海角大神

Taylor Luck, the Monitor鈥檚 Arab world correspondent, has a broad assignment, covering his beat with a close eye on and attentive ear to the events, thoughts, and moods prevalent in the region. He has been an integral part of our coverage of the war in Gaza 鈥� which, as he notes, takes a toll on the journalists involved 鈥� and of the new Syria unfolding before his eyes. His wide travels in the region this year are convincing him that there is cause for hope this season, welcome news for sure.

Many Ukrainians lament the reminder that a corrupt culture still lurks in the halls of power. Yet many are encouraged that the country鈥檚 anti-corruption apparatus proved strong enough to pursue even some of the country鈥檚 most powerful.

鈥淎quarium of Amazing Fishes鈥� in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, allows visitors to dream of worlds beyond a war that has made their city a battle zone.

For each Senegalese man who migrates to Europe, or dies trying, there are women left behind to build new lives.

England appears to be on the edge of a shift away from its traditional Labour-Conservative axis, to more radical parties such as Reform UK and the Greens.

The airstrikes on port infrastructure in Odesa come as the Kremlin sends an envoy to Florida to discuss the Trump administration's proposed peace plan. Meanwhile,聽European Union leaders agreed to provide $106 billion to support Ukraine's military and economic needs over the next two years.

Christmas came early this year in Venezuela, at leader Nicol谩s Maduro鈥檚 behest. It鈥檚 the same tactic Hugo Ch谩vez used as far back as 2003.

The long ordeal of hostages held in Hamas tunnels since Oct. 7 has led to a rise in religious belief among Jewish Israelis. One hostage notes: 鈥淕od will always listen. He does not get tired.鈥�

Hezbollah has been weakened by Israel and is under pressure to disarm. But its Shiite supporters express pride in their sacrifice and look forward to revenge. And for the militia, says one analyst, keeping its arms is 鈥渆xistential.鈥�

The potential military threat from Russia and the decreasing support from the US have European countries looking to conscript citizens. It's a big ask after decades of peace and prosperity.