On Politics A.M.: Abandoned by U.S., Kurds Find New Ally in Syrian Government

2019年10月14日星期一

October 14, 2019

Good Monday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today.

Kurdish forces long allied with the United States in Syria announced a new deal with the government in Damascus, a sworn enemy of Washington. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said American forces would be withdrawn from northern Syria, a decision that could allow a resurgence of the Islamic State.

As Turkish forces cross into Kurdish-held areas of northern Syria, the orders from Washington to United States troops are simple: Stand back. Let the Kurds fight for themselves. It's a decision that's left Green Berets feeling "ashamed," and Kurds describing it as a "betrayal."

Mr. Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed in recent days to a compromise on trade as they face political pressures and weakening economies at home.
For 24 hours, Trey Gowdy, the former South Carolina congressman best known for leading congressional investigations of Hillary Clinton, was the new face of Mr. Trump's outside legal defense, and a symbol of a streamlined effort to respond to a fast-moving inquiry. A day later, the arrangement fell apart.

Fed up with the coverage on his favorite cable news station, Mr. Trump decided late this summer that a direct intervention was needed. So he telephoned the chief executive of Fox News and, in a lengthy conversation, complained that Fox News was not covering him fairly.

White liberals' views on race are changing. An overwhelming majority say that racial discrimination affects the lives of black people, according to new research. They embrace terms like "white privilege." And their views are reshaping the 2020 race.

The Democratic debate is coming to Ohio on Tuesday, where a party battle in a congressional race is already underway. Morgan Harper is challenging Representative Joyce Beatty in a solid-blue Ohio district, the latest front in the Democratic clash between left and far left.
The 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are far more forceful and united on gun control than their predecessors, endorsing a wide range of policies that past nominees sidestepped or rejected, according to a New York Times survey of the 19 campaigns.

Today's On Politics briefing was compiled by Isabella Grullón Paz in New York.

Is there anything you think we're missing? Anything you want to see more of? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.