A Kafka Intermission

By Julian Pecquet, The Hill, May 18, 2013

Congress is ramping up a new round of sanctions against Iran, ignoring the Obama administration's request to let diplomacy run its course.

In back-to-back hearings this week, lawmakers on key House and Senate panels put the State and Treasury departments on notice that their patience is wearing thin after the latest round of talks last month failed to produce a deal. Both chambers have legislative efforts in the works – the House foreign affairs panel will vote next week – but the administration is warning against any moves that could undermine international support for the existing sanctions against Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program [....]

By Neha Paliwal, Passport @ ForeignPolicy.com, May 17, 2013

On Friday, chaotic clashes broke out in Georgia as an angry mob -- comprised mainly of young men but also including robed priests and some women -- descended on a gay rights rally commemorating International Day Against Homophobia. A day earlier, the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church had demanded that authorities stop the rally, calling it a "violation of the majority's right." 

According to EurasiaNet, the mob, which numbered...