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

Women are the biggest losers..so far. -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
The talks among the winning-and losing-political parties in Iraq have slowed down quite a bit, actually the whole process is somewhat taking a pause since the announcement of the final results which by the way seem to be objection-proof; Aadil al-Lami from the election commission appeared on TV today and said that all 20+ objections that came form different blocs since Thursday have been rejected by the interim judicial electoral committee that has replaced the election commission since the latter has completed its mission…or has it?

Captain Furat, Iraqi Hero -- [Redhunter]
A few weeks ago I related the Washington Times story about Captain Furat, the Iraqi hero who led his men in many battles with the terrorists.

Furat is a Captain in the new Iraqi Army, and has become one of those larger-than-life figures in post-invasion Iraq. Maya Alleruzzo is a reporter for the Washington Times, who went to Iraq, and was with Furat many times when his unit was attacked:

Transient -- [Chapter: War - in Iraq]
As gun truck crews we live with the transport operators that we protect. This means being a transient living on other bases other than our own.

To get an idea of what transient billets (housing) are like, imagine being at woodstock two, or any other large concert. Picture the dust, mud, oppressive heat, and disgustingly dirty porta potties. That will give you a taste of what its like. Also imagine other units trampling in during the middle of the night (or day) constantly waking you up.

"Bada Bing" -- [SandGram - in Iraq]
I have received requests before to talk about the “Bing” and what we have here. First of all, I live and work in a tower, not a pretty tower but never the less we call it home. On top of this old control tower there were tons of busted air conditioning units, scrap wood and basically left over junk from when the Iraqi’s had this joint. When my boss showed up here last year, that is where they would smoke cigars at night and drink near-beer.

Website Launched -- [About Hajji-Net - in Iraq]
Hello, this site is just getting off the ground, but I wanted to get what I have out there now. We'll see where it goes...
So whats the point? Right now we have a lot of guys in Iraq (and probably Afghanistan) who are running private internet networks... Basically, ISPs in a combat zone. So far I haven't found a good place to find information on how to do this... What usually happens is the "computer guy" for any given unit gets handed a rather complicated problem without having a decent place to go for specific information. Hopefully, this site will fill that need.

So your FOB needs internet access -- [About Hajji-Net - in Iraq]
The article covers a few lessons learned from setting up a field ISP (internet service provider) which is still in operation. Currently, the government does provide MWR access to soldiers serving in combat zones. However, these are located at small internet cafes and MWR centers and generally speaking the supply does not meet the demand. The only internet access available in our area is satellite based, and the conditions are harsh when compared to a normal civilian environment. These lessons reflect my experiences, your milage may vary. If you have any questions feel free to email me at ...

Around Your Army -- [Sgt Hook]
...V Corps out of Heidleberg, Germany has assumed command of Multi-National Corps- Iraq in Baghdad from the XVIII Airborne Corps of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Not that big of a deal? Perhaps, but read some of the remarks made by the incoming and outgoing commanders…

IRAQI DATE SHOW -- [2006 Tour of Duty] (pic)
Believe it or not there are over 300 varieties of dates, some say more like 600, but here is the picture to confirm the claim. This photo was taken at a date seminar held recently in Baghdad. It was an opptunity for the local date growers to display their favorite date...

No prison sentence for Chief Welshofer -- [Counter Column]
The jury declined to sentence Chief Welshofer to prison for the death of an Iraqi detainee during an interrogation session in November of 2003.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

'People Realize That Bush Does Not Have a Plan' -- (AP)
This is a full translated text of an audiotape believed to be from Osama bin Laden. Parts of it were aired on Al Jazeera television, which published the entire version on its website. Bin Laden appears to be addressing the American people:

Poll finds surprising optimists -- (BBC News)
Iraqis and Afghans are the among most optimistic people in the world when it comes to their economic future, a new survey for the BBC suggests.

IRAQ: INSURGENTS 'DISOBEY' AL-ZARQAWI -- (AKI)
Baghad, 24 Jan. (AKI) - A number of insurgent groups have refused to take orders from al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, since elements linked to his Tawhid e Jihad formation killed a number of tribal and religious leaders, according to well-informed sources in the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, in Iraq's central Anbar province. "There have been armed clashes in the past few days between al-Zarqawi's supporters, and elements from the national resistance," sources speaking on condition of anonymity told Adnkronos International (AKI).

Corrections -- (Washington Post)
A Jan. 23 article about former Abu Ghraib prison guard Megan Ambuhl should have said that a noncommissioned officer gave Ambuhl her first tour of the Iraq prison. The article said that "an enlisted officer" gave her the tour.

Galloway may face serious fraud office investigation -- (The Guardian)
George Galloway faces the prospect of a criminal investigation into his activities by the serious fraud office, which has collected evidence relating to the oil-for-food corruption scandal in Iraq.

Two Kidnapped in Iraq; No Word on Reporter -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Armed men wearing military fatigues seized two German engineers from a car in northern Iraq on Tuesday in the latest brazen kidnapping to push a foreign government into another desperate race to free its nationals. On Wednesday, Iraqi police shot dead a Sunni cleric at a checkpoint north of Baghdad while gunmen killed a policeman in the capital's Sadr City neighborhood.

Fewest U.S. Troops In Iraq Since Summer -- (Washington Post/AP)
The number of U.S. troops in Iraq has been cut to the lowest level since last summer, when a buildup for election protection expanded the force to about 160,000, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

Observers: Light Sentence May Tarnish U.S. -- (AP)
DENVER (AP) -- An unexpectedly light sentence for an Army interrogator who once faced life in prison for the death of an Iraqi general could tarnish the government and hurt human-rights efforts around the globe, observers said....

Four U.S. Governors Meet GIs in Iraq -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Americans should not expect the war in Iraq to be wrapped up quickly as violence and instability will likely continue, a U.S. governor said Tuesday during a visit here with three other state governors....

Iraqi cameraman killed in clash between US, rebels -- (Reuters)
RAMADI (Reuters) - An Iraqi television cameraman was killed in clashes between Sunni rebels and U.S. forces in the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi on Tuesday, witnesses said on Wednesday.

AFGHANISTAN

The Kashmir Effect -- [Strategy Page]
January 25, 2006: In the first nine months of 2005, there were only four suicide bomb attacks in Afghanistan. In the last four months, there have been over twenty. There were only two in 2003, and none before that. There were four in 2004. The manpower and technology for the suicide bombs is coming from Pakistan, where suicide bombing has long been used by Islamic terrorists operating in Indian Kashmir.

Pride -- [Signaleer]
Cadets from the first class to graduate Basic Training swear in to the National Military Academy of Afghanistan, March 17, 2003 at the NMAA Parade Ground near Kabul, Afghanistan.

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Karzai rules out peace talks with Osama -- (The News International)
| KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai ruled out on Tuesday talks with Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who was believed to be playing a key role in an insurgency led by the ousted Taliban.

4,000 troops to be sent to troubled Afghan province -- (The Times)
THOUSANDS of British combat troops are to be sent to one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan, John Reid is expected to announce within days. | The Defence Secretary is understood to be ready to...

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Getting their story straight -- [Peace like a River]
Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall in this meeting
Tied together by oil and construction and defense deals, Russia and Iran are in an awkward position. Russia does not want to alienate itself from the West by openly supporting Iran against the West in Iran's determined push for nuclear weapons. On the other hand...

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Musharraf: Airstrike may have killed al-Qaeda members -- (USA Today)
OSLO (AP) — Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Tuesday there were indications that al-Qaeda members were killed in a U.S. airstrike near the Afghan border earlier this month.

Palestinians Vote in Parliament Election -- (AP)
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Amid tight security and a sea of green and yellow flags, Palestinians cast ballots in their first parliamentary election in a decade Wednesday - a historic vote that could shape the future of the peace process with Israel. Both the ruling Fatah Party and its challenger, the Islamic militant Hamas, said they were confident of victory, while pollsters said the race was too close to call.

Iran Welcomes Russian Enrichment Offer -- (AP)
MOSCOW (AP) -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Wednesday that Tehran views Moscow's offer to have Iran's uranium enriched in Russia as a positive development but no agreement has been reached between the countries....

MIDDLE EAST: MEDICAL OBSERVERS SAY SHARON 'VEGETATIVE' -- (AKI)
Jerusalem, 25 Jan. (AKI) - Hospitalised Israeli premier Ariel Sharon's condition can now be defined as a "vegetative state," according to senior physicians not connected to his treatment, quoted by Israeli daily Haaretz. But the doctors stressed that they cannot rule out the possibility of Sharon coming out of the medically-induced coma he has been in since undergoing major surgery after a massive stroke on 4 January.

TERRORISM

U.S. & Pakistan Must Face Facts About Al Qaeda's Reported Resurgence -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Pakistan's Prime Minister is in Washington, trying to persuade American policymakers that his government has successfully stripped Al Qaeda of its leadership and assets. As he makes the diplomatic rounds here, President Musharraf is on a public relations campaign claiming,

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

TERRORISM: AL-QAEDA INSPIRED GROUP THREATENS LEBANON -- (AKI)
Beirut, 24 Jan. (AKI) - Threats to use car bombs against UN premises, embassies, security forces and Palestinian leaders in Lebanon have been made by a previously unknown group calling itself "The Black Tigers - the millitary wing of al-Qaeda in Lebanon". A statement released by the group Tuesday, and seen by Adnkronos International (AKI), threatens imminent attacks against a wide range of targets.
"We will strike with car bombs all the offices of the UN inside and outside the [Palestinian refugee camp] Sabra and Shatila and we will hit many foreign embassies" says one of the ten points in the 'first statement' by the group.

How the Bush administration and neocons look at America’s war on terror -- (The News International)...Kaleem Omar
American presidents seem to be obsessed with wars. President Lyndon B. Johnson had his "War on Poverty", President Ronald Reagan had his "War on Drugs", and President George W. Bush has his "Global War on Terrorism".

Pursuing Terrorists in the Great Desert -- (The Village Voice)
In the early months of 2004, a lone convoy of Toyota pickup trucks and SUVs raced eastward across the southern extremities of the Sahara. The convoy, led by a wanted Islamic militant named Ammari Saifi, had just slipped from Mali into northern Niger, where the desert rolls out into an immense, flat pan of gravelly sand. Saifi, who has been called the "bin Laden of the Sahara," was traveling with about 50 jihadists, some from Algeria, the rest from nearby African countries such as Mauritania and Nigeria. There are virtually no roads in this part of the desert, but the convoy moved rapidly. For nearly half a year Saifi and his men had been the object of an international hunt coordinated by the United States military and conducted primarily by the countries that share the desert.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Operation Love Our Troops - World Record Broken!! -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
Soldiers Angels, in collaboration with the company Library for Life, began an attempt for the Guiness Book of World Record's entry for the largest digital Valentine's Day card ever on January 9th, 2006. The Guiness Book of World Records does not currently have an entry for the largest digital Valentine's Day card ever, but it does have a record for the largest print Valentine. The current record-holder for the largest print Valentine had more than 5,000 signatures, and was created in 2000 in Bombay, India.

Soldiers' Angels -- [Ask The Soldiers]
I'm a volunteer for Soldiers' Angels (soldiersangels.org) and I'm wondering what would you most like to get in a care package? (A few suggestions for things that fit in flat rate boxes would be helpful.) Also, are there any subjects that are best avoided when I write? I get lots of feedback on the Angels website, but I'd like to get some ideas from actual deployed military as well. Thanks for you input.

Caring for our Warriors -- [Andi's World]
SGT Eddie Ryan could use our help.
Ryan took one bullet to the brain and a second to the jaw while
fighting in Iraq in April. Doctors expected him to die. He's still
going, battling through rehabilitation, learning to walk again,

Bangor Greeting -- [Miserable Donuts]
This post reminded me of my unit's arrival back from Afghanistan. We landed early in the morning at Bangor, Maine. When we filed off the plane, I saw a group of people standing at the end of the hall.

Los Angeles Times columnist Joel Stein today saying he doesn't support the troops. -- [Radio Blogger] (MP3)
Here's the audio and transcript of Hugh's interview with Joel Stein. It's another glaring example of why the Times is the worst newspaper in America:

Punkin’ Joel Stein -- [Neptunus Lex]
It had to happen I suppose. The default anti-war position had for so long been that “I support our troops, but not the war: Let’s bring them home,” because that was the lesson that anti-war types had internalized from the Vietnam era, what with its “excesses” and “mistakes” that were made.

Second: -- [Grim's Hall]
Joel Stein seconds the "military men are like toilet cleaners" comments of earlier this week. He, like the Kossak commenter, feels that the proper liberal position is to despise the soldiers:

And WHAT was Santorum Thinking? VIDEO -- [Balloon Juice]
Apparently Rick Santorum needs to join Joel Stein for a little sit-down:
...Rick Santorum, equating putting a Santorum bumper sticker on your car with giving your life for your country while in uniform.

Hard To Put Into Words -- [a Soldier's blog]
...It was nice to be received with open arms by everyone I came in contact with. Other than someone stealing the 'support our troops' magnets off the back of my truck, I have not had any bad experiences as I adjust to life not in Iraq.
...Thank you Kevin for driving through the pain of recovery, and being such a strong Soldier. Those in the US who never really feel the pains that pay for freedom owe you so much. You and all the other Soldiers who were injured or killed have absorbed the pains (cost) of freedom. Even though you are enlisted and I am an officer, I salute YOU first for who you are..

MILITARY

Is the Army broken? -- [Counter Column]
No. Not by a long shot, though it's creaking a bit. My very anecdotal sense is more positive than Andrew Krepinovich's, though:...

Military For Dummies -- [Andi's World]
Henry M. Bowles III tells us that the "creepy" U.S. Military has no place in universities, especially given their policy on gays.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Missions in Iraq, Afghanistan straining Army, a study warns -- (The Boston Globe)
WASHINGTON -- Stretched by frequent troop rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army has become a ''thin green line" that could snap unless relief comes soon, according to a study for the Pentagon.

Indictment Has Followed In 1 Of 20 Abuse Cases -- (Washington Post)...Josh White - NO LINK AVAILABLE
The Justice Department has been investigating 20 cases of alleged detainee abuse that were referred by the Defense Department and “another agency” for possible prosecution, but only one of the cases has resulted in an indictment, according to a letter from an assistant attorney general to Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) last week.

Officers Discharged Under Gay Policy -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Hundreds of officers and health care professionals have been discharged in the past 10 years under the Pentagon's policy on gays, a loss that while relatively small in numbers involves troops who are expensive for the military to educate and train. The 350 or so affected are a tiny fraction of the 1.4 million members of the uniformed services and about 3.5 percent of the more than 10,000 people discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy since its inception in 1994.

Point Blank Body Armor Gets $18M Order From U.S. Military -- (Long Island Newsday)...Unattributed
DHB Industries Inc., a Westbury-based maker of protective gear, said yesterday that its Point Blank Body Armor unit won an $18.8 million order from the U.S. military for its body armor vests.

POLITICS

Dems Tried To Stall Alito Hearings -- [WuzzaDem]
EXCLUSIVE: Must credit WuzzaDem.

Apparently, C-Span has been editing its coverage of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the Alito nomination.

Here's the tape they don't want you to see.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

Organization to Promote Democratic Agenda -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In an effort blessed by the top Democrats in Congress, a freshly retooled political organization is launching an election-year drive to highlight issues such as congressional reform, education and health care....

W. House accused of foot-dragging in Katrina probe -- (Reuter)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the top Democrat on the Senate panel investigating the government's botched response to Hurricane Katrina, on Tuesday accused administration officials of failing to cooperate and trying to run out the clock on the congressional probe.

THE MEDIA

A good one, but a liar nonetheless. Greenwald claims -- [Media Lies]
In light of Gen. Hayden's new claim yesterday that the reason the Bush Administration decided to eavesdrop outside of FISA is because the "probable cause" standard for obtaining a FISA warrant was too onerous (and prevented them from obtaining warrants they needed to eavesdrop), there is a fact which I have not seen discussed anywhere but which now appears extremely significant, at least to me.This is patently false. General Hayden never claimed any such thing.

From Hayden's speech

The Press - Hoist On Its Own Petard -- [GM's Corner]
Scooter Libby is planning to subopena a number of journalists in his defense trial. This poses a series of tough decisions for the press for a number of reasons. Timothy Phelps has a lengthy (but worth the time) article in the Columbia Journalism Review regarding the background of the Plame case, including his own actions and the actions of others.

HUMOR

Time for More Military Humor -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
You Might be a Soldier If....

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