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.
Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., has been chosen by the House GOP Steering Committee to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress. Mast, a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, was selected over contenders including Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Ann Wagner, R-Mo., according to Axios.
Former President Barack Obama admitted the defeat of his diversity-driven "pluralism" agenda in a speech delivered December 5 in Chicago. Speaking to a selective audience, Obama called for rebuilding institutions to support diversity and inclusion, following President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive 2024 election victory.
Donald Trump’s designated Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, issued a stern warning Monday regarding hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Speaking during a visit to the region, Witkoff stated it would "not be a pretty day" if the hostages were not released before President-elect Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2024.
A new report from Amnesty International accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism. Legal and geopolitical experts have challenged the report’s claims, calling them biased and lacking a balanced analysis.
President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, held high-stakes meetings in November with leaders in Qatar and Israel to advance a potential ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza before Trump’s January 20 inauguration, according to sources briefed on the discussions.
Hamas issued a stark warning against further Israeli rescue operations, threatening to "neutralize" its hostages if such actions occur. The threat came in an internal statement dated November 22, obtained by Reuters, and disseminated by the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing.
Iran reportedly paused plans for a retaliatory attack on Israel following President-elect Donald Trump’s November victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The New York Times reported that Iranian officials adopted a more diplomatic tone after the election, including halting military escalation and engaging in cease-fire discussions with regional actors.
