UN draft resolution on Syria

via UN draft resolution on Syria | World news | The Guardian.

Fighting between government soldiers and Taliban fighters over a strategic mountaintop in northwestern Pakistan has killed more than 38 people, a government official says.

The battle first started a week ago when government troops seized the top of Jogi mountain in the Kurram tribal area from the Taliban, sparking deadly clashes.

Read the full report: Pakistani forces clash with Taliban – Central & South Asia – Al Jazeera English.

U.S. President Barack Obama has made a rare admission about U.S. unmanned “drone” aircraft attacks in Pakistani territory — confirming such attacks take place and suggesting reports of civilian casualties from the strikes are overstated.

via Obama Confirms Drone Strikes In Pakistan.

The events of the past five days in Syria may be a game changer, both domestically and internationally. Last Thursday, opposition forces said, 100 people were killed. Massacres were alleged in two towns. The daily death toll has been rising. On yesterday, Monday, AFP reported another 29 persons killed, including 23 civilians and 6 members of the security forces. Troops moved into the rebel-held town of Rankus north of Damascus, after besieging and shelling it for days. Rebels blew up a gas pipeline. Rebel troops, made up of deserters, ambushed a minivan carry 6 regime military personnel on their way to quell the rebellion.

via Syria’s Crisis Deepens: Does Internationalization Loom? | Informed Comment.

A suicide bomber has reportedly killed an Islamist militant commander and at least two other people in northwest Pakistan.

via Suicide Bomber Kills At Least Three In Pakistan.

Afghan officials are planning direct peace talks with Taliban militants in the coming weeks.

A senior official in Kabul who spoke on condition of anonymity has confirmed that a meeting is scheduled in Saudi Arabia between Afghan authorities and “some” factions willing to join peace talks.

via Kabul Plans Direct Peace Talks With Taliban In Saudi Arabia.