Israel launches attack on Gaza -- first since cease-fire; US and South Korea finish naval drills; US underlines committment to Japan in face of burgeoning missile threats from North Korea; UK to stop giving aid to South Africa; Queen Beatrix of Netherlands abdicates; and more
Top of the Agenda: Israel Launches First Gaza Attack Since Cease-Fire
DR Congo's rebels say they will march to Kinsasha and take control; South Korea likely to choose liberal presidential candidate by survey; China appoints new propaganda minister; 2008 Mumbai attacks gunman hanged; Gaza cease-fire looks unlikely as international diplomats gather; and more
Top of the Agenda: DR Congo's Rebels Threaten To March To Kinsasha
Hillary Clinton on way to Middle East to try to defuse Gaza crisis; South China Sea dispute dominates ASEAN summit; China appoints new leader in Chongqing, once led by disgraced Bo Xilai; former Sarkozy ally to head French opposition party; EU partially acknowledges new Syrian coalition; and more
Top of the Agenda: Clinton to Visit Middle East as Gaza Crisis Escalates
Obama in Cambodia after historic Burma visit; tensions over South China Sea territorial dispute escalate at ASEAN summit; South Korea to clarify stance on Middle East issues after being elected to UN Security Council; more civilians die in Gaza; Colombia and Cuba hold landmark peace talks; and more
Top of the Agenda: Obama in Cambodia After Historic Burma Visit
US recognition of Egypt's democratically elected Islamist President, begs questions over the fate of Gaza's democratically elected Islamist leaders, how the US forces old Egyptian military friends to play democratic ball, and, right next door, convince Israel to chuck out a report that, if implemented, will end Israel's (albeit disputed) claim to be a democracy.
What does the democratically elected Islamist leader of Egypt have that the democratically elected Islamist leaders of Gaza do not have?
Well apart from timing - 2012 vs 2006 - it would appear the consequences of the Arab Spring have finally dawned on those who have self-servingly meddled in the Middle East for years.
