US News

• The US has filed an appeal in UK court in hopes to overturn a judge’s decision not to extradite Assange to the US. [Link]
• In his final day in office, Trump failed to pardon Julian Assange or Edward Snowden. He did pardon Steve Bannon and Lil Wayne. [Link]
• The US sanctioned a network of oil trading firms, individuals, and ships accused of helping to bring Venezuelan oil to Asia. [Link]
• Russia says it is hoping for a quick extension of the New Start Treaty that expires on February 5th. [Link]

Confirmation Hearings

• Biden’s Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken says his State Department will keep the US embassy in Israel in Jerusalem. [Link]
• Blinken said the US needs to revitalize alliances to combat foes like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. [Link]
• Blinken says Biden will maintain Trump’s Venezuela policy and recognize Juan Guaido as president. [Link]
• Biden’s Director of National Intelligence nominee Avril Haines said the US should take an aggressive stance against China. Blinken said that Trump was right to take a hardline stand against China. [Link]
• Avril Haines says the US is a long way from returning to the JCPOA. [Link]
• Blinken said the US is a long way from returning to the JCPOA and the US will consult with Israel and Gulf states before returning to the deal. [Link]
• Biden’s Department of Homeland Security nominee says Biden will stop building the wall but not abolish ICE and CBP. [Link]

Biden’s Political Appointments 

• Biden picked Ely Ratner to advise the Pentagon on China. Ratner is from the hawkish CNAS think tank that is funded by weapons makers. He led a report that concluded the US needed to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific countries, especially India. [Link]
• A list of Biden’s political appointments to the Pentagon. [Link]

Afghanistan

• The Pentagon employs about 18,000 contractors in Afghanistan. About a third are Americans. [Link]
• At least 40 members of the Afghan security forces and 40 Taliban members have been killed in recent fighting. [Link]

Israel

• The Israeli government announced it was building 780 new settler homes in East Jerusalem. [Link]
• Israel is looking to rein in rights groups that call out Israel for being an apartheid state. [Link]

Africa

• About 700 US troops withdrew from Somalia and redeployed in the region. After pulling out the troops, the US carried out several airstrikes. [Link]
• The Ugandan government said the US is trying to subvert the recent election result by sending the US envoy to the loser of the election’s home. [Link]