Special forces and counter-terrorism officials from the US and 14 Asia-Pacific nations were meeting in Australia in an unprecedented attempt to coordinate their war against Al-Qaeda and its Southeast Asian allies. The three-day gathering, held behind tight security in the rural town of Bowral south of Sydney, began on Wednesday but was kept secret until just hours before Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill addressed the delegates on Thursday. “As unpalatable as it may be, we have to acknowledge that this region is a breeding ground for Islamic extremism,” Hill told the meeting, which included special forces commanders and counter-terrorism officials from the US, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Other nations participating in the meeting, which Hill called “the first of its kind”, were Brunei, Cambodia, India, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Full Story