Monday, Jan. 6
á
The State Department announced that American
ambassador to Afghanistan John Bass is leaving his post after two years.
Retired career ambassador Ross Wilson will take over until a new permanent
replacement is nominated.
á
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton released a
statement saying he is prepared to testify in President Donald TrumpÕs
impeachment trial if the Senate issues a subpoena, regardless of White House
opinion.
á
Defense Secretary Mark Esper ruled out
following through on TrumpÕs threats to target militarily valueless Iranian
cultural sites, saying that such action would be a war crime per a 1954
international agreement protecting properties of cultural value during armed
conflict.
á
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new regulations for
curbing highway truck emissions of nitrogen dioxide. Public health experts say
the new pollution limits still fall short of the necessary mark to prevent
respiratory illness. The trucking industry meanwhile supports new national
regulations as they can override more restrictive state-level restrictions.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
á Sen. Mitch McConnell said he plans to proceed with TrumpÕs impeachment trial without committing to hearing the new witnesses or evidence requested by Sen. Chuck Schumer, explaining that he has the votes needed to override any Democratic objections.
á
Facing pressure to provide more justification
for the American killing of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the Trump administration cited intelligence that
suggested threats of imminent attacks on bases hosting American troops and at
the American Embassy in Baghdad.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
á Iran shot missiles at two bases in Iraq that housed American troops in retaliation for SuleimaniÕs death. Officials said neither Americans nor Iraqis were killed in the incident.
á
Trump called for renewed diplomacy with Iran by
dropping his threats of escalating violence, instead calling for negotiation
while motioning toward a new wave of economic sanctions, which were officially announced
on Friday.
Thursday, Jan. 9
á
The House voted largely along party lines to
force Trump to have authorization from Congress before taking more military
action against Iran. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement, ÒMembers of
Congress have serious, urgent concerns about the administrationÕs decision to
engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving
forward.Ó The vote was mostly a symbolic measure as it does not hold force of
law and still requires Senate endorsement.
á
Trump proposed revisions to the Environmental
Policy Act that would establish exemptions for major U.S. infrastructure
projects from environmental review.
á
American officials said they had intelligence
showing that Iranian military forces shot down a Boeing 737 Ukrainian passenger
jet immediately after it took off from Tehran en route to Kiev, killing 176
passengers and crew.
Friday, Jan. 10
á Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed that the U.S. had intelligence that the Ukrainian jet was shot down by Iran. ÒWeÕre going to let the investigation play out before we make a final determination,Ó Pompeo said at a White House briefing. ÒItÕs important that we get to the bottom of it.Ó
á
Trump suggested on Fox News that SuleimaniÕs death was prompted by intelligence that Iran
planned to attack multiple embassies across the Middle East, such as the
American Embassy in Baghdad. On Sunday, Esper said he
was never shown evidence that Iran was planning any such attacks, though he
added, ÒI share the presidentÕs view that probably É they were going to go
after our embassies.Ó
Saturday, Jan. 11
á
Iran took responsibility for the downed jet
after several days of denial, but in a statement by the military, said it was
accidental. The statement blamed human error after the plane turned sharply
toward a sensitive military base. The military said there would be legal
consequences for the person responsible. ÒThe Islamic Republic of Iran deeply
regrets this disastrous mistake,Ó President Hassan Rouhani
said on Twitter.
Sunday, Jan. 12
á In a string of tweets, Trump suggested senators should make Òan outright dismissalÓ of the HouseÕs charges of high crimes and misdemeanors against him, rather than give Òcredence to a trial based on the no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, Ôno pressureÕ Impeachment Hoax.Ó