MUST-READS

• Mecca
  Witness Mecca’s Dramatic Transformation Over The Past Century In Just 14 Photos

  Although the requirements of Hajj have remained the same, Mecca itself has changed dramatically over the decades. Redevelopment of the site in 2013 lead authorities to remove a 17th century portico -- one of the oldest parts of Mecca's Grand Mosque -- in order to create more space for an ever-growing stream of pilgrims.

• Iraqi Government
  Iraqi parliament approves new government headed by Haider al-Abadi

  Iraq's parliament approved a new government headed by Haider al-Abadi as prime minister on Monday night, in a bid to rescue Iraq from collapse, with sectarianism and Arab-Kurdish tensions on the rise.

  • Military Times - U.S. expands airstrikes into western Iraq
• Business Outlook
  Saudi Arabia, UAE lead best business outlook in emerging markets

  Increasing external and domestic demand has led to the high PMI levels, with growth in new export orders hitting a record high and credit growth picking up for the first time in the last five years. Although the recent improvement in global economic conditions has reinforced the Saudi Arabian and the UAE economies, their domestic sectors are playing a major role behind the countries’ stabilities, both consumer and corporate led.

• U.S. Public Opinion
  Poll: Public supports strikes in Iraq, Syria; Obama’s ratings hover near his all-time lows – The Washington Post

  Americans overwhelmingly view Islamic State terrorists as a serious threat to vital U.S. interests and, in a significant shift, widely support airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. The nation’s increasingly hawkish mood will form part of the backdrop for a speech by President Obama on Wednesday, when he will outline his thinking on how to confront the threat from the Islamic State. Obama’s remarks will come a day after he confers with congressional leaders at the White House about the administration’s planning.

  • Stratfor - Opinion: The Virtue of Subtlety: A U.S. Strategy Against the Islamic State
  • Defense One - Islamic State Dominates the Post-Recess Conversation in Congress
  • CBS News - Obama to outline plan to fight ISIS
  • Military Times - Obama, Congress in legal gray area over powers to fight Islamic State
  • CFR - How the Lessons of Iraq Are Shaping the Fight Against the Islamic State
  • ME Briefing - Opinion: ISIL May Represent a Turning Point for the US Role in the Middle East
• Diplomacy
  Saudi embassy shuts down in Yemen

  The embassy’s closure follows growing tensions between the Yemeni government and Houthi protesters in Sana'a who are calling for a new government and the reinstatement of fuel subsidies. In a similar development, the Saudi Higher Education Ministry issued an urgent decree to evacuate 60 Saudi students who are studying at the University of Science and Technology (UST) in Sana'a.

  • ICG - Unrest in Sanaa
  • Washington Post - Yemen police open fire on protesters, killing 4
• Transportation
  Saudi ministers approve air transport agreement with U.S.

  Saudi Arabia's Council of Minister on Monday ratified an air transport agreement with the United States, the state news agency SPA reported.

• Asian Games
  Women sidelined as Saudi Arabia selects all-male team

  Saudi Arabia has failed to include a single female athlete in its 199-strong team for the upcoming Asian Games in South Korea, saying its women are not sufficiently competitive. The Saudi stance sparked criticism from Human Rights Watch, which condemned its all-male line-up, saying the ultra-conservative state was shutting the door on female athletes, having previously shown signs of wanting to break down barriers.

• Khamenei
  Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei has prostate surgery

  The Ayatollah's appearance on TV before the surgery and announcement of the news by himself is a clear change of approach. Either he knows that the critical situation in Iran and the region cannot bear another rumour of his death, or he has decided to be more open about his personal life, our reporter adds.

  • Huffington Post - Sports Diplomacy With Iran: Breaking Barriers, Bridging Differences
• Extremism
  Saudi public calls for severe punishment of extremists

  It is very sad that the people who are the right image of Saudi Arabia are not recognized and have to endure such uncivilized behavior from the fanatics who have no right to be in positions that allow them to harass citizens and expatriates.

• Think Tanks
  New York Times Investigation: Foreign Powers Buy Influence at Think Tanks

  More than a dozen prominent Washington research groups have received tens of millions of dollars from foreign governments in recent years while pushing United States government officials to adopt policies that often reflect the donors’ priorities, an investigation by The New York Times has found.

  • Brookings Institution: A Message from Strobe Talbott, President of the Brookings Institution
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