In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva joins us from Israel to give us this week's update on the fighting, the diplomacy, and the unprecedented events in the Red Sea as Houthi rebels target international shipping.

Then we stay with Nataliya for a special dispatch from Jerusalem, as she interviews the only licensed Santa in the city, ahead of a Christmas full of worry for the region's Christian population.

Contributors:

David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X.

Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.

Read: Jerusalem’s only accredited Santa Claus vows to keep entertaining children despite war, by Nataliya Vasilyeva

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'The children ask me, Santa, are you coming, despite the war?'