AIN AL-ASAD BASE, Iraq — U.S. troops cleared rubble and debris from a military base housing American soldiers in western Iraq on Monday, days after it was struck by a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles in a major escalation between the two longtime foes. The Iranian attack was in retaliation...
Syrians Hope US Troops Will Bring Revived Oil Fortunes
BEIRUT — As U.S. troops beef up in eastern Syria to protect oil fields, residents hope their mission will bring stability and prosperity to the remote and resource-rich region —and keep the Syrian government out. Their hopes reflect the expectations being piled onto the operation, even as President Donald Trump...
Residents of Northeast Syria City Pelt Departing US Troops
AKCAKALE, Turkey — Angry over the U.S. withdrawal, residents of a Kurdish-dominated Syrian city hurled potatoes at departing American military vehicles as they drove by on Monday. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said U.S. troops will stay in eastern Syria to protect Kurdish-held oil fields for at least the coming weeks and he...
Trump Threatens to 'Destroy' Turkey's Economy With Sanctions
WASHINGTON — Targeting Turkey's economy, President Donald Trump announced sanctions aimed at restraining the Turks' assault against Kurdish fighters and civilians in Syria — an assault Turkey began after Trump announced he was moving U.S. troops out of the way. Some of those U.S. troops leaving northern Syria are being shifted to...
US Troops Scramble for the Exits in Syria
WASHINGTON — U.S. troops scrambled for Syria's exits Monday while the Trump administration threatened economic penalties on Turkey for an invasion that opened the door to a resurgence of the Islamic State group -- the fighters who were the reason U.S. forces came in the first place. The Turks began...
US Pulls Troops in North Syria, Threatens Turkey Sanctions
WASHINGTON — The United States appears to be heading toward a full military withdrawal from Syria amid growing chaos, cries of betrayal and threats Monday by President Donald Trump to hit Turkey with "big sanctions." Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday that Trump had directed U.S. troops in northern Syria to begin pulling...
Trump Defends Syria Move, Doesn't Want US Troops in Mideast
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday over sharp criticism of his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, insisting he is focused on the "BIG PICTURE" that doesn't include American involvement in "stupid endless wars" in the Middle East. "Fighting between various groups that has been...
US Declares Iran's Guard Force a 'Terrorist Organization'
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Monday that the U.S. is designating Iran's Revolutionary Guard a "foreign terrorist organization," in an effort to increase pressure on the country that could have significant diplomatic implications in the Middle East. It is the first time that the U.S. has designated a part...
In House’s Yemen Vote, Congress Reasserts War-Making Powers
WASHINGTON — Asserting congressional authority over war-making powers, the House passed a resolution Wednesday that would force the administration to withdraw U.S. troops from involvement in Yemen, in a rebuke of President Donald Trump's alliance with the Saudi-led coalition behind the military intervention. Lawmakers in both parties are increasingly uneasy...
Pelosi Cancels Afghanistan Trip, Cites Trump 'Leak'
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday canceled her plans to travel by commercial plane to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan, saying President Donald Trump had caused a security risk by talking about the trip. It was the latest twist in what has become a Washington game of brinkmanship...