President Biden will meet virtually with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Jan. 21 in an effort to "deepen ties" between the two countries, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Sunday.
State of play: Psaki emphasized that the relationship between the two countries is a "cornerstone of peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and around the world."
The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Sunday that classified intelligence on Russia's alleged plans to provoke war with Ukraine through a "false-flag" operation is "the most specific I have ever seen," and the timetable is "very aggressive."
Why it matters: A conventional war on the European continent could break out in a matter of days. It would fundamentally transform Russia's relationship with the West, unleash a wave of refugees and pull the U.S. further into a proxy conflict it has no interest in waging.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Sunday he believes the U.S. is engaged in a new Cold War with Russia.
Why it matters: McCaul's comments on CNN's "State of the Union" come days after diplomatic talks among the United States, European allies and Russia hit a dead end, increasing fears of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation issued a statement Sunday accusing Russia of being behind a cyberattack that affected government and private computer networks as part of its "hybrid war" against the country.
Driving the news: Microsoft this weekend warned it had detected evidence of a "destructive malware operation" designed to look like ransomware and "render targeted devices inoperable."
Why it matters: The code appeared to have been deployed shortly after talks stalled among Russian diplomats, the U.S. and NATO regarding Russia's military buildup at the Ukrainian border, according to the New York Times.
The former Haitian senator sought in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse was arrested in Jamaica on Saturday, AP reports.
Driving the news: Other people were arrested along with former Sen. John Joël Joseph, but their connections to the case remain unclear, Jamaica Police superintendent Stephanie Lindsay said, per AP.
The Biden administration is pushing to get Congress, Europe and Ukraine on the same page as it tries to deter Russia from invading Ukraine — all while knowing that the decisive factor will ultimately be the whims of Vladimir Putin.
Why it matters: Officials from virtually all sides are warning that the risk of a large-scale, conventional war on the European continent is greater than at any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Few agree on how to stop it.
An Australian appeals court will hear arguments in Novak Djokovic's visa cancellation case on Sunday.
Why it matters: The unvaccinated tennis player faces possible deportation from Australia after officials revoked his visa for a second time on Friday, citing public health interests. He is set to play his first match in the Australian Open on Sunday.
