Can't miss op-eds of 2013

In 2013, events such as the U.S. government shutdown, hot-button issues such as marriage equality and ramped-up debates about privacy and surveillance made headlines and caught readers' attention. Many of the perspectives published by CNN Opinion were shared widely on social media. Here are some of the most shared op-eds from the year.



via CNN.com - Top Stories http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/25/opinion/opinion-2013-most-shared/index.html?eref=edition

Changes needed to NSA

When President Barack Obama responded to this summer's torrent of disclosures about the National Security Agency by commissioning a review board, some wondered whether waiting for the committee to report its findings would involve a lot of delay and not much in the way of progress.



via CNN.com - Top Stories http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/21/opinion/crump-privacy-victories/index.html?eref=edition

Pleas for peace amid fears of civil war in South Sudan

Fears that a new civil war could erupt in South Sudan drove leaders of two neighboring African countries into its capital Thursday.



via CNN.com - Top Stories http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/26/world/africa/south-sudan-fighting/index.html?eref=edition

Fighting rages over ceasefire calls

Fighting raged in South Sudan despite calls from the African Union for a Christmas day cease-fire. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports.



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More peacekeepers on the way

The U.N. Security Council voted to send an additional 6,000 troops and police to South Sudan to protect civilians.



via CNN.com - Top Stories http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2013/12/25/lklv-damon-south-sudan-conflict.cnn.html?eref=edition

Captive American feels 'abandoned'

Saying he feels "totally abandoned and forgotten," kidnapped U.S. government contractor Warren Weinstein called on President Barack Obama to negotiate for his freedom in a video released by al Qaeda on Christmas.



via CNN.com - Top Stories http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/26/world/asia/pakistan-captured-american/index.html?eref=edition

Political turmoil in Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is facing growing pressure as he reshuffles his cabinet. Andrew Finkel reports.



via CNN.com - Top Stories http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2013/12/26/lklv-finkel-turkey-political-unrest.cnn.html?eref=edition