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By Sarah Naffa December 23, 2024

In the news today: The new right celebrates Trump at a conservative conference; what Syria’s future could look like; and China says the US is ‘playing with fire.’ Also, one Santa braves the Amazon to bring gifts to children.

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Ted Cruz speaks at AmericaFest as Donald Trump looks on, Sunday, in Phoenix, AZ. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) POLITICS The new right celebrates Trump at a conservative conference As Washington heaved over the possibility of a partial government shutdown, leading far-right figures gathered with thousands of Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters and, for the most part, gloried in splintering the president-elect’s party. Speakers and attendees at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2024 hailed Trump and billionaire Elon Musk for initially scuttling a bipartisan agreement to keep the government open, and jeered House Speaker Mike Johnson and his willingness to engage with Democrats. Read more.

Why this matters: “The political class is infected with a malignant cancer. The cancer is bipartisanship,” boomed Steve Bannon, a Trump adviser who perhaps more than any other reflects and stokes the president-elect’s pugilistic populism. “We need hyper-partisanship,” Bannon continued, as he called for Johnson’s ouster. That Trump failed to achieve his central goals seemed unimportant to Bannon and others who welcomed Trump to the conference’s Sunday finale. The fight itself, and the incoming president being at the center of it, was the point. Beyond fealty to Trump, the new right in America is defined philosophically by anti-establishment sentiment, staunchly conservative social mores and vocal declarations of patriotism — not a uniform policy consensus. The president-elect has shown to be very responsive to his core supporters’ demands. That dynamic fuels the unpredictability put on display in last week’s budget fight and sets up future conflicts within Trump’s broadened Republican coalition.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ BREAKING: Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates so Trump can’t have them executed Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertainty Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama’s president balks at the suggestion A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS Trump to nominate the head of Catholic advocacy group as US ambassador to the Vatican Trump taps ‘Apprentice’ producer, Mark Burnett, as special envoy to the United Kingdom President-elect Trump transfers close to $4 billion worth of his Trump Media shares to a trust Musk helped kill a congressional spending bill. But much of what he spread was misinformation Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct WORLD NEWS What will Syria’s future look like? The answer could lie in other Arab countries’ recent pasts Even with hopes running high, so much can go wrong when a country ousts a longtime dictator and tries to start anew. The Middle Eastern and North African nations that attempted to transition to democracy in recent years can attest to that. Now it’s Syria’s turn to try to get it right. Read more.

Key points: It’s hard to draw lessons from the experiences of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Sudan since the wave of Arab Spring uprisings. But there are common themes. In some cases, “the Revolution” was lost when armed factions battled it out for power or an ambitious would-be strongman emerged. In others, the military refused to cede control to civilians, or foreign countries fueled conflicts by backing one side with money and weapons. So far, Syria’s transition has been surprisingly smooth. But it’s only been two weeks since President Bashar Assad was toppled, and many of those same dangers lurk in the background. The insurgents who ousted Assad are rooted in extremist Islamist ideology, and though they have vowed to create a pluralist system, it isn’t clear how or whether they plan to share power. Other armed factions — or even remnants of Assad’s feared security forces — could lash out. It remains to be seen whether the Kurds, who hold autonomous rule in the east, will be brought back into the fold, especially when Turkey fiercely opposes the main faction. Groups such as the Alawites, to whom Assad’s family belongs, fear being squeezed out of any role, or worse, being targeted for revenge.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ AP PHOTOS: Glimpses of horror emerge inside Syria’s Saydnaya prison, dubbed ‘The Slaughterhouse’ In Assad’s hometown, few shared in his family’s fortune. They hope they won’t share in his downfall Thousands of Syrian doctors work in Germany. It hopes they will stay after Assad’s fall WORLD NEWS China says US is ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.” President Biden authorized the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory and says must come under its control. Read more.

Why this matters: The military sales and assistance aim to help Taiwan defend itself and deter China from launching an attack. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the U.S. to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would not commit to defending Taiwan if China were to invade during his presidency. Trump has also said that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for defending it against China, likening the relationship to insurance. Taiwan spends about 2.5% of its GDP on defense.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban them Republican senators demand an end to science and tech cooperation with China China has expanded its nuclear force and strengthened ties to Russia, the Pentagon says ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Japanese automakers: Nissan and Honda announce plans to merge, creating world's No. 3 automaker Magdeburg attack: German authorities received tipoffs last year about the suspect in Christmas market attack ‘Person of interest’: New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car Democracy in 2024: Democracies across the globe are at a crossroads, as authoritarians seek to chip away at freedoms Gramado crash: At least 10 are killed as a small plane crashes into a Brazilian town popular with tourists Stranded skiers: 174 Colorado skiers and snowboarders rescued after a lift cracks Today in History: In 1972, the 'Immaculate Reception' is played, cited as the greatest NFL play of all time WATCH Antique clocks: An architect designed custom clocks for Pennsylvania’s Capitol a century ago. They’re still ticking Iconic landmark: Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain reopens after maintenance works ‘Never give up’: Pro tennis player Jenson Brooksby talks about living with autism Christmas treat: Red pandas get their own Christmas tree at the Vienna Zoo A CHANGE OF PACE Santa Claus arrives to distribute Christmas gifts to children in Iranduba, Brazil. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)  Santa braves the sticky heat of the Amazon jungle to bring gifts to children in Brazilian village More than 600 children from different villages gathered in Catalao to receive presents from Santa, who dressed in his traditional nightcap, white gloves and red suit, while enduring the stifling jungle heat. To get to the kids, the Brazilian Santa sailed on a large boat down the Amazon river, then paddled a canoe along a swampy tributary.

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