Russia

• The US is conducting Dynamic Mongoose war games in the Arctic. The war games are simulating detecting Russian submarines. [Link]
• Ukraine is using armed Turkish drones during the Sea Breeze war games. [Link]  
• The US was flying drones over the Black Sea at the same time the HMS Defender was sailing through Russian waters. [Link]

Afghanistan

• US officials tell the AP that the US could carry out airstrikes against the Taliban until late September. [Link]
• Most European troops have left Afghanistan. [Link]
• The US withdraws forces from the Bagram Air Base. [Link]
• June 2021 may have been the deadliest month in Afghanistan after two decades of war. [Link]

Iran

• Russia says indirect talks between the US and Iran to save the JCPOA need more time. [Link]
• Iran is seeking assurances that the US will not abandon the JCPOA again. [Link]
• Iran has limited IAEA access to nuclear facilities. Iran says Israeli efforts to sabotage its nuclear program are the cause for the limited inspections. [Link]

Middle East

• Israel bombed Gaza claiming it was defending itself against Hamas incendiary balloons. [Link]
• The US closed three bases in Qatar and moved the supplies to Jordan. [Link]
• The World Bank gave Yemen $150 million in grants for food and infrastructure projects. The UN was seeking to raise over $4 billion for Yemen relief in 2021 but has raised less than half of that goal. [Link]