16 December SWJ Roundup
Afghanistan
Obama, on Eve Of Review, Cites Afghan War Progress – Reuters
Afghan Report Sees July Troop Pullouts Despite Perils – New York Times
Germany: Pullout from Afghanistan to Start in 2011 – Associated Press
Taliban Reach Grows in North Afghanistan – New York Times
NATO Push Deals Taliban a Setback in Kandahar – New York Times
Size of Troop Drawdown Likely to Trigger Debate – Washington Post
Intelligence Reports Cast Doubts on Afghan Strategy – Voice of America
For Red Cross, Afghanistan Conditions Hit New Low – New York Times
Red Cross Offers Bleak Assessment of Afghan War – Washington Post
Afghanistan Red Cross Sees Grim Outlook for Civilians – Los Angeles Times
Commander Describes Nature of Eastern Afghanistan Fight – AFPS
Formerly Persecuted Minority Gains Clout in Afghanistan – Los Angeles Times
Official: Bomb Hit on Afghan Minibus Kills 14 – Associated Press
Roadside Bomb Kills 14 Civilians In Afghan West – Reuters
The Americans Are in Our House. What Will the Taliban Think? – New York Times
Another Tet? – Washington Post opinion
Pakistan
Afghan Report to Fault Pakistan Safe Havens – Washington Times
Defense Official: Pakistan Deserves U.S. Respect, Support – AFPS
Drone Attack ‘Kills Two Britons’ in Pakistan – BBC News
On Borrowed Time – New York Times editorial
Pakistan: Tug of War on Insurgents – Washington Post opinion
Iraq
Rival Accepts Deal, Clearing Path for Maliki to Rule in Iraq – New York Times
Security Council Votes to End Several Hussein-era Sanctions – Washington Post
Security Council Removes Restrictions on Iraq – New York Times
U.N. Security Council Ends Key Iraq Sanctions – Los Angeles Times
Iraq Gets U.N. Green Light For Civil Nuclear Program – Reuters
Praying for Rain in Iraq – New York Times
Iran
‘Stuxnet Virus Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by 2 Years’ – Jerusalem Post
Dozens Killed in Apparent Iranian Suicide Attack – Voice of America
Dozens Die in Suicide Bombing in Iran – New York Times
Iran Suicide Bombing Kills at Least 39 – Los Angeles Times
Al Qaeda
Al Qaeda Planning Holiday Attacks in West – Associated Press
Islam
The Islamic Tsunami – Washington Times editorial
Heroic, Female and Muslim – New York Times opinion
WikiLeaks
WikiLeaks, Round Three – Small Wars Journal (post-release – cutoff 10 Dec)
SWJ WikiLeaks Roundup – Small Wars Journal (pre-release)
U.S. Tries to Build Case for Conspiracy by WikiLeaks – New York Times
Assange Behind Bars But Pro-WikiLeaks Hackers Continue Attacks – VOA
Julian Assange Awaits Bail Hearing – BBC News
WikiLeaks Founder Due Back in Court – New York Times
Julian Assange Back in Court to Fight for Bail – Associated Press
U.S. Department of Defense
Littoral Ship Plan Inches Forward, But Opposition Looms – Stars and Stripes
Recruiting, Retention Stay High Throughout Service – AFPS
House Votes Again to Lift Restrictions on Gays – Associated Press
Military Jury Finds ‘Birther’ Officer Guilty – Associated Press
‘Birther’ Officer Expresses Regret for Actions – Stars and Stripes
U.S. Department of State
Clinton Pledges Bigger Role for Besieged State Department – New York Times
Clinton Announces State Review Stressing Conflict Prevention – Washington Post
Clinton Unveils State Department’s QDDR – Foreign Policy
Clinton Unveils Blueprint for America’s Diplomatic Arm – CNN News
Clinton Presents Plan to Overhaul State Department Operations – Bloomberg
Clinton’s Vision for Foreign Policy on a Tight Budget – Christian Science Monitor
Clinton Proposes Revamp Of Diplomacy, Development – NPR audio/transcript
United States
Nuclear Attack: U.S. Rethinks Strategy for the Unthinkable – New York Times
Arms Pact Passes One Test as Senate Acts to Debate It – New York Times
Senate Agrees to Talks on New Arms Treaty with Russia – Washington Post
Border Patrol Agent Dies in Shootout in Arizona – New York Times
Bandits Who Prey on Illegals Gun Down Border Patrol Agent – Washington Times
Africa
U.N. Preparing for Worst Case Scenario in Southern Sudan – Voice of America
6 Prominent Kenyans Accused of Crimes Against Humanity – Voice of America
International Court Seeks Indictments in Kenya Vote Violence – New York Times
Kenya: ICC Names Six in Post-election Violence – Washington Post
Kenyan Ministers Named as Suspects In Vote Violence – Reuters
Kenya Reacts as ICC Names Suspects in Election Chaos – Voice of America
Violence, Protest Plans Stir Ivorian Conflict – Reuters
African Leaders Take a Stand in the Ivory Coast – Washington Post editorial
Americas and Caribbean
U.S., Mexico Commission Meets on Border Violence – Associated Press
Mexico’s Cartel Gunmen Buy American – New York Times editorial
Amnesty for Brazil Dictatorship Is Challenged – New York Times
Venezuela: Chavez Foes, U.S. Condemn Decree Powers – Associated Press
Cuba Claims It Made Economic Strides In 2010 – Reuters
U.S. Doesn’t Expect Cuba Upheaval With Castro Death – Associated Press
Bill Clinton Backs Haiti Reconstruction – BBC News
Bill Clinton Asserts Confidence in Fed-Up Haiti – Associated Press
Asia Pacific
China’s Push Into Wind Worries U.S. Industry – New York Times
U.S., South Korea to Plan More Exercises – Stars and Stripes
Gov. Bill Richardson Arrives in Pyongyang – Associated Press
S. Korea to Stage Firing Drills From Border Island – Associated Press
Europe
Europe Staggers as Critical Summit Looms – New York Times
Jittery Night in Moscow After Rumors of a Demonstration – New York Times
Putin: Moscow Riots Show Need for Stronger Order – Associated Press
Putin Talks Up Recovery, Slams Ethnic Violence – Reuters
1,000 Detained in Russia to Prevent Ethnic Clashes – Associated Press
Russia Uses Extremism Law to Target Dissenters – Reuters
Sweden Bombing Doesn’t Soil Image of Tolerance – New York Times
Berlusconi Seeks Fresh Start After Bitter Italy Vote – Reuters
Anti-Austerity Protest in Greece Turns Violent – New York Times
Czech Opposition Wants No-Confidence Vote on Government – Reuters
Report Says Kosovo PM Led Organ Trafficking Network – New York Times
New Turkish Coup Trial Begins – Associated Press
Middle East
Arabs Reject Middle East Peace Talks Without U.S. Plan – BBC News
Palestinian Authority Cracks Down on Mosques – Washington Post
Lebanon Says It Uncovers Israeli Spy Devices – Reuters
South Asia
China’s Wen in India on Trade Mission, Building Trust – Voice of America
China Leader Calls on India to Be a Partner in Asia – New York Times
India and China Set $100bn Trade Target – BBC News
China, India Appeal for Deeper Ties, Not Tensions – Associated Press
China PM on India Charm Offensive, Offers to Boost Trade – Reuters
