ISW News Roundup - February 7, 2009

Iraq Security and Politics

Washington Post - Iraqi Elections Deliver Victory for U.S. Goals, by Sudarsan Raghavan and Ernesto Londono

Associated Press - US played behind-the-scenes role in Iraqi vote, by Hamza Hendawi

Associated Press - Al-Sadr candidates appeal Iraq election results, by Hamid Ahmed

Associated Press - Iraqi oil minister says OPEC to cut production, by Sinan Salaheddin

New York Times - U.S. Military Violated Security Agreement Twice in Two Weeks, Iraqi Leaders Say, by Alissa J. Rubin

New York Times - Falluja's Strange Visitor: A Western Tourist, by Stephen Farrell and Alissa J. Rubin

New York Times - Election Results, Who's Up, Who's Down, by Riyadh Muhammed

Afghanistan and Pakistan

Reuters - U.S. says new Afghanistan strategy needed by April

Associated Press - NATO chief: more European troops in Afghanistan, by David Rising and George Jahn

Reuters - Taliban say kidnapped Pole killed; fate unclear, by Abdul Sami Paracha

Reuters - India says militant camps in Pakistan still active

Reuters - Militants kill 7 police in Pakistan attack

Israel/Hamas Conflict

Washington Post - U.N Halts Aid to Gaza In Dispute With Hamas, by Griff Witte

Washington Post - U.N. Says School Where 43 Died Wasn't Hit by Israeli Fire, by Griff Witte

Associated Press - Top Hamas strongman emerges from post-war hiding, by Ibrahim Barzak

Associated Press - In Lebanese camp, fears over Palestinian divisions, by Sam F. Ghattas

Reuters - Hamas team in Egypt to move forward on truce effort, by Aziz El-Kaissouni

Region

Iran

Reuters - Iran official sees positive U.S. signal in Mideast

Russia

New York Times - Biden Rejects Russian Sphere of Influence, by Helene Cooper

New York Times - U.S. Can Ship Afghan Aid Through Russia, Kremlin Says, by Ellen Barry

U.S. Foreign Policy

Reuters - U.S. unveils changes to foreign policy, by Ross Colvin