Third Culture Queen vol. 23

Special Edition | Impeachment Update

Oct 07, 2019

Hey y’all,

Another week, another s***storm to sift through.

I drafted this newsletter before Trump abandoned the Kurds – our key allies who waged the brunt of the war against ISIS – to placate one of his fellow insecure tyrants.

So, I’ve included news about Trump’s latest international flub as part of the impeachment update because it’s impossible to ignore his motivation to create a large enough distraction to end the constant coverage of his impeachment.

By now, I’m sure most folks have determined what side of this they’re on, but it never hurts to have all the information!

If you like this update and want to receive more news on all things foreign policy and grand strategy-related, subscribe to never miss an issue.

Already a subscriber? Share with your fellow politics-obsessed friends!

If you’re looking for non-impeachment related US news or the PRC’s 70th anniversary, then head over to the latest Superpower Struggles.

More interested in the EU and Russia’s tug-of-war or the Global South’s adaptation in the midst of the brunt of climate change, read the most recent Rising Regions.

If the movements of non-state actors are what fill your inbox, I curated the latest on cities, spirituality and tech megacorps in Modern Thoughts.

Happy Reading!

Kyle

Key documents to read:

Latest Impeachment Updates:

House Impeachment Tally
Support: 228
Against: 191
No answer: 14
Depositions and more: What to watch on impeachment this week (AP)
Oct 3: Ambassador Kurt Volker
Oct 8: Ambassador Gordon Sondland (confirmed)
Oct 11: Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch (confirmed)
Oct ??: Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent
Oct ??: Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl
Public support for President Trump's impeachment (44%) is higher than it was for Richard Nixon (38%) and Bill Clinton (29%) (Axios)
Democrats say they'll subpoena Giuliani associates if they don't turn over documents and give depositions (CNN)
Pentagon, OMB subpoenaed by House Democrats in impeachment inquiry (USA Today)
Rick Perry was not on Trump's call with Zelensky (Dallas Morning News)
Kurds say US has betrayed them, says former US diplomat (CNN)
Trump’s Syria withdrawal announcement draws GOP condemnation (AP)
US says it will stand aside as Turkey moves into Syria (NBC News)
Federal appeals court has granted President Trump a temporary stay of decision, and he will not have to turn over his tax returns to the Manhattan DA for now (NPR)
Judge says New York prosecutors can see Trump's tax returns (AP)
House Intelligence Committee is still negotiating with witnesses for depositions (CNN)
Trump adamantly does not want to be impeached — because he cares, above all, about his legacy (Axios)
Trump suggests Pelosi committed treason, should be 'immediately impeached' (The Hill)
Trump allies pressed Ukraine over gas firm (AP)
2nd Ukraine whistleblower comes forward after speaking with IG (ABC News)
Colin Powell Says GOP Backing Trump are terrified: ‘Is losing a primary such a disaster? …Get a grip’ (Newsweek)
House Democrat: Impeachment inquiry 'likely to stay narrowly focused' (The Hill)
Pompeo defends phone call, saying Trump wanted to stop Ukrainian corruption (Politico)
Pompeo fails to meet House subpoena deadline to produce Ukraine documents (CNN)
Trump pins Ukraine call on Energy Secretary Rick Perry (Axios)
Trump says he'll issue a letter to Nancy Pelosi (CNN)
House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings subpoenas White House for Ukraine documents (NBC News)
Trump Challenges House On Impeachment Vote. Pelosi Says She's Unmoved (NPR)
Democrats request documents from VP Mike Pence in impeachment inquiry (CNBC)
Ukraine’s top prosecutor said he would audit cases previously handled by predecessors, including case involving the company that employed Hunter Biden (NYT)
Trump’s Ukraine envoys drafted statement for the country’s new president that committed Ukraine to pursuing investigations into Mr. Trump’s political rivals (NYT)
Texts Detail Top U.S. Diplomat's Concerns About Trump-Ukraine Quid Pro Quo (NPR)
Impeachment Investigators Question Intelligence Watchdog About Whistle-Blower (NYT)
Volker Gives New Details on Giuliani’s Role in Ukraine Policy (NYT)
Trump Ordered Ukraine Ambassador Removed After Complaints From Giuliani (WSJ)
Trump promised China US silence on Hong Kong protests during talks (The Guardian)
Trump raised Biden with Xi in June call housed in highly secure server (CNN)
Trump Publicly Urges China to Investigate the Bidens (NYT)
Energy Secretary Rick Perry eyeing exit in November (Politico)
IRS Whistleblower Alleges Treasury Department Official Tried To Interfere With Trump’s Tax Returns (Forbes)
McCarthy calls for Pelosi to suspend impeachment inquiry (NBC News)
Pompeo confirms he was on Trump's Ukraine call (Axios)
GOP senators echoed Biden in urging Ukrainian president to reform prosecutor general's office (CNN)
A Trump hotel mystery: Giant reservations followed by empty rooms (Politico)
‘We’re Not Fooling Around’: House Democrats Vow to Subpoena White House (NYT)
Trump attacked Speaker Pelosi and Rep Schiff from the Oval Office (NYT)
Putin says he doesn't mind if his calls with Trump are disclosed (The Hill)
Schiff Got Early Account of Accusations as Whistle-Blower’s Concerns Grew (NYT)
Pompeo subpoenaed by House committees for failure to produce Ukraine docs (CNN)
House Democrats subpoena Rudy Giuliani for Ukraine documents by 10/15 (Axios)
Poll: Majority of Americans say impeachment inquiry into Trump is necessary (CNN)
Apparent White House talking points on Trump’s Ukraine call about Biden accidentally emailed to Democrats (CNBC)
White House says lawyers directed moving transcript to highly secure system (CNN)

Third Cultured

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