This is the latest attempt by the Donald to keep himself in the news because of childish insults rather than the more serious & pressing issues affecting the nation. Credit to Trump, his administration's strategy of keeping the news-media focused on his ridiculous Twitter behavior seems to work day-in and day-out. But it wouldn't work if some news outlets weren't so willing to cover it instead of more important events (which have more far-reaching consequences) like what really happened in Niger.
In addition, all this publicity about Trump's "liddle' Bob Corker" tweet was probably the last straw that pushed Jeff Flake to just say "fuck it". Flake will "retire" rather than deal with the dirty tactics from Trump's supporters.
And who can blame him? There's no way he can survive the Arizona Republican primary unscathed.
Looking at this situation from a positive point of view though, hopefully from now until his last day in office, Flake will vote in a way that benefits all Arizona voters not just the extreme right-wing. Flake should look at it as an "F U" to Bannon & Trump.
Jeff Flake delivered an extraordinary speech explaining why he is leaving. Referencing conduct from "top of goverment" as "dangerous to democracy".
"Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake will not seek re-election, issues warning about Trump's GOP"
So now the news-media will probably be focused on the Jeff Flake story and will continue to ignore Niger.
But they shouldn't forget, there are still (especially painful) questions which require answers; i.e. what really happened to Sgt La David Johnson?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41726572
"Five soldiers from Niger and three from the US Army Special Forces were reported killed, while two other Americans were wounded.
The French airlifted the injured to the capital city Niamey, before they were eventually flown to Germany for treatment and later home to the US. The bodies of those killed were taken away by a private contractor."
"What happened to Sgt La David Johnson?
During the fighting, he was separated from his colleagues. French, Nigerien and US forces remained in the area until Sgt Johnson's body was found two days later."
The Washington Post has more information on the events surrounding what is now being called an "ambush":
"Caught in a deadly ambush, U.S. troops in Niger waited an hour for French air power to arrive"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/caught-in-a-deadly-ambush-us-troops-in-niger-waited-an-hour-for-french-air-power-to-arrive/2017/10/23/0db1cea6-b834-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html?utm_term=.da3b7a7f5f64
There are some news outlets (like the Rachel Maddow show) which are asking the tough questions as well as investigating the tragic events in Niger.
But too many cable news-shows waste precious airtime (in between endless commercial breaks) monitoring Trump's insult Tweets and calling it news.
