| EARLIER THURSDAY, SENATORS URGED TRUMP TO KEEP PRESSURE ON N. KOREA WHILE EXPLORING TALKS: Six Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees are urging President Trump to continue the so-called maximum pressure campaign against North Korea as the possibility of talks are explored. "Mr. President, when it comes to the North Korean regime, we must verify before we trust," the senators wrote in a letter to Trump on Thursday. "While we must take any credible opportunity to talk with Pyongyang about denuclearization, we must also never forget that the DPRK continues to represent a grave threat to the United States, our allies and global peace and stability. "We ask that you respond to Congress in a timely manner regarding the administration's strategy to engage the DPRK and your plan for a robust implementation of the maximum pressure campaign against this heinous regime." The letter was signed by Republican Sens. Cory Gardner (Colo.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), James Risch (Idaho), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), and Todd Young (Ind.). The Hill's Rebecca Kheel has the rest here. NOBEL PRIZE?: GOP Rep. Luke Messer (R-Ind.) said Thursday that Trump "should be well on his way" to winning the Nobel Peace Prize if he is successful in prompting North Korea to disarm its nuclear capabilities. "If North Korea talks lead to concrete action, President Trump should be well on his way to his own Nobel Peace Prize," Messer said in a statement. "North Korea is signaling for the first time a willingness to discuss disarming its nuclear capabilities. If this happens, it would be a direct result of President Trump's strong leadership and decisive action toward the brutal North Korean tyrant." Read about that here. GENERAL SAYS NO UNIFIED EFFORT AGAINST RUSSIAN CYBER THREAT: The head of U.S. European Command said Thursday that the U.S. government does not have an effective unified effort to confront cyber threats from Russia. "I don't believe there's an effective unification across the interagency with the energy and the focus that we could attain," Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti told lawmakers during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Scaparrotti, who is also the supreme allied commander of NATO, had been asked by the committee's top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.) how he would assess the country's "whole-of-government response" to confront Russia's cyber threat. The general also said that the Pentagon is trying to map out the scope of Russian cyber activity, but so far does not have a full picture of the activity. "We're getting better understanding of it," he said. "I would not characterize it as a - as a good picture at this point, not satisfactory to me." Read more on the hearing here. GOP SENATORS SAY TRUMP TARIFFS COULD HARM NATIONAL SECURITY: President Trump's proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum could hurt U.S. national security, a group of GOP senators led by Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities Chairman Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) wrote in a letter to the president. Trump Thursday ordered tariffs on steel and aluminum imports using a legal provision that allows the imposition of import taxes on national security grounds. The senators' letter, which cited the White House's own National Security Strategy and Defense secretary James Mattis's National Defense Strategy, said the tariffs would strain alliances the US needs to maintain its national security. "Our military and intelligence communities benefit from these alliances and partnerships, and in today's strategic environment it is of utmost importance that we continue to foster constructive relationships with international partners that share our nation's concerns and interests with emphasis on addressing the most critical challenges facing the U.S. and global steel industry," the letter said. The Hill's Niv Elis has more here. MORE ON THE TARIFFS: President Trump on Thursday officially announced steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, defying his own party and delivering on a campaign promise to fight what he sees as unfair practices by U.S. trading partners. Trump signed paperwork enacting tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum during a hastily arranged event at the White House. The president temporarily exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs, arguing his administration would continue talks with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners. Trump has separately discussed withdrawing the United States from NAFTA. White House officials said that all other countries will be able to make their case as to why they should be exempt from the tariffs and what they will do to shore up their national security relationship with the United States. More from The Hill's Jordan Fabian and Vicki Needham here. US TROOPS IN NIGER, MALI, TO RECEIVE HOSTILE FIRE PAY: U.S. troops serving in Niger and Mali will receive extra pay for being in danger of hostile fire, a congressman said. "I am very pleased that the military was able to provide a resolution for our service members, who clearly deserve Imminent Danger Pay when operating in hostile environments in the Sahel region of Africa," Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) said in a statement late Wednesday. Later Thursday, the Pentagon released a memo confirming that troops in Niger, Mali and parts of northern Cameroon would receive the $225 per month bonus. On Tuesday, Courtney questioned Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, head of U.S. Africa Command, on why troops serving in Niger and Mali do not receive the bonus when those serving in other African countries such as Algeria, Chad, Egypt and Kenya do. The issue of Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) for troops serving on the ground in Niger was raised after four U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush there in October. Read more here. STATE ANNOUNCES $467M WEAPONS SALE TO QATAR, UAE: The State Department has approved a possible $270.4 million missile sale to the United Arab Emirates and a $197 million upgrade for Qatar's air operation center, even as Gulf countries continue to impose a blockade on Doha. The proposed sale to the UAE Air Force includes 300 Sidewinder Block II missiles and associated parts and contractor support from Raytheon, according to a Thursday announcement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees foreign military sales. "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," the DSCA notice states. Qatar's possible sale, also announced Thursday and awarded to Raytheon, includes equipment and support to upgrade its Air Force's Air Operation Center. The country houses Al Udeid Air Base, which holds 10,000 U.S. military personnel. Congress must now approve both sales. Read more here. ICYMI: -- The Hill: Experts urge senators to back bill ending US involvement in Yemen war -- The Hill: Russian embassy: Poisoned spy was actually working for MI6 -- The Hill: Senators demand cyber deterrence strategy from Trump -- The Hill: Opinion: It's possible to have strong defense and be fiscally sound -- Defense News: Lockheed CEO Hewson defends the company's role with DoD: 'We are leading a national asset' -- Reuters: State Department says offering rewards for info on Pakistani militant leaders | 
