21 December SWJ Roundup

Afghanistan

Life and Death Decisions Weigh on Junior Officers – New York Times

Gauging the Price Tag for Afghanistan’s Security – Washington Post

Waste In U.S. Afghan Aid Seen At Billions Of Dollars – Reuters

NATO Fails to Deliver Half of Trainers Promised for Afghanistan – Globe and Mail

AF Gov.: West Hasn’t Adequately Armed Afghan Forces – Los Angeles Times

Afghanistan to Convene Parliament, Reacts to U.S. Policy Review – VOA

Afghanistan’s Belated, Muted Criticism of War Review – Washington Post

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Insurgents, Find Weapons – AFPS

Russia Was Misled Over Fuel for U.S. Use, Report Says – New York Times

Pentagon, State Blasted on Kyrgyz Jet Fuel Deals – Washington Post

U.S. Contractor Jailed in Afghanistan – Washington Post

Pakistan

U.S. Military Seeks to Expand Raids in Pakistan – New York Times

NATO Denies U.S. Military Pushing for Pakistan Raids – Associated Press

ISAF Denies News Report Of Raids Into Pakistan – Reuters

Korean Peninsula

North Korea Will Allow Return of Nuclear Inspectors – Voice of America

North Withholds Fire After South Korean Drills – New York Times

Seoul Arms Test Draws No Flak – Washington Times

North Korea Makes Some Gestures Toward Calm – Washington Post

South Korea Braces for a Response from the North – Los Angeles Times

S. Korean Troops Prepare for Possible N. Korean Attack – Associated Press

South Korea Defends “Strong Response” to North – Reuters

Richardson Says N. Korea Trip Is Opening for Talks – Associated Press

U.S. Cautious about North Korean Commitments to Richardson – VOA

China Urges North Korea to Accept Nuclear Inspectors – Reuters

Iraq

Maliki Postpones Iraq Government Plans – Washington Post

Iraqi Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Choices – Voice of America

Ministers Proposed for Iraqi Cabinet – New York Times

Iraq MPs to Vote on New Cabinet – BBC News

Iraqi Prime Minister Announces New Cabinet – Associated Press

Iraqi Prime Minister Announces New Cabinet – Associated Press

Iran

Iran Hangs 11 Sunnis Convicted of Attacks – Associated Press

WikiLeaks

Assange Concerned over ‘Natural Justice’ in Sweden – BBC News

U.S. Department of Defense

DARPA Goal for Cybersecurity: Change the Game – AFPS

U.S. Southern Command Opens New Headquarters – AFPS

DOD ‘Carefully’ Plans ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal Implementation – AFPS

Gay Service Members Advised to Wait Before Coming Out – Washington Times

United States

Obama Urges GOP to Vote for START – Washington Times

Mullen Calls on Senate to Pass START Treaty – Washington Post

Senate Support Builds for Pact on Arms Control – New York Times

Vote on Nuclear Treaty May be Defining Moment for Obama – Los Angeles Times

Fear vs. Reason in the Arms Control Debate – New York Times opinion

TSA’s Embrace of Technology Questioned – Washington Post

U.S. Seeks to Expand Gun Checks – Associated Press

United Kingdom

British Police Arrest 12 Terror Suspects – Voice of America

British Police Round Up 12 in Counterterrorism Raids – New York Times

12 Arrested in British Terrorism Raids – Associated Press

World

Jane’s: Economy Squeezes Armies Worldwide – United Press International

Africa

U.N. Security Council Extends Ivory Coast Peacekeeping Mission – VOA

U.N. Security Council Extends Ivory Coast Mission – Associated Press

Ivory Coast Crisis: Gbagbo Ally Warns of U.N. Rebellion – BBC News

Ivorian Supporters say They Will ‘Fight to Death’ for Gbagbo – Voice of America

Ivory Coast’s Leader Tightens Vise on Man Who Defeated Him – New York Times

Humanitarian Organizations in Sudan Prepare for Referendum Aftermath – VOA

Bomb Blast at Nairobi Bus Station Kills Three – BBC News

Zimbabwe: U.N. Chief Offered Mugabe Deal to Step Down – Reuters

Merger of Somali Militants Could Mean More Attacks – Associated Press

Americas

Mexican Politician ‘El Jefe’ Diego Freed – Washington Post

Kidnapped Mexican Politician Released After Seven Months – Los Angeles Times

Former Mexican Candidate Freed by Kidnappers – Associated Press

Mexico Crime Activist’s Relative Also Found Dead – Associated Press

27 Die in Oil Pipeline Explosion in Mexico – Los Angeles Times

Fatal Oil Blast Spotlights Mexico’s Fuel Thieves – Reuters

U.S.: Venezuela’s Rejection of Envoy Will Have ‘Consequences’ – VOA

U.S.: Chavez’s Rejection of Diplomat to Have Impact – Associated Press

Guatemala Launches Siege to Reclaim Violent North – Associated Press

Study: Nearly Half of Weapons in Brazil Illegal – Associated Press

Cardinal Hopes Cuba Will Release 11 Dissidents – Associated Press

Asia Pacific

Thailand to End State of Emergency in Bangkok – Associated Press

Europe

Belarus Leader Shrugs Off Accusations of Election Fraud, Violence – VOA

Belarusian Leader Says he Won Election – Washington Times

Belarus Police Arrest Opposition Leaders – New York Times

Cables Shed New Light on Ex-K.G.B. Officer’s Death – New York Times

Germany Investigating Bribes at Its Embassies – New York Times

Middle East

Israeli Ministers Float Limited West Bank Pullout – Associated Press

Violence Escalates Along Gaza-Israel Border – Associated Press

Israeli Air Strikes Target Gaza After Rocket Fire – Reuters

The Captive Arab Mind – New York Times opinion

South Asia

India Leader Offers to Testify in Scandal Inquiry – New York Times

Russian President Seals Indian Defence Deals – BBC News

India, Russia Reaffirm Strategic Partnership – Associated Press

Russia Supports India U.N. Seat Quest, Seals Deals – Reuters