Weekly News Information Station

It is UT’s midterm season, which means it is a season of losing touch with the news. But knowing information about what is happening in the nation and the world around you is incredibly important! Therefore, I have compiled summaries of the two most important news developments of the week, according to my personal perspective as a news consumer.

 

Russia Probe Development 

The controversy over Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election seems like a rollercoaster that won’t stop barreling around its tracks. This week, there was a significant development related to the Russia controversy. The United States Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into the origins of Russian interference in the election, which has sparked significant controversy, particularly among Democrats. The investigation will be overseen by Attorney General William Barr, opening both him and Donald Trump up to accusations of using this investigation as a means of using Justice Department power to achieve personal political victory.

 

U.S. Involvement In Syria

After announcing a withdrawal of United States armed forces from Syria on October 6th, President Trump has changed his plan for U.S. involvement in the country. On October 25th, Donald Trump announced that the United States will keep a “reduced presence” in Syria in order to protect oil reserves from Islamic State attempts to take over the fields (due to their immense financial value). However, several military officials have spoken out, saying that the maintenance of U.S. troops in eastern Syria is not necessarily about oil, and could become dangerous (because our Kurdish allies are now wary of the United States’ self-serving actions).

 

Hopefully these two summaries help you feel slightly more informed about current world events, and good luck on your midterms!