This Week In Washington
Top 5 Stories This Week
1.
President Obama outlined plans to
leave 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan after 2014, and to draw down to fewer
than 1,000 by 2017.
Look ahead: Military officials
questioned whether 9,800 troops would be sufficient to prevent al-Qaida from
making a comeback in the country.
2.
The president outlined his vision
for a new foreign policy noting the United States will continue its global
leadership, but the use of force must not be the only—or even the
primary—instrument of its statecraft.
Look ahead: Obama emphasized the
primacy of terrorism as a threat to American interests, and urged Congress to
back a $5 billion "Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund."
3.
Insurgent candidates notched
several high-profile victories in this week's Texas runoff elections, with
state Sens. Dan Patrick and Ken Paxton winning races for lieutenant governor
and attorney general, respectively.
Look ahead: The tea-party backed
candidates are expected to triumph in their general elections this fall.
4.
Ukrainian chocolate magnate Petro
Poroshenko won Sunday's presidential election, and quickly vowed to rein in
pro-Russian separatists. More than 50 rebels were killed in the largest
military offensive to date.
Look ahead: Poroshenko, who has called
for a dialogue with Russia, faces a daunting task as he seeks to unite the
country while quelling the violence in the east and stabilizing a critically
weak economy.
5.
Retired Field Marshal Abdel
Fattah el-Sisi declared victory in Egypt's presidential election, claiming more
than 90% of the vote, amid skepticism about the reported turnout.
Look ahead: Sisi faces the
difficult task of restoring the nation's crippled economy, which includes a
budget deficit that has ballooned since the uprising.
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