Archeologists Discover Ancient Canaanite Inscription In Jerusalem
Archeologists discover ancient Canaanite inscription in Jerusalem Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar announced this week that she has found the earliest alphabetical written text ever uncovered in the Jewish State’s nearly 4,000 year-old capital city.

Israeli-Arab Christians Form New Political Party
In a sign of an emerging sea change in the attitudes of Israel’s Christian-Arab population, a group of community leaders have announced the formation of a new political party called "B’nei Brit Hahadasha" or "Sons of the New Testament" which has as part of its platform encouraging Arab-Israeli Christian youth to volunteer for the IDF or National Service.

Expanding Covert Warfare Makes Us Less Safe
Ron Paul
Earlier this month we learned that the Obama Administration is significantly expanding the number of covert Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) agents overseas. From just a few hundred DIA agents overseas today, the administration intends to eventually deploy some 1,600 covert agents. The nature of their work will also shift, away from intelligence collection and more toward covert actions.

Egyptian Opposition Calls For Mass Protests
Opponents of Egypt's President Muhammad Morsi have dismissed his decision to press on with a referendum on a controversial draft constitution, calling for mass street protests. Egypt's main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, called for mass protests on December 11 against the draft constitution, saying it "does not represent the Egyptian people."

Keeping the Internet Free
Joe Pitts
Just a few weeks ago, the Syrian government shut down the Internet nationwide during a military push against rebel forces that appear to be making progress. While service is back, it is obvious that Bashar Assad’s government has the power to take it down again. As the Chinese Communist Party transferred power, Google reported a sudden drop in Internet traffic. Gmail was down for most Chinese citizens.

Egypt -- Constitution-Making by "We, the Majority"
William Partlett
Egypt’s constitution-making process has seemingly attained warp speed. Facing the threat of judicial dissolution, members of the Egyptian Constituent Assembly voted last Thursday to accept a draft of a new constitution. President Mohamed Morsi has called for an "almost immediate referendum" in which a majority is likely to approve the document. Is this extralegal process the final vindication of the people’s will?

U.S. Extends Waivers On Iran Sanctions To China, Others
The United States has granted 180-day waivers on anti-Tehran sanctions to China, India, and a number of other countries in exchange for their reduction of oil purchases from Iran. President Barack Obama's administration has now renewed waivers for all 20 of Iran's major oil buyers, after granting them to Japan and 10 European Union countries in September.

Chemical Weapons Ready For Use By Assad Regime
US news channel NBC reported on Wednesday that despite several warnings, the regime of Syrian president Bashar Assad has prepared chemical munitions for use in its increasingly desperate struggle with rebel factions. One senior US official told NBC that if the regime decides to use the weapons, "there's little the outside world can do to stop it."