Kerry: Pakistan needs more urgency in terror fight

By NAHAL TOOSI

ISLAMABAD -- A top U.S. senator on Tuesday urged Pakistan to "ratchet up" its sense of urgency in battling the spreading militancy in its northwest, even as the government defended a deal to impose Islamic law in a swath of the region to achieve peace with the Taliban. (The Washington Post)

Afghan Law Ignites Debate on Religion, Sex

By Pamela Constable

KABUL, April 10 -- When Afghanistan's government quietly enacted a sweeping law last month restricting the rights of minority Shiite women, few Afghans were aware of what it said. But since the law's contents became known here just over a week ago, it has provoked an extraordinary public debate o... (The Washington Post)

Slain Pakistani politician helped free American

By STEPHEN GRAHAM

ISLAMABAD -- A separatist politician whose mutilated body was found in Pakistan's restive southwest had helped secure the release of a kidnapped American U.N. worker, the U.S. Embassy said. (The Washington Post)

A Short Fuse in Pakistan

By David Ignatius

Richard Holbrooke and Mike Mullen uncover fresh evidence of chaos in Pakistan. (The Washington Post)

U.S. Envoy Says India Is Not Being Pressured

By Rama Lakshmi

NEW DELHI, April 8 -- U.S. special envoy Richard C. Holbrooke said Wednesday that "India, Pakistan and the U.S. face a common threat" posed by Islamist extremist groups. But Holbrooke, in New Delhi for meetings with top Indian officials after visits to Pakistan and Afghanistan, denied asking Indi... (The Washington Post)

Pakistan, U.S. stress trust, disagree on drones

By Robert Birsel

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan and the United States must build trust as they confront Islamist militant violence, senior officials said on Tuesday, but they failed to resolve disagreement on U.S. drone aircraft strikes in Pakistan. (The Washington Post)

Pakistan's Chief Justice Assails Attorney General Over Taliban Flogging

By JANE PERLEZ
The newly restored judge, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, assailed government officials for not taking up the case until it became a national scandal. (The New York Times)

More Drone Attacks in Pakistan Planned

By ERIC SCHMITT and CHRISTOPHER DREW
Despite threats from the Taliban, the U.S. may expand missile strikes to another haven for militants, senior administration officials said. (The New York Times)

Taliban threaten 2 attacks per week in Pakistan

By ZARAR KHAN

ISLAMABAD -- A suicide bombing at a crowded Shiite mosque south of Pakistan's capital killed 26 people, the latest evidence of how security in the U.S.-allied nation is crumbling well beyond the Afghan border region where al-Qaida and Taliban fighters thrive. (The Washington Post)

With conditions set on aid, Pakistan sharpens tone

By STEPHEN GRAHAM

ISLAMABAD -- When U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke arrives in Pakistan this week he will be publicly feted for President Barack Obama's pledge of massive, long-term aid for a wobbling nation critical to America's strategy for turning around its the war in Afghanistan. (The Washington Post)

Which Way in Afghanistan? Ask Colombia For Directions.

By Scott Wilson

Colombia offers a far better classroom then Iraq for learning how to beat the Taliban. (The Washington Post)

Congress Moves to Set Terms for Pakistan Aid

By Karen DeYoung

Just as it did with Iraq, Congress is moving toward imposing benchmarks that the Pakistani government must meet to qualify for billions of dollars of U.S. military assistance. But the proposed restrictions, introduced in House legislation Thursday, have made both the White House and the Pakistani... (The Washington Post)

Which Way in Afghanistan? Ask Colombia For Directions.

By Scott Wilson

Colombia offers a far better classroom then Iraq for learning how to beat the Taliban. (The Washington Post)

NATO Meeting to Highlight Strains on Afghanistan

By THOM SHANKER and STEVEN ERLANGER
President Obama's strategy significantly Americanizes the war effort, putting new demands on the alliance. (The New York Times)

Detention at Afghan Base Is Subject to U.S. Courts

By CHARLIE SAVAGE
A federal judge ruled that some of the prisoners have a constitutional right to challenge their detention. (The New York Times)