15 October SWJ Roundup

Afghanistan

Push on Talks With Taliban Confirmed by NATO Officials – New York Times

NATO Says It’s Ready to Help in Taliban Talks – Voice of America

U.S.-led Forces Aiding Reconciliation Talks – Washington Post

U.S. And NATO Back Afghan Taliban Outreach – Reuters

U.S., Reversing Course, Backs Afghan Peace Effort – Associated Press

Head of Afghan Peace Council Says Taliban Ready to Talk – Washington Post

Clinton, Gates Cautious on Afghan-Taliban Peace Contacts – Voice of America

Clinton, Gates Voice Support for Afghan Reconciliation – AFPS

U.S. Uses Attacks to Nudge Taliban Toward a Deal – New York Times

Karzai’s Brother Might be Indicted by U.S. – Washington Post

Seven Western Troops Killed in Afghanistan – Los Angeles Times

NATO: 2 Troops Killed in Afghanistan Attacks – Associated Press

Attacks Kill 8 Foreign Troops In Afghanistan – Reuters

Pakistan

Pakistan Says Willing to Assist Afghan Talks – Reuters

NATO Supplies Ambush Kills 2 in Pakistan – Associated Press

Plot to Assassinate Pakistani P.M. Foiled – Washington Times

Sacked Pakistan Judges Fear Repeat Performance – Reuters

Clinton Urges Pakistan to Tax Wealthy for Flood Relief – Voice of America

Iraq

U.S. Military Releases Data on Iraqis Killed – Washington Post

U.S. Military Tallies Deaths of Iraqi Civilians and Forces – Associated Press

Iran

Iran’s President Praises Hezbollah – New York Times

Ahmadinejad’s Fiery Rhetoric Targets Israel – Washington Post

Iranian Money Amplifies Influence in Lebanon – Voice of America

Hezbollah’s Gift for Ahmadinejad: An Israeli Rifle – Associated Press

Iranian FM: Ready to Resume Nuclear Talks Soon – Associated Press

Iran Wants to Discuss Dates to Start Nuclear Talks – Reuters

Iran: Detained Germans Admit to Breaking the Law – Associated Press

NATO

NATO Chief Urges New Response to Modern-Day Threats – Voice of America

Gates: Resources Must Match Words in NATO Strategic Concept – AFPS

NATO Must Adapt to Shifting Security Challenges, Clinton Says – AFPS

European Missile Shield Plan Expected to Gain Support – Washington Post

France Backs NATO Missile Defense System – Reuters

United Nations

U.N. Official: U.S. Is $1.2 Billion In Arrears At U.N. – Reuters

U.N. Climate Panel to Press Reforms – Agence France-Presse

U.S. Department of Defense

Defense Decisions: Limit Engagements or Build Strength? – Washington Times

Mental Health Specialists Were Hit Hard at Fort Hood – Washington Post

Department Abides by ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Injunction – AFPS

Pentagon to Comply with ‘Don’t Ask’ Order – Washington Post

United States

Judge Delays Resumption of Guantánamo Trial – New York Times

Lawyers Working on Deal for Youngest Detainee – Washington Post

Lawyers Working on Deal for Youngest at Guantanamo – Associated Press

Rice to Return to White House for Private Meeting with Obama – Washington Post

WikiLeaks and 9/11: What If? – Los Angeles Times opinion

United Kingdom

Clinton Worried Over U.K. Defense Spending Cuts – Associated Press

Australia

Australia Takes Command of Combined Task Force – AFPS

World

Focus on Hunger: On 30th World Food Day, 925 Million Still Hungry – VOA

Africa

Somali-American Is Named Prime Minister of Somalia – New York Times

British Aid Worker Abducted in Somalia – Associated Press

Somali Gunmen Kidnap Two Aid Workers – Reuters

North: Sudan Abyei Vote Deadline “Impossible” – Reuters

Mugabe Sees End to Zimbabwe Power-Sharing In February – Reuters

Already Struggling With Food Security, Kenya Faces Another Drought – VOA

U.N. Envoy Says Gov’t Troops Continue Congo Rapes – Associated Press

Americas and Caribbean

Rewards for Miners Rescued in Chile – New York Times

Chile’s Rescued Miners Face Reality Checks Above Ground – Los Angeles Times

Rescue May Redeem a Troubled Past for Chilean City – New York Times

Chile’s Mine Rescue Caps Record of Successes – Washington Post editorial

Mexico: Alleged Chat Between Lawmaker, Capo Leaked – Associated Press

Mexican Lake Victim Possibly Mistaken for Other – Associated Press

Brazilian Opposition Candidate Tightens Race – Associated Press

Asia Pacific

China’s Wen Inspiring Debate With Calls for Reform – Associated Press

Activists Challenge Beijing Over Nobel Prisoner – Reuters

China Letter Demands Peace Prize Winner’s Release – Associated Press

Activists Challenge Beijing Over Nobel Prisoner – Reuters

After Peace Prize, China Targets Winner’s Friends – Associated Press

Japan to Consider Relaxing Weapons Export Ban – Washington Post

Spate of Bombings Leave Thais Baffled, Unnerved – Washington Times

Thai Court Agrees to Hear Russian Arms Dealer’s Appeal – Los Angeles Times

N. Korea: Meet the New Boss – Washington Post opinion

Central Asia

Next Kyrgyzstan Government Expected to Keep U.S. Base – Voice of America

Europe

Strikes in France Enter Fourth Day – New York Times

Greece: Riot Police Clash With Protesters at Acropolis – Associated Press

Middle East

Arabs May Ask U.N. to Recognize Palestinian State – Associated Press

Dismay, Disillusionment Prevail In Palestinian Camp – Reuters

Israel Approves New East Jerusalem Homes – Associated Press

Iran’s President Praises Hezbollah – New York Times

Iranian Money Amplifies Influence in Lebanon – Voice of America

Hezbollah’s Gift for Ahmadinejad: An Israeli Rifle – Associated Press

Egypt’s Opposition: To Boycott or Not? – Voice of America

Militants Kill Local Yemeni Security Chief – Associated Press

South Asia

India Declares Commonwealth Games a Success – New York Times

India Ponders a Deep-seated ‘It’ll Do’ Attitude – Los Angeles Times