Pakistan Civil War News Updates -- March 2, 2010

Pakistan Seizes Insurgent Stronghold on Afghan Border -- Wall Street Journal

DAMADOLA, Pakistan—Pakistani forces have seized a key al Qaeda and Taliban stronghold along the border with Afghanistan that once served as a hideout for Ayman al Zawahiri, second-in-command to Osama bin Laden.

The capture of Damadola, a district in the Bajaur tribal region, is a major success in Pakistan's counterinsurgency campaign. The area had long been dominated by insurgents operating on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

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More News On Pakistan

Pakistani army wraps up combat operations in Bajur -- AP
Pakistan says army seized Taliban, Al-Qaeda base -- AFP
Pakistan secures Taliban hub; militiamen dance -- Reuters
Taliban cave network found in Pakistan mountains -- The Telegraph
Pakistani army kills Chechen fighters at Taliban, al-Qaeda base -- RIA Novosti
Pakistan Army Celebrates Victory but ISI Asset Escapes -- Ibrahim Sajid Malick
After Swat, anti-Taliban ops headed for Khyber -- Times Of India
Missile 'kills Lashkar-e-Jhangvi leader' in Pakistan -- BBC
Pakistan lays out terror charges for 5 Americans -- AP
Pakistan police list charges against US suspects -- AFP

Differences Still Exist Between The U.S. And Japan On The US Base In Okinawa

Japan Stymied On US Base In Okinawa As Deadline Nears -- Christian Science Monitor

Japan may try again to relocate the Futenma US base in Okinawa to the fishing village of Henoko, ahead of a May deadline to resolve the issue. But both antibase activists and the US have voiced objections to that plan.

On the steps up to a lookout point over Futenma, a United States Marine Corps helicopter base in the middle of downtown Ginowan, blue spray-painted graffiti carries a blunt message: “NO BASE MORE.”
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More News On The US Base In Okinawa

Why some in Japan support US bases in Okinawa -- Christian Science Monitor
U.S. Marine Base to Stay on Okinawa, DPJ Defense Official Says -- Business Week
Okinawa officials against idea of U.S. base relocation within island -- Xinhuanet
US Marine general says Okinawa troops not a burden -- Washington Post
Futenma in the end may stay in Okinawa, Hirano hints -- Japan Times
General: Marine air presence on Okinawa vital -- Stars And Stripes
Official: Guam unable to take Futenma Marines -- KUAM News

More Taunts Against The CIA From The Grave

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Suicide Bomber Lured 'Stupid' CIA Agents Into Afghan Trap -- Times Online

The Jordanian triple agent behind the December suicide bombing that killed eight CIA agents in Afghanistan claims in a new video that he lured American and Jordanian intelligence officers into a fatal trap by sending them misleading information about terror targets, and videotapes he had made of senior al-Qaeda leaders.

Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, a Jordanian doctor who killed seven CIA agents and his Jordanian handler in the attack also claims in the posthumous tape that he intended to kidnap only one Jordanian intelligence officer. However the unexpected opportunity to attack a large group of Americans appears to have been too good to resist.

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More News On A Suicide Bomber Who Killed 8 CIA Agents

Attacker Taunts U.S. in al Qaeda Video -- CBS News
Bomber Called C.I.A. Target Gift From God -- New York Times
In new video, CIA bomber says he lured targets with doctored intelligence -- Washington Post
Suspected CIA suicide bomber calls American team 'gift from God' -- CNN
CIA bomber said he tricked targets -- UPI

The Growth Of Al Qaeda In North Africa

Al Qaeda Growing In Strength In North Africa -- FOX News/AP

WASHINGTON — Al Qaeda's terror network in North Africa is growing more active and attracting new recruits, threatening to further destabilize the continent's already vulnerable Sahara region, according to U.S. defense and counterterrorism officials.

The North African faction, which calls itself Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), is still small and largely isolated, numbering a couple hundred militants based mostly in the vast desert of northern Mali. But signs of stepped-up activity and the group's advancing potential for growth worry analysts familiar with the region.

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My Comment: Large and sympathetic Muslim populations. Failed governments. Vast stretches of land that one can hide into. Little if any future or opportunity for the young. Yup .... a great place for Al Qaeda to grow and flourish.

Dredging Ukraine's Past To Ferment Turmoil Today

‘Hero of Ukraine’ Splits Nation, Inside and Out -- New York Times

STARYI UHRYNIV, Ukraine — Half a century after his death at the hands of the K.G.B., Stepan Bandera, a World War II partisan, has not lost his ability to rally Ukrainians against Russia — and against each other.

Monuments to Mr. Bandera have sprung up across western Ukraine, his fight for the country’s independence glowingly recounted to schoolchildren on field trips, as if he were the George Washington of Ukrainian nationalism. But in eastern Ukraine and as far away as Moscow and Brussels, Mr. Bandera is reviled as a Nazi puppet.

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My Comment: I am glad that my father is not alive to see this. A Russian-Ukrainian, he fought with the Soviet military against the Nazis and their allies like Stepan Bandera. Shame to departing President Mr. Yushchenko for naming this Nazi collaborator a "Hero Of Ukraine", and kudos to the European Union for also condemning this recognition.

Is The U.S. About To Sell Out Britain Over The Falklands?

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Photo from Times Online

UK Rejects Hillary Clinton's Help In Falklands Dispute -- BBC

Downing Street has rejected an offer from the US to help the UK and Argentina resolve their latest dispute over the Falkland Islands.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the offer after renewed tensions were triggered by a UK decision to drill for oil near the islands.

A spokesman for Gordon Brown said he welcomed her comments but did not think her direct involvement was necessary.

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More News On The Falklands Dispute

US ignores Argentine call for Falklands mediation -- Yahoo News/AFP
Falklands Row: UK Refuses US Help Offer -- Sky News
Clinton sidesteps mediation role in Falklands dispute -- Yahoo News/AFP
Clinton meeting with Kirchner adds to British unease over Falklands -- Times Online
Hillary Clinton offers to help solve Falklands dispute -- The Telegraph
Clinton Urges Talks on the Falkland Islands -- New York Times
Clinton: US will help resolve Falklands oil row -- The Guardian
US offers to mediate in Falkland oil dispute -- Financial Times
US ignores Argentine call for Falklands mediation -- AFP
Argentina tightens Falklands security grip -- UPI
Hillary Clinton slaps Britain in the face over the Falklands -- The Telegraph

My Comment: The British have made it very clear .... they want no US involvement in what they consider as a purely internal affair.

Iraq Elections: Violence Fears Ahead Of U.S. Military Withdrawal

An American soldier looks out toward the border between Iraq and Iran. Photo from The BBC

In Diyala, Dangerous Omens for an Iraq Without U.S. Troops -- Time Magazine

For a glimmer of what Iraq might look like without Americans, take a drive east of Baghdad to Diyala province, whose mixed Sunni, Shi'ite and Kurdish population is the country in microcosm. U.S. soldiers now rarely leave their bases outside Iraq's cities and towns, leaving security on the road to Diyala largely in the hands of the Iraqi security forces. The soldiers and police who man the many checkpoints wear the latest fashion in pattern-disrupting camouflage uniforms and patches that say "Special Forces" or "SWAT." But they still rely on controversial antenna-rod bomb detectors that may in fact be useless. Their transport consists primarily of high-performance Ford trucks that break down without clean high-octane gasoline that's hard to find in Iraq. And such is the capacity of their resupply operation that they beg for water from passing foreign convoys. "They'd die out here in summer if it wasn't for us," says one American security contractor.

Read more ....

More News On Iraq

Before Iraq election, Arab and Kurd tensions soar in the north -- Christian Science Monitor
Number of Iraqis killed jumps as election nears -- AP
Iraq death toll spikes ahead of election -- AFP
U.S. pullout top challenge for Iraq security: minister -- Reuters
Weapons, explosives seized ahead of Iraq elections -- AP
Iraq's stability on the line -- Daily Star
Iraq VP slams corruption, urges a vote for 'change' -- AFP
Iraqis Awash in Gifts From Candidates -- New York Times
Iraq's Oil Deals Dominate PM Election -- Time Magazine/AP
US fears Iranian influence in Iraq -- BBC
In Iraq, Americans Struggle to Relinquish Control -- Wall Street Journal
Vote Seen as Pivotal Test for Both Iraq and Maliki -- New York Times
Best and Worst Case Scenarios for the Iraqi Elections -- Atlantic Wire
Warnings of chaos in Iraq as US prepares to pull out -- First Post
Iraq elections: Candidate profiles -- Gulf News

Earthquake In Chile -- News Updates March 2, 2010

Dennise Pincochet, 24, cried in front of her destroyed house in Constitución, Chile, on Monday. Tomas Munita for The New York Times

Chilean Troops Deployed in Hard-Hit City to Quell Unrest -- New York Times

SANTIAGO, Chile — As smaller tremors continued to jolt this earthquake-ravaged country on Tuesday morning, the Chilean government sought to quell looting and unrest in one of the hardest-hit cities by deploying thousands of government troops and extending an overnight curfew until midday.

Chilean newspapers quoted President Michelle Bachelet as saying that the situation in the devastated city of Concepción was “under control,” even though reports indicated that most of the city was still without electricity, phone service or running water.

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More News On Chile

Chile deploys troops to contain chaos after earthquake -- Washington Post
Chile scrambles to distribute aid, quell disorder -- L.A. Times
Chile curfew extended as troops fail to grasp control after quake -- Time Magazine
Chile curfew ends as troops quell post-quake looting -- BBC
Battle zone: troops tackle post-quake unrest -- ABC News (Australia)
Troops fight mobs in post-quake Chile -- Breitbart/AP
Lawlessness won't be tolerated, Chilean president says -- CNN
Chile Battles Lawlessness, Desperation After Massive Earthquake -- Voice of America
Continued Looting in Chile in Aftermath of Earthquake -- Voice of America
'Chaos', Looting Reported In Post-Quake Concepcion, Chile -- NPR
Pictured: Body of looter left dying by side of the road after being hit by car in aftermath of Chile earthquake -- The Daily Mail
Chilean troops patrol quake-hit city under curfew -- Reuters
Chile Officials Call for Aid as Devastation Sinks In -- New York Times
Chilean Quake Likely Shifted Earth’s Axis, NASA Scientist Says -- Bloomberg

Afghanistan War News Updates -- March 2, 2010

U.S. Army soldiers engage enemy forces during Operation Moshtarak in Badula Qulp, Afghanistan, Feb. 19, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to the Company A, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. The International Security Assistance Force operation is an offensive mission being conducted in areas of Afghanistan prevalent in drug-trafficking and Taliban insurgency. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez

Marjah's Residents Wary Of U.S. After Taliban Ouster -- McClatchy News

MARJAH, Afghanistan — One by one, the men of Marjah tentatively approached the high-ranking Afghan official with their complaints.

One man accused U.S. Marines of insulting Afghan men by conducting intrusive searches. Two worried that the government would tax their poppy harvests — just like the Taliban did. A fourth was told he'd receive financial compensation for relatives killed during the fighting.

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More News On Afghanistan

McChrystal, others visit Marja, Afghanistan, as offensive enters governing phase -- Washington Post
Afghan soldiers show improvement in Marja assault -- L.A. Times
Marines to remain in Marja for months -- Boston.com
First steps for stability in Marjah? -- BBC
In Marja, a Vice President Speaks With Warmth, but Reaps Cool -- New York Times
Focus in Marjah turns to building government -- Financial Times
Gen. McChrystal Visits Marja Where 'Clock is Ticking' -- ABC News
ANALYST VIEW - Analysts assess Marjah offensive -- Reuters

6 NATO troops killed in Afghanistan -- Washington Times
Six NATO troops killed in attacks around Afghanistan -- USA Today/AP
British soldier shot dead in Afghanistan: ministry -- Yahoo News/AFP
NATO service member killed in southern Afghanistan -- AP
Attacks in Afghanistan Kill 6 NATO Troops, 10 Civilians -- Voice of America
Britain's Afghanistan death toll rises to 267 -- Mirror

Afghanistan bans coverage of Taliban attacks -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Afghanistan bans filming of attacks -- Al Jazeera
Afghan curbs on live media coverage of Taliban attacks -- BBC
Afghanistan Bans Coverage of Taliban Attacks -- Time Magazine

In Afghanistan, U.S. is fighting tribal insurgency, not jihad -- Baltimore Sun
'Mowing the grass' in Afghanistan -- Boston.com
Afghan complaints show obstacles ahead in war -- AP
British troops in Afghanistan shocked at use of lightly armoured vechiles -- Mirror
Afghanistan is just a chessboard to politicians -- The Telegraph

World News Briefs -- March 2, 2010

Continued Looting In Chile In Aftermath Of Earthquake -- Voice of America

Authorities in Chile's second-most populous city have extended a curfew in an effort to curb the looting following Saturday's deadly earthquake.

The lawlessness that has plagued Concepcion since the city was badly damaged by the quake prompted officials to extend a curfew from 8 p.m. Monday until noon Tuesday.

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MIDDLE EAST

AEA says Iran not cooperating with UN on nuclear issues.

New momentum for Iran sanctions.

Dubai to screen Israeli arrivals.

Iraq tensions rise after Kurds threaten to arrest Arab governor.

ASIA

6 NATO troops killed in Afghanistan.

US envoys' visit to Beijing aims to heal ties.

Pakistan Taliban confirm death of man wanted by US.

US Marines land on Iwo Jima to mark anniversary.

AFRICA

Zimbabwe forces white-owned firms to give up majority stake.

Niger junta names transitional government.

Chad gives UN peacekeeping force extra two months.

EUROPE

Bosnian Serbs wanted peace: Karadzic. Karadzic denies Sarajevo, Srebrenica war crimes.

Ukraine coalition collapses, no-confidence vote due.

Five European states back burka ban.

Medvedev demands resignations over Olympic flop.

AMERICAS

Argentina asks US for 'friendly mediation' in islands dispute.

Spanish judge accuses Venezuela of aiding Basque and Colombian militants. Venezuela plotted to kill Colombia president, Spain judge says.

Colombia gets ready for life after Uribe.

Canada wakes up after Games climax at ease with itself.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaeda growing in strength and numbers in Africa.

Supreme Court dismisses case of Uighurs held at Guantanamo.

US drone attack kills al-Qaida-linked top Chinese militant in Pak.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

GM recalling 1.3 million vehicles over steering problems.

China holds more U.S. debt than indicated.