Egypt crisis worsens as gov’t blamed for lynchings
Tensions are high in Egypt ahead of a planned opposition protest scheduled for next Sunday. Egypt’s government promised “exemplary punishment” on Monday after a mob killed four Shi’ites near Cairo, raising fears of wider sectarian bloodshed at a time of grave national crisis. But Shi’ite minority leaders and the liberal opposition accused the government itself…of whipping up sectarian anger over the war in Syria…

Afghan Taliban assault in Kabul secure zone
Afghan security forces have put down a militant gun and bomb attack near the presidential palace, in one of the most secure areas of Kabul. Officials say four insurgents and three security guards died. The Taliban say they carried out the attack. President Hamid Karzai was in the palace, but the target appears to have been the nearby Ariana hotel, which houses a CIA station

Taliban attacks Kabul’s presidential palace, CIA, ISAF HQ, Ministry of Defense
A Reuters reporter who was at the palace to cover a presser by president Karzai along with some 20 other journalists said heavy gunfire was heard, and smoke from an explosion had blanketed the area.