ISW News Roundup - January 15, 2008

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Wall Street Journal - Assault on Gaza City Intensifies, Ratcheting Up Pressure for Cease-Fire, from AP

Wall Street Journal - New Bin Laden Tape Urges Jihad Against Israel Over Gaza, from AP

New York Times - Israel Strike Hits U.N. Complex in Gaza Strip, by Taghreed El-Khodary and Isabel Kershner

New York Times - War on Hamas Saps Palestinian Leaders, by Isabel Kershner

Christian Science Monitor - Fatah, Hamas split widens amid Gaza war, Illene R. Prusher

BBC - Gaza pounded amid push for truce

Iraq Security

LA Times - Slain Iraqi police chief's family awaits justice, by Ned Parker

Associated Press - Iraq Cabinet member escapes bomb in Baghdad, by Hamid Ahmed

Reuters - Iraq minister unhurt by bomb near convoy

Reuters - Security developments in Iraq, Jan 15

New York Times - Military Planners, in Nod to Obama, Are Preparing for a Faster Iraq Withdrawal, by Elisabeth Bumiller and Thom Shanker

Iraq Politics and Reconstruction

Associated Press - Basra is focus of Shiite rivalry in southern Iraq, by Hamza Hendawi and Qassim Abdul-Zahra

Defenselink Mil - Report Charts Continued Progress in Iraq, by Jim Garamone

Defenselink Mil - Division Commander in Iraq Voices Concern over Election Meddling, by John J. Kruzel

Defenselink Mil - Influential Iraqi Sheik Praises Reconciliation Efforts, from AFPS

LA Times - In Baghdad, taking the wheel, by Kim Yoshino and Caesar Ahmed

Christian Science Monitor - As house prices rise, Iraqis find they can't go home again, by Tom A. Peter

Afghanistan

Reuters - U.S. Army chief expects rise in deployed troops

Washington Post - Saudi Intel chief meets top Afghan officials, by Fisnik Abrashi

Washington Post - Top Afghan army general killed in chopper crash, by Rahim Faiez

Washington Times - Few comforts, much danger for outpost GIs, by Jason Motlagh

Voice of America - NATO tightens Rules of Engagement in Afghanistan

Region

Turkey

Christian Science Monitor - Alleged coup plot probe roils Turkey, by Yigal Schliefier

Iran

Voice of America - US: Iran a Major Threat to Iraq's Stability

Pakistan

Wall Street Journal - Pakistan Makes Arrests in Mumbai-Attacks Probe, AP