ISW News Roundup - March 18, 2009
Iraq
Associated Press - Officials: Bomb kill couple, policeman in Iraq, by Sinan Salaheddin
Washington Times - Suspected Saddam-era mass grave found in Iraq
Reuters - Iraq urges execution of Saddam-era officials
LA Times - Court upholds dismissal of charges in Haditha case, by Tony Perry
Washington Post - Ordinary Moments in a Once-Unpredictable Place, by Anthony Shadid
New York Times Baghdad Bureau - A Baghdad Reading List, by Rod Nordland
Afghanistan
Associated Press - Afghan leader warns against international meddling, by Fisnik Abrashi
Reuters - NATO says 4,000 extra troops needed for Afghan poll, by Jonathan Burch and Sayed Salahuddin
Department of Defense -On the Ground: Troops Aid Afghans With Security, Supplies
Department of Defense - Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill Seven in Bomb-making Bust
Pakistan
Associated Press - Pakistan: attack stops traffic on NATO supply line, by Nahal Toosi
Reuters - U.S. weighs expanded covert war in Pakistan: report
New York Times - U.S. Weighs Taliban Strike Into Pakistan, by David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt
Christian Science Monitor - US considers broadening drone airstrikes in Pakistan, by Tom A. Peter
BBC - Pakistan rejects US strike report
Christian Science Monitor - Why Pakistan's president gave in, by Saeed Shah and Jonathan S. Landay
Region
Iran
Associated Press - US: No surprise Iran using drone craft over Iraq
Associated Press - Iran: Leading candidate vows Islamic-based reform, by Ali Akbar Dareini
Associated Press - Reports: Russia confirms Iran missile contract
Reuters - U.N. official says U.S. "demonizes" Iranian leader, by Patrick Worsnip
Reuters -U.S. says Iran increasing activity in Latin America
RFE/RL - Iran Watchdog Seals Budget Setback For Ahmadinejad
Israel
Associated Press - Egypt opens Gaza border to aid, Palestinians
Reuters - Egypt blocks Hamas cash at Rafah border
Reuters - Israeli PM says Hamas price for soldier too high, by Allyn Fisher-Ilan
LA Times - Israel's Olmert says effort to free Gilad Shalit has failed, by Richard Boudreaux
Reuters - Israel said near compromise on F-35 fighters, by Jim Wolf
Russia
Washington Post - Medvedev Pushes Plan to Remake Russian Military, by Philip P. Pan
RFE/RL - Could France's View of Moscow Help, Or Hurt, NATO? by Andrew F. Tully
Yemen
Reuters - Man blows himself up in failed Yemen attack: source
Syria
Associated Press - Report: Assad would like to meet Obama
Somalia
Long War Journal - Swedish citizen senior leader of Somali terror alliance, by Bill Raymond and Bill Roggio