U.S. to elevate ransomware to same level as terrorism; Biden announces new Chinese companies added to blacklist; Belarusian airlines banned from EU territory; China to increase belt and road projects inside Afghanistan.

White House warns private sector to improve cyber defenses; Biden to seek new data deal with EU; Nicaragua security forces arrest presidential candidate; Denmark says relationship with France & Germany OK; Russia moves away from U.S. dollar; Israeli opposition set to unseat Netanyahu; Abandoned ship off Yemeni coasts at risk of breaking apart.

JBS operations coming back after alleged Russian hack; Blinken takes veiled swipe at China's 'economic coercion'; U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander visits Japan; Iran's largest navy ship sinks after catching fire; Israeli Defense Minister travels to DC; EU sanctions Belarusian airline industry officials; China's President Xi tells Politburo China needs a better global image.

Big news day.  Kurt Campbell says era of U.S.-China engagement over and we're now in era of 'competition'; Belarus President Lukashenka under increasing pressure; Russia claims to have expelled British warship from territorial waters; First ever cyber regulations announced for U.S. pipeline operators and a lot more in this episode.

Blinken on Middle East tour; Russia denies any involvement in Belarus crisis while EU brings sanctions over airplane diversion; Xi Jinping offers China's support to Iran in phone call; Australia to close embassy in Kabul; Mali's military detains civilian leaders.

U.S. SecDef gets cold shoulder from China; Belarus crisis likely to draw formal EU response; Houthi rebels not deterred by U.S. sanctions.