US News
- Bill LaPlante, the defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, said the Pentagon should sign longer-term contracts with weapons makers. Defense One
- The Pentagon temporarily halts deliveries of the F-35 because a part was made in China Existing F-35s using the Chinese part will not be grounded. Politico
Russia
- Ukraine wants the UN to deploy peacekeepers to a Russian-controlled nuclear power plant. Fox
- The EU on Wednesday said it will propose a price cap on Russian gas despite explicit warnings from Moscow that such a move would result in Russia cutting off all energy supplies to Europe. AWC
- The head of the Ukrainian Army says his forces carried out attacks in Crimea. He said Kiev used missies or rockets for the attacks. AJ AWC
China
- Another US congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday as the parade of US officials visiting the island continues despite warnings and unprecedented military exercises from Beijing. AWC
Middle East
- Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid issued a stern response to a request from the Joe Biden Administration. In response to the murder of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, on Tuesday the State Department asked Tel Aviv to review its rules of engagement in the occupied West Bank. On Wednesday, Lapid fired back saying, “no one will dictate our rules of engagement to us.” The Institute
- Continuing to undercut the ongoing nuclear talks, the IAEA issued a statement warning that they can’t assure Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful. AWC
- The Israeli news website Zman Yisrael said it has “learned” that a new nuclear deal between the US and Iran is off the table and will not be signed in the “foreseeable future.” AWC
- US-backed Syrian Kurds claim to arrested over 100 members of IS at the al-Hol prison camp. WashPo
Mali
- Mali carried out airstrikes against a group it claims has ties to the Islamic State. AP
