The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will maintain their position atop Mount Hermon’s Syrian peak through the winter months, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Friday. This move comes after the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime on Sunday and aims to prevent extremist groups from seizing control of the strategically vital area.
Several Druze Arab villages in southwestern Syria are calling to be annexed by Israel rather than remain under rebel-controlled Syria, citing concerns over security and radical Islamist threats. The Druze, a religious minority with roots in the Levant, have historically maintained loyalty to their residing nations while prioritizing local stability.
The Department of Education under President Joe Biden has directed more than $1 billion toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives since 2021, according to a report by watchdog group Parents Defending Education (PDE).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with outgoing White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable minorities in Syria. These groups include Christians, Druze, Kurds, and others who face significant threats amidst ongoing conflict.
Contrasting views on U.S. immigration policy came into sharp focus on Tuesday during separate congressional hearings addressing the incoming Trump administration’s stance on deportations and border security.
Israel has announced plans to create a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria following significant military operations and the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suffered another fall on Tuesday, this time after a lunch meeting with Republican senators, according to a report by Punchbowl News’s John Bresnahan. McConnell required medical attention and was seen leaving the area in a wheelchair, with reports indicating he sustained a cut to his face.
Hamas, the Sunni jihadist group ruling Gaza, applauded the overthrow of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization. In a statement Monday, Hamas hailed the "aspirations for freedom and justice" of the Syrian people and urged national unity. HTS’s November campaign rapidly toppled Assad’s forces, leading to his flight to Moscow over the weekend.
Israel is conducting its most extensive air campaign in decades, targeting remnants of the Syrian military following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime. According to Army Radio, these attacks represent the largest military actions against Syria since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli Air Force (IAF) strikes are aimed at completely dismantling Syria's military infrastructure to prevent it from threatening Israel or being seized by rebel forces.
On Sunday, U.S. forces launched a series of strikes on ISIS locations in Syria, targeting over 75 sites to prevent the resurgence of the terrorist group.
