US Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS in Syria; President-Elect Trump Fills Key Roles in His Administration

The United States launched airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria on Sunday after the end of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Assad has fled to Russia, where he received political asylum from the Kremlin. For analysis of the new developments, NTD speaks to Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official and a senior adviser on Arab affairs.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced further key administration selections, including attorney Alina Habba as counselor to the president and Christopher Landau as deputy secretary of state. In an NBC interview, Trump defended tariffs, vowed to pardon some Jan. 6 defendants, and detailed plans to tackle illegal immigration.

House lawmakers are set to vote on the 2025 national defense bill this week. The nearly $900 billion agreement reflects a 1 percent increase from 2024. The bills usually get bipartisan support; however, an addition that includes bans on funding for transgender medical treatment for children of service members could see more Democratic pushback. A vote is expected this week, but it’s unclear whether there is enough support to pass it by the year-end deadline.

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