Dec 31 Outgoing defense secretary Mattis urges employees to 'hold fast' By Robert Burns, Associated Press Jim Mattis, who resigned over a series of policy disagreements with Trump said he's confident Pentagon employees will remain "undistracted from our sworn mission to support and defend the Constitution while protecting our way of life."… Continue reading
Dec 28 Kurds seek help from Syrians as U.S. prepares to withdraw By Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press Since the U.S. announcement, forces have been building up around Manbij and further east, ushering in new alliances and raising the chances for friction. Continue reading
Dec 27 Watch 6:02 News Wrap: Government shutdown will last into new year In our news wrap Thursday, with no progress in sight on resolving the partial shutdown, the Senate recessed until next Wednesday, the day before the new Congress convenes. Also, Indonesian authorities are sounding new warnings about the volcano that triggered… Continue watching
Dec 27 Watch 5:44 A Syrian cease-fire aimed to stop the violence. Instead, more bombed buildings and body bags The 3 million people who live in Syria's Idlib province were supposed to be protected under a cease-fire agreement struck this fall by Turkey and Russia. But today many are living without the most basic services and still facing attacks. Continue watching
Dec 26 Visiting troops in Iraq, Trump defends Syria withdrawal By Darlene Superville, Associated Press The U.S. presence in Syria was not meant to be "open-ended," the president said, adding that other wealthy nations should pay for rebuilding the country. Continue reading
Dec 25 Syrian state media reports a missile attack near Damascus By Bassem Mroue, Associated Press Warplanes flying over Lebanon fired missiles toward areas near the Syrian capital of Damascus late Tuesday and some of the missiles were shot down by air defense units, Syrian state TV said. Continue reading
Dec 25 Pope Francis calls for 'fraternity' in Christmas message Addressing tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis says Tuesday that the universal message of Christmas is that "God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters."… Continue reading
Dec 25 AP fact check: Trump revisits old fictions about Iran money By Calvin Woodward, Associated Press President Donald Trump is recycling familiar fictions concerning the Iran nuclear deal as he lashes out at a Republican senator who criticized him and a U.S. official who resigned in protest against Trump's plan to pull troops from Syria. Here's… Continue reading
Dec 24 Watch 8:38 Troop drawdowns and Defense Dept. turnover leave U.S. foreign policy in flux Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has signed the order withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria. Meanwhile, President Trump wants to reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan by half. But what will the decreased U.S. military presence in these countries mean… Continue watching
Dec 23 Watch 25:00 December 23, 2018 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode By PBS News Hour On this edition for Sunday, Dec. 23, it's day two of the partial government shutdown, President Trump accelerates the departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis and the U.S. envoy leading the fight against ISIS steps down. And later, part two… Continue watching