For today, links to eleven reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and, via Popular Resistance, Geopolitical Economy; to spoken commentary from Consortium News; and to two articles of commentary from Informed Comment, one of which also appears on ScheerPost; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE. SYRIA, 12-8-24 entry is HERE.) — MCM
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NEWER Syria rebel leader meets ex-PM ‘to coordinate transfer of power’: statement. From AFP. Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani met with outgoing Syrian prime minister Mohammed al-Jalali and discussed the “transfer of power”, the rebels said today, a day after toppling president Bashar al-Assad. Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa . . . READ MORE . . .
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Syrian prime minister says government is still functioning but foreign and domestic challenges loom, by Sarah el Deeb, Bassem Mroue and Tia Goldenberg | AP DAMASCUS — Syria’s prime minister said today that most cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus after rebels entered the capital over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad. Streams of refugees crossed in from neighboring countries, hoping . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from AFP.
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With Assad gone, new era starts in Syria as world watches, by Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari | Reuters DAMASCUS —Damascus stirred back to life today at the start of a hopeful but uncertain era after rebels seized the capital and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. Heavy traffic returned to the streets and people ventured out after a nighttime curfew . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE to listen to NPR report and read reports from Middle East Eye.
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Israel army chief declares Syria a fourth ‘fighting front.’ From Middle East Monitor. Israeli forces are currently fighting on four fronts, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said on Sunday, namely Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and as of Saturday night in Syria. READ MORE . . .
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FROM DEC. 8 Bashar al-Assad flees Syria for Russia. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi and Scott Detrow | NPR Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, has fled the country, according to his closest ally, Russia, bringing a sudden end to half a century of rule by Assad and his family. Opposition rebels took Syria’s capital this weekend, and . . . Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM DEC. 8 President Biden gives White House address on the dramatic events in Syria. Reported by Franco Ordoñez and Scott Detrow | NPR President Biden addresses the nation about the dramatic situation in Syria. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM DEC. 6 Al-Qaeda-linked ‘rebels’ in Syria say they ‘love Israel,’ by Ben Norton | Geopolitical Economy / Popular Resistance The United States spent billions over years arming and training militants in Syria, many linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Current U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in 2012 . . . Click HERE for text, video, audio, and maps.
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FROM DEC. 8 Who are Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that overthrew the Assad regime? Scott Detrow of NPR talks with Hassan Hassan of New Lines magazine, a Syria analyst and co-author of the book ISIS: Inside The Army Of Terror. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM DEC. 8 Fall of Syria is about Greater Israel. Craig Murray of Consortum News, a former British diplomat, speaks from Beirut on Sunday, with his perspective on the fall of the Al-Assad government “within the context of the project for Greater Israel.” Click HERE to watch and listen.
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FROM DEC. 8 Syrians finally won the Arab Spring; Can they avoid pitfalls and win Democracy? by Juan Cole | Informed Comment Syria is not well placed for a democratic transition, though stranger things have happened. It would be a shame if the people had to trade one form of authoritarianism for another, as happened in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen and Sudan. READ MORE . . .
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FROM DEC. 7 Why Iran can’t stand up for the al-Assad government: Russia isn’t offering air support, by Juan Cole | Informed Comment ANN ARBOR — The strategic situation in Syria is dire for the Baathist government of Bashar al-Assad. Typically in military history, if an invader takes the capital of the other country, it secures its victory. Damascus is . . . READ MORE . . .