17 December SWJ Roundup

US Naval Institute Daily – USNI

Real Clear World – RCP

Iraq

Leaving Iraq – NYT

Panetta: Campaign to Establish Sovereign Iraq Was ‘Worth It’ – AFPS

War 'Not in Vain,' Panetta Says at Withdrawal Ceremony – LAT

General Austin Lauds Seasoned, Adaptable Force – AFPS

US Drones Allowed in Iraqi Skies – WP

US Hands Over Alleged Terrorist to Iraq – WT

US Transfers Its Last Prisoner to Iraqi Custody – NYT

US Hands Over Terror Prisoner to Iraq – WP

Hezbollah Prisoner Held by Iraq Faces Minor Charge – AP

Iran's Fortunes in Post-US Iraq Clouded – AP

Taking Leave of Iraq – LAT editorial

In Iraq, Peace at Last – LAT opinion

Afghanistan

11 Afghan Police Kidnapped by Militants Freed – AP

Pakistan

Pakistan Army Chief: Memo Scandal Attempt to Lower Morale – VOA

Pakistani PM Seeks to Dispel Rumors of Army Rift – AP

Pakistan Roiled by ‘Memogate’ Scandal – WP

Syria

Syrian Forces Kill 17; Huge Protests in Homs – VOA

Syria Opposition Stages Congress – BBC

Impatient Protesters Convulse Syria – NYT

Syrians Protest Against Assad After Russia UN Move – Reuters

Refugees Give Firsthand Account of Slide into Bloodshed – LAT

Egypt

A Veteran Statesman Bids to Lead a New Egypt – WP

3 Killed as Protesters Clash with Military Police in Cairo – VOA

Clashes Resume in Egypt's Capital – BBC

One Killed in Clash Between Protesters and Military Police – LAT

Egypt's Military Clashes with Protesters in Cairo – AP

Troops Charge Into Cairo's Tahrir, Protesters Flee – Reuters

The False Stability Model – WP opinion

Iran

Iran Says It Has Arrested Suspected US Spy – AP

Iran Says Its Delayed News of US Drone Capture – AP

Pilot Error May Have Caused Iran Drone Crash – Reuters

Libya

Panetta Is First U.S. Defense Secretary to Visit Libya – NYT

Panetta Becomes First Defense Chief to Visit Libya – AP

Panetta in Libyan Capital Tripoli for Talks – BBC

Panetta: Libya Needs Time to Control of Militias – AP

US Lifts Sanctions on Post-Gaddafi Libya – Reuters

UN Lifts Libyan Banks Sanctions – BBC

UN Unfreezes Libyan Bank Assets – AP

Israel / Palestinians

Obama Defends Stance on Israel – WP

Gaza Paramedics: Man Dies from Gunfire on Border – AP

What ‘Pro-Israel’ Should Mean – WP opinion

Middle East / North Africa

'Hezbollah Laundered Funds' in US – BBC

Yemeni Uprising Opens a Door to Besieged Rebels in North – NYT

3 Yemeni Officers Killed in Southern City – AP

Bahraini Police Fire Tear Gas at Protesters – Reuters

Tunisia Fetes Poor Town Where Revolt Year Began – AP

WikiLeaks

Pretrial Begins for Document Leaker Manning – AFPS

Pre-Trial Hearing Begins for Soldier Tied to Wikileaks – VOA

Private in WikiLeaks Spying Case Goes to Court – NYT

Alleged Army Leaker Faces Hearing – WP

Manning Makes Court Appearance in WikiLeaks Case – S&S

Wikileaks Suspect Lawyer Claims Bias – BBC

US Department of Defense

White House, Pentagon Won’t Probe Story of MOH Recipient – McClatchy

Marine Corps Commandant Defends Meyer’s MOH – S&S

Air Force to Award Silver Star to U-2 Pilot Powers – AP

Congress Asking DOD to Reassess Landstuhl Replacement Plans – S&S

Army Suicide Numbers Dip in November – S&S

United States

House passes Spending Bill, Avoids Government Shutdown – S&S

Iraqi in KY Pleads Guilty to Trying to Kill US Troops – Reuters

A Wrong Turn in Terror Fight – LAT editorial

For Obama, Time to Unveil the Vision Thing – WP opinion

End of America’s Era – WP opinion

Flags for Civilians – NYT opinion

Africa

Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai Slams Pro-Mugabe Media – VOA

Zimbabwe: Millions From Diamonds Go to Mugabe – NYT

Rwandan Rebel's Charges Dismissed – BBC

Americas

Brazil: Judge Revokes Amazon Dam Work Ban – BBC

Argentina Eyes Tighter Newsprint Control – BBC

Berenson to Return to US for 1st Time After Jail in Peru – Reuters

Asia Pacific

China Revolt Begins Like Others, But End Is Less Certain – NYT

Japan’s Prime Minister Declares Fukushima Plant Stable – NYT

Thai Royalists Protest Against US, UN ‘Interference’ – VOA

Burma 'Jails' Karen Rebel Leader – BBC

Burma Seeks Final Peace Pacts With Ethnic Rebels – AP

Philippines Hit by Deadly Storm – BBC

Storm, Floods in South Philippines Kill Over 200 – AP

Central Asia

Clashes in Kazakh Oil Strike Town – BBC

Kazakhs Say Order Returned to Riot-Hit Town – AP

Oilmen Stay Home, Hospitals Full After Kazakh Riots – Reuters

Europe

France Launches Spy Satellites Aboard Russian Rocket – Reuters

Russian Journalist Gunned Down – WP

Journalist Is Shot Dead in Russia’s North Caucasus – NYT

Russian Opposition Bracing for New Weekend Rallies – AP

As Tension Rises in France, Harsh Talk With Britain – NYT

Monti Wins Confidence Vote in Italy’s Lower House – NYT

Justice Elusive in Baltic States 20 Years On – AP

Panetta Praises Turkey for Leadership in Region and Beyond – AFPS

A World Without Putin – WP opinion