31 October SWJ Roundup

Afghanistan

Karzai Protests Russian Agents in Drug Raid – New York Times

Karzai Condemns Russian Involvement in Afghan Drug Bust – Washington Post

Karzai Denounces Drug Raid in Afghanistan – Los Angeles Times

Afghan Official Says 17 Insurgents Killed in South – Associated Press

Crime and Punishment, Afghan-Style… – New York Times

Pakistan

Corrupt Pakistan Launches Anti-Graft Campaign – Reuters

Yemen / Al Qaeda

Cargo Plane Bombs Were Wired to Explode, Officials Say – Los Angeles Times

Obama Walks Fine Political Line on Terror Threat – New York Times

Top U.S. Official: Bomb Plot Has ‘Hallmarks’ of al-Qaida – VOA

Investigators Link Package Explosives to al-Qaeda – Washington Post

U.S. Sees Complexity of Bombs as Link to Qaeda Group – New York Times

Fractured Yemen Frustrates Efforts to Weaken Al Qaeda – Los Angeles Times

Yemen Seizes Dozens of Suspicious Parcels in Bombing Plot – VOA

Yemeni Arrested, al-Qaida Bomber Eyed in Mail Plot – Associated Press

Saudi Help in Package Plot Is Part of Security Shift – New York Times

U.S. Eyeing Saudi-Born Bombmaker In Parcel Bomb Plot – Reuters

Experts: Passenger Planes Also at Risk From Cargo – Associated Press

Iraq

Iraq’s Shi’ite Politicians Turn Down Saudi Offer – Reuters

Iraqi Gold’s Glitter Dims for Dealers Under Siege – Voice of America

… Crime and Forgiveness, Iraqi-Style – New York Times

French Airline Makes Landmark Flight to Baghdad – Associated Press

Iran

Ahmadinejad Aide Says Iran Not Ready to Talk Nuclear – Reuters

WikiLeaks

Sharing Secrets at Arm’s Length – New York Times opinion

U.S. Department of Defense

Army Studies Thrill-Seeking Behavior – New York Times

United States

Clinton: U.S. Will Help End Sexual Slavery – Associated Press

State, Nation, Other: Puerto Rico Tries to Decide – Associated Press

Book Reviews

“The Gun”: Arms and the Man – New York Times

“The Gun”: The Gun that Made History – Washington Post

“A Skeptic’s Case for Nuclear Disarmament”: Drop the Weapons – New York Times

Africa

Pirates Seize Liberian Tanker Near Somalia – Voice of America

Somali Parliament Approves New Prime Minister – Reuters

Weapons Seized In Nigeria Came From Iran – Reuters

Ivory Coast PM: Nation Ready for Election Sunday – Voice of America

Ivory Coast Presidential Vote Begins – Associated Press

Ivory Coast Holds Reconciliation Poll – Reuters

Niger Polls Open for Constitutional Referendum – Associated Press

Tanzanian President Fights for Second Term – Associated Press

Tanzanians Vote Peacefully In Presidential Poll – Reuters

Serengeti Road Plan Lined With Prospect and Fears – New York Times

Americas and Caribbean

Mexican Drug Cartel Forces Lawyer’s Confessions – Washington Post

Brazil Set to Vote in Presidential Run-Off – Voice of America

Cardoso vs. Lula: Two Brazilian Presidents Vie – Washington Post

Poised to Lead Brazil and Facing Unfinished Tasks – New York Times

Brazil Seen Electing Rousseff to Extend Lula Legacy – Reuters

14 Killed on Sports Field in Honduras – Reuters

Asia Pacific

Burma, Human Rights Issues Backdrop to Obama Asia Trip – Voice of America

China’s Rise Leads Neighbors to Join Forces – New York Times

U.S. Offers Mediation Between China and Japan as Asia Leaders Meet – VOA

U.S. Works to Ease China-Japan Conflict – New York Times

Clinton Proposes China, Japan Join 3-way Talks – Washington Post

Rare Intra-Korean Family Reunions Underway – Voice of America

Koreans Reunite at a Red Cross Gathering – New York Times

Burma’s Election Offers No Comfort for Refugees – Associated Press

Australia Has “Grave Reservations” About Burma Elections – Reuters

“Rebalancing China” – New York Times editorial

Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan Deals Cloaked in Mystery – Washington Post

Europe

Suicide Bomber Injures 22 in Istanbul – New York Times

At Least 22 Wounded in Istanbul Explosion – Associated Press

Bomb Attack Injures 15 in Istanbul – Reuters

A Spain Without ETA? – Associated Press

British Dismantle IRA Dissidents’ Bomb in Beer Keg – Associated Press

Middle East

Tourism Minister Urges Israelis to Boycott Turkey – Associated Press

Israeli Jews at Odds With Liberal Brethren in U.S. – Associated Press

Pro-Government Candidates Win in Bahrain Runoffs – Associated Press

Bahrain Opposition Falls Short Of Majority In Polls – Reuters

South Asia

India: Land of Many Cell Phones, Fewer Toilets – Associated Press

It’s Morning in India – New York Times opinion