China

• The new Air Force Secretary Frank Kendell says he is obsessed with China and the Air Force needs to be freed up to confront the superpower. [Link]
• China says it is willing to work with the US on Afghanistan. [Link]

Afghanistan

• The Taliban says they laid the groundwork for their takeover in the leadup to the announcement of the American withdrawal. The group cut deals with lower-level military leaders and engaged in medication with tribal elders. The group took border crossings to deprive the government of revenue, then used that money to pay off local leaders to switch sides. [Link]
• The US evacuated 1,100 Americans and permanent residents from Afghanistan on Tuesday. [Link]
• There are currently about 4,500 troops at the Kabul Airport. That number will increase to 6,000 in the next few days. [Link]
• The Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction says US victory was impossible. [Link]
• The US will attempt to evacuate 5,000 to 9,000 people daily from Afghanistan. [Link]
• A Taliban official gave a dovish appearance in the group’s first press conference. He said there is a general amnesty for those who fought against the Taliban and that women would have a role in society. [Link]

Middle East

• Israel bombed Syria for the first time in four weeks. [Link]
• The US demands Iran stop its “nuclear escalations” in response to Iran designing a new plate out of nuclear material for their American-built research reactor. [Link]
• Turkey bombed an Iraqi clinic killing 18. [Link]

Niger

• Militants killed 37 people – including 14 children – in Niger. [Link]