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Hello all, hope you are well this day

International Developments

Overall

– Pew: 46 percent of Americans feel US accomplished goals in Iraq compared to 43 percent who disagree

– Vatican will seek Catholics’ input over family issues

– “I want American foreign policy to fail”

– John Kerry to visit Egypt day before Morsi’s trial begins

– The US is claiming Israel attacked a Russian missile shipment in Syria

– “ Venezuela has quietly seized control of two oil rigs owned by a unit of Houston-based Superior Energy Services after the company shut them down because the state oil monopoly was months behind on payments.”

– “Germany and Brazil circulated a draft resolution to a U.N. General Assembly committee on Friday that calls for an end to excessive electronic surveillance, data collection and other gross invasions of privacy.”

Middle East

– “Alarm sounded over sharp rise in infectious diseases and polio threat amid collapse of Syria’s once-vaunted healthcare system”

– Al Qaeda’s influence in Syria growing stronger

– Largest camp for Syrian refugees becomes a city

– “Turkey and the new Middle East regional political realignment”

– A US drone strike may have killed a Pakistani Taliban chief

– Part five of Blumenthal’s interview over Israel and response to critics. Book Salon tomorrow FYI

– “Iranian-made submarine dubbed Morvarid can carry four people and will serve tourists in Kish Island, says state [Iranian] television”

Africa

– “Egypt’s new military-backed government had hoped trying Mohammed Morsi would close the chapter on his presidency. Instead, the trial of the ousted Islamist president on charges of inciting murder, which begins Monday, is only compounding their troubles.”

– “Popular Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef’s television show has been suspended just minutes before it was due to go on air.”

Europe

– Europe will follow US changes with respect to planes and electronics [cont’d.]