text: Diplomacy from Western nations is continually unproductive, but the continued presence of cabinet-level U.S. diplomats indicates the Biden administration feels this situation is slipping out of their control. Secretary of State Blinken continues meetings with Ukrainian officials and will meet with Russia on Friday in Geneva. State Department observers believe this is a “last chance” at diplomacy. White House Press Secretary Psaki said, “We believe we’re now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine. I would say that’s more stark than we have been.” Individual NATO members continue providing weapons and training support to Ukraine without direct involvement from the alliance. While Russia may claim there are “NATO troops” at the door, unified action against Russia would require an attack against a member nation. This is more likely to occur in the cyber realm than a direct kinetic strike. – D.M.Indo-Pacific SITREP: CHINA BUILDS BRIDGE TO INDIA; INDIA JUMPS INTO PACIFIC FIGHTChina is nearing completion of a bridge over the Pangong Lake along its disputed border with India. The 8 meter-wide bridge lies just south of a major Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) base on the North bank of Pangong Lake and, when completed, will give the PLA a major advantage in the key region of Eastern Ladakh. Ladakh has been a flash-point between the two countries and the site of armed clashes during 2020 and 2021. The construction of the bridge was first identified by satellite imagery earlier this month. India views the bridge construction as illegal as it has not ceded the Pangong, though China has occupied the area since 1958. By building the bridge, the PLA is decreasing the distance it normally has to travel to the lake’s South bank by over 150km, a significant decrease in reaction time. China is positioning itself to dominate the buffer zone area of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Previously, the PLA had a long travel distance when reacting to Indian troop movements along the LAC. India had previously held the tactical advantage in the area due to geographic positioning in the mountainous terrain.