For today, links to five reports: from Reuters, the Moscow Times, the Kyiv Independent, and Moon of Alabama; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Russia says it is hitting Ukrainian forces in Kursk region. From Reuters. Russia’s defence ministry said today its troops had inflicted heavy strikes on Ukrainian units in Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukraine’s military reported an escalation in fighting in the previous 24 hours. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for report from the Moscow Times and the Kyiv Independent.

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FROM JAN. 6  ‘Negative lesson’ — Ground forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade, by Tim Zadorozhnyy and Emmanuelle Chaze | The Kyiv Independent  Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, on Monday acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and scroll down for Jan. 2 report from Moon of Alabama.

For now, links to three reports: from Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Neonatal doctor Thabat Saleem killed by Israel in central Gaza strike, by Mera Aladam | Middle East Eye  Condolences have been pouring in for a Palestinian neonatal doctor following her killing in an Israeli attack in central Gaza. Thabat Saleem, who worked as a volunteer at the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, was killed in a strike on a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp during overnight bombing. READ MORE . . .

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No rape allegations filed from Oct. 7, reveals Israeli prosecutor. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli authorities have admitted that no allegations of rape or sexual assault have been filed from the Oct. 7 cross-border infiltration by Palestinian resistance factions, despite extensive investigations. READ MORE . . .

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Blinken calls for truce to get Gaza truce deal over ‘finish line.’ From Reuters. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken today called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office, after a Hamas official told Reuters the group had cleared a list of 34 hostages as first to go free under a truce. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to three reports: from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and  HERE.) — MCM

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Residents of Syria’s Quneitra are frustrated by lack of action to halt Israeli advance, by Abby Sewell | AP  QUNEITRA, Syria — Israeli forces entered the Quneitra governate in southwestern Syria soon after the fall of President Bashar Assad last month. The Israeli military has also . . . READ MORE . . .

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Locals in Syria’s Golan Heights fear Israeli operations in area could be a land grab. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR  Locals in Syria’s Golan Heights told NPR that they fear a recent Israeli military operation in the area could be a land grab. Israel says the move is necessary to secure its borders. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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U.S. to ease Syria aid restrictions while keeping sanctions in place, sources say. From Reuters. The U.S. is set to imminently announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria while still keeping its strict sanctions regime in place, according to people briefed on the matter. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

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

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Russia claims control over Kurakhove, Ukraine denies loss while countering in Kursk. From Kyiv Post. Russian authorities announced that they had fully taken control of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces deny loss of the town, reporting ongoing battles in the city and 27 repelled attacks. Today . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, AP, the Kyiv Independent and AFP.

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Russia continues drone attacks against civilians in Ukrainian city of Kherson. Reported by Brian Mann | NPR  People in the Ukrainian city Kherson {kHAIR-son} say Russian soldiers are using remote-controlled drones to attack civilians. Officials say the attacks escalated last summer and are a daily threat. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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

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FROM JAN. 3  Kyiv plays games with Russian gas transit, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The dataset by the Brussels-based think tank Brugel aggregating the data on European natural gas import flows and storage levels puts in perspective Ukraine’s decision to halt the transit of Russian gas to Europe. READ MORE . . .

For today, a link to just one report: from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 3  Gaza resistance targets Israeli settlements for eighth consecutive day. From the Cradle. Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza launched multiple missile and rocket attacks on Israeli troops and settlements on Friday, setting off alarms in nearby Jewish communities for the first time in nearly one year. READ MORE . . .

For today, a link to just one report: from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 3  Dozens killed in fierce SDF-SNA clashes near Syria’s Manbij. From the Cradle. Heavy fighting between the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Syrian National Army militants backed by Turkiye left at least 62 killed on Friday, raising the total death toll since the violence erupted in early December to 241. READ MORE . . .

For today, links articles of commentary from Moon of Alabama (with maps) and Kyiv Post, and to three reports: from Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, Agence Presse, and the Associated Press; 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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FROM JAN. 1  Ukraine on the verge of defeat, by Moon of Alabama | Moon of Alabama / Popular Resistance  During the last six months the main front line in southeast Ukraine has changed significantly. The only way to achieve the end to the war that President-elect Trump has promised is to concede to all the demands the Russian side has made. The western pro-war factions . . . READ MORE . . .

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A year of reckoning: Ukraine’s defense and diplomacy in 2024 and the vision of the future, by Iuliia Mendel | Kyiv Post  Days into 2025, the Russian war in Ukraine has unfolded amid shifting strategies, diplomatic ambitions, and escalating pressures both at home and abroad. The war, now deeply entrenched in the fabric of European geopolitics, has led Ukraine to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Moscow says Ukraine launches new attack in Kursk region of western Russia. From Reuters. Russia said Ukrainian troops broke across the border in a surprise incursion today, and have managed to hold on to a chunk of territory there which could provide Kyiv with an important bargaining . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Russia says downed dozens of Ukrainian drones overnight. From AFP. Officials said the barrage damaged homes and triggered air alerts. Posted videos appeared to show distant explosions in the southern Rostov region while an air raid siren could be heard in the background. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine will ask allies to boost its air defenses at a meeting in Germany, Zelenskyy says, by Volodymr Yurchuk and Elise Morton | AP  KYIV — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will again call on allies to boost its air defenses at this week’s meeting in Germany, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes over later this month with a vow to end the almost three-year war quickly. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to seven reports from Reuters, the Cradle, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, and Middle East Monitor; 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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Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza Strip as new ceasefire talks begin. From Reuters. An Israeli military strike killed 12 people in a house in Gaza City early today, bringing the death toll from strikes across Gaza to 62 over the last day, Palestinian medics said, as mediators launched . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for report from AP and Middle East Eye.

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Israel steps up massacres in Gaza as officials weigh more restrictions on humanitarian aid. From the Cradle. Israeli air strikes across Gaza have killed 62 Palestinians over the last day, Palestinian medics said, amid reports that Israel plans to reduce aid allowed to enter the besieged enclave after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 3  Hamas wants Gaza ceasefire as soon as posssible, senior official says, by Hannah Sarisohn | Reuters  —  Hamas said a new round of indirect talks on a Gaza ceasefire resumed in Qatar’s Doha on Friday, stressing the group’s seriousness in seeking to reach a deal as soon as possible, senior Hamas official Basem Naim said. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 3  U.S. plans $8 billion arms sale to Israel, U.S. official says, by Mike Stone and Kanishka Singh | Reuters  — The administration of President Joe Biden has notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, a U.S. official said on Friday, with Washington maintaining support for its ally whose war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Middle East Monitor.

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

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FROM JAN. 2  Israeli army bombs Damascus outskirts, seizes control of Syrian water sources. From the Cradle. The Israeli air force launched a violent attack near the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday, coming as Israel’s military continues to expand its occupation in the country, reaching a key dam in the southern Quneitra area. READ MORE . . .

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Israel reinforces occupation of Deraa in south Syria. From the Cradle. Al-Mayadeen reported today that the Israeli army brought reinforcements to the Al-Jazeera barracks in the village of Maariyah in the countryside of Deraa, on the Syrian-Jordanian border, in a further sign that Israel plans to expand its occupation of Syrian territory. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 2  U.S. lays groundwork for new military base in northern Syria: report.  From the Cradle. The U.S. army mobilized at least 50 trucks transporting concrete fortifications to the town of Kobani (Ain al-Arab) in the eastern countryside of Aleppo on Thursday in preparation for building a new military base, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. READ MORE . . .

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The Damascus airport is slowly reopening — and showing the cracks in the revolution. Reported by Diaa Hadid | NPR  The push to reopen Damascus International Airport highlights the challenges facing Syria’s new leaders in rebuilding the country, Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM JAN. 3  U.S. plans $8 billion arms sale to Israel, U.S. official says, by Mike Stone and Kanishka Singh | Reuters  — The administration of President Joe Biden has notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, a U.S. official said on Friday, with Washington maintaining support for its ally whose war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to five reports: from Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Russia attacks strategic city of Povrovky, aiming to cut off supply lines, Kyiv military says. From Reuters. Russian forces continue to launch attacks near the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in an effort to bypass it from the south and cut off supply routes to Ukraine’s troops, the Ukrainian military said today. READ MORE . . .

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Russia strikes residential building in Sumy Oblast, injuring at least 5, including children, by Kateryna Hodunova | The Kyiv Independent  Russia struck a multi-story residential building in the Svesa village in Sumy Oblast today, injuring at least five people, including two 2-year-old children, the regional police reported. Communities such as Samy bordering Russia experience . . . READ MORE . . .

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All Ukrainian ATACMS missiles fired at Belgorod Region downed — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — All ATACMS missiles launched from the territory of Ukraine towards Russia’s Belgorod Region were shot down by the S-400 and the Pantsir-SM air defense systems, the Russian Defense Ministry said. READ MORE . . .

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Rescue operation concludes in Chernihiv after Russia’s triple missile attack. From Kyiv Post.  A rescue operation has been completed in Chernihiv, Ukraine following a triple missile strike on Friday afternoon  that left one person dead and several others injured. READ MORE . . .

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Russia launches over 300 drones, 20 missiles at Ukraine in first 3 days of new year, Zelensky says, by Kateryna Hodunova | The Kyiv Independent  Russia launched more than 300 drones and 20 missiles, including ballistic missiles, at Ukrainian cities and villages over the first three days of the new year, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday. READ MORE . . .