We know you're busy and probably don't have the time to read all of our coverage each and every day. That's why we've put together The Week's Best. Here are some of the highlights produced in English by RFE/RL's team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven days.
Russia Moving Military Assets To Africa After Syria Setback
Russia appears to be moving some of its military equipment from Syria to Africa, where Moscow is expanding its military footprint. By Maja Zivanovic and Jean Fernand Koena
North Korean Troops Take Pounding As Kim Reportedly Doubles Down
North Korea’s elite troops have faced severe losses in Russia's war with Ukraine, with over 1,100 killed or injured in recent weeks, according to South Korean intelligence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy estimates the toll at more than 3,000. Despite his forces’ lack of preparation for modern trench warfare, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears undeterred, doubling down on his alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin in exchange for oil, cash, and military technology. By Todd Prince
What's Next For Georgia's Presidential Crisis As Inauguration Day Nears
A showdown is looming over Georgia's presidency as the December 29 inauguration day approaches for far-right politician and former soccer star Mikheil Kavelashvili. He was appointed by the country's electoral college, which is dominated by members of the ruling party. But the country's current Western-friendly president, Salome Zurabishvili, has called the appointment "illegitimate" and says she'll refuse to leave office after Kavelashvili is sworn in. As protests against the ruling party continue, it's unclear what will happen if she attempts to stay in her post. By By Austin Malloy and RFE/RL's Georgian Service
What We Saw: How RFE/RL's Photographers Captured Their Best Photos Of 2024
From a freezing Ukrainian foxhole to the markets of Central Asia, our photographers explain how they captured history in 2024. By RFE/RL
'So Much Death': Ukrainian Drone Pilot Shares Emotional Account Of Frontline Combat
Speaking with RFE/RL from a military shelter in eastern Ukraine, a female drone pilot with the call sign "Siri" shares an emotional story about losing Ukrainian comrades while fighting on the front line. The 22-year-old has seen intense combat since she joined the military after graduating from university. By Roman Pahulych and Austin Malloy
Syrian Islamist Rulers Shun The Taliban Governance Model
Syria's new Islamist rulers, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have swiftly moved to distance themselves from how the Taliban is ruling Afghanistan. The HTS leader has promised to allow women's education and pledged to form an inclusive government to unite their diverse country.
Mystery Photos Shed Light On Romania's 1989 Revolution
A collection of images donated anonymously to a Hungarian photo archive captures turmoil in Timisoara, the city where Romania's revolution broke out 35 years ago. By Amos Chapple
'Dear Santa, I Want Ukraine To Win'
Finland has staked a claim as the official home of Santa Claus, drawing international tourists to a holiday village in the Lapland region. It's also where thousands of children around the world send their Christmas wishes by mail. The Finnish Santa and his staff receive letters from kids asking for toys, books, and happiness for their families -- and from Ukraine, there are countless letters wishing for peace. By Olena Abramovych, Marek Hajduk, and Current Time
Taliban's Ban On Organ Transplants Deprives Afghans Of Lifesaving Treatment
The Taliban government has imposed a complete ban on organ transplants. Patients and doctors say the prohibition deprives Afghans from accessing potentially lifesaving treatment. By Firuza Azizi
2024 Was The Year Of Floods; Expect Climate Crisis To Continue
From Central Europe to the Caucusus to Central Asia and Afghanistan, 2024 saw extreme flooding across many of the countries in RFE/RL's region. We look back at the environmental and human impact and ask Ayesha Tandon, a science journalist at the U.K.-based website Carbon Brief, what's causing the increased flooding. By RFE/RL's Armenian Service, Kazakh Service, Romanian Service, Hungarian Service, Balkan Service, Radio Azadi, and Kyrgyz Service
