Tuesday's global agenda: US under pressure in Syria

Your morning global affairs speed-read

France on Monday became the first country to call for Syria's rebels to create a shadow government that would gain world recognition, putting increased pressure on the Obama administration to take a more forceful stand. [The Washington Post]

The call comes as President Bashar Assad's ally Iran is reportedly sending troops to Syria to battle rebels and maintain its influence in the region, underlining U.S. concerns that the 18-month uprising could spawn a regional conflict. [The Wall Street Journal]

Tour canceled: Iran said on Tuesday it has no plans to show its nuclear sites to diplomats visiting Tehran for this week's Non-Aligned Movement summit, contradicting an earlier offer by a deputy foreign minister, Reuters reports.

In other news: 

A judge in Israel ruled that the state was not at fault in the death of a U.S. peace activist who died a decade ago protesting the bulldozing of Palestinian homes. [The New York Times]

The so-called troika — the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund — are in Portugal for the fifth evaluation of the country's bailout amid signs that strict austerity rules are worsening the recession. [Reuters]

What you might have missed on Global Affairs:

Bangladesh probes US lobby firm's work on behalf of alleged war criminal

State Department resumes full consular services with Libya amid surge in violence

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Note to readers: This morning roundup will go dark the week of Sept. 3.

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