ISW News Roundup - October 30, 2008
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
The Iraqi leadership continues to press for last minute changes to the SOFA agreements while the US reiterates its support for the agreement in its current state.
New York Times - Iraqis Insist on Changes to Long-Delayed Security Pact With U.S., by Sam Dagher
Associated Press - Bush says he's confident US-Iraq pact will pass, by Deb Riechmann
Reuters - Iraq says U.S. deal would ban strikes on neighbors, by Peter Graff and Mariam Karouny
Washington Post - Senior Iraqi Leader Says Pact With U.S. Is Unlikely to Pass, by Dan Eggen and Karen DeYoung
Washington Times - Turkey keeps wary eye on U.S. - Iraq peace talks, by Ben Lando
Security
Christian Science Monitor - While Baghdad improves, a family's hopes still arrested by war, by Scott Peterson
Associated Press - Relaxed lifestyles show Baghdad extremists waning, by Hamza Hendawi
Associated Press -Blast near Baghdad market kills 1, by Bushra Juhi
Reuters - FACTBOX - Security developments in Iraq, October 30
Washington Post - U.S. Takes Battle Against Iraq Violence to Border, by Ernesto Londono
Associated Press - Auditors: Private security in Iraq costs over $6B, by Pauline Jelinek
New York Times -Report on Iraq Security Lists 310 Security Contractors, by James Glanz
Associated Press -US commander wants better police for Iraqi city, by Denis D. Gray
Long War Journal - Iraqi troops find EFP factory in Sadr City, by Bill Roggio
Region
Pakistan
Washington Times - Headlines from the Arab press
Wall Street Journal - Pakistan Demands End to U.S. Strikes Against Islamic Militants on Border, by Matthew Rosenberg
Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal - Suicide Blast Hits Afghan Ministry, Killing at Least Three People
Associated Press - Afghanistan troop buildup could more than double, by Pauline Jeline
BBC - Afghan women decry Taleban talks, by Martin Vennard
Chicago Tribune - More U.S. Special Forces debated for Afghanistan, by Peter Spiegel
Syria
LA Times Blog - SYRIA: Did Damascus green-light U.S. attack?, by Borozou Daragahi
BBC - Syrians stage mass anti-US rally
Associated Press - Syrian riot police form ring around US Embassy, by Bassem Mroue
Iran