29 December SWJ Roundup

US Naval Institute Daily – USNI

Real Clear World – RCP

Afghanistan

US Pulls PR Advisers From an Afghan Government Media Center – NYT

ISAF Operations Summary – AFPS

Pakistan

Pakistani Death Squads Targeting US Informants – LAT

Iraq

Weapons Sales to Iraq Move Ahead Despite US Worries – NYT

Iraq Surge's Advocates Fear Gains Will Be Lost – WT

Allawi Says Iraq Headed for 'Sectarian Autocracy' – Reuters

Iranian Exiles in Iraq Agree to Move Camps – AP

The Iraq War is Not Really Over – WT opinion

Iraq's One-Man War Machine – LAT opinion

Syria

Activists: Syrian Forces Fire at Protesters While Monitors Tour Country – VOA

Violence Flares in Syria Despite Observers’ Visit – NYT

Gunfire Reported in Syrian Cities – WP

Activists: Syrian Troops Kill More Protesters – AP

Arab Observers Fan Out Across Syria – Reuters

Clashes as Syria Monitors Fan Out – BBC

Shooting Erupts in Syrian City Ahead of Arab Visit – Reuters

Syria Hiding Detainees from Arab League – LAT

Sudanese General Linked to Genocide Monitoring Syrian Violence – WT

Amid Bloodshed, Hamas Prepares to Leave Syria – AP

Observe and Report – WP editorial

Syria's Defecting Bloggers – NYT opinion

Iran

US Will Not 'Tolerate' Disruption of Vital Oil Strait Traffic – VOA

US Warns Iran on Oil Route Threat – BBC

US Warns Iran Against Closing Hormuz Oil Route – AP

US Fifth Fleet Says Won't Allow Hormuz Disruption – Reuters

Iran Unlikely to Close Hormuz Strait – WP

Iran Naval Chief Says Closing Gulf to Oil Traffic Easy – LAT

Strait of Hormuz: How Strategic a Waterway? – WP

Mom of Iran Detainee Questions Alleged Confession – AP

Iran Dissident Leader Sentenced to 8 Years in Jail – AP

Tehran’s Moment of Truth – WT editorial

Yemen

Yemenis, on Strike, Demand That Their Managers Be Fired – NYT

Yemen Government Workers Rally Against Corruption – AP

Key Military Positions Dismantled in Yemen Capital – Reuters

Egypt

Egypt's Mubarak Appears in Court After Three-Month Break – VOA

Mubarak Heads Back to Court – NYT

Trial of Mubarak Resumes in Egypt – BBC

Mubarak Back in Egyptian Court as Trial Resumes – AP

Middle East / North Africa

Oil Price Falls as Saudis Trump Iran Threat – AP

Israel to Legalize West Bank Outpost, Mulling More Construction – LAT

Israel Detains Ultra-Orthodox Man in Bus Row With Soldier – Reuters

Saudi Women to Run, Vote Without Male Approval – AP

Libya Ex-Rebels Sign Up for Government Jobs – AP

Algeria Leaders Have Lost Touch, Risk Anger – Reuters

US Department of Defense

Hazing-related Charges in Soldier's Death Could be Difficult to Prove – S&S

Panetta ‘Will Not Tolerate’ Bullying, Hazing – AFPS

Pentagon Thinning Ranks of Generals, Admirals – WP

Army to Trim NCO Ranks Starting in April, Memo Says – S&S

Guantanamo Leader Signs Order Opposed by Lawyers – AP

Japanese, US Troops to Together in Hand-to-Hand Combat – S&S

Locklear Nominated to be Next PACOM Commander – S&S

Gov’t to Pay Family $17.8M for Military Jet Crash in San Diego – AP

United States

Ticker-tape Parade Planned for Iraq Vets? Not Anymore – S&S

Puerto Rico Approves Political Status Referendum – AP

Africa

Islamists Intensify Nigeria’s Divisions – AP

Nigerians 'Will Defend Churches' – BBC

Seven Hurt as Bomb Hits Madrassa in Nigeria – Reuters

Three Killed in Gun Attack in Nigeria's Plateau State – Reuters

Somali Pirates Seize Cargo Ship – BBC

Americas

'The Blondies' Cartel Chief Caught in Mexico City – AP

Mexico Arrests Drug Dealer Linked to Boss Guzman – Reuters

Boxer's Shorts Spoil Mexico Vote – BBC

Venezuela: 'Highest Murder Rate' – BBC

Argentina Adopts Wide Definition of Terrorism – Reuters

Colombian Troops Charged in Deserter's Killing – AP

Cuban Jewish Leaders Meet With Jailed American – AP

Cuba Making Good on Pledge to Free Prisoners – AP

UN Seeks Probe of Police Killings in Haiti – VOA

Asia Pacific

China Finds Promise and Peril in Pursuit of Russian Energy – WP

Chinese Rights Lawyer Goes On Trial – VOA

Seven Suspected Kidnappers Killed in China's Restive West – Reuters

N. Korea Bids A Snowy, Dramatic Farewell to Kim Jong Il – VOA

North Korean Mourners Line Streets for Kim Jong-il’s Funeral – NYT

North Korea Holds Funeral for Kim Jong Il – LAT

Kim Jong Eun Leads Funeral Procession – WP

North Korea Calls Kim Jong Un 'Supreme Leader' – AP

North Korea Hails Nuclear, Military Feats of Kim Jong-Il – Reuters

At Funeral of Kim Jong-il, US-Made Limos Stand Out – NYT

Ex-Philippine President Faces 2nd Criminal Case – AP

Europe

Is Putin Showing Weakness in Face of Russia Opposition Movement? – VOA

Left and Right Unite in Russia’s Protests – WP

Political Promotions in Russia Appear to Belie Promise of Reform – NYT

Putin Rejects Suggestions of Talks with Russia Opposition – AP

Unlikely Agitator, Insider, Speaks Out Against Fraud in Russia – NYT

Russia Slams US for Human Rights Abuses – VOA

Italy’s Lower Rates Ease Borrowing but Not Governing – NYT

Spanish Police Arrest Italian Mafia Suspect – AP

Turkey Warns France of More Action Over Genocide Bill – Reuters

Bosnia Parties Agree on Government – BBC

South Asia

India Anti-Corruption Activist Hazare Calls Off Hunger Strike – VOA

Indian Activist Calls Off Fast But Vows to Keep Fighting – NYT