US News 

• Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis returns to his position as a board member at General Dynamics. [Link]
• New SecDef Mark Esper says the US will not overreact to NK missile tests. [Link]

Venezuela 

• Bolton said the US is ready to target countries that continue to trade with the Maduro regime. [Link]
• Juan Guaido’s officials say Trump’s new sanctions on Venezuela will help to keep Citgo from being seized. [Link]

Ukraine

• Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed by shelling in the Donbas. [Link]

Kashmir

• China and Pakistan have condemned India’s removal of Kashmir’s special status. [Link]
• Pakistan expels in the Indian ambassador and suspends bilateral trade. The Pakistani ambassador to India will not return to India. [Link]

Afghanistan 

• The Taliban denounce the upcoming Afghan presidential elections and threaten to target election activity. [Link]
• The Taliban killed 14 people with a suicide bomber targeting a police station in Kabul. [Link]

Middle East

• Israel approves 2,300 settlement homes deep in the West Bank. [Link]
• Turkey says the US is moving closer to the Turkish position on northern Syria. Turkey is preparing a force to establish a ‘safe zone’ to occupy the Turkish/Syrian border. [Link]
• Turkey says the US has agreed to establish a joint operation center for the creation of safe zones in Kurdish-held northern Syria. [Link]
• The Saudi/US-backed coalition of anti-Houthi forces in Yemen is showing signs of fracturing. The groups are trading blame for a drone attack claimed by the Houthi. [Link]
• Fighting broke out within the Saudi coalition leaving three dead. [Link]