Global News Alert - December 9, 2009

 December 8, 2009 Global News Alert                  December 10, 2009 Global News Alert

Afghanistan

Reuters - Gates: Pieces Coming Together for Afghan Success, by Adam Entous and Yara Bayoumy

VOA News - Gates Visits Troop in Afghanistan

Wall Street Journal - McChrystal Expects Effects of Surge Within a Year, by Yochi Dreazen and Peter Spiegel

New York Times - Two Top Aides Show Unity on Afghanistan Strategy, by Eric Schmitt

Washington Times - McChrystal, Envoy Defend Obama's War Plan, by Tom LoBianco

BBC News - Gen McChrystal: Bin Laden is Key to Al-Qaeda Defeat

Department of Defense - McChrystal Calls Afghan Training Critical to Mission Success, by Gerry Gilmore

Department of Defense - Eikenberry Stresses Civilian Component in Afghanistan, by Jim Garamone

New York Times - Afghan Says Army Will Need Help Until 2024, by Richard Oppel and Elisabeth Bumiller

LA Times - Afghanistan Will Need U.S. Help for 15 to 20 Years, Karzai Says, by Julian Barnes and Tony Perry

Department of Defense, Villagers Embrace Marines, Afghan Forces, by Dwight Henderson

RFE/RL - Kabul Mayor, Convicted of Graft, Gives Presser Despite Order for Arrest

Times Online - Pull Out of Afghanistan Now and We'll Have to Go Back, Says Defense Secretary, by Michael Evens

RFE/RL - Armenian Parliament Endorses Troop Deployment to Afghanistan

Wall Street Journal - U.S. Seeks New Guards in Kabul, by August Cole

Washington Post (Opinion) - McChrystal's 'Victory' Dance, by Dana Milbank

LA Times (Opinion) - Afghanistan's Way Forward Must Include the Taliban, by Azeem Ibrahim

Pakistan

Christian Science Monitor - Why Pakistan's Old Jihadis Pose New Threat - At Home and in Afghanistan, by Issam Ahmed

Reuters - Pakistan's Pehawar, Epicenter of Jihad, by Michael Georgy

New York Times - Twin Attacks in Pakistan Kill Dozens, by Waqar Gillani

Christian Science Monitor - Pakistan Attacks: Officials Feed Suspicion That India, US Are to Blame, by Issam Ahmed

Times Online - Pakistan President Has Assets 'Beyond His Means' of $1.5 Billion, by Zahid Hussain

Iraq

Associated Press - Iraqi PM Asks for Patience after Baghdad Bombings, by Chelsea Carter

Washington Post - Baghdad Bombings Kill at Least 127, by Ernesto Londono

Washington Times - Iraq Bombing Threatens Maliki Government's Future, by Eli Lake

LA Times - Baghdad Bombs Kill 127 as Iraq Vote is Set, by Ned Parker, Raheem Salman, and Usama Redha

RFE/RL - Iraqis Says Al-Qaeda Susupected After Bombs Kill 127

Reuters - Iraq Says Deaths from Tuesday's Bombing Lower

VOA News - Inquiry Highlights Divisions Between US, Britain on Iraq, by Jennifer Glasse

Department of Defense - Odierno Cites Iraq's 'Deliberate, Steady Progress,' by Gerry Gilmore

World

Iran

Reuters - Iran Says Will Show No Mercy to Opposition Protesters, by Parisa Hafezi

New York Times - Violent Protests in Iran Carry Into Second Day, by Robert Worth

Times Online - Tehran Accuses US of Seizing Pilgrim Nuclear Scientist, by Catherine Philip

Yemen

BBC News - Yemen Army Advance on Houthi Reels in Saada

North Korea

Associated Press - US Assures North Korea of 'Robust' Direct Talks Channel, by Jae-Soon Chang

Reuters - For North Korea, Giving Up Atomic Weapons is a Risks, by Jonathan Thatcher

India

BBC News - Kashmir Conflict 'Unfinished Business'

Reuters - Violent Protests Shut Down High-Tech Indian City

Japan