For today, links to five reports: from the Cradle and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 9  SDF leader urges Trump to keep U.S. troops in Syria citing ‘resurging ISIS threat.’ From the Cradle. The commander-in-chief of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, General Mazloum Abdi, has called on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to keep thousands of troops inside Syria during his government. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 9  Israel sets plans in motion to balkanize Syria under ‘self-defense’ claims: report.  From the Cradle. The Israeli government is considering the preparation of an international conference aimed at discussing the division of Syria into “cantons,” Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Thursday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 6  In Syria, a once-privileged Muslim sect is now targeted and afraid. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR  Alawites in Syria are facing a violent backlash, stoking fears of wider sectarian instability in a divided Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. Click HERE to listen and read, and HERE for Jan. 10 report from NPR.

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FROM JAN. 9  Biden to keep terrorist designation on ‘rebels’ controlling Syria. From the Cradle. Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden will not lift the terrorist designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham U.S. officials revealed on Tuesday, leaving the decision to the government of President-elect Donald Trump. READ MORE . . .