- Andrew Puzder withdrawals his name from consideration to be Labor Secretary. It’s likely that Puzder withdrew his name because he did not have the votes needed to get confirmed. [Link]
- Trump tweets that Russia took Crimea by force. However, this statements is incorrect as the population of Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine. [Link]
- In a joint press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister, Trump said he was perfectly fine with a one state solution in Israel. Trump also suggested that Israel hold back on settlement expansion. [Link]
- HR 861 has been introduced in the House. If passed, the bill would end the EPA at the end of 2018. [Link]
- US and Russian military leaders will meet today. This will be the first meeting between US and Russian military leaders since 2014. Rex Tillerson will also be meeting with his Russian counterpart today. [Link]
- US troops and ground vehicles arrive in Bulgaria to show Russia that the US plans to defend Eastern European countries. [Link]
- James Mattis tells NATO members they need to increase defense spending by the end of the year or risk the curtailing of US defense support. [Link]
- At least 15 Iraqis were killed in a suicide truck bombing in a Baghdad Shia majority suburb. It appears ISIS carried out the attack. [Link]
- Both Syrian Kurds and the Turkish government have plans to liberate Raqqa from ISIS. The Kurds say they will attack Turkish troops who come too close to Raqqa. [Link]
- In 2015, the US used thousands of depleted uranium rounds to destroy ISIS fuel tankers. These rounds have not been used since 2003 in Iraq. The rounds have not been used due to the fear that they cause birth defects and cancer. The military had said in the past that they would not use these rounds to fight against ISIS. [Link]
- At least five women have been killed when Saudi Arabia bombed a Yemeni funeral. Aid workers say that number is expected to rise. [Link] Other sources put the death toll at 11. [Link]
In the second Foreign Policy Focus episode, I cover the resignation on General Flynn, Russia and US relations, North Korea, the Iran nuke deal, Israel, Yemen, and Syria. LISTEN HERE
