(CNN)The Biden administration is in the final stages of identifying specific military units it wants to send to Eastern Europe and writing up the military orders in an effort to deter Russia, which has massed tens of thousands of troops on the border with Ukraine, according to multiple US and defense officials.
No final decision has been made, but CNN reported that President Joe Biden discussed options for bolstering US troop levels in the Baltics and Eastern Europe with his top military officials during a briefing at Camp David on Saturday, according to a senior official.
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MIDDLE EAST
UAE says it intercepted 2 ballistic missiles over Abu Dhabi.
UN condemns deadly air strike on Yemen prison.
Yemen rebels threaten more attacks after firing missiles on UAE, Saudi Arabia.
Iran rules out release of American prisoners as precondition for nuclear talks.
Jihadist fighters holed up with minors in Syria prison.
S Korea pays Iran’s delinquent $18m UN dues with frozen funds.
US detains smuggling ship in Gulf of Oman, Navy says.
UK Royal Navy seizes more than $20 million worth of drugs in Gulf of Oman.
Lebanon's Hariri suspends role in politics, will not run in vote.
Lebanon's healthcare system in 'precarious situation,' health minister warns.
Tel Aviv rises to No. 1 on list of world's most expensive cities; NYC 6th.
ASIA
China launches 39 aircraft into Taiwan's air defense zone one day after the US and Japan put on show of naval force in the Philippine Sea.
US hits Chinese defense companies with sanctions.
Taliban, in desperate need of humanitarian aid, meets with Western leaders in Norway.
The Taliban demand that $10billion frozen by US is released as they begin first official talks with western diplomats.
Taliban hail Oslo meet as success 'in itself'.
Biden, Japanese PM Kishida talk China, nuclear weapons in first meeting.
Asia embraced China's vaccines to fight COVID-19. Now it may be uniquely vulnerable to Omicron.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern cancels wedding as nation tightens restrictions.
COVID: Omicron surge deals heavy blow to Filipino families.
India’s Omicron wave may intensify in coming weeks: Experts.
North Korean hackers said to have stolen nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency last year.
Beijing warns of heavy air pollution during Winter Olympics, with air quality far below WHO standards.
Australia is one of 22 new countries deemed 'very high' risk for travel.
Backlash as US billionaire dismisses Uyghur abuse.
AFRICA
Soldiers say military junta now controls Burkina Faso.
Gov't soldiers detain president in Burkina Faso after unrest over terrorist groups.
Burkina Faso president survived assassination attempt, party says.
Libyan PM wants constitution before elections.
Hit by sanctions, Mali faces price hikes and shortages of essential goods.
Mali’s junta seeks review of ‘unbalanced’ defence deal with France.
French soldier dies in attack on anti-insurgent base in Mali.
Thousands protest in Sudan against military rule.
Sudanese protester killed by ‘live bullet to chest’.
Algeria’s leader in Egypt for talks on Libya, Ethiopia dam.
Senegal ruling coalition suffers setbacks in key cities.
Kenya, Mauritania get nearly 2 million US Covid vaccine doses.
EUROPE
U.S. orders embassy staffers' families to leave Ukraine amid Russian military buildup.
Ukraine: UK withdrawing some embassy staff from Kyiv.
Russia toughens its posture amid Ukraine tensions.
White House: Russia prepping pretext for Ukraine invasion.
Russia accuses West of 'hysteria' after NATO announces military buildup in Eastern Europe.
Ireland tells Russia live-fire naval exercise is 'not welcome'.
Ukraine: Boris Johnson warns Russian invasion would be disastrous.
Kiev building up troops in Donbass conflict zone is dangerous opportunism, Kremlin says.
Zelensky says he needs direct talks with Russia to stop Donbass conflict.
Germany drops new hint on Nord Stream 2.
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian resigns, citing lack of tools to fix national crisis.
Italy votes for new president in a race that could spark political upheaval.
Greece to make COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for people over 60.
Unvaccinated now barred from French restaurants, sports venues.
AMERICAS
DHS warns of Russian cyberattack on US if it responds to Ukraine invasion.
U.S. economy slows sharply during omicron wave, Markit surveys show.
SCOTUS agrees to hear challenges to race-based affirmative action policies at Harvard and UNC 'that prioritize African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans over Asian students'.
Canada offers $120 M loan, considers sending small arms to Ukraine to counter threat of Russian invasion.
Opposition candidate Xiomara Castro elected Honduras' first female president.
Maduro, Putin talk after diplomat hints at military activity.
Mexico violence: Third journalist killed this year.
Brazil, Guyana and Suriname to take first steps towards energy alliance.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Democrats ask Biden to overhaul counterterrorism, drone strike strategy.
Hundreds of children held by IS in besieged prison in Syria.
ISIS in Afghanistan might be able to launch international attacks within a year, Pentagon official warns.
German court gives life in prison to ex-ISIS fighter for death of 5-year-old in first ‘genocide’ trial.
Pakistan: Islamists against Muhammad cartoons stage comeback.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Shares tumble as Russia-Ukraine tensions rattle markets.
Davos: IMF chief says world must 'spend billions' to 'gain trillions'.
China’s zero-Covid policy could deal another blow to global supply chains, Moody’s says.
Bitcoin millionaires are moving to Puerto Rico for lower taxes and island living.