Globe Trot: New York Times gives Iranian official a U.S. soapbox

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IRAN: The New York Times, in what seems to me a controversial step, published a lengthy op-ed by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticizing Saudi Arabia for “Iranophobia” and standing in the way of Iran’s nuclear deal with the United States. As former Ambassador John Bolton points out, “even Iran’s ayatollahs must be amazed at what they have gotten away with since last July’s Vienna deal.”

MEXICO: Authorities began extradition procedures this morning to bring drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the United States after the fugitive was recaptured Friday in his home state of Sinaloa. Officials say Guzman’s efforts to work with Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and U.S. actor Sean Penn in making a biopic led to his recapture. Mexican newspaper El Universal published photographs showing how closely the celebrities were monitored. Under U.S. law, del Castillo’s companies could face sanctions, and both are under investigation following Rolling Stone’s publication of Penn’s interview with Guzman on Saturday.

VATICAN: Pope Francis tended publication of his new book today, The Name of God is Mercy, and called on European leaders to find “the right balance” in welcoming refugees and protecting the rights of citizens. Resigned Pope Benedict, meanwhile, said he had no knowledge of rampant sexual abuse involving boys in a choir directed by his brother in the same Regensburg, Germany, diocese where he taught theology. In a growing investigation, lawyers say the mistreatment included at least 40 cases of sexual violence (presumably rape).

IRAQ: Iraqi officers are surveying Ramadi after retaking the city from ISIS. “Homes? There are no homes,” one said. Between ISIS takeover of housing, use of explosives and tunnel construction, and coalition airstrikes, nothing much recognizable is left.

The U.S. ambassador to Iraq denies it, but reports of U.S. helicopters participating in raids on ISIS positions continue to circulate, all in anticipation of coalition forces priming to retake Mosul later this year. (October surprise, anyone?)

SYRIA: Islamic State has been running a sophisticated immigration operation through the Turkish-Syria border town of Tel Abyad—once a mostly Armenian Christian city.

Inside Tel Abyad, Christian shopkeeper Sarkis Kirbukiyle recounts his life under ISIS, paying jizya to try to hold on to his property while watching militants drown and behead captives in the church courtyard outside his window. “I didn’t sleep for a year,” he said. Here’s a look at some of the sophisticated weapons (including remote cars) ISIS is working on at a weapons lab in Syria.

Mindy Belz

Mindy, a former senior editor for WORLD Magazine, wrote the publication’s first cover story in 1986. She has covered wars in Syria, Afghanistan, Africa, and the Balkans and is author of They Say We Are Infidels: On the Run From ISIS With Persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Mindy resides in Asheville, N.C.

@MindyBelz