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The fall of Bashar al-Assad is transforming not just Syria but also dynamics in the broader Middle East. What implications does this have for U.S. policy in the region? Should U.S. forces withdraw, or is there a continuing role for the American military in Syria? Melanie laments what appears to be the end of the road for Nippon Steel’s efforts to purchase U.S. Steel, Chris questions the panic around aircraft flying over New Jersey, and Zack grieves for South Korea after Yoon Suk Yeol’s disastrous martial law declaration.

Episode Reading

• Michael Cohen, “The Great Drone Hysteria of 2024,” Truth and Consequences, December 16, 2024.
• Alice Hancock, “Sweden open to power cable project if Germany reforms, minister says,” Financial Times, December 17, 2024. 
• Kelly A. Grieco, Hunter Slingbaum, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan M. Walker, “Cratering Effects: Chinese Missile Threats to US Air Bases in the Indo-Pacific,” Stimson Center, December 12, 2024.
• Antony J. Blinken, “The Syrian People Will Decide the Future of Syria,” U.S. Department of State, December 10, 2024, 
• Karen M. Sudkamp et al., “In Brief: What’s Next for ISIL in Syria,” War on the Rocks, December 13, 2024.
• Daniel Byman, “How to Think about the Fall of Assad,” Lawfare, December 7, 2024.
• Jon Hoffman, “Washington Should Get Out of Syria,” CATO Institute, December 10, 2024.
• Daniel R. DePetris, “Trump says the U.S. ‘should have nothing to do with’ Syria. He’s right.” MSNBC, December 12, 2024.
• Charles Lister, “With al-Assad Gone, the Risk of an ISIS Resurgence Grows,” New York Times, December 15, 2024.
• “Daily Digest – Tuesday, December 3, 2024,” U.S. Congress.
• Fareed Zakaria, “What Just Happened, and What Comes Next,” Freakonomics Radio, November 13, 2024.
• Demetri Sevastopulo, Amelia Pollard, Leo Lewis, and David Keohane, “Biden Administration Split over US Steel Deal,” Financial Times, December 11, 2024.
• Raya Jalabi, Chloe Cornish, Neri Zilber, and Andrew England, “Israel Wants to Create ‘Sterile’ Zone in Syria, Says Defence Minister,” Financial Times, December 10, 2024.

Image: Chuck Kennedy (U.S. Department of State) via Flickr