This week's prayer points

   1.    THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR  This is a sectarian conflict largely between the two main Islamic factions of Sunni and Shiite.  The Iran, Assad, and Hizbullah coalition are the Shiite arm of the battle. The Sunni portion of the fighting force (the opposition/rebels) consists largely of local Sunnis, supported by Muslims of Saudi Arabia,…

Rowhani at the helm

By BRIAN MURPHY, TIMES OF ISRAEL— For a lesson in what Hasan Rowhani’s reformist-backed presidency could mean for Iran, a promise Sunday by the ultra-powerful Revolutionary Guard to cooperate with him is a good guide. Like the rest of Iran’s ruling Islamic establishment, the Guard, which has kept a tight lid on any hints of…