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Monday

U.S. and Russia share tense exchange at U.N. Security Council meeting

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks at a United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the situation between Russia and Ukraine on Monday. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

World

U.S. and Russia share tense exchange at U.N. Security Council meeting

At Monday's U.N. Security Council meeting, the U.S. hoped to get an explanation from Russia of exactly what it was doing regarding Ukraine. But instead, the meeting was full of tense exchanges.

U.S. and Russia share tense exchange at U.N. Security Council meeting

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Saturday

Is Ukraine ready for a Russian attack? It depends what kind

Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units, train close to Kyiv on Saturday. Dozens of civilians have been joining Ukraine's army reserves in recent weeks amid fears about Russian invasion. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide caption

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Efrem Lukatsky/AP

World

Is Ukraine ready for a Russian attack? It depends what kind

As experts and officials in Ukraine's capital consider a range of possible actions by Russia — including invasion, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns — they say Ukraine lacks critical defenses.

Is Ukraine ready for a Russian attack? It depends what kind

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Friday

Veteran Chinese diplomat Qin Gang, China's ambassador to the U.S., speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep at Qin's official residence in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

Veteran Chinese diplomat Qin Gang, China's ambassador to the U.S., speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep at Qin's official residence in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Shuran Huang for NPR hide caption

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Shuran Huang for NPR

Asia

China's ambassador to the U.S. warns of 'military conflict' over Taiwan

In his first one-on-one interview since assuming his post in Washington, D.C., last July, Ambassador Qin Gang has an unusually blunt message for the U.S.

China's ambassador to the U.S. warns of 'military conflict' over Taiwan

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Thursday

Russia sees 'little ground for optimism' in the U.S. response on Ukraine crisis

Schoolchildren look at explosives during a police-organized civilian safety lesson in a city school in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. City authorities have launched training for civilians amid fears about a Russian invasion. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide caption

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Efrem Lukatsky/AP

World

Russia sees 'little ground for optimism' in the U.S. response on Ukraine crisis

All eyes are now on Vladimir Putin, who will decide how Russia will respond amid fears that Europe could again be plunged into war.

Vanessa Guillén's murder led the U.S. to deem military sexual harassment a crime

Mayra Guillén, second from left, and Lupe Guillén, second from right, have been vocal advocates for changes to military justice, after their sister Vanessa was murdered at 20 years old. The Guillén family says Vanessa endured sexual harassment — which is now a crime in the military. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

National

Vanessa Guillén's murder led the U.S. to deem military sexual harassment a crime

Spc. Vanessa Guillén was murdered by a fellow soldier in 2020. "My little sister shed light on the epidemic of sexual misconduct in the military" Mayra Guillén said.

Biden team promises new approach to extremism, but critics see old patterns

Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Jon Cherry/Getty Images hide caption

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Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Biden team promises new approach to extremism, but critics see old patterns

The Biden administration's new Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships aims to stop radicalization before it starts. But critics say it's a repackaging of failed strategies and inadequate.

Wednesday

North Korea fires two suspected missiles in sixth round of launches this month

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Jan. 19. North Korea on Tuesday test-fired two suspected cruise missiles in its sixth round of weapons launches this month, South Korean military officials said. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/via AP hide caption

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Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/via AP

North Korea fires two suspected missiles in sixth round of launches this month

North Korea last week issued a veiled threat to resume testing nuclear explosives and long-range missiles targeting the U.S.

The U.S. says it will stand firm against major Russian demands as tension rises

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks about Russia and Ukraine during a briefing at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Brendan Smialowski/POOL/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

The U.S. says it will stand firm against major Russian demands as tension rises

Among the demands from Russia was a guarantee that Ukraine be permanently barred from NATO membership. That would violate a U.S. "core principle," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

Tuesday

President Biden says a Russian invasion of Ukraine 'would change the world'

A soldier pauses in territory controlled by pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine. The U.S. and its allies are preparing responses and counter-responses if Russia invades Ukraine. Alexei Alexandrov/AP hide caption

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Alexei Alexandrov/AP

Politics

President Biden says a Russian invasion of Ukraine 'would change the world'

Biden said should Russian President Putin move in using the more than 100,000 Russian troops surrounding Ukraine, "it would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world."

Monday

The U.S. is placing 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe

U.S. soldiers take part in a joint military combat exercise with Estonian soldiers in 2017 near Tapa, Estonia. The U.S. is readying 8,500 troops to possibly deploy to Eastern Europe. Sean Gallup/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The U.S. is placing 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe

The Pentagon said no final decision has been made, but Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wanted U.S. forces to be ready "just in case" of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sunday

U.S. weighs sending 5,000 troops to Eastern Europe to counter Russia

Soldiers of Poland, Britain, the United States and Romania take part in military exercises at the military training ground in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, on Nov. 18, 2021. Janek Skarzynski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Janek Skarzynski/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. weighs sending 5,000 troops to Eastern Europe to counter Russia

Biden is considering sending up to 5,000 troops to Eastern European countries, including Romania and Poland, a U.S. official told NPR. Russia has stationed 100,000 troops near Ukraine.