Update: 5.40am London Time:
This sounds like the President just signed off on a Turkish invasion of northern Syria, &that US will get out of way to let them do as they will. And then passive aggressive comments attacking NATO allies. Likely the first of a lot of acting out as the President gets desperate. pic.twitter.com/yNVlESS5Sf
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 7, 2019
A late Sunday night announcement from the White House that Turkey is invading Syria with U.S. consent pic.twitter.com/9EskY2qiXf
— Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) October 7, 2019
This was two days ago….”Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Sean Robertson said any “uncoordinated military operations by Turkey would be of grave concern as it would undermine our shared interest of a secure northeast Syria and the enduring defeat of” the Islamic State group https://t.co/POb3Q9Nmzb
— John Dickerson (@jdickerson) October 7, 2019
One of the most shameful episodes of American history is about to take place: the genocide of our staunch former allies, the Kurds, in the fight against ISIS. [photo via @AFP] pic.twitter.com/6FFGUIchu9
— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) October 7, 2019
#UPDATE Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US counterpart Donald Trump agree during a phone call to meet in Washington next month to discuss creating a "safe zone" in northern Syria, the Turkish presidency says https://t.co/gl8L51mjJD pic.twitter.com/bMCqF1oS6Z
— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 7, 2019
Here is what Defense Secretary Mark Esper said just two days ago about the “security mechanism” safe zone in Syria that Trump has tonight abandoned. Esper said he & Turkish defense minister were on same page about it—their respective heads of state clearly are on a different one. pic.twitter.com/ybm1ac6eq5
— Wesley Morgan (@wesleysmorgan) October 7, 2019
President Trump is about to make major, consequential mistake in Syria. Sources say US is tonight informing its Syrian Kurdish allies that US is withdrawing from positions on Turkish border, abandoning so-called “security mechanism,” to allow an invasion by Turkish forces…
— David Ignatius (@IgnatiusPost) October 7, 2019
In Syria (and in Ukraine), Trump basically switched which side we were on in a war. He switched us to the Russian side. Counter to America’s interest, over and over, he does what’s best for Russia. (1/x)
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) October 7, 2019
This is why presidents divest. It is crazy that a president is making national security decisions like the one tonight when he has lucrative business relationships at stake in the country that will benefit. https://t.co/uIrT6vl2BA
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) October 7, 2019
Earlier: Decision Time Looming for GOP
What is the tipping point for Republican senators and Trump? Are we sure there even is one? This story from @costareports and @PhilipRucker is an amazing inside look at a party paralyzed by Trump and the impeachment crisis. https://t.co/qCjbWw0qyM
— Greg Miller (@gregpmiller) October 7, 2019
Colin Powell says it's time the GOP "get a grip on itself" and stand up to Trump. https://t.co/BsOTuaubVw
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) October 6, 2019
We're simply less secure as a nation with Republicans in charge of anything right now.
That's the sad and scary reality reflected across the airwaves this morning.https://t.co/R7g3Oi3v6y via @nbcnews
— David Jolly (@DavidJollyFL) October 6, 2019
WATCH: Jim Jordan refuses to say whether Trump asking China to investigate Biden is appropriate https://t.co/0KWePS1rqe pic.twitter.com/kvvvhPplfZ
— The Hill (@thehill) October 6, 2019
Trump GOP challenger blasts president as a "traitor" who deserves to be impeached https://t.co/L6u8h0xdSx pic.twitter.com/39F2kPjWq1
— The Hill (@thehill) October 6, 2019
One longtime Republican voter tells “60 Minutes” that President Trump’s phone call with Ukraine’s president crossed a line. “You cannot involve foreign governments in your reelection campaign.” https://t.co/3n9p1fRH8w pic.twitter.com/mu5HHcvchS
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 6, 2019
'Impeachment is a bad thing to have on your resume,' Trump tells Republicans, according to @jonathanvswan
— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) October 6, 2019
Bob Woodward: Republican senators are "choking" on Trump Ukraine phone call https://t.co/9ufwOymYuy pic.twitter.com/MZH9Jk20nH
— The Hill (@thehill) October 6, 2019
Told ya https://t.co/0LhgauxrOG
— David Frum (@davidfrum) October 6, 2019
A message from the President: pic.twitter.com/4ZVuf5MgCF
— Real Press Sec Bot (@RealPressSecBot) October 6, 2019
.@jonathanvswan: “With the exception of a small band of true believers like Sean Hannity and Judge Jeanine Pirro, President Trump has grown disillusioned with Fox News and often complains the network doesn't have his back.” pic.twitter.com/QHya3Ec80X
— Jeremy Barr (@jeremymbarr) October 6, 2019
Reminder: Mike Pompeo said Donald Trump would be "an authoritarian President who ignored our Constitution." https://t.co/uPC7Cyzrnc
— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) October 6, 2019
Which is why, when Ukraine elected a new president, the Trump administration's response was to deploy Rick Perry. Perry attended Zelensky's inauguration, along with Sondland and Sen. Johnson, to immediately begin negotiating the terms under which Ukraine would buy American LNG. pic.twitter.com/Aw8SRZSWIA
— Susan Simpson (@TheViewFromLL2) October 6, 2019
If you think Burisma has questionable business practices, wait til you get a load of Naftohaz. https://t.co/sSjyJ11AHl
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) October 7, 2019
John Brennan Says CIA Would Now Assess the United States as ‘Very Corrupt’: ‘No Longer a Democracy’. https://t.co/KkUnihvKrf
— Dave Winer (@davewiner) October 6, 2019
Why the Ukraine and China calls may be only the tip of the Trump iceberg | Analysis by CNN's Chris Cillizza https://t.co/ZXnb53iBDV pic.twitter.com/z9LyxLFpl0
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) October 6, 2019
***
WORLD
BREAKING: Chinese officials are increasingly reluctant to agree to a broad trade deal pursued by President Trump. Talks start in Washington on Thursday.https://t.co/k0FR7LgCqF
— Bloomberg (@business) October 6, 2019
ICYMI: New Drones, Weapons Got the Spotlight in China’s Military Parade https://t.co/Ufl84Q33YB pic.twitter.com/ogZ2SLYLTv
— Defense One (@DefenseOne) October 6, 2019
Hey China, don’t? pic.twitter.com/QmDDWjgeOp
— Joe Santagato (@JoeSantagato) October 6, 2019
Beat that 'KLF' https://t.co/JizrIiPhVi
— John Rivers (@johnrivers) October 6, 2019
***
BREXITSHAMBLES BRITAIN
According to the Finnish PM, Downing Street finally realises what a mess they have created for themselves. Yet Johnson persists with the blather ‘Get Brexit done’ by 31 October. pic.twitter.com/A086TSslcj
— John O’Brennan (@JohnOBrennan2) October 6, 2019
I'm old enough to remember – as indeed is a week old baby – him saying it was a 'take it or leave it' offer. https://t.co/ROECSawBL1
— Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) October 6, 2019
Deal designed to fail fails https://t.co/rpdxSvpwHn
— Nick Cohen (@NickCohen4) October 6, 2019
Let me correct this headline:
it is France, Ireland AND 25 other states united on Brexit. pic.twitter.com/U48DGZjqSO— John O’Brennan (@JohnOBrennan2) October 6, 2019
Government to pressure Ireland with 'warning' about impacts of no-deal Brexit | inews – ‘an immediate and terrible fish and medicine war’! The Brits – #nevernotatit https://t.co/Uk8MXvwcC5
— Dr Mary McAuliffe (@MaryMcAuliffe4) October 6, 2019
Managing #Brexit: Northern Ireland’s cross-Border carpoolers – ‘There are thousands of people going to and from work every day, crossing the Border every couple of minutes’
A day in the life of a Border crossing – full story: https://t.co/yXkB6hHBoF via @IrishTimes pic.twitter.com/o6RWQ3PMBQ
— Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) October 6, 2019
It’s been a while since I studied German but I think this translates to “Scotland tells Brexit tae gettaefuck!” pic.twitter.com/EyQHGTCkYA
— WeeHalfPintofBlood🕸🎃💀🧙🏻♀️ (@weehalfpintt) October 6, 2019