US News

• America’s top military officer General Mark Milley praised SpaceX CEO Elon Musk by name at an event hosted by the Space Force. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs lauded the “Chief Twit” as symbolizing ”the civil and military cooperation and teamwork that makes the US the most powerful country in space.” The Institute 
• The Space Force wants to refocus its satellite program on smaller, cheaper satellites. Def One

Russia

• On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the “necessary conditions” for peace talks with Ukraine could arise and acknowledged Kyiv was not ready for negotiations at this time. AWC
• The Kremlin on Tuesday said that Russia was considering “further steps” to take in response to Britain’s alleged role in the attacks on the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines, which connect Russia and Germany. AWC
• Russia on Wednesday agreed to rejoin the deal that has allowed grain shipments to leave Ukraine’s Black Sea ports after successful mediation from Turkey. AWC
• Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has said Ankara is not happy with promises Sweden has made to crack down on Kurdish groups in an effort to join NATO, The Cradle reported on Tuesday. AWC
• After over eight months of pouring tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons into Ukraine, the Biden administration has announced some steps it will take toward oversight of the military aid. AWC
• The Biden administration said Wednesday that it has seen no indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine after a media report claimed Russian officials were discussing the matter. AWC
• The White House claims North Korea and Iran are sending weapons to Russia. Newsweek 
• Both Sweden and Finland will not rule out hosting NATO nuclear weapons or permanent bases if they join the military alliance, the prime ministers of each nation have said. AWC
• The State Department approved a $500 million missile sale to Finland. Reuters 
• According to two key reports by Foreign Policy and Associated Press this week, Afghan commandos trained by the United States military during our war there are going to fight Ukrainians on behalf of a Russia for $1500 a month. RS

China

• The US will give the Philippines $70 million in defense aid. Def Post
• China says it has no time frame for Taiwan reunification. SCMP

Korea

• North Korea fired at least 17 missiles. CBS
• Pyongyang carried out large-scale military exercises as Washington and Seoul conducted record-setting aerial war games, unleashing 23 missiles and over 100 artillery rounds before launching additional munitions on Thursday.

Middle East

• Netanyahu will likely be Israel’s next prime minister. TOI
• Iran sanctions the CIA and top US military officials. Miami Herald
• Saudi Arabia has claimed to the US that Iran is preparing “imminent” attacks on the kingdom and northern Iraq, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. AWC
• The Pentagon’s new Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) says the US believes Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapon, but Biden administration officials are still threatening military action against Tehran to prevent it from acquiring one. AWC
• Iran will send a delegation to Vienna to hold talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the UN nuclear watchdog’s investigation into traces of uranium at undeclared Iranian nuclear sites. AWC

Africa 

• The US sanctioned several individuals it claims are involved in an ISIS-Somalia arms trafficking network. UPI
• The African Union reports a peace deal has brought an end to the two-year war between fighters in Tigray and the Ethiopian government. AJ
• UN Peacekeepers in the Congo withdrew from an eastern military base as the M23 rebel group is making gains. VOA
• Civilians attacked a UN convoy in the Congo. Reuters