Syrian army prepares to surround Eastern Ghouta, Putin declares use of nuclear weapons

1. Russian President Putin declares use of nuclear weapons, US "disappointed"

Russia's new intercontinental ballistic missile Sarmat.

Pentagon officials told US lawmakers they were “disappointed” by President Putin’s claims of Russia’s unparalleled missile capabilities and viewed them as a “threat” to the US and its allies.

“In my opinion, the statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin is not surprising, but disappointing. While we know about the development of Russian military capabilities and consider it part of Russia’s military doctrine and training program, it is disappointing to see the Russian President using these capabilities in his own way,” RT quoted John Rood, US Deputy Secretary of Defense, as saying during the discussion of the US Strategic Force Posture and Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Proposal.

Meanwhile, Commander of the US Strategic Command, General John Hyten, emphasized, "President Putin's statement is not surprising but only further clarifies Russia's intention in developing weapons to threaten and attack the US and its allies."

2. Is Kim Jong-un's "most powerful weapon" about to set foot in the US?

It is possible that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will send his sister Kim Yo-jong (right) to the US in the near future.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may send his sister Kim Yo-jong to the United States to pave the way for direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang, South Korean diplomatic sources said.