ISW News Roundup - October 21, 2008

A U.S. Soldier from 66th Engineers Co., 25th Infantry Division, uses a flame thrower to engulf a field of reeds and high brush in flames, Aug. 26, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel Herrera/Released)

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

The Status of Forces Agreement has recently reached a new phase as Iraqi and U.S. negotiators discuss the final details.  However, internal politics and foreign interference continue to put the agreement's future into question.

New York Times - New Doubts Cloud Iraqi Security Pact With U.S., by Alissa J. Rubin and Suadad al-Salhy

LA Times - Iraq sends draft of U.S. security pact to Cabinet, by Ned Parker and Saif Hameed

Associated Press - Iraqi Cabinet discusses security pact with US, by Sinan Salaheddin

Reuters - FACTBOX - Iraq's security pact with the United States

Washington Post  - Shiite Bloc's Demands Stall U.S. - Iraq Pact, by Mary Beth Sheridan and Ernesto Londono

Washington Post - Iraqi Shi'ite says Maliki wary of U.S. pact, by Waleed Ibrahim

Telegraph (UK)  - US ambassador defends deal to stay Iraq for three years, by Damien McElroy

 

Security

Recent Iraqi security developments show rising tensions between Iran, the U.S. and Iraq over the security situation and upcoming SOFA agreement. 

Reuters - FACTBOX Security Developments in Iraq

New York Times - Documents Say Iran Aids Militias From Iraq, by Mark Mazzetti

Long War Journal - Iraqi Forces detain seven Iranian agents in Iraq, by Bill Roggio

Washington Post - Iraqi forces raid home of pro-U.S. group leader, by Aseel Kami

Stars and Stripes - Iraqi army creates civil affairs program, by James Warden

 

Other Iraq Headlines

Anbar Province

LA Times Blog - IRAQ: Insurgency in Anbar may be down but not yet out, by Tony Perry

Washington Post - A new Breed Grabs Reins in Anbar, by Sudarsan Raghavan 

Kurds - Arabs

Christian Science Monitor - US referees Iraq's troubled Kurdish-Arab fault line, by Scott Peterson

British

BBC - Hutton hails UK progress in Iraq

Budget

Wall Street Journal - As Crude Falls, Iraqi Leaders Scramble to Plan Budget, by Gina Chon

Looted Museum

Reuters - U.S. gives Iraq $13 million to fix looted museum, by Aseel Kami

 

Region

Democracy

The Peninsular Qatar -Arab leaders deliberate on democracy, by Agence France Presse

Pakistan

The New York Times - Pakistani Legislators Show Little Appetite for a Fight, by Jane Perlez

Afghanistan

The Times Online (UK) - NATO mission accused of wavering political will in Afghanistan, by Michael Evans

Iran

Voice of America - Big-Power Diplomats Discuss Iran Nuclear Issue, by David Gollust

The Telegraph (UK) - Iran arrests pigeons 'spying' on nuclear site

Israel

The Australian - Israel ponders revival of Saudi peace plan

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