Immigration
- Mexico tells the US, making Mexico a ‘safe third country’ for people seeking asylum in the US is crossing a red line. The policy would allow the US to send asylum seekers to Mexico. [Link]
Russia
- Trump says Russia informed him most Russians have left Venezuela. [Link]
- Russia says claims by US officials that Russia is testing nuclear weapons is a ‘smear.’ [Link]
North Korea
- Some media sources are reporting Kim Jong-un has executed members of his nuclear negotiation team. Moon of Alabama urges skepticism of this claim. Several North Koreans have been reported dead and later appeared in higher government positions. [Link]
- Acting Def Sec Shanahan says there is no need to restart military drills with South Korea. [Link]
Iran
- Trump’s maximum pressure campaign is failing with Iran. [Link]
- The US carries out military drills in the Arabian Sea. [Link]
- The IAEA certified that Iran continues to comply with the nuclear deal. The US left the deal last year and reimposed sanctions on Iran. [Link]
- Pompeo claims Iran attacked ships in a UAE port in to raise oil prices. [Link]
- Bolton says the threat from Iran is not over, but deploying US forces to the region helped to deter Iran. [Link]
- The US Envoy to Iran says the US will respond with military force if Iran attacks US interests in the Middle East. [Link]
- Pompeo says the US is ready to engage in talks with Iran. Iran’s President says the US must return to a normal state with Iran before talks. [Link]
Turkey
- Turkey says the S-400 system will be delivered in June as scheduled. [Link]
- Turkey reports killing 19 Kurdish militants during military operations in northern Iraq. [Link]
- Turkey calls for a ceasefire between Assad and Syrian rebels in Idlib. Russia says the offensive will continue as the rebels are attacking civilians and Russian positions. [Link]
Iraq
