Oct 20 Pentagon chief says US troops leaving Syria for western Iraq By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that under current plans all U.S. troops leaving Syria will go to western Iraq and the American military will continue to conduct operations against the Islamic State group to prevent its resurgence. Continue reading
Oct 18 Watch 3:46 Fighting abates in northern Syria, but political and humanitarian crises endure By Amna Nawaz The battleground in northeastern Syria appears to be quieting, after a cease-fire between Turkish forces and Kurdish fighters got off to a rocky start. But will Turkey keep its word -- and was the U.S. pullout from the region appropriate?… Continue watching
Oct 17 Watch 12:50 Turkish ambassador to U.S. disputes that Erdogan agreed to a ‘cease-fire’ Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday about Turkey’s military offensive in northern Syria. They agreed to a five-day pause in the operation, but disagreed about… Continue watching
Oct 15 Watch 2:47 This Syrian city embodies the consequences of Trump’s decision By Nick Schifrin In 2012, the Syrian city of Manbij joined nation-wide protests. In 2014, those Syrian rebels lost the city to the Islamic State group. In 2016, the U.S. fought back with the help of Kurdish forces, liberating the city. In 2018,… Continue watching
Oct 15 Watch 6:33 Bipartisan sanctions are ‘next best’ way to influence Turkey now, Van Hollen says Lawmakers from both parties are angry with Turkey for its military campaign inside Syria against Kurdish forces, and at President Trump for withdrawing U.S. forces. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., one of the lead authors of legislation that would sanction… Continue watching
Oct 14 Watch 3:54 As U.S. departs Syria, Kurds join Assad regime to fight a NATO ally In the days since the announced withdrawal of U.S. troops from northern Syria, the country’s map is being redrawn. Both Turkey and the Russia-backed Syrian regime made territorial advances, and U.S.-partner Syrian Democratic Forces turned to Damascus for support. As… Continue watching
Oct 14 Watch 7:46 What Trump’s Syria withdrawal means for the Kurds, Russia and American allies President Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from northern Syria has profound implications for stability both within Syria and throughout the Middle East. Nick Schifrin talks to the University of Oklahoma’s Joshua Landis and career diplomat Ted Kattouf of Amideast… Continue watching
Oct 13 Watch 4:41 Turkish offensive on Kurds brings ‘chaos’ in northern Syria President Trump on Sunday ordered the withdrawal of nearly all 1,000 U.S. troops from northern Syria as Turkey continued a military offensive against Syrian Kurds that has left the region in chaos. For more on the escalating military offensive in… Continue watching
Oct 13 Watch 3:55 Trump’s reversal in Syria causes ‘cracks’ in GOP support By PBS NewsHour President Trump saw cracks in support among congressional Republicans last week, following his decision to pull back troops in northern Syria and amid allegations he withheld military aid to Ukraine for political gains. The busy week in politics comes as… Continue watching
Oct 11 Watch 8:56 News Wrap: U.S. and China reach partial trade deal In our news wrap Friday, the U.S. and China reached a partial trade deal after 15 months of disagreement. President Trump agreed to suspend a tariff hike scheduled to go into effect Tuesday, and China pledged to buy up to… Continue watching