Spike in Russian flights from Syria to Libyan desert base as Moscow eyes new Mediterranean hub
In the weeks since Bashar al-Assad was ousted as Syrian leader, Russia has launched multiple flights to an airbase in the Libyan desert. Moscow’s goal appears to be to find an alternative stopover for its growing military involvement in Africa – and a way to retain its military presence in the Mediterranean.
 · 18hNew York Sun
Ukraine Courts Syria With an Eye Toward Expelling Russia From Kremlin’s Only Mediterranean Redoubts
 · 1dAl-Monitor
Ukraine FM in Syria, urges interim government to expel Russia
Ukraine FM Urges Expulsion Of Russian Presence During Syria Visit
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga urged new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday to expel Russia from the country during an unannounced visit to Damascus.
Syria eyes 'strategic' ties with Ukraine, Kyiv vows more food aid shipments
Israeli forces detained more than 240 Palestinians including dozens of medical staff from a north Gaza hospital they raided on Friday, including its director, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave and Israel's military.
Russia’s Abrupt Setback in Syria Creates Headaches for Putin
Losing Syrian military bases would hurt the Kremlin’s attempts to project power in the Middle East and Africa.
With S-400s Out, Russia’s Days Of Controlling Syria’s Airspace Are Over
The transfer marks the end of an era when Russia played an arguably oversized role in determining which countries could operate in Syria’s contested airspace.
The Associated Press on MSN11d
Turkey and Russia engage in delicate maneuvers over Syria after Assad’s downfall
The rapid downfall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad has touched off a new round of delicate geopolitical maneuvering between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
 · 2dAl-Monitor
Syria's leader says elections could take 4 years: Al Arabiya interview
New elections could take up to four years, Syria rebel leader says
Holding new elections in Syria could take up to four years, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has said in a broadcast interview. This is the first time he has given a timeline for possible elections in Syria since his group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rebel offensive that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria's De Facto Leader Says It Could Take up to 4 Years to Hold Elections
Syria Shares 'Deep Strategic Interests' With Russia: New Leader In Al Arabiya Interview
Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told Al Arabiya TV on Sunday his country and Russia shared "deep strategic interests", expressing his desire to rebuild ties with the close ally of deposed leader Bashar al-Assad.
Russia’s fight for Syria isn’t over
The Khmeimim airbase in Latakia has been a lifeline for Russia’s expanding influence in Africa, from Libya to several sub-Saharan countries, as a hub for personnel deployment and resupply. Without the base, Russia will likely be forced to upgrade its military presence and infrastructure in Libya.
Fox News13d
Russia's Syria exit could help Ukraine-Israel relationship as analyst warns it 'offers little' to Jerusalem
With the collapse of the Assad regime and Russia’s declining influence in Syria, some are saying that an opportunity for a rapprochement between Israel and Ukraine now exists, where it hadn't ...
Brazil welcomes 2025 as new year celebrations move to the Americas
Australasia, Asia, Europe and Africa have already been marking the arrival of the new year with fireworks and festivities.
Trump 2.0, conflict in Ukraine to end and China challenging global world order - what can we expect in 2025?
Donald Trump's US presidency will reverberate around the globe, the Ukraine war might just end, and little respite is on the way for Gazans, our correspondents predict.