US News
- Reports from CNN and Defense One claim the Department of Defense will end support for most CIA counterterror operations. The move is part of the strategic shift towards focusing on Russia and China. [Link]
- Senator Rand Paul slowed the passage of the 2021 NDAA because it implements barriers to Trump’s Afghan troop drawdown. [Link]
- A US spy plane flew into China’s air defense zone. The plane came about 50 miles from China’s coast. [Link]
- The US agreed with South Korea to hand over 12 military sites to South Korea for civilian use. [Link]
Sanctions
- Reuters reports the US will sanction Turkey over Turkey’s decision to activate the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. [Link]
- The Trump administration used the Global Magnitsky Act to sanction several people for alleged human rights abuses in Russia, Yemen, and Haiti. [Link]
- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced sanctions on several people in China, El Salvador, and Jamaica. [Link]
Afghanistan
- CENTCOM head Gen. McKenzie said at some times in the past the US supported Taliban operations against ISIS-K with drone strikes. [Link]
Iran
- Several House Democrats support Biden reentering the JCPOA without preconditions. [Link]
- The US flew B-52 bombers to the Middle East and back as a show of force to Iran. [Link]
Israel-Morocco
- Trump announces Morocco will normalize ties with Israel. In return, the US will recognize Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara. [Link]
- Reuters reports the US is considering selling four advanced drones to Morocco. [Link]
