GAME-CHANGER: SAUDIS SEEK TO RE-BALANCE MIDEAST AGAINST U.S. Grand deal offered to Russia in response to Obama’s outreach to Iran

The deal incorporates increased Russian involvement in Egypt, Syria and the Persian Gulf, and even involves a Saudi guarantee to aid against terror plots targeting the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The Egyptian officials said the deal seeks to replace the U.S. with Russia as the major weapons dealer to Egypt. LINK

Nearly half the parishes have been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor

Pope beat: Pope Francis has received positive coverage and otherwise high marks since his election. Case in point: During a Wednesday speech on income equality, Obama quoted him. But as David Gibson writes, the pope’s comments on child sex abuse by priests have so far been perfunctory. And now there’s this: The pontiff is assembling a panel of experts to advise him about protecting children from sexually abusive priests and helping victims who have already been harmed. Catholics in Minnesota might appreciate it:  A new report shows nearly half the parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have been served by priests who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor. RNS 12-5-13