What's Happening

International

Rebels Take Damascus, Ending Assad's Rule in Syria

What’s going on: After more than 50 years of Assad family rule, the Syrian capital of Damascus fell to rebels on Sunday following a rapid offensive that swept through major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. The main rebel coalition, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared Syria “free” and pledged to establish a pluralistic government. Fireworks lit up the streets of Damascus as Syrians celebrated their newfound freedom, tearing down symbols of Assad’s rule in chants and jubilation. “I can’t believe I’m living this moment,” one tearful resident said, “we are starting a new history for Syria.” According to media reports, President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to Moscow, where they’ve been granted political asylum. Assad’s prime minister has pledged to oversee a peaceful transition of power while managing the crumbling regime’s remnants.

What it means: The rebel coalition has promised a diverse and inclusive government, but their fragmented makeup raises questions about their ability to deliver on that vision. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that Europe would support rebuilding a Syria that is safe for all minorities. Regionally, this upheaval is a seismic shift after years of war. Experts warn it could destabilize Syria and its neighbors, as well as shake up the former regime’s allies like Russia and Iran, which propped up Assad for decades. While Syrians are reveling in the streets, the real challenge lies ahead: building a stable, inclusive government out of the ruins of autocracy.

Related: Family of Missing US Journalist Austin Tice Hopeful He Is Alive (WaPo Gift Link)

Politics

Trump's Second Act: Sweeping Plans and Bold Promises

What's going on: President-elect Donald Trump laid out plans for his second term in his first post-election broadcast-network interview on NBC's Meet the Press yesterday. Trump confirmed much of what many already knew: He intends to aggressively push immigration reform like ending birthright citizenship and deporting millions, but he added that would include entire families, to avoid “breaking them up.” Experts have warned these policies could cost hundreds of billions of dollars and spark humanitarian crises. Trump also floated tariffs on US trade partners but admitted that he couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t raise prices for Americans. The president-elect’s comment marks a shift from his time on the campaign trail, when he downplayed economists’ warnings about rising consumer prices.

Tell me more: Trump said he would likely work “very quickly” to pardon Jan. 6 rioters, calling their treatment overly harsh while suggesting jail would be suitable for his own political adversaries like Liz Cheney and Jan. 6 committee members. He previously vowed to make changes to the DOJ to “restore fairness.” But he also doubled down on controversial picks — Pam Bondi as attorney general and Kash Patel as FBI director — both of whom have drawn significant backlash. Trump emphasized Bondi would have autonomy in pursuing cases, including potential charges against special counsel Jack Smith. With bold pledges, unanswered questions, and at least one dropped promise, it remains to be seen how much of his agenda will materialize on Day 1.

Related: Trump Is Using This Photo With Jill Biden To Sell His New Fragrances (Axios)

Health

Report: Formaldehyde Is a Toxic Air Pollutant Posing Serious Cancer Risks — But Action Is Lagging

What's going on: Usually, when we think of formaldehyde, we think of two other Fs — funerals and frogs (we’re sure glad we left our amphibian dissections in high school). But, as ProPublica reports, the chemical is much more pervasive and harmful than we might realize. It’s “virtually everywhere,” potentially causing “far more cancer” than any other hazardous air pollutant, according to the reporters’ analysis of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) statistics. A former EPA worker says the agency has discounted information that ties formaldehyde to myeloid leukemia. ProPublica reports the EPA has “significantly underestimated” the dangers of the deadly chemical. The chemical industry, for its part, says the EPA is actually going too far, and that its research about cancer and other ill health effects is “deeply flawed.” 

What it means: Later this month, the EPA is expected to take a step toward regulating formaldehyde. However, according to some health advocates, the ProPublica investigation raises questions about whether the agency will go far enough. Potential health risks aren’t just for workers with chronic exposure, because formaldehyde pollutes the air and wafts, and is in everyday items like cleaners and flooring, ProPublica reports. That means it may affect us in the place we feel safest: our homes. Ultimately, the chemical has become ubiquitous — part of why trade groups argue that formaldehyde regulation could be bad for business, with groups like the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the National Chicken Council pushing back against the EPA’s findings. Meanwhile, some experts worry the regulation of chemicals like formaldehyde will get pushed to the wayside under President-elect Donald Trump’s EPA.

Related: Want to Understand the Formaldehyde Risk In Your Neighborhood? Put Your Address in This Tool (ProPublica)