For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, Agence France-Presse, Kyiv Post, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Kremlin welcomes the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Putin. From AP. The Kremlin has welcomed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s readiness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a senior Moscow official said Friday. READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, Tass and AFP.

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SBU, Ukrainian navy strike Russian drone warehouse in Russia’s Rostov Region. From Kyiv Post. Sources in special services confirmed that in a joint operation, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Navy successfully targeted a storage facility for Russian reconnaissance drones in the Rostov region early this morning. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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FROM JAN. 9  Zelenskyy and Austin use their final meeting to press Trump to keep supporting Ukraine, by Tara Copp | AP  RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin used their final meeting Thursday to press the incoming Trump administration not to give up on Kyiv’s fight, with Austin warning . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to five reports: from Middle East Eye, National Public Radio and, via ScheerPost, Democracy Now!, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor and Middle East Eye; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 8  UNICEF: At least 74 children killed in Gaza during first week of 2025. From Middle East Eye. UNICEF said Wednesday the killings of Palestinian children in the first week of this year were in attacks on Gaza City, Khan Younis, and the Israeli designated “safe zone.” READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 8  Blinken is in Israel on his Mideast tour aimed at trying to contain the war in Gaza. Reported by Jackie Northam | NPR  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel on Monday as part of a multi-country trip to try to curb Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and prevent a wider regional war. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM JAN. 8  Jimmy Carter in 2007 addressed criticism of his book ‘Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.’ Reported by Steve Inskeep | NPR  Hear an excerpt from an interview where former President Jimmy Carter addressed criticism of his 2006 book about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict titled “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM JAN. 6   American Historical Assoc. votes overwhelmingly to support resolution to oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! speaks with Sherene Seikaly and Barbara Weinstein, two scholars who supported the resolution and helped push for the groundbreaking vote. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM JAN. 8   NYT rejects Quakers’ ad calling Gaza a ‘genocide,’ by Eloise Goldsmith | Common Dreams / Consortium News  The American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization, said Wednesday it has cancelled planned advertising with The New York Times after the outlet rejected one of the group’s proposed ads that read: “Tell Congress to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Remembering the First Intifada and the birth of Hamas, by Mustafa Fetouri | Middle East Monitor  The Palestinian First Intifada started on Dec. 7, 1987, marked by mass demonstrations, first in Gaza before spreading to the entire Palestinian occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. READ MORE . . .

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How the Palestinian Authority became Israel’s enforcer in the West Bank, by Lubna Masarwa | Middle East Eye  The Palestinian Authority, which has long functioned as a security arm of Israeli occupation forces, has dedicated its time and resources to launching raids against its own people. On Dec. 29, PA security service snipers . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, the Cradle, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from CraigMurray.org.uk via Consortium News; others articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 8  U.S. troops need to stay in Syria to counter the Islamic State group, Austin says, by Tara Copp | AP  RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — The U.S. needs to keep troops deployed in Syria to prevent the Islamic State group from reconstituting as a major threat following the ouster of Bashar Assad’s government, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Associated Press. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 8  Turkish drone strikes U.S.-backed Kurds as clashes rage in north Syria. From the Cradle. Heavy clashes between Turkish-backed militants and US-backed Kurdish fighters continued to rage across the Aleppo countryside in northern Syria on Wednesday, as Ankara provided air cover to its proxies throughout the fighting. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 8  Syrians are visiting the once off-limits seaside Assad family villa. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR  Syrians are now visiting the seaside villa of the ousted President Bashir al-Assad. The compound had been off-limits since it was built for the Assad family 50 years ago. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM JAN. 7   Twisting the terrorism narrative, by Craig Murray | CraigMurray.org.uk / Consortium News  The installation of HTS in Syria by the NATO powers and Israel was a propaganda orgy of “joy” and “liberation.” Undoubtedly some people did feel joy and liberation. But the Western media have not stayed around since to report the subsequent . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to nine reports: from Reuters, the Moscow Times, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, Agence France-Presse, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, SYRIA and MEDIA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Russian plant fire rages on, 24 hours after Ukrainian attack. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russian firefighters today were still battling a fire reported to have broken out at an oil depot near an air base for strategic bombers in the Volga region, more than 24 hours after a Ukrainian drone attack. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Moscow Times.

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Ukraine’s 47th Brigade releases video of ‘massive’ Russian attack repelled in Kursk Oblast, by Kateryna Denisova | The Kyiv Independent  Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade said today that it had, together with other units, repelled a “massive” Russian assault in the embattled Kursk Oblast, releasing footage of the engagement. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s allies adopt plans of support to Kiev until 2027 — Pentagon. From Tass. BERLIN — Participants of the U.S.-led contact group coordinating arms supplies to Ukraine have approved roadmaps on eight areas of military cooperation with the Kiev government leading to the year 2027, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said today, opening the group’s 25th meeting at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany. READ MORE . . .

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Biden set to push new Russia sanctions before Trump era begins , by Trevor Hunnicutt | Reuters.  WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is expected to unveil new sanctions targeting Russia’s economy this week, according to a U.S. official, as part of measures to bolster Kyiv’s war effort against Moscow before Donald Trump takes office. READ MORE . . .

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Russia hammers Ukrainian army, equipment in over 160 areas in past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck amassed Ukrainian manpower and military hardware in more than 160 areas over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. READ MORE . . .

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EU ready to lead Ukraine support ‘if U.S. not willing’: Kallas. From AFP, The EU’s foreign policy chief said today that she hopes the United States will keep supporting Ukraine after president-elect Donald Trump takes office and that if not, the EU was ready to take the lead. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 8  U.S. to announce new weapons package for Ukraine as defense leaders prepare to meet in Germany. From Reuters. WASHINGTON — The U.S. is expected to announce $500 million in military aid for Ukraine on Thursday at a final gathering of President Joe Biden’s weapons pledging conferences, meetings Kyiv says have been critical to its defense against Russia. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for Jan. 7 report from AP.

For today, links to commentary from craigmurray.org.uk via Consortium News, and from the New York Post; other articles are accessible by clicking on the sources below. (GAZA, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, and a MEDIA entry for Jan. 8 is HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 7   Twisting the terrorism narrative. by Craig Murray | CraigMurray.org.uk / Consortium News  There was absolutely nothing stopping them. But not one single member of Western mainstream media ever visited a bomb site in Lebanon to verify whether Israeli claims it was a Hezbollah base or missile site were true because . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 2  Editorial: No. 1 media fail of 2024. From the New York Post. President-elect Donald Trump is forcing the Democratic politicians who spent years lying about President Biden’s senility to take their bitter medicine, but we’re more concerned about the toady media who played along. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Newsweek; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza amid stepped-up ceasefire push, by Nidal al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO — Israeli military strikes across Gaza killed at least 27 people today, Palestinian medics said, as international mediators stepped up efforts to seal a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. READ MORE . . .

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The remains of at least 1 Israeli hostage are found in Gaza, army says, by Tia Goldenberg and Melanie Lidman | AP JERUSALEM — Israeli soldiers recovered the body of a 53-year-old hostage in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza, the military said today, and the army was determining if another set of remains belongs to the man’s son. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Newsweek.

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Hostages in Gaza endure another winter as their families plead for a ceasefire, by Tia Goldenberg | AP  TEL AVIV — Dozens of hostages kidnapped in Israel by Hamas-led militants in October 2023 are still in captivity in Gaza, often experiencing the same dire circumstances as hundreds of thousands of of Palestinians there. “Winter makes it . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to two reports: from Middle East Monitor and National Public Rado; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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UN warns of ‘very real threats’ to Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity. From Middle East Monitor. The UN today cautioned about “very real threats” to Syria’s sovereignty amid the recent collapse of the Assad regime, Anadolu Agencyreports. “Syria seeks to chart . . .  READ MORE . . .

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After Assad, how can Syrians reconcile to rebuild the nation? Reported by Leila Fadel | NPR  After the downfall of the Assad regime, how can Syrians reconcile and form an inclusive government for all citizens? Mona Yacoubian of the United States Institute of Peace looks at the situation. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

For today, links to three reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and Reuters, and to an article of commentary from Indian Punchline; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, SYRIA and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and  HERE.) — MCM

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Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia kills at least 13. From AFP. A Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia has killed at least 13 people, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest single air attacks for weeks. Moscow has . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from AP and Reuters.

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FROM JAN. 7  Europe isn’t the real threat to Ukraine peace, but UK, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  Trump is well aware of the UK’s pivotal role in hatching the “Russia collusion” plot, which hobbled his presidency. Downsizing Britain’s role can be a game changer for peace in Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

Links to two reports: from MintPress News via Consortium News, and from Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting via ScheerPost, and to an interview from BuzzFeed;  others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 3  BBC Middle East editor collaborated with CIA, Mossad, by Alan MacLeod | MintPress News / Consortium News  Raffi Berg, an Englishman who heads the BBC’s Middle East desk, is currently the subject of considerable scrutiny after 13 BBC employees spoke out . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 3  Why didn’t NYT tell us what Ben Smith stood to gain from his media reporting? by Ari Paul | Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting / ScheerPost  In a time of downsizing and consolidation, Ben Smith has had a journalistic career many would envy, as editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, media writer for the New York Times, and now as co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for transcript of a 2015 interview from BuzzFeed News.

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

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UN warns Israeli actions pushing Gaza aid efforts to collapse. From Middle East Eye. The United Nations’ relief operations in Gaza are teetering on the brink of collapse, according to Tom Fletcher, head of the UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA). He accused Israeli forces of targeting aid workers and obstructing . . . READ MORE . . .

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Gaza Health Ministry warns of ‘real disaster sweeping hospitals.’ From the Cradle. The Health Ministry in Gaza warned today that the medical sector in the strip is facing a disaster due to crippling shortages of essential supplies and humanitarian aid. READ MORE . . .

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PRCS: Israel killed 1,056 medical personnel, arrested 350 others since October 2023. From Middle East Monitor. The Israeli occupation has systematically and deliberately targeted Palestinian medical teams, killing more than 1,056 and arresting 350 others since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. READ MORE . . .

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Hamas and Israel are negotiating the release of hostages. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Abu Bakr Bashir | NPR  Israel and Hamas are eyeing a hostage release and ceasefire deal before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Click HERE to read, and HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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UAE discusses post-war Gaza government with U.S., Israel. From Reuters. The United Arab Emirates has discussed with Israel and the United States participating in a provisional administration of post-war Gaza until a reformed Palestinian Authority is able to take charge, according to people familiar with the talks. READ MORE . . .