Abbas says new Israel settlements a “red line.”- Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough emerges as frontrunner for White House chief of staff, the Wall Street Journal reports, noting foreign policy is shaping Obama staff shuffle.
- Six world powers debate updating offer ahead of new Iran nuclear talks.
- Why did US set March deadline for Iran cooperation with IAEA?
- Inside the mind of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei.
- Iraq President Talabani returns to Baghdad amid new tensions with Erbil.
- US might designate Syrian rebel Nusra Front a foreign terrorist group.
- More on the Nusra Front and diversity among Islamist fighters in northern Syria: “Not everyone with a beard is a Salafist.”
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will attend the Friends of Syria meeting in Marrakesh next week, the State Department announces, bolstering expectations US will recognize Syrian opposition there.
- US believes former Syrian spokesman Jihad Makdissi is in London, State says.
- Turkey says Russia has agreed to new diplomatic approach to Syria.
(Photo: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah December 4, 2012. The Palestinians accused Israel in a letter to the United Nations of planning to commit further “war crimes” by expanding Jewish settlements. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman.)