February 14th Morning Readbook

Forces 'positive' on Afghan assault

In a series of airborne assaults, more than two thousand US and British troops have flooded into Taliban-controlled territory in southern Afghanistan, supporting Afghan forces in the largest military offensive in the country since the 2001 US-led invasion.




Nato aims to add to Afghan gains
Thousands of US, UK and Afghan troops are trying to consolidate gains on the second day of a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.


Pakistan court order raises new instability fears
A decision by Pakistan's Supreme Court to strike down a presidential order appointing two top judges triggered warnings Sunday of a new conflict between the judiciary and the government that could lead to broader political instability.


India says investigating local, foreign leads to blast
India's government said it had little idea who was behind a bomb in a tourist eatery in western India that killed nine people, with sources saying they were looking at the possible involvement of Islamist militants.


Under Obama, more targeted killings than captures in counterterrorism efforts
When a window of opportunity opened to strike the leader of al-Qaeda in East Africa last September, U.S. Special Operations forces prepared several options. They could obliterate his vehicle with an airstrike as he drove through southern Somalia. Or they could fire from helicopters that could land at the scene to confirm the kill. Or they could try to take him alive.


Iraq secular bloc suspends campaign
The Iraqi National Movement, a coalition of Sunni Arabs and secularists, halts election campaigning to protest the upholding of a ban on some candidates. It hints at a ballot boycott.


String of Iraq bomb attacks target poll candidates
A string of bombings targeted groups taking part in Iraq's March election late on Saturday, wounding seven people, an Interior Ministry official said.


The main headlines on Al Jazeera