For today, links to seven reports: from the Cradle, Middle East Monitor, National Public Radio, and Reuters, and to commentary from commentary from the Cradle and via ScheerPost, MOATS; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.)
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FROM DEC. 22 Israel threatens residents of south Syria as troops expand occupation. From The Cradle. Residents of the town of Baath in the southern Syrian governorate of Quneitra — currently under occupation by Israel’s military — have been ordered by Israeli forces to surrender all weapons present in the town or face invasion. Israel’s Maariv newspaper reported . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM DEC. 22 Israeli forces fire on Syria protesters, establish permanent positions in south. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli occupation forces have established seven permanent military positions along the “disengagement line” in southern Syria, spanning Damascus, Daraa, and Quneitra, reports Al-Mayadeen citing a local source. The posts, located . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM DEC. 22 Inside the first mass protest in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad fled Syria. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR Syria has a new interim government, but there is concern about how it will govern following contradictory remarks. Some groups, including women’s rights advocates, are already testing the terrain. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM DEC. 20 U.S. diplomats talk ‘vision’ for Syria with ex-Al-Qaeda chief. From The Cradle. The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and former commander of Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Ahmad al-Sharaa, held a meeting with a senior U.S. diplomatic delegation in Damascus on Friday. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf led . . . READ MORE . . .
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Syria’s Christians fearful of new Islamist leaders as Christmas approaches, by Amina Ismail and Firas Makdesi | Reuters Syrian church leaders are advising Christians to scale back Christmas celebrations this year despite assurances from the Islamists who have just taken power that they are free to practice their religion. The self-imposed constraints . . . READ MORE . . .
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What the Israel-Hezbollah war did to Lebanon’s cultural heritage sites. Reported by Lauren Frayer | NPR TIBNIN CASTLE, Southern Lebanon — The walls of a limestone citadel towering over olive groves near the frontiers of Lebanon, Syria and Israel tell the history of various civilizations that ruled here. Click HERE to listen or read.
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FROM DEC. 22 Hezbollah contends with rising resentment in Lebanon. Reported by Emily Feng | NPR After signing a sweeping ceasefire with Israel, the Lebanon-based paramilitary organization and political party is falling out of favor with some of its most ardent supporters.. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM DEC. 20 Syria’s next chapter: Fragile unity or permanent fragmentation? by Mohamad Hasan Sweidan | The Cradle For years, discussions of Syria’s Balkanization have lingered as a realistic option that could be imposed on the country one day. The ousting of president Bashar al-Assad has brought the break-up of the Syrian Arab Republic back into focus. Click HERE for article with maps.
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FROM DEC. 22 Catastrophe for the Palestinians and the region. George Galloway of MOATS talks with journalist Chris Hedges about some of Syria’s recent history and the some of the consequences of the Assad regime’s downfall. Click HERE to listen and read.