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FEATURING JOHN FEFFER - Two major political earthquakes took place in early December 2024 in different parts of the world. First, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3 and sent armed security to the National Assembly. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition party, led masses of people to counter Mr. Yoon, giving the legislative body time to vote down the martial law declaration. Mr. Yoon survived the first impeachment attempt against him but is expected to not remain in power for much longer.

Less than a week later, Syria’s formidable and seemingly invulnerable dictator Bashar Al Assad, fled his war-torn nation to seek exile in Russia. A new offensive by Syrian rebel groups that was not expected to succeed, ended his despotic rule in just two weeks. Now, as various rebel factions regroup, will Syria devolve into more war as a result of infighting, or find a way to achieve peace, stability, and perhaps even democracy? 

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