US News
- Trump names Robert O’Brien as National Security Adviser. O’Brien is serving as the State Department’s chief hostage negotiator. [Link] Daniel Larison explains why Trump made another bad choice for NSA. [Link]
- Senator Marco Rubio suggests the US cut ties with the Solomon Islands for switching their diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China. Daniel Larison explains why this is a bad idea. [Link]
- Moon of Alabama describes how Russia and Iran have developed new weapons and strategies to counter the US. [Link]
North Korea
- Russia detains two North Korean ships. The ships were spotted in Russian waters. After one ship was detained, the other ship opened fire at the Russian ships. Three Russians were injured. [Link]
Afghanistan
- The UN Security Council approved a resolution extending the UN mission in Afghanistan for another six months. The mission is typically renewed for a year. However, China threatened to veto the resolution if it did not include language supportive of Chinese ‘belt and road’ loans. [Link]
Saudi
- Saudi Arabia displays evidence allegedly showing evidence of Iran’s involvement in the attack on Saudi oil infrastructure. Saudi claims the attack came from the north. [Link]
- Pompeo said the attacks on Saudi oil is an act of war. [Link]
- Trump orders the Treasury Department to drastically increase sanctions on Iran. [Link]
- Americans do not need to worry about Saudi oil supply slowing down. [Link]
Middle East
- Early results from the Israeli election show the two top parties deadlocked. Netanyahu will likely be unable to form a government. [Link]
- Turkey says it can resettle two to three million Syrian refugees along a safe zone in northeast Syria. [Link]
- Syrian tribes reported US-backed rebels at al-Tanf prevented aid from reaching them. [Link]
Egypt
- Egyptian police claim to kill nine militants in Cario connected with the Muslim Botherhood. [Link]
