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Iraq

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Trump's surprise decision to order airstrike

President Trump has not spoken directly about the killing of Qassem Soleimani, but he did tweet an image of an American flag afterward. The president has largely avoided intervention of this sort in favor of isolationist policies, as evidenced by his controversial decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Northern Syria just a few months ago. The move to assassinate Soleimani marks a critical 180-degree turn for the president, and it comes as he campaigns for re-election this year. Major Garrett reports from the White House.

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Drone strike escalates U.S.-Iran tensions

A U.S. airstrike killed one of Iran's most powerful military leaders overnight. The targeted killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq is a dramatic escalation in the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. Video of the aftermath shows burning wreckage near Baghdad's airport. Soleimani led the powerful Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, blamed for killing hundreds of American troops. Iran said there will be a harsh response. David Martin reports from the Pentagon.

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Lessons from Admiral William H. McRaven

Admiral William McRaven, now retired, thought commanding the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound would be the crowning achievement of his 37 years as a Navy SEAL, until he gave a 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin that went viral - a lesson in personal responsibility that spoke to millions across the globe and became a bestseller, "Make Your Bed." David Martin talks with Admiral McRaven about the long, long road from making your bed to missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his latest book, "Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations."

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General Jim Mattis on war & Trump

General James Mattis served more than 40 years in the Marines, much of it commanding troops in battle. But he almost didn't make it to boot camp. In this extensive two-part interview, he talks with David Martin about his years in Afghanistan and Iraq, following orders from the Bush administration that he characterized as incoherent, and serving as Secretary of Defense under President Trump. He also talks about his distaste for his colorful nickname, "Mad Dog," and shows off his library of 7,000 books, to which he's added another – his own, titled "Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead."

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