February 7th Morning Readbook

Militant Video Shows Abducted American in Iraq




Iraq militant group says it's holding American hostage
In a video, a man believed to be Issa Salomi calls for Iraqi prisoners to be released. The Defense Department says Salomi, a civilian contractor, has been unaccounted for since Jan. 23.


Iranian-backed Shia terror group kidnaps US civilian in Baghdad
An Iranian-backed Shia terror group that claims it seeks reconciliation with the Iraqi government has kidnapped a US civilian in Baghdad. The US recently released the top leader of the group under the guise of a reconciliation program, but the release actually was related to a hostage exchange.


Iraq Shi'ite leaders vow Baath purge as furor grows
Iraq's Shi'ite parties held emotional demonstrations on Sunday and vowed to purge loyalists of Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party as tensions over a list of candidates banned from a March election soared.


Planned Afghan assault to send 'strong signal': McChrystal
Dubbed Operation Mushtarak, the operation will "send a strong signal that the Afghan government is expanding its security control," said US General Stanley McChrystal, who commands 113,000 US and NATO forces fighting the militants.


Karachi violence blow to Pakistan economy
A wave of political and sectarian violence sweeping Karachi threatens heavy financial losses in the country's economic hub, where analysts fear Islamists are bent on fanning maximum instability.


Pakistan says seizes Taliban base on Afghan border
Pakistani forces have captured a stronghold of al Qaeda-backed militants near the Afghan border after days of clashes in which 60 militants were killed, the military said.


Yemen arrests embassy bomb threat suspect
Yemen has arrested a man suspected of threatening to bomb foreign embassies in the capital Sanaa and to assassinate Yemeni political and military leaders, state media reported on Sunday.


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