US senators propose tough sanctions on Turkey unless it leaves Syria
A bipartisan group of US senators said Wednesday they have agreed on far-reaching sanctions to be slapped on NATO ally Turkey if its forces do not withdraw from neighboring Syria.
Democrat
Ukraine president says ‘no blackmail’ in phone call with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters Thursday his controversial July call with President Trump involved no bribe, blackmail or quid pro quo, as impeachment-minded Democrats claim.
Anti-Trump group launches $1 million in swing-state impeachment ads
The Democratic-aligned digital group ACRONYM is launching a $1 million ad campaign in five swing states focused on impeaching President Donald Trump, answering a barrage of ads from Trump and allies condemning Democrats over the impeachment push.
‘Insolent and obstructive’: Tom Cotton says intelligence watchdog shared extra details about Ukraine whistleblower with House Democrats
An Intelligence Community watchdog gave preferential treatment to House Democrats conducting an impeachment inquiry into President Trump while rebuffing Senate Republican questions, according to Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton.
EU demands Turkey halt Syria operation as NATO chief urges ‘restraint’
EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday demanded Turkey halt its military operation against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, telling Ankara a political solution was the only way to end the Syrian conflict.
Trump bars envoy’s testimony, escalating impeachment fight
President Donald Trump intensified his fight with Congress Tuesday over the Democrats’ impeachment investigation, as the administration blocked a US diplomat from testifying behind closed doors about the president’s dealings with Ukraine. House committee chairmen said they would subpoena the envoy to force him to appear.
Turkey military advances as U.S. withdraws from Syria
World leaders were “preparing for the worst” Monday as Turkey moved quickly toward a sweeping military offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after President Trump’s surprise announcement that he would pull American forces out of a crucial buffer zone along the border between the two nations.
As impeachment looms, GOP revolts against Trump on Syria
They may have his back on impeachment, but some of President Donald Trump’s most loyal allies are suddenly revolting against his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northern Syria.
Hong Kong’s Lam says Chinese military could step in if uprising worsens
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned Tuesday the Chinese military could step in if an uprising for democratic reforms in the city worsens, but she reiterated the government still hopes to resolve the crisis on its own without seeking mainland intervention.
House Democrats Subpoena Pentagon, Prepare to Depose Sondland in Impeachment Inquiry
Three U.S. House of Representatives committees are set to question Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday to find out more about the interactions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian officials.
‘Islamic State’ resurgence a ‘very real possibility’ after US exits Syria
For months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to send troops into neighboring Syria. Then, on Saturday, he announced he would deliver on his promise and send Turkish air and ground forces into the country. Erdogan plans to create a “safe zone” along the Turkish-Syrian border. The purpose of this is to push back the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are led by the predominantly Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Ankara considers the Kurdish militia a threat to its national security.
Hong Kong Plunges Deeper into Crisis as Protests Break Out for the Third Consecutive Day
Anti-communist crowds marched through Hong Kong Sunday to decry the government’s emergency powers and press their demands for political freedom. Many wore masks in open defiance of a government ban on facial coverings meant as a deterrent to protesters, whose four-month-old democratic rebellion has thrown the semi-autonomous enclave into crisis and caused consternation among China’s top leadership.
US steps aside for Turkey to invade northern Syria, crush Kurds
The White House said Sunday that US forces in northeast Syria will move aside and clear the way for an expected Turkish assault, essentially abandoning Kurdish fighters who fought alongside American forces in the years-long battle to defeat Islamic State militants.
Rasmussen: 69% of Independent Voters Are ‘Angry’ at Media; 61% of All U.S. Voters Angry at Media
More U.S. voters (including 69% of independents) are angry at the media than are angry at either President Donald Trump or his political opponents, survey results released by Rasmussen Reports on Wednesday show.
Giuliani hires Watergate prosecutor amid congressional investigation
President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani has hired Watergate prosecutor Jon Sale to represent him during the impeachment inquiry launched by House Democrats.
Mitch McConnell: Senate would have ‘no choice’ but to take up impeachment after House
The odds of President Trump being convicted in the Republican-held Senate or even impeached by the Democratic-run House is a long shot, despite Washington being consumed by impeachment mania.
Michigan Faith-Based Adoption Agencies Win Big in Court, Allowed to Keep Following Their Religion
A district judge in Michigan has ruled that a faith-based adoption agency can continue to practice its religious beliefs and still partner with the state in connecting foster children with families who want to adopt them.
Latest Hong Kong pro-democracy protests end early after violent turn
A pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong which reportedly had drawn hundreds of thousands ended early on Saturday after violence broke out, police said.
Senate passes stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown
The Senate on Thursday easily passed a stopgap bill to avert an end-of-month shutdown, even as lawmakers signaled bigger spending fights ahead over President Trump’s desired U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Intel chief rejects Ukraine cover-up
An intelligence community whistleblower said Ukrainian officials emerged from a July phone call with President Trump convinced they needed to investigate former Vice President Joseph R. Biden and the Democratic Party in order to get on Mr. Trump’s good side, according to documents made public Thursday.