ISW News Roundup - April 8, 2009
Iraq
Associated Press - Police: Bomb near Baghdad shrine kills 7, by Sinan Salaheddin
Reuters - Iraq city placed in lockdown as police hunt bombers, by Fadhel al-Badrani
RFE/RL - U.S. Defense Chief Sees Al-Qaeda's 'Last Gasp' in Iraq
New York Times - A Moment of Heroism After a Blast in Baghdad, by Sam Dagher
RFE/RL - Tension Runs Deep Between Iraqi Government And Awakening Councils, by Ron Synovitz
New York Times - Iraq's Newly Open Gays Face Scorn and Murder, by Timothy Williams and Tareq Maher
Christian Science Monitor - Invited by Saddam: Iranian opposition members refuse to leave Iraq outpost, by Jane Arraf
Department of Defense - Earth Movers Remove Remnants of War in Baghdad Neighborhood, by Army 1st Lt. Marvin Nelson
Washington Times - Obama presses leaders in Baghdad visit, by Jon Ward
Reuters - Obama says Iraq entering critical phase, by Matt Spetalnick
Washington Times - Full transcript: President Obama addresses troops in Iraq
Times Online UK - Barack Obama tells Iraqis to take responsibility, by Tom Baldwin and Deborah Haynes
Associated Press - Analysis: Obama achieves defining TV shot in Iraq, by Steven R. Hurst
Associated Press - Obama draws warmer feelings than predecessor, by Robert H. Reid
Afghanistan
Reuters - Karzai says will change Shi'a law if unconstitutional, by Jonathan Burch
Associated Press - US-led troops kill 6 Afghan militants, by Amir Shah
Washington Post - For Afghan Craftsmen, a Welcome Upswing After Years of Struggle, by Pamela Constable
BBC - Afghans run risks for work in Iran, by Martin Patience
BBC - Nato pair killed in Afghanistan
Department of Defense - Road Work Begins With Great Expectations in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley, by Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
Pakistan
Long War Journal - Taliban advance on Buner, by Bill Roggio
RFE/RL - UN's Ban Condemns Flogging Of Girl In Pakistan
Washington Times - Pakistan: We need a Marshall Plan, by Sara A. Carter
New York Times - Trust Is Issue, Pakistan Tells U.S., by Jane Perlez
Reuters - Pakistan arrests 5 militants "planning attacks"
Associated Press - Suspected US missile strike kills 2 in NW Pakistan, by Ishtiaq Mahsud
Christian Science Monitor Terrorism Update - Pakistan drone attacks to intensify, Obama officials say, by David Montero
Region
Iran
Associated Press - Iranian president welcomes 'honest' talks with US, by Ali Akbar Dareini
Reuters - Major powers look at new ways to coax Iran, by Sue Pleming
Reuters - Iran to say mastering final stage of nuclear cycle, by Parisa Hafezi
Washington Post - Chinese Firm Indicted in Sales to Iran, by Colum Lynch
Associated Press - Chinese man said to help Iran with nukes, by Samuel Maull
Associated Press - Iran charges American journalist with espionage
Israel
LA Times - Biden warns Israel off any attack on Iran, by Paul Richter
Associated Press - Palestinians: 8 wounded by Israeli troops in clash, by Nasser Shiyoukhi
Somalia
Associated Press - Somali pirates seize 21 American sailors, by Katharine Houreld
Yemen
Long War Journal - Yemen retakes Ja'ar; Jama'at al Jihad affirms alliance with state, by Jane Novak