Paris, France | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron made clear to Donald Trump on Monday “the absolute necessity to prevent a re-emergence” of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, after the US pulled its troops out of northern Syria. Macron warned, in a telephone call on Monday evening, that the …
Read More »Embattled Trump takes victory lap on China trade deal
Washington, United States | AFP | Engulfed in an impeachment inquiry and other political turmoil, US President Donald Trump on Friday trumpeted the success of his hard-line stance with China, claiming to have scored a major win in the grinding trade war between the economic powers. But while Trump took a …
Read More »From Minnesota to Michigan, Trump aims to turn scandal into reelection fuel
Lake Charles, United States | AFP | As impeachment pressure mounted on Donald Trump, the president left Washington for the second day in a row Friday to rally hardcore supporters in a bid to turn the scandal into fuel for his 2020 reelection. Framing himself as the victim of a plot …
Read More »Trump announces ‘very substantial’ but partial China trade deal
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump on Friday hailed a breakthrough in his drawn-out trade war with China, saying the two sides reached an initial deal that included a surge in purchase of American farm products. With the agreement — which also covers intellectual property, financial services and …
Read More »Turkey launches ground offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria
Ras al-Ain, Syria | AFP | Turkey has launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria, with intensive bombardment followed by a ground offensive made possible by the withdrawal of US troops. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Wednesday the start of the attack on Twitter and soon after jets …
Read More »Trump: US going into Middle East was ‘worst decision ever’
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump said Wednesday the US military becoming involved in the Middle East was the “worst decision ever made” and that he was ensuring the safe return of troops. Trump has faced a bipartisan storm of criticism since a surprise announcement by the …
Read More »Turkey ready for Syria offensive despite mixed signals from Trump
Akcakale, Turkey | AFP | Turkey said Tuesday it was ready for an offensive into northern Syria, while President Donald Trump insisted the United States had not abandoned its Kurdish allies by pulling forces out of the area, Istanbul sent more armoured vehicles to the border with Syria on Tuesday, an …
Read More »Trump threatens Turkey after greenlighting Syria invasion
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump has warned Turkey against going too far in Syria, just a day after giving Ankara an apparent green light to invade its southern neighbor and sparking panic among Washington’s Kurdish allies. The US pulled back 50 to 100 “special operators” from …
Read More »Trump isolated after turning back on Syria, Republican allies
Washington, United States | AFP | Despite a bizarre boast about his “unmatched wisdom,” President Donald Trump found himself dangerously isolated Monday as his erratic policy on Syria infuriated the Republicans he needs to save him from impeachment. The new Washington upheaval began late Sunday when the White House announced removal …
Read More »Pompeo denounces ‘harassment’ after Democrats subpoena White House
Washington, United States | AFP | The Trump administration complained Saturday of harassment by Democratic lawmakers who issued subpoenas for documents regarding President Donald Trump’s alleged pressuring of Ukraine for political favors. And in a key development, a potential second whistleblower was reportedly weighing whether to come forward. The …
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