China & Indo-Pacific

- Russia lifts measures related to a plague lab incident, prompting health checks at Indonesia's entry points. - Myanmar military airstrikes in Rakhine State kill at least 8 people; Arakan Army claims these attacks are part of regaining territory. - China opens road through Afghan Wakhan Corridor to diversify connections amid Pakistan’s destabilizing actions. - Japan and the US conduct expanded military exercises near Taiwan, involving about 45,000 Japanese personnel and 12,000 US troops. - China nominates Song Li for WHO chief as agency faces funding shake-up from US exit.

Recent headlines

• Trump doesn't think Russia plague incident is bioweapon, plans Putin call Wednesday — cnbc_top
• Russia lifts plague lab-related measures. Should China – and the world – be relieved? — scmp
• What Does China’s New Military Base in Laos Mean? — foreign_policy
• Iran joins SCO drill as China resists direct intervention in US-Iran war — al_monitor
• Why Is Washington Talking Directly to Myanmar’s Military Government? — modern_diplomacy