Pyongyang said Friday that it had successfully tested a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time, potentially moving North Korea one step closer to establishing a credible nuclear threat to the U.S.
Why it matters: Solid-fuel ICBMs can be moved more easily and launched on shorter notice than ICBMs with liquid fuel, potentially making it harder for the U.S. or other adversaries to detect and destroy them before launch.
President Biden’s senior Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and U.S. envoy for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security Amos Hochstein traveled to Saudi Arabia this week for talks with senior Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the White House told Axios.
Why it matters: McGurk and Hochstein are the most senior U.S. officials to visit Saudi Arabia since a crisis erupted between the two countries after the Saudi-led decision to cut oil production last October. The visit signals relations between Washington and Riyadh are improving.
As alarm over the fentanyl epidemic grows in the U.S., Republicans, including Donald Trump, are proposing military strikes against Mexican cartels, the Biden administration is urging Mexico and China to clamp down, and the leaders of those countries are making clear they see this as an entirely American problem.
Why it matters: “Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered,” U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency administrator Anne Milgram testified during a Senate hearing in February.
Why it matters: While officials are still assessing the validity of the documents, an interagency effort is being assembled to determine what impact the leak could have on U.S. national security.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticized some of his NATO and EU allies during an appearance in Washington on Thursday for offering insufficient support to Ukraine and cozying up to Beijing.
Why it matters: Although several European leaders have sought to downplay any divisions over those two key issues — the path forward on Ukraine and relations with China — Morawiecki expressed deep reservations about the positions of certain "Western European countries." Asked specifically about France and Germany by Axios, Morawiecki cast doubts on the commitment of both European powers to ensure a Ukrainian "victory."
Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina," the first mariachi recordings known to ever be made, and the late Irene Cara's "Flashdance ... What a Feeling" are among the 25 works inducted into the Library of Congress' national recording registry this year.
Driving the news:The Library of Congress announced on Wednesday its annual list of 25 titles that will be preserved because they are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and are at least 10 years old.
Latino finalists for the most significant food awards in the U.S. tell Axios Latino their nominations are a sign of increasing openness to diverse cuisines among culinary gatekeepers.
Why it matters: The James Beard Chef and Restaurant awards are considered the Oscars of the culinary world, but they've long struggled with diversity.
China on Thursday sanctioned Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, for visiting Taiwan.
The big picture: McCaul met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei last week and said that the U.S. would provide training for Taiwan's armed forces and deliver more weapons to the self-governing island to support its defense capabilities.
President Biden vowed Thursday that the U.S. is "getting close" to getting answers in the investigation into the leak of a trove of classified Pentagon documents.
Why it matters: The leaked documents contained stunning revelations about the extent of the U.S.' knowledge of Russia's intelligence and security services, but also outline U.S. efforts to spy on some of its allies.
