'Pillaging': Firms warned of legal action over Israeli gas exploration off Gaza Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Palestinian rights groups have warned that the energy companies awarded licenses by the Israeli occupation regime to explore for gas off the besieged Gaza Strip's coast could face legal action for the violation of Palestinian maritime sovereignty.

Other Conflicts

• Philippines launches patrols around disputed shoal to protect fishing grounds, food security Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- The Philippines this month launched coast guard patrols around Scarborough Shoal to safeguard its exclusive economic zone and challenge China, which for 12 years has dominated those waters vital to the Filipino fishing industry, the national security adviser said Friday.
• Where is Jakarta's South China Sea policy heading under Prabowo? Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- Prabowo Subianto's foreign and defense policies have come under the spotlight after the former army general and current defense minister claimed victory in Indonesia's presidential election this week.
• UN Study Warns Recognizing Taliban Will Intensify Women's Rights Crisis VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- A United Nations study revealed Friday that approximately two-thirds (67%) of women in Afghanistan fear the rights crisis would intensify if the country's Taliban government is granted formal international recognition.
• The Azadi Briefing: Why Does The Taliban Oppose Appointment Of A UN Special Envoy To Afghanistan? RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024
• Drastic erosion of women's rights in Afghanistan continues UN News 16 Feb 2024 -- Afghan women fear arrest, harassment and further punishment whenever a new Taliban decree is announced, according to a new multi-agency UN report issued on Friday based on an extensive survey of women across the country.
• Analysts: Doha Meeting to Offer Chance for 'Constructive Dialogue' on Afghanistan VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- Days before a U.N.-sponsored conference on Afghanistan, it remains unclear whether the Taliban will attend what analysts describe as an opportunity for a "constructive dialogue" between the country's de facto rulers and the international community.
• 300 Myanmar junta troops who fled attack return from Bangladesh Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- Some 300 members of a junta military unit and a border police force who fled to Bangladesh during an attack by the rebel Arakan Army have been repatriated to Myanmar, according to several Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
• UN peacekeepers protect civilians after two killed in Abyei violence: UN People's Daily 16 Feb 2024 -- UN peacekeepers have responded to intercommunal fighting in southern Abyei, where two civilians reportedly were killed, a UN spokesman said on Thursday.

News Reports

• Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Sentenced for Concealing Information from the FBI US Dept. of Justice 16 Feb 2024 -- Charles F. McGonigal, 55, a former FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, was sentenced today to 28 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his undisclosed receipt of $225,000 in cash from an individual with ties to the Albanian government while McGonigal was supervising counterintelligence investigations.
• Foreign information manipulation: US, UK and Canada joint statement UK FCDO 16 Feb 2024 -- The US, UK and Canada have issued a joint statement on coordinated efforts to counter foreign state information manipulation.
• U.S. Citizen Charged with Providing Material Support to Isis And Receiving Military-Type Training at Isis Fighter Camp US Dept. of Justice 16 Feb 2024 -- A complaint was unsealed today charging Harafa Hussein Abdi, 41, of Minneapolis, with providing and conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and receiving and conspiring to receive military-type training from ISIS.
• Meeting on support for investment projects in domestic industry President of Russia 16 Feb 2024 -- Vladimir Putin held a meeting on support for investment projects in domestic industry at the Stankomash Industrial Park.
• Aleksei Navalny, Putin's Staunchest Critic, Found Dead In Prison, Russia Says RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has died while in prison, according to a statement from the local department of the Federal Penitentiary Service, triggering outrage and condemnation from world leaders who said the Kremlin critic paid the "ultimate price" for his courage to speak out against the country's leadership.
• Alexei Navalny Dies in Prison, Cause of Death Being Established Sputnik 16 Feb 2024 -- Alexey Navalny felt unwell in prison after a walk and lost consciousness. He received all necessary resuscitation measures, but they did not yield positive results, the Federal Ptnitentiary Service stated.
• Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny dies in prison: State media Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Russian activist and opposition leader Alexey Navalny has died in prison in northern Russia, the country's state media reported on Friday.
• Remarks by President Biden on the Reported Death of Aleksey Navalny The White House 16 Feb 2024
• Biden: 'Make No Mistake, Putin Is Responsible for Navalny's Death' VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden reacted to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny Friday, directly blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin and using the death to scold the U.S. House of Representatives for holding up funding for Ukraine.
• Biden Joins Other World Leaders In Blaming Putin For Navalny's Apparent Death RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden joined other Western leaders in condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is "responsible" for the reported death of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.
• Death of Alexei Navalnyy: Statement by Committee of Ministers' President Council of Europe 16 Feb 2024
• Death of Alexei Navalnyy: Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić Council of Europe 16 Feb 2024
• "There is little doubt that the Russian state bears full responsibility for the death of Alexei Navalny", PACE President says Council of Europe 16 Feb 2024
• Congress President dismayed at the death of Alexey Navalny in Russia Council of Europe 16 Feb 2024
• Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on reports about the death of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny Estonia MFA 16 Feb 2024
• Joint statement by President von der Leyen and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on the death of Alexei Navalny European Commission 16 Feb 2024
• Statement by President von der Leyen on the death of Alexei Navalny European Commission 16 Feb 2024
• Reports of the death of Alexei Navalny: FCDO statement UK FCDO 16 Feb 2024 -- The UK government has summoned the Russian Embassy to make clear that we hold the Russian authorities fully responsible.
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the Munich Security Conference NATO 16 Feb 2024
• News of tragic death of Alexei Navalny in prison follows years of unjust imprisonment, OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights says OSCE 16 Feb 2024 -- The reported death of Alexei Navalny while serving a lengthy prison sentence is a tragedy that follows years of unjust imprisonment and the denial of his rights, including to a fair trial, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today.
• Russia: UN human rights office 'appalled' at death of Navalny in prison UN News 16 Feb 2024 -- The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Friday said it was "appalled" over the death announced by Russian authorities of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison, calling for an impartial and transparent independent investigation.
• UN Chief Calls for Investigation Into Reported Death of Navalny VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed shock Friday on the reported death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny and called for a credible investigation into his death.
• Kremlin Contends the West Is Behind Everything That Happened to Navalny VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- From the time he first emerged as a threat to the rule of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was subjected to an unremitting series of attacks from Russian authorities, ranging from dubious prosecutions to a well-documented poisoning.
• Profile: Aleksei Navalny, Dogged Anti-Corruption Crusader And Outspoken Kremlin Foe RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- When Aleksei Navalny left a Moscow jail in August 2019 after serving 30 days for encouraging protests, the Russian opposition leader delivered the kind of message he had pushed relentlessly for a decade, earning himself a reputation as the most vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin.
• What Navalny's Death Would Change -- Or Wouldn't RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- For more than a decade, and even since his jailing over three years ago, Aleksei Navalny has been a crucial driver of Kremlin policy - an uncompromising opponent whose vision for a different Russia has been a chief target of President Vladimir Putin's ever-increasing efforts to quash protests, stamp out dissent, and tightly control politics across the country.
• After Navalny death, independent expert on rights in Russia asks 'who is next?' UN News 16 Feb 2024 -- Reports from Russian authorities on Friday that imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died are absolutely shocking, said Mariana Katzarova, the first ever UN Human Rights Council-appointed independent expert on Russia, prompting her to ask a simple question: "Who is next?"
• The List Is Long: Russians Who Have Died After Running Afoul Of The Kremlin RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- The list of influential Russians who have been killed or died in murky circumstances after opposing, criticizing, or crossing Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin, or the state is long. And it may be getting longer.
• 'Polar Wolf': The Harsh Prison Where Navalny Was Sent And How His Team Found Him RFE/RL 16 Feb 2024 -- Known as "Polar Wolf," the strict-regime prison to which opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has been sent is a place where a water cannon is an instrument of torture.
• Russia Will Expand Its Industrial Alliances - Putin Sputnik 16 Feb 2024 -- On Friday, President Vladimir Putin held a comprehensive meeting on ways the government can support investment in Russian industrial sectors.
• China's New Antarctic Research Station Renews Concerns About Potential Security Threats VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- China's inauguration of a new scientific research station in Antarctica last week has renewed debate about the purpose and impact of the rapid expansion of Chinese presence on the continent.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with People's Republic of China Director of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024
• Blinken meets with China's foreign minister Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, with the pair discussing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and bilateral sticking points like the status of Taiwan.
• China Rekindles Sister City Ties as Relations Remain Strained VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- As Washington and Beijing move cautiously to mend frayed relations, China is working to boost people-to-people ties, which saw a dramatic decline during the COVID pandemic.
• Uyghur Policy Act passes US House Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would require the State Department to offer Uyghur language classes to diplomats, place Uyghur speakers in all consulates in China and include Uyghurs in speaking programs in Muslim-majority countries.
• As China's Economy Slows, Labor Protests Pick Up VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- Labor protests in China have increased rapidly since August of last year, according to rights groups, especially in the lead-up to Lunar New Year, which began late last week.
• HKSAR gov't holds explanatory sessions on legislation of Article 23 of HKSAR Basic Law People's Daily 16 Feb 2024 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has held a series of briefing and consultation sessions to explain details of the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR.
• China's top diplomat to attend Munich Security Conference, visit Spain, France People's Daily 16 Feb 2024 -- China's top diplomat Wang Yi will attend the 60th Munich Security Conference where he will deliver a speech at the event on China and elaborate on China's position on major international issues in light of the conference's theme, visit Spain and France, and hold the China-France Strategic Dialogue in France from Feb. 16 to 21.
• Tsai reiterates Taiwan's willingness to engage in dialogue with China CNA 16 Feb 2024 -- Taiwan has never stopped seeking to resume dialogue with China and will continue to do so, as long as it can be achieved on the basis of dignity and parity, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Friday at a Lunar New Year banquet attended by Taiwanese businesspeople who do business in China.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Feb. 16, 2024 ROC MND 16 Feb 2024
• North Korea Teases Potential Thaw in Japan Relations VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- At the beginning of the year, as western Japan reeled from an earthquake that killed more than 200 people and damaged tens of thousands of homes, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida a message of "sympathy and condolences."
• India's main opposition says bank accounts frozen ahead of elections Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- India's main opposition Congress party says its bank accounts have been frozen by the income tax department weeks before the expected announcement of national elections.
• Junta's top cops to lead conscription drive Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar's junta has appointed police chiefs to oversee conscription across the country as the military regime proceeds with its speedy implementation of a draft law enacted earlier this week.
• Two political prisoners killed during junta escort, Myanmar resistance group claims Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar junta troops shot dead two political prisoners, including one high-profile activist, a resistance group told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
• Elections in Africa Not Off to Good Start VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- The democratic process in sub-Saharan Africa is not off to a good start in what is supposed to be a busy election year.
• On Senegal's Constitutional Court Decision US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024 -- The United States welcomes the February 15 decision by Senegal's Constitutional Council to restore the presidential electoral calendar in accordance with Senegal's constitution.
• Senegal's Sall to Comply with Court Ruling That Said Election Delay Unconstitutional VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- President Macky Sall of Senegal said Friday he will comply with a ruling from Senegal's Constitutional Council, which a day earlier rejected his plan to postpone the presidential election.
• Promoting Accountability for the Ortega-Murillo Regime for Restricting Freedoms US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2024 -- The Department of State today took additional actions to promote accountability for those involved in the Ortega-Murillo government's relentless attacks on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Nicaraguans.
• Maduro calls Argentine's Milei 'bandit' after US 'stole' Venezuelan plane Press TV 16 Feb 2024 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has slammed his Argentinian counterpart Javier Milei over the US seizure of a Venezuelan cargo plane grounded in Buenos Aires.
• UN rights office regrets Venezuela's decision to suspend operations UN News 16 Feb 2024 -- The UN human rights office (OHCHR) is evaluating its next steps while continuing to engage with Venezuelan authorities following the Government's announcement on Thursday that the office must suspend operations in the country and its staff leave within 72 hours.
• Malawi Parliament Allows Labor Export to Israel VOA 16 Feb 2024 -- Malawi's parliament has allowed the government to proceed with its program to send 10,000 laborers to work on farms and industries in Israel. The parliament approved the program Feb. 15, 2024, after a government fact-finding mission to Israel to evaluate the living conditions of some 700 Malawians already employed there.