President-elect Donald Trump plans to launch a mass deportation operation targeting millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally and with temporary protections once he takes office on Jan. 20, a challenging initiative that could split apart families and affect U.S. businesses.

Each of these operations was highly significant, but the fact they all occurred within a mere three months is without precedent in a region that endured decades of war.

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that Israeli troops would occupy a buffer zone in Syria "for the foreseeable future." This marks the first time an incumbent leader of Israel has extended military presence so deeply into Syrian territory.

Israel appears to be gearing up for an open-ended occupation of Syrian territory it invaded after the fall of former president Bashar Al Assad, with senior officials hinting that long-term military control of the area is vital for national security.