US News
- The NIH admits to funding research – through EcoHealth – in China that matches the definition of gain of function research. [Link]
- School enrollment decreased by 3 million students during the first year of the Covid outbreak. [Link]
- Senate Democrats are pushing a 5% increase to the defense budget. Some Republicans want a 13% budget increase. [Link]
- The US hypersonic missile test fails. [Link]
Great Power
- NATO defense ministers are working on a master plan to deter any possible Russian attacks including in the Black Sea, Baltic, space, and hacking. [Link]
- Biden says the US is committed to defending Taiwan if China attacks. [Link] The White House then clarified that US policy towards Taiwan has not changed. [Link]
- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says the US has broad support for Taiwan and the EU. [Link]
- Biden’s nominee to be China envoy, Nicolas Burns, says that China is the greatest threat to the US and “democratic world.” [Link]
Middle East
- The US deployed B1-B bombers to the Indian Ocean Diego Garica base. The base has recently hosted B2 bombers but the B1s have not been deployed to the Island in 15 years. [Link]
- Israel resumes practicing for attacking Iran. [Link]
- Israel says it is concerned about Syria disbanding a militia that operates near the Golan Heights. [Link]
