During a visit to Paris, Donald Trump expressed his non-interventionist stance on Syria, despite the fall of Assad’s regime. He emphasized on Truth Social that the U.S. should not get involved, raising questions about future U.S. policy. Meanwhile, the current administration, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria, seeking regional support for conditions on recognizing a new Syrian government. Noah Prescott 13/12/2024 4:30 am
Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed dozens, including 15 guarding aid convoys, amid ongoing conflict with Hamas. The UN General Assembly called for a ceasefire, but tensions remain high. Israeli military claims Hamas aimed to hijack aid, while Hamas accuses Israel of fostering chaos. Strikes have targeted residential areas, killing civilians, including children. The humanitarian crisis worsens, with experts warning of famine. Over 1,000 healthcare workers have died since the conflict began, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza. Noah Prescott 13/12/2024 4:30 am
The Assad regime in Syria collapsed rapidly after a rebel offensive captured Damascus, with President Assad fleeing to Russia. Analysts attribute this swift downfall to weakened support from Assad’s allies, Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah, and the impact of the Captagon drug trade. Captagon, a popular amphetamine in the Middle East, is produced in Syria, generating significant revenue for the regime. However, neighboring countries, aiming to curb the drug’s spread, distanced themselves from Assad, contributing to his regime’s collapse. The drug’s widespread use and economic impact played a crucial role in the regime’s downfall. Penelope Kingsley 13/12/2024 4:30 am
President Biden plans visa restrictions on Georgian officials amid a crackdown on protests against the Georgian Dream party’s claimed election victory. The U.S. will issue travel bans targeting those undermining the election process. These sanctions add to previous U.S. actions, including suspending strategic partnerships. Lawmakers criticize Biden for slow action, urging sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s founder. Sen. Ben Cardin expects the executive branch to act against Ivanishvili. Ava Sinclair 13/12/2024 1:00 am
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing monarch butterflies as threatened, prompting backlash from Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller. Miller criticized the proposal as federal overreach, claiming it would harm Texas agriculture and rural development. He argued the designation would impose restrictions affecting various industries, including farming, energy, and infrastructure. Miller accused the Biden Administration of pushing a radical climate agenda before President-elect Trump takes office. The USFWS seeks public input on the proposal, which includes designating critical habitat in California. Penelope Kingsley 13/12/2024 1:00 am
Russia faces losing key military bases in Syria after the ouster of its ally, President Bashar Assad. These bases are crucial for Russian influence in the Middle East. Despite a 49-year lease, Russia is negotiating with the victorious Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham to secure its presence. Moscow is disbursing weapons to local groups and repositioning military assets. The future of Russia’s military presence in Syria remains uncertain, with ongoing efforts to adapt to the new political landscape. Ava Sinclair 13/12/2024 1:00 am
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged members to adopt a “wartime mindset” and increase defense spending to counter Russia’s long-term confrontation plans. He emphasized the need for more than the pledged 2% GDP defense spending by 2024, warning of future threats. Rutte highlighted Russia’s significant defense budget increase and urged NATO to prevent costly future conflicts. His comments come as Russian forces advance in Ukraine, and not all NATO members meet the spending target. Penelope Kingsley 13/12/2024 1:00 am
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol faces impeachment calls after defending his martial law order, claiming it was necessary to counter “anti-state” opposition. Yoon alleged North Korean election interference without evidence, while opposition parties push for his removal. A second impeachment vote is expected, with some members of Yoon’s People Power Party supporting it. If successful, the Constitutional Court will decide on Yoon’s removal. Meanwhile, Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen Zone, and two senior White House officials visit the Middle East. Penelope Kingsley 13/12/2024 1:00 am
At least 35 Palestinians, including 12 guards, were killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza, according to local medics and the Hamas-run Civil Defence. Strikes targeted guards protecting aid lorries from theft, with seven killed in Rafah and five in Khan Younis. The Israeli military claimed the strikes targeted Hamas terrorists planning to hijack aid. Separate attacks near Nuseirat refugee camp and Gaza City killed 21 more, including six children. UN workers cite violent thefts as a major obstacle to delivering aid amid severe shortages. Ava Sinclair 12/12/2024 9:30 pm
Syrian conscript Farhan al-Khouli fled his post near Idlib as demoralized troops abandoned their positions amid rampant corruption and poor conditions. The army, weakened by reliance on foreign allies and internal discontent, collapsed as rebels advanced, toppling President Bashar al-Assad and ending a 13-year conflict. Reuters’ investigation, based on multiple sources and intelligence documents, revealed the army’s hollowed state due to demoralization, corruption, and reliance on foreign command structures. Penelope Kingsley 12/12/2024 9:30 pm
