CIA Diplomacy Fails To Bridge The US-Russia Divide

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Ratcliffe's Moscow visit highlights strategic divisions
James Davis reports that John Ratcliffe's Moscow visit exposed the widening gap between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine, Iran and escalation risks. The CIA mission appears to have changed little, as Russia continues targeting Ukraine's ports and industry while European leaders double down on support for Kyiv.

South Korea follows China along the Northern Sea Route
Scott Foster reports that South Korea is testing the Northern Sea Route as a faster, less Middle East-dependent trade link to Europe, following China's lead. The move highlights Seoul's strategic maritime ambitions while Japan remains constrained by its collapsed relations with Russia.