U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Drew Iverson directs an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter to takeoff during a vertical replenishment training mission at night from the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge, which is under way in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 9, 2011. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Oficer 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart
H/T Marc
Asia
Afghanistan
A cell of suicide bombers active in Kabul was run for three years by a Taliban commander operating from the city’s main prison, Afghan officials said Thursday. – New York Times
After her parents threw her out of the house for refusing to marry a 52-year-old widower with five children, Sabra, 18, boarded a bus that dropped her, afraid and confused, in downtown Kabul. She slept in a mosque for days, barely eating, until a woman took pity on her and put her in touch with human rights workers, who escorted her to a women’s shelter. That journey — terrifying enough for a young woman who had never ventured beyond the corner bazaar — would become harder still under new rules being drafted by the Afghan government that women’s advocates say will deter the most vulnerable women and girls from seeking refuge and are placing shelters under siege. – New York Times
Pakistan
A Pakistani court ordered an American official arrested in the killing of two Pakistanis to be held for another two weeks Friday, transferring him to a crowded city jail while authorities said they would prepare murder charges. – New York Times
After spending billions of dollars supporting the country’s army offensives, the Obama administration has adopted a disarmingly simple plan to defuse the violence: building a road. Washington hopes that twin 100km highways running through South Waziristan to the edge of North Waziristan, a haven for al-Qaeda loyalists, will unlock economic development and sap support for militancy. – Financial Times
India
Indian defense officials have given conflicting statements about the country’s long-awaited fighter selection, with Defense Minister A.K. Antony indicating the final choice will be pushed into 2012, but the country’s top air force official pointing to a selection this October. – Aviation Week
Koreas
North Korea is begging friends and foes alike for food aid while the elite of the regime prepares to celebrate the 69th birthday of Kim Jong-Il on February 16th. - Telegraph
North and South Korea traded blame on Thursday for the breakdown of military talks, while in Washington the U.S. spy chief said nuclear-armed North Korea poses a serious threat to security in East Asia. - Reuters
Japan
Japan's foreign minister said that Tokyo's claim over the disputed Kuril Islands remains "absolutely unwavering" on Feb. 10, despite Russia's decision to boost its military presence on the territory. - AFP
Russia warned Japan on Friday that its recent behavior in a dispute over a group of Pacific islands was unacceptable, maintaining pressure on Tokyo during a visit by Japan's foreign minister. - Reuters
Philippines
With the Philippines still reeling from the apparent suicide of a retired general who had been implicated in an investigation of military graft, a spokesman for the armed forces said Thursday that such corruption was a thing of the past. – New York Times
A cell of suicide bombers active in Kabul was run for three years by a Taliban commander operating from the city’s main prison, Afghan officials said Thursday. – New York Times
After her parents threw her out of the house for refusing to marry a 52-year-old widower with five children, Sabra, 18, boarded a bus that dropped her, afraid and confused, in downtown Kabul. She slept in a mosque for days, barely eating, until a woman took pity on her and put her in touch with human rights workers, who escorted her to a women’s shelter. That journey — terrifying enough for a young woman who had never ventured beyond the corner bazaar — would become harder still under new rules being drafted by the Afghan government that women’s advocates say will deter the most vulnerable women and girls from seeking refuge and are placing shelters under siege. – New York Times
Pakistan
A Pakistani court ordered an American official arrested in the killing of two Pakistanis to be held for another two weeks Friday, transferring him to a crowded city jail while authorities said they would prepare murder charges. – New York Times
After spending billions of dollars supporting the country’s army offensives, the Obama administration has adopted a disarmingly simple plan to defuse the violence: building a road. Washington hopes that twin 100km highways running through South Waziristan to the edge of North Waziristan, a haven for al-Qaeda loyalists, will unlock economic development and sap support for militancy. – Financial Times
India
Indian defense officials have given conflicting statements about the country’s long-awaited fighter selection, with Defense Minister A.K. Antony indicating the final choice will be pushed into 2012, but the country’s top air force official pointing to a selection this October. – Aviation Week
Koreas
North Korea is begging friends and foes alike for food aid while the elite of the regime prepares to celebrate the 69th birthday of Kim Jong-Il on February 16th. - Telegraph
North and South Korea traded blame on Thursday for the breakdown of military talks, while in Washington the U.S. spy chief said nuclear-armed North Korea poses a serious threat to security in East Asia. - Reuters
Japan
Japan's foreign minister said that Tokyo's claim over the disputed Kuril Islands remains "absolutely unwavering" on Feb. 10, despite Russia's decision to boost its military presence on the territory. - AFP
Russia warned Japan on Friday that its recent behavior in a dispute over a group of Pacific islands was unacceptable, maintaining pressure on Tokyo during a visit by Japan's foreign minister. - Reuters
Philippines
With the Philippines still reeling from the apparent suicide of a retired general who had been implicated in an investigation of military graft, a spokesman for the armed forces said Thursday that such corruption was a thing of the past. – New York Times
