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

Life During Wartime -- [The Babylon Blog - in Iraq]
I’ve been told by some of you that you are tired of hearing about Hadithah on the news. I can’t say that I blame you, but this is what I hear from Hadithah…
At 8 o’clock in the evening, as the sun slowly sets and the blistering desert heat begins to give way to a cooler evening breeze, I sit outside our building and hear children playing in the distance.
Hadithah is in a war zone but the fighting is sporadic and infrequent

First experience of war -- [Dispatches from Iraq - journalist embed in Iraq]
RAMADI, Iraq –- Marines are nothing if not direct.
“I don’t trust anyone who’s not a Marine,” Lt. Brian Wilson said to me with a big smile on one of my first nights at the Provincial Government Center in downtown Ramadi.
“I don’t trust you.”
And just like that, Wilson put it all right out there. The outspoken 24-year-old officer from Columbia, S.C., with the friendly grin of someone who would open a door for another or carry groceries for the elderly had, in his way, put me in my place. His words only underscored that brotherhood I’ve witnessed forged in combat here, in this city constantly under siege.
Wilson’s opinion of me -– and my profession -– didn’t come as a surprise. His unit, Kilo Company of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, has been the subject of a small media frenzy.
...Kilo's commander, Capt. Andrew Del Gaudio, was there that day as well. Earlier, he had described for me the scene, and how the insurgents shooting at him had children standing in front of them with at least two men videotaping the scene. He waited for the children to move, so he could have a clear shot at the men firing, he told me.

Zarqawi Video Roundup -- [bandit.three.six - in Iraq]
I decided to include links to the Zarqawi videos that I put out there.

Smart Dust Stalked Zarqawi -- [Strategy Page]
For the last ten years, development of "smart dust" has moved right along. "Smart Dust" is basically very miniaturized electronic devices. This is similar to stuff like RFID, smart cards, EZ Pass and those rice grain size tracking devices you can have injected into your pets. But Smart Dust takes this all to a new level by being small enough to be disguised as dirt, the kind you can pick up in your shoes or clothing.

Which Side Is Winning? Two Opposing Views -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Andrew Cochran]
With Zarqawi's death, experts and observers are starting to re-assess whether Islamist terrorists, led by Osama bin Laden, or the Western CT community are "winning" or "losing". Personally, I think such exercises are still premature - it seems analogous to what "experts" might have written in early 1944 about World War II, over two years affter Pearl Harbor but before the D-Day invasion (I haven't researched it). I prefer a dynamic assessment of success or failure against a strategic threat, the nature of which has changed since the 9/11 attacks, and I don't trust more conclusive judgments at this point. But it's worth reading both views.

Life goes on inside the Green Zone. -- [The Will to Exist]
In the few days since Abu Musab al-Zarqawi went to meet Satan (it’s my preference to believe that is what happened), things have been relatively hectic. Since I work in public affairs, we have been busy. The web site I maintain on behalf of the coalition experienced a spike in traffic to five times the norm. This caused some headaches for the tech staff back in D.C., I’m quite sure.
It also caused those of us here in Baghdad to run around like chickens with our heads cut off. If you have never worked in what I call media misadventures, the modus operandi is multiple bosses for every tech worker. When anything truly significant (like Zarqawi’s timely demise) happens there is a chain reaction.

Hamas and Aljazeera, granted Terrorists for Ever -- [Treasure of Baghdad - an Iraqi in Iraq]
...The Palestinian people did a terrible mistake by choosing this group to be their leaders. I don’t even know whether this is going to be an official statement in the name of the people. If so, I would be so sad and angry. I hope this man was not talking on their behalf.
Now I know why this group was branded as terrorist by the U.S. and the European Union. They deserve it and they are really worthy of it. Let them dance on the blood of the innocent children, women, and elderly who had no guilt but being helpful to the homeless.

“Not What I Expected” -- [Serving the People of Iraq and Iran - in Iraq]
Their experience with the Americans has been nothing like what Saddam had taught them all those years. Instead, Iraqis found out that most Americans are very courteous, kind, and respectful.

I Actually Do Have My Druthers -- [4 Mile Creek - in Iraq]
I was talking with two of our cultural advisors, one a native Iraqi, the other a native Tunisian, both now US citizens. Here in Iraq, their job is to advise, translate, and do other things to help out the US soldiers who interact daily with the Iraqi civilians and government officials.
They were telling me about sitting around with the Jundi, the Iraqi soldiers, the correct translation would be "private" I guess, as their ranks don't exactly translate. While the officers were out of the room, they said the jundi asked them all sorts of questions about America.

Power loss -- [Murphy Around The World - in Iraq]
...There are two coalition groups here. The other CF group is responsible for standing up the base defense, life support, medical clinics, etc while we concentrate on their largest tenant, the MTR. This base is Kurd dominated while our group is Arab. That’s important to understand in a minute. After I found out it was just us, I went over to our partnered forces and asked them, what the hey? Some of them are Air Force, but at least we speak the same language and are on the same team, or so I thought.

Iraq Pictures - June 11, 2006 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
MG James D. Thurman, commander, Multi-Natioanl Division-Baghdad, talks to sheiks and Iraqi security force leaders during a meeting at the Babylon Iraqi police academy in Hillah. The leaders discussed the current state of the security sitaution in the Babil province, one of four provinces

Tired -- [Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck! - in Iraq]
...As for the field, I don’t know, I’m feeling either braver or complacent. I’m not worried about going out as much. Maybe that’s because we haven’t been hit in a while. It just takes one hit for us to get defensive again. We haven’t let down our guard and didn’t stop doing what we’re doing. I think our attitudes are changing just like our mission. We seem to be changing modes. I guess anyone would have to adapt to the situation at hand.

It was another semi-relaxed Sunday here at Camp Falluja. -- [Midnight in Iraq - in Iraq]
A couple weeks ago the Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General passed that all non-essential personnel shouldn’t come into work until 11 a.m. on Sunday, or should generally get a few hours off. The 11 a.m. thing is kind of a farce because almost everyone is essential, but my team and I try to take the afternoon off if we don’t have any operations going on. Such was the case a few Sundays back. It was the first one in a while I had spent totally inside the wire.

A Final Note from the Al Anbar Province -- [Wordsmith at War - in Iraq]
Well, I won’t be able to post for a week or so. Let's just say that at long last I will be doing some extensive traveling. When I can, I’ll check in and keep you all updated on the incredible voyage I am about to embark on. The next post will not be written here in the Al Anbar Province, within sight of the city of Ramadi, this city I have come to know, and to fear. It will be written from a safer place, though now unfamiliar.

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Deadly Anbar Harbors 'Rat Lines' -- (Washington Times)...Rowan Scarborough
It is the deadliest province in Iraq per capita, an expanse of desert, small towns and the rich Euphrates River that combine to attract some of the worst of America's enemies, the kind that 2nd Marine Division troops were hunting Nov. 19 when things went terribly wrong in Haditha.

Emphasizing Ethics Even As Bullets Fly -- (U.S. News & World Report)...Anna Mulrine
...Now, as the U.S. military here implements a remedial program of ethics and values training in the aftermath of Haditha, there is also an effort to turn this into a teachable moment for the Iraqi Army. At the Iraqi Center for Military Values, Principles, and Leadership in the town of Rustamiyah north of Baghdad, American trainers are preparing to launch a new academy to instruct Iraqi officers in leadership

In Arab World, Zarqawi Tactics Bred Disgust -- (Boston Globe)...Thanassis Cambanis
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's unyielding, lethal anti-Americanism initially won him accolades across the Arab world. But his terror campaign ultimately killed far more Islamic civilians than Americans, turning the wave of early support into a tide of revulsion among many Arab Muslims.

Castro: Al-Zarqawi Killing a 'Barbarity' -- (ABC news)
HAVANA Jun 10, 2006 (AP)— President Fidel Castro called the U.S. airstrike that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi a "barbarity," saying he should have been put on trial.
The United States acted as "judge and jury" against the leader of the al-Qaida in Iraq, Castro said late Friday.

Zarqawi Autopsy Finished -- (Miami Herald)...Patrick Quinn, Associated Press
A U.S. military autopsy was finished on Abu Musab al Zarqawi on Sunday, but the findings were not immediately released by American officials.

Terrorists target civilians in Iraq -- (Khaleej Times Online)
ABU DHABI — The US troops in Iraq do not carry out target killing of civilians in the war-torn country, Hoshyar Zebari, Iraqi Foreign Minister, has asserted.
‘The US forces do not kill civilians. Yes, civilians got killed in Haditha and other places but it is the terrorists who target civilians in Iraq,” said Zebari, to a question posed by Khaleej Times on measures adopted by his government to protect civilians.

U.S.-Led Forces in Iraq Kill 9 in Raid -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- U.S.-led forces raided a house near a volatile city northeast of Baghdad on Monday, killing nine people, including two children, the military said....

U.S., Iraq Free 230 Detainees -- (Miami Herald)...Kim Gamel, Associated Press
U.S. and Iraqi authorities released more than 200 prisoners Sunday in an ongoing bid to promote national unity, but that effort faltered as Sunni Arabs demanded more releases.

Marines Living 'Outside The Wire' On Syrian Border See Progress -- (Mideast Stars and Stripes)...Andrew Tilghman
One month ago, out in the far western corner of Iraq, the Marines set up a new forward operating base. Navy Seabees wired it for electricity. Air conditioners were installed. And a platoon of Marines moved into the desert encampment.

U.S. General Sees Gradual Cut In Troops -- (Washington Times)...Eric Pfeiffer
The top U.S. military commander in Iraq yesterday predicted a gradual drop in American troops deployed there through next year, while Iraq's new national security adviser said all multinational forces could be out of his country by 2008.

Deadly Price Paid For Humvee Armor Used To Protect Soldiers -- (Dayton Daily News)...Russell Carollo and Mike Wagner
...Since the start of the war, Congress and the Army have spent tens of millions of dollars on armor for the Humvee fleet in Iraq. That armor — much of it installed on the M1114 Humvee built at the Armor Holdings plant in West Chester Twp. in Butler County — has shielded soldiers from harm. But a six-month Dayton Daily News examination found that the protection has come at a deadly price.

AFGHANISTAN

Bagram (and Gomorrah) -- [AfghaniDan - in Afghanstan]
Welcome to Bagram, the big ol' base that brings Hotel California to life: you can check out anytime you like, but it sometimes feels like you'll never leave. It's an odd, sprawling place, with amenities you won't find anywhere else, like numerous dining facilities, fast food joints and a bunch of shops. Arriving there after a long stretch at a small FOB is like being a country bumpkin visiting the big city...hence the reputation. I like what one of my brethren did on this wall of unit stickers - why get lost in the pack when you can plant the Marine Corps emblem on top of them all, where it belongs!

Drug Dealing Religious Fanatics Are Fighting For Freedom -- [Strategy Page]
June 12, 2006: Over 400 people were killed in May because of the Taliban attacks. Most of the dead were Taliban, and civilians killed by Taliban terrorism. The Taliban are basically taking a beating, but hoping that publicity from roadside and suicide bombs, raids on towns and the like will make it look like they are winning some kind of victory.

Afghan Officers Speak -- [Celestial Junk Blog]
Often the MSM uses only snippets from interviews to support a theme. It’s a typical dirty trick, where journalists gain seeming credibility from their “source”, but in reality they end up spinning their own view. A recent piece in the WashingtonPost.com presents us with an example of how sources are supposed to be used. The article, although done as a narrative and not interview, relies almost exclusively on the words of General Rahmatullah Raufi and his officers to get across the theme, which is that Afghan military personnel are concerned about the decrease in American military forces in Southern Afghanistan but very motivated and keen on creating a peaceful Muslim state.

Afghanistan: Progress -- [NEW MILBLOG RING MEMBER! - Combat Jump Star]
...The ANA has truly come a long way since their first faltering steps(some of you who have been deployed there may disagree. This is only from my personal experience, and I know some have a far different opinion on the effectiveness of the ANA). They are still are still a long way from being truly able to manage and defend the country, but they have made great strides. They have come to trust the US military, and are understandably concerned with the planned handover of the South to NATO control. However, I believe that they will come to trust the Canadian troops in the same way.

Islamabad Versus Kabul Once Again -- [Rahilla Live From a Free Kabul - Afghan in Afghanistan]
...A friend of mine has worked in many developing countries and told me that Afghanistan was the first country where she never became good friends with any of the local people. I don't want to analyze the reasoning for this, Afghanistan is a much more restrictive place. It's still not the safest place or easiest place to move around. The most educated and well to do were able to leave the country during all the years of war, even the capital of Kabul has a lot of rebuilding to do. Some say the intellectual capital is Herat, I did notice it was a bit more free there. I saw women in restaurants without their burqas on running into men they knew and socializing. It's certainly has better infrastructure than Kabul but there's Ismail Khan behind that who's not exactly the best figure.

Making a home in Kabul -- [Afghan-American - in US]
...It was a fun day. But it was also really sad and a reminder of what I’ll miss. No matter how hard I try, my family is in the U.S. and is not going back to Afghanistan. I don’t expect them to and personally get quite frustrated by those who expect all refugees to return. It’s been 26 years since we’ve left and my parents have worked hard to build stable lives for us all here. This is home. So, why do I want to go back?

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Extremists mourn al-Zarqawi‘s death -- (Ottawa Recorder)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The Taliban‘s fugitive supreme leader mourned the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and vowed Friday to keep fighting in Afghanistan , according to a statement.
Mullah Omar, who has been hiding since the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, said he was "deeply sad over the martyrdom" of al-Zarqawi but believed his death from a U.S. airstrike Wednesday would not weaken the resistance in Iraq .

The Taliban resurgent -- (The Economist)
Anxious times for the under-manned Western forces
ACROSS a wide swathe of southern and south-eastern Afghanistan, the Taliban have never looked stronger since they were driven from power by an American-backed alliance in November 2001. And the government of President Hamid Karzai has never looked weaker, controlling only the towns and, during daylight hours, the main roads. The Taliban are not in a position to unseat the government and win the war; not while Western troops remain. Last February, however, General Michael Maples, director of America's Defence Intelligence Agency, told Congress that the Taliban insurgency is growing and presents a greater threat to the Afghan central government's authority than at any point since America's victory.

'Scores of Afghan Taleban killed' -- (BBC News)
More than 40 suspected Taleban militants have been killed in clashes since Monday, the US-led coalition in Afghanistan says.
The clashes between militants and Afghan and coalition soldiers took place in Zabul and Uruzgan provinces, a coalition statement said.

Karzai: Tribesmen will help fight Taliban -- (Yahoo News/ AP)
KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday his government will give weapons to local tribesmen so they can help fight the biggest increase in Taliban violence in years.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

WORLD INVOCATION DAY -- [Pearls of Iraq - an Iraqi in US]
Today is World Invocation Day, a day of global prayers and meditation for all people and religions for love and light to generate inward and pushing outward. This has been conducted each year since 1952 and the movement is growing each year. Some say, and I agree, based on science (physics) if we reach a certain percentage of unified people including religions, the momentum of energy generated from the meditations and prayers will catapult the world onto a new path of peaceful co-existence.

Spain Rallies Against Planned ETA Talks -- [Gatewau Pundit]
200,000 to 1 million Spaniards rallied in Madrid on Saturday demanding the government call off planned peace talks with the terrorist group ETA.

Persistence Pays Off For Iran -- [Threats Watch]
Friday Prayers Call for Resistance in Tehran and Enrichment is Accelerated as The West Seems to Cave
Leading Friday prayers in Tehran, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati declared that Iran should never compromise its nuclear right but, nonetheless, is ready for talks. Jannati said to worshippers, “The Iranian nation and officials and Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Khamenei) and all those who have hands in administration of the country’s affairs, will not accept Iran’s withdrawal from its inalienable rights.” He then added,

Bounty Hunting: -- [Grim's Hall]
Thailand has an interesting new counterinsurgency strategy it is considering: pay civilians to shoot insurgents.
As you read the article, it will help to know that Pattani is one of four Muslim-majority provinces in the south of Thailand, which are experiencing a bloody insurgency.

MSM REPORTS ON U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Smoke Of Iraq War 'Drifting Over Lebanon' -- (Washington Post)...Anthony Shadid
In political and social life, returned fighters inspire climate of militancy.

U.S. Still Strangers in the Land of Soccer -- (AP)
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) -- They're surrounded by the tightest security, quizzed about lukewarm support back home and constantly questioned over whether they can reprise a surprisingly successful run in the last World Cup. Must be the Americans, still strangers in the land of soccer and hoping to prove that Yanks can hang in the world's No. 1 sport....

Iran Accused Of Hiding Secret Nuclear Weapons Site -- (London Daily Telegraph)...Con Coughlin
Fresh evidence has emerged that Iran is working on a secret military project to develop nuclear weapons that has not been declared to United Nations inspectors responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear programme.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Palestinian gunmen didn’t want to end up like Zarqawi -- [QandO Blog]
Tell me the death of Zarqawi didn't have an impact among the terrorist community in the Middle East:

MSM REPORTS ON WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Still A Serious Threat From Al Qaeda: Its Ideas -- (Christian Science Monitor)...Peter Grier and Faye Bowers
Nearly 10 years after Osama bin Laden declared war on the United States, America may be fighting not just one Al Qaeda, but many Al Qaedas, spread all over the globe.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Support for the Troops -- [The Foxhole Philosopher - in Iraq]
I am heartened today for two reasons. The first is actually a comment by Elizabeth, which should be allowed right now on the previous post. I was sincerely touched by her interest in my personal well being. In answer, I am not depressed, and a post on my day to day activities will be forthcoming soon, but I wanted to comment, and thank her for her concern.
The second is the article on support of the troops in America.

Fox News Host Tells Westboro Baptist Church Hatemonger: ‘You’re going to hell!’ -- [Stop the ACLU]
Julie went on to say that if Phelps believed in the words of the Bible, that she was going to hell.
What can anyone say to this? Heh, even my most liberal trolls agree with us that this cult is one of the most sickening manifestations of hate we have in America. Way to go Julie! Free speech back and forth at its best.

MILITARY LIFE

Dear Dad -- [One Marine's View]
If I ever hear airmen griping and complaining, I jump into them pretty quickly, now. Most people over here have nothing to gripe about compared to Marines. Marines are different. They have a different outlook on
life.

In awe -- [CaliValleyGirl - in Germany]
...I heard that an old friend of mine had lost her husband in Iraq, on my birthday. It made very clear to me what it meant to be dating a soldier.
And as fate would have it, she happened to be visiting Germany, and we had plans when I heard the news about the Big Windy 25 crash. She and another friend stayed at my place until late in the night, keeping me company during those hours of uncertainty. I couldn't believe she was so strong, to be sitting there with me, comforting me, when she had lost her husband 9 months before in similar circumstances. I am sure it was a little too close to home for her, but nevertheless she stayed.

Blogger Exclusive: First Interview With Ilario Pantano -- [Euphoric Reality]
One year after all charges being dropped against him, Ilario Pantano has released his book entitled Warlord : No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy. It’s been a long time coming, but Pantano’s book has the potential to become one of the definitive memoirs about the Iraq War. One would think that with the large amount of publicity and even fame that Pantano has seen over the last year, that you’d see his face on CNN or FOX—and you will, starting Monday morning. However, Ilario is a man of his word, and so he has made good on a long-standing promise: to give Euphoric Reality the first in-depth interview about his story

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

THE MEDIA

A Cover-up at TIME Magazine -- [Daily Dispatch]
TIME, which first broke the Haditha allegations, is now going back and retracting parts of its story.

MILBLOGGING / BLOGGING

New York Times Claims Blogosphere is Mostly for Democrats -- [NewsBusters]
Sometimes I think that if you really want to know what’s going on in the world, you should read The New York Times…and assume the exact opposite is true. Take Saturday’s article “Gathering Highlights Power of the Blog” for example. Author Adam Nagourney visited Las Vegas to attend the meeting of mostly liberal bloggers discussing how they’re going to change the world in an event called “Yearly Kos” not so inconspicuously named after the blogosphere’s liberal mainstay, Daily Kos. Unfortunately, after listing and quoting some Democrat dignitaries in attendance – quotes to follow for your amusement! – Nagourney actually wrote (emphasis mine), “Blogging is nowhere near the force among Republicans as it is among Democrats.”

The NY Times gets it wrong, again -- [Atlas Shrugs]
The Times is intoxicated with the Democrats appearing before the moonbats in Vegas, ushering in the age of the blog. The power. The fury, The future. The agent for change. The New York waste of Times did a glowing, kiss ass piece on the Kos Konvention here;...
...Wait a minute fellas. Far be it from me to rain on anyone's parade but you've assigned all of the qualities of the Right side of the sphere to the wrong side of the sphere. The right blogs broke Rathergate, the Swift Boat veterans, CNN's Eason Jordan resignation, Kerry's impossible lies, the Danish cartoons, yads yada yada. It was the right side of the blogosphere that changed the course of history in the last Presidential election

IN MEMORY OF...

SFC Lawson -- [Ray's Life - in Iraq]
SFC Lawson was the greatest NCO that I have ever had the honor of working with. He was an inspiration to us all, a dedicated and honorable soldier, and a true hero. I give my most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. His life was prematurely ended on June 5, 2006 by a roadside EFP employed by a cowardly enemy filled with blind hatred and ignorance. However, SFC Lawson will forever live on in the memories of those that loved him and those, such as myself, who had the privilege of getting to know him. He ...