In The News

Trump Lifts Sanctions on Turkey: New York Times

Michael Crowley and Lara Jakes October 24, 2019
The price may be heavy for the US abandoning Kurdish allies and its role in stabilizing territory in northeast Syria – delegating security to Russia and Turkey. Turkey’s president advised the US president about its plans to invade northern Syria on Oct 6, and Trump ordered US troop withdrawal. Not waiting for the US troops to exit, Turkey made its move October 9, touting plans to create a buffer...

Timeline of Ukraine Scandal: Kyiv Post

Oleksiy Sorokin. October 19, 2019
Government officials withholding military aid to Ukraine for a political favor is at the heart of an impeachment inquiry underway since September 24. A telephone call and testimony to three committees of the House of Representatives indicate that Donald Trump directed his private attorney and government staff to re-investigate and disqualify numerous US investigations that have found Russia was...

US, Turkey Reach “Ceasefire” on Syria: Vox

Jen Kirby October 18, 2019
After the US withdrew troops from Kurdish-held areas in northern Syria, Turkey moved in to take control. Supporters and opponents of the US president lashed out with criticism for abandoning Kurdish allies who fought the Islamic State. A week later the US hastily organized a ceasefire that gives Turkey control over northern Syria. The Kurdish people have five days to leave their homes. The ethnic...

Trump Sends Troops to Saudi Arabia: Foreign Policy

Bilal Y. Saab October 17, 2019
Donald Trump is sending 1,800 more troops to Saudi Arabia. During a meeting with congressional leaders, Trump suggested that Saudi Arabia will cover the costs. Abrupt US withdrawal from Syria left Kurds, key allies in the fight against the Islamic State, to fend for themselves against a Turkish invasion. A hasty ceasefire has since been announced by the US and Turkey, both NATO members. Nations...

ASEAN and China in South China Sea: Asia Sentinel

Bahauddin Foizee October 16, 2019
China continues to build up islets as military bases, moving slowly to press claims in the South China Sea. ASEAN, traditionally focused on trade, no longer sits back, and the 10 nations joined the US Navy in maritime drills that extended into the South China Sea. ASEAN may worry that the Trump administration, distracted by an impeachment inquiry, won't make control of the South China Sea a...

NATO Tested on Turkey’s Syria Operation: Al Jazeera

Samuel Stolton October 14, 2019
Kurdish fighters, in alliance with US forces, were key to reducing the Islamic State throughout Syria. US troop withdrawal from the area prompted Turkey’s military operation against these same Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. The operation divides NATO and risks destabilizing the region, reports Samuel Stolton for Al Jazeera. “After meetings on Friday with Turkish officials in Istanbul,...

Tens of Thousands Flee Homes in Syria: BBC

October 11, 2019
The United States began withdrawing troops from the region. Turkey wasted no time, launching an invasion of the border area with Syria – home to Kurdish people, many of whom stepped up at US urging to battle Islamic State terrorists. The invasion causes thousands of people to flee. “Turkish troops have encircled the border towns of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad and aid agencies fear the exodus could...