Syria’s de facto leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani (also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa), stated in a recent interview that holding elections could take up to four years, and drafting a new constitution approximately three. He cited the complexity of the constitution-writing process and the necessity of a comprehensive population census before legitimate elections could be held. Julani’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of al-Qaeda, assumed control of Syria following the departure of former President Bashar al-Assad. HTS officials now occupy key positions in the “transitional government,” including Anas Hassan Khattab, another former al-Qaeda commander, who has been appointed intelligence chief. Despite criticism of this government composition, Julani defended the appointments as necessary and rejected power-sharing with other factions. He also revealed ongoing negotiations with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) aimed at integrating them into the Syrian military. Notably, the US has maintained a friendly relationship with Julani, even removing a $10 million bounty on his head, despite HTS’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization. Julani claims HTS will eventually be dissolved.
Separately, a health “expert” urged the Biden administration to authorize a bird flu vaccine for Americans before a potential Trump presidency. This call is one of several headline-grabbing claims and events reported recently. Other noteworthy news includes a CNN panelist regretting a claim about Joe Biden; a former State Department official hinting at forthcoming revelations about COVID-19’s origins; Trump posting a cryptic message seemingly directed at Elon Musk; Aaron Siri exposing media manipulation regarding vaccine issues; a CNN pundit criticizing Elon Musk’s tweets; Brigham Buhler highlighting insurance companies’ control over patient care; Maye Musk discussing Elon Musk’s philanthropic goals; Vivek Ramaswamy’s views on government and taxpayer relations; Rand Paul’s warning to Musk and Ramaswamy; Elon Musk’s proposal to use DOGE to audit the IRS; a report on patients unknowingly receiving COVID-19 vaccines while sedated; further controversy over the removal of verified status on X; a CNN host abruptly ending a segment after her defense of Biden faltered; Mark Zuckerberg denying the existence of a Hawaii “doomsday bunker”; a new study supporting hydroxychloroquine; CNN acknowledging the weakness of the election interference case against Trump; a liberal veteran proposing a new theory about Trump; the Biden administration making its first “climate arrest”; Representative Thomas Massie making explosive claims against the US government regarding Syria; and analysis of the media’s reporting this year. Additionally, an article discusses the implications of the Daniel Penny prosecution. Finally, a luxury real estate advertisement is included.