• 03/02/2025

Trump-Putin relations enter a new chapter and the world is at stake

Washington Post Putin wants a sit down with Trump as equals in which they divide the world into spheres of influence. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/20/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-relations/

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Iran expands weaponization capabilities critical for employing nuclear bomb

Fox News The Islamic Republic of Iran has continued its pursuit of obtaining a nuclear weapon by not only stockpiling enriched uranium to near-weapons grade purity, it has expanded its covert actions in developing its weaponization capabilities.  According to information obtained by sources embedded in the Iranian regime and supplied to the National Council of…

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Trump Tariffs? Europe Braces but Has No Clear Strategy

New York Times The incoming president promised “tariffs all the way” unless Europe bought more U.S. oil and gas. European officials have no clear strategy for avoiding a trade war. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/20/world/europe/europe-trump-tariffs.html

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US diplomats in Damascus for first time in more than 10 years following fall of Assad regime

Fox News A group of U.S. officials are in Syria’s capital for the first time in more than 10 years seeking information on American citizens who disappeared under the Assad regime, among other things. The team visiting Damascus consists of US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern…

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Live Briefing: U.S. diplomats visit Damascus for first time in over a decade

Washington Post The delegation plans to meet with the rebel group that led Bashar al-Assad’s ouster and will seek information about Americans who disappeared in Syria, including Austin Tice. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/20/israel-syria-war-news-hamas-gaza-palestine/

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After Assad’s fall, a new Middle East ‘order’ is taking shape

Washington Post Israel and Turkey are well-positioned to seize the ride the wave of political change in the Middle East. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/20/assad-fall-syria-israel-turkey-iran-advantage/

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Remaining ‘Bali Nine’ are reunited with their families in Australia

Washington Post The remaining ‘Bali 9,’ the Australians caught smuggling heroin into Indonesia in 2005, are now home, closing a painful chapter in the countries’ relations. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/19/bali-nine-members-reunited-families-australia/

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Gaza ceasefire talks continue, but no apparent breakthrough

Washington Post U.S. officials say both Hamas and Israel are making concessions toward securing a deal, but tempered optimism with differences remaining on key issues. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/12/19/us-gaza-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal/

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Marisa Paredes, Spanish actress and Almodóvar stalwart, dies at 78

Washington Post She starred in acclaimed Pedro Almodóvar films, including “All About My Mother,” and worked with international directors Roberto Benigni and Guillermo del Toro. https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/12/19/marisa-paredes-dead/

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Pentagon says the number of US troops in Syria is much higher than previously reported

Fox News The Pentagon says there are 2,000 U.S. troops deployed in Syria, more than double what officials with the Department of Defense have been telling reporters for months. “We have been briefing you regularly that there are approximately 900 U.S. troops deployed to Syria,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Ryder told reporters during a…

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