Germany's Der Spiegel on Syria:

Syria narrowly avoided a new civil war after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

The immediate risk came from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led militia that tried to retain control over Arab-majority areas in northeastern Syria even after the regime collapsed.

As Arab resistance grew and U.S. patience ran out, the SDF’s grip unraveled quickly.

Villagers returning to places like Abu Hamam described fear turning into relief:

“We don’t know what awaits us over there — maybe sleeper cells, maybe armed men.”

“But then they were simply gone.”

Across Raqqa, Tabqa, and nearby towns, people celebrated in the rain:

“Joy over the end of the occupation.”

The article challenges the Western image of the SDF as a democratic project under attack. Residents—Arab and Kurdish—describe an authoritarian system run by PKK-style cadres, where local councils had little real power.

A Kurdish teacher from Raqqa says:

“We believed the promises of democracy and human rights.”

“But after several years, I can only say: they lied to everyone.”

Reconstruction aid was allegedly diverted:

“Instead of hospitals and schools, the party built useless tunnels and new prisons.”

While Assad ruled, many Arabs accepted SDF control as the “lesser evil.” After Assad’s fall in December 2024, that calculation changed:

“Suddenly the country was free — and people wanted to be part of Syria again.”

The SDF refused integration into the new Syrian army and tried to preserve its de facto state, including control over oil, gas, and water infrastructure. A U.S.-brokered integration deal in March 2025 stalled completely.

U.S. officials complained that “the Kurdish cadres were blocking every agreement.”

The breaking point came in January 2026, when the SDF launched drone attacks and shelled Aleppo, even cutting the city’s water supply. Washington refused to intervene on their behalf.

“They had overplayed their hand.”

Arab fighters defected en masse, tribes pledged loyalty to Damascus, and the SDF withdrew from Arab areas. Transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa outmaneuvered them politically.

As the article concludes:

“Ahmed al-Sharaa was the better tactician.”

Reporter: What would make you believe there is no white genocide in South Africa?

Trump: We have seen the numbers, the records, and it is taking place...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, top 2028 Democratic contender, on Trump's Davos speech:

It was remarkably boring. It was remarkably insignificant.

Trump says he will meet with Zelensky in Davos on Thursday.

Turkish President Erdogan plays basketball with Shaquille O’Neal.

Trump to the Swiss President:

You do make great watches, too, that I can say. There's nobody like you for watches, which is a big deal.

“Davos, without you, is not truly Davos.”

Trump: I agree.

Argentina's Milei:

Machiavelli is dead.

Pope Leo XIV has been invited to join Trump’s “Board of Peace.”

NEW: U.S. Central Command launched a mission to transfer ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq to ensure they remain securely detained.

The operation began with the transfer of 150 ISIS fighters from Hasakah, Syria, to a secure Iraqi facility. Up to 7,000 detainees may eventually be moved.

CENTCOM said the effort, coordinated with regional partners and the Iraqi government, is critical to preventing ISIS breakouts and protecting U.S. and regional security.

Trump meets with el-Sisi in Davos.

Trump on Egypt-Ethiopia:

It is a dangerous thing, they built a dam where somebody is not getting the water that they have gotten for a million years.

And all of a sudden the water flow is blocked, I would not be happy about it.

Trump to el-Sisi:

I hear you have a strong leader in Ethiopia, he is a strong guy.

I will try to bring you two together so that we can have a deal.

Trump:

You have Hezbollah in Lebanon, we have to do something there.

They are causing a lot of problems.

Trump on Greenland:

Military is not on the table. I don't think it will be necessary.

I think people will use their best judgment.

French MEP Aurore Lalucq warns the EU is financially dependent on the U.S. and one political decision away from chaos because Visa, Mastercard, and most payment infrastructure are American-controlled.

“Almost all our payment systems today are American. Donald Trump can cut them off overnight.”

“He’s already done it. He’s already done it to the International Criminal Court.”

“We need an Airbus of payment systems.”

“It’s not expensive. We’re talking about ten million euros.”

“The rest, today, is poetry.”

Footage from the Nashwa neighborhood south of Hasakah, Syria shows PKK terrorists openly provoking Arab locals after recent killings in the area.

“Come out if you’re men! Let the bravest of you come out, you dogs!”

WATCH: Terror group PKK supporters attack European Parliament in Brussels.

Trump Renews Greenland Claim, Questions NATO Loyalty in Davos

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At a Davos dinner, Howard Lutnick gave a combative speech that blew up the room.

He was heckled, the crowd erupted, and Christine Lagarde walked out mid-speech.

Host Larry Fink had to repeatedly calm the room.

Fink later summed up the moment:

“We are living in a more polarising world. There’s more people talking at each other, not to each other.”

Source: FT

French Presidency:

It’s being claimed that President Macron increased the price of medicines.

He does not set their prices. They are regulated by the social security system and have, in fact, remained stable. Anyone who has set foot in a French pharmacy knows this.