18 August SWJ Roundup

Afghanistan

Karzai Orders Guard Firms to Disband – New York Times

Karzai to Eliminate Private Security within 4 Months – Los Angeles Times

Afghanistan Orders Ban on Private Security Firms – Reuters

If Security Firms Dissolved, Guards Will Join Taliban – Washington Post

Pentagon, Karzai Work to Disband Security Companies – AFPS

Kerry: Karzai Must Lead ‘Tangible’ Effort Against Corruption – Washington Post

Sen Kerry: Karzai Must Fight Graft or Lose Support – Associated Press

‘Three Cups of Tea’ a Byword for Winning Hearts and Minds – Los Angeles Times

Russia to Host Afghan And Pakistani Leaders – Reuters

Afghan Executions Point to Widespread Taliban Control – Washington Times

Taliban Attack Afghan Official’s Home, Killing 2 – Associated Press

NATO: 2 Wounded Afghan Gunmen Pose as Civilians – Associated Press

Karzai Condemns Stoning Of Afghan Couple For Adultery – Reuters

Pakistan

Floods Could Further Hurt Unstable Nation – Washington Post

U.N. Sounds Alarm on Aid for Pakistan – New York Times

U.N. Says Secured More Pakistan Flood Relief Funds – Reuters

U.S. Relief Continues in Pakistan – American Forces Press Service

Insurgents, Police Clash Amid Pakistan Flooding – Associated Press

Pakistan: An Urgent Call for Aid – New York Times editorial

Pakistan: A Trade Deal to Help Rebuild – New York Times editorial

Iraq

Hill: Iraq ‘Going in Right Direction’ Despite Terrorism, Political Stalemate – VOA

Iraqi Leaders Fear for Future After Their Past Missteps – New York Times

Suicide Bomb Targets Army Recruits; Dozens Killed – Washington Post

Suicide Bomber Hits Army Recruits in Baghdad; 61 Killed – Associated Press

Cemetery is Symbol of Militia’s Vow to Fight – Washington Post

Iran

Iran Warns Against Attack on Nuclear Plant – Voice of America

Iran Says Won’t Send Condemned Woman to Brazil – Reuters

Why Not to Bomb Iran – New York Times opinion

Bombs Away in Three Days – Washington Times opinion

Clerics Responsible for Failed Attempts at Democracy – Washington Post opinion

Al Qaeda

9/11 Suspect Was Detained and Taped in Morocco – New York Times

CIA Tapes of 9/11 Detainee’s Interrogation Don’t Show Torture – Washington Post

WikiLeaks

Justice Weighs Criminal Case Against WikiLeaks – Washington Post editorial

Department of Defense

Layers Key to Missile Defense Strategy – American Forces Press Service

United States

Federal Judge Throws Out Piracy Charges Against 6 Somalis – Associated Press

Blackwater Founder Moves to Abu Dhabi, Records Say – New York Times

U.S. May Sue Arizona’s Sheriff Arpaio – Washington Post

Governor Seeking Talks on New Site for Muslim Center – New York Times

There’s No Place for Shariah in America – Washington Times editorial

Ground Zero Mosque: A Mighty Mistake – Washington Post opinion

Let the Mosque Stand – Washington Post opinion

Obama’s ‘Teachable’ Shariah Moment – Washington Times opinion

Africa

Rights Groups: Murder, Torture Rife in Nigeria Police Force – Voice of America

Aid Groups Again Denied Access to Darfur Camp – Associated Press

Americas and Caribbean

Key Mexican Drug Cartel Suspect Extradited to U.S. – Washington Times

Drug Cartels: Mexico’s Reporters Go Silent – Los Angeles Times

Lawmakers in Mexico to Debate Drug Fight – New York Times

Court Rules Against Colombia-U.S. Base Accord – Associated Press

Analysts: Chavez Faces Political Test in September Elections – Voice of America

Venezuela: Communists Want ‘Carlos the Jackal’ Repatriated – Associated Press

U.S. Preparing to Open Travel to Cuba – Washington Post

Haiti Postpones Ruling on Wyclef Jean’s Candidacy – Associated Press

Haiti Commission Earmarks $1.6 Bln For Recovery – Reuters

Asia Pacific

U.S. Wants Renewed Military Contacts with China – AFPS

Report Says Chinese Military Transparency Still Lacking – AFPS

Vietnam, U.S. Hold First-ever Defense Talks – Associated Press

Report: N. Korea Proposed Summit Talks With S. Korea – Associated Press

U.S. Supports U.N. Inquiry into Burma War Crimes – Washington Post

Taiwan’s Legislature Approves China Trade Pact – Associated Press

The Caucasus

Deadly Suicide Attacks in North Caucasus – New York Times

Suicide Bomb And Cafe Blast Rock Russia’s Caucasus – Reuters

Middle East

Can Social Media Bring Democracy to Middle East? – Voice of America

Israeli Purchase of Fighter Jets Seen as Litmus Test for Continued Support – VOA

Lebanon Gives Palestinians Work Rights – New York Times

Lebanon Law Gives Palestinians Few Civil Rights – Reuters

U.N. Gets Hezbollah ‘Evidence’ on Israel-Hariri Link – Associated Press

Hezbollah Gives Hariri Evidence to Lebanon Judiciary – Reuters

Palestinian Who Attacked Turkish Embassy Captured – Associated Press

South Asia

Sri Lanka Defends War Conduct, Slams Rebel “Human Shields” – Reuters