Gunmen attacked a Shia mosque in northern Bangladesh. ISIL has claimed responsibility. It isn’t entirely clear if this is true, especially in the sense of operational responsibility. The ISIL call to arms is being heard around the Islamic world.
Saudi women to vote in municipal elections
Women will be allowed to vote in the elections to be held on December 12th.Outsiders feel this is part of the Kingdom’s movement toward democracy. The royal family will not allow it. They will only allow limited democratic processes to assuage domestic and foreign pressures.
France and Russia talk on Syria
France has long tried to steer a foreign policy course indecent of that of the US. This goes back at least to Charles de Gaulle in the 60s. We shall see if President Hollande is able to nudge Russia toward useful military cooperation.