(2020-12-16). Trump Is Prolonging the Civil War in Syria. progressive.org Under the Obama and Trump administrations, the unending war has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. But will Biden be any different?
(2020-12-16). Near 800 tons of drugs seized in Iran in 10 months: diplomat. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 16 (MNA) — Iranian anti-narcotics forces confiscated close to 800 tons of different illegal drugs during January-October 2020, said the country's permanent ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna.
(2020-12-16). Syria: Millions displaced, impoverished and traumatized, Security Council hears. news.un.org As the end of another year of war looms, "families in Syria remain without respite after almost a decade of conflict", the UN‚ÄØEmergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Wednesday.
(2020-12-15). Aleppo's Liberation Three Years Ago Today: Anybody Ashamed? globalresearch.ca December 12, 2017, marks the anniversary of the liberation — the West called it fall — of Aleppo in Syria. What happened is conveniently forgotten today by the West. | Some of us can't and won't forget what was both world, …
(2020-12-15). The Most Lethal Virus is Not COVID. It is War. counterpunch.org 
In the midst of the greatest health emergency in modern times, with more than 4 million surgical procedures delayed by the National Health Service, Boris Johnson has announced a record increase of £16.5 billion in so-called defence spending — a figure that would restore the under-resourced NHS many times over.
(2020-12-15). Beirut explosion: Lebanon's investigation on edge following political backlash. middleeasteye.net 
Beirut explosion: Lebanon's investigation on edge following political backlash | Political figures have denounced the indictment of caretaker premier Hassan Diab and three former ministers in the legal inquiry into the August blast | Tue, 12/15/2020 – 16: 27 | A woman amid the rubble in her damaged house in Beirut on 6 August 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital…
(2020-12-15). Lebanon sentences activist for allegedly collaborating with Israel. middleeasteye.net 
Lebanon sentences activist for allegedly collaborating with Israel | Family and activists have denounced Kinda al-Khatib's case as political because of her stance against parties in power | Tue, 12/15/2020 – 10: 23 | Prior to her arrest, Khatib had criticised Hezbollah on social media (Twitter) | Lebanon's military prosecution has sentenced prominent activist Kinda al-Khatib to three years…
(2020-12-15). 'It's not over yet': German envoy says still a chance EU & UK can agree on Brexit trade deal by end of week. rt.com 
Germany's ambassador to the European Union said on Tuesday a chance remains for a new trade deal with the UK to come together by the end of the week, while Ireland's foreign minister saw some progress in the difficult talks. | "It's not over yet. There are still a few days ahead of us," Germany's ambassador to the EU Michael Clauss told a panel discussion organised by a Brussels think-tank. "There is still a chance for a deal by the end of the week." | Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, said that "we have to be ready for both outcomes." But he told state broadcaster RTE: "Because the negotiatin…
(2020-12-15). Outgoing Syria Envoy James Jeffrey Reflects on "What Everyone Got Wrong" globalresearch.ca In a long-ranging interview with Al-Monitor, James Jeffrey looks back on his efforts to incorporate fragments of Obama-era initiatives into a cohesive Middle East policy. | *** | In August 2016, former US Ambassador to Iraq and Turkey James Jeffrey
(2020-12-14). Evasions and Cover-ups by Western Governments over Funding of Terrorist Groups in Syria Start to Unravel. dissidentvoice.org 
Evidence of Dutch and British funding for extremists who've beheaded children & carried out ethnic-cleansing grows by the day. Yet most of the mainstream media — including the BBC — still try to keep this truth silent. Recently, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte effectively blocked a Parliamentary motion to allow an external independent investigation of …
(2020-12-14). At the UN, Syria Denounces Turkey's 'Crimes' in Its Territory. telesurenglish.net In two separate letters addressed on Monday to the United Nations Secretariat and the presidency of the Security Council, the Syrian Foreign Ministry warned of "Turkey's violations and its dangerous and frequent aggression against Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity." | RELATED: | Damascus, in particular, repudiated how Turkish troops and armed and extremist groups continue to support the "systematic" crime of cutting of…
(2020-12-14). Syria: Weapons Found, Including Israeli Made Ones, and a Drone Left Behind by Terrorists in Syria's Southern Region. globalresearch.ca Syrian authorities on Sunday found a quantity of weapons and ammunition, including Israeli-made weapons as well as a drone left behind by terrorists in Syria's southern region, SANA reporter said on Sunday, citing a source from authorities. | The source told …
(2020-12-13). 10 Syrian Druze residents of Golan Heights injured in protest against wind turbines. peoplesdispatch.org Syrian Druze residents of the occupied Golan Heights are opposing Israeli plans to build a wind turbine to supply power to nearby illegal settlements. The Golan Heights has been under occupation since 1981…