Assange Arrested
- The indictment of Julian Assange has been unsealed. He is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. The charges are for the 2010 leak by Chelsea Manning. [Link]
- Trump says Wikileaks ‘really isn’t his thing’ and the Department of Justice will handle any prosecution of Assange. A DoJ source said they would look to have Assange extradited. [Link]
- Tulsi Gabbard says the arrest of Julian Assange is dangerous for journalist and calls for defense of whistleblowers. [Link]
- Senator Mark Warner says Julian Assange is a direct participant in Russian efforts to undermine the West. [Link]
North Korea
- Trump meets with South Korean president Moon Jae-in. Trump says sanctions against North Korea are at the right level. [Link]
- Kim Jong-un ordered his generals not to carry out unpredictable operations in the weeks leading up to Hanoi. [Link]
- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells the Senate he wants to leave room for some sanctions relief for North Korea if significant progress is made during negotiations. [Link]
- Daniel Davis explains Trump needs to follow the step by step path proposed by Moon Jae-in to achieve North Korean denuclearization. [Link]
Southeast Asia
- The Navy will drop charges against two officers accused of being responsible for the death of seven US sailors on the USS Fitzgerald. The Fitzgerald collided with another ship in the South China Sea. [Link]
- Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan calls for new space programs to counter Chinese threats. [Link]
- Doug Bandow argues the US ‘mutual’ defense pact with the Philippines is dangerous for the US. The US leadership has affirmed their commitment to go to war in defense of the Philippines; the Philippines leadership has publicly questioned if it would return the favor. The US does not have to defend the Philippines to ensure freedom of travel through the South China Sea. [Link]
Afghanistan
- 20 Afghan soldiers were killed near the Pakistani border when the Taliban overran a checkpoint. [Link]
Airbnb
- Airbnb reverses its policy of not listing settlement homes in the West Bank. [Link]
