Monday's global agenda: Syrian shake-up

Your morning global affairs speed-read

Syria's exiled opposition agreed Monday to broaden its membership and include rebel forces fighting on the ground against Bashar Assad's regime during a meeting in Doha, Qatar. The Syrian National Council's decision to almost double its general assembly, to about 420 members, follows intense pressure from the Obama administration for the opposition to become more inclusive and united. [The Associated Press]

The council remains divided on whether to agree to a U.S.-backed proposal to create a 50-member leadership group, in which the SNC would get about 15 seats. The SNC and Russia have denounced the plan as U.S. meddling in Syrian affairs.

In other news: 

China chose a former Air Force commander as vice chairman of its Central Military Commission, a sign of the country's ambition to counter U.S. influence in the Asia-Pacific region. [The Wall Street Journal]

President Hamid Karzai is pondering throwing the International Crisis Group out of Afghanistan after a critical report last month said his government could collapse when NATO leaves in 2014. [AFP]

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas sparked new hope for peace in Israel and fierce protests in the Gaza Strip after he appeared to abandon the long-standing demand that Palestinians have the right to return to their pre-1948 land. [The New York Times]

What you might have missed on Global Affairs:

Russia skewers US election as undemocratic, ‘the worst in the world’

Political fight over Benghazi Consulate attack shifts after CIA revelations

Issa targets 'excessive costs' of state dinners, cites Beyoncé performance

Do you have an event or upcoming report you'd like to share? Any comments / complaints / suggestions? Please contact me at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 202-628-8527

Follow me on Twitter @JPecquetTheHill

---