Editors' Picks: Israeli intel officers are furious over Trump’s loose lips; and the Obama administration plan to punish Assad took a backseat to diplomacy with Russia

If you have problems viewing this email, [view it in a browser.]( [Foreign Policy]( EDITORS' PICKS Friday, May 19 Welcome to Editors' Picks, FP's round-up of the day's best articles. Today, we look at what would happen if President Donald Trump tried to pardon himself, the breakup of Syria, and the U.S. cat-and-mouse game with Julian Assange. 1 [Loose Lips:]( Israeli intelligence officials are furious that Trump's sensitive disclosures to Russians may have endangered a source, FP’s Kavitha Surana, Dan De Luce, and Robbie Gramer report: [Read more]( 2 [Chemical Weapons Backtrack:]( To assuage Russia, the Obama administration backed off a Syria chemical weapons plan, FP’s Colum Lynch reports: [Read more]( 3 [Pardon ... me?:]( ) If Trump perceives that a team of prosecutors is closing in on him, he could conceivably attempt to solve his problem by simply pardoning himself, Brian Kalt writes: [Read more]( 4 [the breakup of Syria:]( Syria has effectively ceased to exist, Jonathan Spyer writes: [Read more]( 5 [Cat and Mouse:]( With news that Sweden has ended its investigation into sexual assault allegations leveled against Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder enters a new, uncertain legal landscape with U.S. authorities still eyeing his prosecution, FP’s Elias Groll writes: [Read more]( Sponsored Content [Reducing Tensions Between Russia and NATO:]( The latest CFR report by Professor Kimberly Marten details how U.S. policymakers can work with NATO allies to both deter Russian aggression and reassure Russia that NATO’s intentions are defensive.[Read the report now.]( Listen and subscribe to FP podcasts on iTunes and Stitcher: [here]( Foreign Policy Magazine [editorspicks@foreignpolicy.com](mailto:editorspicks@foreignpolicy.com?Subject=Feedback) This email was sent to {EMAIL} by fp@foreignpolicy.com. [UPDATE PROFILE]( [UNSUBSCRIBE](email_name=top5) [PRIVACY POLICY]( [ADVERTISE](mailto:advertise@foreignpolicy.com) [GROUP SALES AND LICENSING](mailto:licensing@foreignpolicy.com) Foreign Policy Magazine is published by the FP Group, a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents ©2017 The Slate Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 11 DUPONT CIRCLE NW, SUITE 600, WASHINGTON DC 20036