For today, links to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters; 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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2 Ukrainian women are pulled alive from Russian missile strike, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Rescue crews working through the night pulled two women from rubble more than seven hours after a Russian missile struck a private medical clinic in the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia, killing eight people and wounding 22 others, authorities said today. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine strikes Russian port, claims oil depot hit. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Ukraine struck a southern Russian port on the Azov Sea with missiles and triggered a fire at an oil depot in the western Bryansk region with drones, officials and various media and sources said. The extent of . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to five reports from National Public Radio, and to commentary from Consortium News, Indian Punchline, and Substack; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE. SYRIA, 12-10-24, entry is HERE.) — MCM

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FROM DEC. 10  NPR reports from Syria: The atmosphere in Damascus and the horrors of Saydnaya prison. Reported by Ruth Sherlock | NPR  In Syria, people have known that one wrong step could land them in trouble with the government. For the first time in more than half a century, Syrians are experiencing life without that shadow. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 10  Who is the leader of Syria’s rebels? What to know about Abu Mohammed al-Golani. Reported by Willem Marx | NPR  As a new form of government starts to take shape in Syria, the armed group that led efforts to topple former President Bashar al-Assad will play a significant role. Its head may act as a power broker. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 10  What could happen to the chemical weapons in Syria. Reported by Tom Bowman | NPR  The news in Syria has raised immediate questions about the fate of Assad’s stockpiles of chemical weapons and the continued presence of U.S. forces fighting the Islamic State in the northeast. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 10  Israel takes credit, in part, for the fall of the Assad regime. But what now? Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  Soon after Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell in Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel paved the way for the uprising by its attacks on Iran and its proxies. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 10  After celebrations, Syria faces an uncertain future. Jane Arraf of NPR, who crossed over the Jordanian border into Syria on Tuesday morning, speaks with Michel Martin soon afterward from the countryside of Daraa, where the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 9  Syria now, by As`ad AbuKhalil | Special to Consortium News  This moment in Syrian history was inevitable: the Hafiz (Hafiz) al-Assad, and his son Bashar Assad’s regime was destined to collapse. It is gone Ba’th Party rule in the Arab world, which is now also gone, proved to be an abysmal . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 8  Winners and losers in Syria, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  Iran and Russia are the two big losers in the ouster of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. The Arab oligarchies of the Gulf region are full of trepidation over the surge of a variant of political Islam. Israel and Turkey are the biggest winners, having established . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 10  The fall of Bashar Assad, and my encounters with the Syrian dictator, by Seymour M. Hersh | Substack  Damascus, considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, is steeped in charm, beauty, and history. One could not imagine in the spring of 2003 what was to come. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to two articles of commentary from Middle East Eye, the first with a video, the other with a map. Sandwiched between them are nine reports: from the Associated Press (the second with map), Middle East Eye, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, and Kyiv Post. Other published material is accessible by clicking on the sources’ names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Is the Arab Spring back from the dead? by David Hearst | Middle East Eye  Books have been written, and careers forged, on the premise that this foolishly optimistic yearning for democracy is dead. Throughout this prolonged funeral, Syria was held as the object lesson that the Arab world was told to avoid. Click HERE for article and a video.

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Thousands scour Syria’s most horrific prison but find no sign of their loved ones, by Sarah el Deeb | AP  SAYDNAYA, Syria — The first place tens of thousands of Syrians rushed to after the fall of their longtime tormentor, former President Bashar Assad, was here: Saydnaya Prison, a place so notorious for its horrors it was long known as “the slaughterhouse.” READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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Israeli warplanes pound Syria as troops reportedly advance deeper into the country, by Abdulrahman Shaheen, Bassem Mroue and Melanie Lidman | AP  DAMASCUS — Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country, a Syrian opposition war monitor said today. Israel denied its forces were advancing toward Damascus after they pushed into a buffer zone inside Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad. READ MORE . . .

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Israel pounds Syrian army bases, denies further incursion, by Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari | Reuters  DAMASCUS Israel pounded Syrian army bases today in strikes it says aim to keep weapons from falling into hostile hands, but denied its forces had advanced into Syria beyond . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Middle East Monitor.

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Moscow evacuates troops by air and sea as Syrian base faces siege. From Kyiv Post. Russia has begun a large-scale withdrawal from Syria, using military aircraft and naval vessels to evacuate troops and equipment. The primary route out, says Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, is via . . . READ MORE . . .

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Mohammed al-Bashir: Who is Syria’s new interim prime minister? From Middle East Eye. Mohammed al-Bashir, the head of the administration that ran Idlib in northwest Syria, has been appointed as the country’s interim prime minister following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 9  As Israel advances on a Syrian buffer zone, it sees peril and opportunity, by Melanie Lidman | AP  TEL AVIV — The dramatic downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad presents possible danger, and an opening, for neighboring Israel. Click HERE for article and map.

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Here’s how the U.S. is countering the Islamic State group during Syria’s upheaval, by Lolita C. Baldor | AP  WASHINGTON — Massive U.S. airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Syria were meant in part as . . . READ MORE . . .

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Mount Hermon: Why control of Syria’s highest peak matters, by Alex MacDonald | Middle East Eye  Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since the 1967 war with Syria. Between 1974 and 2024 the territory was divided between areas controlled by Israel and areas controlled by Syria, split by a buffer zone. On Sunday . . . Click HERE for article and map.

For today, a link to just one 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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Israeli forces kill at least 34 people in Gaza, rescue workers say, by Nidal al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO — Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 34 Palestinians overnight and today, medics said, as Israeli tanks pushed into areas in central and southern parts of the enclave. READ MORE . . .

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 . . .