December 14, 2021

*) US will not discipline troops for strike that killed Afghan civilians No US troops involved in the August drone strike that killed innocent Kabul civilians and children will face disciplinary action. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved recommendations for improvements in strike operations which did not include disciplinary action, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said. A Pentagon review in November found flaws in communication and identification of the target of the bombing, which killed 10 civilians, including seven children. *) Iran accuses Western parties to 2015 nuclear deal of ‘blame game’ Iran has accused Western parties to its 2015 nuclear deal of "blame games" after European diplomats warned the accord was at risk of losing any real meaning. Iran's top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani defended Tehran, saying it "proposed ideas early and worked constructively". On Monday, British, French and German diplomats said major powers and Iran had yet to get down to business at talks on rescuing the nuclear deal, which will very soon become "an empty shell" without progress. *) Canada apologises to victims of military sex misconduct Canadian political and military leaders have officially apologised to victims of military sexual misconduct. The apology followed the government’s 468 million dollar settlement with tens of thousands of current and ex-Armed Forces members who experienced abuse. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is also facing questions over a failure to investigate criminal sexual misconduct among some of the military’s top leaders. *)Tunisia president vows to call referendum, elections next year Tunisia's President Kais Saied has prolonged the suspension of parliament and announced a constitutional referendum, almost five months after dismissing his government and granting himself sweeping powers. The referendum on political reform will take place on July 25, 2022, both Tunisia’s Republic Day and when Saied took on executive powers this summer. Saied also extended the suspension of pa