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

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Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible, by Joanna Kozlowska and Ellen Knickmeyer | AP  WASHINGTON — Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskiy seeks diplomatic end to Russia’s war, floats role for foreign troops, by Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth | Reuters  KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made the case today for a diplomatic settlement to Russia’s war in Ukraine and raised the idea of foreign troops being deployed in his country until it could join the NATO military alliance. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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FROM DEC. 8  Trump says Zelensky is ready for ‘deal’ with Russia. From AFP. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is keen on a “deal” to end the war with Russia, after the pair met in Paris to discuss the future of the conflict. On Saturday, French President . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia open to negotiating Ukraine settlement, unlike Kiev regime — senior diplomat. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia is ready to talk about settling the Ukraine conflict, but sees nothing but stonewalling from the Kiev regime and its Western handlers, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said.  READ MORE . . .

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Situation in Russia’s Kursk Region. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Ukrainian armed forces have lost more than 200 troops in the Kursk area over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said. READ MORE . . .

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 . . .

For today, links to reports from Reuters and Substack; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (UKRAINE and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE and a SYRIA, 12-9-24, entry, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

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Israel shells north Gaza hospital, disrupting service, doctors say. From Reuters. CAIRO — Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya, one of only three barely operational on the northern edge of the enclave, said today the facility was hit by around 100 tank shells and bombs, wounding several of the medical staff and patients and damaging electricity and oxygen pumps. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 5  Bibi unbowed, by Seymour M. Hersh | Substack  Fourteen months after Israel’s greatest trauma, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still the darling of the extreme religious right in Israel and is riding high in the polls, with the blood of tens of thousands in Gaza and Lebanon and a few in Iran on his soul. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports: from the Associated Press, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, and a SYRIA, 12-9-24, entry, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

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Trump calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy in Paris. From AP. KYIV — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump today called for an immediate ceasefire in the war in Ukraine that “should have never started,” shortly after a meeting in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron and Volodomyr Zelenskyy of France and Ukraine. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from the Kyiv Independent and Tass.

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Kremlin, on Trump call for peacetalks, says Moscow is open to negotiations on certain terms. From Reuters.  MOSCOW — The Kremlin said today that Russia was open to talks on Ukraine after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump called for “an immediate ceasefire and negotiations”. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said negotiations had to be based . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin refutes Trump’s remarks on losses in Ukrainian conflict. From Tass. MOSCOW — MOSCOW — The Ukrainian army’s losses surpass those of Russia exponentially, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists today. He also said Russia is open to talks on Ukraine but that terms for an immediate ceasefire were outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin back in June. READ MORE . . .

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Russian army has liberated Blagodatnoye settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic. From Tass. MOSCOW — The units of Russia’s Battlegroup East have liberated the settlement of Blagodatnoye (Oktyabr collective farm) in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a broader statement. READ MORE . . . 

For today, links to eight reports: from the Anadolu Agency, Reuters, the Associated Press and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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NEWER  Armed groups enter southern suburbs of Damascus. From Anadolu Agency. DAMASCUS — Armed groups opposed to Bashar al-Assad’s regime began entering Damascus’ southern suburbs today. They advanced toward central Damascus after capturing . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S.-backed Syrian Free Army takes control of Homs’ Palmyra district from regime forces. From Anadolu Agency. HOMS, Syria  Forces of the U.S.-backed Syrian Free Army, operates in the Al-Tanf region at the crossroads of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, have taken control of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of the Syrian province of Homs after . . . READ MORE . . .

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Syrian rebels enter suburbs of key city of Homs, sources say, by Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Timour Azhari | Reuters  AMMAN / BEIRUT — Syrian rebels entered suburbs of the key city of Homs today, sources said, pressing a lightning week-long advance as front lines collapse across the country and government forces battle to save President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule. READ MORE . . .

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Russian bases in Syria threatened by insurgent advance, say Moscow’s war bloggers, by Andrew Osborn | Reuters  — Two strategically-important Russian military facilities in Syria and Moscow’s very presence in the Middle East are under serious threat from rapidly advancing insurgents, Russian war bloggers have warned. READ MORE . . .

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Syrian troops withdraw from the south of the country as they rush to defend Homs, by Bassem Mroue | AP  BEIRUT — The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria today, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters, the military and an opposition war monitor said. The redeployment . . .READ MORE . . .

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Iron-fisted Assad under threat as Syrian rebels draw closer. From Reuters — President Bashar al-Assad used Russian and Iranian firepower to beat back rebel forces during years of civil war but never defeated them, leaving him vulnerable when his allies were distracted by wars elsewhere and his enemies went on the march. READ MORE . . .

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Syrian rebels make further inroads in major cities. Reported by Jane Arraf and Elissa Nadworny | NPR  The Assad regime is Syria is looking increasingly fragile as rebels take control of more of the country’s territory. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM DEC. 6  What does the Syrian rebel takeover mean for the Assad regime? Reported by Michael Levitt, Ruth Sherlock and Ari Shapiro | NPR  Syrian rebels have taken two major cities and are closing in on a third. What does all this mean for the Assad regime? Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 5  Why Syria is more relevant today than before, by Kamal Alam | Middle East Eye  Amid the swift and stunning collapse of Aleppo following an assault led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is internationally sanctioned as a terrorist group, it is important to pause and recall that we have been here before. The advance by HTS and Turkish-backed . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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At least 20 killed in Gaza as Qatar voices hope for ceasefire. From Reuters. CAIRO — Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 20 Palestinians today, local health officials said, as Qatar voiced hope of fresh momentum in efforts to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Tass.

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FROM DEC. 6  Ailing kids wait months for Israeli permission to leave Gaza for treatment. Some die in the meantime, by Wafaa Shurafa and Fatma Khaled | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Thousands of patients in Gaza are waiting for Israeli permission for urgently needed medical evacuation from Gaza for treatment of war wounds or chronic diseases they can’t get after the destruction of much of the territory’s health care system by Israel’s 15-month military campaign. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to four reports: from the Kyiv Independent, Tass, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast injure 16, including child, governor reports, by Martina Sapio | The Kyiv Independent  Russian shelling struck residential areas and injured 16 people, including one child, in Kherson Oblast over the past day, regional authorities said today. READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces liberate Berestki in DPR — Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian servicemen have liberated the settlement of Berestki in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 6  Scholz says a joint Ukraine approach can be found with Trump. From Reuters. FRANKFURT — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is confident he will be able to agree with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on a joint strategy for Ukraine after speaking to him on the phone, Scholz told the Funke group of newspapers. READ MORE . . .

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How Russia’s weakening economy could impact the war with Ukraine. Elissa Nadworny of NPR talks with Alexandra Prokopenko, of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, about weakness in the Russian economy and what that might mean for the country’s war in Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

Links to commentary from Consortium News and Middle East Eye; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA,  UKRAINE, and SYRIA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM DEC. 6  The Biden family of liars, by Patrick Lawrence | Special to Consortium News  Peter Baker, that inimitable (thank goodness) clerk The New York Times posts as its chief White House correspondent, tells us in Wednesday’s editions, “We don’t really know how history will remember Joe Biden. It’s too early to say, obviously.” READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 5  For the New York Times, antisemitism has a name but genocide does not, by Hamid Dabashi | Middle East Eye  I read the New York Times daily as a barometer — as a farmer would heed a bellwether, or an old-fashioned European anthropologist would stare at the behaviour of a faraway tribe — to see which way the liberal Zionist wind is blowing. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 4  The war on Consortium News, by Joe Lauria | Consortiun News  In an age of growing censorship and suppression of news, Consortium News is not exaggerating when it says it has abundant evidence of efforts to marginalize or silence us. November 2016: At Thanksgiving eight years ago, a . . . READ MORE . . .

Links to five reports, one including a map: from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, and Reuters, and to commentary from Consortium News and Middle East Eye; other articles 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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Thousands flee as Syrian insurgents advance to the doorstep of the country’s 3rd largest city, Homs, by Bassem Mroue | AP  BEIRUT — Thousands of people fled the central Syrian city of Homs, the country’s third largest, as insurgents seized two towns on the outskirts Friday, positioning themselves for an assault on a potentially major prize in their march against President Bashar Assad. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report and map from Middle East Eye.

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Turkey’s Erdogan backs rebel offensive in Syria, by Ragip Soylu | Middle East Eye  ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to back a rebel offensive in Syria that has captured several major cities within a week, as indicated by a statement he made today. READ MORE . . . 

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War-weary Iraq eyes Syria intervention as rebels advance, by Timour Azhari | Reuters  BEIRUT — Iraqi Shi’ite Muslim ruling parties and armed groups are weighing the pros and cons of armed intervention in Syria, viewing as a grave threat the advance of Sunni Islamist rebels who have taken two Syrian cities and now bear down on a third. READ MORE . . .

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Inside the Ravi factions’ decision to keep out of Syria, by Suadad al-Salhy | Middle East Eye  Iraq’s Shia forces, including major Iranian-affiliated armed factions, have unanimously decided not to send fighters to Syria to defend Bashar al-Assad from the rebel advance, according to some officials and commanders. Last week . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 2  Neocons try again in Syria, by Ray McGovern | Special to Consortium News  On the neocon list of ways to make the world safer for Israel, Iran originally occupied pride of place. “Real men go to Tehran!” was the muscular brag. But . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 4  How the Syria crisis could reshape the Middle East, by David Hearst | Middle East Eye  It is generally a mistake to read one conflict through the prism of another, even though they might share the same actors. The Syrian rebel offensive took almost everyone by surprise. Rebel groups that had for years been bitter rivals . . . READ MORE . . .