Dawn Patrol

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs, other blogs, and the mainstream media. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list. (We have a daily "Open Post" too, if you have something on another topic you can link there.)

IRAQ

Operation Iraqi Children: A Bright Shining Hope -- [Michael Yon]
...Years of war between Saddam’s Army and the Iranians, and Saddam’s Army and the Kurds, and Saddam’s Army destroying Kuwait, and Saddam’s Army versus the two separate Coalitions, have left thousands of tons of ordnance scattered around Iraq. Even if there were no explosives in Iraq, the cities are filled with dangers for children: tons of broken glass, metal shards and garbage harbor microbial perils unknown, on vacant lots where clinics may stand some day. Until then, prevention is paramount.

The surreal nature of life in a war zone -- [The Will To Exist - in Iraq]
This morning I was performing my duties as a public affairs soldier when I had one of those moments where something burns itself into your retina forever.

Time In A Bottle -- [Grey Eagle - in Iraq]
...I thought I was prepared. I was well trained, I was anxious, even a little excited at the romantic illusion of war, and I deployed long before the plane ever left the ground. Now I get cold. Glad that people around me with greater knowledge of the reality of my illusion made me prepare for. At some point you realize that you are very glad you brought your cold weather gear, and grateful no one listened to my logic and rationalization as to why cold weather gear was just extra weight to carry in the desert. Gone are the romantic notations and the John Wayne mentality that walked with a swagger as I boarded the flight from Ft. Campbell that would eventually bring me here. What remains is dedication, devotion, and a comrade, and a unrelenting desire to go home. This is not a political statement, this is a human statement that says you don’t know what you have until it is gone. I am more committed to the soldiers than ever before, love the Army, and yes feel we make a difference. This is not defined in the bigger picture of the war, just a narrow perspective of soldiers caring about those in the streets.

A eye opening experience... -- [There and Back Again - in Iraq]
One of the duties as the Camp Mayor Cell is giving tours of the facilities, specifically the Victory Over America Palace pictured below and the Ba’ath Party Headquarters. Most of our clientele is American, either military or civilian. They come through to see the millions upon millions of dollars that Saddam wasted on building his own ego. These people also are interested in seeing where some of the first strikes of the war took place.

Life in the Big City!!! -- [J Barne's Coffee Shop - in Iraq]
...I paused for a minute to take in the sounds around me. Not only was there the police siren but a few other familiar sound that reminded me of the big city. There were back up beeps from what I imagined being a dump truck dropping a load of hot steaming tar in order to fill in the pot holes from a wintery ice storm. There were dogs barking off in the distance, which reminded me of a pack of wild muts running a muck. Dumping over trash cans and chasing the neighbors little fluffy pussy cat back into a corner. Barking and laughing as they went from house to house, trash can to trash can. Overhead flew a flock of birds in a perfect V formation. Hawking and crowing as if they are flying south for the winter. Then out of no where shots rang out.

The good things about Baghdad -- [Marketing in Iraq? - in Iraq]
Recently, a fellow Baghdadian wondered why I haven't mentioned why life in Baghdad is so much better than elsewhere. He's absolutely correct that life is much better here. This post is to explain why. Here are the unbelievable amenities that we have that other soldiers don't even come close to having. Constant electricity, extremely hot water, very nice trailers with only one roommate, access to a pool (although I'm not much for swimming and it's a little chilly right now), access to enormous amounts of pretty good food for free, a food court with some fast food stuff to buy, two coffee shops in walking distance, a government issued cell phone, a big gym with everything you need, and to top it all off security is very tight here and we live in relative safety.

Truck Drivers AKA Motor Transport Operators -- [Chapter: War - in Iraq]
...I dedicate this portion of a speech made by the infamous General Patton to all the truck drivers who conduct missions in Iraq. There are some differences between the drivers of Pattons Third Army and the ones of today. There are now female soldiers that do this dangerous job too, as well as men. While they do not get shelled everyday they live with the constant risk of being wounded, maimed, or killed by an improvised explosive device, mortars, and small arms fire from the enemy.

Shoppin' Iraqi-Style -- [They Call Us, "Doc"] (pic)
A typical "strip-mall" in Iraq. These little buildings were located on the side of the road just outside our FOB (Forward Operational Base). The people that owned them sold drinks and snacks and they were usually hopping with business, but on this particular day were closed...

Sorry so long! -- [My Iraqi Saga - in Iraq]
...There are some great things going on over here, I really see that now. There are a lot of stories about how much the Iraqi Army is doing for the people of this country; I wish I could market those to the States somehow. Like how many people got running water/electricity/roads/safety precautions just this week. The US is doing a ton, don't get me wrong, I think we hit a point where we aren't teaching this country as much as we've stepped back to let the Iraqi's start helping themselves.

Back in Baghdad! -- [Desert Chief - in Iraq]
Hi Blogger Buddies ~~

I know that my big brothers advised me to keep my backside out of Iraq -- but duty calls and I'm back at Camp Victory. I got here on January 8th, to temporarily serve as the theater property book officer (PBO) for the theater equipment. That means I have a HUGE dollar amount of equipment that I'm entrusted with, along with 14 teams that manage the hand receipts and property. We have approximately 2500 customers or elements that we support throughout Iraq and Kuwait.

hink about it -- JB's Sancutary]
While relations with Europe have appeared to migrate back to more friendly status, let’s think back a bit on how two of our “allies” help with the former Iraqi regime and Saddam.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Iraqi Security Forces Move Toward Independence, General Says -- {Defense News}
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2006 – The past year showed a significant increase in the number of trained and equipped Iraqi security forces and in the capability of these forces to conduct independent operations, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad said today.
A year ago, there were 127,000 trained and equipped members of the Iraqi security forces. Today there are more than 227,000, which reflects a 78 percent increase, Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said at a news conference.

Two Baghdad Blasts Kill More Than a Dozen -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Two near-simultaneous bombings targeted a crowded downtown Baghdad coffee shop and a nearby restaurant Thursday, killing more than a dozen people. The attacks came as a foreign assessment team reported evidence of fraud in the Dec. 15 elections, but did not endorse calls for a rerun. The bombings occurred despite government moves to heighten security as the election commission prepares to announce the election results. The announcement, which could come Friday, sets the stage for talks on a new national unity government U.S. officials hope will help calm the insurgency and enable the United States to begin withdrawing its 140,000 troops.

IRAQ: ITALIAN TROOPS OUT BEFORE END 2006 -- (AKI)
Rome, 19 Jan. (AKI) - The Italian military contingent in Iraq will withdraw from the country by the end of the year, Italy's defence minister said on Thursday, providing the first timetable for the end of the mission. Defence minister Antonio Martino told a a parliamentary committee, that the operation "will be considered concluded at the end of the year, having definitively completed its mission." Italy's 2,600 troops based in the south of Iraq are the fourth largest contingent of the US led coalition force in Iraq after the US, Britain and South Korea.

AFGHANISTAN

Winning hearts and minds? -- [Misadventures of a Not-So-Intrepid Explorer]
Lousewies van der Laan, deputy leader of the D66 party which is part of the ruling Dutch coalition, argues: "If you are busy fighting the Taliban and al-Qa'ida, how do you have the space to win hearts and minds by building schools and hospitals?"

I say: If there continues to be security concerns, and if the Taliban continues to behead teachers and burn down schools, then what's the point in building schools and hospitals?

Ancient Relic or Panjshir River Ferry Boat - You Decide -- [Miserable Donuts] (pic)
One early Winter day, I was crossing the Panjshir River - or rather, where the Panjshir River would flow once the Spring rains and snow melt off reached it's bed. I happened to see a boat for the first time since I came to Afghanistan. Upon closer examination, I wasn't sure if I should try to contact ...

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Foreigners back suicide attacks: Afghan FM -- (ABC News Online)
The suicide attacks that have struck Afghanistan in the past months are clearly the work of Al Qaeda and the Taliban fighters operating with foreign support, the Afghan Foreign Minister says.

Abdullah Abdullah has rejected a statement from a purported spokesman of the Taliban regime that the group is not behind a suicide blast on Monday that killed 22 people.

Dutch jitters 'imperil' Afghan mission -- (NZ Herald)
...In the Netherlands, critics are lobbying parliament to veto the Government's promise, saying the new deployment is not a stability job but a de facto combat mission against Taleban and al Qaeda fighters.

INTERVIEW-Afghans seek five-year international security pact -- (Reuters)
KABUL, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Afghanistan wants to lay down a five-year blueprint for its security and development at a conference in London this month, including an international commitment to its stability, Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said on Thursday.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Our Darkening Sky: Iran and the War -- [Winds of Change - Joe Katzman]
In the wake of Tom Holsinger's article "The Case For Invading Iran," I was going to enter a comment, but it became long enough to deserve a full post. To begin with, it's time to lay my own cards on the table.

I personally believe that we're very likely to see at least 10 million dead in the Middle East within the next two decades, with an upper limit near 100 million. I do not believe pre-emptive action will be taken against Iran. I do, however, believe the extremist mullahs in Iran mean exactly what they say. They are steeped in an ideology that believes suicide/murder to be the holiest and most moral act possible. They have

Reading up on Iran -- [TigerHawk]
I'm pretty swamped today, what with sitting in a conference room in a Dallas airport hotel for five hours, flying home, and attending a certain co-blogger's 40th birthday party this evening. I did want to report that I am reading up on Iran, starting with Kevin Pollack's The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America. I love the way Pollack looks at geopolitical problems through the prism of history, and The Persian Puzzle is no exception. I am about half way through it -- which means that I have covered about 2,500 years of Iranian history through the embassy hostage crisis -- and am persuaded by at least one of Pollack's core arguments: That while both the United States government and the American people know very little about Iran, Iran and Iranians have historically had an even poorer understanding of the United States.

1/20/2006 Syria in Iran's back pocket -- [Across the Pond - in Iraq]
Okay, now this is getting out of hand. Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Damascus for a few days schmoozing the Syrian government. They are having a little summit that involves just them to. They will be discussing industrial, cultural, and bilateral economic issues and agreements. Now that is all fine and good but Syrian president Bashar Assad agrees with Mahmoud that they should have nuclear capabilities. Another words, he is going to agree with him in hopes that Syria can get their hands on nuclear capabilities and become more than an annoying fly.

Kosovo's future: Independent thinking -- [KOSOVAREPORT]
IF YOU were to assess the future of Kosovo only from the local media, you might think that megaphone diplomacy was all that was happening. Kosovo will be Serbian forever, trumpet Serbia's leaders. The province's Albanian majority retort that nothing less than full independence will do for Kosovo's 2m people, more than 90% of whom are ethnic Albanians. It seems an impasse.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

US demands quick U.N. action on Iran dispute -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday demanded that the U.N. Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions, promptly confront Iran over its nuclear ambitions, while Russia and China urged caution.

Hillary Clinton Says White House Has Mishandled Iran -- (New York Times)
"I believe that we lost critical time in dealing with Iran because the White House chose to downplay the threats and to outsource the negotiations," Ms. Clinton said, according to a transcript of the speech published by The Daily Princetonian. "I don't believe you face threats like Iran or North Korea by outsourcing it to others and standing on the sidelines."

FACTBOX-Main points of U.N. peace plan for Ivory Coast -- (Reuters)
Jan 19 (Reuters) - Young supporters of Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo kept up demonstrations outside U.N. peacekeepers' bases on Thursday in a fourth day of protests against what they say is interference in their country.

Here are some key elements of U.N. Security Council resolution 1633 (2005), adopted on Oct. 21, setting out a blueprint for reuniting the world's top cocoa grower which has been divided in two since a brief 2002/2003 civil war.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Jack Cafferty Questions Timing of bin Laden Tape (VIDEO) -- [Political Teen]
This wasn’t the first time Jack said anything odd, nor is this the first time that a media personality has questioned the motives of terrorists during Bush’s administration, either. And that wasn’t the only time either, just do a search for Jack Cafferty on this site and you will find other liberal, anti-Bush remarks that came out of his mouth.

Osama's Terms -- [Austin Bay Blog]
Essentially, the new Bin Laden tape says please dont wage war on our turf, but let us wage war on yours. Bringing the War on Terror to the center of the politically dysfunctional Muslim world is absolutely key to obtaining th

Steven Emerson: Bin Laden's Bluster "Is Still Bluster"(Video) - [Counterterrorism Blog]
Steven Emerson appeared on MSNBC today about the new bin Laden tape. You can see video of his MSNBC appearance here (Windows Media), and here is the transcript (emphasis mine):

Die Terrorists Die!Al-Jazeera shows videos for al-Qaeda, and so do I. Just not the kind they like to see…-- [Euphoric Reality] VIDEO
In light of Iran’s latest BS, and bin Laden’s latest BS, I thought this was an appropriate time for my favorite kick-jihadi-ass military video! Welcome to any and all visiting dhimmis and jihadis. This one’s for you.

At Play in the Fields of Propaganda -- [Dadmanly]
Glenn Reynolds, Austin Bay and others cite the recently publicized Bin Laden statement as evidence that we’re winning. I think we are, too, and Bin Laden’s press release is surely a piece of evidence of our success.

As Bay humorously paraphrases, Bin Laden begs, “Please don’t wage war on our turf, but let us wage war on yours.”

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Bin Laden Tape Won't Raise Security Level -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States has no plans to raise the security threat level because of a new tape of Osama bin Laden saying al-Qaida is planning attacks, counterterrorism officials said Thursday. The White House firmly rejected bin Laden's suggestion of a negotiated truce. "We don't negotiate with terrorists," Vice President Dick Cheney said in a television interview. "I think you have to destroy them."

US on bin Laden tape: no negotiations -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States dismissed on Thursday a conditional truce offered in a tape attributed to Osama bin Laden and said it "does not negotiate with terrorists."

'American Taliban' Father Urges Clemency -- (AP)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- After years of silence, the father of American-born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh called on President Bush on Thursday to grant clemency to his son, who he says was wrongly maligned as a traitor and murderer....

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Joshua Sparling On Sean Hannity Show, Discusses His Operation (AUDIO) -- [Political Teen]
A week ago Joshua underwent his 19th surgery where a halo device was attached to his leg to stablize it and give him some mobility. The doctors at Walter Reed are now 90% sure that his leg will be saved and Joshua sounded really upbeat about that news. He took his first steps since this injury, walking (hopping) 12 feet to the door and 10 feet back to the chair to sit down. He will be on crutches for about one year from today.

HEARTS FOR HEROES UPDATE! -- [Yikes]
Hello, all! Just popping by with a Hearts for Heroes update. As you know, the deadlline for getting cards (to Kat Orr, Hearts For Heroes, 740 Thompson Lane, Loganville, GA 30052) and emails (to Hearts_4_heroes@yahoo.com) to me is JANUARY 28, 2006 (Saturday) as they are getting boxed up that weekend and shipped out on 1/30. However, unfortunately, the response so far has been... well, very low. :-( I have gotten cards from people, don't get me wrong...but unfortunately, that would be very, very few people so far. :-(

Recap of Recent Operations -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
Your help is still needed on the following projects:

Operation Love Our Troops - Go to http://www.operationloveourtroops.com/ and leave an online valentine message for the troops. We need everyone's help with this!

Operation Pillowcase - Plain pillowcases for Nellis Air Force Base Family Readiness Group. Can you send even one?

Sew for Airlifted Patients - Hand and foot coverings needed for our wounded troops for when they are airlifted on those cold transport planes.

March for Millions of Vets - http://www.vetmarch2006.com/ March for issues affecting current and future Veterans in Washington on April 25, 2006

MILITARY

Personal Body Armor Ban - Debunked -- [Uncle Jimbo - BlackFive]
Folks,
The muscles of the milblogosphere flex again debunking another myth. The claim was made that SOCOM and MacDill AFB had issued a directive forbidding the wearing of personal body armor.

Soldiers Make Olympics -- [Military.com]
Two Soldiers in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program captured spots on the U.S. Bobsled team and will compete at the twentieth Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, Feb. 10 through 26.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Destabilizing Missiles? -- (Washington Post)
Tony Capaccio of Bloomberg News has another scoop that probably portends the most important strategic military development of our generation.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has given the Navy go ahead to develop a conventionally armed Trident missile.

POLITICS

The Clinton Coverup -- [Austin Bay Blog]
Hey, it works when you have : (1) a sympathetic national press corps, (2) corrupt underlings, and (3) senators who are willing to “redact” information from the prosecutor’s report.

Robert Novak comments (via the Houston Chronicle):

American Dummitude: The End Of Western Civilization? -- [Villinous Company - Cassandra]
On a brilliant September morning in 2001, four planes hurtled out of an azure sky and caused the world to tilt on its axis. The shock of their impact is still felt halfway around the globe.

It has become fashionable (or perhaps merely convenient) to forget the unity America displayed in those early days. But when George Bush stood atop that pile of smoking rubble and vowed the terrorists would shortly hear from us, he had the backing of both parties in Congress. The Patriot Act passed 357–66 in the House and 98–1 in the Senate.

Blunt Attacks "Shadowy 527 Organizations" -- [Media Blog]
Did he forget about his shadowy 527?

Blunt's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal today contained several punchlines — "Congress must continue to work to shrink the size of government" (continue?), "The Republican legislative agenda for the year is not one crafted in response to the day's headlines or the latest poll numbers" (ahem) — but none funnier than Blunt's vow to crack down on "shadowy 527 organizations" with "new requirements" that subject them to "to the same rules and regulations as others who attempt to influence the legislative and political process."

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Bush faces battle to regain political clout -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush is battling eroded public confidence in his leadership over issues like Iraq, the economy and corruption as he seeks to recapture his political clout before November's elections.

Inquiry on Clinton Official Ends With Accusations of Cover-Up -- (New York Times)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 - After the longest independent counsel investigation in history, the prosecutor in the case of former Housing Secretary Henry G. Cisneros is finally closing his operation with a scathing report accusing Clinton administration officials of thwarting an inquiry into whether Mr. Cisneros evaded paying income taxes.

The legal inquiry by the prosecutor, David M. Barrett, lasted more than a decade, consumed some $21 million and came to be a symbol of the flawed effort to prosecute high-level corruption through the use of independent prosecutors.

Analysis: GOP Re-Embraces Maverick McCain -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. John McCain, the best-known political reformer in Congress, is popular again - among Republicans....

Abramoff's dad bashes George Clooney's 'glib and ridiculous attack' in Golden Globes speech -- (The Desert Sun/ Drudge Report)
...Frank Abramoff, in a letter addressed to Clooney and sent to The Desert Sun this morning, said he was watching the Golden Globes Monday night when Clooney, during his acceptance speech for best supporting actor, thanked Jack Abramoff “just because” and made a comment about the lobbyist’s name.

“Who would name their kid Jack with the last words ‘off’ at the end of your last name? No wonder that guy is screwed up,” Clooney said during the internationally televised awards show.

THE MEDIA

Matthews Lies About Laura Bush Saying “God Wants New Orleans To Be Rebuilt” (VIDEO) -- [Political Teen]
(Hat Tip: Free Republic)
On last night’s edition of Hardball, Chris Matthews made up a quote that First Lady Laura Bush did not say. Matthews claims that Bush said “God wants us to rebuild New Orleans”, when no such words came out of her mouth. However, Bush did say “she didn’t really think she could speak for God” and then added that she “believes Nagin wants New Orleans to be rebuilt”.

NYT Anonymous Sources -- [Media Blog]
MB reader Mark C. makes a great point:

Here's how The New York Times characterizes a "leak" when the target of the leaker is a Clinton:

HUMOR / SATIRE

Bin Laden Releases Audio Transcript on Clay Tablets -- [ScrappleFace]
Reclusive billionaire political entrepreneur Usama bin Laden, concerned about CNN’s ability to accurately translate his recently-released audiotape, today issued a full transcript on clay tablets inscribed with a bronze stylus.

CONGRATS

Sergeant P! -- [A Soldier's Diary - in Iraq]
Has a nice ring to it, right? I am getting promoted in a day or two to the rank of Sergeant. It has been over a year since my last promotion, which is about right. I have been memorizing the Noncommissioned Officer's (NCO) creed, and I thought you might like to see it. I will be reciting it in front of my platoon and whoever else is at my promotion ceremony - should be fun. :) Oh, NCOs are enlisted soldiers ranking from Sergeant up to Sergeant Major of the Army.

WELCOME HOME

Back on the ground and back in Germany -- [The Hooker and his Girl - coming home from Afghanistan]
...Oh and a "Welcome Home" to the Advance Party folks who arrived back in Germany 2 nights ago!! That is so exciting to see that the redeployment started. It makes you feel more closer to the fact that your own soldier is coming home soon...

We Made To Ft. Lewis -- [So Far From Home - coming home from Kosovo]
We've made it to Ft. Lewis and are now going thru Demob. Yea! We're very busy and hoping to get home soon.

(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)