The Trump administration plans to reallocate $3.6 billion from 127 military construction projects in order to finance the border wall https://t.co/IwMmy3JxzW?amp=1
Author: Matt C.
September calendar update
CENTCOM
“CENTCOM had kept a keen eye on Assad’s stockpile of chemical weapons, and we were picking up indications that he was preparing to use them against his own people,” Mattis writes. To stop this from happening, in August 2012, he says, “President Obama issued a firm warning. ‘That’s a red line for us,’ he said. ‘There would be enormous consequences if we start seeing movement on the chemical weapons front or the use of chemical weapons.’”
“A short time later, Assad did employ chemical weapons, killing hundreds of civilians,” Mattis continues. “At CENTCOM, I assumed we would be the ones to provide the President’s ‘enormous consequence.’ We prepared options to hold Assad harshly accountable, with NATO and Arab allies in support, from single strikes to more extensive operations, depending on the President’s judgment.”
But Obama declined to do anything. “This was a shot not heard around the world,” Mattis writes. And the effects were felt far beyond Syria and even the Middle East.
“Old friends in NATO and in the Pacific registered dismay and incredulity that America’s reputation had been seriously weakened as a credible security partner,” Mattis writes. “Within thirty-six hours, I received a phone call from a friendly Pacific-nation diplomat. ‘Well, Jim,’ he said, ‘I guess we’re on our own with China.’”
Mattis concludes, “Over the next several years, Syria totally disintegrated into hell on earth. The consequences included an accelerated refugee flow that changed the political culture of Europe, punctuated by repeated terrorist attacks. And America today lives with the consequences of emboldened adversaries and shaken allies.” https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/…/emboldened…
“Moscow Mitch”
McConnell blasts “Moscow Mitch” nickname as “over the top” effort to “smear me” http://hill.cm/OEqhmen
Shocking:
Man who founded one of the nation’s biggest conversion therapy ministries has something to say: he’s gay. https://t.co/lPAshzvntK?amp=1
The Kremlin
“The Kremlin has been sending a clear message: There will be no Hong Kong here, with its huge protests, nor any Istanbul, with its fair election that led to the opposition’s victory….the Kremlin is determined to use violence on a large scale.” https://t.co/inwM0GYv39?amp=1
Analysis
Analysis: Even if the speculation that Trump and/or Biden might be a little bit gaga is unfounded, isn’t it strange that we’re talking about the 2020 front-runners in the same tone we might use discussing whether Mom and Pop should still be driving? https://www.politico.com/…/america-gerontocracy-problem…
Russian
The identities of the Russian men behind the proposed oil deal to fund Italy’s far right have been shrouded in mystery — until now.
Their connections extend into Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. https://t.co/J1naXgiDR4?amp=1
U.S. Army
U.S. Army Is Discharging Immigrant Recruits Who Were Promised Citizenship https://t.co/wmqk1zAkDd?amp=1
Trump’s trade war
Trump’s trade war has led to even bigger trade deficits with China, even though it was intended to improve the trade balance. And it’s not just China — the deficit has increased with most of our other major trade partners, too, according to Axios. https://t.co/54LgHFAEKm?amp=1