Iraq, Afganistan, and Pakistan.

After issuing a statement two days ago backing the Turkish attacks, (AFP) "The White House Wednesday said it had expressed concern to Ankara over the possible escalation of Turkey's attacks against Kurdish PKK rebels inside northern Iraq...."

(Haaretz) "Personnel from Israel's Aerospace Industries are assisting the Turkish army in activating Israeli-made unmanned aircrafts for use in military operations in Kurdish northern Iraq..." (Always good PR in the Arab world.)

(Reuters) The Kurdish parliament agreed to a six month delay on the Kirkuk referendum.

(AP) The US killed 11 from a Mahdi splinter group that was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of US soldiers in May.

(Same article) The amnesty bill passed by the cabinet looks likely to die in Parliament, and it's not likely to be brought until April anyway.

In Afghanistan, (BBC) The two diplomats accused of talking with the Taleban leave the country.

(Telegraph) "Gordon Brown is to face pressure to return to Parliament and explain what discussions are taking place with Taliban fighters after it was disclosed that MI6 is involved in secret negotiations in Afghanistan."

And, in Pakistan, I'm not too sure of the sourcing on this, The Nation second hand from the WaPo, but file it away as a possibility.

Early next year, US special forces are expected to vastly expand their presence in Pakistan, as part of an effort to train and support indigenous counter-insurgency forces and clandestine counter-terrorism units, according to American defence officials involved with the planning, reports Washington Post.

Of course, the big story is the killing of Benazir Bhutto.