MUST-READS

• Religious Freedom
  U.S. Religious-Freedom Report Criticizes Russia, Saudis

  The Russian government used laws banning “extremism” to restrict religious freedoms, according to the U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report for 2013. The annual report, mandated by a law that lets the U.S. sanction governments that engage in “particularly severe” violations of religious freedom, said the year saw the “largest displacement of religious communities in recent memory.”

• Military
  US State Department Approves New Hellfire Sale to Iraq

  The US State Department has approved two new lots of weapon sales to Iraq at a time when that government is desperately trying to fight off the encroachment of the militant Sunni Islamic State. The larger agreement would procure 5,000 AGM-114K/N/R Hellfire missiles for the Iraqi military for $700 million. Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor on the agreement.

• Shale
  Euphoria over shale gas ‘surge’ pointless

  While euphoria over the ongoing shale revolution and the energy independence of the Americas continue, yet, there are people - cautioning and asserting - the phenomenon is short-lived and the world would continue to be dependent on the energy- rich Middle East in medium to long term.

• Weather
  Temperature Trend on Makkah, Saudi Arabia

  The main objective of this study is to investigate temperature trend and distribution over 29 years period (1985 to 2013) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for all Muslims.

• David Hearst
  The Weak Argument for a Saudi-Israeli Bedfellowship

  How does Hearst come to this conclusion? First, he mentions an interview on Israeli television, in which former defense minister Shaul Mofaz explains that, after its offensive on Gaza, Israel expects Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to play a role in the demilitarization of Hamas and the rebuilding of the strip. Second, he quotes Amos Gilad referring to an underground "security cooperation with Egypt and the Gulf States."

• Gaza
  Israelis support Netanyahu and Gaza war, despite rising deaths on both sides

  At home, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is riding a massive wave of popularity.

  • NYT - Israeli Shells Said to Hit School in Gaza, Killing 15
  • Daily Beast - Inside the Kerry-Israel Meltdown
  • Reuters - Iran leader calls Israel 'rabid dog', urges arms for Palestinians
  • The Atlantic - Opinion: Why Is Israel Losing a War It's Winning?
  • Defense News - Protective Edge Vs. Cast Lead at Day 22
• Pakistan
  Taliban In Pakistan Derail World Polio Eradication

  Today the militant group continues to threaten to kill not only vaccinators but also parents who get their children immunized. That threat has had a chilling effect on anti-polio efforts nationwide.

• OIL
  Oil Prospectors Shift Back to Wealthy Lands

  In this land of towering peaks and gurgling streams, Simon Bridges wants to be lord of the rigs.

• Afghanistan
  As US draws curtain on combat role, resilient Taliban plans patient comeback

  Surrounded by scaffolding, a blue-domed mosque is nearing completion on a site where a cinema once stood.

• GAZA
  Hamas, Israel signal unwillingness to compromise

  The Islamist militant organization Hamas said Monday that it would not agree to a cease-fire with Israel until its demands were met, as Israel warned that its incursion into the Gaza Strip could continue for days or even weeks.

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