Dispatches

March 11

Celebrities, politicians, family, and friends gathered to pay respects to former first lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. Nancy Reagan, who died March 6 at the age of 94, was known for her elegance, her “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign, and her fierce loyalty to her husband, the 40th president of the United States. Her two children, Patti Davis and Ron Reagan, spoke admiringly of the love between their parents, whom Davis called “two halves of a circle.” Attendees at the funeral, which Nancy had planned beforehand, included Michelle Obama; George W. Bush and his wife, Laura; Hillary Clinton; and yet another former first lady, Rosalynn Carter.

Terror in Turkey

March 13

A car bomb explosion rocked the Turkish capital of Ankara, killing at least 34 persons and wounding 125 others—the third terrorist attack in Ankara since last October. Security officials blamed members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a separatist group, for the car bombing and sent Turkish warplanes to strike the group’s camps in northern Iraq. A two-year cease-fire between Turkish forces and the PKK, which the United States classifies as a terrorist organization, fell apart last summer, leading to an increase in violence. The PKK typically targets security forces rather than civilians: The car bombing may indicate a change in tactics.

Trump violence?

March 11

Skirmishes broke out between protesters and supporters of presidential candidate Donald Trump in Chicago after the Republican front-runner canceled a rally there, citing security concerns over the large number of protesters. Trump claimed he wasn’t responsible for the violence and instead said that overall the event was “a positive in terms of votes.” GOP candidates Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich condemned the protests but claimed Trump’s tone encourages violence. Speaking to supporters at a February rally, Trump had asked his supporters to beat up protesters: “I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees.” He later walked back the comment.