The U.S. on Wednesday attributed the drone attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, as President Biden weighs his options to respond to the strike. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday the U.S. believes the attack was planned, resourced, and facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group that includes the militant group Kata’ib Hezbollah. Kirby dismissed a statement by Iraqi militia Kata’ib Hezbollah announcing “the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government.” He said the group can’t be taken at face value, and he added, “they’re not the only group that has been attacking us.” In response to a question about whether the U.S. response would involve partner countries, Kirby said that “The president believes that it is important to respond in an appropriate way now that three American soldiers have been killed,” adding the U.S. will respond on its “own time, on our own schedule.” In a meeting with government officials on Wednesday, Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said that the U.S. should “stop using the language of threats” and focus on achieving a political solution to the regional crisis.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRG) have reportedly scaled back deployment of their senior officers in Syria due to deadly Israeli strikes, and will rely more on allied Shi’ite militia to preserve their sway there. A senior regional security official briefed by Tehran said that senior Iranian commanders had left Syria along with dozens of mid-ranking officers, describing it as a downsizing of the presence. Since December, Israeli strikes have killed more than half a dozen of their members, among them one of the IRG’s top intelligence generals. Iran reportedly has no intention of fully withdrawing its troops from Syria, although those who remain have reportedly left their offices and were staying out of sight. The IRG will reportedly manage Syrian operations remotely, with help from its ally, Hezbollah.

Separately, the U.S. military said Wednesday it struck and destroyed a surface-to-air missile that Iranian-backed Houthi militants were preparing to launch from Yemen, a day after another missile launched from the area flew in the direction of the U.S. destroyer Gravely before it was shot down. “U.S. forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that it presented an imminent threat to U.S. aircraft operating in the region,” U.S. Central Command said. A U.S. official said the strike on the Houthi surface-to-air missile was not part of the campaign that Biden approved to retaliate against other Iran-backed militias in Iraq over the attack on American troops in Jordan. The Houthis published a statement Wednesday claiming they had fired several missiles at an American destroyer in the Red Sea. The group promised to continue attacks aimed at disrupting navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden “until a ceasefire is achieved in — and food and medicine are allowed in — to the besieged Palestinian people of the Gaza Strip.” The Houthis’ military spokesperson said all U.S. and British warships participating in “aggression” against its country were targets. Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters

FBI director warns Chinese hackers preparing to “wreak havoc” on U.S. infrastructure: FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Wednesday that Chinese hackers are preparing to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm” to the U.S. in the event of a conflict over Taiwan. Wray said the bureau had disrupted a major Chinese government-backed effort in December to hack into U.S. water, communications, transportation, and energy facilities that could enable it to shut down essential services. Senior officials described the operation as part of a campaign by China to gain a position in U.S. computer networks so it could carry out damaging cyberattacks during a future conflict, including over Taiwan. Wray also urged lawmakers to support investments in U.S. cyberdefense, warning that China’s hacking force far outnumbered that of the United States. CNN, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post

Pentagon adds Chinese companies to list alleging ties to Chinese military: The Pentagon on Wednesday added more than a dozen Chinese companies to a list created by the Defense Department to highlight firms it said are working with China’s military, as part of the U.S.’s broader effort to keep U.S. technology from aiding China. New additions to the list were posted on the Department of Defense website and include memory chip maker YMTC, artificial intelligence company Megvii, lidar maker Hesai Technology, and tech company NetPosa. Placement on the list does not involve immediate bans. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said China opposed the move and called it an abuse of state power, adding that it ran counter to the U.S.’s “alleged commitment to market competition and international fair trade.” 

Meanwhile, four Chinese nationals were charged Wednesday with crimes related to the smuggling of U.S.-made electronic components, including some with possible military use, to Iran, the Justice Department said in a statement. The Chinese nationals are accused of moving U.S. export-controlled items through China and Hong Kong to sanctioned entities affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its defense ministry, the department said. In the indictment filed in the District of Columbia, the U.S. alleges that between May 2007 and July 2020, the four used front companies in China to funnel electronics, including some that could be utilized in the production of drones, ballistic missile systems, and other military end uses. The U.S. has issued arrest warrants for the accused, who all remain fugitives, according to the statement. Reuters

Biden picks senior adviser to replace Kerry as U.S. special climate envoy: President Biden has chosen senior White House adviser John Podesta to replace outgoing U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry once he steps down this spring, the White House confirmed Wednesday. Podesta, now a senior adviser on clean energy, will remain at the White House rather than move to the State Department in his new role, and his new title will be senior adviser to the president for international climate policy. Podesta now oversees implementation of Biden’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and plans to continue working on domestic deployment of clean energy. Washington Post, NBC News

Group of U.S. citizens file federal lawsuit blaming Iran for Hamas attack: A group of U.S. citizens filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday claiming that Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 was “masterminded and funded by the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Among the 67 plaintiffs are people who were injured or taken hostage, as well as family members of those who were murdered. “Iran bears direct responsibility for the October 7 Attacks,” according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. “Indeed, that point is essentially undisputed. The Iranian regime has openly flaunted its motive for aiding the horrors.” They are seeking unspecified punitive damages, damages from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, attorneys’ fees, and “any and all other relief the Court deems just and proper,” the lawsuit says. 

Meanwhile, the Chicago City Council voted on Wednesday to approve a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) broke a 23-to-23 tie to ensure passage of the resolution. The nonbinding resolution also calls for humanitarian assistance, including medicine, food, and water, to be sent into the impacted region “and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” Chicago is the latest U.S. city to approve such a non-binding resolution, following Atlanta, Detroit, and San Francisco in recent months. Before the council discussion, residents and activists spoke passionately about their support of a ceasefire, and Johnson at one point cleared the council chamber to lower the volume of dissent while Alderperson Debra Silverstein (D), the only Jewish member of the council, spoke in opposition to the resolution.  NBC News, New York Times, Associated Press, Politico
Related:
Politico: Judge Dismisses Free Speech Lawsuit Brought by Pro-Palestinian Groups Against DeSantis

Secret U.S. spying program targeted top Venezuelan officials: A secret memo obtained by reporters reportedly details a yearslong covert operation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that sent undercover operatives into Venezuela to record and build drug-trafficking cases against the country’s leadership — a plan the U.S. acknowledged from the start was arguably a violation of international law. “It is necessary to conduct this operation unilaterally and without notifying Venezuelan officials,” the 15-page 2018 memo says, expanding “Operation Money Badger,” an investigation that authorities say targeted dozens of people, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. None of the indictments of Venezuelans either before or after the 2018 memo made any mention of U.S. spying. The DEA and Justice Department declined to answer questions from reporters about the memo, how frequently the U.S. conducts unilateral activities and the makeup of the panel that approves such operations. It is not clear if ”Money Badger” is still ongoing. Associated Press

Donald Trump loses UK case against former British spy over Kremlin dossier: A judge in London today threw out a lawsuit by former President Donald Trump accusing a former British spy of making “shocking and scandalous claims” that were false and harmed his reputation. His claim was linked to the Steele dossier which alleged ties between the Kremlin and his successful election to the White House in 2016. UK High Court Judge Karen Steyn said the case Trump filed against Orbis Business Intelligence, founded by former MI6 intelligence officer Christopher Steele, should be dismissed. “There are no compelling reasons to allow the claim to proceed to trial,” she said. Steyn said Trump had no prospect of obtaining compensation for any distress he may have suffered, although she noted that she would not determine the accuracy of the dossier itself.  Associated Press, Bloomberg

House Speaker casts doubt on bipartisan border talks: In his first formal speech since becoming House Speaker, Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) said Wednesday that the bipartisan Senate effort to tighten border security does not go far enough to prevent migrants from entering the country along the U.S.-Mexico border.  “From what we’ve heard, this so-called deal does not include transformational policy changes that are needed to actually stop the border catastrophe,” Johnson said. He argued that President Biden must do more to address the border crisis on his own using executive authority, and accused Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of having “designed this catastrophe.” Democrats have accused Republicans of blocking the deal out of a desire to help Trump in his 2024 bid against Biden, but Johnson said that notion was “absurd” earlier this week. Reuters, CNN, The Hill
Related: 
New York Times: One Big Reason Migrants Are Coming in Droves: They Believe They Can Stay
CNN: Denver Nears Its Breaking Point as Migrants and the Cold Pile In

Refugee files complaint to UN against Spain over 2014 border deaths: A man from Cameroon has filed a complaint to the UN accusing Spain of multiple violations of the convention against torture during an incident in 2014 during which at least 15 people died while trying to enter Spanish territory from Morocco. The migrants reportedly drowned on February 6, 2014 while trying to reach Tarajal beach on Ceuta’s south side from neighboring Morocco. “The violence at the border on that day continued in court, where we were also not treated as humans,” the man, who asked to be identified by the pseudonym Ludovic, said. He said he was beaten and tear-gassed by Guardia Civil officers as he struggled to hold onto the sea wall border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave. Spanish authorities later said that the Guardia Civil had fired rubber bullets in an attempt to repel those trying to make it across. Sixteen Civil Guard officers were charged over the incident, but Spain’s Supreme Court in 2022 dismissed the case due to a lack of evidence. The Guardian, Agence France-Presse

South Africa says Israel already ignoring ICJ ruling: South Africa’s foreign minister said Wednesday that Israel has ignored last week’s ruling by the International Court of Justice to do all it can to prevent death, destruction, and any acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, by killing hundreds more civilians in a matter of days. Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said South Africa would “look at proposing other measures to the global community” in a bid to stop the killing of civilians, and added that South Africa has asked why an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been issued in a separate case the country filed at the International Criminal Court. A top official in South Africa’s foreign ministry said the country hopes last week’s ruling, and whether Israel is abiding by it, will be discussed on a wider level at the UN. Pandor also said all states have an obligation to stop funding and facilitating Israel’'s military actions in Gaza. 

Meanwhile, donor countries signaled Wednesday that they will continue to support the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is responsible for assisting Palestinian civilians, and stressed its role in delivering lifesaving aid as widespread starvation and disease spread in Gaza. The UN has said the recent funding suspension by major donors could jeopardize UNRWA’s work within weeks. Martin Griffiths, the top UN humanitarian official, told the Security Council meeting on Wednesday that its operations in Gaza were “completely dependent on UNRWA being adequately funded and operational.” Netanyahu on Wednesday called for the end of the mission, calling it “self-perpetuating” in its “desire to keep alive … the Palestinian refugee issue,” and adding “we need to get other UN agencies and other aid agencies replacing UNRWA in if we’re going to solve the problem of Gaza, as we intend to do.” Associated Press, Reuters, New York Times, CNN
Related: 
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Presses for Long Ceasefire to Pave Way for End of Gaza War
Axios: State Department Reviewing Options for Possible Recognition of Palestinian State
New York Times: Israel’s Controlled Demolitions Are Razing Neighborhoods in Gaza
Washington Post: USAID’s Samantha Power, Genocide Scholar, Confronted by Staff on Gaza
Associated Press: Israel and Lebanon Are Prepping for a War Neither Wants, But Many Fear It’s Becoming Inevitable

Ukraine and Russia exchange hundreds of prisoners of war: Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners Wednesday, a week after Russia accused Ukraine of shooting down a military plane that it claimed was carrying dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war being transported to a swap later that day. The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that 195 Russian soldiers had been exchanged for the same number of Ukrainian soldiers, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said 207 soldiers and civilians had been returned. “The freed service members will be transported by aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ military transport aviation to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Wednesday the released prisoners included 27 officers and fighters captured during the battle of Azovstal, and at least 36 of the Ukrainians released suffered from serious injuries or illnesses. 

Meanwhile, a Russian bomb damaged a hospital and prompted evacuations in northeastern Ukraine Wednesday. Volodymyr Tymoshko, head of the Kharkiv regional branch of the national police, said one bomb directly hit the hospital at about 9:45 p.m. in the town of Velykyi Burluk, northeast of Kharkiv, and a second bomb landed nearby. He stated that 38 people were evacuated from the facility, all but five of them patients and two confined to hospital beds. Regional Governor Oleh Synehubov said on social media that emergency teams conducted cleanup operations throughout the night and four people were treated for slight injuries at the site. Washington Post, New York Times, Reuters
Related:
Bloomberg: Ukraine Tells Allies Troops Are Outgunned Three-to-One by Russia
New York Times: Russia’s New Threats to Exiles: Seized Assets and Forced Returns

EU agrees on $54 billion support package for Ukraine: EU leaders today reached an agreement to create a $54 billion financial support package for Ukraine, after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán rescinded his veto on the aid. The compromise on the aid, which Ukraine says is critical for its financial stability following Russia’s invasion, was reached at the start of an emergency EU summit at which other leaders urged Orbán to agree. ” The agreement includes a provision for EU leaders to hold an annual debate on the implementation of the aid package, and the potential for a review in two years. In efforts to find a compromise, Orbán held private talks with European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the bloc’s three most powerful leaders — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Financial Times, New York Times

South Korean president warns North Korea could interfere in April elections: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned Wednesday that North Korea could stage provocations such as armed actions near the shared border, drone intrusions, cyber attacks, or spreading fake news to interfere in April’s parliamentary elections. “The North Korean regime is going through fire and water solely for the sake of maintaining its hereditary totalitarian regime, while blatantly ignoring international law and UN Security Council resolutions by trading arms with Russia,” Yoon said. Yoon called for greater cooperation between his country’s military, government, police, and private actors, as well as additional measures to prevent possible cyber attacks on national infrastructure and attempts to disseminate false propaganda. Reuters

Putin critic submits signatures required to be listed on presidential election ballot: Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war candidate vying for the Russian presidency, announced Wednesday he had submitted the signatures required to be listed on the presidential election ballot, potentially allowing him to stand against Russian President Vladimir Putin in March. Nadezhdin said he had delivered 105,000 signatures, the maximum allowed by law, to the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Moscow, which now has 10 days to review the signatures. Nadezhdin, a former State Duma Member of Parliament running as an independent from the Civic Initiative Party, has positioned himself as the only presidential candidate willing openly to oppose Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has led many Russians to back his campaign. Although Nadezhdin has gathered the requisite number of signatures, his campaign will likely be challenged by the CEC, which has refused previous candidacies on a technicality. CNN, Politico

ICJ dismisses much of Ukraine’s terrorism-financing case against Russia: The UN’s top court on Wednesday rejected large parts of a case filed by Ukraine in 2017 alleging that Russia bankrolled separatist rebels in the country’s east a decade ago and breached an anti-discrimination treaty by failing to support Ukrainian language education in Crimea after its 2014 annexation of the peninsula. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Russia violated articles of two treaties — one on terrorism financing and another on eradicating racial discrimination. It also ruled that Russia violated one of the court’s orders by launching its full-scale invasion in Ukraine. The court rejected other Ukrainian claims under the treaties, among which were allegations that Russia was responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014. The court also rejected Ukraine’s requests to order reparations for both violations and only ordered Russia to comply with the treaties. 

Meanwhile, the European Commission will reportedly start informal high-level meetings with member states on Saturday to discuss details of a proposed new set of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The discussions are a final step before the Commission officially delivers a new package to be debated and voted on by EU countries in the Council. The proposal is expected to focus on closing more loopholes on circumvention, especially for items that can be used on the battlefield, as well as a number of new listings on individuals and entities. Associated Press, Reuters 
Related:
New York Times: EU’s Hungary Problem Looms Large Ahead of Crucial Ukraine Summit

At least 30 journalists, lawyers, and activists hacked in Jordan, forensic investigation finds: Israeli-made Pegasus spyware was used in Jordan to hack the cellphones of at least 30 people, including journalists, lawyers, and human rights and political activists, the digital rights group Access Now said today. The hacking with spyware made by Israel’s NSO Group occurred from early 2020 until last November, Access Now said. The group did not accuse Jordan’s government of the hacking. “We believe this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the use of Pegasus spyware in Jordan, and that the true number of victims is likely much higher,” Access Now said. The University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab confirmed 30 of the hacks, with 21 victims asking to remain anonymous, citing the risk of reprisal. An NSO Group spokesperson said the company would not confirm or deny its clients’ identities, and that the group vets customers and investigates any report its spyware has been abused. Associated Press

Erdogan to visit Egypt to restore ties: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will reportedly visit Egypt on February 14 in a bid to restore ties after more than a decade of fractured relations. The trip will be his first to Egypt since before the country had ousted its Islamist president favored by Turkey, Mohamed Mursi, in 2013. Talks between Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi are expected to focus on aid shipments for Palestinians in Gaza, and steps that could be taken to end the war. Discussions on bolstering trade and determining maritime boundaries to enable Turkey to access more Mediterranean energy resources are also reportedly on the agenda. Bloomberg

Ex-Pakistani prime minister convicted again days ahead of election: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was found guilty of corruption on Wednesday and sentenced to 14 years in prison, days before his political movement attempts a return to power in parliamentary elections. Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi — who was also convicted Wednesday — were accused of retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules when he was in power. Both have denied any wrongdoing. In addition to his prison term, Khan was disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years. His lawyers said they would appeal the verdict. They have also said they will appeal the 10-year sentence that Khan received on Tuesday, in a case involving state secrets. Associated Press, New York Times

U.S. sanctions three Sudanese companies tied to warring parties: The U.S. imposed sanctions Wednesday on three Sudanese firms it accused of being directly connected to warring forces in Sudan. In a news release, the department said that both Alkhaleej Bank and Al-Fakher Advanced Works had direct ties to the Rapid Support Forces, with Al-Fakher serving as a key component of the paramilitary’s lucrative gold export business. Zadna International is run by the Sudanese army and helps provide revenue for a military-run weapons company that has already been sanctioned by the U.S., the Treasury Department said. Wednesday’s sanctions are the latest imposed on Sudan’s leaders and companies in a bid to pressure the two sides to end the conflict. Associated Press, Reuters

New Zealand will contemplate sharing military tech with U.S., UK: New Zealand said today it will contemplate sharing advanced military tech with the U.S. and UK as it pursues closer defense ties with Australia amid worries over China. The defense and foreign ministers of Australia and New Zealand met in Melbourne today to discuss deepening security ties between the neighboring nations. New Zealand has banned nuclear-powered ships from using its ports since 1984, but it is considering whether to become involved in a commitment between Australia, the UK, and the U.S. to develop and share advanced military capabilities, including artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and hypersonic technology. Australia announced after the meeting it will send officials to New Zealand later this year to discuss the three-way defense partnership. Associated Press

Countries seeking entry into BRICS economic group after body expands membership: Nearly three dozen countries are seeking entry into the China and Russia-backed BRICS economic group, member state South Africa said Wednesday, weeks after the body expanded its membership for the first time in more than a decade. Thirty-four countries have submitted an expression of interest in joining the bloc of major emerging economies, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said. Russia accepted those applications after assuming the rotating chairmanship of the group, which expanded its global footprint at the start of the year, when Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Egypt formally joined. BRICS, which since 2011 had been made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, roughly positions itself as the Global South’s answer to the Group of Seven (G7) major developed economies. CNN

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