This Week In Washington
Top 5 Stories This Week
1.
President Obama outlined the U.S.
response to the Islamist insurgency in Iraq, which includes sending up to 300
military advisers to aid Iraqi forces, but noted that "American forces
will not be returning to combat in Iraq.
Look ahead: Consensus is growing
among U.S. and Arab leaders that Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki is a barrier
to national unity and lasting peace, and American officials are quietly urging
Iraqis to form a new government without Maliki, whose tenure has been marred by
sectarian divisions.
2.
Ahmed Abu Khatalla, the suspected
mastermind of the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, was apprehended in a nighttime raid
oand is currently en route to the United States via a Navy transport vessel.
The administration asserted its right to self-defense in response to Libyan
claims the raid violated its sovereignty.
Look
ahead: Khatalla will not be sent to Guantanamo Bay, as some Republican
lawmakers have urged; the Obama administration intends to try him in federal
court.
3.
Disillusionment runs deep in the
House Republican Conference, which convenes this afternoon to select a new
majority leader and whip, but the special election is unlikely to calm anyone.
Look ahead: The new leaders will
look to cement their positions ahead of the August recess, while today's
contest could offer clues to the strength of the tea party and shed light on
the coming race to succeed Speaker John Boehner.
4.
The president unveiled plans to create
the world's largest marine sanctuary, setting aside a swath of the
south-central Pacific Ocean in an effort to protect the region's coral reefs
and marine species from fishing, energy development and other activities.
Look ahead: This prompted swift
criticism from House conservatives who accuse the admin of closing off coastal
areas from fishing activity without regard to potential economic cost.
5.
Following talks with Russian
President Putin and German Chancellor Merkel, Ukrainian President Poroshenko proposed
a temporary, unilateral cease-fire by government troops—a move greeted with skepticism
from pro-Russian separatists.
Look ahead: Government forces engaged
in fresh clashes with rebels today, even as Poroshenko prepares to meet with
regional leaders to rally support for his plan.
