26 December SWJ Roundup
Afghanistan
Top U.S. Gen. Visits GIs in Afghanistan on Christmas – Associated Press
Taliban Challenge U.S. in Eastern Afghanistan – New York Times
Military Hospital in Kandahar Takes Care of Afghan Civilians – Washington Post
Turkey Hosts Trust-Building Talks Between Afghanistan, Pakistan – VOA
Pakistan
Petraeus: Pakistan Counterinsurgency ‘Impressive’ – Associated Press
Bombing of Anti-Taliban Tribe Kills 45 in Pakistan – Voice of America
Female Bomber Kills Dozens in Pakistan, Official Says – New York Times
Dozens Dead in Suicide Attack at Crowded Food Center – Washington Post
Female Bomber Kills 45 at Food Center in Pakistan – Associated Press
Pakistan Food Centers Shut After Suicide Bombing – Associated Press
U.S. President Obama Condemns Pakistan Suicide Bombing – BBC News
Deadly Clashes Erupt in Pakistan Border Region – Voice of America
Al Qaida-allied Fighters Seek New Pakistan Haven – McClatchy Newspapers
Pakistan May Hand over Seized Top Baluch Militant to Iran – Los Angeles Times
Korean Peninsula
South Korean And Chinese Defence Chiefs to Meet In Feb – Reuters
N. Korea Troops Boast of Artillery Attacks on S. Korea – Associated Press
Iraq
Iraqi Christians Exercise Caution for Christmas – New York Times
Iraqi Christians Mark Somber Christmas in Baghdad – Associated Press
Iraqi Christians Mark Safer Christmas In Kurdistan – Reuters
U.S. Troops in Iraq Celebrate Christmas – Associated Press
For Many U.S. Troops, A Last Christmas In Iraq – Reuters
Oil Exports from Iraq’s Kurdish North to Resume – Associated Press
Iran
Iran President Says Nuke Sanctions Have Failed – Voice of America
Amnesty International Urges Iran to Stop Kurd Execution – BBC News
Iran Opposition Leaders Barred From Travel Abroad – Associated Press
Pakistan May Hand over Seized Top Baluch Militant to Iran – Los Angeles Times
WikiLeaks
Jailed Soldier Has Support of Resisters – New York Times
Assange’s Accusers Are WikiLeaks Fans, Lawyer Says – Associated Press
Book Review
‘Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia’ – New York Times
U.S. Department of Defense
Updated Department of Defense Directive 5100.01 – Small Wars Journal
The Big (Military Budget) Taboo – New York Times opinion
United States
Cables Portray Expanded Reach of Drug Agency – New York Times
Lawyer: Feds Probe Pilot Critical of Air Security – Associated Press
Arms Talks Now Turn to Short-Range Weapons – New York Times
Where Obama’s Order on Detentions Falls Short – Washington Post editorial
Obama’s Foreign Policy Spine – Washington Post opinion
The High Cost of Slashing Diplomacy and Aid Budgets – Washington Post opinion
Surviving Terrorism – Los Angeles Times opinion
Vatican
Pope Speaks to the World’s Catholics on Christmas Day – Voice of America
Pope Urges End to Conflicts in Christmas Message – BBC News
Pope Consoles Persecuted Christians – Reuters
Pope Calls for Solidarity With Iraqi Christians – New York Times
Pope Urges Courage for Catholics in China, Iraq – Associated Press
Pope to China Christians: ‘Show Courage’ – BBC News
Pope’s Christmas Message Admonishes China – Reuters
Pope in Message of Hope for Africa – BBC News
Africa
West African Leaders Threaten Force in Ivory Coast Crisis – Voice of America
West African Leaders Threaten Force in Ivory Coast – Associated Press
West African Presidents to Tell Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo to Quit – Reuters
Thousands Flee Ivory Coast for Liberia Amid Poll Crisis – BBC News
Ensconced in the Presidency, With No Budging in Ivory Coast – New York Times
Ivory Coast Crisis Puts a Chill on the Economy – Voice of America
Biden Reminds Sudan U.S. Sees On-Time Vote as Vital – Reuters
Sudan Says Troops Kill 40 Darfur Rebels – Associated Press
Sudanese Police Beat, Gas Opposition – Reuters
Rights Group: Darfur Activist Sentenced to a Year – Associated Press
Holding Out Hope for Sudan – Los Angeles Times editorial
Fears Growing of Mugabe’s Iron Grip Over Zimbabwe – New York Times
Zimbabwe to Set Up WikiLeaks Commission – Reuters
Christmas Eve Attacks in Nigeria Kill at Least 38 – Voice of America
Christmas Eve Attacks Kill At Least 38 In Nigeria – Reuters
Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan Pledges to Find Jos Bombers – BBC News
As Al Shabab Looms, Somali Government Running Out of Time – VOA
Africans Brave Dangerous Water Crossing to Yemen – Washington Post
Somalis Desperate for New Life, Refugees’ Dangerous Road – Washington Post
Somali Pirates Hijack Cargo Ship – Associated Press
Police Clash With Protesters in Tunisia – Associated Press
Americas
Mexico Says Its Troops Killed U.S. Man, Planted Evidence – Associated Press
Mexican Army Mistrusts Other Gov’t Agencies – Associated Press
New Laws in Venezuela Aim to Limit Dissent – New York Times
Flurry of Laws Boost Chavez’s Power in Venezuela – Associated Press
Venezuelan Ex-president Carlos Andres Perez Dies – Associated Press
Former Venezuela Leader Perez Dies At 88 – Reuters
Ecuador Recognizes Independent Palestinian State – Associated Press
Panama President Wanted to Wiretap Rivals – Reuters
Panama President Denies Alleged Phone Tap Request – Associated Press
U.S. Seems Soft on Nicaraguan Aggression – Washington Post editorial
Asia Pacific
Military Strength Eludes China, Looks Overseas for Arms – Washington Post
Philippine Rebels Threaten Attacks Despite Talks – Associated Press
Bombing Wounds 11 at Christmas Mass in Philippines – Associated Press
Europe
Russia to Buy Warships from France in Major Military Deal – Washington Post
Somalis Held in Rotterdam on Suspicion of Terror Links – BBC News
Rotterdam Police Arrest 12 Somali Terror Suspects – Agence France-Presse
Dutch Detain 12 Somalis on Terror Suspicions – Associated Press
Middle East
Yemen Announces Deployment of Anti-Terror Forces in 4 S. Provinces – VOA
Yemen to Bolster Counterterrorism Forces, ‘Bring … Fight to al Qaeda’ – CNN News
Yemen to Crack Down on Regional al-Qaeda Wing – Washington Post
Yemen to Expand Anti-Terror Forces to Fight Al Qaeda – Reuters
Hamas Warns Israel after Gaza Rockets, Airstrikes – Associated Press
Israeli Forces Kill Two Gaza Militants Near Border – Reuters
Palestinian Mayor Presides over Boom Times in Ramallah – Los Angeles Times
Turkey Wants to Make Peace With Israel – Associated Press
Egypt Says Not Seeking Nuclear Arms – Reuters
Tens of Thousands of Pilgrims Flock to Bethlehem on Christmas – VOA
Bethlehem Celebrates Merriest Christmas in Years – Associated Press
South Asia
India: Terror Fears Put Mumbai on Alert – New York Times
‘High alert’ in India: Search for Terrorism Suspects in Mumbai – Washington Post
Police Search Mumbai for 4 in Alleged Terror Plot – Associated Press
India Sentences Doctor to Life for Aiding Rebels – New York Times
Rocket With Indian Satellite Explodes After Launch – Associated Press
Sri Lanka Releases 100 Tamil Tiger Rebels – BBC News
