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