The following are editorial opinions from newspapers from around the world which may be of interest to Royal Gazette readers.

The Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times, –on the US and Pakistan

Pakistani officials spurned attempts by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates to improve understanding between the two countries in what should be a cooperative response to extremists. Gates in a visit to Islamabad last week sought to overcome the "trust deficit" between the United States and Pakistan that has built up over several years. The meeting was marked by doubt and confrontation. Journalists questioned him about a US takeover of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and expansion of US drone attacks that have angered Pakistanis.

Gates disclosed that the United States would provide unarmed drones to Pakistan to improve the country's surveillance and reconnaissance ability. However, Pakistan wants the larger armed drones to use against militants. It also seeks more equipment including helicopters and armaments. Gates had no success with his appeal to Pakistan to expand their offensive with an assault against the Taliban in North Waziristan. US military officials say the region has become the centre for al-Qaida and the Pakistani Taliban. However, a Pakistani military spokesman said its overstretched forces would not open any new fronts for at least the next six months to a year. The delay could aid militants with an opportunity to rebuild as well.

The disagreement stems from an apparent difference in perception. The United States views the many militant groups as a syndicate sharing a common goal. ...

President Barack Obama has said the success of his Afghan strategy is "inextricably linked to our partnership with Pakistan" in weakening or defeating the Taliban there. Pakistani authorities have internal hurdles to overcome with any widening of their military campaign, but their delay comes as a setback for US plans.

Los Angeles Times –on Obama's federal spending freeze

The White House has been cranking out initiatives daily in an effort to regain the public's confidence, and on Tuesday, its target was the enormous federal deficit. Aides to President Barack Obama disclosed that his forthcoming budget will call for a three-year freeze on "non-security discretionary funding." That's bureaucratese for capping everything but defence, homeland security, veterans, international affairs and entitlements (for example, Medicare and welfare), with no adjustments for inflation. That would result in $250 billion less being spent over the coming decade than currently projected, said Rob Nabors, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. Although it's merely a gesture, it's a good one that sends the right signals to Congress and the public.

Sceptics were quick to note how little of the budget actually would be affected — about 17 percent — and how small the savings seem in comparison to the $6 trillion in total deficits expected over the coming decade. And presidential budgets are just proposals; Congress controls the purse strings. It's hard to say how well received Obama's latest offering will be, given how few details have been released. ...

The administration's strategy for attacking the mounting national debt also includes enacting comprehensive health care reform and establishing a commission to help close the long-term budget gap. Those are worthy goals, although achieving them will depend on a rare show of bipartisan support. (Even that may not be enough — witness Tuesday's defeat of a bipartisan Senate proposal to create a deficit commission.) The president's call for a freeze is a much more limited step, but it's a good start. We look forward to seeing how he plans to pare federal programs, and we urge Congress to get serious about curbing its spending appetite.