DESACUERDOS SOBRE SIRIA, ELECCIONES EN EGIPTO

Top of the Agenda: U.S., Russia at Odds over Syria

The U.S. State Department called on Russia to support a strong UN Security Council response (CNN) to the ongoing conflict between the Syrian regime and opposition forces. Russia, an ally of Syria, has voted against a resolution to condemn Syria for months of violence against anti-government demonstrators that has left over five thousand people dead.

In turn, the Russian Foreign Ministry criticized Western nations -- which have imposed economic sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- for taking an "immoral" stance (al-Jazeera) on Syria by "turning a blind eye" to violence committed by anti-government protesters.

More than thirty people were killed (NYT) across Syria on Tuesday, including seven members of the Syrian security forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Analysis

In Eurasia Review, strategic analyst Theodore Karasik explains Russia's policy towards Syria, which he says stems firstly from "Russian pride."

Russia isn't just protecting its business interests -- it fears Syrian civil war could have knock-on effects in places such as Russia's North Caucus province of Dagestan, writes the Guardian's David Hearst.

One year since the eruption of protests convulsed the Arab world, countries in the region continue to endure the pangs of revolution--some further along the road to democracy than others, explains this CFR Issue Guide.

MIDDLE EAST

Egypt in Second Round of Parliamentary Elections

Polls opened in nine Egyptian provinces for the country's second round of parliamentary elections, which are considered a test for Egypt's secular liberals (al-Jazeera). The party of the Muslim Brotherhood won 47 percent of the contested seats in the first round of voting last month.

The Islamists' lead in parliamentary polls has aroused some concerns over Egypt's democratic future. But the real threat, says CFR's Ed Husain in this CFR Interview, comes from those secular elites who prefer the former autocratic regime or military rule over elected Islamists.

IRAN: The government rejected a formal request (NYT) by U.S. President Barack Obama to return a U.S. surveillance drone that Iran recovered at the beginning of December. RECHAZO PREVISIBLE

PACIFIC RIM

Deposed PM Reinstated in PNG

Papua New Guinea's governor general reinstated Prime Minister Michael Somare (al-Jazeera) months after he was toppled from power by a political rival while overseas for medical treatment. But Somare is not expected to survive a parliamentary vote of confidence, likely triggering fresh elections.

CHINA: Villagers in Wukan in southern Guangdong province protested against the local government (BBC) after it announced the death of an arrested villager who had led demonstrations over a government land grab.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA

Panetta Visits U.S. Troops in Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told U.S. troops stationed at a military base in the eastern Afghan province of Paktika that they were winning the ten-year war (VOA) in Afghanistan. OPTIMISMO EXCESIVO Panetta's visit comes as the United States hands over increased security responsibilities to Afghan forces.

This CFR Timeline examines the events that precipitated the U.S. war in Afghanistan as well as the history of the war.

PAKISTAN: President Asif Ali Zardari is set to be discharged (AFP) from a Dubai hospital on Thursday to his home in that city. He was admitted last week for a heart condition amid rumors that he may resign his post.

AFRICA

EU Criticizes DRC Election Results

The European Union's election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo criticized the November 28 vote that reelected President Joseph Kabila (M&G), citing a lack of transparency and irregularities in compiling the results.

SOMALIA: Since joining the social media network Twitter (Guardian) last week, Somalia's Islamist al-Shabaab rebels have been in a war of words with the Kenyan military, while fighters from both sides continue the battle on the ground in southern Somalia.

This CFR Backgrounder offers a profile of the al-Shabaab Islamist militant organization based in southern Somalia.

AMERICAS

U.S. Tries to Reestablish Relations in Latin America 

The U.S. State Department said it is continuing dialogue with Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela, with the goal of reestablishing diplomatic relations at the ambassador level (MercoPress).

EUROPE

Deadly Attack in Liege

A lone attacker threw three live hand grenades and opened fire at a bus stop in the busy Belgian city center of Liege, killing at least five (DeutscheWelle) and injuring over one-hundred-and-twenty. Police, who also found a dead body at the attacker's home, said he did not appear to have any links to terrorist groups.

ITALY: A right-wing Italian author killed two Senegalese merchants (BBC) at an open market in Florence, and wounded three others before killing himself. The city's mayor, Matteo Renzi, called the actions that of a "mad and racist killer." TANTO MÁS PELIGROSO CUANTO LOCO: NO ES EL PRIMER CASO, NI SERÁ EL ÚLTIMO

RENEWING AMERICA

The House of Representatives passed a Republican-backed plan to extend the payroll tax cut and pave the way for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline passed on Tuesday (CNN). The bill is expected to meet Democratic opposition when it goes to the Senate.

CAPITOL HILL: The White House is urging lawmakers to pass a short-term spending measure (The Hill) to avoid government shutdown by the end of the week. The measure would give Senate Democrats and House Republicans more time to negotiate the $1 trillion omnibus bill and a tax package.

Renewing America is a special CFR project focused on the domestic underpinnings of U.S. global competitiveness, including the debt and deficit, infrastructure, education, innovation, trade, and corporate regulation and taxes.

C