Planned delivery of Russian air defense system strains an already tense U.S.-Turkey relationship.
The order comes as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on the Palestinian Authority.
U.S. to close Palestinian office in Washington, citing lack of progress on peace process with Israel
Palestinian officials vowed to fight what they called bullying tactics and “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people.
The president has raised the possibility of military action in Venezuela, but his aides have repeatedly dissuaded him.
The Marine exercise followed a notification from Russia, and a U.S. rejection, of a plan to enter a zone to pursue “terrorists.”
The shift stems from concerns about Russia and a desire to eject Iranian military and proxy forces.
Palestinian leaders condemned the action as a violation of international law and said the U.S. should have no role in the peace process because of its “bias.”
The decision will include a call to reduce the number of Palestinians recognized as refugees, an effort to eliminate the ‘right of return’ to land contested with Israel.
Funds will be “redirected” to ensure that they are spent “in accordance with U.S. national interests,” the State Department said.
The incident marks one of a limited number of times in which the United States has struck out directly at forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.