World News – Page 150 – Prologue Journal

Live Briefing: U.S. and allies seek to guide Syrian transition in flurry of diplomacy

Washington Post Several high-level visits come as Syrian rebel groups try to establish a new government in the wake of the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/13/israel-syria-war-news-hamas-gaza-palestine/

Assad lived in quiet luxury while Syrians went hungry

Washington Post Syria’s ousted leader cultivated a modest image. Footage revealing hidden opulence tells a different story. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/13/bashar-al-assad-wealth/

After Assad’s demise, Turkey is emerging a winner in Syria

Washington Post Turkey is emerging as the outside power with the strongest hand in steering Syria’s political transition. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/13/turkey-erdogan-syria-russia-iran/

In Britain, the prime minister and his foes spar over sandwiches

Washington Post Leaders of the U.K.’s biggest political parties are arguing over whether sandwiches are a waste of bread or a cultural treasure. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/12/uk-starmer-sandwich-argument/

U.S. diplomats in region push Gaza ceasefire deal, Syrian transition

Washington Post National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration has had “coordination and consultation” with the incoming Trump administration on Middle East diplomatic efforts. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/12/12/israel-syria-biden-kurds-trump/

Top US ally, SDF commander in Syria warns of ISIS return if Turkish airstrikes don’t stop

Fox News In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the main U.S. ally whose fighters are currently guarding 45,000 ISIS militants and their families at camps and prisons in Eastern Syria, said the Turkish military and its allied forces continue to attack his Kurdish…

Stanley Recalls More Than 2 Million Travel Mugs Over Burn Hazard

New York Times Stanley, which also makes trendy tumblers that are wildly popular on social media, urged consumers to contact them for replacement lids. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/business/stanley-recall-mugs.html

Syrian rebels offer to help U.S. search for journalist Austin Tice

Washington Post U.S. officials say that, for now, it is too dangerous to deploy personnel to look for Austin Tice, who was abducted near Damascus 12 years ago. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/12/12/austin-tice-hts-syria-biden/

Assad’s collapse triggers race to find missing chemical weapons

Washington Post The Assad regime hid tons of deadly nerve agents from inspectors. With Syria in chaos, finding out what happened to the arsenal is a top priority. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/12/12/syria-chemical-weapons-search-mustard-sarin/

Jake Sullivan says Netanyahu ‘ready to do a deal’ as Hamas said to concede to Israel cease-fire demands

Fox News Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu is “ready to do a deal” to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday. “I got the sense from the prime minister he is ready to do a deal,” Sullivan told reporters during a Tel Aviv…