US News

• Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin were awarded a $7.6 billion contract by the government to build a new missiles defense system. [Link]
• Biden sent officials to Mexico to pressure the government to stem the flow of migrants arriving at the US southern border. [Link]
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Turkey to give up the S-400 air defense system. Turkey bought the system from Russia. [Link]

Colombia

• Colombian officials blame Venezuelan President Maduro for the lack of progress implementing a peace plan in Colombia. [Link]

China

• Sam Powers – at her Senate confirmation hearing to lead USAID – said she plans to use her new position to counter China. [Link]
• The Commander of INDOPACOM says China is much closer to invading Taiwan than most people think. [Link]
• The US continues to fly spy planes close to the Chinese border. [Link]
• China and Russia agree to work together against US sanctions. [Link]
• China plans to hold Israel/Palestine talks. [Link]

Korea

• North Korea tested two short-range cruise missiles. [Link]
• The US spent $34 billion between 2016 and 2019 on maintaining troops in Japan and Korea. [Link]

Afghanistan

• The Afghan President rejected a US proposal to form an interim government and plan new elections. The Afghan leader proposed holding new elections in 6 months. [Link]

Iraq

• The Iraqi government requested a meeting with the Biden Administration on the plans for withdrawing US forces from Iraq. [Link]
• Iraq awarded a nearly half a billion contract to a US company to drill 96 oil wells. [Link]