US News
- The Idaho Republican Party passed two antiwar resolutions at the direction of Afghan and Iraq War vets. [Link]
- Iranian-Americans attempting to enter the US are facing additional questions, long detentions, and questions of their loyalty to the US. [Link]
- Over 90% of Virginia’s counties have passed laws making the counties ‘sanctuaries’ from unconstitutional gun laws. In some counties, the law is only symbolic. Some militias are forming around the start to defend sheriffs who enforce country sanctuary laws. [Link]
Israel
- Israel approves permits for nearly 2,000 new settlement homes. [Link]
Soleimani Assassination
- Secretary of Defense Esper suggests the Pentagon may not follow Trump’s order to commit war crimes and target Iranian cultural sites. [Link]
- A leaked Department of Defense memo to Iraq appeared to suggest the US was withdrawing from Iraq. Esper said the memo was poorly worded and incorrect. The memo was informing the Iraqi government of increased US troop movements in Iraq. [Link]
- The US deploys six B-52 bombers to Deigo Garcia, a US base in the Indian Ocean. The US deployed B-52s to May, and those returned to the US a few months after. [Link]
- Daniel Larison explains the Trump admin’s intelligence that Soleimani presented an imminent threat to Americans. The legal authority for the strike is very thin. [Link]
- Germany is moving 30 of its 120 soldiers deployed to Iraq to Jordan or Kuwait. [Link]
Kenya
- Al-Shabaab attacks a Kenyan military base that houses US forces. One US soldier and two Department of Defense contractors were killed in the attack. [Link]
- The US has deployed additional forces to Kenya to increase security. Al-Shabaab also attacked a telecommunications mast. Four civilians were killed in the attack. [Link]
Libya
- Turkey will begin deploying forces to support Libya’s UN-recognized government, the Government of National Accord. The government’s military academy was attacked by the Libyan National Army on Saturday, killing 33. [Link]
- The Libyan National Army is advancing on the city of Sirte. The Government of National Accord has held Sirte since it was liberated from the Islamic State with the help of US airpower in 2016. The LNA claims to control the city. [Link]
