The climate talks in Qatar are nearing an end, and it appears as if no progress has been made on the issue of climate change. At least the parties are talking about how greenhouse gas reductions can be paid for–being aware of the price that needs to be paid is a step forward. But there were no concrete proposals made by any of the parties that seemed to have a chance of being accepted. We’ll have to wait for another year.
There are an increasing number of reports in the US media (but not outside the US) about the possibility of Syrian troops using its chemical weapons in the civil war. I really cannot assess the veracity of these reports because I don’t know on what information the reports are based. The reports, however, seem to suggest that US Secretary of State Clinton is meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister about the matter (since the Russians supply the Syrians with all their weapons). If they are meeting, then the situation is truly serious.
The Egyptian standoff continues, and President Morsi backed off a little, calling his assertion of near-dictatorial power “temporary.” The protesters, however, are not accepting his position and have surrounded the palace. It does seem, however, that there are some who are seeking a way out–whether these efforts can be successful depends a great deal on what happens in the street.
World Politics News 
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