28 December SWJ Roundup
Afghanistan
Coalition Reports Progress in Afghanistan, U.N. Data Paint Bleaker Picture – VOA
U.N.: Afghan Security Deteriorates – Wall Street Journal
A ‘Breeze Of Change’ Blows In Helmand – Daily Telegraph
Displacement and Despair, a Dangerous Combination – New York Times
NATO, Afghans Offer Conflicting Accounts of Deadly Raid – Washington Post
Car Bomb Explodes Near Kandahar Police Compound – New York Times
NATO Condemns Suicide Attack in Afghanistan – AFPS
Army Investigator: Drop Charge in Afghan Civilian Death – Associated Press
Microfinance Faces Hurdles In Empowering Afghan Women – Reuters
Pakistan
Resumption of Food Program Expected in Pakistan – New York Times
Militias Stem Pakistani Taliban, But at What Cost? – Associated Press
Pakistan Coalition Party to Withdraw Cabinet Ministers – BBC News
Missile Strikes Inside Pakistan Kill 25 Suspected Insurgents – Los Angeles Times
Intel: 2 Suspected U.S. Strikes Kill 8 in Pakistan – Associated Press
Korean Peninsula
South Korea’s President Vows Retaliation if North Attacks – New York Times
Iraq
Iraq Wants the U.S. Out – Wall Street Journal
14 Killed in Second Bombing at Iraqi Site – New York Times
Suicide Bombings Kill 19, Wound 45 in Western Iraq – Washington Post
17 Killed in Suicide Attack in Western Iraq – Los Angeles Times
Twin Suicide Blasts Strike Western Iraq – Associated Press
Iraqis Discuss New Strategic Council – United Press International
Politics, Iran Threaten Iraq’s Future – Philadelphia Inquirer opinion
Iran
Iran Corruption Claims Stoke Political Infighting – Associated Press
Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel – New York Times
Iran Hangs Man Convicted of Spying for Israel’s Mossad – BBC News
Iran Hangs Man Convicted of Spying for Israel – Associated Press
Germany Recalls Envoy to Iran – United Press International
2 Germans Detained in Iran Meet Family Members – Associated Press
WikiLeaks
WikiLeaks Founder Signs Book Deal – New York Times
U.S. Department of Defense
Special Forces Wary of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal – Washington Times
Resurrecting ROTC on College Campuses – Associated Press
United States
Muslim Women Gain Higher Profile in U.S. – New York Times
Gitmo: A Step Toward Fairness – New York Times editorial
America’s Dangerous Rush to Shrink Military Power – Wall Street Journal opinion
United Kingdom
British Police Charge 9 Men, Arrested in Terror Raids – New York Times
Britain Charges 9 of Planning Attacks on U.S. Embassy – Washington Post
Nine Terrorism Suspects Appear in London Court – Los Angeles Times
British Court Holds 9 on U.S. Embassy Terror Plot – Associated Press
U.S. Embassy In London Was A Target Of U.K. Suspects – Reuters
Africa
‘Last-chance’ Mission Heads for Ivory Coast Talks – BBC News
West Africa Leaders to Give Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo Ultimatum – Reuters
Ivory Coast Incumbent Gbagbo Still Has Outside Allies – Voice of America
Ivory Coast: Gbagbo Makes His Case to French Media – Voice of America
Ivory Coast Strike Call Goes Unheeded – Voice of America
Ivorians’ Reaction to Strike Highlights Divisions – Associated Press
Nigeria Says At Least 80 Died In Jos Attacks – Reuters
Police Arrest 6 in Central Nigeria Violence – Associated Press
Darfur Conflict a ‘Deep Concern’ for U.N. – United Press International
S. African Police Find Weapons Bound for Somalia – Associated Press
Somali Pirates Release German Chemical Tanker – Reuters
Americas
Mexico: Drug Battles Create Border Ghost Towns – Associated Press
No Police in Mexico Town after Last Officer Kidnapped – BBC News
El Salvador: 3 Migrants Abducted in Mexico, 5 Flee – Associated Press
2 Mutilated Bodies Found in Southern Mexico – Associated Press
Lula’s Legacy, Leaving Behind a Transformed Brazil – Associated Press
Brazil’s Leader Laments U.S. Views Toward LatAm – Associated Press
U.S. Official Apologizes to Peru Over Leaked Cables – Associated Press
Gunshot Victims Overwhelm Guatemala Emergency Room – Associated Press
A Venezuelan Oasis of Elitism Counts Its Days – New York Times
More Detained in Drug Cases in Venezuela in 2010 – Associated Press
Strike over Massive Bolivia Fuel Price Rises Begins – BBC News
Haiti PM Criticises Post-earthquake Rebuilding Efforts – BBC News
Asia Pacific
Defense Secretary Gates to Travel to China – American Forces Press Service
China has Carrier-killer Missile, U.S. Admiral Says – Washington Times
China Moving Toward Deploying Anti-Carrier Missile – Associated Press
Official: 580 Chinese Fugitives in Other Countries – Associated Press
Chinese Investigative Reporter Dies After Attack – Associated Press
Malaysian Shia Muslims Seek to Legally Worship – Associated Press
Europe
Letter Bomb Defused at Greek Embassy in Rome – New York Times
France’s Spy Service Bulks Up Amid Terror Threats – Associated Press
Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons Still an Issue after START – Washington Post
Russia: Advocate Killed, Accuser Tried – New York Times
Imprisoned Russian Oil Tycoon Is Convicted Again – New York Times
Russian Oil Tycoon Khodorkovsky Convicted of Embezzlement – Washington Post
Russia: Khodorkovsky Found Guilty in Second Trial – Los Angeles Times
Khodorkovsky Trial: Russia Hits Back at West – BBC News
U.S. Says Khodorkovsky Conviction Hurts Russia’s Reputation – Reuters
Spain: Basque Group Makes Peace Offer – Wall Street Journal
Middle East
Israeli PM: Interim Mideast Peace Deal Is Option – Associated Press
Israeli Defense Minister Says Turkey Tensions Must Ease – Voice of America
Gazans Hold Protests on 2nd Anniversary of Israeli Offensive – Voice of America
Lebanon’s Christians Urge Calm in Hariri Probe – United Press International
Tough 2011 for Muslim Brotherhood? – United Press International
UAE Considered Keeping Hamas Hit Quiet – Associated Press
South Asia
India Issues Nationwide Terror Alert for New Year – Associated Press
In India, One Woman’s Struggle for Moderation – Washington Post
Malaria Grows, Aided by Political Tumult in Sri Lanka – New York Times
Nepal: Son Shoots Holes in Ex-king’s Return to Power – Los Angeles Times