For today, links to four reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and the Kyiv Independent, and to commentary from the Independent; other articles 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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3 dead in Russian strikes on east, south Ukraine. From AFP. Three people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in Russian attacks on southern and eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours, authorities said today. READ MORE . . .

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Biden is rushing aid to Ukraine. Both sides are digging in. And everyone is bracing for Trump, by Ellen Knickmeyer, Illia Novikov and Aamer Madhani | AP  WASHINGTON — The grinding war between Ukraine and its Russian invaders has escalated ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, with President Joe Biden rushing out billions of dollars more in military aid before U.S. support for Kyiv’s defenses is thrown into question . . . READ MORE . . .

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Negotiations over the war in Ukraine could start ‘in the winter,’ Poland’s leader Tusk says. From AP. WARSAW — Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said today that negotiations over the war in neighboring Ukraine could start “in winter,” as his country prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union on Jan. 1. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine won’t trade young soldiers’ lives for better weapons, Zelensky says, by Abbey Fenbert | The Kyiv Independent  Responding to pressure from U.S. officials and other Western allies to lower its draft age from 25 to 18 in order to mobilize more troops, President Volodomyr Zelensky said Monday that . . . READ MORE . . .

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What does Assad’s downfall mean for Russia and Ukraine? by Oleg Sukhov | The Kyiv Independent  As Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in a matter of days, Russia’s influence in the Middle East appeared to wane. Preoccupied . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, a link to a report from the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (UKRAINE and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM DEC. 8 Gaza health officials say latest Israeli airstrikes kill at least 14 including children, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 14 people including children Sunday, Palestinian health officials said, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza wounded a half-dozen patients. READ MORE . . .

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 . . .