12 April SWJ Roundup

US Naval Institute Daily – USNI

Real Clear World – RCP

Afghanistan

NATO Chief Pledges to Meet Afghan Handover Goal – AP

Poll Shows Republican Support for War in Afghanistan is Slipping – WP

In Poppy War, Taliban Aim to Protect a Cash Crop – NYT

Elite Female Night Raiders Break Down Barriers in Afghanistan – Reuters

ISAF Operations Summary – AFPS

Afghanistan After Karzai – WP opinion

Syria

Despite Violence, Syria Pledges to Meet Cease-fire Deadline – VOA

Activists Report Quiet but No Pullback of Forces in Syria – NYT

Syria Ceasefire Comes Into Effect – BBC

Cease-fire Appears to Take Hold in Syria – WP

Activist Report Calm in Syria at Truce Deadline – AP

Guns Silent in Hours After Syria Truce Deadline – Reuters

US Dismisses Credibility of Syria Ceasefire Pledge – Reuters

All Eyes on Russia as Syria Cease-Fire Deadline Passes – NYT

China Hopes Syrian Govt Fulfills Promises to Annan – AP

Syria Opposition Urges UN Unity if Ceasefire Fails – Reuters

Turkey Says NATO Is Option to Defend Syrian Border – Reuters

Iran

Iran Says It Will Offer Unspecified Proposals – NYT

Nuclear Talks Aim to Ease Fears of Iran War – Reuters

Dealing with Iran – WP editorial                                                                                                       

The Shape of a Deal with Iran – WP opinion

Beware of Faulty Intelligence – NYT opinion

Middle East / North Africa

Middle East Mediators Seek to Revive Israel-Palestinian Peace Talks – Reuters

Saudi Activists Fight Through Their Fear – LAT

Egypt Court Rules Salafist Eligible to Stand in Poll – BBC

Ruling Favors Conservative Egyptian Candidate – NYT

Tunisia’s Ban on Protests in Capital Is Reversed – NYT

Founding Father of Algeria Dies – BBC

US Soldiers Dead in Morocco Helicopter Crash – BBC

US Department of Defense

Two Marines Killed, Two Injured in Osprey Crash in Morocco – S&S

5 from Lewis-McChord Probed after Rocket Launcher Found – S&S

Navy Medicine CO Fired for Poor Command Climate – S&S

United States

Should the US Legalize Hard Drugs? – WP opinion

Africa

Sudan Cuts Off Talks With South Sudan – VOA

South Sudan Says It Has Taken Over Disputed Town – NYT

Sudan Mobilizes Army as South Claims Key Oil Field – Reuters

Battles Rage on South Sudan Border – AP

Fears Grow of Widening Sudan War – BBC

Central Africa: Weakened LRA Still Terrorizes Villagers – WP

DRC President Puts Pressure on Military Defectors – VOA

Kabila Calls for Arrest of Congo General Indicted for War Crimes – VOA

Congo Seeks 'Terminator' Arrest – BBC

Nigeria FM Called 'Africa's Candidate' for World Bank President – VOA

Somali Islamists Enter Puntland – BBC

Americas

Colombia: Americas Summit Host Seeks Role as Regional Leader – AP

Another Big Earthquake Hits Mexico; No Major Damage Reported – LAT

Mexico's President Calderon Pays First Official Visit to Cuba – LAT

Mexico's President Calderon in Cuba for Talks – AP

Mexico's Ruling Conservatives Pump Up Attacks on Rival – Reuters

Top State Department Officials Tour North Haiti – AP

Where Loving Castro is Wrong – LAT editorial

Brazil's Puzzling Anti-Americanism – TNI opinion

Asia Pacific

Report: Rising Income Gap Threatening Stability in Asia – VOA

Clinton: US Reach, Resolve Key to Asia-Pacific Stability – AFPS

Bo Xilai Scandal Dominates Chinese Media – VOA

China's State Media Denounce Fallen Party Official Bo Xilai – LAT

China’s Leaders Back Official’s Ouster – WP

China Rushes to Unify Party and Limit Damage – NYT

China Scandal Unlikely to Upend Communist Party's Apple Cart – LAT

Chinese Internet Users React to Bo Xilai Scandal – VOA

Philippines and China in a Standoff at Sea – NYT

Philippines, China Eye Compromise to End Standoff – AP

Few US Options as North Korea Readies Missile Launching – NYT

Is North Korea Serious About its Race to Space? – AP

North Korea Readies Rocket Launch – VOA

North Korean Rocket Launch Appears Imminent – LAT

North Korea Official Says Thursday Rocket Launch Unlikely – Reuters

N. Korea Awards Kim New Titles – WP

Ruling Party Wins South Korea Vote – BBC

Ruling Party Wins in South Korea – WP

S. Korean Conservatives Score Upset Parliamentary Election Victory – VOA

Europe

Russia’s Opposition Movement Tested – WP

Russian Opposition MPs Snub Putin – BBC

Russia: Prominent Muslim Killed in Moscow – BBC

German Salafists Give Away Koran – BBC

Turkish Police Wage New Crackdown Against Military – AP

South Asia

Fighting in NW Pakistan Forces Thousands to Flee – VOA

Pakistan Reveals Soft Side to India With Trade Show – Reuters

Pakistan – India: It’s More Than Lunch – NYT editorial