Violence in Syria puts pressure on Israel;
Pentagon: Russia may be transferring air defenses to Syria;
U.S. gives military aid to Egypt despite undemocratic record

 Islamist militants evicted from Mali regroup in libya; Hezbollah backs the Syrian regime; Jordan seeks to upgrade its military; National dialogue in Yemen; Saudi leadership transition underway

Islamists in Kazakhstan;
Al-Nusra Seizes Syrian Oil Fields;
Syria Acquires Cruise Missiles From Russia

Western thinking about freedom and democracy is marked by a set of optimistic assertions, which include the following:

First, the global advance of freedom and democracy marches ever-onward. Second, economic and political freedoms in a particular nation walk hand in hand, each reinforcing the other. Third, the more a society (particularly its middle class) enjoys economic growth and the higher living standards that normally come with it, the more citizens will push for greater political freedom.

Iran training pro-Assad militias;
While the U.S. and Jordan train the FSA...;
...Israel raises questions about UNFIL

With international pressure over its nuclear program mounting, and the recent collapse of its latest round of negotiations with the West, this might seem like a strange time for Iran to pick a fight with its neighbors. Yet on at least one front, that is exactly what it appears to be doing. Recent days have seen a marked downturn in the already-troubled relationship between the Islamic Republic and Azerbaijan, its neighbor to the northwest.

Aqim sets sights on Tunisia;
Hamas to choose next leader;
Afghanistan, Tajikistan talk econ ties

Islamists fill security void in Egypt;
Ansar Dine added to list of terrorist organizations;
Saudi Arabia accuses Shi'ites of being Iranian spies

Egypt rejects IMF loan;
Zawahiri's brother wants a salafist Egypt;
Chechen jihadists flock to Syria

Hezbollah monitoring Jews worldwide;
Lebanon grappling with Syrian refugees;
National Salvation front to boycott Egypt poll