CIA scandal

Handing in his resignation last Thursday, 4-star general David Petraeus stepped down as director of the Central intelligence Agency, acknowledging an extramarital affair and saying he showed “extremely poor judgment.” Petraeus is considered one of the most highly regarded post- 9/11 generals in the United States.

FBI uncovered the relationship between Petraeus and his biographer Paula Broadwell after investigating threatening emails sent by Broadwell to a female CiA employee.

“Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours,” Petraeus wrote in an email to CiA staff.

Syrian opposition groups agree on new coalition

In Qatar, Syrian opposition groups signed an initial deal for forming a new coalition to oppose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government.

The new body will be called the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Oppostion Forces. it will include an assembly of 55-60 members alongside a military council, with a leadership that will seek to obtain international recognition as the voice of the Syrian people. Delegates said the body would carry representation for ethnic Kurds, Christians, Alawites and women.

The Syrian unrest, beginning with anti-Assad protests 20 months ago, cost more than 38,000 lives and threatens bordering countries.

Israel Firing “Warning Shot”

After a Syrian mortar shell hit an israeli military post, israel fired warning shots into the neighboring country.

An israeli military complaint filed through United Nations forces stated “fire emanating from Syria into israel will not be tolerated and shall be responded to with severity.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said israel is “closely monitoring” the border with Syria and is “ready for any development.”

Compiled by Contributor Christopher B. Keller