US News
- Senate Democrats announced a new bill that will spend $350 billion to counter China. The bulk of the money will be used to fund tech in the US, and $125 million is for weapons. [Link]
- Trump says he will sign an executive order to promote “patriotic education.” [Link]
- The head of US Strategic Command says there is no scenario where he would recommend a nuclear weapons test. [Link]
- The US launches war games in Ukraine. [Link]
Afghanistan
- Scores of fighters were killed in heavy fighting in Afghanistan. Peace talks are starting between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Qatar. [Link]
Iran
- JPost reports Israel’s role in the attack on an Iranian nuclear facility was “validated,” and the attack was physical, not cyber. [Link]
- Reports say Trump is prepping an executive order that will allow him to sanction any country that violates the arms embargo against Iran. The embargo, enforced by the UN, is set to expire in October. However, Trump is going to pretend like the embargo is not expiring. [Link]
- The US indicts three Iranians alleging they were attempting to hack satellite secrets. [Link]
- The US sanctioned two Iranian entities that are alleged to have carried out malware attacks against dissidents. [Link]
Middle East
- The US sanctioned two Lebanese companies for doing business with Hezbollah. [Link]
- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with senior members of the Qatari government this week. A senior US official said Qatar is on the path to become a “major non-NATO ally.” The status will allow the US to sell Qatar more advanced weapons. [Link]
Ethiopia
- Thirty people were killed by militants in Ethiopia. [Link]
