US & Iran Talks in Oman: "Productive and Positive" + Germany & UK-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group Pledges $23.8 Billion + US Senate Confirms New Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff + More

For review: 1. US & Iran Talks in Oman: "Productive and Positive". Both countries agreed to hold a second round next week. 2. Rafah cut-off from rest of Gaza between two IDF Security Corridors. The IDF said Rafah was now surrounded by its forces, with the 36th Division holding the Morag Corridor and the Gaza Division operating in the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border area. 3. US Envoy Steve Witkoff met in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin for more than 4 hours on Friday. Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev as described the talks as "productive". 4. Former US intelligence official (unnamed) told Reuters that Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approval to observe and draw tactical lessons from the war. 5. Germany & UK-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group Pledges $23.8 Billion. 6. US Senate Confirms New Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Dan Caine's experience includes numerous roles in the special operations community, director of joint operations and training on the Joint Staff, and — most recently — three years as the CIA’s associate director for military affairs before his retirement in 2024. General Caine is also a former F-16 pilot. 7. US Secretary of Navy John Phelan pledges a focus on shipbuilding and expanding the industrial base. 8. Upcoming US Navy Submarine and Aircraft Carrier efforts are facing delays. The lead Columbia-class submarine vessel (USS District of Columbia SSBN-826), is 12-18 months behind schedule. The future aircraft carrier (USS Enterprise CVN-80), is estimated to be 28 months behind schedule, with delivery now anticipated to be in the 2028-29 timeframe.