US News

• The Navy is attempting to solve its recruitment problem by promoting its esports team and streaming on Twitch. Task and Purpose

Greece

• Turkey warned Greece against deploying more military assets to the Aegean Sea. UPI

Russia

• The Joe Biden administration requested another massive infusion of cash for its war against Russia. The latest short-term spending proposal seeks nearly $14 billion for weapons and economic assistance for Ukraine. AWC
• Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other finance ministers from the Group of Seven are set to meet virtually on Friday and outline their plan to implement a price cap on Russian oil, which experts have warned could send oil prices soaring if Russia doesn’t comply. According to The Wall Street Journal, after the meeting, the G7 ministers are expected to release an endorsement of the price cap plan and commit to finalizing its implementation. AWC
• The White House has accused Russia of weaponizing energy by reducing gas exports to Europe. On Wednesday, Moscow announced that Nord Stream 1 would close, citing sanctions and maintenance as the cause. While Washington’s European partners have attempted to reduce their dependence on Russian energy exports, the continent’s leaders are warning their people of coming hardships. The Institute 
• The economic war between the West and Moscow ratcheted up significantly on Friday when the G7 announced price caps on Russian oil exports. Moscow responded by extending the closure of a critical pipeline bringing gas to Europe. The White House has vowed to destroy the Russian economy, and the Kremlin has responded by further driving up the price of European energy. AWC
• A team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Enerhodar on Thursday for a long-awaited visit. AWC
• French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday defended his continued diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin as he is one of the few Western leaders that has maintained contacts with Moscow. AWC

China

• Amid soaring tensions with the U.S. and China, the State Department approved a previously revealed White House plan to supply $1.1 billion in arms to Taiwan, the Associated Press reported on Friday. This announcement has angered Beijing which warned of “counter-measures” if the plans are not revoked. Among US lawmakers there is ample bipartisan support for arming the island and the required Congressional approval is virtually guaranteed. AWC
• Taiwan’s military said Thursday that it had shot down an unidentified civilian drone that flew over a tiny islet in Kinmen County, a Taiwanese-controlled archipelago off the southeastern coast of mainland China. AWC
• The US bars AMD and Nvidia from selling some of its advanced chips to Chinese firms. Beijing firmly opposes the restrictions. SCMP
• The United Nations human rights body has accused the Chinese government of major abuses against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang province, issuing a new report alleging arbitrary detentions, forced labor and even torture. Beijing immediately denied the charges. The Institute 

Afghanistan 

• Four kids in Afghanistan were killed while playing with an unexploded shell at school. AP
• A mosque was bombed in Kabul, killing 18. Boston Globe

Middle East

• The Pentagon signed a contract with Boeing on Thursday to supply Israel with four KC-46 refueling planes that are needed for potential Israeli strikes on Iran, although the aircraft won’t be delivered until at least 2025. AWC
• Fifty members of the House sent Biden a letter expressing concern about a return to the Iran nuclear deal. A majority of the Reps who signed the letter were Democrats. MEE
• A revival of the Iran nuclear deal now seems unlikely as the US has characterized Iran’s latest response in the EU-mediated negotiations as “moving backwards.” AWC
• The Iranian Navy says it seized two US unmanned done before releasing them shortly after. A similar incident occurred earlier in the week. US defense officials said it looks like an escalation of hostile actions against the US. CNN