ISW News Roundup - November 25, 2008

Airman 1st Class Justin Iverson and Staff Sgt. Peter Casola, U.S. Airmen assigned to the 11th Security Forces Squadron of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, wave at passing cars during a patrol, Nov. 22, 2008, along the streets within the Doura community located in southern Baghdad.

Security

Wall Street Journal - Baghdad Bombs Kill 20 People, from AP

LA Times - Release of Iranian raises questions in Iraq, by Tina Susman

Reuters - FACTBOX - Security developments in Iraq, Nov 25

Washington Post - 3 Deadly Blasts Hit Iraq Ahead of Security Pact Vote, by Sudarsan Raghaven and Qais Mizher

Long War Journal - Sixteen Iraqis killed in morning bombings in Baghdad, by Bill Roggio

UPI - Iraqi bomber was mentally disabled woman

DefenseLink Mil - Coalition, Iraqis Capture Terror Suspect, Seize Weapons, from AFPS

 

Reconstruction and Politics

Reuters - Iraq says Kurds can seek arms, by must inform govt

Reuters - Iraq OKs $144 mln deal with Argentina's Tenaris

Reuters - Influence wanes for followers of Iraq's Sadr, by Peter Graff

Long War Journal - On walk across Mosul, general sees gains and room for more, by Wesley Morgan

Associated Press -Iraq govt and Kurds discuss disputed oil contracts

 

Status of Forces Agreement

Associated Press - Iraqi PM's deputies defend security pact with US

Associated Press - Iran: Hardliners urge Iraq to reject security pact, by Ali Akbar Dareini

Reuters - Iraq confident parliament to pass U.S. security pact, by Mohammed Abbas

 

 

Afghanistan and Pakistan

Christian Science Monitor - Rise in crime, kidnapping, top Afghans' worries, by Mark Sappenfield and Anand Gopal

BBC - Life in Afghanistan

Washington Times - 10 Taliban arrested in school girl acid attack, by Noor Khan

Washington Post - U.S. to Boost Presence Near Kabul, by Candace Rondeaux

The Australian - Spark of hope for Afghans, by Hamid Karzai

BBC - Top UN team assesses Afghanistan

Wall Street Journal - IMF Clears Way for a $7.6 Billion Loan to Pakistan, by Tom Barkley

The News.com - Waziristan new battlefield for Kashmiri militants, by Amir Mir

 

Region

Syria

Associated Press - Syria rejects US claims it is aiding terrorists, by Albert Aji

Associated Press - UN nuclear agency chief critical of US, by George Jahn

Adn Kronos - Terrorism: Syria and Iran benefit from Al-Qaeda, says Jihadi leader

Iran

Breitbart - US official urges Iran to seize chance for amends, by David Rising

LA Times Blog - Lebanon and Iran expected to talk weapons, by Raed Rafei

BBC - Lebanon president visits Tehran

Hezbollah

BBC - Hezbollah missile stock 'tripled'

Israel

BBC - Gaza crossing resealed by Israel

Kuwait

BBC - Kuwait government 'to step down'

Islamic Militants

LA Times - An inside look at Islamic militants, by Sebastian Rotella

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