Pentagon plan could have US troops out of Afghanistan in 3 to 5 years
All U.S. troops could exit Afghanistan within the next half-decade, according to a new report.
EU
U.S. House approves expanded background checks for gun sales
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would expand background checks for gun sales to include firearm purchases at gun shows and over the internet, a measure likely to face Senate and White House opposition.
Supreme Court’s ‘Peace Cross’ case tackles debate on religious freedom, limits of public memorials
On Wednesday, the case goes to the Supreme Court, where the justices hear oral arguments and, within a few months, will deliver a verdict on whether a cross is inherently an exclusionary Christian symbol and must be taken down.
May buckles: British PM to rule out no-deal Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Tuesday propose formally ruling out a no-deal Brexit in a bid to avoid a rebellion by lawmakers who are threatening to grab control of the divorce process, The Sun and Daily Mail newspapers reported.
U.S. says air strike killed 35 militants in Somalia
The U.S. military said on Monday that a recent airstrike in central Somalia killed 35 al Shabaab fighters.
Iran starts Gulf war games, to test submarine-launched missiles
Iran on Friday began large-scale naval drills at the mouth of the Gulf, which will feature its first submarine cruise missile launches, state media reported, at a time of rising tensions with the United States.
Iran: Despite Israel’s efforts, ‘we’ve achieved over 90% of objectives in Syria’
A senior Iranian defense official boasted Saturday that Iran has achieved the vast majority of its objectives in Syria since the start of that country’s civil war, and dismissed the efficacy of Israeli efforts to counter the Islamic Republic’s military presence there.
France: 15th yellow vest protests see thousands on the streets
Thousands of people marched on Saturday in Paris and other French cities for a 15th straight weekend of yellow vest protests in which dozens of people were arrested.
Leaders from EU, Arab League hold first-ever joint summit
Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries pledged Sunday to boost cooperation in the fight against terrorism and to tackle unauthorized migration at a first-ever summit high in symbolism but likely to yield few concrete results.
Abbas urges Europeans to play greater role in peace process, recognize Palestine
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged European states on Sunday to play a greater role in mediating the peace process and recognize the ‘State of Palestine,’ contending that failing to do so was a betrayal of European values.
Trump happy if North Korea doesn’t test weapons; peace deal a possibility
US President Donald Trump has said he would be happy as long as North Korea maintains its pause on weapons testing, and he was in no rush to strike a nuclear deal with its leader, Kim Jong Un, when they hold their second summit this week.
Putin warns U.S. of renewed Cuban Missile crisis, says Russia has edge
President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is militarily ready for a Cuban Missile-style crisis if the United States wanted one, and that his country currently has the edge when it comes to a first nuclear strike.
White House says 200 US troops to stay in Syria
Washington said on Thursday that it planned to leave some US forces behind in Syria, even after the bulk of American troops left the country.
Trump says he expects to meet North Korea’s Kim again after Hanoi summit
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he expects to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again after their planned summit next week in Hanoi.
China, Iran meet amid efforts to preserve nuclear deal
The Iranian foreign minister’s passionate defense of Iran’s interests at the Munich Security Conference has made him ‘a famous person’ in China, his Chinese counterpart told him Tuesday, as the sides met amid efforts to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.
Islamic State closer to defeat in last Syrian enclave
Islamic State appeared closer to defeat in its last enclave in eastern Syria on Wednesday, as a civilian convoy left the besieged area where U.S.-backed forces estimate a few hundred jihadists are still holed up.
Iran says it cannot rule out possibility of war with Israel
Iran’s foreign minister accused Israel of ‘adventurism,’ with its campaign of airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria and said he could not rule out the possibility that they could lead to a war between the Mideast arch foes.
Death of internet? EU endorses killer copyright overhaul
Representatives of European Union governments have voted in favor of a plan in the EU Parliament to rewrite copyright rules, which critics say would effectively kill the Web there.
U.S. agency to cancel $929 million in California high-speed rail funds
The U.S. Transportation Department said on Tuesday it will cancel $929 million in federal funds awarded by the Obama administration for a California high-speed rail project and is ‘actively exploring every legal option’ to seek the return of $2.5 billion the state has already received.
Venezuelan soldiers to guard border ahead of aid entry, minister says
Venezuelan troops will remain stationed along the country’s borders to prevent territorial violations, the defense minister said on Tuesday, ahead of the opposition’s plan to bring in humanitarian aid to alleviate an economic crisis.