Current+Events


 * Sources I find the most helpful:**

Reuters http://www.reuters.com/news

BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/

Economist http://www.economist.com/

Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/

NY Times http://www.washingtonpost.com/


 * Syria**

Special Report: Hezbollah gambles all in Syria http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/26/us-syria-hezbollah-special-report-idUSBRE98P0AI20130926

Iran nuclear issue and Syria to dominate UN Assembly http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24218272

Russia says hopes for UN resolution on Syria this week http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/24/us-syria-crisis-russia-un-idUSBRE98N0CM20130924

U.N. data on gas attack point to Assad's top forces http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/world/middleeast/un-data-on-gas-attack-points-to-assads-top-forces.html?hpw&pagewanted=all&_r=0

Angered by chemical deal, Syrian rebels may lost the West http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/20/us-syria-crisis-opposition-insight-idUSBRE98J06120130920

A Weapon Seen as Too Horrible, Even in War http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/07/world/middleeast/a-weapon-seen-as-too-horrible-even-in-war.html?ref=global-home&_r=0&pagewanted=all

Can Mr. Obama Avoid Mission Creep? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/07/opinion/can-mr-obama-avoid-mission-creep.html?ref=global-home

For Israel, a U.S. Strike Is a No-Brainer http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/07/opinion/global/for-israel-a-us-strike-is-a-no-brainer.html?hpw

Drawing a Line on Syria, U.S. Keeps Eye on Iran Policy http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/03/world/middleeast/drawing-a-line-on-syria-us-eyes-iran-talks.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

Insight - Obama and Syria: a trail of half-steps, mixed messages http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/27/us-usa-syria-obama-insight-idUSBRE96Q02Q20130727

On Obama’s Plan, a Message Emerges in Israel: Stay Quiet http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/02/world/middleeast/obamas-syria-decision-greeted-silently-by-israel.html?ref=global-home&pagewanted=all

How a US strike on Syria might look http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23885364

9 questions about Syria you were too embarrassed to ask http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/29/9-questions-about-syria-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/?tid=pm_pop

The 23 Twitter accounts you must follow to understand Syria http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/30/the-23-twitter-accounts-you-must-follow-to-understand-syria/

Syrian Kurds’ struggle for autonomy threatens rebel effort to oust Assad http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-kurds-struggle-for-autonomy-threatens-rebel-effort-to-oust-assad/2013/07/26/a34ecac4-f491-11e2-81fa-8e83b3864c36_story.html

Iraqi Kurd president says ready to defend Kurds in Syria http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/10/us-syria-crisis-iraq-idUSBRE97905B20130810

Arms Shipments Seen From Sudan to Syria Rebels http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/world/africa/arms-shipments-seen-from-sudan-to-syria-rebels.html?hpw&pagewanted=all


 * Syria outline**

Length of the struggle Many dead already Why such uproar over chemical

within Syria: Government side Result of Arab Spring? Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon Iranian advisers

Anti-govt (rebel) side: and the complications therein Hard-core Muslimists, including Al Queda Who to arm, whether to arm, how much to arm

Shiite versus Sunni at one level Shiite crescent: Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, Hamas in Gaza Strip Proxies for Iran and Gulf States at another level Russia support for Assad

Regional level:

Role of neighboring countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Israel Refugees Fighting spilling over

World level: Role of United Nations U.S. allies Obama not sure how to proceed


 * Iran**

Insight: Saudis brace for 'nightmare' of U.S.-Iran rapprochement http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/09/us-saudi-usa-iran-insight-idUSBRE9980IT20131009

Why Iran takes issue with the Holocaust http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24442723

U.S.-Iran Relations: a brief guide http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24316661

Rouhani, Blunt and Charming, Pitches a Moderate Iran http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/world/middleeast/irans-president-calls-on-israel-to-join-nuclear-treaty.html?hpw&pagewanted=all

Iran nuclear issue and Syria to dominate UN Assembly http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24218272

Iran hails start of "new era"with nuclear talks at UN http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/24/us-un-assembly-iran-usa-idUSBRE98N0AT20130924

Handshake with Iran might say much more http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/world/handshake-with-iran-might-say-much-more.html?ref=global-home

Enigmatic leader of Iran back overture, for now http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/world/middleeast/enigmatic-leader-of-iran-backs-overture-for-now.html?ref=global-home

Drawing a Line on Syria, U.S. Keeps Eye on Iran Policy http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/03/world/middleeast/drawing-a-line-on-syria-us-eyes-iran-talks.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

Iran's Rouhani: Occupation of Palestine Is 'Wound' http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/08/02/world/middleeast/ap-ml-iran-israel.html?ref=global-home

Reading Tweets from Iran http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/opinion/reading-tweets-from-iran.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

With lure of religion classes, Iran seeks to recruit Latin American students http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/with-lure-of-religion-classes-iran-seeks-to-recruit-latin-americans/2013/08/10/8e3592c6-f626-11e2-9434-60440856fadf_story.html

Israel vs. Iran, Again http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/27/opinion/global/israel-vs-iran-again.html?hpw


 * Israel/Palestinians**

Damaging knock-on effects of Morsi's downfall for Hamas http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23559846

Pressure Rises on Hamas as Patrons’ Support Fades http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/world/middleeast/pressure-mounts-on-hamas-as-economic-lifelines-are-severed.html?ref=global-home&_r=1&pagewanted=all&

9 questions about Israel-Gaza you were too embarrassed to ask http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2012/11/21/9-questions-about-israel-gaza-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/

Middle East peace talks: where they stand http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11138790

The New Mideast Talks - Much Risk, Little Hope, but Still We Must Try http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/opinion/the-new-mideast-talks-much-risk-little-hope-but-still-we-must-try.html?hp&pagewanted=all

Israel's Split Personality http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/opinion/global/roger-cohen-israels-split-personality.html?ref=global-home

Analysis: Israeli-Palestinian riddle won't answer Middle East's wider woes http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/04/us-palestinians-israel-mideast-analysis-idUSBRE97303X20130804

Daring to Fail (Tom Friedman op-ed) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/opinion/friedman-daring-to-fail.html?ref=global-home

In a West Bank Culture of Conflict, Boys Wield the Weapon at Hand http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/05/world/middleeast/rocks-in-hand-a-boy-fights-for-his-west-bank-village.html?hpw&pagewanted=all

Israel backs new Jewish settlement homes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23655661

One-State Dream, One-State Nightmare http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/opinion/global/one-state-dream-one-state-nightmare.html?ref=global-home


 * Egypt**

Egypt on the Edge http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/opinion/egypt-on-the-edge.html?ref=global-home

9 questions about Egypt you were too embarrassed to ask http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/14/9-questions-about-egypt-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/

U.S. Balancing Act With Egypt Grows Trickier http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/world/middleeast/for-us-balancing-act-with-egypt-grows-more-complicated.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

Democracy in Egypt can wait http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/opinion/democracy-in-egypt-can-wait.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

How American Hopes for a Deal in Egypt Were Undercut http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/world/middleeast/pressure-by-us-failed-to-sway-egypts-leaders.html?hp&_r=0&pagewanted=all

Saudi Arabia stirs the Middle East pot http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/david-ignatius-saudi-arabia-stirs-the-middle-east-pot/2013/08/21/51dce448-09c5-11e3-8974-f97ab3b3c677_story.html

Other Nations Offer a Lesson to Egypt’s Military Leaders http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/world/middleeast/other-nations-offer-a-lesson-to-egypts-military-leaders.html?hpw&pagewanted=all

Foreign Policy by Whisper and Nudge (Tom Friedman) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/opinion/sunday/friedman-foreign-policy-by-whisper-and-nudge.html?hp&pagewanted=all


 * Mexico/Immigration**

Along border, preparing to live with the real-world consequences of immigration debate http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/along-border-preparing-to-live-with-the-real-world-consequences-of-immigration-debate/2013/09/02/f726771c-0a87-11e3-8974-f97ab3b3c677_story.html

United Behind a Son’s American Dream, No Matter the Consequences http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/02/nyregion/united-behind-a-sons-american-dream-no-matter-the-consequences.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

Everything you know about immigration is wrong http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/08/10/everything-you-know-about-immigration-is-wrong/

War on the Border http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/opinion/sunday/war-on-the-border.html?ref=global-home&pagewanted=all

In Focus: An Immigrant's Journey http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/08/an-immigrants-journey/100573/

Making Choice to Halt at Door of Citizenship http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/nyregion/making-choice-to-halt-at-door-of-citizenship.html?ref=global-home


 * Russia**

6 Questions about the news: Russia grants Snowden asylum http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/02/6-qs-about-the-news-russia-grants-snowden-asylum-for-one-year/?_r=0


 * North Korea**

Are US-North Korea talks possible (BBC Viewpoint) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22350948