MUST-READS

• Mecca
  Witness Mecca’s Dramatic Transformation Over The Past Century In Just 14 Photos

  Although the requirements of Hajj have remained the same, Mecca itself has changed dramatically over the decades. Redevelopment of the site in 2013 lead authorities to remove a 17th century portico -- one of the oldest parts of Mecca's Grand Mosque -- in order to create more space for an ever-growing stream of pilgrims.

• Afghanistan
  Hopes for Afghan unity deal wane as candidate claims victory

  The prospect of two candidates declaring themselves the elected successor to Afghan President Hamid Karzai grew significantly Monday, threatening the Obama’s administration’s efforts to prevent the country from erupting in political unrest.

• Iraqi Government
  Iraqi parliament approves new government headed by Haider al-Abadi

  Iraq's parliament approved a new government headed by Haider al-Abadi as prime minister on Monday night, in a bid to rescue Iraq from collapse, with sectarianism and Arab-Kurdish tensions on the rise.

  • Military Times - U.S. expands airstrikes into western Iraq
• Saudi-Egypt
  Saudi Arabia opens largest embassy in Egypt

  “These headquarters do not merely house the offices of the embassy with all its branches but all the Saudi working offices operating in Egypt and this will make it easier for citizens to contact the embassy of their country and simplify access for their Egyptian brothers and others,” Prince Faisal said.

• Transportation
  Saudi ministers approve air transport agreement with U.S.

  Saudi Arabia's Council of Minister on Monday ratified an air transport agreement with the United States, the state news agency SPA reported.

• Libya
  U.N. report highlights mass displacement of Libyans by violence

  A United Nations report on Thursday said four months of fighting by militias in Libya’s two biggest cities, Tripoli and Benghazi, has forced some 250,000 people to flee, including 100,000 who have been internally displaced. The report released by the U.N. Support Mission in Libya and the U.N. Human Rights Office estimated that some 150,000 people, including migrant workers, have fled the country. The report says a “climate of fear” has made citizens reluctant to speak about militia abuses.

  • NYT - New Book says CIA Official in Benghazi Held Up Rescue
• NATO and Afghanistan
  NATO Unable to Finalize Troop Numbers for Afghanistan

  NATO leaders did not agree on the size of a training and assistance force expected to be based in Afghanistan from 2015 to 2017, as the alliance still waits for Kabul to approve an operating arrangement. Some of the 28 alliance members have not come forward with troop commitments since the Afghan government has not signed a bilateral security agreement, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

• US-Israel
  U.S. mulls more steps in response to Israel’s land grab in West Bank

  The Obama administration is considering taking further action regarding Israel’s expropriation of 1,000 acres of West Bank land this week, on top of the condemnation Washington has already issued. “Maybe our reaction will find expression in other ways,” a senior U.S. official told Haaretz, but declined to give details.

  • NYT - New Light on Hamas Role in Killings of Teenagers That Fueled Gaza War
  • Guardian - Israel to build 283 homes on West Bank
• AQ in India
  Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent incorporates regional jihadist groups

  The new regional al Qaeda affiliate likely includes elements from the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, Harakat-ul-Muhajideen, Harakat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami and Brigade 313, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, the Indian Mujahideen (a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Turkistan Islamic Party, Junood al Fida, and other groups based in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

  • Quartz - Al-Qaeda’s new franchise plan betrays Ayman al-Zawahiri’s desperation
• Women's Education
  Opinion: How To Improve Educational Opportunities For Saudi Women

  Public separation of women and men is one of the most vexing issues facing Saudi colleges for girls. According to Article 155 of the Educational Policy of Saudi Arabia, mixing the sexes is forbidden at all levels of education, except in pre-school education.  For over 40 years, the “studio” system has torn nearly 22 universities apart. Only medical colleges and universities are exempted from this educational system. This has allowed women studying medicine to realize great success worldwide, according to a 2010 report on Saudi women’s achievements by the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education.

  • Bloomberg - Saudi Arabia's 'Frustrated Female Strivers'
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