Globe Trot: Kerry shows support for Israel

ISRAEL: Secretary of State John Kerry gave a serious speech on Israel at the Saban Forum in Washington, D.C., writes Jeffrey Goldberg. Kerry spoke about the “demographic time bomb” the Israelis won’t talk about and displayed a “bone-deep” commitment to Israel’s well-being. Goldberg’s provocative conclusion: “Kerry is so anti-settlement precisely because he is so pro-Israel.”

SOUTH AFRICA: President Barack Obama has received criticism for taking a selfie with world leaders at yesterday’s memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela.

ERITREA: A new report shows 30,000 Eritreans were kidnapped in the last five years. Most were taken to Sinai Peninsula while ransoms were demanded of family members.

PAKISTAN: Churches in Pakistan have taken new precautions after a September blast at All Saints Church in Peshawar killed over 90 and injured more than 130. This month, All Saints Church celebrates its 130thanniversary.

SYRIA: Syrian writer Khaled Khalifa has won the 2013 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature for his novel No Knives in this City’s Kitchens.

Today on The World and Everything In It, Nick Eicher and I discuss WORLD’s 2013 Daniel of the Year, Syria’s Chaldean Bishop Antoine Audo (listen to audio clip below).