Israel strikes military targets inside Syria and occupies a demilitarized border area, claiming threats to its security following the fall of the Assad regime. The president of South Korea is impeached and more than a dozen African countries elected new leaders this year. Right-wing ideologies are resurgent in Europe. President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission has taken aim at big tech and China’s influence on U.S. communications. Plus, the unique role of social media in discussing the news.