Afghanistan
Emboldened Taliban Try to Sell Softer Image
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Somalia
Seized Pirates in Legal Limbo, With No Formula for Trials
Al Qaeda
Leon Panetta concern over Bin Laden ‘informer’ Shikal Afridi
Somalia
Navy wants commando ‘mothership’ in Middle East
Boko Haram
Nigerian violence: Police disappear as Boko Haram brings terror to the streets
Pakistan
‘We will make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state’: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman
Free Syrian Army
Syrian Rebels Make Inroads With Help of Armed Fighters
Afghanistan
Pakistan – ANALYSIS: Voices from FATA and the panic
Pakistan-China alliance: less than meets the eye
An analysis asserts there are significant limits to the alliance which allow US policy makers more room to maneuver.
Afghanistan
Security forces killed and captured several Taliban fighters in Helmand, Khost, Wardak, and Kunduz. The Taliban killed a British soldier in Helmand. France will resume its training of Afghan forces. Afghanistan signed a strategic pact with Italy. NATO fuel purchases are depleting supplies used by Afghans.
Egypt
Islamists, protesters scuffle at at Egypt rally
Afghanistan
France, Karzai want faster NATO Afghanistan exit
Al Qaeda releases video of Saudi al Qaeda fighter killed in Waziristan
Before he was killed in Waziristan in 2009, Abdullah bin Muhsin al Shahri, who was known as Abu Rawada, discussed an al Qaeda cell that operated in Gardez, Afghanistan.
Iraq
A suicide bomber killed 32 Iraqis, including 16 policemen, during a Shia march in Baghdad. An Awaking leader was assassinated in Garma.
Afghanistan
Dialogue with the US: Afghan Taliban share ‘peace’ blueprint with Pakistan
Afghanistan
Taliban diplomats arrive in Qatar
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb named Nabil Makhloufi (AKA Nabil Abu Alqama) as its emir of the Sahara Emirate. AQIM’s leadership replaced Yahia Djouadi, the Sahara Emirate’s former emir, as he was considered ineffective.
Qatar
Qatar’s towering ambition on show in Doha
Nigeria
Nigeria’s Supreme Court dismisses five governors
Somalia
Shabaab beheaded three civilians in a public execution in Masagaway. More than 80 Somaliland troops and 21 members of a local militia were killed during a clash in Buhodle.
Nigeria
“Gunmen” kidnapped a German citizen in Kano in northern Nigeria, where Boko Haram has been active. The home town of the recently sacked inspector general of police has been locked down to prevent an attack by Boko Haram.
Hamas
Hamas quietly quits Syria as violence continues
Afghanistan
Taliban willing to compromise, Afghan negotiators say
Egypt
Egypt Bans LaHood, Other Americans From Leaving
Hamas
Israelis See Iran’s Threats of Retaliation as Bluff
United States
Pentagon: Army, Marines to shrink as budget slows
Al Qaeda
Bin Laden raid commander seeks global expansion
AQIM plot foiled in Algeria
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb sought to ram explosives-laden boats into Western ships traveling in the Mediterranean.
Afghanistan
Thousands of NATO trucks in Pakistan backlog
Afghanistan
A suicide bomber who targeted foreign aid workers killed four Afghan civilians in Helmand. Afghan civil society activists disputed President Obama’s claim that the Taliban are in retreat and said al Qaeda fighters still remain in the country.