22 December SWJ Roundup
Afghanistan
Petraeus Promises Will Rebuild Afghan Village Destruction – Stars and Stripes
Afghan Government Disbands Dozens of Private Security Firms – VOA
Afghan Air Force Gets its Wings, NATO Commander Says – AFPS
Afghan Official Blasts NATO for Civilian Deaths – Associated Press
Covering Marines at War, Through Facebook – New York Times
The Costs of War – Washington Post opinion
Pakistan
U.S., NATO Not Planning Ground Ops in Pakistan, Officials Say – AFPS
U.S. Denies Reports of Planned Pakistan Raids – Voice of America
NATO Denies U.S. Plans Ground Raids into Pakistan – Los Angeles Times
Pakistan’s Flawed Ideology – Washington Times opinion
Korean Peninsula
U.S.: North Korea Must Change Behavior Before Talks Can Resume – VOA
South Korea Remains on High Alert – Voice of America
South Korea Begins New Round of Military Drills – New York Times
South Korea Begins Massive New Military Drills – Los Angeles Times
South Korea Braces for Surprise Attack – Los Angeles Times
S. Korea to Stage Firing Drills Near Land Border – Associated Press
S. Korea Begins Routine Naval Drills Amid Tension – Associated Press
South Korea Army to Hold Huge Drill, North Silent – Reuters
Iraq
Iraqi Parliament Approves New Maliki Government– Voice of America
Iraqi Parliament Approves New Unity Government – Washington Post
After Months, Iraqi Lawmakers Approve a Government – New York Times
Iraqi Parliament Approves New Maliki Government – Los Angeles Times
Iraqi Parliament OKs New Government – Washington Times
Iraq Approves New Government With Maliki as PM – Reuters
New Iraqi Government Sworn In, at Last – Associated Press
Iraq’s Maliki: Strongman or Merely Strong? – Washington Post
Escalating Violence, Hostility Emptying Iraq of Christians – Associated Press
Al-Qaida in Iraq Threatens Attacks on Christians – Associated Press
Iran
U.S. Tightens Sanctions On Iran – Voice of America
U.S. Adds to Iran Sanctions Shortly After Nuclear Talks – New York Times
Iranian Filmmaker Panahi Receives Prison Sentence – Washington Post
Iranian Filmmaker Sentenced to Six Years in Prison – Los Angeles Times
Iran: Following Price Hike, Truckers Stay Off Roads – Washington Post
Energy Policy in Iran Leaves Many Gasping – New York Times
6.5 Earthquake Kills at Least 11 in Iran – Los Angeles Times
U.S. Offers Condolences, Help After Iranian Quake – Reuters
WikiLeaks
CIA Launches Task Force to Assess Impact of Cable Leaks – Washington Post
Sex and WikiLeaks – Los Angeles Times editorial
U.S. Department of Defense
Is Combat Experience Making Ranger School Unnecessary? – Stars and Stripes
Potential Recruits: Nearly 1 in 4 Fails Military Exam – Associated Press
Colleges Rethink ROTC After ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal – New York Times
Bring ROTC Back to Elite Campuses – Washington Post opinion
A New Meaning for ‘Brothers in Arms’ – Washington Times opinion
United States
U.S. Senate Moves Toward Final Vote on Arms Treaty – Voice of America
Arms Treaty With Russia Headed for Ratification – New York Times
Nuclear Arms Pact with Russia Clears Senate Hurdle – Washington Post
GOP Senators Help Arms Pact Clear Hurdle – Washington Times
Senate Poised to Pass Nuclear Treaty – Los Angeles Times
Political Divide Undermines Obama’s Nuclear Goals – New York Times
Obama Administration Readies Indefinite Detention Order – Washington Post
Detainee Review Proposal Is Prepared for President – New York Times
10 Books to Help You Hone Your Leadership Skills – Washington Post
Right Decision on Targeted Killings – Washington Post editorial
United Kingdom
U.K. Terror Plot Aimed at British Landmarks, Shopping – Associated Press
Scotland ‘Pressured over Libyan Bomber Megrahi’ – BBC News
Africa
U.N. Chief Warns Ivory Coast Risks Return to Civil War – Voice of America
U.N. Chief Warns of Ivory Coast War – BBC News
U.N. Chief Warns That Ivory Coast Risks Civil War – Associated Press
“Blockade” Of U.N. In Ivory Coast Gets Critical – Reuters
U.S. to Increase Pressure Until Gbagbo Yields Ivory Coast Presidency – VOA
Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo Says World Can Review Poll – Reuters
Sudan’s South Faces Economic Challenges Ahead – Voice of America
U.N.: 2.8m at Risk if Violence Breaks Out in Sudan – Associated Press
Arab Countries Hold Talks Ahead of Sudan Vote – Associated Press
Kenya and Uganda Bolster Security – Washington Post
African Farmers Displaced as Investors Move In – New York Times
Americas
International Court Rules Against Mexico’s Army – Los Angeles Times
Family’s Triple Tragedy Highlights Mexico Impunity – Associated Press
Mass Kidnap Of Migrants Reported In Mexico – Reuters
Mexico Migrant Abduction Disputed – BBC News
Freed Mexican Pol: Kidnappers Had Political Motive – Associated Press
Death Toll From Mexico Crude-Oil Blast Rises to 29 – Associated Press
Venezuela to Make Lawmakers Vote With Their Parties – Reuters
Death Breathes Political Life into Argentina’s President – Los Angeles Times
Ex-Argentine Dictator Says Terrorists Run Country – Associated Press
Corruption “Rampant” In Dominican Republic – Reuters
Asia Pacific
China: East Meets West, but It Takes Some Practice – New York Times
6 Are Held in Attack on Chinese Investigative Journalist – New York Times
China Replaces Top Foreign Ministry Official – Associated Press
Thailand Ends State of Emergency in Bangkok – Associated Press
Filipino Gunmen Free 2 Malaysians After 10 Months – Associated Press
Europe
Russia: Kremlin Poker-Faced as U.S. Senate Mulls Arms Pact – Associated Press
Russia: Putin Makes Symbolic Visit in Ethnic Strife – New York Times
Young Russians Turn to Islam – Washington Post
Clashes in Belarus Show Resilience of Both Sides – New York Times
Italy: Defective Bomb Found on Rome Subway – New York Times
Czech Government Survives No-Confidence Vote – Reuters
U.K. Offers Troops, E.U. Seeks Answers for Snow Chaos – Associated Press
Middle East
Israel Plans Public Appeal to Ask U.S. to Free a Spy – New York Times
Palestinians, Israelis Trade Rockets, Airstrikes – Associated Press
The U.S. Needs to Get Tough with Israel – Los Angeles Times opinion
Saudi King Exits New York Hospital, Report Says – Reuters
South Asia
Russia Last of Major Powers to Seal Valuable Deals with India – Washington Post
Warm Russian, Indian Ties Outlive Cold War – Reuters
India Anti-sleaze Protests Held – BBC News
