The official, George Kent, has been one of the lower-profile players in the Ukraine affair, but Democrats have called him to be a witness during their first public impeachment hearing on Wednesday. This account, given to investigators last month, helps explain why.

Related: As the threat of impeachment rises, President Trump’s relationship with Attorney General William Barr may be growing more complicated.

Another angle: In another blunt critique of American foreign policy, the top U.S. diplomat in northern Syria criticized the Trump administration for not trying harder to avert Turkey’s military offensive there last month.

Far corners: Times reporters traveled along the only major road that runs the length of northeastern Syria to assess the region’s new power dynamic.