THE NEW YORK TIMES

Russia Lays Out Demands for a Sweeping New Security Deal With NATO

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia demanded on Friday that the United States and its allies halt all military activity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in a sweeping proposal that would establish a Cold War-like security arrangement, posing a challenge to diplomatic efforts to defuse Russia’s growing military threat to Ukraine.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

The Island Paradise Near the Front Line of Tensions Over Taiwan

New missile batteries planned for the Japanese island of Ishigaki reflect a drastic shift in Japan’s views on China. A new missile base on Ishigaki, Japan, is making residents worry for their safety in case of a conflict between China and Taiwan.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Senate Passes $768 Billion Defense Bill, Sending It to Biden

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday passed a $768 billion defense bill, sending legislation to President Biden that will increase the Pentagon’s budget by roughly $24 billion more than he requested.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/us/politics/defense-spending-bill.html

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Boris Johnson Is in Trouble. The Question Is, How Much?

LONDON — When Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain warned his country in a televised address on Sunday night that a tidal wave was coming, he might well have been talking about his own political future.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/13/world/europe/boris-johnson-uk-coronavirus.html

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Diplomats Warn Russia of ‘Massive Consequences’ if It Invades Ukraine

LIVERPOOL, England — The top diplomats for the world’s wealthiest large democracies warned Russia on Sunday of “massive consequences” and “severe costs” should it invade Ukraine or continue military aggressions near its border.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

U.K. Court Rules Julian Assange Can Be Extradited to U.S.

LONDON — A British court ruled on Friday that Julian Assange can be extradited to the United States to face Espionage Act charges that could result in decades of jail time, reversing a lower-court decision in the long-running case against the embattled WikiLeaks founder.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Ukraine Commanders Say a Russian Invasion Would Overwhelm Them

KYIV, Ukraine — On the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s armed forces this week, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, donned a helmet and flak jacket to tour the trenches and announced with great fanfare the delivery of new tanks, armored vehicles and ships to frontline units engaged in fighting Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists.