U.S. to Withdraw About 7,000 Troops From Afghanistan, Officials Say  —  WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is withdrawing roughly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months, two defense officials said Thursday, around half of what the American military has there now.

‘A tailspin’: Under siege, Trump propels the government and markets into crisis  —  President Trump began Thursday under siege, listening to howls of indignation from conservatives over his border wall and thrusting the government toward a shutdown.  He ended it by announcing the exit …

Trump Administration Is Considering Substantial Afghan Troop Drawdown  —  The administration is considering a substantial reduction of troops in Afghanistan and could begin a drawdown in several weeks, officials said.

A ‘Never Trumper’ bets on Trump, and loses  —  James Jeffrey, President Donald Trump's special representative for Syria engagement, probably should have seen it coming.  —  In August 2016, the well-respected veteran diplomat signed an open letter denouncing then-presidential candidate Trump as a danger to America.

Mattis Isn't The Only One Worried About Allies And Rivals In Syria  —  The US is set to shut a special forces base in Syria that has been the subject of repeated Russian complaints — and that some US officials have cast as a key part of US efforts not just to defeat ISIS but to counter Iranian influence in the country.

Mueller may submit report to attorney general as soon as mid-February, say sources  —  “They clearly are tying up loose ends,” said a lawyer who has been in contact with the Mueller team.  —  WASHINGTON — Special counsel Robert Mueller is nearing the end of his historic investigation …

Schumer Says Mueller Memo Disqualifies Barr From Attorney General Job  —  Graham, the incoming chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says written opinion shouldn't affect Barr's confirmation  —  WASHINGTON—A newly disclosed memo by William Barr criticizing special counsel Robert …

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Announces Resignation in Brutal Letter to Trump  —  “The most decorated Marine & thought leader on the military basically said just said, ‘f*ck this,’” a source close to Mattis said.  —  Scott Bixby  —  Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced his resignation …

‘This is scary’: Mattis' resignation triggers bipartisan chorus of concern on Capitol Hill  —  “That's what happens when you ignore sound military advice,” Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said.  —  Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' impending departure shook an already tense Capitol on Thursday night …

Will the Nation Heed the Warning Jim Mattis Delivered Today?  —  Defenders of Trump have long argued that his worst impulses can and will be tempered by the good men and women in his administration.  And when they listed the good men and women, the first name on that list was always James Mattis.