Forty days later
The US, Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, and China.
Hello,
Here are the five things you need to know today:
UNITED STATES. Democrats relent, after leading Trump into temptation.
ISRAEL. PALESTINE. Turkey could send a ray of hope to Gaza.
AFGHANISTAN. The Taliban sees strange movements on its borders.
UKRAINE. RUSSIA. After attacking the grid, Moscow offers to talk.
CHINA. As Washington vacillates on the climate, Beijing steps up.
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UNITED STATES. Who caved?
Democrats relent, after leading Trump into temptation.
Eight Democrats voted Sunday to advance a bill in the Senate expected to fund the government until 30 January, pending amendments. More than 10,000 flights were delayed and 2,800 cancelled due to the shutdown’s air controller shortages.
INTELLIGENCE. Minority leader Chuck Schumer did not join the vote, but it’s unlikely the Senators moved without his consent. It looks like a climbdown. Democrats will merely get a symbolic vote on Obamacare, after enduring a 40-day shutdown to protect it. Yet the chaos contributed to last week’s Democratic wins. And by placing the Affordable Care Act back on the agenda in January, as midterm primaries begin, it will likely contribute to those in 2026 as well.
FOR BUSINESS. The Democrats have handed Republicans a pyrrhic victory. Dragging Donald Trump to a point where he begged the courts to halt food aid to 42 million, a remarkable talking point has been delivered. And while the debate will have shifted in 12 months’ time, hunger is one experience that few forget. The midterms were always the Democrats’ to lose, but now the outcome seems almost certain. This will force Trump to push his agenda even harder.
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ISRAEL. PALESTINE. Under old management
Turkey could send a ray of hope to Gaza.
Israel received the remains of a soldier killed in 2014, which Turkey said it aided. Ankara said Sunday it was also working to ensure safe passage for 200 Gazans trapped inside tunnels. Hamas said its fighters holed up in Rafah won’t surrender.
INTELLIGENCE. Gaza’s truce continues to fray, with US officials on rotating life