Thursday's Headlines: Trump chooses impulse over strategy as crises mount

Broad attack on Syria faces risk from air defenses, escalation with Russia; Bannon pitches White House on plan to cripple Mueller probe and protect Trump; 5 Americans explain the...

Democracy Dies in Darkness     The morning's most important stories, selected by Post editors   Trump chooses impulse over strategy as crises mount The president's early-morning taunting of Russia via Twitter caught West Wing staff members by surprise, but it was emblematic of a president operating on a tornado of impulses — and with no clear strategy — as he faces some of the most consequential decisions of his presidency, including Syria, trade policy and the Russian interference probe that threatens to overwhelm his administration. By Ashley Parker, Seung Min Kim and Philip Rucker  •  Read more » Broad attack on Syria faces risk from air defenses, escalation with Russia A larger strike could inflict lasting damage to military facilities and economic infrastructure vital to the Assad regime, but Russia has used Syria as a testing ground for some of its most sophisticated weaponry. By Missy Ryan and Paul Sonne  •   Read more »   Bannon pitches White House on plan to cripple Mueller probe and protect Trump Ousted from the White House, former chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon is pushing a plan to White House aides and congressional allies to cripple the special counsel probe. Step 1: Fire the deputy attorney general, according to four people familiar with the discussions. By Robert Costa  •   Read more »   Of America 5 Americans explain the burst of enthusiasm for Democratic candidates and causes Donald Trump's presidency has sparked a new political movement, one focused on challenging him and his party's agenda. The Post spoke with some Democrats, left-leaning independents and Republicans who were unenthused in 2016 and asked them why they're fired up for 2018. By Jenna Johnson  •   Read more »   Paul Ryan's GOP swept away by a Trumpian revolution he could neither contain nor control The House speaker's decision to abruptly throw in the towel, just six months before the midterms, is likely to only strengthen Trump's hold on the party and heightens worries for Republican strategists about the GOP's ability to hold onto its House majority. By Michael Scherer  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Opinions   Paul Ryan is the personification of conservatism's decline By E.J. Dionne Jr.  •   Read more »   Trump is making less sense than ever By Max Boot  •   Read more »   Cheer up, Republicans: Ryan's departure has a silver lining By Michael Steel  •   Read more »   The bottom drops out for Republicans By Dana Milbank  •   Read more »   Paul Ryan implodes his party — ahead of schedule By Karen Tumulty  •   Read more »   Trump is spoiling to fire Mueller. Congress must act now. By Editorial Board  •   Read more » ADVERTISEMENT More News   Justice Dept. gives Nunes access to document on Russia probe's origins, cooling threat to impeach its leaders The document seen by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) is said to detail how the Russia investigation started, at least in part because a Trump adviser boasted to an Australian diplomat in May 2016 that Russia had political dirt on Hillary Clinton. By Matt Zapotosky and Karoun Demirjian  •  Read more »     Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens initiated unwanted sexual contact with woman, she testifies The report produced by a committee of state lawmakers significantly adds to the crisis facing Greitens, who had previously admitted to an extramarital affair with his former hairdresser. By Eli Rosenberg  •   Read more »   Today's WorldView | Analysis Trump's would-be secretary of state has an Islamophobia problem Mike Pompeo, who faces a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, has a track record of anti-Muslim rhetoric and association with fringe Islamophobes. By Ishaan Tharoor  •   Read more »   Lawmakers agree social media needs regulation, but say prompt federal action is unlikely The Senate hearing with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg showed that social media's risks are now a bipartisan concern. But advocates of reining in the industry fear the current political environment could derail meaningful legislation. By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm and Elizabeth Dwoskin  •   Read more »   An 8-year-old's rape and murder inflames tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India Eight men are accused in connection with a girl's kidnapping, torture and murder, but a deep religious rift is an impediment to seeking justice. By Marwa Eltagouri  •   Read more »   Lindsey Buckingham, formerly of Fleetwood Mac: Rock's biggest jerk or misunderstood genius? This week's news that Fleetwood Mac reportedly fired its longtime guitarist shook the rock community. But Buckingham's reputation is littered with allegations of controlling, belittling and abusive behavior. By Travis M. Andrews  •   Read more »         Share Today's Headlines:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Today's Headlines or because it is included in your subscription. Manage my email newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe from Today's Headlines Privacy Policy | Help ©2018 The Washington Post  |  1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071