A growing number of countries have voiced concerns (NYT) about the COVID-19 vaccine developed by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford after AstraZeneca reported thirty-seven cases of blood clots, some fatal, among the seventeen million people who received the vaccine in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Countries including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain suspended use of the vaccine (AP) amid a rise in European coronavirus cases. Australia said it will continue administering the vaccine, and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha received it today, despite his country previously suspending it.

AstraZeneca maintains that there is no evidence linking its vaccine to an increased risk of blood clots. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have said data does not indicate that the vaccine caused the clots and said vaccinations should continue. Nonetheless, a WHO advisory committee is expected to discuss the vaccine today, as is the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Bloomberg). The EMA will meet Thursday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, criticized U.S.-South Korea (NYT) joint military exercises and threatened the Joe Biden administration against “causing a stink.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that the United States is reviewing its policy (Yonhap) toward North Korea.

CFR’s Scott A. Snyder explains what kind of North Korea Biden faces.

Japan/United States: The allies released a joint statement (Japan Times) after their foreign and defense ministers met in Tokyo, noting political, economic, and other challenges posed by China. Secretary of State Blinken told reporters that the two countries are willing to counter Chinese coercion and aggression.

U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John F. Sopko said that continued reductions in aid to Afghanistan by donors such as the United States could lead to the demise of the Afghan government (Reuters) and a return to the type of turmoil that fueled the Taliban’s rise.
 
This CFR Backgrounder looks at the Taliban in Afghanistan.
 
Kyrgyzstan: President Sadyr Japarov defended proposed constitutional amendments that would strengthen executive powers, among other changes, in an RFE/RL interview. Critics fear that the amendments, which are expected to pass in a referendum next month, could foster authoritarianism.

Protesters stormed the Maasheeq Presidential Palace in the Yemeni city of Aden while officials from the internationally recognized government were inside, witnesses said. The demonstrators are members of the national security forces who have gone without pay for months, Al Jazeera reports.
 
Iran: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps inaugurated a new underground base (Al-Monitor) that holds ballistic and cruise missiles that will be used to support Iran’s navy, according to state media.

Sudan announced that it formally asked (Al Jazeera) that the United States, African Union, EU, and United Nations all mediate its dispute with Egypt and Ethiopia over Ethiopia’s dam on the Blue Nile river. The U.S. State Department said it supports collaboration (Sudan Tribune) to end the dispute.
 
Kenya/Somalia: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearings over the countries’ maritime border dispute, despite uncertainty over whether Kenya will participate (Nation). Kenya has accused the ICJ of treating it unfairly.

The European Commission announced that it sent the British government letters threatening legal proceedings (Politico) against the UK for allegedly violating the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The commission could end up imposing financial and trade penalties on the UK, which said its actions are lawful.
 
Netherlands: The country eased lockdown measures (Al Jazeera) to hold general elections, the first Western European parliamentary elections since the pandemic began. Voting started yesterday and ends tomorrow. Polls show the ruling party, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), in the lead.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced that cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga will replace (Reuters) Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello, a military officer who doesn’t have a medical degree. Last week, more people died of COVID-19 in Brazil than in any other country.
 
Bolivia: Tens of thousands of people protested (France 24) the arrest of former interim President Jeanine Anez Chavez, who is in pre-trial detention for allegedly leading a coup against former President Evo Morales. The Organization of American States rebuked Anez’s arrest.
 
CFR’s Paul J. Angelo explains how Anez came to power.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said officials are looking (Reuters) for more places to house unaccompanied child migrants arriving at the U.S. southern border. A surge in apprehensions of migrants along the border has fueled criticism of President Biden from activists and policymakers (WaPo).