Today's Headlines and Commentary

Two United States soldiers were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to the Pentagon, as talks resumed in Qatar between the Taliban and the U.S. to discuss the safety and security of Afghanistan, reports the New York Times. The U.S. military did not disclose further details pending family notification.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that talks with the U.S. are “useless” during a speech unveiling a new long-range surface-to-air missile system, adding that Iran’s enemies, “do not accept logic, [so] we cannot respond with logic,” writes the Washington Post.

President Trump called Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments “nasty” after Frederiksen rejected Trump’s proposal to buy Greenland and called the attempt “absurd,” reports the Associated Press. Trump previously canceled his trip to Denmark over the issue, though Frederiksen assures that the president’s decision will not affect cooperation between the two countries and maintained that the U.S. is one of Denmark’s closest allies.

An Iran-backed paramilitary group in Iraq, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, said in a statement on Wednesday that any foreign aircraft flying over the country may be treated as “hostile,” amid suspicions that Israel is responsible for four recent blasts at militia bases in the country, according to the Post. The statement went on to accuse the U.S. of aiding the strikes by allowing Israeli forces to use U.S. bases in Iraq. The U.S. military responded that it takes action at the direction of the Iraqi government and operates in compliance with all Iraqi laws, while Israel has not made any official statements regarding their involvement in the conflict.

South Korea announced that it will stop exchanging classified intelligence on North Korea with Japan amid a trade dispute, a move Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono calls “extremely regrettable,” writes the Associated Press.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Eugenia Lostri analyzed the recent hacks and leaks of sensitive government material in Argentina, and why no one has been paying attention.

Matthew Waxman shared a story of American constitutional war powers and bird$h*t.

Robert Chesney and Steve Vladeck shared the latest episode of the National Security Law Podcast in which they discuss Sue Gorden’s resignation as Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, domestic terrorism bills, asylum rulings and Greenland.

Hadley Baker shared the House Ways and Means Committee’s court filing in support of a motion for summary judgment in the ongoing battle for the release of Trump’s tax returns.

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