Our daily trip around the world

🇰🇪 The US is reportedly granting major non-NATO ally status to Kenya. Kenyan President William Ruto began a three-day state visit to the US on Wednesday, during which President Biden is expected to name Kenya as a major non-NATO ally. Kenya will become the first sub-Saharan country to receive this designation, which allows the recipient to obtain more advanced US weaponry and engage in closer security cooperation with America.

🇨🇳🇹🇼 China launched military drills around Taiwan as a “punishment.” Yesterday, China’s military sent army, navy, and air forces into areas surrounding Taiwan as part of large-scale combat drills, which officials said were punishment for “the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.” The drills came three days after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledged at his inauguration to defend his country’s sovereignty from China, which claims Taiwan is part of its national territory.

🇷🇺 Russia has arrested five top military officials within the past month in a widening purge. The crackdown began last month with the arrest of Russia’s deputy defense minister on bribery accusations. Since then, three other senior Russian military members have been arrested on similar bribery charges – including two top officials yesterday – while a fourth officer who previously criticized President Vladimir Putin was detained for alleged fraud.