426: President Trump Sends Letter to Iran Supreme Leader + US & Ukraine to Discuss Peace in Saudi Arabia + France - Germany - Italy - UK - Support Arab Rebuild Plan for Gaza + More

For review:

1. President Trump Sends Letter to Iran Supreme Leader.  US President Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran and sent a letter to its leadership this week suggesting talks with the Islamic Republic.

2. New Syrian government consolidating security against Pro-Assad forces in the Alawite Minority.  A Syria war monitor reported on Saturday that over 530 civilians from the Alawite minority had been killed in recent days by security forces, as authorities clash with militants loyal to the former government of Bashar al-Assad.  The civilian deaths bring the overall toll to 745 people, including 93 members of the new government’s security forces and 120 pro-Assad fighters.

3.   France - Germany - Italy - UK - Support Arab Rebuild Plan for Gaza.  “The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza,” the ministers said in a joint statement. 

4. US & Ukraine to Discuss Peace in Saudi Arabia.  From Ukrainian President Zelenskyy: "Next Monday, I have a visit planned to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. "Ukraine is most interested in peace." 

5. Singapore announced a 12.4% defense budget hike on 03 March, with major new equipment on order.  The FY2025 defense budget is slated to reach US $17.4 billion. 

6. USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes (two variants) receive series designations: General Atomics designation: YFQ-42A; & Anduril designation: YFQ-44A. (Y = Prototype; F = Fighter; & Q = Drone.)

7. US Army selects Textron Ripsaw M3 as promising Robotic Combat Vehicle prototype for development.