US News

• The US will deploy Coast Guard cutters to the western Pacific to combat “illegal Chinese fishing and harassment.” [Link]
• The US and Japan kick off major war games in the Pacific. The games are a show of force to China and will include cyber warfare for the first time. [Link]
• China will impose sanctions on US arms makers over weapon sales to Taiwan. [Link]
• The US sanctioned a Russian research institute. [Link]
• Russia proposes a new missile verification agreement to help ease concerns because of the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty. [Link]

Armenia

• Armenia and Azerbaijan announce a new ceasefire will take effect today. [Link]

Afghanistan

• An Islamic State suicide bomber in Kabul attacked an education center, killing 24. [Link]
• The US carried out airstrikes against the Taliban in defense of Afghan government forces. The strikes killed five Taliban fighters. [Link]

Middle East

• Iraqi security forces clashed with protesters resulting in dozens of injuries. [Link]
• Israel and Sudan agree to normalize relations in a US-brokered agreement. [Link]
• Some Sudanese political parties threaten to withdraw from the newly-formed transnational government because the government decided to normalize relations with Israel. [Link]