US News

• An investigation conducted by the cybersecurity group Ghost Data found advertisements from well-known companies appeared on Twitter accounts that promote child pornography. Several corporations have removed their ads from the social networking site in response. GhostData identified hundreds of accounts sharing underage pornographic content which Twitter did not remove. The Institute 
• Heroic whistleblower Edward Snowden was granted Russian citizenship on Monday. Snowden leaked a massive cache of documents from the National Security Agency proving mass surveillance of American citizens existed. The Institute 
• Migrant children at a Texas army base are in such poor conditions they are developing mental health issues. Reason
• The Pentagon claims to kill only 12 civilians in 2021. AJ
• A Coast Guard vessel reported Russian and Chinese ships sailing off the Alaskan coast. AJ
• Germany and Japan conduct joint military drills. UPI

Russia

• The Pentagon will start delivering the NASAMS anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine within two months. AP
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the US and Russia have had “sporadic” contact over the issue of nuclear arms as tensions are soaring between the world’s largest nuclear-armed powers. AWC
• The Pentagon announced a new $1.1 billion arms package for Ukraine on Wednesday that includes 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). So far, the US has delivered Ukraine 16 HIMARS, which are made by Lockheed Martin. AWC
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday that the US committed an additional $457.5 million in “civilian security assistance” that will go toward the country’s law enforcement agencies. AWC
• European officials on Tuesday said massive leaks in the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines that were caused by explosions were likely the result of sabotage, raising questions on who the culprit might be. AWC
• Russian-backed authorities in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine have reported that a huge majority of voters favor joining Russia as referendums concluded on Tuesday. AWC
• Turkish state banks will abandon the Russian Mir payment system after being threatened with US sanctions. Bloomberg
• Sanctions that make it harder for Russia to export military equipment create an “opportunity” for US weapons makers to find new markets, a White House official said at the arms industry conference ComDef on Tuesday. AWC
• The United States has carried out multiple surveillance flights around Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave, this week. The missions by American spy planes are likely assessing Moscow’s nuclear weapons activity. The Institute 
• Russia said on Wednesday that its “special military operation” in Ukraine will continue at least until it captures all of the Donestk region in eastern Ukraine. AWC
• Tens of thousands of people marched in the Czech Republic’s capital of Prague on Wednesday to protest against the government’s handling of the energy crisis, the EU, and NATO. AWC

China

• Vice President Kamala Harris addressed US troops in Japan on Wednesday and said the US will continue to operate in the Taiwan Strait “undaunted and unafraid.” AWC

Korea

• The United States and South Korea conducted war games and North Korea tested several missiles this week. The escalating tensions in Korea come just before Vice President Kamala Harris visits the dematerialized zone (DMZ). The Institute 

Middle East

• Iran carries out strikes in Iraqi Kurdistan, killing nine. DW
• The US says it shot down a drone in Iraqi Kurdistan. RS
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is still at odds with Iran over an investigation into traces of uranium at undeclared Iranian nuclear sites. AWC
• Talk between Iran and the IAEA are stalemated, seemingly for good, but IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi announced Monday that talks were restarting. He added he wants clarification on safeguard issues. AWC
• On Monday, Syria’s foreign minister addressed the UN General Assembly in New York and called on the US to end its military occupation of eastern Syria. AWC
• Fighting broke out between the Houthi and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen. The battle happened in the port city of Hodeida and left at least three soldiers dead. Xinhua
• The UN envoy for Yemen on Tuesday warned of the risk of more fighting breaking out in Yemen if the warring parties don’t agree to extend the current ceasefire, which is due to expire on October 2. AWC

Burkina Faso

• Burkina Faso reports 11 soldiers were killed and 50 civilians are missing after a convoy was ambushed by militants. VOA