US Naval Institute Daily - USNI
Afghanistan
German President Makes Surprise Afghanistan Trip - VOA
Afghan Provincial Intel Chief Targeted in Bombing - AP
Pakistan
Tensions Flare as GI’s Take Fire Out of Pakistan - NYT
US Goes after Haqqani Network - WP
Pakistan Leans Toward Talks, Not Fighting, with Insurgents - WP
Fearful Pakistanis Spurn Polio Vaccines - LAT
Pakistan Wants Afghan Action on Taliban Cleric - Reuters
US Drone Strike in Pakistan Kills 3 Haqqani-Linked Egyptians - AP
Iran
Iran Could Scrap Directly Elected President - Reuters
US Gov’t Says Alleged Iran Plot Was 'Very Real' - Reuters
Iran Reacts to Pressure From America - NYT
Khamenei Warns US over Assassination Claims - AP
Iran Demands Access to Accused US Plotter - Reuters
US Congress Losing Patience with Iran Policy - WP
Iraq
Analysis: Iraq US Troop Deal Drifts Over Immunity - Reuters
Iraqi Kurds Rally over Right to Raise Kurdish Flag - AP
Syria
Arab League Discusses Suspending Syria - VOA
Arab League Calls for Syria Talks - BBC
Arab League to Discuss Suspending Syria - AP
Arab League Calls for Dialogue in Syria - Reuters
Libya
Libya NTC Forces 'in Bani Walid' - BBC
Gaddafi Diehards in Sirte Hold Up Libyan Troops - Reuters
Libyans Tearing Down Gadhafi's Tripoli Compound - AP
Survivor Sheds Light on Piles of Bodies Around Sirte - LAT
Hospital in Sirte is a Casualty of Libyan War - WP
Yemen
Yemeni Forces Kill 5 in Sana'a, Taiz - VOA
Revolt Escalates, Pro-Government Forces Fire on Protesters - NYT
Protesters 'Shot' for Second Day in Yemen Capital - BBC
Forces Battle in Yemeni Capital - AP
Eight Yemenis Killed, Saleh Sees Russian, Chinese Support - Reuters
Saleh: Diplomats Spreading Falsehoods - AP
Israel / Palestinians
In Israel, Charged Debate over Prisoner Release - AP
Some Try to Halt Israeli Prisoner Swap - WP
Poll: Israelis Widely Support Prisoner Exchange - AP
Israel Releases Names of 477 Prisoners to Be Freed in Trade - NYT
Israel Publishes Prison Swap List - BBC
Israel Moves 430 Palestinians Near Prisoner Swap Venue - Reuters
Prominent Palestinian Prisoners to Be Freed - AP
Israel Torn by Morality of Shalit Prisoner Swap - Reuters
Emotions High Ahead of Israel-Hamas Prisoner Swap - AP
Egypt
Egyptian Political Coalitions Polarized Ahead of Elections - LAT
Egypt's Reform Leader Criticizes Military Rulers - AP
ElBaradei: Civil Courts Must Try Egypt Clash Suspects - Reuters
Middle East / North Africa
US Arms Deal to Bahrain Faces Resistance - WP
US Arms Won't Be Used on Bahrain Protesters - DN
Saudi King in Hospital for Back Operation - Reuters
Tunisia Islamists Set for Big Election Gains - AP
Thousands of Tunisians Rally Against Extremism - AP
Tunis Crowds Gather for anti-Censorship March - LAT
US Department of Defense
US Navy Considering Dual-Mission Submarine - NT
Unfounded Drone Fears - LAT opinion
United States
Perry a Hawk on Texas Border Security - WP
Gingrich Slams Obama over National Security - WT
Border Agency's Growth Accompanied by Rise in Corruption - LAT
Anti-Wall St. Movement Grows to Dozens of Cities - AP
An Aid Agency in the Crosshairs - WP opinion
United Nations
UN Chief Pushes Trust, Green Themes with Lawmakers - AP
World
‘Occupy’ Protests Continue Worldwide - WP
Global 'Day of Rage' Mostly Peaceful, Rome Clears - Reuters
Good News! No, Really! - NYT opinion
Africa
Kenyan Forces Enter Somalia to Battle Militants - NYT
Kenya Hunts Kidnappers in Somalia - BBC
Tanks and Jets: Kenyan Military Moves Into Somalia - AP
Kenya, Somali Troops Target Al Shabaab Bases in Somalia -Reuters
Kenya Helicopter Crashes; Push into Somalia Begins - AP
Al Qaeda Tries a New Tactic in Somalia: Philanthropy - NYT
Uganda's President Says US Troops in Africa Will Not Fight - AP
Why Set US Troops on Africa Militants? - CBS
Radical Sect Kills Community Official in Nigeria - AP
Bomb Kills 3 at Northern Nigerian Police Base - Reuters
Liberia Presidential Challenger Predicts Runoff - AP
Liberia Leader Welcomes Runoff - BBC
Int'l Court Probes Ivory Coast Post-Poll Violence - AP
Americas
Central America Rains Toll Rises - BBC
Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc Through Central America - AP
Calderon Sparks Mexico Drugs Row - BBC
Calderon: Mexico Opposition May Work With Criminals - Reuters
Mexican Soldiers Rescue 61 People Held by Drug Gang - AP
Mexico Troops Free Kidnap Victims - BBC
Bolivians Rebuke Morales in Judicial Ballot - AP
Bolivians Vote for Top Judges; Opposition Protests - AP
Venezuela: Chavez Travels to Cuba for Medical Tests - AP
Cuba's Ladies in White Stage March, Vow to Continue - Reuters
Leader's Death a New Challenge for Cuba's 'Ladies' - AP
Cuba: Legacy of a Lady in White - WP opinion
What Haiti Doesn’t Need - WP editorial
Asia Pacific
China Watches Nervously as Taiwan Election Nears - Reuters
North Korea and US to Meet in Geneva Next Week - Reuters
US-South Korea Free-trade Pact Challenged - WT
Thailand: Flood Barriers Shield Bangkok - AP
US and Philippine Marines Hold Drill Near Spratlys - AP
Italian Priest Shot Dead in Southern Philippines - AP
Europe
In Italy, Rioting Leads to Recriminations - NYT
Italy Cracks Down on Anarchists After Riot - AP
Rome Rioting Said to Cost Euro 1 Million or More - AP
France's Socialists Have a Candidate - LAT
France: Hollande Elected to Face Sarkozy - BBC
Sarkozy Challenger Hollande Seen as Soft, Unifying - AP
Germany: Greek Debt Write-Down Must Be Higher - Reuters
Greece Heads for Standstill Before Austerity Vote - Reuters
UK Town Gets Royal Title for Honoring War Dead - AP
Allies: Russian Activist Denied Proper Health Care - AP
Conference Due on ETA Separatists - BBC
South Asia
India March over 'Draconian' anti-Insurgent Law - BBC
India Politician Sacked over Missing Nurse - BBC
Australia Pressed to Investigate Sri Lanka Envoy for Warcrimes - Reuters
Comments
Well I have some ideas to save money, just start asking for some volunteers to perform some special missions. No BUD/S or SF pipeline to complete. No Airborne School etc. Give us a pocket full of cash, a backpack full of gear, drop us off in close proximity to these mortar POOs and tell us to "fix it". Me and a few other people will fix it, then we'll just find a way back to town, where town is, get a taxi, get to a US embassy or airport, get on a plane and off we go. Hell, I'll even use my own leave time. If people are shooting at our Soldiers & Marines, they need to pay. End of story.
If we don't make it back, well, we accepted the risk.
But, either we fight the war or end the war. Either way, having your people take mortar fire with no recourse is wrong. People need to be fired for that.
- Sorry for the rant, but this really agitates me.
The New York Times reports today that American posts near the Afghan border with Pakistan are receiving increased amounts of 107 & 122mm rocket fire originating from inside Pakistan or from the Afghan side within yards of the border. The soldiers on the spot are prevented from doing all they could do to retaliate because of where the border line is drawn. The story states that the enlisted soldiers are seething because of this.
From the viewpoint of a civilian, and if the story's facts are true, it seems that our soldiers are not being permitted to defend themselves. This restriction is not because the rocket launch sites are in the middle of a refugee camp or a village bazaar, it it solely because of a line drawn on the map. The conclusion to be drawn is that the restrictions exist to avoid the Pak Army being cross with us. So far the fire hasn't caused a American casualties but it is inevitable that if it continues, it will. I don't believe the comrades of the dead will be satisfied with the explanation that their friend's deaths were a worthwhile price to pay to avoid GEN Kayani raising a disapproving eyebrow at ADM Mullen next time they sit down to tea.
Again from a civilian's standpoint, doesn't loyalty work both ways? Don't the higher ups owe it to the guys on the spot to let them shoot back effectively or to get them out of there?