Links: 10/12/24

Politics:

After 13 years of civil war, Bashar al-Assad's reign over Syria collapsed this week after the rapid advance of rebel forces over less than two weeks, utilising the window of opportunity presenting itself because of the weakening of Assad's allies Hezbollah (under Israeli attack in Lebanon) and Russia (pre-occupied with its war in Ukraine). Assad is reported to have fled to Moscow. The most memorable aspect of the overthrown is the liberation of Syrian prisons: The Guardian documents the freeing of prisoners from Sednaya, one of the most notorious prisons, and the desperate search for lost friends and relatives.

We're in for new elections in Germany and a likely new government in France, once more testing if the cordon sanitaire against right-wing extremist parties will hold or not.

I'm not really sure yet how to tackle what is already turning into a theatre of the absurd a month before Trump becomes US President again. Appointments that range from accused abusers to Russian spies, and in almost every case, whatever the opposite of qualification for a role is.

Pop Culture:

 

It's the end of the year, and we are setting up for 2025's new television seasons. There's a new trailer out for the third season of The Wheel of Time, which is reliably a solid show with some outstanding performances. Yellowjackets' third season will premier in February, and has added Hilary Swank to its already packed roster of stars. The new Star Trek show Section 31, focusing on the shady intelligence organisation and Michelle Yeoh's Philippa Georgiou, will come out in January. 

Somebody Somewhere, one of my favourite TV shows, has ended its three season run. Vulture has an interview with star Bridget Everett. 

And some films to watch to wrap up the year / to look forward to next year: Austrian horror film Des Teufels Bad (we love the genitive case) starring musician Soap&Skin/Anja Plaschg, Luke Gilford's National Anthem, Lake George, starring Carrie Coon and Shea Whigham, NZ film We Were Dangerous.