Under the proposed constitution, “it will fall to Egypt’s interim president, Adly Mansour, to decide on elections. Some activists claim that the assembly, stacked with military supporters, may be preparing for a snap presidential run by Gen. Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the army chief behind the coup”:
- Third Time Lucky? Egypt Struggles with Another Constitution (Christian Science Monitor)
“Deepening divisions among Libya’s myriad armed groups are increasingly stirring conflict in the North African state. Now the United States and its allies are prepared to add a new force to the toxic mix”:
- U.S. Plan for New, Western-trained Libyan Force Faces Obstacles (Washington Post)
Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Pepe Alalu said,  “’All the Jews go to the Temple Mount only to create provocations…’ It is a widely held that Jews are forbidden from going to the site of the Temple because of ritual impurity caused by contact with the dead. The religious establishment, principally the Chief Rabbinate, actively reinforces this notion”:
- Clashes Break Out Between Jewish, Muslim Worshipers on Temple Mount (Jerusalem Post)
The Syrian situation gets increasingly dark:
- Top Syrian Officials Involved in War Crimes – UN Investigators (Guardian)
- Nuns Trapped as Syria Rebels Seize Christian Town (AP / abc News)
- Syrian Refugees Put Strain on Jordan Schools Amid Fears for ‘Lost Generation’ (Guardian)
- FBI Warns About Americans Joining Islamic Fighters in Syria (Christian Science Monitor)
Iran makes push to make the promised breakthrough on nuclear program into a renaissance of foreign relations:
- Iran sees nuclear deal implementation starting by early January (Reuters)
- Iran Envoy Meets Kuwaiti Emir in Latest Outreach (AP / abc News)
- Iran says seeks stronger cooperation with Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
- Analysis: Saudis have few options as they push tougher foreign policy (Reuters)
“The Taliban’s former No. 2 was set free after years in detention and some officials hope he can help jumpstart the peace process, while others have their doubts as many other insurgents who have been released by Pakistan are thought to have returned to the fight”:
- Pakistan PM Vows Commitment to Peace with Taliban in Afghanistan (Christian Science Monitor)
“A well-known Maltese historian … has accused Malta’s Superintendence for Cultural Heritage of attempting to cover-up the island’s Islamic past…. Although a survey conducted by MaltaToday found that 63% of Maltese people acknowledge their Muslim past, respondents aged between 18 and 34 were the least likely to accept this fact”:
- Malta Accused of Muslim History Cover-up  (World Bulletin)
“The Lebanese government authorized the army on Monday to take control of the northern city of Tripoli for six months following three days of sectarian clashes, a decision meant to allay fears that fighting in Lebanon’s second largest city was spiraling out of control”:
- Lebanon Puts Army In Control Of Tripoli (AP / NPR)
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