US News
- The Supreme Court declines to hear a case claiming the male-only draft is discriminatory. [Link]
- Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Guatemala and told the people not to come to the US. She is working with the governments in the region on ‘anti-graft’ sanctions. [Link]
- The nine nuclear-armed countries spent $72.6 billion on nukes in 2020, an increase of $1.4 billion over 2019. [Link]
Great Power
- Putin signs a law withdrawing Russia from the Open Skies Treaty. Biden recently announced he would not reverse Trump’s decision to leave the treaty. [Link]
- Biden spoke with Ukraine’s president. NSA Jake Sullivan reported Biden told Ukraine to stand up for its sovereignty. [Link]
- The Pentagon expressed support for Malaysia after Malaysia expressed concern about China penetrating their territorial boundaries. [Link]
Afghanistan
- CENTCOM head Gen. McKenzie says the US could close its Kabul embassy if it is unwelcomed by the Afghan government. [Link]
- CENTCOM claims that it is over 50% complete with the Afghan withdrawal. [Link]
- At least 150 Afghan government soldiers were killed or injured over 24 hours. [Link]
Iran
- Iran says “actions, not promises” are needed to save the nuclear agreement. [Link]
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that he is unsure if Iran is ready to return to the JCPOA and it is unclear if the agreement will be saved. [Link]
- The IAEA says it is getting harder to extend deals allowing for additional monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program. [Link]
- The US is carrying out the Falcon Strike 21 war games with Italy, Israel, and the UK. The war games target Iran and heavily use the F-35. [Link]
