After Spy Balloon Incident, China Rejects Pentagon’s Request to Speak
Chinese officials rejected a request from the U.S. defense secretary to speak with his counterpart after an American fighter jet shot down a Chinese spy balloon.
Defense and Military Forces
Russian Attacks Intensify in Eastern Ukraine Ahead of Expected Offensive
Russia is deploying hundreds of thousands of newly mobilized soldiers, in small groups, to probe for vulnerabilities in Ukrainian defensive lines.
Eastern Ukraine Braces for New Russian Offensive
The war is intensifying in a string of villages on the eastern front, where doctors struggle to handle an influx of gruesome injuries and soldiers fret about a Russian army sending waves of new conscripts.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov Heads to Mali
Mali said it and Russia will seek to strengthen security and defense ties, in a country where Russia already provides helicopters and mercenaries.
China’s Balloon Dispute Aims Attention at Xi’s Leadership
The flap with the United States raises concerns about how China wields its power in a climate where one wrong move could set off an accidental conflict.
Musharraf’s Legacy: A Conflicted Pakistan and a Bristling Military
The former Pakistani general and ruler, a central player in post-9/11 global tensions, ultimately lost his hold on the Pakistani public, and even on his own military establishment.
Israeli Raid Kills at Least 5 Palestinians in West Bank
The Israeli Army said the deaths near Jericho came during an operation to arrest gunmen accused of attempting an attack. This year has been the deadliest start for Palestinians in the West Bank in a decade and a half.
Your Monday Briefing: The U.S. Shoots Down China’s Balloon
Also, Pervez Musharraf died and Beyoncé could have a big night at Grammy Awards.
Russia Pushes to Take Ukrainian Town Near a Vital Supply Line
Ukraine has used the strategic town of Vuhledar to launch attacks disrupting transit on a critical rail link between the war’s southern and eastern fronts.
Fears of Russian Nuclear Weapons Use Have Diminished for Now
Nearly a year into the war in Ukraine, U.S. policymakers and intelligence analysts have more confidence that they understand at least some of President Vladimir V. Putin’s red lines.