ISW News Roundup - October 23, 2008
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
As the SOFA negotiations near their deadline, the Iraqi Cabinet is seeking further amendments to the SOFA draft regarding the duration of U.S. troop presence. For the latest on these complex negotiations, read:
Agence France Presse- US, Iraq will get security pact 'worked out', Rice says
Asia Times - Details of Iraq pact reveal US debacle, by Gareth Porter
New York Times - Russia Backs Keeping U.S. Force in Iraq, by Alissa Rubin and Katherine Zoepf
Associated Press - Washington warns Iraq to accept security deal, by Robert Burns
Reuters - Rice says Iraqis can't yet defend Iraq alone
Associated Press - Bush administration urging Iraqis to drop objections to security deal; warns of consequences, by Robert Burns
Security
As U.S. continue to turn Iraqi provinces over to the Iraqi Security Forces, new bombing attacks on civilians and a government minister highlight the continuing security threats posed by enemy forces.
Associated Press - US turns over control of 12th Iraqi province, by Bradley S. Klapper
Kansas City Star - US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,180, from Associated Press
New York Times - Bomb Attack on Iraqi Official Kills 11, by Katherine Zoepf and Alan Cowell
Xinhua - At least 34 decomposed bodies discovered in mass grave in W Iraq
Washington Post - Bomber Targets Iraq's Labor Minister, by Mary Beth Sheridan
BBC - Face to face with the insurgency, by Paul Wood
Washington Post - In Sadr City, a Repressed but Growing Rage, by Sudarsan Raghavan
Washington Times - Car bomb explodes in northern Iraq, killing 4, by Bradley S. Klapper
Region
Afghanistan
San Diego Sun - U.S. special forces rescure U.S. hostage in Afghanistan, from Reuters
LA Times - Coalition friendly-fire incident kills 9 Afghan soldiers, by Laura King
Reuters India - FACTBOX - Security developments in Afghanistan
Agence France Presse - Pentagon sees fewer foreign fighters slipping into Afghanistan
Baltimore Sun - Afghanistan: Taliban fail to seize Lashkar Gah, by David Wood
New York Times - Afghan Bombing Kills 3 Coalition Troops, by Carlotta Gall and Taimoor Shah
Israel
LA Times - Examining Israel's efforts toward building a new government, by Ashraf Khalil
Russia/Georgia Conflict
Voice of America - Georgia Says Russia Massing Troops in Southern Ossetia, by VOA News
Syria
Jamestown Foundation - A Mujahideen Bleed-Through from Iraq? A Look at Syria, by Michael Scheuer
Pakistan
Christian Science Monitor - Cash Strapped Pakistan Finds Few Friensd in Time of Economic Need, by Shahan Mufti
Washington Post - Pakistan Will Give Arms to Tribal Militias, by Karen DeYoung
Long War Journal - US hits Haqqani Network in North Waziristan, by Bill Roggio
New York Times - Missiles Kill 8 in Pakistan Airstrike, by Pir Zubair Shah
Iran
Associated Press - European court rules that EU improperly froze Iranian opposition group's funds, by Raf Casert
Haaretz News - Top Iran officials recommend preemptive strike against Israel, by Barak Ravid