*Afghanistan
Al-Qaida, Taliban Seek Pakistani Militants' Help
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/asia/AP-AS-Pakistan-Afghanistan.html?ref=world AP
In Afghanistan, Poppy Growing Proves Resilient
Tortured Afghan Girl to Go to India for Treatment
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/01/world/asia/AP-AS-Afghanistan-Tortured-Girl.html?ref=world AP
*Pakistan
NATO Hopes for Reopening of Pakistan Supply Route
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/asia/AP-AS-Afghanistan.html?ref=world AP
Iranian Border Guards Still in Pakistani CustodyBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/01/world/asia/AP-AS-Pakistan-Iran.html?ref=world AP
Pakistani Panel Begins Inquiry Into Memo
*Syria
Arab League Sees Progress in Syria Mission; Snipers Remain
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Syrian-Civilian-Deaths-Undermine-Arab-League-Mission-136525068.html
Syria unrest: Arab League calls for end to shooting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16383583
Killings Go On in Syria, Arab League Says
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/middleeast/AP-ML-Syria.html?ref=news
Arab League Says Syria Withdrew Tanks From Cities
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/middleeast/AP-ML-Syria.html?hp NYT
Arab League Says Syria Monitors Are Helping
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/01/02/world/middleeast/news-us-syria.html?ref=world
Rebels Capture Syrian Troops in North: Opposition
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/01/02/world/middleeast/international-us-syria.html?ref=world
* Iran
American Awaits Verdict After Iran Spy Trial, Report Says
Iran Tests Naval Cruise Missile
*Iraq
Deadly Turkish Strike Felt by Kurdish Refugees in Iraq
Reports Differ of Attack on an Iraqi Minister
Iraq Official Warns of Abuse of Security Forces
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/middleeast/AP-ML-Iraq.html?ref=world AP
Analysis - Blocs Pursue Short-Term Fixes for Iraq Political Crisis
Iraqi Civilian Deaths Climb in 2011-Study
How Iraq Can Define Its Destiny
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/opinion/how-iraq-can-define-its-destiny.html?hp NYT
*Egypt
American Groups Rebut Egyptian Accusations
Prosecutors to Sum Up in Mubarak Case
*Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Seeks Arrest of 23 Shi'ites for Unrest
Saudi to Apply Law for Women Only to Sell Lingerie
*Middle East / North Africa
Israeli Protest’s Invocation of Holocaust Is Condemned
Israelis, Palestinians to Meet but Prospects Bleak
Palestinians Hope Peace Efforts Can Be Salvaged
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/middleeast/AP-ML-Israel-Palestinians.html?ref=world
Gaza Premier in Turkey, in First Official Trip Abroad
Tunisia Seeks Guarantee to Extradite Libyan Ex-PM
American Groups Rebut Egyptian Accusations
Somali Militants Gather, Recruit at Border Town
Libya Begins Plan to Elect Assembly
French Journalist Found Dead in Yemen
Bahrain Says to Review Some Verdicts Over Unrest
*US Department of Defense
Defense Bill Affects Pay, Separation Bonuses, More
*United States
Four Attacks in Queens With Homemade Firebombs
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/nyregion/four-attacks-in-queens-with-homemade-firebombs.html?hp NYT
Authorities Probe Fire Attacks on 4 NYC Sites
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/us/AP-US-Islamic-Center-Fire-Attack.html?ref=us AP
Fire Attacks at NYC Homes, Islamic Center Probed
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/us/AP-US-Islamic-Center-Fire-Attack.html?ref=news
Cars Are Set on Fire, and Los Angeles Is Set on Edge
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/us/cars-set-on-fire-and-los-angeles-set-on-edge.html?hp NYT
‘Person of Interest’ Detained in LA Car Arson Case
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/us/AP-US-Los-Angeles-Arson.html?ref=us AP
Occupy Protest Follows 123rd Annual Rose Parade
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/us/AP-US-Rose-Parade-.html?ref=us AP
Evidence Collected in Fire at Fla. Abortion Clinic
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/us/AP-US-Abortion-Clinic-Fire.html?hp AP
Federal Officials Join Abortion Clinic Fire Probe
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/us/AP-US-Abortion-Clinic-Fire.html?ref=news
Acting Out War’s Inner Wounds
*Africa
Militants Warn Southerners to Leave Northern Nigeria
Outcry in Nigeria as Fuel Prices More Than Double
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/africa/AP-AF-Nigeria-Fuel-Subsidy.html?ref=world AP
Nigerian Anger Heats Up as Petrol Prices Rocket
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/01/02/world/africa/news-us-nigeria-subsidy.html?ref=world Reuters
Ex-Warlord Warns of South Nigeria Backlash at Boko Haram
Up to 50,000 Flee South Sudan Violence: U.N.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/01/02/world/international-us-southsudan-fighting.html?ref=world
South Sudanese flee to escape deadly ethnic vendetta
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16381579
South Sudan, UN Deploy Troops to Curb Ethnic Clashes
Congo Senate Chief Hospitalized in Paris After Attack
*Americas
Venezuela Shrinks Nationalization Payment to Exxon
Mexico Gas Station Attendant Dies Seen as Hero
Cuban Prisoner Dies During Hunger Strike
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/americas/AP-CB-Cuba-Prisoner-Dies.html?ref=news
*Europe
A Dilemma for Russian Leaders: To Suppress Protests or Not
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/world/europe/in-russia-a-change-in-the-dynamic-of-protests.html?hp NYT
Five Hurt in Cyprus in Protest Over British Bases
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/01/02/world/europe/international-us-cyprus-bases.html?ref=world
Tens of Thousands Protest Against Hungary Government
Russian Art Group Claims Attack on Police Van
*South Asia
South Korea Says 'New Era' Possible for Koreas
Myanmar Reduces Sentences for Many Prisoners
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/02/world/asia/AP-AS-Myanmar-Clemency.html?ref=world AP
Myanmar Cuts Prison Terms but No Political Amnesty