Lavrov Says Russia Holds Strategic Initiative in Ukraine as Settlement Talks Continue 
Trump–Netanyahu Talks Aim to Revive Gaza Ceasefire and Address Iran, Hezbollah Tensions 
FBI Surges Resources to Minnesota Amid Fraud Investigations Linked to Somali Community 
Kremlin Says Ukrainian Drone Attack Hardens Russia’s Stance on Peace Talks 
Lockheed Martin Secures $92.8M AEGIS Sustainment Contract from U.S. Navy 
MSF Faces Possible Ban From Gaza as Israel Enforces New Aid Registration Rules 
Najib Razak Files Appeal Against Latest 1MDB Corruption Conviction and 15-Year Sentence 
Bukele Signals Willingness to Extend Power as El Salvador’s Term Limits Are Scrapped 
China Conducts Largest-Ever Live-Fire War Games Around Taiwan Amid Rising Cross-Strait Tensions 
U.S. Questions Russia’s Claim of Ukrainian Drone Attack on Putin Residence 
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Three Intellexa-Linked Executives Amid Spyware Controversy 
Trump and Netanyahu Diverge on West Bank Policy Amid Rising Tensions 
Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland Sparks U.N. Debate and Regional Tensions 
Trump Administration Audits Somali-Origin Citizenship Cases Amid Fraud Allegations 
Trump and Zelenskiy Signal Progress Toward Ukraine Peace Deal, Donbas Still Unresolved 
Ukraine Drone Attacks Target Moscow and Western Russia, Injure One Civilian 
U.S. Government Agrees to Review Frozen NIH Diversity Research Grants After Legal Challenge 
More of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees have been receiving their Senate confirmation hearings as of late, with some going through the process more smoothly than others. Biden’s pick for CIA director William Burns is among those who have received support from both sides during his hearing.
Burns had his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday for the post of CIA director. Burns received bipartisan praise from both Democrat and Republican Senators in the Senate Intelligence Committee who have since made clear that they intend to support his candidacy in becoming the CIA director under the Biden administration. Burns would become the first lifelong diplomat to become CIA director. When the hearing began, Burns made his opening statement by stressing that intelligence must not be political or cater to only one party, making a stark contrast from the Trump administration.
“I learned that intelligence, delivered with honesty and integrity, is America’s first line of defense. I learned that intelligence professionals have to tell policymakers what they need to hear, even if they don’t want to hear it,” said Burns. “And I learned that politics must stop where intelligence work begins.”
Burns, who has served under five presidents from both political parties and 10 secretaries of state, has previously discussed the damage that the Trump administration has inflicted on the country’s foreign policy. In August 2020, Burns also predicted the consequences of now-former President Donald Trump’s possible election defeat in a piece he wrote for the Atlantic.
The nominee also outlined what he plans to do when it came to Russia and China, countries that are both at odds with the US. Burns said that “intensified focus and urgency” is needed to deal with the two countries through strengthening the number of China experts and “firmness and consistency” when it came to Russia.
Biden’s pick for US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that re-engaging with US allies would be the top priority for her in a prepared testimony ahead of her Senate hearing on Thursday. In another stark contrast from Trump, Tai said that re-engaging with US allies and international organizations is the approach that would be taken in order to combat China’s trade policies.
