For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Cradle, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Consortium News and, via ScheerPost, Antiwar.com; other published matertial is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, UKRAINE and CARTER entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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German, French foreign ministers in Damascus to meet Syria’s new rulers. From Reuters. BERLIN / PARIS — The foreign ministers of Germany and France said they wanted to forge a new relationship with Syria and urged a peaceful transition as they visited Damascus today meet its de facto new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on behalf of the European Union. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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FROM JAN. 2  Some fighters in Syria find new government’s aim to unite rebel groups a hard sell. Reported by Arezou Rezvani | NPR  A former ISIS fighter who fought alongside rebels to topple former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad says he will turn against the new Syrian leadership if strict Islamic rule is not imposed. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 29  Six scenarios for Syria, by As`ad AbuKhalil| Special to Consortium News  Syria is in a state of uneasy transition and the political-military situation will remain in flux as long as the conflicts between the various armed and civic groups are not resolved. Local and regional conflicts will affect the country. Consider these scenarios: READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 1  U.S. has given Israel $22 billion in military aid since October 2023, by Dave DeCamp | Antiwar.com / ScheerPost  According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, from 2019 to 2023 U.S. weapons accounted for 69% of Israel’s arms imports. Since Oct. 7, 2023, that number has risen to 78%, demonstrating . . . READ MORE . . .