For today, links to four reports: from the Cradle, National Public Radio, and Reuters, followed by a map from WorldAtlas.com; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (IRAN, GAZA, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down; a regional map from AP is HERE, at least for now. SYRIA 2-10-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 17  Iran ‘in contact’ with new authorities in Syria: Tehran. From the Cradle. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman reaffirmed during a press conference on Monday that Tehran is in contact with the new authorities in Syria. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 17  Moscow in talks to maintain ‘reduced military presence’ inside Syria. From the Cradle. Russia seeks to keep a reduced military presence in Syria, a key objective for President Vladimir Putin after the ousting of his previous ally, former president Bashar al-Assad, Bloomberg reported on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 17  After decades of surveillance, Syrians are cautiously testing out free expression. Reported by Emily Feng | NPR  A rebel coalition overthrew a repressive regime in Syria last December. Syrians are cautiously testing out the newly expanded boundaries for free expression. But fresh constraints are emerging. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM FEB. 4  Syria’s Sharaa to discuss defense pact with Turkey’s Erdogan, sources say. From Reuters. AMMAN / BEIRUT / DAMASCUS — Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan were expected to discuss a joint defense pact in Ankara today, including . . . READ MORE . . .

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