19 February SWJ Roundup

US Naval Institute Daily – USNI

Real Clear World – RCP

Afghanistan

In Struggle With Taliban, on Guard for Charlatans – NYT

Afghan Leader Meets Taliban-linked Cleric – AP

Beginning of the End – NYT editorial

Pakistan

Torture Case Shows How Courts are Working to Claim Power – LAT

Bomb Kills 8 Anti-Taliban Tribesmen in Pakistan – AP

Syria

Sanctions 'Disintegrating Syria' – BBC

For Russia and Syria, Bonds Are Old and Deep – NYT

Frustrated Protesters Fill Damascus Streets – NYT

Syrian Troops Fire on Protesters in Damascus – VOA

Opposition March Comes Under Fire Near President's Palace – LAT

Syrian Forces Fire on Anti-Assad Crowd in Capital – Reuters

Syrian Troops Target Mourners – AP

Iraqi PM Orders Security Review of Syrian Border – AP

China Supports Arab League's Proposals for Syria – AP

China Hopes for Peaceful Solution in Syria – Reuters

Philippines Refrained From Syria UN Vote to Save Workers – AP

Prosecutor, Judge Killed in Northwest Syria – AP

Inside Free Syria – WS opinion

Iran

Obama Takes a Back Seat on Iran – MCT

UK FM: Attack on Iran has 'Enormous Downsides' – AP

Israel's Ex-spy Chief Sees Regional Opportunity in Syria Crisis – LAT

Israel Calls for Tougher Iran Sanctions – Reuters

Iran 'May Boost Nuclear Output' – BBC

Iran Poised for Big Nuke Jump, Officials Say – AP

Iranian Warships Enter Mediterranean – VOA

Iran Warships Enter Mediterranean – BBC

Iran's Guard Begins New Land Military Exercises – AP

Trial Starts in Iran's Biggest Banking Scandal – Reuters

Court in Iran Starts Trial in Bank Fraud – AP

Iran's Fragile Leadership – NP opinion

US Naive When it Comes to Iran – FOX opinion

Egypt

Trial of Americans in Egypt Shakes Ties Between Nations – NYT

Egypt Sets Date for Trial of Democracy Activists – VOA

Egypt Sets Trial Date for NGO Workers – WP

19 Americans to Stand Trial in Egypt on Feb. 26 – LAT

Egypt Sets NGO Trial Date, Escalating Rift with US – AP

Egypt Presidential Vote to Be Early June – Reuters

Middle East / North Africa

Morocco’s Push for Democracy Stalls – WP

US Counterterror Adviser Pledges Support for Yemen – AP

Palestinian’s Trial Shines Light on System – NYT

Palestinian Hunger Striker Challenges Israel – WP

Suicide Car Bomb Kills 12 in Baghdad – Reuters

First Iran Exiles Leave Iraq Camp – BBC

Algeria Seizes Missiles Smuggled From Libya – Reuters

Libya PM Promises Families Cash to Quell Discontent – Reuters

Libya Sends Army to Stop Clashes in Southeast – Reuters

The Job Is Far from Over in Libya – TG editorial

US Department of Defense

Holder Won't Block Military, Vet Benefits for Same-Sex Couples – S&S

In San Clemente, Shooting Divides Marines, Deputies – LAT

CO of Submarine USS Wyoming is Relieved of Command – S&S

Soldier Lawsuit: Iraq War Ended Before Deployment – AP

United States

Capitol Bomb Plot Arrest Capped Yearlong Probe – AP

Noncitizen Vets Protest Deportation to Mexico – AP

Supreme Court to Weigh in as Free Speech Contends with Stolen Valor – S&S

Lying About Receiving a MOH? Shameful, but Not a Crime. – WP opinion

The End of American Intervention – NYT opinion

Africa

AU Chairman to Tackle Continent's Security Hotspots – Reuters

Activists Urge Stronger US Policy Toward Two Sudans – VOA

Somalia Leaders Sign Agreements on Government Formation – VOA

Missile Strikes Rebel Stronghold Near Somalia Port – Reuters

Zimbabwe's President Says 2012 Polls 'Definite' – AP

Main Congo Opposition Calls Boycott Over Violence – Reuters

South Africans Suffer as Graft Saps Provinces – NYT

Car Explodes Near Nigeria's Capital, Wounds 1 – AP

Police in Senegal Open Fire With Tear Gas – AP

Witness: Rebels Attack S. Mali Town; Kill 1 – AP

In Sudan, Seeing Echoes of Darfur – NYT opinion

Why China Is Winning in Africa – TD opinion

Americas

Mexico Female Presidential Candidate Embraces Role – LAT

Colombia Drops Disputed 'Military Exclusion' Plan – AP

Honduras Buries Jail Fire Victims – BBC

Honduran Inmates Tell of Horror as Hundreds Die – AP

As Pope Visit Nears, Spotlight on Cuba's Cardinal – AP

Asia Pacific

China: Xi Jinping’s US Trip Plays Well Back Home – WP

An Ambivalent China Affirms the Charisma of the Dalai Lama – NYT

Tibetan Writer Detained in China Crackdown – AP

N. Korea Threatens to Attack S. Korea Over Drills – AP

South Koreans Protest China’s Plan to Repatriate North Koreans – VOA

Al-Qaida Links With SE Asia Fraying – AP

Europe

Turkey Pledges No Third Country Use of NATO Defenses – VOA

At Least 24 Killed in Russian Caucasus Fighting – Reuters

Russia Police Death Toll in Rebel Operation Now 17 – AP

Thousands Rally for Putin Before Russian Election – Reuters

Greek Leaders’ Priorities Questioned – WP

Spain Confronts Fiscal Pain – WP

Latvia Rejects Making Russian an Official Language – BBC

Latvians Reject Russian as National Language – AP

South Asia

India Allows Request to Charge US Citizen in 2008 Attacks – NYT