Al-Qaeda Group Claims Kidnapping of U.S. Soldiers
June 19, 2006 -- IRAQ NEWS
Group Claims it Kidnapped U.S. Soldiers
An al-Qaida-linked group claimed Monday that it had kidnapped two American soldiers reported missing south of Baghdad, where 8,000 Iraqi and U.S. troops were conducting a massive search. (AP)
Bombers Defy Security to Hit Iraq
At least 41 people have been killed and 100 injured in a string of attacks in and around the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. (BBC)
Iraq PM Announces First Coalition Troop Pullback
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced that coalition troops were to quit the southern province of Muthanna next month, in the first such handover to Iraq's fledgling security forces. (AFP)
AFGHANISTAN
U.S. Military Lists "Problem" Officials in Secret Document Found in Afghan Bazaar
Secret U.S. military documents describe a number of Afghan officials as "problem makers" in efforts to stem the illegal drug trade and to combat al Qaeda and Taliban forces. (ABC News)
'Thirty' Killed In Taleban Attack
At least 30 people have been killed in a suspected Taleban attack in southern Afghanistan, officials say. (BBC)
GUANTANAMO
U.S. Soldiers Charged With Murder in Iraq
3 American Soldiers Charged With Murder in Connection With Deaths of 3 Iraqi Men in U.S. The U.S. Army has charged three soldiers in connection with the deaths of three Iraqis who were in military custody in southern Iraq last month, the military said Monday. (AP)
NORTH KOREA
Pressure Builds against N Korea
International pressure is mounting on North Korea amid speculation it may soon test-launch a long-range missile. (BBC)
HUSSEIN TRIAL
Prosecution Demands Saddam Death
The prosecution in the trial of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has called for his execution as it delivered its closing arguments. (BBC)
AUSTRALIA
Aussie Court Convicts Architect of Planning Terror Act
A Sydney architect has been convicted of planning to blow up Australia's national electricity grid or a defense site in that nation's first conviction for planning a terrorist act. (ABC News)
U.K.
Terror Law Watchdog Warns Of Executive Jet Risk
Britain is at risk from terrorists hijacking private executive jets, the government's independent adjudicator on terrorism powers warned today. (The Guardian)
U.S. TERRORISM
Book Argues Al Qaeda Planned NYC Gas Attack
Al Qaeda planned to unleash a lethal gas in New York City's subway system in 2003 and came within 45 days of carrying out the attack when the group's No. 2 called off the operation, according to a new book excerpted in next week's edition of Time magazine. (Reuters)
ITALY
Rome Seeks Trial for US Marine Who Killed Italian Agent in Iraq
Rome prosecutors called for US marine Mario Lozano to be tried for the shooting of Italian intelligence officer Nicola Calipari in Baghdad, the Italian news agency Ansa reported. (AFP)
SOMALIA
Somali Peace Force Moves Closer
The African Union and western diplomats have agreed to send a team to Somalia to assess the possibility of deploying peacekeepers there. (BBC)
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwean Charged With SA Hijack
A Zimbabwean man has been charged in connection with Saturday's apparent hijacking attempt in South Africa. (BBC)
ANALYSIS & OPINION
The Ongoing Battle against Innovative Suicide Bombers
A suicide bomber detonated inside northern Baghdad's Buratha Mosque shortly before Friday prayers were to begin June 16, killing 13 people and injuring 28. Although reports conflict as to the bomber's method -- he apparently used a shoe bomb or a suicide vest -- the attack demonstrates the ongoing ability of militants to remain innovative in the face of tighter security restrictions in Iraq and elsewhere. (Stratfor)
The Darfur Puzzle
The United States is apparently serious about sending international troops into Darfur — so much so that on Thursday, Congress approved $60 million to help pay for a United Nations peacekeeping mission there. Too bad the mission itself doesn't exist and, without more top-level diplomatic involvement, may never materialize. (L.A. Times)
Making History
After the initial euphoria over the toppling of King Gyanendra had subsided there were fears that Nepal might slip back into anarchy. There were doubts whether the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) would be able to work with Maoists in drawing up a road map for Nepal. (The Times of India)
Behind the Talk about Haditha
Some news leave behind more questions than answers about what is happening and why it is happening. One example was the commentaries on confirming the killing of Al-Zarkawi. In an age of very sophisticated surveillance means, one can only wonder whether it was truly impossible to eliminate Zarkawi before, or that timing was key. The Haditha massacre and the media talk about it last week might provide some answers. (Asharq Alawsat)
Is The US Through With Arab Democracy?
Is the United States retreating from its democracy promotion agenda in the Arab world? Has the Bush administration become fearful of the potential outcome of Arab democratization after the electoral victory of Hamas and the considerable gains of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt's parliamentary elections last year? These questions are raised not only by Arab human rights activists and opposition politicians, but are also heard everywhere in Washington. (The Daily Star)
Could Iran Defend Itself Against a U.S. Attack?
Iran is a formidable military power, second only to Israel in the Middle East. This is the judgment of most Western observers. Unlike Israel, however, it has been denied access to American weapons, and indeed to most Western weapons, since the overthrow of the Shah by the Islamic Revolution 27 years ago. (Daral Hayat)
The Insider Daily Investigative Report (DIR) is a summary of major news articles and broadcasts relating to investigative news, including international terrorism and developments in Iraq. The DIR is edited daily from foreign and U.S. sources by Chris Isham and Hoda Osman of the ABC News Investigative Unit. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ABCNEWS.