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Article snippet: (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) Good morning. Here’s what you need to know: • Russian election officials barred the opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, above center, from running in the presidential election scheduled for March. The decision was no surprise. “We won’t have an election because Vladimir Putin is horribly afraid,” Mr. Navalny said, calling for a boycott and street protests. Mr. Putin is widely expected to win. _____ • Our correspondents have the exclusive back story on the bizarre November resignation of Saad Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister. The episode sheds light on the brash style of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince. His gamble backfired: It failed to weaken Hezbollah, backed by Iran, and Mr. Hariri remains in office with new popularity. Meanwhile in Syria, the last phase of the U.S. campaign against the Islamic State is relying heavily on warplanes that are focused on an area half the size of Manhattan. _____ • President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has been conducting a vigorous purge within his governing party, pledging a “serious renewal.” Most of those who were pushed out had failed to deliver a yes vote during the April referendum that approved constitutional changes that would give Mr. Erdogan expanded powers if he is re-elected. (Political rivals suggest that Mr. Erdogan may even be preparing to call early elections in July, if it appears that his popularity is slipping.) _____ • Pope Francis ... Link to the full article to read more