Cheat Sheet - Why Did Obama Reach Out to Islamists in Syria?

Today: Second Russian Bombing Kills 14 , Al Jazeera Journalists Arrested , Suspected Bank Robber Killed December 30, 2013 FAILED 1. Why Did Obama Reach Out to Islamists in Syria? The Obama administration approached the Islamic Front in Syria earlier this month as part of the next step in the White House's Syria policy—although the Islamist group pulled out of the meeting. Top officials said the White House is motivated by flawed and unrealistic goals after the Western-backed Free Syrian Army suffered major setbacks in the bloody civil war and was forced to flee its headquarters. "They are not al Qaeda, but the Islamic Front groups often fight alongside al Qaeda affiliates like Jabhat al Nusra," said Andrew Tabler, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Read it at The Daily Beast EXPLOSION 2. Second Russian Bombing Kills 14 At least 14 people were killed and dozens more injured Monday in a bombing on a trolleybus in the Russian city of Volgograd, the second deadly blast in the city in two days. The attacks come just weeks before Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, about 430 miles away. Federal investigators called Monday's bombing a "terrorist act," and witnesses described a bloody scene with bodies and debris strewn into the streets. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack, and police said they are adding officers to railway stations and airports. But the deputy head of the anti-terrorism unit, Alexei Filatov, told Reuters that the increased security around Sochi is what is driving terrorists to strike in cities like Volgograd. Read it at Reuters IN CUSTODY 3. Al Jazeera Journalists Arrested Egyptian police arrested four Al Jazeera journalists on Sunday night. Correspondent Peter Greste, cameraman Mohamed Fawzy, and producers Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed are still being held Monday, despite demands from the network to release them. The Committee to Protect Journalists has named Egypt as one of the most difficult places in the world for journalists, along with Syria and Iraq. Six journalists were killed in Egypt in 2013, and conditions have deteriorated since former President Mohamed Morsi's ouster in July. Read it at Al Jazeera BLOODY END 4. Suspected Bank Robber Killed Phoenix police shot and killed Mario Edward Garnett after a botched bank robbery on Saturday, ending a manhunt for a suspect with an unfathomable rap sheet. Garnett was wanted for two separate bank robberies in Atlanta and Tupelo, Miss., on Dec. 23, according to the FBI. Garnett allegedly shot two police officers in the Mississippi robbery, killing one. The Secret Service said Garnett was arrested in 2010 in Oklahoma City after being accused of making online threats against President Obama. A Phoenix police spokesman said Garnett, 40, was originally from the Midwest and served four years in the Army, but it doesn't appear that he knew anyone in Phoenix. Authorities said they have no idea what he was doing from Dec. 23 until Dec. 28. Read it at Associated Press EYEWITNESS 5. South Sudan Clashes Are No Tribal War South Sudan is being torn apart again—this time in the name of democracy. But the media reports are wrong: this is not ethnic fighting, but rather a power grab, writes Valentino Deng, the subject of 2007's What Is the What and who was in Juba when the conflict began. Read it at The Daily Beast TERRIFYING Shots Fired at Ambassador's House Home of German diplomat in Athens. R.I.P. Billionaire Harold Simmons Dies Big donor to conservative causes GET WELL SOON Schumacher Still 'Critical' Doctors say they can't predict the future. Comeback Peyton Manning Breaks Pass Record 5,477 yards in the regular season. BAD STOCK 'Hobbit' Wins Box Office "Wolf of Wall Street" starts strong and then falters. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. 7 Political Predictions for 2014 by Michael Tomasky The Kick-Ass Year in Feminism by Sally Kohn A&E Ducks for Cover by Michael Musto

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