Dec 09 How will Assad's downfall affect Russia and Putin? By Associated Press The Kremlin’s failure to prevent Assad’s swift downfall has exposed limits of Russia’s power and dented its international clout at a pivotal stage of its war in Ukraine. Continue reading
Dec 09 Zelenskyy open to Western troops providing security in effort to end war in Ukraine By Associated Press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that he's open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine to guarantee the country’s security as part of a broad effort to end the almost three-year war with Russia. Continue reading
Dec 09 Netanyahu to take witness stand for the first time in his corruption trial in Israel By Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press At home, Netanyahu is on trial for accusations of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate affairs. Continue reading
Dec 09 Syrian rebels free prisoners from Assad's notorious dungeons, celebrate in Damascus streets By Kareem Chehayeb, Abdulrahman Shaheen, Associated Press Tens of thousands of people held in Syria's notorious prisons have been freed in the 10 days since the insurgents began their lightning advance across the country that ended with the toppling of President Bashar Assad. Continue reading
Dec 09 Syrian prime minister says government is still functioning but challenges loom By Sarah El Deeb, Bassem Mroue, Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus after rebels entered the capital over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad. Continue reading
Dec 09 South Korea's Justice Ministry imposes overseas travel ban on President Yoon over martial law By Hyung-Jin Kim, Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press South Korea’s Justice Ministry on Monday imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as authorities investigate allegations of rebellion and other charges in connection with his short-lived declaration of martial law last week. Continue reading
Dec 08 Analysis: Syria faces risky new moment after fall of the Assad dynasty By Steven A. Cook, Council on Foreign Relations The swift collapse of Syria’s regime brings a humiliating end to Russia’s and Iran’s sway and opens the door for greater Turkish influence. But the Islamist movement that seized power has yet to show its full intentions. Continue reading
Dec 08 Watch 8:24 Half-century of iron rule ends in Syria as rebels seize Damascus. What's next? By John Yang, Lorna Baldwin, Kaisha Young For more than half a century, Syria had been ruled with an iron fist by the Assad regime. It all came to an end this weekend with lightning speed, as rebels took control of the capital city of Damascus, and… Continue watching
Dec 08 South Korea's ex-defense minister detained by prosecutors over martial law imposition By Hyung-Jin Kim, Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press On Sunday, ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was taken into custody at a Seoul detention facility after undergoing an investigation by prosecutors, a law enforcement official said, requesting anonymity in line with privacy rules. Continue reading
Dec 08 Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of Syria's insurgency that toppled Assad? By Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation… Continue reading