US News

• The White House extends the required breaks for flight attendants between shifts. Tribune
• The national debt exceeds $31 trillion. Forbes
• A new poll shows nearly 70% of Americans want to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia and only a slight majority support selling arms to Israel. The Institute
• According to a new survey of Americans, a growing majority desire negotiations with Washington’s enemies. For example, nearly 80% of people polled said they want the White House to continue nuclear talks with Iran. The Institute 
• A Russian cosmonaut launched into space from US soil. Boston Globe
• The US and Brazil conduct joint war games. Navy
• The Biden administration is preparing to ease sanctions on Venezuela to allow Chevron to pump oil in the country under a potential deal with the Venezuelan government, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. AWC

NATO

• The USS Gerald Ford makes its first-ever deployment to conduct war games with NATO allies. AP
• Polish President Andrzej Duda said in an interview published Wednesday that Poland is open to hosting US nuclear weapons and has approached Washington about the idea. AWC

Russia

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday signed a decree that ruled out any talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring they would be an “impossibility.” AWC
• Russia’s Gazprom said Monday that it could potentially ship gas to Europe via an undamaged line on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which has never made deliveries after Berlin paused the project around the time Russia invaded Ukraine. AWC
• EU ambassadors agreed on Wednesday on a new round of sanctions on Russia that includes a price cap on Russian oil. AWC
• President Biden on Tuesday held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and detailed a new $625 million aid package for Ukraine, which includes more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), howitzers, and anti-tank mines. AWC
• The Russian government praised Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for his Ukraine war peace proposal. Musk Tweeted a four-point plan on Monday that drew stern criticisms from Western politicians and commentators. The Institute 
• A top Pentagon official said Ukraine achieved a “significant operational accomplishment,” with its recent offensives in the east and south. Politico
• The White House says there has been no progress in freeing Brittney Griner. Newsweek
• Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a law formalizing the absorption of four Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation after the annexation was approved by both houses of Russia’s parliament. AWC
• The New York Times reported on Wednesday that US intelligence agencies believe parts of the Ukrainian government were behind the slaying of Darya Dugina, the daughter of the prominent Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin. AWC

China

• Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that China is seeking to “normalize” its stepped-up military activity around Taiwan, including Chinese flights over the median line, which came in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) visiting the island. AWC
• The US is stepping up its efforts to turn Taiwan into a major weapons depot, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. AWC

Korea

• Washington and Seoul once again escalated military activity on the Korean Peninsula by firing four missiles and carrying out precision bombing drills. The Institute 
• Pyongyang flew 12 warplanes near its border with South Korea, prompting Seoul to scramble dozens of fighter jets in response. Meanwhile, Washington, Seoul and Tokyo conducted joint war games. The Institute 

Middle East

• Iran continued attacking Iraqi Kurdistan Tuesday, firing drones at several PKK targets. At least two Kurds were reported injured in Suleimaniah. AWC
• The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, is still pushing the warring parties to reach a broader peace deal after a six-month ceasefire expired on Sunday, Reuters reported on Tuesday. AWC
• Nearly 40 members of Congress sign a letter calling on the White House to pressure Saudi Arabia to end the blockade of Yemen. MEE