Syrian President Bashar al-Assad plans to make a state visit to Pyongyang, reports Reuters, citing a Sunday report by the North Korea's state news agency. The report didn't offer a timeline when he will do so.
Why it matters: It would be the first time North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would host a head of state since he assumed power in 2011, and comes amid several other meetings with world leaders.
China forewarned the Trump administration on Sunday that any trade deals currently being discussed will not go into effect should the U.S. implement proposed tariffs on Chinese goods, according to a statement published by the official Xinhua News Agency.
The backdrop: The warning came after a U.S. delegation, led by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, held talks with Chinese officials in Beijing on Saturday and Sunday. The latest, sprawling discussion over trade disputes between both countries ended with neither a joint statement and nor did they released any details, per the AP. The White House had casted doubt on trade talks when it renewed a threat on Tuesday to impose 25% tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese technology this month.
Israel denied claims today by Russian officials and reports in Arab media outlets about new understandings that were allegedly reached about the situation in Southern Syria. An Israeli official told me that no deal was reached with the Russians so far.
Why it matters: The Syrian army is about to start a military operation against rebels in Southern Syria near the Israeli and Jordanian borders, which would violate a ceasefire deal signed by the U.S., Russia and Jordan last July.
Speaking at the annual regional security conference, the Shangri-La Dialogue, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis criticized China's ongoing militarization of the controversial islands in the South China Sea saying that its placement of weapons "is tied directly to military use for the purposes of intimidation and coercion."
Why it matters: Mattis added that China's moves are "in stark contrast to the openness our strategy promotes," and question "China’s broader goals." Mattis’ comment comes on the heels of efforts from the U.S. "to navigate increased tensions with Beijing, even as the Trump administration seeks Chinese help in curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions," reports the New York Times.
When North Korea exploded its nuclear test site at Punggye-ri last month, it was likely all a charade.
The evidence: The amount of dust from the explosions appears to have been too small for scientists to glean geologic activity, like a collapsed tunnel, and journalists who were invited to watch were 500 meters from the explosion, which indicates they were small blasts, per CNN.
Yes, that's an actual issue. U.S. officials are trying to figure out who should pay for the luxury hotel Kim Jong-un wants to stay at for the summit in Singapore, the Washington Post reports, citing two people familiar with the talks.
Why it matters: Of all the sensitive diplomatic issues involved with the summit, this isn't the one most of us would think of first. But it shows how complicated everything is in these talks — and it's only an issue because North Korea is so short on cash. (The U.S. doesn't want to offend Kim by picking up the check, per the Post, so it may ask Singapore to do it.)
