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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.)
The Iraq story: how troops see it
This comes from yesterday’s Christian Science Monitor and is a must read if you want to understand the reality of the day to day situation in Iraq. ...
...Yet as perceptions about Iraq have neared a tipping point in Congress, some soldiers and marines worry that their own stories are being lost in the cacophony of terror and fear. They acknowledge that their experience is just that - one person's experience in one corner of a war-torn country. Yet amid the terrible scenes of reckless hate and lives lost, many members of one of the hardest-hit units insist that they saw at least the spark of progress.
"We know we made a positive difference,"
I'm Reporting Progress That I Saw in Iraq, Not Perfection" -- [Media Blog]
Sen. Joe Lieberman followed up on his Wall St. Journal op-ed with a solid performance on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. One of the most interesting exchanges occurred when Blitzer asked Lieberman how he could be so upbeat about Iraq in the face of stories like this one and this one. Lieberman responded:
The New Old Plan -- [Cool Blue Blog]
It appears that finally, after much haranging and bellicose behavior, Democrats are at last on the same page with the Administration. Or at least columnist David Broder thinks so
It has taken a long time, but the Democrats finally have come close to defining a sensible common ground on the issue of Iraq....
After noting that Democrats have been all over the map on the war...
'Quitting is Not an Exit Strategy' -- [Mary Katharine Ham - Hugh Hewitt]
The Rumsfeld defense briefing was a lively one this morning, with Rummy getting raw on a couple of reporters with that "don't get stuck on stupid" tone he gets sometimes. His comments are all over the cable news networks right now, but "quitting is not an exit strategy" is the quote of the moment.
Awaiting the elections with worries, dreams and hope... -- [Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Baghdad looks almost like one huge billboard now that one can easily get distracted by them from his original destination! As to drivers, these posters can cause serious troubles if a driver wanted to read each one (or set) of them while driving.
Ramzi Clark and Saddam -- [Hammorabi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
The fact that needs no trial at is that Saddam Hussein has committed genocides against the Iraqis and the neighbors of Iraq as well as many other people. In fact no need for a long trial for a very well known criminals like SH and his fellows.
For the Iraqis we know very well those who took our money and oil ...
Saddam's Shop of Horrors -- [Kevin Sites - Journalist embedded in Iraq]
Torture and execution were staples of the Iraqi army's Red Security headquarters in northern Iraq. Now the building is a monument to Kurdish resilience
SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq -- It is a most startling image: a life-sized figure of a Kurdish rebel hanging by his wrists from a metal hook, his arms bound behind his back -- a position intended to use the prisoner's weight to dislocate his shoulders.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005 -- [ballinbaghdad - in Iraq]
Sometimes it's just too much, and just when you think that all is lost and you are doubting why you are over here.....a complete stranger sends you an e-mail out of the blue...for those of you who were on the phone with me last night.....you know...Yesterday was the worse day of my life....What timing? God works in mysterious ways. Last night I showed a side of myself I've never shown my friends....I hope you don't think I'm crazy...or wierd....
Subject: I Didn't Know
Of course I didn't know. How could I?
Did you know that 47 countries have reestablished their embassies in Iraq?
Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?
Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools a
The Rock -- [Peace like a River]
In this post, I touched briefly on the sobering number of casualties involving Humvees, and how that vehicle is not an adequate vehicle for the environment in Iraq or Afghanistan. I listed the casualties from Nov 1 through Nov 8 involving Humvees. Here are casualties since then, where Humvees were specified as being involved.
Old polls. -- [Jack Army]
They've been up for a long time now. Time for new ones.
What are your thoughts on these two polls?
Thoughts of A Soldier's Mom in a Time of War... -- [A Soldier's Mom]
As we approach the redeployment in the next few months, I have begun reflecting on these past 10 months. I have never been to war but I have sent a child to war.
...And for our entire family and the friends of our family -- and even the readers of this blog -- the rest of our lives will be forever altered by knowing how close we came.
Smoggy Baghdad Day -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
On the way to take care of some business, I got someone to get a shot of me on the water in Baghdad. There are always fires burning in this city, and the air quality is far from healthy
1st Camel Spider I Saw in Iraq -- [Casper's Calamity - in Iraq]
One night at about 2 AM I was spending some leisure time with friends after a long hard day. This bugger caught my eye as it scurried back and forth across a sidewalk in the dimly lit area. I grabbed a friends flashlight, zeroed in and ...
Congratulations Iraqi Soccer! -- [Hammorabi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Iraq 1 Kuwait 0
Congratulation to the Iraqi football team and all Iraqis!
This is the first time Iraq and Kuwait play since 1990. In the past Iraq and Kuwait football games used to be the most excited one in the Gulf region. It seems to be...
Overlooked Iraq Redeployment -- (Washington Times)...Donald Devine
Why does no one know 30 U.S. bases in Iraq have been turned over to Iraqis with American forces withdrawn to more remote and defensible fortifications?
IRAQ: RUMSFELD BANS THE WORD 'INSURGENTS' -- (AKI)
Washington, 30 Nov. - The US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld has banned the use of the word 'insurgents' when referring to the militants operating in Iraq. "Over the weekend I thought to myself. 'You know, that gives them a greater legitimacy than they seem to merit," he told journalists during a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday. "It was an epiphany," he said, throwing his hands in the air.
Bush: Iraqi Forces in State of Readiness -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - President Bush is trying to convince skeptical Americans that Iraqi forces are increasingly able to protect their nation but the president is not ready to set dates for withdrawing U.S. troops. In a speech Wednesday at the U.S. Naval Academy, Bush was detailing the training of Iraqi security forces and talking about the territories Iraqis control nearly three years after the U.S.-led invasion. The White House also was issuing a 35-page plan titled "Our National Strategy for Victory in Iraq."
Bush to lay out Iraq 'victory strategy' -- (The Australian)
US President George W. Bush was to unveil a "strategy for victory in Iraq" today, hoping to convince a sceptical US public two and a half years after the war began that h...
Nowhere to run -- (The Guardian)
After what has been described as the most foolish war in over 2,000 years, is there a way out of Iraq for President Bush, asks Brian Whitaker
There is a remarkable article in the latest issue of the American Jewish weekly, Forward. It calls for President Bush to be impeached and put on trial "for misleading the American people, and launching the most foolish war since Emperor Augustus in 9 BC sent his legions into Germany and lost them".
Iraqi Cauldron -- (New York Sun)...NIBRAS KAZIMI (Iraqi) HT :Alphabet City
Three ingredients are necessary for failure in Iraq, and all three are being poured into the bubbling cauldron that is Baghdad at this very moment. The recipe includes Ba'athists believing that they have been given a seat at the table and thus have achieved a prelude to total victory, and the Islamists supposing that if they cinch these next elections, then they will get their theocracy. The third element is ...
Analysts Foresee Bleak Road Ahead in Iraq -- (AP)
Two senior Army analysts who in 2003 accurately foretold the turmoil that would be unleashed by the U.S. invasion of Iraq offer a bleak assessment in a new study of what now lies ahead in that bloodied land....
Japan 'to extend mission in Iraq' -- (BBC News)
Japan is set to extend its military involvement in Iraq for up to another year, Japanese media have reported. | The country's non-combat mission is set to expire on 14 December, but the cabinet is poi
U.S. Military Covertly Pays To Run Stories In Iraqi Press -- (Los Angeles Times)...Mark Mazzetti and Borzou Daragahi
As part of an information offensive in Iraq, the U.S. military is secretly paying Iraqi newspapers to publish stories written by American troops in an effort to burnish the image of the U.S. mission in Iraq.
Hillary Clinton Defends Pro-War Vote -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday defended her vote to authorize war in Iraq amid growing unease among liberal Democrats who could determine the potential 2008 presidential candidate's future....
General: Americans Must Stop Iraqi Abusers -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- The nation's top military man, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, said American troops in Iraq have a duty to intercede and stop abuse of prisoners by Iraqi security personnel....
Cheney accused on prisoner abuse -- (BBC News)
Col Wilkerson has been critical of Mr Cheney in the past
A top aide to former Secretary of State Colin Powell has launched a stinging attack on US Vice-President Dick Cheney over abuse of prisoners by US troops.
Col Lawrence Wilkerson accused Mr Cheney of ignoring a decision by President Bush on the treatment of prisoners in the war on terror.
Fixing a School -- [Miserable Donuts]
Deh Qadzi ("Place of the Judge") was a bit of a problem area for us. The HIG (Hezb-i-Islami Gulbuddin) had been whispering to the folks there that the Americans didn't like them because they were devout Muslims, they have never done anything for you, etc. We had been shot at from the area more than once too. One time when we asked the Parwan Provincal governor if...
In Case You Missed It: Senator Sieve
From Opinion Journal's Political Diary -- [GOP Blog - John Fund]
Is Senator Harry Reid all that swift when it comes to U.S. Intelligence matters? Last Wednesday, the Minority Leader appeared on KRNV-TV's "Nevada Newsmakers" program and dropped a stunning revelation. He had been informed just that day that Osama bin Laden was killed in the giant Pakistan earthquake last month. "I heard that Osama bin Laden died in the earthquake, and if that's the case, I certainly wouldn't wish anyone harm, but if that's the case, that's good for the world."
Karzai urges Omar to speak on murder -- (Dawn)
| KANDAHAR, Nov 29: Taliban leader Mullah Omar should confirm if the group was behind the murder of an Indian worker last week so Afghanistan can know its ‘enemy’, President Hamid Karzai said on Tuesd...
Karzai warns Afghan poppy farmers of world backlash -- (AFP)
| KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Afghan President Hamid Karzai warned farmers Tuesday to stop growing opium poppies which produce heroin or the world would unite against them as it had against terroris...
From Tehran -- [Afghan Lord - an Afghani in Iran]
I am in Tehran nowadays. It is my first time visiting Tehran the capital of Islamic Republic of Iran. A nice city with a nice figures, good architectures and nice folks.
...now when I am going to read news about military or checking my Flickr photos I can't go inside. Suddenly a message appears: “This is restricted due to Un-Islamic issues in it!!!!!”
...Against all enemies, foreign and domestic... -- [The World From 1250 Feet AGL. - in Qatar]
Today, I signed on that dotted line again. I remain in the inventory of the United States Army for the next 5 years.
...I know this will sound sappy and whatever, but who cares... I love the Army. I can not imagine a greater life than that of a Soldier. Just like every job - it has it's ups and downs, but I would not trade places with any civilian for anything. My country is still embattled in a global war on terror, and the coming years will prove to be some of the most difficult in our nation's history. We have to prove to these terrorists that we will not be bullied - that we will continue to fight them until this war has been won.
Merkel urges action on terrorism and economy -- (Reuters)
BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed on Wednesday not to be blackmailed by kidnappers holding a German in Iraq and said terrorism was a threat to core values of freedom, tolerance and respect.
At the outset of her first major speech to parliament, Merkel focused on the kidnapping of a German woman who was seized in Iraq on Friday and has been threatened with death.
Iran Buying Satellite Know-How -- (Washington Times)...Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press
Iran's space agency is trying to snap up technology from abroad as fast as possible for its satellite program, fearing the West will seek to impose restrictions like those put on the Iranian nuclear program.
Insurgent Cross-Pollination A Serious Threat -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
It is now clear that the phenomenon much feared by the intelligence community and military in fighting global terrorism is now well-advanced--the cross-pollination of techniques and strategies of different groups, able to share lethal technological innovations across national boundries to comrades battling elsewhere. The Washington Post on Monday carried a lengthy story on how tactics from Iraqi jihadists are showing up in Afghanistan.
Someone elses Rant -- [Way Down In Kosovo - in Kosovo]
Okay, this one isn't mine, but I could never EVER say what I think better than this. Posting this is my way of affirming to all and sundry that I firmly refuse to apologize for Al Qaeda or other terrorist prisoners being fed better in prison than I ever was in the field, getting to have showers a whole hell of a lot more than I ever did back in the day, and who probably get a hell of a lot more sleep than I ever did. This is awesome.
Desert Protectors Meet Miss Al Qaeda -- [Blackfive]
(click on thumbnail for larger version) Ubaydi-A suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist was captured in an Ubaydi hospital dressed in women's clothing. The terrorist was discovered by a Desert Protector, specially trained scout unit of soldiers recruited from the Al Qa'im region. Desert Protectors are
Disgusting -- [Balloon Juice]
...Excellent. In other words, according to the rocket scientist who wrote this, we need to authorize torture so we can beat people relentlessly for four days until they confess to ‘war crimes,’ or other such useful and ‘accurate’ information.
Zarqawi’s extended family and clan disown Al Qaeda in Iraq leader -- (Khaleej Times/AP)
AMMAN - More than 370 members of the clan of Abu Musab Al Zarqawi joined his family on Tuesday in publishing a full-page letter in Jordan’s newspapers that disowns the most notorious terrorist in Iraq.
FRANCE: MPS APPROVE NEW ANTI-TERROR BILL -- (AKI)
Paris, 29 Nov. - French MPs on Thursday approved interior minister Nicholas Sarkozy's new anti-terror bill that will boost video surveillance in France, impose stiffer prison terms for convicted terrorists, and increase the amount of time terror suspects may be held without charges. The bill must be approved by France's Senate to become law. Sarkozy says the new measures will have no effect on civil liberties, but critics argue they may be used to keep closer...
Sidestepping Courts in the War on Terrorism --(LA Times)
U.S. seeks leverage by moving detainees or changing their status before scheduled hearings. Critics call it legal dodge ball.
WASHINGTON — The timing of the government's indictment last week of terror suspect Jose Padilla, after holding him more than three years without charges, seemed hardly coincidental.
The Painful Goodbye -- [Andi's Worl]
Yesterday, my husband walked out the front door to begin a long journey that will put him in a land far away from home, and far away from me. I will not lie - it hurts. It hurts badly. I can't seem to find my stiff upper lip, I've talked God's ear off and asked repeatedly that he keep my soldier safe. I'm sure he will, but my heart is broken shattered nonetheless.
It's impossible to stay strong at the outset of a deployment. You look around the house and there are reminders of the new void everywhere. It's not what I do see that hurts so badly, photos and memories we've created over the years, but rather, what I don't see. His wallet and beret aren't on the ledge in the foyer, and his boots are not under the coffee table.
Mail Call -- [Updates from Your CWFour - in Iraq]
After I got back from R & R I found that I had quite a bit of mail waiting for me. A veritable stack-o-mail. Most of the boxes and letters were from strangers.
My Aunt Marjorie has listed me with an organization called the Falmouth Military Support Group, in Massachusetts.
Do We Get What Is Sent. -- [Ask The Soldiers - in Iraq]
The question: we see a lot of links out there for supporting you guys with various small items that we think yall would appreciate (say maybe some tabasco sauce). Do these items ever make it to you?
Iraq Pictures - 30 November 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures- in Iraq]
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 92nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Group, 3rd Infantry Division pose in their new college football jerseys. More than 40 jerseys were donated by
Stockings for Soldiers UPDATES! -- [Keystone Soldiers]
Thank you so much for everyone who has sent us stockings and stuffing items for them! We have received so many packages in the last few days that we have had little time to update you on our progress. The elves here in Fleetwood have been working night and day to get everything shipped so that the troops have it in time for Christmas.
We will post a list of the names or organizations that we have received items from in the comments of this story.
Thank you for your service ... -- [Proud infantry Wife]
I got this email yesterday that brought tears to my eyes and then this morning it was posted on a military support group web site I am a member of, so I took it as a sign that I too should pass it on.
This one is for you Greg and Brian as you prepare to return home to families anxious to hold you in their arms once again.
The Myth of the Underprivileged Soldier -- [Thunder Run]
Tim Kane and Jay Carafano, both military veterans, and research fellows at the Heritage Foundation published an editorial in the Sunday November 27th USA Today taking on the myth that military recruiters prey on poor, disadvantaged and under-educated youths in an effort to swell the ranks and meet quotas. Bob Herbert, columnist with the New York Times continually writes, “…likely there would be no war if rich kids had to fight.”
How I stopped worrying and learned to love white phosphorus -- [Counter Column]
WP is a useful tool for the control of fires on the modern battlefield. Without it, we would have to use HE for spotting rounds. HE has a vastly greater lethal radius. HE fills the air with red hot metal. If it hits you, it will burn the crap out of you.
The guys who get hit with fragmentation rounds will tell you. They’ll cuss up a storm and tell you “it burns, it f-cking burns!”
Moveon.org Continues to Cater to the Clueless -- [Generation Why]
Moveon.org tries to exploit our brave men and women by producing a commercial about American soldiers stuck in Iraq over Thanksgiving.
Here's the video... and the heartwarming photo of the soldiers... is a picture of British soldiers!
Biden Hypocritical In Opposition To Alito -- [GOP Blog]
On Fox News Sunday Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) said of Judge Samuel Alito "clearly, clearly, you'll find a lot of people, including me, willing to do whatever they can to keep him off the court." Biden was upset over Alito’s dissagreement with the 1962 Supreme Court case Baker vs. Carr, which Alito expressed in a 1985 job application.
DNC1 Virus Mutates, Scientists Say -- [Camp Katrina]
The DNC1 strain of moonbat liberalism seen in Democrat cases in certain cities has mutated as compared with strains found in other parts of the country, scientists say.
Cindy Sheehan Claims Photos Falsely Implied Her Book Signing was a Flop -- [ROFA Six]
Cindy is irked! She claims that photos of her sitting at her bare table waiting for someone to come by and have her sign her book misrepresent reality. If there is anyone who knows about misrepresentation of reality it has to be Cindy ...
Excellent Washington Times Editorial on Bush’s Amnesty in Disguise Program -- [Jammed Gun]
Well, it is good to see that one prominent newspaper in this country gets it … about illegal immigration, that is – and about the lunacy of the Bush-Kennedy-McCain-Cornyn-style of “guest worker” program that will legitimize, recognize, and reward lawbreakers.
Supreme Court to Get Abortion Rights Case -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court will consider its first abortion rights case under the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts, with an unpredictable outcome because of the court's changing makeup. The stakes are significant in the dispute over a New Hampshire law requiring minors to tell a parent before ending a pregnancy, although the case does not challenge the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that said abortion is a fundamental constitutional right.
Bush Cites Tools to Fight Illegal Immigration -- (AP)
EL PASO, Texas -- President Bush on Tuesday watched border patrol techniques ranging from men on horseback to infrared cameras that help keep watch in the dark, and he said the country needs more of both to keep out illegal immigrants....
SUCO to pay Sheehan $11,000 -- (The Daily Star Online)
ONEONTA — The State University College at Oneonta has booked a Fox News Channel military analyst to counter a lecture tonight by anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan.
Lt. Col. Scott Rutter, who retired from the Army in November 2003 after leading a mechanized infantry battalion into Baghdad, will give a presentation sponsored by the student-run College Union Activities Council at noon Friday in the Hunt Union Square.
...Sheehan is getting paid $11,000 for the hour-long talk, while Rutter will receive his standard fee of $600 for his presentation, Dromgoole said.
Former President's Son May Run for Senate -- (AP)
LAS VEGAS -- The son of former President Jimmy Carter has launched a Web site soliciting donations for a possible run for U.S. Senate....
Bush says congressman taking bribes 'outrageous' -- (Reuters)
EL PASO, Texas - U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday verbally slapped a congressman from his Republican party for taking bribes, calling it "outrageous."
Hastert Wants 'Christmas,' Tree Together -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- If it's a spruce tree adorned with 10,000 lights and 5,000 ornaments displayed on the Capitol grounds in December, it's a Christmas tree and that's what it should be called, says House Speaker Dennis Hastert....
Officials Decry Use of Outdated Gitmo Images -- {Defend America}
U.S. NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Nov. 29, 2005 — Leaders at the U.S. detention facility for enemy combatants here wonder why media outlets continue to use outdated images of defunct facilities to accompany news reports about the base.
Not Funny…Trivializing Saddam’s Horrors -- [Talisman Gate - an Iraqi columist at New York Sun]
The Washington Post ran this cartoon by Tom Toles on its editorial page today. It has the ‘lawyer’ asking Saddam: “Tell us about your death squads and secret police and torture and executions…We need some tips on getting this country under control…[bottom-right] If you cooperate, we may let you off with the presidency.”
I got to thinking that the Washington Post would never run a flippant cartoon featuring Adolph Hitler, but somehow with Saddam...
A Puzzling Response to "The Freedoms We Fight For" -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
A reader, Peter Murray, has a truly bizarre response to "The Freedoms We Fight For" (see my article here and my blog entry about it here):
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (and homecoming pics) -- [Ryan and Christy - Ryan just returned home from Iraq]
Somebody's 24 today.
Happy birthday, Ryan! Glad this year's better than the last.
I Fought the Law and I Won -- [Incoherant Ramblings - in Kosovo]
Ok, for those of you who have been curious for the last couple of days, my blog was down. This was in respect to a direct order I recieved from my Chain of Command. It was also in regards to me posting pictures when I was ordered not too. Now, granted, I probably shouldn't have posted the pictures and I posted them anyway, but from my understanding of military regulations, and my research on it, it seemed to me that my posting the pictures was not in violation of any military regulation, other then a disobeyment of a direct order that I thought was not entirely lawful.
Bad Blogs, Burned Bridges, and More -- [Euphoric Reality]
The blogosphere is aflurry with the Weblog Awards, the OSM scandal, and the typical interblog chatter and clique drama that seems to never stop. Now on the scene are the Bad Blog Awards, hosted by Beth of MVRWC.
Some of the categories include “Worst email spamming link whore”, “Worst comment link-dropping link whore”, “Most self-worshipping blogger, “Blogger who takes him/herself MUCH too seriously”, and
Texas Guard Unit Heading Home -- [Target Centermass]
My dear friend William J. Hartmann, my former tank crewmate and close buddy of several years, prepped for deployment to Iraq. He served there. Now, he and his comrades from the Texas Army National Guard’s 36th Brigade are honorably returning home.
The Dallas Morning-News recently covered this deployment and ...
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
The Honest Broker -- [Major K - in Iraq]
There were protests the other day over the murder of a fairly prominent Sunni Sheikh here in Baghdad. The murderers were dressed in Iraqi Army uniforms and it happened in a sector patrolled by the Iraqi Army. The Iraqi Brigade Commander tried to meet with the family of the Sheikh and the protesters to try to calm the situation. He made little progress as he was not trusted by the Sheikh's relatives. This matter was immediately elevated to the highest military levels on both the American and Iraqi sides. Several Iraqi Officers here in the TOC suggested
Slow day = good day -- [Phil and Becky - Phil's in Iraq]
Today was a slow day, which means that it was a good one. Our partnered IA bubbas handled a couple of IED situations, but nothing that merited our attention.
It is encouraging to see the Iraqis take care of IEDs without any help from us. There was a time when we had to do all of that sort of thing by ourselves.
Parting the Waters -- [365 and a Wake Up - in Iraq]
A little after the sun settled into its twilight cradle the radio in the CP hissed out a message from our tank platoon; apparently the Iraqi Army soldiers they were parked beside knew the location of a fresh IED. I told 1LT Mac to hold the element in place and put out a quick guidance to my NCOs. By time I suited up and stepped outside the vehicles were almost prepped, and a few minutes later we rolled towards the link up site. When we arrived1LT Mac jumped off his M1 and gave me a quick backbrief on the situation. Apparently a helpful local had reported that there was a newly emplaced IED lurking about a kilometer down the road, and the Iraqi police officers would be able to identify the exact location.
Through the Looking Glass -- [Kevin Sites - Journalist embedded in Iraq]
ERBIL, Iraq - It's Friday at dusk. People are strolling through the gardens, lounging on the grass, reading, eating snacks and chatting near the refreshment stand.
Zirar Abdullah poses his young son and daughter on the playground spinner, then snaps their picture in the perfectly diffused golden light.
"I come here with my family every Friday," Abdullah says. "I feel very secure. I feel free to do what I like."
Soldier's Story -- [Across the Pond - in Iraq]
ATTENTION BLOGOSPHERE!! After almost a year of blogging here and surfing around the net, I have noticed alot, and I mean alot of blogs are dedicated to politics and Iraq in one fashion or another. A few are from actual soldiers, but most are from the citizens of our great nation and many others around this small world. So, myself and Mr. Matt over at As Confusion Sets In have decided to kinda steal the idea from Zubegirl, Painting Chef, and Bonanza Jellybean and try an open forum for the world to ask us questions concerning Iraq and the War on Terrorism whether it be political or whatever.
BUSY DAY FOR IRAQI, COALITION FORCES -- [Iraqi bounty hunter]
TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi and U.S. forces continued the fight against terrorists operating throughout the north central region of Iraq Saturday.
Sixteen suspected terrorists, including one female, were captured in a series of unrelated events.
In an early morning cordon and search mission near Baqubah, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers detained nine suspected terrorists and seized fuses used for detonating explosives along with several anti-aircraft artillery rounds.
Things behind eyes -- [Children's Voice from Iraq - an Iraqi in Iraq]
I posted many real stories that shows how kids get hurt directly by the situation they are at it, Now I want to explain how kids get hurt indirectly. May be kids don’t know that and some people think it is for some thing else but I tell no it is same target against Iraqi kids when be against our kids it will be against us, Here is some of it.
Saddam's Torturer: Working In Iraq Interior Ministry -- [Iraqi Bloggers Central]
Certain elements of the Iraq Interior Ministry have recently been to discovered maintaining some pretty ghoulish penal policies. here here Riverbend doesn't seem to remember anything like this happening under Saddam, and was horrified/satisfied to see it happening in New Iraq. Hammorabi, however, does remember how things worked under Saddam and he says (paraphrasing) "good enough for them":
The trial...again. -- [Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
It’s the trial again, and the streets in Baghdad are nearly empty as most people are sitting at their homes watching the proceedings of the trial; the best way to describe this is to say that it feels as if it were world cup in soccer where Baghdad usually looks like as if it were under curfew!
My trip to the U.S.A -- [Treasure of Baghdad - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Amman, first step. Treasure of Baghdad’s diary
...The Associated Press reported that Saddam had a brief but heated exchange with Amin, the chief judge complaining of having to walk up four flights of stairs in shackles because the elevator wasn't working.
The judge said he would tell the police not to let that happen again. Saddam snapped: "You are the chief judge. I don't want you to tell them. I want you to order them.
I assume the trial is being broadcasted everywhere in this world so I do not need to report on what’s happening inside the court hall but I can add a few notes on the atmosphere outside; ...
Iraq Pictures - 29 November 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, C Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, control the crowd of Iraqi civilians eager to receive medical aid at Al Hadba Girls School, Mosul. Pic: SGT L. Campbell
would you go back? -- [Blog Machine City]
One of the more interesting (well, probably one of the only interesting) questions that I've had after returning from Iraq is whether I would want to go back. I replied - almost without hesitation - that if I was single I would definitely go back. The woman who asked was flabbergasted - "but isn't it dangerous there?," she cried, as if I had just stated my desire to volunteer for the Atomic Codpiece Testing Squadron. I went on to explain how I was basically in the safest place in the country in the lowest-risk job imaginable, played video games for a year, etc, etc. She then asked why I would go back. That question proved much harder to answer, and is the catalyst for this entry.
Iraq Sunset Taji -- [Casper's Calamity - in Iraq]
Clouds are a rare site in central Iraq. As the weather gets cooler and the days shorter, breathtaking moments sometimes reveal themselves. This was the sunset today and worth taking a moment to remember there are beautiful things in the world even in the dirt pits of Iraq.
More Iraqi Battalions 'In The Lead' Against Rebels -- (Washington Times)...Robert Burns, Associated Press
A growing number of Iraqi troop battalions -- nearly four dozen as of this week -- are playing lead roles in the fight against the insurgency, and American commanders have turned over more than two dozen U.S.-established bases to government control, officials said yesterday.
Ted Turner: Iraq 'no better off' after U.S.-led war -- (Atlantic Journal-Constitution)
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Media mogul Ted Turner said Monday that Iraq is "no better off" following the U.S.-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
More Than A 'Mistake' On Iraq -- (Washington Post)
A line is forming outside the Iraq confessional. It consists of Democratic presidential aspirants -- where's Hillary? -- who voted for the war in Iraq and now concede that they made a "mistake." Former senator John Edwards did that Nov. 13 in a Post op-ed article, and Sen. Joseph Biden uttered the "M" word Sunday on "Meet the Press." "It was a mistake," said Biden. "It was a mistake," wrote Edwards. Yes and yes, says Cohen. But it is also a mistake to call it a mistake.
A Way Out Of Iraq -- (USA Today)
Support for the war is dwindling, and Americans want a plan for completing the mission. What to do? Find a consensus, be realistic and make sure we're ultimately doing what's best for the United States.
In the past few weeks, the war in Iraq has finally emerged to center stage in Washington.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly that Iraqi forces should assume the lead in the war in 2006 so that the United States could begin a phased withdrawal.
In Cairo, the Iraqi factions meeting under Arab League auspices actually agreed on something: They urged the United States to announce a timetable for withdrawal.
Now, our nation needs to agree on a withdrawal strategy. Four elements define a departure plan:
War Kills 100th State G.I. -- (New York Daily News)...Richard Sisk
...With the death of Reynolds, New York became the fifth state to lose at least 100 residents in Iraq. California had the most fatalities with 221, followed by Texas with 188, Pennsylvania at 106 and Ohio with 102, but the highest state death rate was in Vermont, which had 14 killed in a population of 640,000 -- seven of them from the Army National Guard.
Sunnis Accuse Iraqi Military Of Kidnappings And Slayings -- (New York Times)...Dexter Filkins
As the American military pushes the largely Shiite Iraqi security services into a larger role in combating the insurgency, evidence has begun to mount suggesting that the Iraqi forces are carrying out executions in predominantly Sunni neighborhoods.
IRAQ: GERMAN ARCHAEOLOGIST AND DRIVER KIDNAPPED -- (AKI)
Baghdad, 29 Nov. - A German archaeologist and her driver were abducted on Friday, according to the German TV station ARD. The woman, who is around 40-years-old, has lived in the country for years and speaks Arabic fluently. The kidnappers sent a video to the broadcaster's offices in Baghdad in which they showed the hostages and threatened to kill the woman if the German government does not suspend every form of cooperation with the Iraqi government.
Ex-Powell Aide Criticizes Bush on Iraq -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff says President Bush was "too aloof, too distant from the details" of post-war planning, allowing underlings to exploit Bush's detachment and make bad decisions. In an Associated Press interview Monday, former Powell chief of staff Lawrence Wilkerson also said that wrongheaded ideas for the handling of foreign detainees after Sept. 11 arose from a coterie of White House and Pentagon aides who argued that "the president of the United States is all-powerful," and that the Geneva Conventions were irrelevant.
U.S. decimating foreign fighters -- (Washington Times)
The U.S. is seeing significantly fewer foreign fighters on the battlefields of Iraq, because the coalition has killed or captured scores of terrorists in recent months and is doing a better job of securing the long border with Syria.
MASSIVE WEAPONS CACHE DISCOVERED NEAR KIRKUK
TIKRIT, Iraq – U.S. Soldiers discovered more than 2,700 mortar rounds near an abandoned Iraqi Army base south of Kirkuk Sunday morning.
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and explosive ordnance disposal experts began the task of unearthing the weapons from a mound located in a field full of similar mounds. Iraqi and U.S. forces are securing the site and preparing to excavate the remaining mounds in search of additional weapons.
CACHES FOUND IN OPERATION TIGERS --{CENTCOM}
AR RAMADI, Iraq – Early morning efforts of Operation Numur (Tigers) by Soldiers of the Iraqi Army and Task Force 2-69, U.S. Army, have netted several caches, including two that were found along a railroad track used by local citizens.
The caches found consisted of numerous artillery and mortar rounds, rocket-propelled grenades, high explosives, small arms weapons, small arms ammunition, bulletproof vests and bomb making equipment.
NEW WATER PLANT OPENS IN AL HASAIN
CAMP ECHO, Iraq – Multinational Division Central-South Soldiers and local authorities opened a new water plant for al Husain village near Afak (30 km east of Ad Diwaniyah) Nov. 23.
The new facility provides potable water to about 3,000 local citizens.
Communicators lay foundation for future of Afghanistan
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – As U.S. forces prepare to return control of the airport terminal and tower to Afghan control, combat communicators assigned to 451st Air Expeditionary Group communications flight here recently stepped up and out of their lanes to provide critical communications by installing more than a mile of copper and fiber cabling.
Mail Thieves Busted
-- [Strategy Page]
November 29, 2005: Just in time for Christmas, U.S. Army criminal investigators have arrested a dozen troops in Afghanistan, and accused them of stealing mail meant for other American troops. Three of those arrested have already been convicted, and sentenced to between four and 30 months in jail, plus being fined, busted down to the lowest rank and dishonorably discharged.
Desecration Update -- [Afghan Warrior - Afghani in Afghanistan]
Even though the burning of the two dead Taliban bodies is not against the Geneva Convention, it's still against the Afghan culture and tradition. Most Afghan people were not upset over the burning of two Taliban dead bodies, but Afghan people were upset because the villagers were insulted by some US soldiers.
Most Afghan people don't really care about the burning of the dead Taliban bodies because they don't have a good memory of the Taliban. During their government life was very hard and they were teasing people for no reason. In my opinion
Non-Gratuitous Afghan Photo of the Holiday Season I -- [Miserable Donuts]
I hadn't seen this photo for a while - it is from the village of Deh Hazara, in Parwan Province. I think that of all the places I went in that country, that village made the deepest impression upon me. I often wonder how the people there are faring. I know we helped give them a chance at a little peace and that comforts me.
U.S. 'Lenient' In Body Burn Case - Afghans -- (New York Daily News)...Associated Press
Afghanistan's government said yesterday the U.S. military has been "very lenient" in punishing American soldiers for burning the bodies of two Taliban rebels in an incident caught on camera.
Conflicts in Africa -- [Peace like a River]
The continent of Africa has seen so much suffering. Disease, AIDS, poverty, famine, drought. Yet so much of the suffering has come from human hands. Africa has experienced numerous conflicts, wars, civil wars, oppression, brutal dictators, violence.
Here are some very brief descriptions of conflicts in different African countries over the years. This is not an exhaustive list.
French Tighten Immigration Controls -- (AP)
PARIS -- French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Tuesday announced tightened controls on immigration, part of the government's response to unrest that shook the country this month....
Gauging Progress in Combating Terrorism -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
How do we measure the progress being made in the War on Terrorism? That is the theme of a recent Congressional Research Service report prepared by CRS terrorism expert Raphael Perl. The report reflects concerns that we really have not developed the criteria necessary to judge the effectiveness of our anti-terrorism actions. Perl holds that in the absence of such criteria the Administration has simply measured progress retrospectively against what it has done. “And of course since we've done some stuff, we've made progress….” Rather than measure progress against agreed benchmarks, he says, the administration has cited statistics on kills, captures, and funds frozen. But,
The Most Successful Propaganda Techniques -- [Strategy Page]
November 29, 2005: A list of the most common, and successful, propaganda techniques currently in use. If you spend any time at all consuming mass media, you will find these techniques familiar.
Blasts Kill 8 in Two Bangladesh Cities -- (AP)
CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh - Bombs exploded in two Bangladesh cities on Tuesday, killing at least eight people and injuring 66 in what appeared to be the latest attack by militant Muslims intent on imposing harsh Islamic law, officials said. No one immediately claimed responsibility, but police investigators suspected the outlawed Islamic militant group Jumatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, blamed for similar attacks this year.
Miami Police Take New Tack Against Terror -- (BREITBART.COM/ap)
Miami police announced Monday they will stage random shows of force at hotels, banks and other public places to keep terrorists guessing and remind people to be vigilant.
Turf Wars Hinder US Attack on Terror Cash, Agency Says -- (New York Times)
... 11 attacks, "the US government lacks an integrated strategy" to train ... with strategies to fight terrorist financing because of turf battles, investigators ...
PAKISTAN: INDIAN CRIME LORD 'LINKED' TO AL-QAEDA -- (AKI/DAWN)
Washington DC, 29 Nov. - Dawood Ibrahim, one of the most wanted men in India, is working closely with groups like al-Qaeda and Lashkar-i-Toiba, says the US News and World Report magazine in its latest issue. Dawood runs an organised criminal network which operates in 14 countries and is now the target of two US investigations, according to the Washington-based periodical.
Becoming a Good Gift Getter -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
...Right now many Americans are coming to the realization that our nation's military men and women are giving much of themselves, risking life and limb, for the benefit of America. We are grateful and appreciative. Americans are also coming to the realization that our military members need to feel that appreciation, and we want to do something to show it. Cash donations to various organizations, carepackages sent, letters written...those are all ways that we are letting these soldiers (and marines, and sailors) know how much we appreciate them.
The problem is that many soldiers have difficulty accepting such gifts.
Christmas Wish from a Child -- [Yikes]
OK, so today I get home and there are the 600+ cards from Vicki G. just waiting to be dived into and packed into boxes for my Dear Deployed Heroes!!! Yay, Vicki, THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!! I'm not even CLOSE to halfway thru reading them and sorting them, but have been brought to tears MANY times. I had to share this one particular letter written by a child (I believe middle-school age)... TISSUE ALERT!
14 Day Pushback - Protesting the Protesters -- [The Gunn Nutt]
...Every so often their interest will be piqued by some "peace activists" who are receiving negative coverage in the blogosphere or "new media". Take for instance the FreeRepublic.com article by Kristinn Taylor about CodePink's $600K grant to Fallujah terrorists. It got no notice in the MSM who saw nothing newsworthy about a clear-cut case of treason. *Yawn* we don't care what commies do. Add Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) to the story via FrontPageMagazine.com To Fallujah, With Love by Ben Johnson and what do you get? *Sigh* give us a story about Haliburton. It took Marc Morano's CNSNews article Anti-War Protests Target Wounded at Army Hospital to get some real attention.
Military Mail: Santa For Sergeants -- (Washington Post)...Unattributed
Santa delivers on Christmas morning. Everyone else, especially those with loved ones in the U.S. military overseas, had better get moving before then if packages are to arrive in time for the holidays.
Diversity in the military -- [Resurgemus - in Alaska]
A while back PawPaw posted some thoughts on diversity in the military.
Paw-paw is spot on when he describes the military as a meritocracy.
While not completely color blind, the military does an admirable job taking college aged men and women from diverse backgrounds and getting them to work together as a team. I've heard of colleges assigning dorm rooms, or even entire dormitories, based on race. In the military, there's no black barracks or white barracks. You live together, eat together, work together, and learn to tolerate...
Experienced Troops Returning to Service -- [Strategy Page]
November 29, 2005: Despite problems getting new recruits, the U.S. Army is having a lot more success getting troops who have done their time and left, to come back. In 2004, the army got 8,246 troops, who had recently gotten out, to sign up for another tour of duty. That’s up from 4,565 in 2003. This year, the trend continues, with the help of cooperative recruiters, and cash bonuses (up to $19,000) if you have a skill that is in high demand right now.
Go Army. Beat Navy -- [dougpetch]
The last time I went to Philadelphia to see Army play Navy was 1998 and I'm happy to report that Army won, 34-30. They've only managed to beat Navy once more since then (2001), so I'd say they're overdue for a win. Add in a four game winning streak, the opportunity to win the Commander-in-Chief's Cup by beating both Air Force and Navy, and the fact that I will, once again, be in Philadelphia for the game and it's hard to see how they can lose.
I won't, however,
Recruiting Is Big In Small Town -- (Honolulu Advertiser)...Matt Sedensky, Associated Press
...There is no single explanation for why Key and his colleagues are so successful. But if you follow them as they make their rounds in Missouri's small towns, if you talk with those who sign up, you'll hear certain refrains: They need the money, they seek an escape from dead-end lives in dead-end towns, they hew to a kind of heartland patriotism.
Army Recruiters Thrive Downstate -- (Chicago Tribune)...E.A. Torriero
This is U.S. Army country, where even in the leanest of recruiting years, even in a time of war, young people step out of farms and tiny towns of rural America to enlist.
Camouflage Cool -- (Los Angeles Times )... Carina Chocano
Army's filled with the spirit of giving: watches, saxophones, stints in Iraq.... How awesome is the Army? You really have no idea until you send away for the "Stand Ready: Being a Soldier in the Army Reserve" DVD, as advertised on MTV. Because "learning more" is usually not enough incentive to get the kids on the phone — especially the kinds of kids who sit around watching MTV all the time — the Army was throwing in a free camo hat, the way Sports Illustrated might offer a free sneaker phone with your subscription, to sweeten the deal, if you call now.
I called then. Actually, I went to the Go Army! website and filled out an online form. Three e-mail requests; a brief but terrifying phone conversation with a recruiter; and six to eight weeks of anticipation, then patience, then the total loss of hope later, the DVD arrived. There was no hat in the package — the gift had been upgraded to a sports watch. Does that sound weird? Well, watch the DVD and learn — the Army is all about giving.
Produced by Leo Burnett USA, whose Army contracts totaled about $350 million this year, and directed by Hank Vincent of Avalon Films, "Stand Ready: Be a Soldier in the Army Reserve" opens on a video loop of super-macho, sepia-toned, high-contrast images of modern soldiering. A square-jawed soldier glistens in profile, a chopper flies low overhead, a soldier in a helmet raises a flag. It's very retro, very now. And that's just the menu screen.
Post Hoc Polling Data, Ergo Blame Bush -- [Media Blog on Nation]
Several readers have written in to comment on an exchange between FNC's Chris Wallace and Sen. Carl Levin on Sunday (Political Teen has the video) in which Wallace called out Levin for taking President Bush's pre-war statements about Iraq and al-Qaeda out of context. I was glad to see someone actually hold Levin accountable for this, but Wallace missed an opportunity to correct Levin on another point during this exchange:
More Hate From The Left -- [WarriorJason - in Iraq]
Michelle Malkin received this cartoon by another America hating liberal.
"From the unhinged cartoonist/columnist who sneers at our volunteer troops as murderers for Halliburton and derided Army Ranger Pat Tillman as an "idiot" and a "sap," comes this new slander of the troops."
Once again this just add more proof that the hard left, and sometimes even moderate left, hate our military, the warriors and the United States.
Alito backed tougher civil rights penalty -- (Reuters)
By Thomas Ferraro | WASHINGTON - As a top U.S. Justice Department lawyer two decades ago, U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito backed tougher punishment for certain civil rights violation...
Liberalism Can Lose The War Against Militant Islam -- [Open Fire]
Yesterday on the way to the ice rink I was listening to Rush Limbaugh and took notice of the radio when he said we could lose the war against militant Islam because, as a culture, we don't have the stomach for it. He cites our self-indictment over Gitmo as some evidence i.e. we want to be "nice" and "humane" to an enemy that is anything but nice and humane. In being this way, we reveal to our enemy our lack of resolve and squeamishness towards violence.
Cindy Sheehan’s Media Motivations Exposed -- [GOP Blog]
In a blatent grab for attention this weekend, infamous anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan posted an Internet letter to Former First Lady Barbara Bush, accusing President Bush of killing her son who died in Iraq.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Salena Zito opines “Sheehan's shameful letter to Barbara Bush ends any pretense of her being a peace activist. She is an anti-Bush activist using her personal tragedy as cover…This very public saga no longer is about her son.
Bush Trying to Help Republican Candidates -- (AP)
PHOENIX - Despite his low standing in the polls, President Bush is working to help Republican House and Senate candidates build their campaign war chests while promoting his own troubled agenda. The president is expected to assume the campaign role more often in the coming months as the 2006 congressional election year begins
Calif. Congressman Admits Taking Bribes -- (AP)
SAN DIEGO - After months of insisting he had done nothing wrong, Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham tearfully acknowledged taking $2.4 million in bribes, saying: "The truth is I broke the law." The eight-term Republican and former Vietnam fighting ace pleaded guilty to graft Monday and resigned, admitting he took money mostly from defense contractors in exchange for government business and other favors.
Omen on the High Court? -- -- (Washington Post )
Marble Falls From Building's Facade, Spurring Theories of Symbolism
For some, the chunk of marble that fell from the facade of the Supreme Court yesterday was a frightening safety hazard.
But this is Washington, after all, where people search for hidden meaning in anything that happens at places such as the nation's highest court.
Media Lies -- [Thunder Run]
Despite what you might be reading in the press recently Col. John Murtha, D-PA is a not a Hawk suddenly turned Dove, for Congressman Murtha has been promoting his cut and run policies since Somalia, and never backed the war on terror when it wasn’t politically expedient to do so. The media loves to find old soldiers that have turned their back on their fellow brothers in uniform, and tout them as some holier than thou hero, that has suddenly seen the evil of their past ways, former President and current disgrace Jimmy Carter is another one of these heroes the Media loves to talk about and lavish attention on. He and many others like him according to the Media have absolute moral authority when commenting upon all matters military, but the truth is ...
Marine In Iraq Says Morale Is High, But Troops Dismayed By MSM Coverage -- [GOP Blog
The Washington Times (11/22) runs a field report from an anonymous Marine, relayed through his father, a retired marine, “According to [name redacted], morale among our guys is very high. They not only believe they are winning, but that they are winning decisively. They are stunned and dismayed by what they see in the American press, whom they almost universally view as against them. The embedded reporters are despised and distrusted. They are inflicting casualties at a rate of 20-1 and then see s*** like ‘Are we losing in Iraq?’ on television and the print media. For the most part, they are satisfied with their equipment, food and leadership.”
Early Present -- [Desert Odyssey]
Great news...I'm not sure why, or how, but out of the blue today the computer police suddenly gave up access to blogs here in Qatar. Not only that, but I now have access to my OWN blog, so I can upload pictures and make things a hell of a lot more interesting (at least to me) on here. I've already gone through and added a bunch of photos that I've come across in the past few months, and started my Blogroll to recognize those who have recognized me. What can I say...when you don't have a whole lot to keep yourself occupied, little victories such as this become HUGE.
So long Iraq.......... -- [sandboxmedic - home from Iraq]
Damn, it's been so long since I've signed in I couldn't remember my password.
Well like the title says I’ve left Iraq. It was getting time to move on and try something different plus I needed to get registered for classes anyways. I’m going to miss the paycheck and some of the people but overall I’m glad to be back. I owe Jean a huge thanks too for getting me back in such a timely manner- thanks!
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
THE LITTLE ONES -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
Its 1000 am and nice out for a winter day. I watch the cigar smoke rise as I sit under the camie netting and see the sun poking through. It’s quiet, peaceful and scary how quickly it can turn ugly. That thought is gone now and we are flying out the gate on yet another convoy. Chest tight and ready for anything. “Where are you, you little SOBs, I know your out here.” I think to myself. There is an approaching convoy on our road and we will need to move over to make room for the 7-ton trucks approaching. I don’t have to wait long for an answer to ...
Drained -- [Six more months - in Iraq]
...I found out on Thanksgiving afternoon that an old friend, who had deployed with another of our Batteries only to be sent home when he was diagnosed with cancer, had died. He was my age, and his sons are the same ages as my daughters.
I was still dealing with the loss of a friend and the simultaneous peek at my own mortality on Friday when I heard that 2 soldiers I knew and had worked with at the Gate had been hit by an IED and were Medevaced. The patrol captured the suspected triggermen, and was bringing them in for questioning, so I grabbed my Intell Sgt and volunteered our services to help question the bastards.
The Hounds of Husaybah -- [The Fourth Rail - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
I'm at Camp Gannon, here's my take on a night patrol in the city of Husaybah - The Hounds of Husaybah: A night on patrol with the Jackals of Lima Company
The decisive operation(s) -- [Phil and Becky - Phil's in Iraq]
Critical to understanding the conflict here in Iraq is the realization that the decisive operation is not combat. I realize that the country of Iraq is like a patchwork quilt with some areas more violent and some areas more stable than others. It is very possible, therefore, that there are parts of Iraq where combat is the decisive operation. But I do not assess that to be the case in our little corner of the world nor do I see it as the path to ultimate strategic victory (which is what we are obviously working towards in the long run).
CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE. a three part series -- [Sisyphus Today... - in Iraq]
Part 2 - Justification for "Staying the Course"
Bill W recently enumerated The Plan on which we are "Staying the Course". I suppose I heard this so often and saw things so differently that it lost its meaning. But Bill captures it completely when he states:...
Side by side -- [No End but Victory - an Iraqi in Iraq]
That was the message I got from my brother who took these pictures. When I looked at the pictures I noticed that the American soldiers weren’t wearing anything to protect themselves and they were calmly watching the Iraqi soldiers they trained, I guess they were feeling real good in that beautiful sunny day. They stood side by side with the Iraqis to watch the parade I can feel how proud they are to help those men to make Iraq more secure. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures and I hope you will too.
The Nightmare That Won't Go Away -- [Strategy Page]
November 27, 2005: Sunni Arabs are becoming increasingly nervous about their ability to remain in Iraq. To frequently paranoid Sunni Arabs, it's already beginning. In western Iraq, the attacks against terrorist strongholds, in Sunni Arab areas, continue. The military pressure has been constant on the terrorists for most of the year. The most recent attack force was smaller than earlier ones, with ...
Female Marines guarding the gates of Fallujah - [Live in Iraq]
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -(Nov 28 2005)- Walking or driving into the city of Fallujah is no longer a simple process for Iraqi civilians because of constant attacks that previously ravaged the city.
Now with guards posted at all times, vehicle and personnel searches, the city is much safer, however, i...
War, Oil and Money -- [Howdy's Blog]
I was recently directed towards a very long article regarding our need to invade Iraq to retain the US Dollar (USD) as the currency for exchange used by OPEC nations. Read this long article here. I recommend if you don't have the time to read it, focus on the summary and synopsis areas.
I read the article and forwarded the following to the gentleman that sent it to me.
[Sir],
Thanks for forwarding this along. I read the entire document as you encouraged. I need to make a couple of points for the forwarding audience regarding my experience during two tours in Iraq and general observations about the US military.
1. The paper is grossly incorrect on US military's morale...
Glenn McCoy -- [Major K - in Iraq]
This one is from the Stars & Stripes. It speaks for itself.
Downtown Jalula, Iraq -- [Lance in Iraq]
Notice the wonderful roads Saddam provided his people with all that oil cash.
(pics)
Almost as lovely as the sewer systems he built.
My trip to the U.S.A -- [Treasure of Baghdad - an Iraqi traveling to the U.S.]
Amman, first step. Treasure of Baghdad’s diary
Although I know I will return back to Baghdad, I left my beloved city with tears in my eyes expecting more and more violence to happen. Farewelling every building, tree and stone in Baghdad, I was singing Kadhum al Sahir’s song, “Escaping”. A tear dropped from my eyes when I reached “I am escaping from a great house which every eye wishes to see. Under its shadows, you and I were like birds. We used to share the laughter and the tear.” Of course, the house is my beloved homeland, Iraq.
Happy Thanksgiving -- [A Female Soldier 2 - in Iraq]
Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone
I sincerely hope that each and every one of you had a happy holiday and had many blessings and reason to give thanks for. I have discovered that there are so many wonderful Americans stateside and I know that this Thanksgiving one of the things I give thanks for was the opportunity to get to know many of you in a little personal way through your comments and email. The other things I give thanks for this Thanksgiving Day are: ...
Happy Thanksgiving -- [Dan in the Desert - in Iraq] (EN: awesome pics)
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! This was my second "Turkey Day" out here in the Middle East, and again, it's always difficult being away from family. The local DFAC (Dining Facility) did its best to serve up some of that home cooking, but man, I'm starting to miss home.
Anyhow, I made it back to Baghdad once again. I was down in southern Iraq for
Glad tidings of great joy -- [Fast Bunnies - in Iraq]
Because I was at LSA Diamondback for Thanksgiving I missed Aaron Tippin, who, according to photos, looks dashing in body armor and a kevlar helmet. All joking aside, there are two types of celebrities (and I will grant him celebrity status, not having any clue who he is): the type that entertains soldiers and the type who does not. Even the ones who do it as some self-serving PR campaign, and I suspect it is many, are still bothing to come out here, and it gets the soldiers excited. Hell, it gets the Generals excited, as they hustle...
Ramsey Clark Defending Hussein -- [Stop the ACLU]
BBC
Former US attorney general Ramsey Clark, an outspoken critic of the trial, was seated alongside the defence team.
Mr Clark, 77, who flew in from the Jordanian capital Amman on Sunday, said he wanted to protect Saddam Hussein’s rights.
...Mr. Clark doesn’t have that great of a success record, but he has a long history as an international lawyer practicing his favorite pastime, America bashing, and defending America’s enemies.
Pulling US troops would lead to 'disaster' -- Kissinger -- (BREITBART.COM)
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned that a hasty pullout of American troops from Iraq would lead to political and military "disaster", and called on the US administration to stay the course there.
...He added that the global nature of terrorism makes it particularly difficult to chart a US exit strategy from Iraq.
"The terrorism is not confined to Iraq. It has gone from Bali in Indonesia to central Europe across many countries -- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Spain, in some respects India," the former diplomat said.
US admits 50,000 troops to quit Iraq -- (The Australian)
THE White House has admitted it has an Iraq withdrawal plan, arguing that a troop pullout blueprint unveiled this past week by a Democratic senator was "remarkably simila...
Bruce Willis comes out fighting for Iraq’s forgotten GI heroes -- (Times Onliine)
ANGERED by negative portrayals of the conflict in Iraq, Bruce Willis, the Hollywood star, is to make a pro-war film in which American soldiers will be depicted as brave fighters for freedom and democracy.
American Citizen Reported Missing in Iraq -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - An American citizen has been reported missing in Iraq, the U.S. Embassy said Monday, a day after a Canadian Parliament official said that four humanitarian workers had been kidnapped. Dan McTeague, parliamentary secretary for Canadians abroad, said two Canadians were taken on Saturday, and Britain said one of its citizens was among the four.
Militant looms as Iraq kingmaker -- (International Herald Tribune)
Men loyal to Moktada al-Sadr piled out of their cars at a plantation near Baghdad on a recent morning, bristling with Kalashnikov rifles and eager to exact vengeance on t...
Iraqi President hits back at Allawi abuse claims -- (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
| Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has hit back at former prime minister Iyad Allawi for saying human rights abuses in Iraq were as bad now as they were under Saddam Hussei...
Plot to Kill Judge in Hussein Trial Foiled, Police Say -- (The Washington Post)
Tribunal Will Resume Today; Four Aid Workers, Including Two Canadians, Reported Kidnapped
Hussein, Back in Court, Is Combative and Feisty -- (NYTimes)
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 28 - Saddam Hussein returned to court on Monday and quickly seized the floor for a verbal assault on the American military guards who he said had manhandled him on his way to the courtroom, calling them "occupiers and invaders" and demanding that the chief judge in the trial reprove them.
Saddam Trial Resumes, Then Is Postponed -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The trial of Saddam Hussein for alleged crimes against humanity resumed in a heavily guarded courtroom Monday with the former Iraqi president angrily complaining about having to walk up four flights of stairs under foreign guard. A former U.S. attorney general sat with the defense team. After a short session during which the first testimony was read into the record, Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin adjourned the trial until Dec. 5 to allow time to find replacements for two defense lawyers who were slain and another who fled the country after he was wounded.
Text of Saddam Trial Deposition -- (Ap)
This is the deposition from witness Wadah Ismael al-Sheik taken just before his death from cancer. The text is as read by Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin in Arabic and translated by The Associated Press:...
WHITE HOUSE PLAN IF SADDAM FOUND 'NOT GUILTY' -- (Drudge Report)
Senior Bush administration officials have considered the unthinkable: What if Saddam Hussein is found not guilty in his trial?
"There will be more charges filed against him, and more charges after that...
Warner Urges Public Openess From Bush -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Sunday suggested that President Bush use an FDR-style presentation to update people on progress in the war in Iraq....
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESSMEN_INJURED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">Two Congressmen Hurt in Iraq Vehicle Flip -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A military vehicle carrying three congressmen overturned on the way to the Baghdad airport, injuring two of them, the U.S. Embassy said Sunday.
Body burning investigation update: In which someone gets hung out to dry -- [Counter Column]
Centcom has just released its executive summary of the investigation into the body burning incident in Afghanistan.
There were four separate investigations launched, including a criminal investigation.
The bottom line: The investigation found that U.S. Coalition forces did not violate the Law of War.
Soldiers get ready for Christmas in Kabul -- [Roger Roy - OrlandoSentinel/blog - in Afghanistan]
KABUL – It was a cold, gray day, the coldest yet, I think, the kind of weather where you could see your breath all day.
Some of the soldiers were hanging Christmas decorations, and the chaplains were putting garlands and trees on the porch of the chapel here at Camp Phoenix.
Kashmir Earthquake -- [seeminglynaive - missionary in Afghanistan]
For the past six weeks I’ve been in Kashmir responding to the 7.6 earthquake that left over 80,000 dead and 3.3 million people homeless. I was primarily sent to set up much needed communications but also afforded the opportunity to help out as a medic.
I can hardly describe my experience in the earthquake zone; I know because I’ve tried. I made it back to Kabul just in time for Thanksgiving.
Faizabad -- [Dans le meilleur des mondes possibles - an Aid worker in Afghansitan]
...Unlike its sister Khorog, Faizabad in Afghanistan is not a particularly green city. Taloqan is greener. Faizabad is also not especially clean, either. And the people- they keep burning down humanitarian offices, staging marches against NGOs, and so on. It’s one of the least safe cities north of Kabul. The road to Faizabad is only slightly better than the road to Khorog, and that only because it’s not as high in the mountains.
But there were some positive points:
–> It is the city that gave the Northern Alliance refuge- which sounds much better when you consider that they were given refuge from the Taliban.
–> There is a really great song by the Tajikistan group Farzin, ...
Afghans Confront Surge in Violence -- (Washington Post)
Afghan and international officials are concerned that Taliban guerrillas are obtaining support from abroad to carry out strikes that increasingly mimic insurgent tactics in Iraq.
US soldiers face punishment for burning bodies -- (Taipei Times)
INQUIRY VERDICT: Troops who provoked an angry response after cremating the corpses of Taliban rebels in Afghanistan face disciplinary action but not prosecution | Advertising Four US soldiers face dis...
NATO to expand peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan -- (Taipei Times)
Advertising NATO has agreed to plans extending its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) peacekeeping mission into Afghanistan's more volatile south, but concerns remain over who will provide... (photo: Getty Images)
Doing deals with the devil is risky business -- Peace like a River]
First, a note of caution. You and I don't really have the means to judge the accuracy of this report. But, some interesting news, if true, in the Telegraph today...
Is Korea Putting the Nation's First Astronauts or Tourists into Space? -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
I am wondering after reading this if Korea is really putting an astronaut or a tourist into space?:
South Korea has decided to put out an open application for the country's first person in space, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute announced Tuesday.
Standing Ovation -- [Desert Odyssey - in Qatar]
We had our “Operation Season’s Greetings” (http://www.afrc.af.mil/hq/band/osg/) visit last night. The Air Force reserve band started great but kind of fizzled, and the New England cheerleaders were, well, cheerleaders, but there were only four of them there. I stayed for John Popper, former lead singer of Blues Traveler. Even though his band only had a couple of big hits he was phenomenal. That guy can make music with a harmonica like nothing I’ve ever heard before. When he played the National Anthem I got chills down my spine. Not wanting to ruin that I left before Trick Pony came onstage. I hear their good, but I haven’t listened to country music for quite a while.
Merkel zooms in on US -- (News24 SA)
| Berlin - The United States is hopeful that new German Chancellor Angela Merkel will help make all of Europe a more reliable partner for Washington, analysts said here a...
Monday's Winds of War: 28 Nov 2005 -- [Winds of Change]
Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. Monday's Winds of War briefings are given by Security Watchtower and Peace Like a River.
New Daily Standard Article: "The Freedoms We Fight For" -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
I previously blogged about the threat to Omar Sharif that was posted on a jihadist website after the actor spoke glowingly about playing St. Peter in an Italian TV film. I've also noted on this blog that Sharif isn't alone in being threatened for allegedly offending Islamic sensitivities; rather, there is a disturbing trend of people being threatened, and sometimes killed, when radical Muslims take umbrage at their speech. Now "The Freedoms We Fight For," an article I wrote for the Daily Standard that documents and analyzes this trend, has been posted. An excerpt:
Apparent Zarqawi Clone in Morocco Threatens Suicide Attacks on "Infidel Colonizers" and "Apostate Rulers" -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
A previously unknown group calling itself the "Tawheed wal-Jihad Islamic Movement" has issued a new communiqué threatening to wage jihad against the King of Morocco and his secular, pro-Western government. According to the statement, "Let the perverted king know that there are many young Moroccan men who are seeking martyrdom and we have no fear of him or his followers. Let the criminals know that, if Allah wills it, we will set the ground underneath their feet ablaze...
TERRORISM: EASTERN EUROPE NEXT AL-QAEDA TARGET, EXPERT SAYS -- (AKI)
Essen, 28 Nov. - A German expert in international terrorism has warned al-Qaeda will launch "massive attacks" in Eastern European countries - where the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has recently been alleged to be holding terror suspects in secret prisons. "I can't rule out the existence of such prisons," Rolf Tophoven, director of the Essen-based Institute for Research on Terrorism and Security Policy (IFTUS) the online daily Netzeitung.
Hurry, Hurry, HURRY -- [A Texan Abroad - Blue Star Wife]
Send a message to the troops! Go to Stars and Stripes before MIDNIGHT, TONIGHT (28 November)! and they'll make the print deadline. You can even upload a photo (under 2 Meg) to go along with the message you want to send. You've got about 4 1/2 hours, so GO NOW!!!
New sportbags and backpacks for the National Guard -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Isn`t it wonderful! A car full of sportbags and backpacks for our wounded Heroes!
We are glad that we can support the National Guard.
It is great to know that every wounded National Guard ...
The Brains & Breeding of the US Military -Some things the MSM Isn't telling You....
Caught up in the fervor of the anti-war/anti-Bush movement, some prominent democrats (Namely Charlie Rangel) and Michael's Moore's Fahrenheit 911 made claims that the military is primarily made up of undereducated, poor, urban minorities. This notion somehow took hold and many Americans cling to this belief. It's not true.
A new study done by the Heritage Foundation, that was meant to counter calls for a draft, is...
Congress Shuts Out its Veterans -- [The Analyst Blog - in Iraq]
I'm a little upset about this one, and I think most of you will back me up on this one.
For more than 50 years, the leaders of veterans groups have met with a joint session of Congress to discuss legislation regarding our military's veterans, such as the GI Bill, healthcare, and so on. But this week, The Congress has decided that it no longer wishes to hear from its military veterans each year.
Off the Fence and Off the Cuff -- [Stryker - Digital Warfighter]
All the talk about Republicans being big supporters of the military is bullshit. If there’s someone insulting a vet and calling him a coward, chances are it’s a Republican who’s never served. If there’s a choice between money for shit people really need or a sexy new weapon system built by a company that donates heavily to the Party, the company will profit.
A picture says a thousand words -- [The Makaha Surf Report (Forward Deployed) - in Iraq]
This is priceless, known antiwar activist, bereaved mother, and known batshit insane leftist Cindy Sheehan was photographed in Crawford, Texas at a book signing for her book. Unfortunately it seems not many people want to have her autograph, nor waste their time listening to her rants.
Cindy all alone
A Suggestion for Sandy Berger -- [Camp Katrina]
Check it out: word is that Former FEMA Director Michael Brown is starting a disaster preparedness consulting firm to help clients avoid the sort of errors that cost him his job. From the story:
Measuring President Bush By His Own Words -- (WorldNews)
WorldNews Guest Writer Beverly Darling. | On September 12, 2002, President Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly in a stirring speech entitled ‘A Decade of Deception and Defiance.’ Mr. Bu...
Ex-Green Party Member to Challenge Clinton -- (AP)
ALBANY, N.Y.-- A former Green Party member who advocates an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq says he will challenge incumbent Hillary Rodham Clinton for the 2006 Democratic nomination for Senate....
Bush Seeks Momentum for Immigration Plan -- (AP)
WACO, Texas -- President Bush is trying to build support for a comprehensive immigration strategy even though Congress has shelved the issue for now....
New York Times: U.S. Candy Convoy "May Have Been Parked" -- [Camp Katrina]
Here's an update for those of you who visited Camp Katrina to read about a recent article in the New York Times that included an interesting omission: namely, the Old Grey Lady failed to mention U.S. soldiers were handing out candy to kids at the site of a hospital bombing in Iraq.
CNN OPERATOR FIRED AFTER SUGGESTING 'X' OVER CHENEY WAS 'FREE SPEECH'
A CNN switchboard operator was fired over the holiday -- after the operator claimed the 'X' placed over Vice President's Dick Cheney's face was "free speech!" -- [Drudge report]
"We did it just to make a point. Tell them to stop lying, Bush and Cheney," the CNN operator said to a caller. "Bring our soldiers home."
The "plan" to bomb Al-Jazeera -- [TigerHawk]
The British press published a story early in the week that claimed that but for Tony Blair's intervention, George Bush would have ordered the bombing of the Arabic television station Al-Jazeera. The story was based on a memo leaked in apparent violation of Britain's Official Secrets Act. According to the tabloid Daily Mirror, which first reported the story, one government source said the alleged threat was "humorous," while another claimed that Bush was "deadly serious." The White House, of course, has refused to respond on the grounds that to do so would "dignify" an "outlandish" accusation.
Editorial deals with sources - Or: Nazi Folk Punks Must Die! -- [Counter Column]
If Time, Inc. reporters can strike a deal with a family of overtly racist neo-Nazi purveyors of propaganda and agree in advance not to mention the words "hate," "Nazi" "racist" or the fact that they're Holocaust deniers, when it's a nonsense little human interest profile and who cares if they don't get the interview, then what deals are they cutting to get exclusive interviews and information with actual terrorists?
Off to War -- [Guidons, Guidons, Guidons!]
Last year I was able to watch the documentary that showed their call-up, train-up and eventual deployment to Iraq. The entire documentary is now showing over the Thanksgiving holiday and also on Saturday nights.
I can't believe that the Army or even the Arkansas National Guard was pleased with the results of this series that shows the story of a Combat Engineer Company. If one was to believe this film we would believe that almost every second of every day is consumed by these guys whining and bitching.
Unbiased My A** ii -- [ Warrior Jason - in Iraq]
Here is some interesting facts you may or may not know. The MSM consistently tries to tell its critics that they are unbiased and give equal time to all sides. Of course, we all know that is just a blatant lie. So let us take a look at the following issue. ...
Happy Birthday to me, I turn 20 today! (okinawa time) -_- i'm old... -- [Guild_of_Gravity's Xanga Site - in Japan]
I actually got a birthday cards in the mail from from my Mother, Sister, and Brother, and one from Allison. Thank You all, I feel better. Today was just a regular work day, not much else. No time to really celebrate or anything, long work day tomorrow and PT at 0500 tomorrow morning so I gotta go to sleep early.
INTERVIEW WITH MATT, MILITARY BLOGGER BLACKFIVE -- [Milblogging.com]
MATT, MILITARY BLOGGER BLACKFIVE: A good friend of mine, Major Mathew Schram, was killed on Memorial Day, 2003. In fighting his way out of an ambush, he saved the life of a Newsweek reporter who never wrote a story about Mat.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
Happy Turkey Day -- [My Days at Division - in Iraq]
I'm spending my Turkey Day at FOB Justice, one of the many FOB's that are in the Baghdad area.
We had an excellent Thanksgiving spread that one of the First Sergeants here made happen, when I get back to my hooch, I'll put up some pictures of the feast. And a feast it was. We had turkey (of course), ham, rib-eye steak, stuffing, collard greens, Alaska king crab legs, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, fried shrimp, deep fried cheese sticks (a holiday tradition in your house, I'm sure), crab ball-things, mixed
Iraq Pictures - 25 November 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures]
Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey traveled to Iraq to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his Soldiers. Here he talks with a group of officers from Task Force Baghdad during breakfast at the Rock of the Marne Sports Oasis Nov. 24. Harvey discussed the progress the Army is making in Iraq and told the officers "...
Happy Thanksgiving! -- [Akinoluna - in Iraq]
First, thanks to my family for always taking the time to send me cards, letters, emails, and packages no matter where I am in the world. It always cheers me up to see the wacky things you mail and to know you never forget about me. Also, thanks for putting up with all the extra gray hairs you now have thanks to me joining the Marine Corps, going to Iraq, and constantly trying to go outside the safety of the base. I will buy you all some hair coloring for Christmas with my Hazardous Duty pay.
Reviewing Thanksgivings gone by -- [Fast Bunnies]
On the 27th of November, 2003, while I was in Korea, I expressed myself as thankful for the following things:
1. That I'm not in Iraq.
2. That everyone I know in Iraq is safe.
3. Gesina.
4. Good start to my sister's first year of college.
5. Learning every day how lucky I am to have my parents.
Well, you got me on that one God. I'm in Iraq, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty more for which to be thankful.
4 Weeks Left In Iraq -- [My 18 Month Vacation to the Beach]
I just realized its been almost a month since I updated. Nothing new has really happened though. Just another month down. We are 4 weeks out now from leaving this place. our replacements are scheduled to arrive in under 2 weeks. That will feel nice once they arrive. We will be packing up a lot of our things in 2 weeks. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. The food was a bit better than I expected it to be. CBS was here asking us ...
Plain Old Thanks -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
Yesterday, we celebrated Thanksgiving. I didn’t hear a single explosion all day. To all those who stood guard yesterday, thanks for your viligance.
I owe many others thanks as well. Thank you to my wife for supporting me while I’m deployed. Thanks, Mom and Dad for being moral compasses.
Happy Thanksgiving! -- [My Vacation in Iraq - in Iraq]
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Things to be thankful for:
The support of my family
Great Friends
Not being injured during my deployment (knock on wood)
Being assigned to possibly the army job in Iraq
The internet
Care Packages
Less than 30 days left
So Soon The Trolls Return -- [BradleyGunner6-8Cav - in Iraq]
Well, 20 days, that's all the longer the trolls could keep their mouths shut. And of all days, on Thanksgiving.
"Peter SF" has returned to the site. I deleted his comment already and intend to continue removing comments that I deem worthy of deletion. And before all of you trolls start preaching about freedom of speech and so on, go thank a WW I or WW II vet for his service, in person, and then tell him that you don't think that this country is worth fighting for anymore.
I don't give a rat's ass if you trolls do or don't support me, or that you think the fighting in Iraq is wrong. Have some respect for the "true" heroes then. Being in the Army and being here in Iraq has deepened my respect for Veteran's of any war. I know that they didn't have the gear I am lucky enough to have and they fought worse battles, but at least I have seen a glimpse of what they went through.
turkey day -- [Blog Machine City]
Thanksgiving...I could write a serious post about all the things for which I'm thankful (which are many), but instead I'll reflect on the horrors I faced on this day, one year ago, in the scorching hell of the Iraqi desert...
Click if you dare.
Day 311 - I Have Never Walked Alone -- [ Waynes World - Blue Star Mom]
...Returning to my computer to check late night emails just before bedtime, I found this Thanksgiving letter from Wayne. We offer it as the fourth in this week's series of letters from soldiers in Iraq:
Another year has gone by, one that will never be forgotten.
An emotional rollercoaster, this year could inspire a new ride at Six Flags. Exciting and exhilarating moments. Adrenaline rushes, speed, alertness in the dark.
And then, there are the long 12-hour night shifts.
Happy Thanksgiving -- [Ma Deuce Gunner - just returned from Iraq]
The wife and I are off to Honolulu to visit my parents for Thanksgiving. Enjoy your holiday with your family, and remember that God is the whole impetus behind everything you are thankful for this holiday season.
I am thankful most of all to be home with my family. I am so thankful for God protecting me while I was in harm's way. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.
What Am I Thankful For? -- [jonjivan - in Iraq]
Well, today, my friends, I leave Iraq. (pic)
Saturday, November 26, 2005 -- [Team Med-fah - in Iraq]
Thanksgiving in Ramadi. We were at two seperate tables, and it was PACKED, so no group picture, but we all went, and the Army did a great job of putting a Thanksgiving dinner on.
Thanksgivng Message from Live-in-Iraq -- [Live-in-Iraq - in Iraq]
Fallujah, Iraq (Nov 24,2005) When we count our many blessings this thanksgiving, it isn't hard to see that life's most valued treasures are the treasures that are free. For it isn't what we own or what our social status is that signifies our life, it’s the special gifts that have no price - our family, friends and health.
SMOKE EM IF YA GOTEM! -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
Another fine day here in Iraq. Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are that much closer to getting outa here. The holiday was nice although it was the same as every other day here as we maintained vigilance and on guard for attacks and concluded operations. The chow was hot chow……..It
BRING ON THE PAIN -- [Warrior Jason - in Iraq]
Ok this is what the building looked like before the MUJ decided to use it as a position to shoot at Iraqi and American soldiers with small arms, RPGs and ...
...Now the picture to the right is after they engaged my team and I, not to mention the Iraqi soldiers, as well as other Americans.
Soldiers Say Weapons Caches Were ‘Like a Gun Show’ -- [Iraqi bounty hunter]
It was a mission that eventually rooted out not only hidden weapons in
quantities that resembled a gun show, but the terrorists themselves.
...An anonymous tip prompted Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. forces from D Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry to conduct searches in west Baghdad Nov. 20-21.
Baby Steps -- [365 and a Wakeup - in Iraq]
The Iraqi Police (IP) forces have come a long way in the last year; I doubt our predecessors would recognize them these days. When we arrived most of the IPs stayed hunkered down in their police stations, content to restrict their patrols to the roads circling their stations. As they gained confidence the areas they patrolled slowly expanded and a few months after we arrived their heavily armed patrols were flitting through areas that had been a virtual no mans land. Their expansion into new and dangerous areas wasn’t easy, and they suffered no small number of casualties in the process. But with our Battalions patrols backing them up when they were heavily engaged their confidence skyrocketed, and they went from being the hunted to being the hunters.
CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE. a three part series -- [Sisyphus Today... - in Iraq]
Several topics have come together and begged to be examined. Information presented alone is often far different than that same information presented in the light of other ideas. Over the next few days, I hope to provide Eyes-On level info with a large amount of rhetoric in hopes of challenging your stance on this "war", the government, the media, and how you allow yourselves to be swayed. I present none of this as conclusive or as the only correct point of view.
Son follows father’s footsteps to Falujah,Iraq -- [Live in Iraq - in Iraq]
The bonds between a father and son are strong, but for a father and son stationed in Iraq, those bonds have grown even stronger throughout their deployment here.
Last night in Iraq -- [Redleg's Perspective]
A message from Jim Brown, written on his last night in Iraq.
...Our mission in Iraq was to support all Iraqi Police Services in Najaf, Karbala, Diwaniya, Kut and Hillah (ancient Babylon). We were charged with developing the Iraqi Highway Patrol into a Federal Law Enforcement Agency and establishing a training academy for the highway patrol, building a national headquarters for the Highway Patrol and contracting for the construction of all Iraqi Highway Patrol Headquarters. We also were in charge of the security of our Corps Main Supply Routes in the most embattled areas of our lines of communication and the escort of convoys. Finally, we were in charge of Abu Grhaib and Camp Bucca Detention Facilities. In the Fall, our mission changed dramatically to where we ran all detention operations for all theater level detainees in Iraq.
Al Anbar Terrorist Groups Consider Negotiations? -- [Austin Bay]
That’s the report via the AP and Fox News. In July 2004 Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said bringing Sunni holdouts into the political process was one of his major political goals. Allawi tried to appeal to former Baathists by saying he, too, had been a member of the Baath. That’s slow work, and it’s taken two elections and a failed terror campaign against the Shias to further that goal. This may be a political trial balloon. If that’s the case, the December election and Zarqawi’s mass murder in Jordan add lift to the balloon.
Iraq Asks Japanese Troops to Stay -- (AP)
TOKYO -- Iraq's foreign minister urged Japan on Friday to extend its soon-to-expire troop deployment in support of U.S.-led reconstruction efforts, saying pulling out the forces now would send "the wrong message" to insurgents.
Public Ignores Iraq War Naysayers -- (Washington Times)
Negative press coverage of the war in Iraq in recent weeks has emphasized rising pessimism among the American public about the conflict. But a new survey found that 56 percent of the public thinks that efforts to establish a stable democracy in the country will succeed.
More than 20 arrested as Operation Lions wraps up -- (Stars and Stripes)
Nearly 500 Iraqi and U.S. soldiers wrapped up Operation Lions on Thanksgiving, finishing the latest in a series of operations on the edges of Ramadi.
More than 20 suspected insurgents were arrested during the two-day sweep through the capital of Anbar province, military officials said late Thursday. The U.S. soldiers are part of a contingent attached to the 2nd Marine Division west of Baghdad.
Iraqi Aide Says Rebel Groups Offer Feelers -- (New York Times)
A senior aide to Iraq's president said Friday that some insurgent groups had contacted him to ask about their joining in the American-backed political process.
Iraq wants Japanese troops to stay -- (al Jazeera.net)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari has urged Japan to keep its troops in southern Iraq, saying an early pullout of coalition forces will lead to more violence by insurgents...
"The difficult part has gone in my view. We're very close to reaching a more stable form of government and of security," Zebari told a news conference on Friday following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
From Wounds, Inner Strength - Some Veterans Feel Lives Enlarged by Wartime Suffering -- (Washington Post)
In contrast with their combat-scarred peers, some war veterans experience "post-traumatic growth," psychiatrists believe.
As Hilbert Caesar told his harrowing war story one night recently in the living room of his apartment, he patted the artificial limb sticking from a leg of his business suit. "This, right here," he said, "this is a minor setback."
Eighteen months after Caesar's right leg was mangled by a roadside bomb near Baghdad, and after weeks of coming to terms with what he thought was the end of his life, the former Army staff sergeant believes he has emerged a richer person -- wiser, more compassionate and more appreciative of life.
Cindy Rides Bush on War Again -- (Prensa Latina - Cuba)
Washington, Nov 25 Well-known US activist Cindy Sheehan is in Crawford, Texas again Friday after a family emergency that kept her from joining fellow anti-war protestors at the Bush Texas ranch, several of whom have been arrested.
Anti-Iraq War Monument Unveiled at Bush's Hometown (Islam Online)
CRAWFORD, Texas, November 26, 2005 – US President George W. Bush's hopes for a brief reprieve from the bitter occupation of Iraq debate were dashed on Friday, November 25, when scores of protesters led by anti-war icon Cindy Sheehan called anew for troops pullout and unveiled an anti-war monument in the US leader's adoptive Texas hometown.
<...>
Sheehan took part in dedicating a small garden with Yucca plants and cacti and a low stone monument marked "Sheehan's Stand" on the front and inscribed with the names of US soldiers killed in Iraq, including her son Casey.
The modest ceremony was briefly interrupted by the whistles of a passing train and heckling from Texans driving past in their dusty pick-up trucks, including one who honked and shouted "Go home, you freaking losers!"
Key Witness Against Saddam Has Died -- (AP)
A key witness against Saddam Hussein has died of cancer, but his testimony has been recorded on audio and videotape for presentation in the trial scheduled to begin next week, the main prosecutor said Friday.
At Last, Iraq Finds A Web Designation -- (Boston Globe)
It was a tiny electronic victory after years of frustration and defeat. Yesterday, Iraqi officials announced the launch of .iq, Iraq's identity on the World Wide Web.
Thanksgiving in Bagram -- [FirePower Forward - in Afghanistan]
While it certainly wasn't home, the Army, and KBR pulled out all the stops to make Thanksgiving in the Hinterlands a memorable event.
While I don't think that come this time next year anyone of us are going to be saying "Gee Honey,
Friday, November 25, 2005 -- [Iraqi bounty hunter] (pics)U.S. Army soldiers, assigned to the 173d Airborne Brigade, enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Forward Operating Base Shkin, Afghanistan, Nov. 24, 2005, with the Command Sgt. Maj. Lunisolua Savusa, Combined Joint Task Force-76. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel
Happy Thanksgiving! -- [The Flying Swede]
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I hope you all are planning to have a good day with family and friends! Sorry I could not be there with you all, but at least I can say that I spent Turkey day in Afghanistan! The chow hall (or as its more politically correct to say, “Dinning Facility”) put on a very nice thanksgiving dinner for us. We had everything but cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie...
Give Thanks -- [Miserable Donuts]
I am thankful for so many things; family, my home, friends, my military buddies, my country and more. This year I am trying to think of only the good things. I have seen hope in so places where one would never expect it - war torn central Asia and storm ravaged New Orleans. I am going to take something from all that today,
Swedish soldier dies after Afghan bomb attack -- (Reuters)
STOCKHOLM - A Swedish soldier with the NATO-led mission in northern Afghanistan died after a bomb attack on Friday, the first Swedish peacekeeper to be killed in the country.
A Different Thanksgiving -- [So Far From Home - in the Balkans]
Yes thats right it wasn't a Thanksgiving that I've ever had before, but it was just as rewarding. Normally this day I would be with my family eating turkey, napping and watching football. However today it's different. I can truly say that while I missed my family very much and longed to be home, I was with a different family today. That is my Army family, my brothers and sisters in arms that stand to protect Freedom! The Army did a great job in trying to make this day special, with turkey and dressing as well as pumpkin pie.
The Bird -- [Desert Odyssey - in Qatar]
I normally don’t send more than one post per day, but I witnessed something right after I sent my last one that warranted two.
Something I always thought strange here was the lack of life. Vegetation, trees, animals, anything besides the little lizards and occasional rat or mouse (incidentally, the rats are roughly the size of squirrels). I first really noticed this when it occurred to me that there weren’t any birds around. Every once in a while I see one, but not that often.
As I was making my hourly hike to the bathroom this morning a group of officers were standing in a circle around something in the rocks and sand outside the CAOC.
Christmas at the Citadel -- [Desert Odyssey - in Qatar]
Christmas décor is now going up everywhere. Unfortunately our compound isn’t exactly a neighborhood out of a Rockwell painting, so people have to improvise with where and how they hang their stuff. It reminds me a great deal of college. I went to The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina.
Happy Thanksgiving! -- [The World From 1250 Feet AGL. - in Qatar]
We still had to work today, which kind of sucked, but it is cool. This morning we had another fun run, cleverly named the "Turkey trot." Original, I know... I finished the 5K run in 23:30, which isn't so bad. They didn't give out medals, and I doubt I would have placed anyways.
Don't forget the "other" deployments this Thanksgiving -- [Castle Arrggghhh!!!]
BTW - though I haven't seen much of it in the Press - this Thanksgiving we've still got troops deployed in Pakistan doing earthquake relief.
Hillclimbers go in search of 'H' in Pakistan November 22, 2005
CHAKLALA, Pakistan (Army News Service, Nov. 22, 2005) -- In addition to delivering relief supplies to remote Pakistan villages and towns, the mission of the 25th Infantry Division “Hillclimbers” includes evacuating casualties, and transporting displaced persons to camps where they will be better equipped to survive the harsh winter weather as it approaches.
Pilots leave Chaklala flight line at Quasim Airbase with a helicopter full of supplies and an approximate grid coordinate for their delivery destination from the Operations Center. Once in the air, they look for landing zones marked with a large, white letter "H." However, many of the landing zones marked with an "H" are not official and have been made by desperate people in desperate need of supplies....
Turkey Trot -- [Incoherant Ramblings - in Kosovo]
Ok, so my section has sort of given me the morning off it being Thanksgiving and all. And we need to be able to celebrate something, right?
Thanksgiving with the troops -- [EagleSpeak]
Go here and scroll through. John has the festivities covered.
Our own "troop" - the Navy pilot son- has returned from deployment in time to share the holiday with us as we tour the Mississipppi Gulf coast...his counselor wife previously served a stint down here with the Red Cross assisting hurricane stricken Americans. In a nice touch for the holiday, she'll be sworn in as an US citizen soon. We are blessed.
Troops Celebrate Thanksgiving in Kyrgyzstan -- (AP)
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan - U.S. troops deployed in the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan celebrated the Thanksgiving Day holiday Thursday, complete with roast turkey, a parade of makeshift floats and a Santa Claus.
Roundup: Iran hails IAEA decision as farsighted -- (People's Daily)
Iran on Friday hailed as rational and farsighted the decision of the UN nuclear watchdog to put off referral of Iran's case to the UN Security Council.
"Wisdom, farsightedness, precaution and avoidance of adventurism seemed to prevail over the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Thursday meeting," Expediency Council Chairman and former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying.
In Chinese Uprisings, Peasants Find New Allies -- (Washington Post)
GUANGZHOU, China -- By the time Lu Banglie drove toward the village of Taishi that night, his photograph had already been distributed to local police stations. So when camouflage-clad men guarding the village entrance stopped his taxi and peered inside, Lu recalled, they immediately shouted, "It's him! It's him!" and yanked him out by the hair.
China's premier visits waterless city -- (AP)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Harbin, Northeast China, Saturday, giving a pep talk to troops delivering water-filtering materials as its 3.8 million people endured a fourth day without running water, waiting for a spill of toxic benzene in a nearby river to pass.
The government told residents that water supplies, suspended to protect the city after a chemical plant explosion, would not resume until 11 p.m. on Sunday, a full day later than initially planned.
Earthquake in Central China Kills 14 -- (AP)
BEIJING Nov 26, 2005 — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake shook part of central China on Saturday, killing at least 14 people and injuring nearly 400, the government said.
China Reports New Bird Flu Outbreak, Bringing Total to 27 -- (Bloomberg)
China reported a new outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry, bringing the number of cases to 27 in the country this year.
<...>
The virus has infected about 130 people in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and China and killed 67 of them, the World Health Organization said Nov. 17.
Israelis Hand Off Gaza Crossing -- (Washington Post)
Palestinians Take Control of Rafah
JERUSALEM, Nov. 25 -- Palestinians celebrated a step toward independence from Israel on Friday with a jubilant ceremony opening the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, their first self-governed passage to the outside world.
Russian Sacrifice: Poland -- (International Herald Tribune)
WARSAW--In a early test of its relations with Russia, Poland's new government opened up on Friday previously sealed Warsaw Pact military archives, including a 1979 map showing Soviet plans to sacrifice Poland in the event of nuclear war with the West.
<...>
The map showed the widespread destruction of Western Europe, including mushroom clouds over key areas of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. Cities such as Brussels would have been destroyed as Soviet troops advanced to the Western shores of the Continent, although Britain and France would have been left unscathed.
"Poland was being asked to participate in an operation that may have resulted in the destruction of Poland," said Sikorski, who came into the government from the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative research group in Washington.
<...>
Poland currently has about 1,400 troops in three southern provinces of Iraq. Sikorski and Meller are due to visit Washington next month, and they said a decision on the troop withdrawal would be made in December after the Iraqi elections set for Dec. 15. The withdrawal could come as early as January or February, they said. But Sikorski held out the possibility of a delay until next summer.
Sikorski also said that Poland would be eager to act as host to American military operations that might be moved from Germany. "If the U.S. is rethinking its global posture and global network of military bases, and there are facilities in Germany where I am told there is concern, then perhaps some of them could be more cheaply run in Poland," he said.
"I have a long list of mayors who would love to have U.S. bases, but it would be the U.S. that would have to take the initiative."
Soldiers gather to honor KATUSA killed at Korean JSA in 1984 (Stars and Stripes)
JOINT SECURITY AREA, South Korea — Twenty-one years ago, Sgt. 1st Class Gary Ross helped save a defecting Soviet citizen fleeing armed North Korean soldiers here.
Ross returned to the Joint Security Area on Wednesday to speak at a ceremony to honor Korean Augmentee to the U.S. Army Cpl. Jang Myung-gee, who was killed in action in that effort on Nov. 23, 1984, in the United Nations Command section of the Joint Security Area.
U.S. forces in the area reacted quickly to the raid, saving defector Vasily Matusak and killing three North Koreans before a cease-fire was negotiated and the North Koreans withdrew.
Ukraine: 1933 famine was genocide (PJM)
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko wants the world to recognize the famine that killed one-quarter of the population as Soviet-sponsored genocide.
On Saturday, the country plans to remember the famine by lighting 33,000 candles, the BBC reports. Millions of people died in Ukraine in the early 1930s, with hunger and disease killing an estimated 33,000 a day at the famine's height.
U.S. v. Padilla -- a case tainted by torture -- [Phillip Carter- Intel Dump]
Doug Jehl and Eric Lichtblau report in today's New York Times on some of the strategic considerations behind the federal indictment of Jose Padilla, a man held since 2002 as a material witness and enemy combatant. The nut of the piece is this: our use of coercive interrogation practices against key witnesses in the Padilla case now impedes the prosecution of Padilla for the terrorist acts we think he is culpable for. According to the story:
TERRORISM: AL-QAEDA 'TALK SHOW' BROADCAST ON THE INTERNET -- (AKI)
Rome, 25 Nov. - A prototype of a television talk show, purportedly run by the al-Qaeda network, has appeared on the Internet. The seven-minute long programme, entitled "The Argument Continues", was compiled by the Global Islamic Information Network, responsible for the al-Qaeda 'news bulletins', the first of which appeared in September. The inaugural programme, which Adnkronos International (AKI) has viewed, deals with Jihad in the mass media. Italian state television is showing the video in its main domestic news bulletin, TG1, on Friday.
Syria Will Let U.N. Question 5 Officials -- (The Washington Post)
DAMASCUS, Syria, Nov. 25 -- Syria said Friday it would allow five officials to be questioned at U.N. offices in Vienna about the February assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri. The deal ends a month-long stalemate in which Syria faced possible U.N. sanctions.
Investigator Calls Secret CIA Prisons Unlikely -- (AP)
The head of a European investigation into alleged secret CIA prisons in Eastern Europe said Friday that it was unlikely there were large clandestine detention centers in the region.
Project Valour-IT Competition Final Fundraising Totals -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
FbL has the final totals for the Project Valour-IT blog fundraising competition:
The bad news first... Unfortunately, the message to "note the team a donor asks be credited with the donation" did not make it to the right person. So, we can't include donations by check for a specific team. The original team totals stand.
Now for the good news... [drumroll, please]
Christmas Greetings for Troops ~ still time! -- [Yikes!]
Hello everyone! Just thought I'd remind everyone that there is still time to send in an email Christmas greeting for me to send to the units of my dear deployed "soldier babies!"
Picture of the day! -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Thank you, Wilhelmine and thank your friends. Thank you all, you 'Angels for visiting my brothers and sisters in hospital. Thank you kindly for calling them Heroes which they are. Thank you so much. I am ...
A great Thank You from the Kleber Barracks! -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
A Commander from the Kleber Barracks wrote following to the Soldiers Angels Germany:
...I would also like to thank you and your organization for the wonderfully support you give the Service Members. It is truly awesome to see. You guys are always rock steady with your ...
Before I Gorge Myself and Forget… -- [The Daily Brief]
Thanks to all you folks stationed overseas this holiday season. That goes for your families too because isn’t it fun trying to pull a traditional meal together with nothing but the Commisary at your disposal? After our first year in Germany, Beautiful Wife started shopping for Thanksgiving at the end of September and put stuff in a freezer. For you guys who actually went to the Commissary yesterday trying to find something you knew was going to be sold out? Serious hero points! I personally believe that’s Achievement Medal worthy.
OF MICE AND CONGRESSMEN -- [AMERICAN CITIZEN SOLDIER - in Iraq]
In 1974, John Murtha became the first Vietnam combat veteran elected to Congress, representing Pennsylvania's twelfth district. 31 years later, he has blazed another trail as the first Congressional combat veteran to openly advocate the policy of preemptive surrender and retreat as a clear and present direction for the nation.
Bush Demands Victory -- [Open Fire]
"We will never back down. We will never give in. We will never accept anything less than complete victory." -- President Bush countering the Democratic call to cut and run from Iraq on November 11, 2005.
Notice the contrast between Bush's language verses what the democrats use.
What a disgrace -- [The Makaha Surf Report (Forward Deployed) - in Iraq]
This week, we have seen the Democratic Party engage in treachery most severe. We have seen them hew and haw for months that we need to get out of Iraq and then back off from that statement. They advance and retreat this theme whenever they want to get the media headlines back under their control. This week, a respected Democratic House member call for a withdrawal from Iraq, the Republican party asked the democrats to put their money where there mouth was and vote for withdrawal and the dems refused.
BFO -- [Watch your Six - in Iraq]
Here's another Blinding Flash of the Obvious (BFO) for you: Iraq troop withdrawals driven by politics.
The U.S. military will recommend the number of troops that can be prudently withdrawn from Iraq -- if any -- but
IT'S JUST GOOD HONEST DISSENT. RIGHT? -- [Nobel Eagel]
Whenever criticism is directed toward the antiwar crowd, they scream bloody murder. After all, they tell us, dissent is essential in a free society. I agree. The problem is with when and how they choose to dissent. War is not like a football game. In football, the constant chatter of the sports-guy talking heads in the broadcast booth is irrelevant to the outcome of the game. The game is going on down on the field. The players won't know what's been said about them until later.
Iraq a Tricky Issue for Dems Eyeing 2008 -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Kerry initially voted in favor of a Republican-sponsored resolution calling on President Bush to explain his strategy for success in Iraq. Minutes later, the Democrat changed his vote....
Democratic Lawmaker Lament Iraq War Vote -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Three years ago, Massachusetts congressmen Martin Meehan, Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey bucked their state Democratic colleagues and cast votes to give President Bush a green light to go to war in Iraq....
Good Economy...info -- [WarriorJason - in Iraq]
The NYT, oddly enough, is reporting that our economy is doing rather well. Many of us have known this but the MSM refuses to report for the most part.
Sloppy Journalism -- [Andi's World]
Doug Petch tells us what's missing from media coverage of the War on Terror - context and perspective. He's absolutely correct. Check in with Doug later this evening as he'll pull some random stories off the wire to illustrate the lazy journalism that we've come to expect, the kind filled with numbers but no context or perspective.
Second Take -- (Business Day)
IT IS impossible to know if George Bush was being serious if he did indeed suggest to Tony Blair that the US attack the Arabic satellite television broadcaster Al-Jazeera...
Al-Jazeera executive seeks urgent meeting with Blair -- (Taipei Times)
Advertising A senior executive of the Arabic news channel, al-Jazeera, is seeking an urgent meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair over a report that US President George W. Bush discussed bomb...
NBC Didn't Report Accident During Parade -- (AP)
NEW YORK - During its live coverage of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, NBC did not tell viewers that a giant balloon had caught on a street lamp and injured two sisters. At the point in the broadcast when the "M&M's Chocolate Candies" balloon was supposed to have crossed the finish line, announcers Katie Couric, Matt Lauer and Al Roker stuck close to their scripts and the network ran footage of the balloon from last year's parade.
Dog and pony show. -- [Once Upon A Time In Baghdad - in Iraq]
Today we had a visit from the Secretary of the Army. Four of us from the company were selected (For no particular reason) to give a demonstration on some of our explosive detection equipment. It's extremely rare to ever get this opportunity and I feel lucky to have been given that chance. For those that don't know this is the highest position in the Army. Because of this we received the Secretary of the Army coin, it's not worth anything except bragging rights really...
Back home -- [MREater - home from Iraq]
My unit has now essentially demobilized, and we are returning to civilian life. I, like many others, am still on orders, using up accrued leave. I plan to return to my civilian job after the first of the year.
Bears & Turkeys -- [HooahWife]
Hubby (my bear) is home safely and needless to say everyone is thrilled (even Chulo the Stupor Dog- all the pets abandon me when he walks in the door)
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
Greyhawk here. Mrs G's Dawn Patrol mission this morning involves hand to hand combat at the Exchange. So I'll do my best to fill her (size 6 1/2) shoes with my own (14) efforts today. Some may think it can't be done, but I'll start small and add more through the morning. Without further ado...
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.)
Bloggers in Iraq - [The Will to Exist -In Iraq]
As a blogger, I find pleasure in meeting other bloggers. My job in Baghdad gives me the opportunity to do so, because I am the guy who credentials members of the press embedding with our military.
Bill Roggio, of The Fourth Rail and Threats Watch, is here to embed with a unit and cover some of their activities.
Operational Issues - [Bill Roggio, ThreatsWatch - in Iraq]
A “terrorist hideout” on Bayji Island, which lies on the Tigris river north of Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit, a “previously untouched area”, is the subject of an air assault operation called Old Baldy. The mission was conducted by members of the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division.
The new election law [Iraq the Model - Iraqis in Iraq]
We received several e mails from readers inquiring about the laws that are going to be used in the December elections and whether these laws have changed from what was used back in January or not. So, here I’ll share the little information I know in this regard.
BE THE ONE [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
What are you thankful for? This time of year things get crazy in the states. Family members come to visit, gifts are bought, stress, excitement and fun wrapped up in one. But I ask, what are you thankful for?
...Your Marines are kicking serious butts here in Iraq and in Afghanistan. I was just out and about and visited with a few of the Marines.
Thankful [Major K - in Iraq]
Much to my surprise, everyone here is acknowledging Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving has been the greeting of the day. This is in contrast to most other holidays since I have been here...
I am over 9000 miles from home, and missing it intensely, yet I am very thankful today.
ABU GOBBLE GOBBLE [2005 Tour of Duty - in Iraq]
Wish everyone back home a Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you enjoyed the Abu Turkey.
Surgery went well... [From My Position... On the way!]
Me again. Chuck's surgery went well... he is once again sleeping soundly in his room. He went to surgery around 11:35 and was done about 1:30. I saw one of the docs on the surgical team shortly thereafter and he said everything went well. He was in the recovery room (PACU) until about 4:00. He was quite talkative and wide awake when he came up to his room. Then he snarfed (a word my mom always uses) down his dinner... full tummy plus surgery plus meds equals sleepy time!!
Military blogger: His way of serving Philadelphia Inquirer
Roggio, 35, left for Iraq on Saturday, but he's not in uniform. He's a military blogger - milblogger for short - embedded with the Second Marine Division in western Iraq. The Marines invited Roggio to spend a month with them after they and thousands of others took note of his work at The Fourth Rail, one of several milblogs following events in Iraq.
Bomber Bloodies U.S. Toy Giveaway (Washington Post)
BAGHDAD, Nov. 24 -- A suicide attacker steered a car packed with explosives toward U.S. soldiers giving away toys to children outside a hospital in central Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 31 people. Almost all of the victims were women and children, police said.
Iraq seizes booby-trapped toys (News24)
Baghdad - The Iraqi army said on Thursday it had seized a number of booby-trapped children's dolls, accusing insurgents of using the explosive-filled toys to target children. (ht: Powerline)
Red Crescent thanks U.S. with $1 million for Katrina relief (Washington Times)
Iraq's Red Crescent relief organization found its own way to mark the Thanksgiving holiday yesterday by announcing that it had sent a $1 million "thank you" donation to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The sum, transferred by wire on Sunday, amounts to 20 percent of the organization's annual budget.
"I wish we could have a billion dollars to give," Said Hakki, the organization's president, said by telephone from Baghdad. "Even then, it is not enough to show our appreciation for what the U.S. has done for Iraq and is still doing."
Activists return to Bush's ranch (AP)
'Peace mom' joins protesters on Thanksgiving Day
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- The fallen soldier's mother, whose August vigil near President George W. Bush's ranch helped reinvigorate the anti-war movement, returned to Texas on Thursday to resume her protest.
After arriving at the airport in nearby Waco, Cindy Sheehan hugged about three dozen cheering supporters before traveling to Crawford.
Iran and Iraq reopen trade (Reuters)
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Once a bitter enemy, Iran is emerging as a trade lifeline for Iraq as Baghdad seeks to rebuild an economy shattered by years of sanctions, neglect and corruption under Saddam Hussein and since his overthrow.
The Swirl of the Whirlwind [A Storm In Afghanistan] Greyhawk says: A must read.
First, the trip home. It was mixed with both a sense of speed and molasses. Speed as I had the military version of the "Golden Ticket". Priority 1, Emergency Leave. Translated: No one left Kandahar before I did. Wherever I went, I was first in line. Even had a personal escort through the system in Qatar. The downside?
Afghan girl has chance to live, thanks to GIs from Indiana (Associated Press)
INDIANAPOLIS -- When the frail girl arrived at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan, she weighed scarcely 35 pounds, was sluggish and prone to episodes of bluish skin if she so much as walked briskly.
Basira Jan was born with a malformed heart that left her body starved of oxygen and faced a bleak future amid the country's poverty.
Then, Indiana National Guardsmen heard about her plight and vowed to help.
Orange--Kenya-Style [baldilocks]
Kenya’s opposition demanded early elections today after President Mwai Kibaki dissolved his cabinet in response to a humiliating referendum defeat.
...I can’t wait to read what my biological father—Kenyan op-ed writer Philip Ochieng--has to say about this. But, from his stance as an unabashed communist—a while back, someone hilariously referred to the old man as ‘Chomsky without the charisma’—I get the feeling from this incredibly cynical commentary that he couldn’t care less who wins.
Wisdom prevailed at UN atomic meeting: Iran cleric (Reuters)
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Influential Iranian cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Friday the U.N. nuclear watchdog's latest statement on Iran's disputed atomic program was a step in the right direction but still had elements of "harassment".
Oil firm apologizes for toxic slick (CNN)
China's largest oil company has apologized for an explosion that led to a toxic slick of benzene entering the Songhua River and the suspension of water services to the northeastern city of Harbin.
Global browsing after U.S. disaster (AP)
NEW YORK - (AP) -- More than half of U.S. Internet users went online for news and information about Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the vast majority having visited the websites of traditional news organizations such as CNN and MSNBC, a study has found...
Though nearly three-quarters of the online consumers of hurricane news went to the website of a major U.S. news organization, 54 percent did turn to an alternative source, including international outlets, Web journals or nonprofit relief organizations.
Xbox 360 Crashes - MS Offers Troubleshooting, Repair or Replace
Some Xbox 360 owners are starting to report problems with their brand new next generation gaming console. Messages posted to gaming forums and discussion groups mention that consoles have crashed during play thanks to several different errors. The crashes were reported as happening with a variety of games including Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing and Need for Speed. Microsoft acknowledged the reports but said incidents were "isolated".
Chavez Sends Oil, Cocaine to Massachussetts Poor [ScrappleFace]
Rep. William Delahunt, D-MA, announced today that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez would add to a previous agreement to ship low-priced oil to the poor in Massachussetts, by including a substantial quantity of cut-rate cocaine as well.
Newdow on the roof [Protein Wisdom]
From the Sacramento Bee’s review of a one man musical play by controversial atheist Michael Newdow:
(More to come. Need more now? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
Thanksgiving last year, Baghdad: I woke up early, donned my armor and trudged into work hours before dawn to relieve the night shift guy in time for him to get some decent sleep before the big DFAC thanksgiving dinner. On my way past the guard at the checkpoint I asked how he was enjoying the four day weekend. We both agreed it was everything we'd expected, and more. And that better days were ahead.
At work I discovered the above poem by Russ Vaughn, written at Mrs G's suggestion and dedicated to the guys at the front. It made my day.
Thanksgiving this year, Germany: The dogs woke me up at dawn. Time for a walk. Out we went, into the woods behind the house. Cold, damp, and a mist lingering in the trees. I came back in and started an all-day fire in the fireplace, and waited for the rest of the family to wake up.
And started work on the Dawn Patrol. If you've been a regular reader you've followed the latest from these "voices from the front" for a while. Today is a day for something different. If you have a moment you might want to leave a "thank you" in the comments section of these blogs - let these guys read you for a change:
Wounded Warriors:
Captain Chuck Ziegenfuss and his wife Carren - From My Position... On the way!
Soldiers Mom and her son.
In Iraq:
Phil Carter - Intel Dump
Cpt B One Marine's View
SSG P - NcoDutyToWorkAndHome
MSG Ronald C. Wegner - 2005 Tour of Duty
Sgt. Trevor Snyder - The Will to Exist
"Caelestis" - The Makaha Surf Report
Erik Holtan A Long Strange Trip
Will Whitley - Same Ole' Different Day
D. M. Dorman Sisyphus Today...
Mustang 09 - Six more months
Matt Lagrone - Lag in Iraq
Petersonet, Msgt Radke, WalshKM, GyRoche, and MRush:
Team Med-fah
thunder6 - 365 and a Wakeup
SSG "Mad Mac" - The "Mike Golf's" OIF3 Blog
Joshua Salmons - Salemonz News Service
"themobilized" - A mobilized Year
In Afghanistan:
In Qatar:
In the Balkans:
"Elvis" - So Far From Home
Risawn - Incoherent Ramblings
In Korea:
John McCrarey - Long Time Gone
On the homefront:
1st Lt Charles Bradley Triplett
Home at last:
John Upperman - Who's your Baghdaddy?
SGT Ron Long - They Call Us, "Doc"
Preparing to deploy
LB - Pound by LB
We'll add to this list through the day. In the meantime, to find more deployed bloggers check out milblogging.com.
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.)
A tribute for service members and families -- [Michael Yon]
Many people say this is the most important photograph of the Iraq war. The image most completely embodies my experience throughout Iraq.
Countless people have asked for reprints, but I wanted to give the matter some thought.
BE THE ONE -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
What are you thankful for? This time of year things get crazy in the states. Family members come to visit, gifts are bought, stress, excitement and fun wrapped up in one. But I ask, what are you thankful for? Before the Thanksgiving holiday gets here, stop for 2 minutes and try to write down what you’re really thankful for.
All roads lead to Texas! -- [NcoDutyToWorkAndHome - in Iraq]
Wait home???? Holidays???? You know back in 2000 I am not sure i could say I knew what that meant, I was young, single and just trying to look for the next big party night. I was just freeeeeeeee!!!!! or perhaps not. Now upon reflection I wasn't free, I was held down by the restrictions of the single guy but now I have a wife and daughter and I have a new feeling on free. Free to give my all to a wife and daughter who want my all. Can you beat that???? I don't think so. Even way over here in the big sand box, I know that every night I go to sleep, I am home in Texas with all my family because in thier hearts is where Im felt. SO to all soldiers over here, in Afgan, Kosovo, Graf, Holefels, Yacamma, Korea, NTC or any place I missed that we are pulled to remember we are not forgotten therefor we are all home with them no mater where they stay in the states.
Heroism Part II -- [Major K - in Iraq]
Kidnapping is a cottage industry here in Iraq, especially in Baghdad. With the combination of common criminals using it as a way of shaking down the local rich and middle class and the arhabi using it as a means of fundraising, it has been a serious problem. It keeps the IP's very busy. Today the good guys won one. There was plenty of grinning in the TOC last night as a report came in from one of our Iraqi Brigades. An Iraqi Warrant Officer (Comparable to a US First Sergeant or Sergeant Major) was on his way in to work at his unit headquarters yesterday morning when
SEED IN A BARREL -- [2005 Tour of Duty - in Iraq]
I asked the farmer where did he store his planting seed and he showed me these barrels with the top covered with mud. He said this is how they seal the barrel to protect the seed.
Iraq Pictures - 23 November 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Timothy Callahan explains to a visiting group of U.S. congressmen how Marines protect themselves from improvised explosive devices in Fallujah. Callahan is the company commander of 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Pic: Lance Cpl. Brian A. Jaques, U.S. Marine Corps.
Decisions -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
There are lots of people saying we’re illegally occupying Iraq these days. They should come over here and talk to the Iraqis pictured in this photo because these guys are the ones who will decide the future of Iraq along with millions of their fellow citizens.
They Paid A Price For Taking Muhammads Life -- [WarriorJason - in Iraq]
I would like to say goodbye to my friend Muhammad. He was an Iraqi soldier trying to make life better for his country when he was struck down by a terrorist's bullet today while on post in one of the cities along the Euphrates River north of Ramadi. Me and my team did not know him well but we had joked around with him and some of his fellow Iraqi warriors. We even have some pictures of him along with my team of Marines.
FOB Danger handed over -- [Peace like a River]
In this post, I wrote about the various bases that had been given over to Iraqi control. Most of them were in Kurdish and Shiite areas, i.e., areas that did not see as much violence over all as in the Sunni areas.
When Should the US leave?? -- [An Average Iraqi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
First of all the question is when, not should. Because it is a sure thing that the Americans should leave eventually. It is whether it should be done sooner or later that has been a discussion opener, in the US. Although there is a huge discussion about this in the US. But it seems that the Iraqis are not really interested at the moment. They have other things on their mind. The elections are coming, but that is going to be a topic for another post.
My opinion: Iraq is not ready for the US to pull its troops out.
Dueling views on Iraq -- [The Makaha Surf Report (Forward Deployed) - in Iraq]
When people ask me about Iraq, I make sure to list the good with the bad. I tell them about the inspiring feeling of having seen people striving to have their voices heard, I talk about the loss and absolute emptiness that comes over you when you lose a friend in combat. I talk about the thanks the Iraqi people give American forces and I talk about the people that just want us to leave. The point is I try to paint a fair and balanced picture. In most of the reporting about this war, there seem to be two competing schools of thought. The Pro-Victory side tells about all the good going on in Iraq while acknowledging the mistakes that have been made as well as mourning the losses we and the Iraqi people have suffered. The Anti-War wing seems to be in love with the idea that nothing is going right, that Iraq is a quagmire that is destroying our military and that we are losing badly.
Are we going to see a timetable? -- [Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Iraqi leaders, politicians and Sunni clerics agreed on asking the US to define a timetable for pulling the troops, this is all over the news websites so I’m not going to add further details here but I’d like to discuss the development with you.
No government in this world acts 100% independently and there are always internal and/or external factors and pressures that affect the decisions of any given government.
"The Mayor of Ar Rutbah" -- [Grim's Hall]
Don't miss this piece from Foreign Policy by Green Beret James A. Gavrilis. It describes how he and his company set up a functioning democracy in the early days of the Iraq war.
Pinching the ends -- [Peace like a River]
With the end of Operation Steel Curtain, the western end of the ratlines from the Syrian border down the Euphrates to Fallujah has become much more secure.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005 -- [A Long Strange Trip - in Iraq]
...It has been an honor to serve my country in this part of the world where regardless of what anyone says, they NEED structure! We ARE making a difference!
GOD BLESS THE HEROES WHO WON'T MAKE IT HOME! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY ME! IF NOT FOR THE HEROISM OF YOU, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THIS SAFE FROM HARM!
For those brethren that are coming over in the future, you are in my prayers as well. Stay safe in your journey, and thanks for letting me be honored to serve alongside you! Especially the 1st BCT from MN, whatever I can do to man the homefront I will!
Iraq's A Lost Cause? Ask The Real Experts -- (Los Angeles Times)...Max Boot
When it comes to the future of Iraq, there is a deep disconnect between those who have firsthand knowledge of the situation - Iraqis and U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq - and those whose impressions are shaped by doomsday press coverage and the imperatives of domestic politics.
FOB Danger handover to Iraqis is ‘significant’ -- (Stars and Stripes)
When U.S. forces officially hand over Forward Operating Base Danger to the Iraqi government on Tuesday, it will be the 29th time an American base in Iraq has been relinquished.
Iran Tells Baghdad To Push U.S. Out -- (Washington Times)...Combined Dispatches
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged visiting Iraqi officials yesterday to ask U.S.-led forces to leave their country and pledged Tehran's cooperation in restoring security to Iraq.
General Calls Iraq Pullout 'Destabilizing' -- (Washington Times)...Rowan Scarborough
The top tactical commander in Iraq says an abrupt pullout of U.S. troops would be "destabilizing" and labeled "disturbing" Washington's heated political debate that has some Democrats calling the war unwinnable.
2006 Troop Cuts In Iraq Likely, Not A Pullout -- (Baltimore Sun)...Tom Bowman
Against a backdrop of calls from both Iraqi leaders and the U.S. Congress to withdraw American troops, military officers and defense analysts said this week that reductions are likely in 2006 but Iraq will not be ready to take a lead role against insurgents before 2007.
3 Brigades May Be Cut In Iraq Early In 2006 -- (Washington Post)...Bradley Graham and Robin Wright
Barring any major surprises in Iraq, the Pentagon tentatively plans to reduce the number of U.S. forces there early next year by as many as three combat brigades, from 18 now, but to keep at least one brigade "on call" in Kuwait in case more troops are needed quickly, several senior military officers said.
Rice Suggests U.S. Troop Drawdown Is Approaching -- (Los Angeles Times)...Paul Richter
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday that Iraqi forces would "fairly soon" be able to defend their country, sending one of the clearest signals yet that the Bush administration is considering a sizable drawdown of its forces in Iraq.
Gunmen Kill Senior Sunni Leader in Iraq -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms broke into the home of a senior Sunni leader Wednesday and killed him, his three sons and his son-in-law, according to his brother and an Interior Ministry official. Khadim Sarhid al-Hemaiyem, who lived on the outskirts of Baghdad, was the leader of the Sunni Batta tribe and the brother of a candidate in the Dec. 15 election, Maj. Falah al-Mohammedawi said. One of the slain man's brothers said the family has been attacked before.
Insurgents kill senior Sunni figure, U.S. announces new operation in Ramadi -- (Boston Herald)
Gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms broke into the home of a senior Sunni leader today and killed him, his three sons and his son-in-law on the outskirts of Baghdad, his brother and an interior ministr...
A Holiday Greeting From Uzbashi, Afghanistan -- [Miserable Donuts]
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Haiku from Yavoriv, Ukraine
The Inner Prop and I were part of Peaceshield '03 at the Yavoriv Training Area, Ukraine. Yavoriv is an utter dump of an old, very large Warsaw Pact base, with the city of L'viv about 40-50 minutes away. While there, 'Prop and I made some haiku about our experiences...
For a Day of Thanks -- [Firepower Forward - in Afghanistan]
For those of you who have been reading my blog long enough, you know that we have a Thanksgiving tradition, certainly not unique but a cherished ritual none the less, in which all who celebrate with us take turns telling everyone present what they are thankful for on this day. The miles and hours that separate me from my family’s Thanksgiving celebration this year is not nearly reason enough to forgo this tradition, so here are some of the things that I am thankful for this year.
One of my all-time favorite pictures from Afghanistan -- [Notes from a Surreal Life]
The view from a helicopter flying over the Hindu Kush...
AP News Alert
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- NATO officials say Uzbekistan has told the alliance it can no longer use its territory or airspace for the peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan.
Afghan Girl Gets Chance for Healthy Life -- (AP)
The frail girl arrived at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan weighing scarcely 35 pounds, sluggish and prone to alarming episodes of bluish skin if she so much as walked briskly.
Doubts grow over US Afghan strategy -- (BBC News)
It is four years since the fall of the Taleban regime. The United States has spent billions of dollars on its operations in Afghanistan - but what does it have to show for it? | With no end in sight t... (photo: Getty Images)
Twas the Day before Thanksgiving -- [So Far From Home - in Kosovo]
All right I'm not good with stories so I will leave it at the title. Seriously, today we awoke to about a foot of snow. It has continued to snow throughout the day. Although it's a beautiful snow, there sure is a lot of it. Our mission today was cancelled due to the weather. The roads were just too bad and the risk was to much given what we were supposed to do. So that gave us some time off. We played Halo 2 as well as packed our continco boxes for redeployment back home. In the near future US customs will inspect them and then they will be placed in our milvans for shipment. I still can't believe we are getting to this point.
Why Am I Thankful!!!!!!!! -- [So Far From Home - in the Balkans]
With Thanksgiving just around the corner I thought I would share some of my thoughts. This year Thanksgiving has come to be more than just a time to spend eating great food, watching football or being away from work. As I spend this Thanksgiving so far away from home, I can’t help but think of its true meaning. I think I have really gotten its true purpose. What am I thankful for, well here goes!
In Children's Eyes -- [Desert Odyssey - in Qatar]
A common thing that gets sent out here are pictures drawn from children. The current batch is from a group of grade-schoolers from Aviano Air Base, Italy. The chow hall right now is lined with crayon-colored drawings of turkeys. It never ceases to amaze me what goes through the minds of children. Most of them are of turkeys begging for their lives, but some are all dressed up like Uncle Sam, one is of a “hulk-turkey”—a green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle looking thing with swords. Quite a 6-pack as well. Friends have had entire classes of kids mail them letters and drawings of encouragement. On the wall here we have two giant 15’ long sheets of paper covered with handprints and signatures saying “stay safe” or “hurry home.” All of these warm the heart...
What we're thankful for... -- [Adam and Val in Mauritania - Peace Corps in Africa]
I can hear the Turkeys thawing from here...
I feel I must join the likes of every American elementary school child and write about what I'm thankful for. So, here it goes.
The things I'm thankful for:
...-We've gotten this opportunity to live abroad and understand another culture and help them understand Americans
KOSOVO: SERBS FEARS RAISED WITH UN ENVOY -- (AKI)
Pristina, 23 Nov. - Leaders of Kosovo's minority Serb community on Wednesday told special United Nations envoy Martti Ahtisaari that there would be no life for them in the province, dominated by ethnic Albanians, if it were granted independence. Ahtisaari, named by the UN Security Council to head the talks on Kosovo's final status, met the Serb delegation, after talking to ethnic Albanian leaders on Tuesday.
U.S.-INDONESIA: MIXED REACTIONS TO RESTORED MILITARY TIES -- (AKI)
Washington and Jakarta, 23 Nov. - The Indonesian government has welcomed a US state department decision to restore military ties between the two countries, but the move has met with criticism from human rights groups in the United States and Indonesia. While Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has spoken of a "new chapter" in bilateral relations, the New-York based East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) said Washington had ""with the stroke of a pen...betrayed...
Blankets of Hope -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
One of our projects at Soldiers' Angels is "Blankets of Hope". When a soldier is injured, many times they are airlifted immediately with only what they are wearing. We have a group of dedicated angels who make these blankets which are sent to CSH (field hospitals in Iraq & Afghanistan), Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, as well as stateside hospitals. The blankets are personalized and are sent with a note, and they are added to the transitional backpacks we provide containing clothing and personal items.
Thank you, Veterans! -- [Yikes]
...To all our military personnel, past and present...THANK YOU. We appreciate all you've sacrificed on our behalf... we love you all and are proud of you!
Another letter from a soldier -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
This is a letter from a soldier in Iraq to their "angel":
Hello everyone and Good Morning.
Well the end is drawing near. An 18 month deployment which began back in July 2004 with an afternoon phone call, will soon be all a memory...some good and some bad. We've seen lives taken and we've seen destruction, but we've also seen the many changes that have occurred since are arrival and the many more that continue to occur in improving the way of life for this country.
Single Digits and Thanksgiving -- [Our Soldier]
We "think" we are down to single digits now...with our soldier, David. You never know with the military, and of course, we cannot rely on exact dates. All we know is that he is coming home soon....and two days from now will be Thanksgiving, and there will be a place set for him at the table.
David will be the one who we will bless, pray, and thank the most this Thanksgiving...for all he has given while he has been over there in the "sandbox".
Thankful -- [Soldier's Mom]
We have much to be thankful for this year...
I am thankful for my dear husband who loves me unconditionally, who thinks I am beautiful, smart, witty, funny without any evidence to support those ideas... who is my rock and practices and lives "love, honor, cherish" every single day.... and whom I have always loved and will always love, honor and cherish.
...We are especially grateful this year for the return of our youngest son from the battlefields of Iraq just slightly worse for wear and thankful that his injuries continue to heal... And for our many sons (Our Guys!)who remain in the fray and who brighten our days with every email and message and about whom we worry and pray...
Holidays are a Coming -- [Miserable donuts]
The holidays are approaching - Thanksgiving has already slipped inside the perimeter and is ready to pounce. The rest are circling overhead. Thanksgiving last year was not so good for me.
Misty-Eyed -- [Waynes World]
I don’t recall ever having received so many Thanksgiving greeting cards as have graced our mailbox this year. Maybe it’s because we’re getting older. Maybe it’s because of Iraq. Maybe it’s because of the year’s tortuous weather. Whatever the reason, people seem unusually eager to express their gratitude for all things good—especially friends.
Media Appearance: Laura Ingraham Radio Program -- [Michael Yon]
Today (Nov. 23rd) I will be appearing on the Laura Ingraham talk show, syndicated to over 250 stations nationwide. To find the time and station broadcasting closest to you, please click this link.
Need Something To Be Grateful For? -- [Iraqi Bloggers Central]
In the US tomorrow, everyone traditionally gets together to knock off a turkey and be grateful for what they have. Well, this post is devoted to some things Americans have to be grateful for. Here are some reasons to say "thank you."
Also, next time you hear on the news that "X number of soldiers or Marines or Iraqi forces were killed today", ask yourself a question that the TV and print media will never answer:
I was pretty ticked -- [Counter Column]
To see that CNN whored itself out with coverage of a meeting in Tikrit disrupted by the nearby impact of a mortar shell. They aired it repeatedly today, listing where it happened and approximately when.
If the impact was, indeed a mortar, then we have effectively advertised the distance and direction from the mortar firing point to the palace for the moojies to see on Sattelite TV. We've confirmed what they may not have known: That their mortar settings were correct.
Military Blogger: His Way Of Serving -- (Philadelphia Inquirer)...Kevin Ferris
...Roggio, 35, left for Iraq on Saturday, but he's not in uniform. He's a military blogger - milblogger for short - embedded with the Second Marine Division in western Iraq. The Marines invited Roggio to spend a month with them after they and thousands of others took note of his work at The Fourth Rail (www.billroggio.com), one of several milblogs following events in Iraq.
Quarter Century Milestone -- [Incoherant Ramblings - in Kosovo]
To think, 25 years ago a small being came into the world.
Happy Birthday in Iraq -- [Camp Katrina]
Well wishes are in order for Camp Katrina guest blogger Matt Lagrone, who apparently celebrates his birthday today in south central Iraq (his aunt, a great lady, sent us an email).
No complaining, Matt. I had to celebrate my 28th
Today, that little person turned into me.
What the heck happened???
Welcome Home Pictures [UPDATE] -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
Okay, the pages are up. I created three. Don’t laugh at the shoddy quality, I’m not THAT good a web designer. I’m sure if I had hours to spend on it, it would look better. Anyway, check out the rest of my pictures from around Fort Irwin HERE. I split them up so that those with slower connections wouldn’t be waiting all day for the page to load. Feel free to share these with your family and friends.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
Show and Tell: A Photo Essay -- [Michael Yon]
I visited at least 50 schools all over Iraq.
These wonderful children greeted American soldiers at a school near Khanaqin close by the Iranian border.
Iraqi commanders consoling a child after an “event." From the news yesterday “Bomb in Khanaqin” I wonder how many of these children I may never laugh with again.
These children and their families are our allies.
Day 307 - Who Cares? -- [Wayne's World 2005 - Blue Star Mom]
...The Washington Times reports today Lawrence Di Rita, spokesman for Donald Rumsfeld, said commanders are not telling the Pentagon that morale is sinking, although they have long-standing concerns about the press.
Mom,
Be my voice. I want this message heard. It is mine and my platoon’s to the country. A man I know lost his legs the other night. He is in another company in our battalion. I can no longer be silent after watching the sacrifices made by Iraqis and Americans everyday. Send it to a congressman if you have to. Send it to FOX news if you have to. Let this message be heard please…
My fellow Americans,
At It Again!!! -- [Same Ole' Different Day - in Iraq]
In a recent AP release Congressman John Murtha quotes, "The soldiers can't speak for themselves. We sent them to war and, by God, we're the ones that have to speak out." I’m not sure, but I think as you are reading this I (an American soldier) am speaking for myself…are you listening Congressman? The United States military is still part of the voting population last time I checked, and the elected officials that I voted for are speaking for me. Murtha also said that he had gotten e-mails from World War II veterans and parents of American soldiers in Iraq, but where are the e-mails from the soldiers who are on the ground in Iraq…could it be because we don’t share his same opinions?
Coitus Interruptus -- [Sisyphus Today - in Iraq]
(or How to Successfully Pull Out When Screwing People)
I don't usually watch the news for the same reason I typically don't read Dungeons & Dragons novels... fantasy fiction just does not appeal to me. But lately, while sitting in the DFAC wasting time during a meal, I notice the news reporting that Congress or some ballsy Dems wish to have an Exit Plan. What an idea, who woulda thought? All sarcasm aside, this is a strategically prime time for my boss and his cronies to end this mess. Here's how it works:
You Don't Have to Believe Me: Ambassador Khalilzad Brings Provincial Reconstruction Teams to Iraq -- [Bobby's World!]
Eight months ago, when I first heard the rumors that Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad was being considered to head the Administration effort in Baghdad, I was ecstatic. Based off his track record in Afghanistan-- much of which I had witnessed first-hand-- I was convinced that this was a man who understood how to implement the victory strategy in Iraq; of course, he would ...
Apparently it's not all going for body armor -- [Six more months - in Iraq]
It’s been really tough to find the time to post lately. We’re in the midst of a project that involves gathering fingerprints and iris scans from every Iraqi who works on the camp, and it’s a little daunting. This project was supposed to be performed by contractors, but the company hired to provide the labor hasn’t been able to deliver in a timely manner, so we have pressed soldiers into service gathering the information. The soldiers I had detailed to me are loving life. They are more than happy to spend their last two months in Iraq rolling fingerprints, since they spent the last ten months doing dismounted patrols on Haifa Street.
Split-second decisions -- [Ryan and Christy's Place]
...Based on what I've read about the story, it appears that those soldiers did the right thing by firing on the car, especially with the vehicle's reported proximity to a U.S. base. FOX News is reporting the incident as the soldiers mistakenly firing on the vehicle is most likely incorrect. In hindsight, with the vehicle coming up clean and the loss of four Iraqi lives, including the loss of a child is regrettable, it wasn't a mistake.
What people fail to understand when a situation like this takes place is the high stress level these soldiers are under and the split-second decisions that they have to make.
Wheelchair for "Kevin" Update! -- [Lag in Iraq - in Iraq]
It's amazing folks! Simply amazing.
A wheelchair in the mail...a shocked Kevin...$1,300 raised...and it wouldn't be complete without USMC vs. Iraqi translators in a game of soccer. You have got to read the full report!
Marines take ‘Steel Curtain’ to Iraq-Syria border -- [Live in Iraq]
HUSAYBAH, Iraq (Nov. 22, 2005) -- The Marines of 3rd Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, recently pushed through buildings, streets and the constant threat of improvised explosive devices and enemy attacks to bring stability and security to two Iraq border towns in western Al Anbar province.
Iraq Pictures - 22 November 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures]
CPT Scott Baumgartner, 1-9 FA, physician's assistant, examines a Baghdad resident's injured leg during a MEDCAP operation.
And now, something funny... -- [Major K - in Iraq]
I have metioned earlier how cellular phones have proliferated here since the fall of Saddam. It seems as if every adult has one. In the past few days, I have had the occasion to chuckle a couple of times - at ringtones. Two senior Iraqi Officers have ringtones set on their cellular phones that cracked me up. One had his set to play "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and the other's was set to play "Jingle Bells." Both of these men are devout Sunni Muslims.
Improvement -- [Phil and Becky - Phil in Iraq]
We work closely with the local Iraqi Army battalion in our little corner of Iraq. One of the key tasks to accomplishing our mission here is to build the Iraqi Army to the point where it can assume the full mantle of responsibility for security and the counterinsurgency fight. As that happens, we will have more options in terms of reducing our footprint here until, eventually, we are gone in any substantial form.
Team update - 21 Nov 05 -- [Team Med-fah - in Iraq]
...For a month now – since the election – things have been more quiet than expected, both operationally and in terms of enemy activity. We have been keeping ourselves amused with position improvement things (e.g. we just got our Camp Tiger rifle range finished last week), supporting standing requirements (e.g. traveling down to check on our jundi posted to OP Hotel), as well as supporting the operations we do have. The operation to the Stadium we had almost a month ago (see earlier pictures) was one of those; we went down in force, tanks and Bradleys in support, with Cobra and Huey support, and OWNED the stadium for a bit. Nothing like going into the enemy’s house and sitting down in his La-Z-Boy for more than a day. Was the enemy pissed? Yes (trust me on this one). Did we stay anyway? Yes. Gains here are sometimes infinitesimal.
Citizen Warriors-An Outstanding Unit -- [ Warriorjason - formerly Warriorsvoice - in Iraq]
For the past month I have had the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of men who were given an overwhelming task. They are not regular Army, they are not Marines. They are an Artillery National Guard unit from the southern state of Mississippi. I wont say what unit they are but I hope everyone knows that there are citizen soldiers from the great state of Mississippi who are almost done with their tour and who accomplished their mission. Like I said they are not an infantry unit but an artillery battalion who was given the task of provisional infantry.
Weapons Cache Morning Roundup -- [Camp Katrina]
Camp Katrina has been delinquent in reporting a recent slew of weapons cache discoveries in Iraq, and a few are listed below. The boys from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team have been busy, Katrina Campers--and not just with killing people and breaking things.
Arabs and Democracy -- [Indepundit]
"AFTER WE LEAVE IRAQ," my friend declared, "they're not going to keep that government going. The Arabs don't want democracy."
IRAQ: U.S. TO HELP IRAQIS BOOST AGRICULTURE -- (AKI)
Rome, 22 Nov.- The United States is to help Iraq boost its agriculture sector by helping Iraqi technicians and scientists overcome "30 years of neglect" under Saddam Hussein, US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said on Tuesday. Johanns spoke of the initiative at news conference in Rome where he attended the 33rd plenary session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and had talks with Iraq's agriculture minister, Ali al-Bahadli."During the Saddam years their (Iraq's) agricultural scientists were unable do such basic things as receive academic journals on agricultural research," Johanns said his Iraqi counterpart had told him.
Iraqi Leaders Call for Pullout Timetable -- (AP)
CAIRO, Egypt - Reaching out to the Sunni Arab community, Iraqi leaders called for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces and said Iraq's opposition had a "legitimate right" of resistance. The communique - finalized by Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni leaders Monday - condemned terrorism but was a clear acknowledgment of the Sunni position that insurgents should not be labeled as terrorists if their operations do not target innocent civilians or institutions designed to provide for the welfare of Iraqi citizens
Sen. Clinton: Immediate Iraq Exit 'Mistake' -- (AP)
RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would be "a big mistake."...
Murtha Says Americans Back Iraq Pullout -- (AP)
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- U.S. Rep. John Murtha, a key Democrat on military issues, on Monday defended his call to pull U.S. troops from Iraq, saying he was reflecting Americans' sentiment....
Cheney Accuses Iraq Critics of Revisionism -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday accused critics of "corrupt and shameless" revisionism in suggesting the White House misled the nation in a rush to war, the latest salvo in an increasingly acrimonious debate over prewar intelligence....
2 deadly incidents show perilous nature of war -- (Salt Lake Tribune)
In Iraq: U.S. soldier kills 5 noncombatants; a bomb blast misses Humvee, kills 5 Iraqis, wounds 14 | By Richard Boudreaux | Los Angeles Times | BAGHDAD, Iraq - In what the U.S. military called a tragi...
Dread Takes a Toll on GIs in Iraq -- (LA Times)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq — A handful of Delta Company soldiers leaned against a barracks wall the other night, smoking. The subject of conversation: what limb they would rather part with, if they had a choice. On the door of a portable toilet a few feet away, someone was keeping the company death toll amid a scribble of obscenities: five KIA
Mortar Disrupts U.S. Ceremony in Iraq -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Insurgents fired a mortar at a U.S. ceremony attended by top officials on Tuesday to hand over a presidential palace in Saddam Hussein's hometown to Iraqi authorities, sending the U.S. ambassador and top commander scrambling for cover but causing no injuries. As a U.S. colonel was giving a speech, the mortar whistled as it fell into a field about 300 yards away from the palace in Tikrit, 80 miles north of Baghdad, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene. The mortar failed to explode when it hit the ground.
Insurgents Fire Mortar at Iraqi Palace -- (AP)
TIKRIT, Iraq -- Insurgents fired a mortar at a ceremony attended by top U.S. officials on Tuesday to hand over a presidential palace in Saddam Hussein's hometown to local Iraqi authorities, sending the U.S. ambassador scrambling for cover but causing no injuries....
QATAR: BUSH PROPOSED BOMBING AL-JAZEERA, SAYS MEMO -- (AKI)
London, 22 Nov. - A "Top Secret" document from the British prime minister's office shows that US president George W. Bush planned to bomb the satellite TV station Al Jazeera, despite it being owned by the Qatari government, a key US ally. The British newspaper The Mirror revealed details of the leaked memo, and said Bush was talked out of the plan by British premier Tony Blair, who said such an action would cause "a worldwide backlash".
While the newspaper reported one government official as dismissing the president's suggestion as "humorous, not serious", another source told the paper: "Bush was deadly serious, as was Blair. That much is absolutely clear from the language used by both men."
Iraqi president on landmark Iran visit -- (Khaleej Times)
TEHERAN ' Iraqi President Jalal Talabani began a landmark visit to Iran yesterday, the first by an Iraqi head of state in nearly four decades, in a clear effort to win more help in battling the insurg...
Afghan Women Increasing Role in Army -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Strong article!
Currently, there are 147 women serving in the Afghan National Army, including two who were among the first group of 58 pilots in the Afghan National Army's Air Corps.
Monday, November 21, 2005 -- [Notes from a Surreal Life - in Afghanistan]
The road from Baghdad’s Green Zone to the airport gets a lot of press attention as a dangerous route requiring security teams (i.e. mercenaries) to successfully navigate without being murdered or robbed. What is less known is that Afghanistan has its own version as well (although admittedly not quite as dangerous). The banking system in Afghanistan being what it is, most transactions are conducted in cash (really big payments are made through Dubai). Even debts of thousands of dollars are settled in cash, which is fun the first time you handle one (I must admit to a few less-than-cool moments of posing with the money for odd pictures to send home), eventually it gets old and the primary feeling is concern over the security of carrying so much cash around.
Double Digit Midgets -- [Firepower Forward - in Afghanistan]
So as much as you try to tell yourself that you will remain mission-focused throughout the entire rotation, that you will concentrate on the job and the time will take care of itself. It’s an exercise in futility. Like an addict who needs the fix to keep going from one day to the next, you find yourself in the evening, marking off another day on the calendar and counting those remaining.
West urged to buy Afghan opium, not destroy it -- (Reuters)
LONDON, Nov 21 - Western countries should buy opium from Afghanistan and use it for medicinal purposes rather than soldiering on in a futile bid to destroy the poppy crop, a think-tank specialising in drugs policy said on Monday.
Howard visits troops at secret camp in Afghanistan -- (NZ Herald)
22.11.05 7.45am | KABUL - Prime Minister John Howard has made a risky, top secret visit to Afghanistan to tell elite Australian soldiers fighting the Taleban and al Qaeda that their coun...
Taliban kill Indian hostage in Afghanistan:AIP -- (Yahoo News /Kyodo News)
(Kyodo) _ Taliban insurgents have killed an Indian engineer who was abducted last Saturday in Nimroz Province in southwestern Afghanistan, Afghan Islamic Press reported Tuesday quoting a Taliban spokesman.
Balkan Rapid Reaction Force Takes Shape -- [Military Photos]
Greece agreed with Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus yesterday to set up a rapid reaction military force able to manage any crisis arising in the volatile Balkan area.
The four nations signed the agreement in Brussels yesterday creating a unit of some 1,500 troops. It will operate along with about another 20 European Union (EU) forces of the same size which will be brought together to handle problems in different parts of the world.
Spain and Turkey bridge divide as 'Alliance for Civilizations' is launched -- [Military Photos]
PART ONE
Upon the first meeting of the United Nations-led “Alliance for Civilizations” initiative, co-sponsored by Spain and Turkey, this article by Yasemin Dobra-Manco reflects on the common ground shared by diverse civilizations and focuses on Islamic civilization in Europe.
While Turkey has often been described as a “crossroad of civilizations” with Istanbul known as the city that bridges Europe and Asia, Spain is also well known as the ...
The Bosnian Example for Iraq -- (Washington Post)
...Despite all those years of heavy-handed occupation, the Western forces have never captured Bosnia's foremost insurgents. Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, who together oversaw the deliberate murder of thousands of civilians, are still at large. Serb leaders in Bosnia only now are beginning to show some willingness to renounce the poisonous nationalism that caused the war. The current Bosnian Serb president, Dragan Cavic, reportedly has promised to call for Karadzic to surrender during this week's events in Washington.
Merkel Sworn in As German Chancellor -- (AP)
BERLIN - Angela Merkel was elected Tuesday as Germany's first female chancellor, taking power at the helm of an unwieldy alliance of the right and left that now officially has the job of turning around Europe's biggest economy. Lawmakers voted 397-202 with 12 abstentions to make Merkel Germany's eighth leader since World War II, succeeding Gerhard Schroeder, whose seven-year government of Social Democrats and Greens was ousted by voters Sept. 18.
Sharon bolt boosts him in polls -- (Reuters)
JERUSALEM - Ariel Sharon is on course to win Israel's coming election, opinion polls showed on Tuesday in an initial boost for the prime minister a day after he quit his rebellious right-wing Likud to form a centrist party.
In Kosovo, Two Peoples Look Across Bitter Divide -- (Washington Post)
Talks Address Future Of U.N.-Run Region
PRISTINA, Serbia and Montenegro -- Six years after the end of warfare here, fear and suspicion still enforce a strict separation of Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, but for the first time both sides are beginning to picture a future in which they might -- just might -- live together.
U.S. pulls out of Uzbekistan base after eviction -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 - The final 90 U.S. troops flew out of an air base in Uzbekistan on Monday, the Pentagon said, ending four years at the facility after being evicted by the Central Asian nation in a human rights dispute.
Why al Qaeda Wants Zarqawi Dead -- [Strategy Page]
November 22, 2005: Killing Iraqi terrorist leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi could be a defeat in the war on terror. On November 20th, a raid on a house in Mosul, Iraq, resulted in a number of terrorists blowing themselves up rather than be captured. It was thought that al Zarqawi was in the house. His death would be a mixed blessing. While he’s certainly been an effective terrorist leader, able to inspire the suicide-happy wackos to some spectacular atrocities, he’s also been, in some ways a liability for al Qaeda, and the Sunni Arab groups fighting their government.
Terrorism Tainted Lashkar-e-Taiba Continues As A Major Player in Kashmir Earthquake Relief Effort -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Numerous press and other reports from Kashmir indicate that Lashkar-e-Taiba, and its successor organization, the Jamaat-ul-Dawa charity have become major players in relief and reconstruction efforts for earthquake torn Kashmir. Both entities were founded, and are run by, Hafiz Sayeed. Lashkar-e-Taiba has been designated by the US Treasury and the UN Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee as an al Qaeda support organization. Neither Treasury nor the UN have yet got around to designating Hafiz Sayeed or Jamaat-ul-Dawa
Communists and Terrorists Gone Wild -- [Strategy Page]
November 22, 2005: NPA rebels returned to again attack a communications tower, outside the capital, they had damaged three days ago.
November 21, 2005: Police and troops, responding to several days of attacks in the central Philippines, sent in reinforcements. Groups of NPA were found, and nine rebels killed, and another 14 captured. Outside the capital, fighting with the NPA left three soldiers dead and nine wounded.
Morocco actively fighting Al Qaeda -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
While two of its citizens are currently held prisoners by the Zarqawi network in Iraq, Morocco is responding in kind to the terror master. Indeed, just today, Moroccan authorities revealed they have dismantled an Al Qaeda linked terrorist cell. Seventeen people were arrested at the beginning of the month.
EU: CLARIFICATION ON ALLEGED CIA PRISONS SOUGHT FROM WASHINGTON -- (AKI)
Brussels, 22 Nov. - The European Union is to write a joint letter to the United States seeking clarification on reports of the existence of CIA interrogation camps in Europe. The Washington Post reported earlier this month that the CIA had been interrogating al-Qaeda suspects at a secret facility in eastern Europe. The Dutch foreign minister Bernard Bot said Britain - which currently holds the rotating EU presidency - would draft the letter, and that has since been confirmed by a spokesman for the British presidency.
INDONESIA: CASH-STRAPPED TERRORISTS SELL PHONE CARDS -- (AKI/Jakarta Post)
Jakarta, 22 Nov. - Terrorists in Indonesia are facing funding problems and are resorting to selling mobile phone vouchers to raise cash after money from Saudi Arabia was cut off last year, the national police chief General Sutanto has told a parliamentary committee. Sutanto said that the funding from a terrorist cell in Saudi Arabia was disrupted after security authorities last year arrested a man identified only by his initials, "AS", who had been receiving the funds from couriers.
US denies contacting Taliban, Al Qaeda -- (Dawn)
| By Our Correspondent | WASHINGTON, Nov 21: The US State Department on Monday rejected media reports that Washington is holding indirect talks with Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders as “total fabrication....
More Art for Wounded Heroes - But Not Mine... -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
I guess my idea for giving original artworks to the wounded soldiers I visit is becoming more popular. I came across this great article in the Shreveport Times, 'Display spotlights art to be given to wounded soldiers'. Here's an excerpt:
More WP Bullshit -- [Balloon Juice]
The folks at Think Progress, ever eager to smear the Pentagon or the troops in order to attain some margin of domestic political gain (you see- the Pentagon is the administration, and vice versa), find a decrypted intelligence memo that calls Phosphorus a ‘chemical weapon,’ and just like that, our troops are war criminals again:
Behind the phosphorus clouds are war crimes within war crimes -- (The Guardian)
The media couldn't have made a bigger pig's ear of the white phosphorus story. So, before moving on to the new revelations from Falluja, I would like to try to clear up t...
“I Just Don’t Get It” -- [Chapomatic]
That’s part of an essay-length comment from occasional blogger John de Ville, who doesn’t like this post at all.
Well. As for that particular statement, I agree. Here are three concepts that are key to why.
Cut And Run Is Disastrous And Shameful
And Murtha’s suggestion was, indeed, immediate withdrawal without condition. That means cut and run.
Neptunus Lex is masterful at explaining why, with regard to global strategy and overall violence.
So is Ralph Peters.
FIGHT!!! FIGHT!!! -- [Howdy's Blog]
Marines do NOT want to leave Iraq. Even the wounded Marines only want to do more and get back at it. I am sure our soldiers are exactly the same.
I think the debate going on over the Iraq War is healthy. A lot of the tactics being used by the political machinery is also healthy. Let it ALL out...there you go.....mmmmm ahhhhhh...
I for one would like to see a knock-down drag-out brawl in the US House and Senate to see what people REALLY feel passionately about.
Talking Turkey on Rep. John Murtha -- [ROFA Six]
You have heard it on the news networks. Murtha is a fiercely pro-defense Democrat trying to save his beloved military from President Bush. CBS and Fox News called the Pennsylvania Democrat a “leading supporter” of the war in Iraq. Can I say BS on my own website? Well guys, that’s what it is and I know no more succinct way to say it.
Democrats Win Elections in N.J. and Va. -- (AP)
Democrats cleaned up big in off-year elections from New Jersey to California, sinking the candidate who embraced President Bush in the final days of the Virginia governor's campaign. They also turned back all four of GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to reshape state government.
DeLay Lawyers to Seek Dismissal -- (AP)
AUSTIN, Texas -- Attorneys for Rep. Tom DeLay are hoping a judge will dismiss the conspiracy and money laundering charges against the former House majority leader so he can regain the powerful seat....
Hillary Vs. Rudy Would Be Blockbuster Race -- (Yahoo News /AP)
Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the only former first lady ever elected to public office. Republican Rudolph Giuliani is the man dubbed "America's Mayor" for his leadership after terrorists struck his city, New York, on Sept. 11, 2001.
The two lead party rivals in polling for the far-off White House race in 2008, a potential blockbuster matchup that promises all the political buzz and tabloid hype that only Hillary versus Rudy could deliver.
Media In Iraq; Parasites -- [Warriorjason - formely Warriorsvoice - in Iraq]
With all the coverage that Iraq gets from the media one would expect that us warriors see them out on patrols, missions and convoys all the time. I mean they stress how they want to get the word out right. Wrong. I have been in Iraq for 3 1/2 months, my second tour, and have only seen one reporter outside the wire putting their lives on the line. So I was surprised to see one the other day. However, what upset me was the fact that a medvac was coming in with a wounded Iraqi soldier. This soldier had been hit by an IED. This "reporter" was doing everything he could to...
CNN MARKS CHENEY: NETWORK FLASHES 'X' OVER VP'S FACE DURING LIVE SPEECH -- [Drudge Report]
**Exclusive**
At 11:04:45 AM ET Monday CNN was airing Vice President Dick Cheney's speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington -- when a large black 'X' repeatedly flashed over the vice president's face!
SAHA News is getting off the ground -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
The new website, SAHA News, is getting off to a nice start. If you haven't visited the site yet go take a look. The idea behind the creation of the website was 'a place to find positive news'. However, that may not be what you think. There are many websites dedicated to 'happy news', and I have visited many for the purpose of research. The problem I continually found with them was this - the news was pure fluff and feel good. These site's main theme for stories were miracles, animals, community...ect. While those are all nice to read it leaves the impression that those stories are all that's left when the negative stories from the media have been weeded out. Not necessarily a happy thought if you'll pardon the pun.
The Blood Just Won't Come Off Sites's Hands -- [Iraqi Bloggers Central]
Nothing has angered me more than Kevin Sites's cheap-shot reporting of the shooting of the terrorist in the mosque during Operation Phantom Fury (Fallujah II, November 2004). Several times now Sites has tried to explain himself while everyone can plainly see what kind of person he is. Sites was willing to play judge and jury against a Marine in the middle of a bloody battle. He sold his soul for his 15 minutes of fame.
Zarqawi as victim -- [IraqPundit]
The New York Times has a curious report from the Associated Press about the earlier days of Abu Musab Zarqawi. The story quotes the terrorist's former cellmate who says that when Zarqawi was in prison, he was tortured. The story says:
Baghdad Diary -- [From Haneen With Love]
I received an email today from a person who is working as a freelance journalist for the German magazine NEON. ( And here is also a translated page of the magazine's website )The journalist is organizing a story for the magazine about the daliy life of five or six Baghdad citizens for one week. The diaries are going to be published in the magazine as episodes for a whole week. So I was asked if I could participate in this project to write about my dailt life and the difficulties I face everyday in the "most dangerous" city in the world.
Two Interesting Articles -- [My Days at Division - in Iraq]
Interesting article, loosely related to my recent COIN exploits:
U.S. Military may add new military value
Since the Iraqi Army is been the focus of my current efforts, articles like this get my attention:
Under U.S. Design, Iraq's New Army Looks a Good Deal Like the Old One
It's wierd to see things that you're personally working on show up in a Washington TImes article.
I'm giving the article a B+.
The lowest of the low -- [FAST BUNNIES - in Iraq]
Classic Drudge headline:
MAG: Frustrated With Top Pentagon Brass, Senators Ask Low-Ranking Officers Opinions on Iraq...
While wondering how Senators could have missed calling upon me as a valuable source of information, I had to click the link to learn what other low ranking officers had to say about Iraq. Low-ranking officers being battalion commanders in Drudge universe. Now I can understand how I was overlooked, though I am trying to decide whether company grade officers are low-low ranking officers or really-low ranking officers.
Really Bad Weekend -- [Neptunus Lex -- saying Goodbye to blogging]
Don’t want to go into any details, suffice it to say that a thing which had been sufficiently worrying took a dramatic turn for the worse this weekend. I’ve been stretched a little too thin for quite some time now, and it’s time for me to shed some workload and re-prioritize my efforts. This has been fun, but faced with what I’m up against it’s far too time-consuming and a far too guilty pleasure.
I’ve got a lot going on in life, right now: Husband, father, naval officer, grad school student and blogger. I’m finding out that I can’t be all of these, at least not to the level that they deserve. I need to take a break at the very least.
I So Don't Do This... LOL ~ I'm Still Gone Bye Bye -- [Pebble Pie]
12 Step Program of Recovery for Blog Addicts
1. I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I used to, before the blog.
2. I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.
3. I will get dressed before noon.
4. I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of my blog.
5. I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Web-deprived and have NO clue of what is going on in my life.
6. I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via blogs.
Democrats Call for Cheney Withdrawal Timeline -- [ScrappleFace]
Top Democrats in Congress today joined Al Jazeera in calling on President George Bush to layout a timeline for the withdrawal of Vice President Dick Cheney from the executive branch of government.
You know you're living in 2005 when... -- [Castle Argghhh!]
1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
2. You haven't played Solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of fifteen phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and/or family is that you don't have their current e-mail addresses.
6. You pull into your driveway and use your cell phone to...
Monday, November 21st 2005 -- [We will make it through - in Iraq]
This birthday went down in the record book as one of the top 2 worst birthdays ever. Being that at this time I can't remember the other time, this is the worst. It's just a sign of things to come. I had to get up ass early to run 2 miles for someone trying to impress people. I swear it was 40 degrees. Anyways, theres nothing like getting cussed out on your birthday. It's just another day in Iraq for me. I was getting rather content just doing meaningless tasks around the FOB all day. They told me a little late today that I was on a convoy to Speicher tomorrow. I have mixed feelings. They're making me ride with someone other than who I normally ride with. They call this guy I have to ride with "Napeoleon Dynamite". He's as inept as his movie namesake.
I'm here! -- [My Turn - in Iraq]
Well I made it all the way to the other side of the world. It's not so bad over here, just seems like a beach with no ocean. The weather has been rather cold and pretty darn wet. You know how when you dig in the sand on a beach and eventually you run into nothing but water? Well, its like that here... like there's some sort of water table underneath.
...My birthday was yesterday, nothing extraordinary happened. At least a couple people said happy birthday.
LONG TIME NO POST -- [Iraq (almost done) - home from Iraq]
Anyways i need to apologize for not posting in awhile but things have just been busy. I FINALLY made it home from my time in Iraq. YEAH!!!! Seems I have more stuff to do at the house than i did in iraq but hopefully that will change here soon. It was soo nice to see my parents when i got of the plane at fort mccoy and to spend all that time with them in the car back to ohio. but the nice thing right now is all the sleep i have been getting while home. no 2 am wake up for convoys back home or 1 am in coming round wake-ups. The only really sad thing about this homecoming was the Spc Gavin J. Colburn , my best friend and the person that protected me backin april, did get to come home with us.
It's Good to Be Home -- [They Call Us, "Doc" - home from Iraq]
It's almost hard to believe that we're home. I can remember the day we left our unit on the bus, waving good-bye to our families. I can remember arriving in Kuwait, not totally knowing what to expect in such a foreign land. I remember the apprehension that I felt as our convoy crossed the berm into Iraq, wondering if that day would be the first of many days that I would be faced with putting to use the training and experience that I had as a Medic. I remember the night ...
On the way! -- [Who's your Baghdaddy? - in Iraq]
This will be my last post from inside the borders of Iraq. Just typing that sentence and reading it back in my mind seems surreal. This place, these people, and this war have been the major part of my existence for the past year of my life. Reaching the end of this journey has been a daily obsession since I set foot into this desert land, and now that the time has finally arrived it is almost catching me by surprise.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
Farewell Peace!! Treasure of Baghdad’s Diary -- [ [Treasure of Baghdad - an Iraqi in Iraq]
...In a normal country, when someone receives a phone call on his cell phone, he hears phrases like, “good morning, how are you? How is it going?” But in Iraq, it’s getting different specially these days. This morning, while I was heading to the office for work, I received a phone call from a colleague of mine, R. “Be careful when you arrive to the office. We were attacked,” he said. I panicked in the car. “What?!! What happened?!! Anyone is killed?! Oh my God!” I asked him. He was shaking and couldn’t complete. I called my friend O. to tell him the news. I called him. He called back to tell me he is going to the house of N, our other friend and colleague. O1, O2, N, M, and I went together to the office.
Shame !!!! Treasure of Baghdad's Diary -- [Treasure of Baghdad - an Iraqi in Iraq]
On Al-Arabiya, the news bulletin came out at 10 p.m. while I was having dinner last night. “High tension has marked the first day of a meeting of Iraq's political and religious leaders to discuss plans for a future reconciliation conference,” the anchor said. In a speech at the conference, Hareth Aldhari, head of the Muslim Scholars Association showed up and said, "Armed resistance arose as a reaction to occupation. It is legitimate and is not an innovation.”
I chocked. Drinking water, I said to myself what the hell he is talking about? Which resistance is he mentioning, the one that collapsed an apartment building over its residents few days ago? The one he did not even feel sad or condemn. Oh! Of course not, he considers it resistance, I forgot.
Zarqawi probably killed! -- [Iraq the Model - an Iraqi in Iraq]
According to these two sources, Iraqi and US military forces in Mosul think that Zarqawi, al-Qaeda leader in Iraq was possibly killed in a raid on a house where members of al-Qaeda were holding a meeting.
Al-Mada paper said that terrorists hiding in a house fired back at American and Iraqi troops that were surrounding the house in a battle that lasted from dawn to noon on Saturday (Jerusalem Post said it was Sunday)`after receiving intelligence about a meeting for senior al-Qaeda members.
New Zarqawi Translations/Video Available from Globalterroralert.com -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Despite a few delays due to ongoing projects I've been working on, I finally got a chance to post a round-up of recent significant statements and video clips released by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qaida faction in central Iraq. As I go through and clear out the growing backlog, I will also endeavor to make available other items of recent interest, including English excerpts from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's audio recording released on Friday.
Last night in Iraq -- [A Redleg's Perspective]
A message from Jim Brown, written on his last night in Iraq.
It is my last night in Iraq. Tomorrow night I will begin the long journey home as we depart BIAP and fly to Kuwait and then fly on to our homes in Germany at 0300 the next day.
Cindy has forwarded me a lot of your discussions of strategy in Iraq, discussions about Nate Sassman, the media and questions about the way ahead. I just wanted to share with you some observations that I have now in my 12th month here and on the eve of our redeployment.
Reflections from the Hot Zone: Iraq, Part II -- [Kevin Sites - in Iraq]
...The Mosque Shooting
The mosque shooting, a week into the battle, was just one of those incidents, but one that I've had to spend an enormous amount of time writing and talking about. I've been called both a traitor and a hero for reporting the story of a Marine killing a wounded, unarmed insurgent in a mosque -- a story I captured on video. I'm neither a hero nor a traitor. I simply witnessed the complex truths of war, which are nothing if not peripatetic.
In my very first report for NBC and all the subsequent reports, I highlighted the mitigating circumstances of the Marine being wounded days earlier, the practice of insurgents booby-trapping bodies, the heated environment of the battle. But what NBC did not do was show the entire video. ...
THE GREEN MACHINE -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
Many people know of the “The Marines”. But do they really know the Marines? We are made up of a few basic groups. “Wingers” aka flyboys, Support Marines and Combat Arms Marines, aka Infantry Marines, Grunts, Dirt People and several other colorful names. I thought I would expand from my first post and try to paint you a picture and explain and describe what we are all about.
November 18, 2005 -- [1st Lt Charles Bradley Triplett - in Iraq]
Well we seem to be settling into the Field Artillery Mission. We have been on it for about ten days now and it is definitely different from what we have been doing. On one hand, this job is much safer because I don’t even live the building I live in to go to work. On the other hand, it is boring and the days are long. We are in a small room with five guys waiting for people to shoot at us so we can shoot back. We get a very high number of missions that we prepare to shoot but we don’t shoot that many.
Id al-Fitr -- [365 and a Wake Up - in Iraq]
One of the last missions CPT Mackinnon talked about was a goodwill mission to help the shantytowns celebrate Id al-Fitr, the closing days of Ramadan. Id al-Fitr is a joyous celebration that roughly approximates Christmas in both festivity and mirth, and CPT Mackinnon wanted to help the poorest of the poor celebrate in grand fashion.
The Plate Steel Ballet (Part Two) -- [My Days at Division - in Iraq]
For Part One, click here
After all the steel was unloaded, we rejoiced. Despite their best efforts, no one had been hurt. However, it was pretty late and none of the drivers wanted to go home. Baghdad is not the best place to be driving around at night, especially in a semi-tractor with an empty flatbed leaving a US FOB. After some discussion, we worked out a location were they could stay until daybreak.
The Fighting Spirit -- [The "Mike Golf's" OIF3 Blog - in Iraq]
(What follows is an edited story version of my narrative for the award of the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for one of the soldiers I work with.)
On a strangely overcast and slightly windy day in July during the mid-afternoon, a patrol I was traveling in entered a town at the edge of our sector on a mission to kill or capture a known criminal. Earlier that day, we had gone out to a few villages to talk to people and also look around in the palm groves for places that the insurgents could hit us with indirect fire. The wind was kicking up a fair amount of sand and it cut our visibility down to about 200 meters. As the LT in charge of the patrol went around looking for the Muqtar (or village leader), the 1SG, myself and a few other guys from the line platoon we were with went out into palm groves. Our 1SG usually tells us that we are “going out looking for the $#!+,” meaning that we are looking to take find but our intent was to find scorch marks on the earth or actual rocket and mortar tubes. Unfortunately,
Iraq Pictures - Monday, November 21, 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
A Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Public Order Brigade, carries a can of paint to cover grafitti in Horjaeb. The Soldiers partnered with American troops to paint over grafitti.
With all due respect, Sir, I completely disagree. -- [ Major K - in Iraq]
Congressman and Col John Murtha, USMCR - Ret. is by all accounts a bona fide American Hero. He has bled for this nation in a foreign land and shown great courage. He has now called for the establishent of a rapid timetable for the withdrawal of US Troops from Iraq, stating that we "have done all we can do." Colonel, I could not disagree more. Unlike the mudslingers in Washington D.C. and the Media, I don't believe that Col. Murtha has anything but the best of intentions and the welfare of the troops at heart, so...
My Views on the War (Rant) -- Desert Odyssey - in Qatar]
...I have honestly no idea what happened with the Intel issues or whatever it is that the media and politicians seem so hell-bent on focusing on before we got over here. I don’t know, or care, if Iraq had WMD in theater before we showed up. What I do know is that Saddam Hussein was a very bad man. He did very bad, unimaginable things to people. To women and children. To celebrate he would go out on his porch and fire his rifle in the air in a display of his power. To this day, he is still an arrogant, delusional, psychotic killer. That was enough for me to go to war over here. What a lot of people seem to forget is that after the first Gulf War, we never left. My buddies and I have been deploying over here, flying over here, and getting missiles shot at us over here for 15 years. With really no end in sight. So to hear that we had finally had enough and were going to go finish what we should have 15 years ago was a relief to me. WMD? Added bonus in my eyes.
The Inconvenient Truth: Iraqi Troop Rotation Plans and Troop Withdrawal Demands Conflict With Reality and an Exit Strategy -- [Bobby's World]
I've known this was coming out for some time, but until it was officially announced, I couldn't really blog anything about it. (In journalism, that would be called "scooping a story" and my superiors would likely promote me for it; in the military, it would be called "OPSEC violation" and my superiors would likely reprimand me for it). But last week the Pentagon announced its official Iraq troop rotation plan through 2008, and I would be remiss if I didn't talk about it.
Wish you were here -- [Salemonz News Service - in Iraq]
...Back and forth I tracked shadows and glints of light, looking for signs of movement in the night. Every darting fox, flapping bird or occasional street light reflecting off a window gave me a start. After an hour or so, even the shadows started to move.
Then the fog hit. There was haze in the weather forecast, but not like this. It draped across the road in small bands at first, but eventually washed across the road.
"Take it down to 30," Staff Sgt. L said when we hit the first of it. Then, just a few seconds later.
"Take it down to 20. Now 10. Shit..."
Rumor and Combat --
[The Fourth Rail - Bill Roggio]
Rumors of Zarqawi's death - and fighting continues in western Anbar province is the subject of my latest post at ThreatsWatch.
I'm currently in Kuwait and preparing to move towards Baghdad. My access to the Internet will be limited; my apologies if I am unable to respond to your email while in the field. Again, my thanks to all who have made this trip possible, and for your kind words of support. I regret I was not able to contact each of you personally, the volume of emails and contributions has been overwhelming. Please consider this my personal thanks.
South Korea To Reduce Zaytun Unit Soldiers in Iraq -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
As expected the South Korean government has decided to withdraw one third of the Zaytun unit soldiers from Iraq:
South Korea will begin phasing out one-third of its 3,260 troops stationed in Iraq on a humanitarian mission in the first half of next year, the Defense Ministry said Friday.
Military fears critics will hurt moral -- (THE WASHINGTON TIMES)
Pentagon officials say they are increasingly worried that Washington's political fight over the Iraq war will dampen what has been high morale among troops fighting a tenacious and deadly enemy.
Getting the Lowdown on Iraq -- (TIMES Online)
If the Repulblican Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee wants to get a second opinion on how the war in Iraq is going, where does he turn? To the Pentagon, but not to the top brass this time. In an unusual closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill last week, Virginia's John Warner, joined by Democratic Senators Carl Levin of Michigan and Mark Dayton of Minnesota, sat across the table from 10 military officers chosen for their experience on the battlefield rather than in the political arena. Warner rounded up the battalion commanders to get at what the military calls "ground truth"--the unvarnished story of what's going on in Iraq.
Iraq President Says He'd Talk to Baathists -- (AP)
CAIRO, Egypt -- Iraq's president said Sunday he was willing to talk with opposition figures and members of Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath Party, and he called on the Sunni-led insurgency to lay down its arms and join the political process....
US army accidentally killed civilians -- (Reuters)
BAQUBA, Iraq - U.S. troops opened fire on a crowded minivan north of Baghdad on Monday, fearing a car bomb attack, and killed at least three members of the same family, including a child, the U.S. military and survivors said
Iraqi president Jalal Talabani (Iberpress)
IRAQ: TWO YEARS TO DEFEAT TERRORISM, SAYS TALABANI -- (AKI)
Baghdad, 21 Nov. - Iraq's president says he believes the terrorism in Iraq can be defeated within two years, after which he says the foreign troops will leave. Speaking to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, Jalal Talabani said "Iraq needs only two years to put an end to chaos and terrorism" and establish a new Iraq. He also reiterated that "the US forces have expressed readiness to leave Iraq as soon as the Iraqi security and military forces have completed their training."
Operation ‘Steel Curtain’ ends -- (Bahrain Tribune)
136 suspected insurgents killed in US-Iraqi swoop
Baghdad | United States and Iraqi forces wrapped up their joint operation “Steel Curtain” yesterday, with 136 suspected insurgents claimed dead, while attacks around the country claimed further ... (photo: U.S. Marine Corps )
Al Qaeda Tries to Return -- [Strategy Page]
November 21, 2005: The Taliban has attracted additional money, and suicide bombers, from Arabia. Two years ago, most of this support shifted to Iraq, where al Qaeda believed it had a better chance of winning some kind of victory. But too many Arab terrorist resources in Iraq produced nothing, and Iraqis have become very hostile to al Qaeda as a result of all the Iraqis killed by terrorist attacks. So now, efforts are shifting to Afghanistan. However, this is also a hostile environment for Arab terrorists. Moreover, Arabs stand out more in Afghanistan, where most Afghans are European or Central Asian in appearance (the majority Afghans belong to ethnic groups related to
More Crazy Ass Flying By Big Windy -- [The Siegrist Blogs - in Afghanistan]
Here is a link to another Big Windy pick up. I look at this and think to myself "Man we aint right in the head Thats ok! There aint no place the bad man can hide were we can't drop the HATE right off on his roof!!" GOT LZ? (Video)
Your Soldier- CW3 Christopher Palumbo -- [Sgt Hook]
America, meet one of your Soldiers, CW3 Christopher Palumbo. Chief Palumbo is an Army Aviator flying UH60 Blackhawk helicopters in the Stan.
Checking out the air support -- [ Roger Roy - journalist in Afghanistan]
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- A lot of the missions the soldiers here run have air support -- combat planes flying above in case they get into trouble.
On an early morning mission the other day, the captain I was riding with got a radio call telling him there were A-10s overhead. These days, the planes don’t find much to bomb, but for the soldiers it’s still a reassuring feeling to have them up there.
Day 1 (of 545) -- [Pound by LB - on the way to Afghanistan]
It has begun. I am officially a Title 10, Active Duty soldier and the countdown can begin today. Day 1 of a potential 545 days of this duty, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, duty station - Afghanistan.
...You see, this whole process is not easy. It's strange to look at friends and wonder which ones won't be there when I get back. Because seriously people, you can fool yourselves all that you want, but it's more true than the day is long. Some of you won't be there when I return. And that's ok. I didn't think it was until this last week. But now I am sure of it.
You see, in some weird way, maybe as part of this whole deployment process, some of us soldiers feel a great deal of strange stress leading up to our departure for deployment. It's like nothing I can explain.
This little boy is so adorable. -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
From Toby,a Marine 1Sgt in Afghanistan,and here is his email:
I apologize for having to send this out to everyone, but I just gave out two hand quilted blankets that were sent over about a week ago…
Foreign hostages in Afghanistan -- (Reuters)
Nov 21 - Taliban guerrillas have threatened to kill an Indian engineer they are holding hostage unless his company stops work in Afghanistan by Tuesday.
Following is a short chronology of some reported foreign kidnappings in Afghanistan.
Taliban say they abducted Indian in Afghanistan -- (Reuters)
(Adds Indian foreign ministry statement, background)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov 20 - Taliban insurgents have kidnapped an Indian road engineer in southern Afghanistan, a spokesman for the militant group said on Sunday.
AFGHANISTAN: U.S. RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FULL OF FLAWS -- (AKI/DAWN)
Washington DC, 21 Nov. - An inquiry by the US daily, the Washington Post, has discovered serious flaws in the US efforts to rebuild Afghanistan, suggesting that corruption and inefficiency caused millions of dollars to be wasted on useless projects. A clandestine videotape obtained by the Post shows that employees of a Maryland-based non-profit relief agency hired to monitor construction quality demanded a 50,000 US dollar payoff from Afghan builders.
Open letter from a Iraqi christain comunity in Jordan! -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
A Iraqi Christian woman asks for help!
Dear All,
I'm Iraqi Christian woman was working in the Baghdad -Green Zone- KBR- RSO management, I get a threat and left my country and I stayed in Jordan one year ago.
I used to distribute the donation I get from - members from the Soldiers Angels - Ms. M. L. and Ms. G. B. to poor Christan people and to the soldiers in the Green Zone.
Transitions -- [Long Time Gone - in S Korea]
...Then the waitress comes over and says “Mr. (whatever the hell his name was) thinks you are a very intelligent American [hey, that’s what she said] and he and his friends want you to join them at their table”. She indicated it would be bad form to not have a drink with them. Damn, I do try hard to be respectful and lord knows us Yanks get blamed for everything wrong in the world already, last thing I wanted was to be tagged as a rude American. So, I sauntered on over.
I will preface what happened next by stating up front that I recognize there are some very real cultural differences in the way males interact here.
The Bosnian Quagmire -- [Winds oc Change - Joe Katzman]
Fully 10 years after war began, Bosnia has not developed as hoped. It is experiencing segregation, and the rising influence of radical Islam. (To readers: note that all these reports come from Agence France Presse.)
Meanwhile, ...
Ariel Sharon Quits Likud, Forms National Responsibility -- [Outside the Beltway]
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is dissolving the Knesset and leaving the Likud Party he helped found in 1973 and putting together a new party, National Responsibility (Ahrayut Leumit), with former rival Shimon Peres.
Top peacekeeper says economics key to stable Kosovo -- (Reuters)
SOFIA, Nov 20 - Solving Kosovo's desperate economic situation is crucial to making and keeping peace in the breakaway Serbian province, the head of the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force there said on Sunday.
Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since NATO kicked out Serbia's forces in a 1999 air war.
EU Authorizes Negotiations With Bosnia -- (AP)
BRUSSELS, Belgium-- EU foreign ministers on Monday authorized the start of negotiations on an agreement to prepare Bosnia for EU membership a decade after the Balkan nation was ravaged by Europe's worst fighting since World War II....
Bush Is First President to Visit Mongolia -- (AP)
ULAN BATOR, Mongolia -- The United States is more than an ocean away, but to many Mongolians, it's a cherished neighbor and an ally for their struggling democracy.
A Killer Web Site -- [Strategy Page]
November 21, 2005: Indonesian counter-terrorism officials were recently faced with a very real threat on the Internet. A new terrorist web site (www.anshar.net) appeared, that gave very specific instructions for how Indonesian terrorists can carry out terrorist acts. The instruction is very specific, including maps of specific locations in Indonesia, indicating escape routes, and where to set up your attacks for maximum effects. This is something new. Terrorists have, for years, been distributing “how to” manuals for making attacks, but these provide instructions in general terms (how to build a bomb, basic tactics and techniques.)
Monday's Winds of War: 21 Nov 2005 -- [Winds of Change]
Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. Monday's Winds of War briefings are given by Security Watchtower and Peace Like a River.
God Bless You, Mr. Bin Laden -- Don Surber
An Australian newspaper published an interview with Kurt Vonnegut in which he praised suicide bombers: "They are dying for their own self-respect. It's a terrible thing to deprive someone of their self-resp...
Osama missed by 30 minutes’ -- (Dawn)
| By Arshad Sharif | LONDON, Nov 20: Pakistani troops missed capturing Osama bin Laden by just 30 minutes, a British newspaper, The News of the World, reported on Sunday. | According to the newspaper,... (photo: WN)
CIA methods not torture: director -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON - CIA interrogators use "unique" methods to obtain "vital" information from prisoners, but strictly obey laws against torture, CIA Director Porter Goss said in an interview published on Monday.
Romania denies hosting CIA jails -- (Reuters)
PARIS - Romania is prepared to allow investigations at two military bases to show they were not used by the CIA as secret detention centres, President Traian Basescu said in an interview published on Monday.
The wounded in LRMC need our support! -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Today a Major from LRMC wrote me he needs more items for wounded FEMALE SOLDIERS AND MARINES!
At the moment we have nothing here for women!
If anyone can help so let me know!
A Letter from an Angel to our Troops -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
I'd like you all to meet a very special "angel". Ryan Kathleen Porter considers herself to be an ordinary American teenager. She has been supporting our troops through Soldiers' Angels, and she has written some very inspiring letters. Below is her latest message to the troops. I think you will agree with me that she is no ordinary teenager. It is an important message, especially in light of what is going on in Washington right now, and as a follow up to yesterday's post about the letter from a soldier.
Care Packages -- [A mobilized year - in Iraq]
I’ve been asked (at an impressive frequency) what would our troops appreciate over here and recently what would we like for the holidays. My reply has thus far been, “we really don’t need anything.” Of course, since people are so good natured, they ignore me . . . and end up sending something anyway. So, to avoid things being thrown away or wasted, I thought I would put together a list of things soldiers here have requested. Just so that we’re straight though, the soldiers here (myself included) are taken care of fairly well. But, because I know that some people are just “hell-bent” on sending holiday care packages, I thought that a list may be a good starting point in order to avoid receiving some of the items that we’ve already received that aren’t . . .
A War Without Reason -- [Camp Katrina - guest blogger]
Every Monday, guest blogger Jake Moses offers views from the left in a post on the normally conservative Camp Katrina.
In what must come as a pleasant surprise to Camp Katrina readers, I'll be devoting this week’s column to criticizing congressional Democrats--and not just one or two of them.
What’s got me all worked up is this business of the Bush administration misleading them into war. I just don’t buy it.
The President should "manipulate" intelligence -- [TigerHawk]
We have lost our way in the partisan acrimony over whether the Bush administration "lied" about or "manipulated" intelligence to promote the war in Iraq. Opponents of the President's policies in Iraq (or opponents of the President, period) seem to be arguing for a world in which all Americans sit in judgment of every foreign policy decision as if they were the chief executive burdened with the responsibility of decision. This is an absurd conception of leadership that nobody serious actually believes. I'll say it: I want my president to manipulate intelligence in furtherance of his conception of the national interest. That's what we elect him to do.
Eyes Wide Open -- [Neptunus Lex]
I said a couple of days ago that no serious political figure on either side of aisle was agitating for immediate withdrawal from Iraq. I also fretted in comments that the Republican leadership of the Senate sending what could only be read as a presidential rebuke on the conduct of the war in Iraq (albeit non-binding) could only lead to a race to the bottom.
The fact that I’m now hitting .500 as a prognosticator is one that I take no pleasure in. John Murtha is a serious man, a respectable member of Congress and a lion of the Democratic Party. He is a distinguished combat veteran and a reliable friend to the troops. He’s no lightweight, neither is he a rabid partisan, nor ...
D'ya ken, Y'daft Bugger?
I was watching a rare bit of news last night. It was kind of early to go to bed, but I had to go to work this morning and I was trying to keep Ohana awake so that his last visit to the potty fields would extend his first sleep shift. He actually slept through to almost 0500 but then he still didn't need to go out. Anyway, we listened briefly to the disharge of John Murtha's fevered brain. "a flawed policy wrapped in illusion." and he said the continued presence of U.S. troops in Iraq is "uniting the enemy against us."
Let's look at that for a moment. ...
Biden: Chance of filibuster on Alito stronger -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON - The chance of a filibuster to halt the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel Alito rose on news he once opposed 1960s Supreme Court rulings on reapportionment based on the principle of equal voting rights, a top Democrat on the Senate judiciary panel said on Sunday.
Experts overlook Iraq's civilians -- [IraqPundit - an Iraqi]
Jonathan Finer reports in the Washington Post today that few fighters in Iraq's insurgency are foreign. He might be right. He quotes Anthony Cordesman who says that Iraqis and U.S. administration officials have been misreading the insurgency. That could be true, I have never claimed to be a military expert. But I will tell Cordesman that most Iraqi people hate the insurgents and do not see them as legitimate regardless of what passports they carry. They are viewed as ruthless killers. And, I can say that I am certain this part of Finer's story is rubbish:
"But analysts say the focus on foreign elements is also an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the insurgency in the eyes of Iraqis, by portraying it as terrorism foisted on the country by outsiders."
The E-mail Weapon: Troops Tackle Bad Media -- [Austin Bay]
After my return from Iraq I received phone calls and emails from military friends as they either came back to the US on leave or finished their tours and re-deployed “Stateside.” The typical phone call went like this: “I’m back. It’s great to be home. What’s up? How are you doing?” Then, the conversation quickly moved on to: “What’s with the press and Iraq?” The press usually meant television. On tv Iraq looked like it was going to Hell in a handbasket of flame and brutality; however, the images of carnage didn’t square with the troops’ experience.
There's More Going On in Iraq Than a Media Event -- [Strategy Page]
November 20, 2005: If it weren't for Internet access to troops, expatriates and Iraqis in Iraq, you would think that coalition military operations in Iraq were a major disaster, and that prompt withdrawal was the only reasonable course of action. But the mass media view of the situation is largely fiction, conjured up in editorial offices outside Iraq, with foreign reporters in Iraq (most of them rarely leaving their heavily guarded hotels) providing color commentary, and not much else. So what do the troops and Iraqis say?
Clooney's New Movie: 'Fahrenheit 411' -- (FOX News)
Syriana: Clooney’s CIA Movie Is ‘Fahrenheit 411’
Basically, in "Syriana," writer/director Stephen Gaghan (the Oscar-winning adapter of "Traffic"), former CIA agent Bob Baer, and producers George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh have made a thriller for people who read The Financial Times. It's also a companion piece in many ways to a great movie Clooney starred in several years ago, "Three Kings." Shot in Morocco and Dubai, "Syriana" may be an eye opener to westerners who don’t give much thought to world events...
Journalist, Cover Thyself -- (New York Times)
Here's something you do not see every day: a newspaper reporter interrogating his own boss - on live television yet.
Howard Kurtz, the media writer for The Washington Post, posed tough questions yesterday for nearly eight minutes to Leonard Downie Jr., The Post's executive editor, on a program where Mr. Kurtz is host, CNN's "Reliable Sources." The subject was the revelation last week that Bob Woodward, The Post's investigative reporter, had not disclosed the fact that a senior official in the Bush administration leaked the name of a C.I.A. operative to him more than two years ago.
Book Review: MY WAR by Colby Buzzell -- [Sisyphus Today... - in Iraq]
What follows is a a review of a book submitted to my by Penguin Publishing. I apologize up front that the review contains harsh language. I assure you that it is not my language, it is necessary quotes from the author. Apparently, my review is unique. Enjoy.
Sign of Success? -- [BlackFive]
Somebody is running around the blogosphere claiming to be me, leaving comments about me having a change of heart and disappointment with the Bush Administration.
Gotten more than a few emails about it. Thanks for the head's up, and thanks to some of you with a sense of humor about it.
MilBloggers on NPR's "This American Life" -- [BlackFive]
Military bloggers from Iraq will be featured this weekend on NPR's "This American Life". The lineup's not fully set yet, but TAL has recorded...
Defending the Defenders -- [Gunn Nutt]
I love Milblogs.
...One thing that can't be tolerated is the willfull destruction of a milblog or website by hackers.
Mr. Right and Anna of The Right Place and A Rose by Any Other Name have disturbing news about Grey Eagle's site A Female Soldier 2, and how it has been attacked by trolls who weren't satisfied just to leave venomous remarks. From her site, this is the beginning of the last post.
For Sale -- [ Barbarian Envoy - in S Korea]
It’s clear to me that blogging is not for me. Call me mercurial, I don’t care, but I just had to give the blogging thing one more try and waste my money and time,to judge the usefulness of the activity to me. It’s NOT for me.
I’m offering these custom-made CSS pages, the domain rights, ...
BlogAds Revenue Analysis -- [Outside the Beltway]
Starling Hunter has conducted a detailed study of BlogAds revenue and discovered that...
...The first finding, that traffic matters more than links, strikes me as obvious. Advertisers pay for eyeballs and viewer demographics, not intra-blog prestige. This is likely to become even more true as gamesmanship such as open trackback rings and incestual blogrolling ruins the Ecosystem as a meaningful measure.
Connecticut soldiers back in the U.S -- (Hartford-AP)
Fifty soldiers from Connecticut should be back in the state in time for Thanksgiving.
The soldiers from the 189th Aviation Regiment based in Windsor Locks arrived today in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Good to have him home -- [Proud Infantry Wife]
Well George came in at about 10:10 p.m. last night. I heard a knock at the door and there he was. Another officer in the battalion (I think the one who lives on our street) brought him home. It was a great surprise. He was quite hungry so after pulling his stuff into the garage and taking a shower I heated u some leftovers and he ate while he talked to his dad.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
The Punishers' Ball -- [Michael Yon - back from Iraq]
After a hard year of fighting and nation-building in northern Iraq, the Deuce Four has finally and completely returned home to the United States, where they threw a party to mark the occasion. Distinguished guests flew in to attend what was officially called the Redeployment Ball.
I flew from Iraq and stayed in the beautiful home of Command Sergeant Major Robert and Sandy Prosser. A clear ...
Out Of Iraq? - [NEW RING MEMBER! - Same Ole' Different Day - in Iraq]
That is the title that was on the bottom of the television as “Scoborough Country”, a show on MSNBC, was playing. Myself, as well as a few fellow soldiers, sat in disbelief as we listened to one of his guests call for the complete withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
Cut and Run??!! -- [The Military Vote - in Iraq]
...Personally, I don't want leave this country feeling like a coward. I want the hero image my wife has of me to never be diminished by having to hear people speak in the future of how we went into Iraq with great intentions only to abandon it's people, strengthening of Democracy, and the country's fledgling government we helped to establish. I love my country and everything it stands for. With that I must say I respect Murtha for all he has done... I can only hope he will see the hypocrisy in his latest criticism of the war.
Q&A: Charting Fallujah's Course -- [Kevin Sites - in Iraq]
The top Marine commander in Fallujah predicts Iraqi police will be ready to control the city in six months
A year ago, U.S. Marines were storming Fallujah in a fierce bid to wrestle the Iraqi city from insurgent control.
Today, Marines are training Iraqi forces to stand on their own. The top Marine commander in Fallujah predicts a large part of that task -- handing over the job of securing the city to Iraqi police -- could be done in six months.
IEDs -- [A mobilized year - in Iraq]
By now, virtually everyone has heard (probably ad nauseam) of IEDs. I’ve become very familiar with these buggers, as I’ll elaborate on one episode in a bit. But, based on the number of questions that I’ve received concerning them, I wanted to first write a little about some of the unclassified (and publicly available) information that I’ve learned about them and how they are employed.
Id al-Fitr -- [365 and a Wake Up - in Iraq]
One of the last missions CPT Mackinnon talked about was a goodwill mission to help the shantytowns celebrate Id al-Fitr, the closing days of Ramadan. Id al-Fitr is a joyous celebration that roughly approximates Christmas in both festivity and mirth, and CPT Mackinnon wanted to help the poorest of the poor celebrate in grand fashion
Of Willie Pete and Italian Commies -- [From the Halls to the Shores - in Iraq]
Now, I’m not in the artillery, but I know some arty guys, and am the son and nephew of quite a few cannon-cockers. And I can assure you of the following: white phosphorus – for lack of a better term – is the shiznit.
“Shake and bake” is to the artillery what “snake and nape” used to be to the air wing before we decided to hamstring ourselves and find friendlier ways to kill people. And any Italian Communist who has a problem with that can go straight to hell. Sorry, but we have yet to invent the Nerf missile with armor-piercing/bunker-busting capability.
The allegations of torturing detainees -- [Hammorabi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
The accusation of the Iraqi interior ministry of torturing and exposing the detainees to starvation and malnourishment has been used for political purposes by some groups in and outside Iraq whether these allegations are true or not.
First we should know whether these detainees are terrorists who perpetrated and executed operation by which they killed innocent Iraqis or political prisoners. The answer is so simple, that in Iraq today there are no political prisoners unlike during Saddam Hussein regime. Therefore...
The Candy Guy - Part XIII -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
The Deadly Mortars
Hey ya’ll, Sorry about not writing for a while, but been on leave, and having computer trouble, here.
I am titling this story, "The Deadly Mortars", as this is the bunch of guys I am running missions with now, and they really scare me sometimes - the mortar platoon, that is. Before I went home on leave I went out with them a good bit.
I normally ride in the back of the tub truck with G and
Taste of Freedom -- [Sgt Hook]
I received an email from a mother whose son is currently fighting in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division. He and his platoon have penned a message to the American public that is a little different from the message we are getting via the MSM. He asked his mom to help get this message out and she asked me. Here it is from the soldiers on the ground…
Leadership -- [Major K - in Iraq]
Anyone who has spent any time in the military will tell you how important leadership is to a unit. Bad leadership can destroy an otherwise good unit and good leadership can resurrect a unit in shambles. My team just got a proverbial adrenaline shot. The Iraqi Division we work with has a new Division Commander. I could not be happier with the selection of this man to lead the Division. Major General M
Murtha's stance on troops generally wins support at home -- (The Tribune Democrat)
Johnstown — Rep. John “Jack” Murtha’s headline-grabbing stand against the war in Iraq found, for the most part, favor among his constituents, according to interviews conducted by The Tribune-Democrat.
Many in Murtha’s corner will argue that the liberation effort is over, yet no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq. Surprisingly, veterans of the armed forces seemed – if anything – more likely to agree with the congressman than does the population at large.
Suicide bombers kill 62 in Iraq -- (Reuters)
BAGHDAD - Two suicide bombers strapped with explosives killed at least 62 people when they blew themselves up inside crowded Shi'ite mosques at prayer time in the northeastern Iraqi town of Khanaqin on Friday.
Divided US wants clearer Iraq policy -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON - Nearly three years after most Americans backed President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq, a divided nation is increasingly demanding a clearer strategy for reducing the U.S. role and bringing the troops home
Rumsfeld rejects growing withdrawal calls -- (Reuters)
ADELAIDE, Australia - U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dismissed on Friday growing calls for the United States to start withdrawing forces from Iraq, saying Iraq was several years behind Afghanistan as a secure country.
UN official wants Iraqi jails probe -- (Reuters)
GENEVA - United Nations human rights chief Louise Arbour on Friday called for an international probe into Iraqi jails after accusations of serious abuse of detainees at a secret Interior Ministry detention center
For a Day of Thanks -- [Firepower Forwar - in Afghanistan]
For those of you who have been reading my blog long enough, you know that we have a Thanksgiving tradition, certainly not unique but a cherished ritual none the less, in which all who celebrate with us take turns telling everyone present what they are thankful for on this day. The miles and hours that separate me from my family’s Thanksgiving celebration this year is not nearly reason enough to forgo this tradition, so here are some of the things that I am thankful for this year.
First Portuguese soldier killed in Afghanistan -- (Reuters) ...Yahoo News
LISBON, Nov 18 - A Portuguese soldier was killed and three others were wounded when their military vehicle hit a landmine in Afghanistan on Friday, Defence Minister Luis Amado said.
SOS-Kinderdorf -- [NEW RING MEMBER! -Way Down In Kosovo - in Kosovo]
What a completely remarkable day today was...but then again that isn't all that unusual for my experiance so far here in Kosovo. I can't mention in detail everything that we did today, but I can say that we took the tme to visit an orphanage in Pristina run by an international NGO called SOS-Kinderdorf. What a remarkable organization, and an incredibly loving group of people who run this so-called orphanage. The environment in this place is
BALKANS-KOSOVO: PARAMILITARY GROUP THREATENS ATTACKS -- (AKI)
Pristina, 18 Nov. - The self-proclaimed Army for Independence of Kosovo (AIK) on Friday issued fresh threats to the international peackeeping institutions in Pristina, saying that Kosovo's capital was the seat of a “modern occupier”. The mysterious paramilitary group had previously issued similar threats, saying it would declare a “state of war” if Kosovo's parliament didn’t proclaim the independence of the province, which has been under United Nations administration since 1999.
Iran in turmoil as president's purge deepens --(The Guardian)
Iran is facing political paralysis as its newly elected president purges government institutions, bringing accusations that he is undertaking a coup d'état.
Sri Lanka's PM wins presidency -- (Reuters)
COLOMBO - Sri Lanka's hawkish prime minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, won the island's presidency on Friday after a Tamil Tiger boycott torpedoed his main rival, and vowed to forge an "honorable peace" with the rebels.
Islamic Terrorists In Desperate Situation -- [Strategy Page]
November 18, 2005: The recent death of terrorist leader, Azahari bin Husin, in his home, left police in possession of 30 bombs and much other evidence of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) operations. There are apparently only three other leaders of JI on the loose, and one of those (Malaysian Noordin Mohammad Top) may be hiding out in Indonesia, or Malaysia, and the other two in the southern Philippines.
Iraqi Terrorists -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
British MP George Galloway is nothing if not explicit in his support for and work with terrorists and killer dictators, including taking Oil-for-Food funds from Saddam Hussein for his favorite "charity." MEMRI has caught him at it again, this time traveling to Damascus to praise the dictator of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad (maybe Georgie is looking for new sources of cash in case he gets prosecuted for lying to the U.S. Congress about his OFF income).
Islamic Terrorists in Chechnya Doomed -- [Strategy Page]
November 18, 2005: Operations in Chechnya have become fairly routine, with 5-10 raids and security sweeps a week, in addition to heavy security (checkpoints, patrols), in key areas (government, military and economic facilities). The Islamic terrorists have made themselves unpopular in Chechnya, partly because they kill lots of Chechens, and partly because, after years of violence, nothing has been accomplished. Chechens are also mindful of their own history.
On trial in Milan: New kind of enemy -- (International Herald Tribune)
Playing an Internet video one evening last year, an Egyptian radical living in Milan reveled as it showed the head of an American, Nicholas Berg, being sawed off by his Iraqi captors. ''Go to he...
More than 80,000 held by US since 9/11 attacks -- (The Guardian)
The US has detained more than 80,000 people in facilities from Afghanistan to Cuba since the attacks on the World Trade Centre four years ago, the Pentagon said yesterday. The disclosure comes at a ti... (photo: U.S. Army )
U.S. Troops Accused of Torture and Sodomy - by Comic -- [Euphoric Reality]
Ted Rall has done it again. You need to see the link above. Right now. Before you read any further. Ralls latest comic depicts U.S. troops as " confused about their duties as torturers", including this exchange about prisoner
The Oath - [SMASH]
KEVIN is standing in the door of my office. He's a stocky, muscular black man in his early thirties.
"Nice office," he remarks. "Is it all yours now?"
Kevin and I have been working on a project together for the past couple of weeks. But since I had been sharing this office with my predecessor, we always met at his cube.
"Hey, Kevin," I greet him. "Yeah, it's all mine. Come on in!"
He takes a seat in one of the chairs across from me, and soaks it all in. From his body language, I get the sense that he has something on his mind, but he's stalling. "So, is this just a social visit," I prompt, "Or is it work-related?"
"Not really," he begins. "You remember how I told you I had applied for that Army officer program?"
Of course I remember.
United States Navy: First Contact -- [Hoorah the blog]
I'm not sure what motivated me to make the first call. I was never a far-leftist, nor did I undergo a radical political transformation. My political ideas and sense of duty simply weren't as developed as they are now. A year ago, I'd have sooner voted for John Kerry than I would have joined the military. I wasn't anti-military, like the LSD-induced socialist hordes seen here. I just didn't fathom military service as a remote possibility. It's something that most civilians feel a strong disconnect from, even the more patriotic ones. We get most of our images of soldiers from TV and movies, and there they're made to look larger-than-life. Even fair portrayals, like TV's Band of Brothers, managed to create
NIE vs. PDB: The Alphabet Soup of Intelligence -- [NEW MILBLOG MEMBER! - submandave]
The loudest voices in the "Wah! The mean Bush lied to me" crowd of Democrat lawmakers have, in light of the incontrovertible truth that they had equal access to the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), have latched onto the claim that since they didn't have equal access to the Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) they didn't know what Bush did. Now, if the PDB contained information that the NIE was wrong they may have a point, but that is quite a stretch given that the commission that investigated pre-war Intelligence deemed the PDB to be more alarmist and strident than the NIE. This, however, is no surprise given the different ways in which these different reports are created.
Source: Cheney Isn't Woodward's Source -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney is not the unidentified source who told Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward about the CIA status of the wife of Bush administration critic Joseph Wilson, a person familiar with the investigation said Thursday.
Senate approves $60 billion tax cut bill -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate approved a $60 billion tax cut bill on Friday that would impose a $5 billion tax on big oil companies and provide new tax breaks to help rebuild hurricane devastated regions.
THE WRONG STORY -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
The broad Main Steam Media (MSM), mainly news on the internet and some TV last night reported that there were 6 deaths from fighting in Iraq. Can anyone tell me their names, how they died, what state they were from anything besides that they were Marines? Although tragic, because it was a relatively small group surly they could have mentioned any of the above. How much time would that have taken? 5-10 seconds? Its not your fault America, but the MSM………….well.
Their very own embedded reporters aren’t even getting the story straight or at least they are now putting their own spin on things (big surprise)
From the NY Times: ...
Home at Last -- [Dadmanly - home from Iraq]
I wanted to report to any and all of those readers who have been kind enough to read this blog, or otherwise express concern for my well being, that I am home, and well.
I owe so many so much in gratitude for their support and encouragement, it will no doubt take me quite a while to come close to matching that debt.
I am temporarily displaced from ready blogging, I must concentrate on returning to civilian employment, and there are many obligations to family and friends. But I will not forget the obligation I feel towards my faithful readers, in finishing several short pieces in proper conclusion to the OIF III phase of my blogging experience.
That, and there's a...
Dear readers, -- [thejman021 - in Iraq]
I have received a few emails asking me about whether or not I am going to continue to write after I am home, and my contribution to the war is over. To be honest, I don't really know for sure what I am going to do. I started this as a way for friends and family to see what I was doing while I've been over here, so I wouldn't have to send out fifty thousand emails every week. Since starting this site, I have received so much support and kind words and food for thought, that I think should I discontinue this site, I would be missing out. I feel that I at least owe it to most of my readers that I continue for a month or so after I'm home, so that they can see what's it's like for a soldier to return home, see the changes around him, and for those around him to see how he's changed.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
Operation Steel Curtain Update -- [Peace like a River]
According to this account, Ubaydi has been largely cleared, but pockets of resistance remain as Steel Curtain continues.
Meanwhile, military commanders report Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Marines, soldiers and sailors have cleared most of Ubaydi in Operation Steel Curtain, but pockets of resistance and improvised bombs still pose "a considerable risk to both military personnel and civilians...
Documents May Reveal Iraq had WMDs and Ties to Al-Qaida -- [G e n e r a t i o n W h y ?]
Steven Hayes, a reporter for the Weekly Standard has an article (Where are the Pentagon Papers?) coming out in the November 21, 2005 issue of the magazine detailing his efforts to obtain copies of unclassified documents discovered in postwar Iraq.
There is a project underway in Doha, Qatar where several intelligence analysts, together with several dozen translators, most of them from Jordan, are sifting through millions of pages of documents unearthed in Iraq after the toppling of the regime.
More Good News -- [PARTAMIAN REPORT]
I'm posting this e-mail from an OCS buddy, who gave me permission to post it. He is in Iraq with the 48th Brigade. I removed one sentence of this e-mail so that no one pesters his family... Just to be safe. I also made it a little more anonymous by removing the full signature. I'd rather go overboard on the OPSEC than screw up.
Ugly Realities -- [Strategy Page]
November 17, 2005: Near the Syrian border, the town of Obeidi was the scene of a fierce battle. Terrorists were trapped there, and forced to fight. Over 80 were killed in several days of fighting. At least five unexploded car bombs were seized, and bomb workshops, safe houses and weapons supplies were found as well. Meanwhile, Sunni Arab politicians are demanding that U.S. and Iraqi troops cease their attacks in western Iraq, because
Iraqi Special Operations Forces -- [Strategy Page]
November 17, 2005: After nearly two years of effort, Iraq has an effective Special Operations (commando) force. The ISOF (Iraqi Special Operations Forces) consist of one brigade and some 1,400 troops. The brigade has two combat battalions (the Counter-Terrorism Task Force and the Commando battalion) and two support battalions (the Special Operations Support Battalion and Special Operations Training unit).
Iraq Pictures - Thursday, November 17, 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures]
Children from a Kindergarten in the Khadamiyah area of western Baghdad wave good by to Task Force Baghdad Soldiers who delivered toys and school supplies to the area. The delivery was a joint operation between 1/10th Mountain Soldiers from B Co., 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army. Pic: 1LT Bob Miller
Thursday, November 17th 2005 -- [Daily Intel Briefing]
Car Bomb Attack - 2/101st Find/Destroy Mortar Rounds- IA-U.S. Raid Nets Three Plus Weapons Cache - Arming Iraqis Against Insurgents - Iraq Seeks Extradition of Saddam's Nephew On Terror Charges
Kevin's New Wheelchair -- [The Military Vote - in Iraq]
I have to give credit for the idea to my wife honestly... pure genius. I don't know why I didn't think of it myself (Will said he thought the same exact thing). Either way... here goes:
Heather and another soldier SPC DJ Woodburn were talking (on instant messenger) yesterday after I had gone to sleep and among the items for discussion was the idea to take up donations for Kevin (previously named X). I originally wanted to further protect his identity... but it also struck me that "Kevin" is an American name he adopted for himself.
Bill Clinton was wrong and still so -- [Hammorabi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
I received an email from Donna P. asking the following question:
Hi,
It's just been reported that ex US president Clinton, has said that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake.
I was wondering if you'd care to share your views on that statement on your blog. If you could talk to Bill Clinton, what would you have to say about his statement?
Video: Hillary Clinton on Iraq 2002 -- [Right Side Redux]
Great clip of the pre-Iraq war Hillary Clinton. Looks like someone thought that Saddam was a large enough threat to "check".
Perhaps she meant we ought to write him a "check"?
American Reactions to Kurdistan adverts -- [Kurdistan Bloggers Union - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Delal did a great job by asking about the reaction of people about the Kurdistan adverts on US channels. I did a little search to find what Americans think about the adverts:
...I just want to add a comment as a person who considers himself from Kurdistan.
I support these ads 100%..Some Kurds might disagree with me (but only a minority), let's face it, if it was not for USA, who would think that Kurdistan (as a region or political entity) would be able to advertise for itself on US and European Tvs ?
Operation Clean Sweep -- [365 and a Wake Up - in Iraq]
Our day started long before the sun creased the horizon, in the quiet stillness of a Baghdad morning our barracks awoke and slowly snapped the shadowy bonds of sleep. The dark narrow hallways sparked to life under the dull artificial glow of fluorescent bulbs, and under those pale lights soldiers started their final preparations for Operation Clean Sweep. In those first few minutes the atmosphere seemed to swell and heave with the nervous anticipation unique to large combat operations. There is no analogue for the naked rush of endorphins that presages these operations, they flood your system and keen your spirit until both carry a fine and bright edge.
Email On Marines In Iraq -- [Chapomatic]
This, emailed to me via Alidade, is of unknown provenance yet matches other things I’m hearing in theater (one purchase on my “if I can finally convince someone to send me to the desert” list is a 1911A1 .45, even though ammo might be hard to get to). Click “more” for the email. Some points:
Building a chemical dependency -- [FAST BUNNIES - in Iraq]
Once upon a time the Army gave its soldiers cigarettes as part of their rations. Now cigarettes are bad, so the Army has switched to caffiene. Energy drinks at midnight chow, as much Pepsi and Coke as you can drink in the day. Coffee everywhere. The PX sells Red Bull, Starbucks Double Shots - if it contains caffiene it is on the market. Sleep is for the weak. There are only a few standing orders in our unit, one of them is that anyone going to midnight chow brings back extra Burn, which is some Coke product with Turkish labeling that is ...
Nightmares … Treasure of Baghdad’s Diary -- [Treasure of Baghdad - an Iraqi in Iraq]
For almost a week, I’ve been having horrible nightmares. I don’t sleep well due to the situation that is getting worse day after day. Yesterday, my day off, I woke up at 8 a.m. as I couldn’t sleep longer. I didn’t have breakfast, because I wasn’t in a good mood. I just had my daily mug of black Iraqi tea. My mother insisted that I have breakfast because by that I am hurting my health and myself. I realized I am making my family worried and there is no need to increase their pain. I had to pretend I am fine. I decided to have breakfast with her and my father. Our discussion was like any discussion inside an Iraqi family everyday, the current situation in the country. The main subject was the terrorist Iraqi woman who tried to blow up herself in the Amman hotel attacks.
White Heat -- [Iraqi Bloggers Central]
...CY also provides expert testimony on the WP and the documentary who was "pleased to announce that it is junk". This is a detailed debunking of video and testimonial evidence, and I strongly recommend it.
Of course, the US has been charged with using chemical and biological weapons in every war since Korea. So in a sense, this is an elaboration on a charge now a half-century old.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 -- [Salem Pax - an Iraqi in Iraq]
More on the Ministry of Interior Affairs torture bunker
First there is a really interesting article on Reuters AlertNet which you might want to take a look at if you are following this horrendous scandal:
Guard shows no remorse over Iraq bunker prisoners
Thursday, November 17, 2005 -- [krazycow03's - in Iraq]
well everyone, this will be the last entry for a little while. the 463rd has completed our mission, and has been relieved of duty in iraq. i will soon be traveling to an awesome place called AMERICA!! i cant wait!
Babylon -- [Photos From Iraq - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Entrance to the ancient city of Babylon. This gate is a smaller modern reproduction of the Ishtar Gate.
...The famous Lion of Babylon's head was blown off by Nazis, who suspected that the statue had a core of gold.
Juli in Iraq: Who's Your Buddy? -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
This is the second part of a series, “Juli in Iraq”. Juli is a former flight attendant who lost her job after 9/11. Undaunted, she retrained as a Human Resource Associate and will now be working in Iraq for KBR in support of OIF for the next 12 months.
Hi all,
As of yesterday, all of my regular training is completed... all I have left is "Female Security" training Monday night after dinner.
I have heard that Female Security training is a VERY rigorous and intensive instruction on how NOT to wear low cut shirts and revealing clothes plus quick and easy ways to diffuse imminent attraction. I wonder how I'll do.
Five U.S. Marines killed in Iraqi firefight Battle part of Operation Steel Curtain -- (CNN)
Five U.S. Marines were killed in Iraq on Wednesday during a firefight near the Syrian border in Ubaydi, the military said.
Sixteen insurgents were also killed ...
Iraq official defends 'torture' facility -- (CNN)
Iraq's interior minister has defended a government facility found to be holding dozens of prisoners, including some showing signs of torture, saying it held "the most criminal terrorists."
Among Insurgents in Iraq, Few Foreigners Are Found -- (Washington Post Foreign Service)...Jonathan Finer
BAGHDAD -- Before 8,500 U.S. and Iraqi soldiers methodically swept through Tall Afar two months ago in the year's largest counterinsurgency offensive, commanders described the northern city as a logistics hub for fighters, including foreigners entering the country from Syria, 65 miles to the west.
Bill Clinton Calls Iraq 'Big Mistake' -- (AP)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Former President Clinton told Arab students Wednesday the United States made a "big mistake" when it invaded Iraq, stoking the partisan debate back home over the war....
Iraqi Minister: Torture Claims Exaggerated -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Interior Minister Bayan Jabr was defiant Thursday when answering questions about allegations his officers have tortured suspected insurgents, saying the reports have been exaggerated and insisting only five people appeared to have been maltreated. He said that a number of those detained were suspected foreign terrorists, including one man accused of building six car bombs.
American Faces Charge of Graft for Work in Iraq -- (NYTimes)...JAMES GLANZ
Philip H. Bloom has been charged with paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes for jobs in reconstruction.
Newsview: Iraq Policy Faces New Obstacles -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- President Bush's already embattled policy to shape postwar Iraq as an ethnically balanced democratic state faces a new hurdle after the discovery of a secret jail in which Sunni prisoners may have been tortured....
Cheney Latest to Lash Out at Critics -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Vice President Dick Cheney is joining President Bush and other Republicans in accusing Democrats of foul play for asserting that the administration misrepresented intelligence to build support for taking the nation to war in Iraq....
Message From An Army Major In Afghanistan -- [Holly Aho - a Soldier's Angel]
Received by email:
"What I really need is children's winter clothing...jackets, gloves and boots (boys and girls). The winters in Afghanistan are so incredibly brutal on the kids that are in the outlining areas. We want to try to help as many of the kids here as humanly possible. If you could buy these items and send them to my military address below, that would be the best way. The nights are already getting down into the thirtys and when the first rain and snow hits, it will be very difficult to reach some of the villages.
A long walk and a warm stay - [Roger Roy - a journalist in Afghanistan]
NAKA – Here’s a good tip for you: When the guys from Airborne ask if you want to go for "a little walk," get more details before you decide to tag along.
It seemed like a harmless enough question when Capt. Joseph Geraci asked me yesterday evening when we were at the district government offices at the little collection of villages up in the hills of Paktika province.
I’d been cold all day - the ice in the river never melted - so I thought a brisk walk might warm me up. I figured ...
Afghanistan update -- [Travels with Shiloh]
There's increasing evidence that the conflict in Afghanistan is beginning to look more and more like Iraq. I can't think of a single instance of a suicide attack in the 10 months I was there and the prevailing wisdom (among locals and the military) was that the conflict in Afghanistan was different from the one in Iraq and the Afghan people (for a host of reasons) were not likely to resort to suicide attacks.
Out and About -- [Battered Suitcase - civ. in Afghanistan]
...I was able to leave the compound for the first time today. I went with some of the hydroelectric engineers to have a look at some canals to determine the possibility of generating electricity for local use. Many people have already taken their own intiative as we found a number of small facilities used to power some surrounding houses and businesses. It was really neat as I got my first feel for the area in which I live. One of the primary crops seems to be cotton. They siphon water off from the canals and irrigate the fields. Its hand work with the assistance of some tractors. One of the things we saw was a diesel motor spinning an alternator from an old russian tank generating electrcity for welding. Ingenuity!!! The place is much cleaner that Guyana and the people work hard seem to take care of business.
Liberation of Kabul -- [Afghan Warrior - an Afghan in Afghanistan]
Today, the 13th of November, is the anniversary of when the Taliban fighters escaped from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. On this day the Northern Alliance, with the help of coalition forces, overthrew the Taliban regime from the capital Kabul and made them withdraw to the southern and southeastern provinces as they were ousted from Kabul.
US strike kills 3 al Qaeda fighters: Afghan governor -- (Reuters)
JALALABAD, Afghanistan - A U.S. air strike killed three militants, described as al Qaeda fighters, during an air and ground operation in eastern Afghanistan, an Afghan provincial governor said on Thursday.
Presidential Visit -- [Resurgemus - in Alaska]
The Commander-in-Chief visited Elmendorf AFB today. I've known for a while that he was coming, but had to keep a lid on it.
My section was granted a few seats to attend his speech. I passed up the event, in order to let one of my all-star airmen go instead. He came back with an American flag, an ear to ear grin, and one word to describe the event:
Good news is bad news -- [Riding Sun]
Here's a few Japanese-media reports from several news sources about President Bush's meeting yesterday with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi:
Bush sticks to hard line on NK -- (CNN)
U.S. President George W. Bush has maintained his hard line on North Korea, saying there will be no assistance to Pyongyang until it gives up its nuclear weapons and programs.
China brushes off Bush's call for more freedom -- (Reuters)
BEIJING - China deflected a call from U.S. President George W. Bush to embrace democracy and religious freedom, choosing on Thursday to set a positive tone for his impending visit to Beijing.
Sowing Seeds for the Future: Racial Inequality, French Riots, Dependence on Foreign Oil, and Understanding That Real Solutions Take Time -- [Bobby's World]
...the French riots that have rocked the information super-highway over the last few weeks. Obviously, since I've never been to France, I cannot pretend to have any great insights behind what is occurring over there. I know pretty much what everyone else knows-- that violence and rioting exploded in North African/Muslim immigrant neighborhoods throughout France. I have also heard-- as everyone else has-- the seemingly endless number of reasons for why the rioting has occurred. TIME Europe, for example, argues that "thousands of frustrated, angry young men turned out to torch almost anything in sight, fed up with the discrimination, joblessness and poverty blighting their lives."
Tribal Politics -- [Stragey Page]
November 17, 2005: Saudi Arabia has recently become concerned about the security of it’s long and traditionally porous desert frontier with Iraq, across which many Saudis have traveled to seek “martyrdom” in Iraq. The border is essentially a line drawn on a map, not too long ago, by far away governments, and has no relationship to local the local people, who are mostly tribal desert Arabs used to traveling where they will over a swathe of territory that have traditionally controlled – often with force – for centuries.
Abbas: Al-Qaida Not in Gaza, West Bank -- (AP)
TUNIS, Tunisia -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas denied Thursday that al-Qaida cells were operating in Gaza or the West Bank, and he dismissed U.S. and Israeli demands that the militant group Hamas should be barred from running in parliamentary elections....
Italy Arrests 3 Algerian Terror Suspects -- (AP)
ROME -- Authorities have arrested three Algerians believed to have links to an Algerian militant group that has allied itself with Osama bin Laden, police said Thursday....
Europeans Probe Secret CIA Flights -- (Washington Post Foreign Service)...Craig Whitlock
Questions Surround Possible Illegal Transfer of Terrorism Suspects
BERLIN, Nov. 16 -- Several European governments have opened investigations into a fleet of CIA-operated airplanes that have crisscrossed the continent hundreds of times in recent years. The aim is to determine whether U.S. officials secretly used local airports and military bases to transfer terrorism suspects under conditions that violate local and international treaties.
Taking Care of Stateside Troops -- [Holly Aho - a Soldier's Angel]
This the beginning of an idea, and I thought I'd post as I go along so that you can see how as a complete civilian I figure some of this stuff out. I have 2 ideas. The first is to bring treats to troops who are currently stateside at military bases, and the second is to ensure that any soldiers 'stuck' on base at Christmas have a place to go for Christmas dinner (my house).
Fisher House - Helping Vets & Their Families -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
A Fisher House is "a home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 32 Fisher Houses located on 17 military installations and six VA medical centers, and one new house, at the DeBakey VAMC, Houston, Texas is under construction.
Cartoonist Garry Trudeau has pledged to donate all royalties from his new book to Fisher House.
...Also, see the special auction: Doonesbury EBAY Auction Benefits Fisher House, hurry, auction ends November 19.
If I die before you wake- song honoring the troops -- [Current events and news from the right]
I was recently emailed a song written to honor the troops entitled, “If I die before you wake.” It is a “music video,” a simple song with acoustic guitar and vocals. Yet for it’s simplicity, the message is pure, clean, and powerful; those serving overseas are doing so with pride, honor and integrity.
A Lone Voice -- [Open Fire]
...There is one lone voice of sanity and that comes from Democratic Senator, Joe Lieberman. Here is a man who does not let politics get in the way of doing what's right for our national security. Here is a man who is not going to cower when faced by a determined enemy. Here is a man with a vision, who stands by his word and will not succumb to the defeatist attitude taking over the thinking for those left of center.
ABP EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Reynolds to Lead Republican Coup in House -- [Ankle Biting Pundits]
Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.) will lead a palace coup against the present Republican leadership when the House majority regroups in January of 2006 after the Christmas recess, Ankle Biting Pundits has learned. Reynolds, the present Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee is already considered a power player in Washington.
Welcome to my blog! -- [Hoorah the blog]
I am a 24 year old, conservative, Jewish (a rare combination), white male- oh, and I joined the Navy. I've had an interesting political journey. Throughout high school and college, I was what you might call a "South Park Republican"- that is, socially liberal, but strong on national defense, and decidedly un-PC (for more on this maverick political movement, see the excellent book by Brian C. Anderson, aptly titled "South Park Republicans"). But for all intensive purposes, I was non-political. Then, a strange thing happened. I went to a very liberal college (saying "liberal college" is rather redundant, of course), with few developed political opinions of my own, and I came out a stalwart conservative. That ...
NAME THAT NEOCON! -- [AMERICAN CITIZEN SOLDIER - in Iraq]
My liberal critics have demanded a recount of the “manufactured consent” relied upon by the Bush administration to send the country hurtling toward what they saw as hostilities at the speed of sound bite. Regardless of your own political perspective, I invite you to test your historical knowledge of that crucial six-month period from pie in the sky dream to boots on the ground reality by correctly identifying the leading neoconservative ideologues behind the following public statements as they fervently, perhaps recklessly, argued the case for giving tusks to the toothless UN threat of “serious consequences” by pounding the drum for the ouster of Saddam Hussein.
Thus, in the interest of fairness and balance, let’s play:
One Hot Gubernatorial Race -- [Lag in Iraq - in Iraq]
When I started "Lag in Iraq" I made a commitment to myself not to make any posts or comments about politics on the home front so long as I am in the desert. I've been writing for my family, friends and milbloggers and I plan to continue doing so. (Not to mention this helps me keep my sanity in an insane place) After all, it's hard to know exactly what's going on from 7,600 miles away anyway. Today I'm making a rare exception to my self-imposed rule. By the time you finish reading this post, you should know who I plan to vote for in 2006.
The Ohio Vote -- [Balloon Juice]
This is hot off the presses and guaranteed to raise a stink: Online Journal.com reported that the GAO report stated that some of [the] concerns about electronic voting machines have been realized and have caused problems with recent election
Woodward Claim on CIA Leak Disputes Charge -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - Bob Woodward's version of when and where he learned the identity of a CIA operative contradicts a special prosecutor's contention that Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide was the first to make the disclosure to reporters. Attorneys for the aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, described Wednesday's statement by the Washington Post's assistant managing editor as helpful for their defense, although Libby is charged with lying to a grand jury and the FBI, not with disclosing the CIA official's name.
Woodward Apologizes to Post For Silence on Role in Leak Case -- (Washington Post)...Howard Kurtz
Bob Woodward apologized to The Washington Post yesterday for failing to reveal for more than two years that a senior Bush administration official had told him about CIA operative Valerie Plame, even as an investigation of who disclosed her identity mushroomed into a national scandal.
Lies, damned lies, and the... BBC? -- [iNTEL dUMP - J.D. Henderson]
Sadly, the BBC is not reporting the facts accurately, but is "spinning" them like Fox News in an election year. It is sad to see the BBC fall prey to such slanted, deliberately inaccurate coverage.
It is true that "Washington is not a signatory to any treaty restricting the use of white phosphorus against civilians." It is also true that Protocol III of the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons prohibits its use as an incendiary weapon against civilian populations or in air attacks against enemy forces in civilian areas.
It is also true that the US has not signed Protocol III.
So the story is true, right? Wrong.
Nixon Archives Show Bush Lied, Botched Iraq -- [ScrappleFace]
A review of 50,000 pages of previously-classified Nixon administration documents reveals that President George Bush lied to the American people about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction and has no exit strategy from the quagmire in Iraq, according to an unnamed non-partisan official at the National Archives.
Bob Woodward Honored as Mr. Run Amok 2005 -- [ScrappleFace]
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) today announced that it had selected Bob Woodward of The Washington Post as ‘Mr. Run Amok 2005′
To Kuwait -- [words of the webjocky - in Iraq]
I was awarded an Army Commendation Medal today, for “Meritorious Service” in short. I got the certificate, but there doesn’t seem to be any actual medals left in Iraq, so I’ll wait until we get back home for all of that hoo-haa stuff.
Most 278th soldiers now back in the United States -- (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Most of the nearly 4,000 soldiers in a Tennessee National Guard unit have arrived in the United States after spending a year in Iraq, according to military officials.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
Assassination Attempt -Video -- [God Bless America]
From Military.com: Assassination Attempt Watch video footage of an alleged assassination attempt. According to our submitter, this is footage from Baghdad, Iraq.
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
We continue the assault though Husaybah and into to the town of Ubaydi along the Iraqi and Syrian border. Numerous air strikes have been conducted throughout the operation to squelch the insurgent held up in the cities. Tanks and additional armor accompany the Marines through the streets with continuous overhead protection from fast movers and helo platforms. Meanwhile, ...
Their Own Drummer -- [Kevin Sites - journalist in Iraq]
The Iraqi army has some success stories, but problems still exist -- like fighting a full-time insurgency on a part-time schedule
Insurgents fire a mortar from inside Fallujah. It lands near one of the military checkpoints leading into the city, but no one is hurt. Members of an Iraqi army unit think the mortar came from a nearby mosque.
Marines are still living -- and dying -- in Iraq's most unforgiving province -- [Kevin Sites - journalist in Iraq]
November 10 is the U.S. Marine Corps' 230th birthday. And regardless of where they are at the moment, this is how they celebrate: with a cake. The first slice is eaten by the commanding officer, the second by the oldest in the unit, the third by the youngest.
Makin' A Run For The Border... -- [Dan in the Desert - in Iraq]
To get here, I had to fly via Blackhawk from the IZ over to Baghdad International Airport (formerly, Saddam International). From there, I flew down to Kuwait, where I was met by a contact from a company out here.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 -- [Dan Rice in Iraq]
"I'd rather be lucky than good" Getting Hit by an IED April 16, 2005
On Friday we left our base on a four day patrol. Each night we planned to stop and sleep at a different forward operating base. We were heading north towards Kirkuk to visit the business center there. The business center was funded and founded by coalition forces. It is coming along extremely well and is well received by the local Iraqi government and businesses.
Iraq Pictures - Wednesday, November 16, 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq] (pics)
New Russian T-72 tanks belonging to the 1st Tank Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division are lined up in Taji. Seventy tanks recently arrived from Hungary to help strengthen the Iraqi security forces for the upcoming elections. Pic: SPC Charles Gill, U.S. Army
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 -- [Iraqi bounty hunter - in Iraq]
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2005 � Iraqi army soldiers and U.S. Marines, soldiers and sailors with Regimental Combat Team 2 began a new phase of Operation Steel Curtain today by entering the town of Ubaydi.
Ubaydi, located on the banks of the Euphrates River, is only 20 km from the Syrian border, and was the site of Operation Matador in May.
Insurgent fighters have been battling with Iraqi and coalition forces since the operation began at dawn.
Bottom of the 9th and batting .1000 -- [Six more months - in Iraq]
Some people have asked me where the name Mustang 09 comes from. It was my call sign when I was the First Sergeant of an M198 howitzer Battery. I’ve had many calls signs, but that one, for some reason, has always been my favorite. ...
Hits Home Hard!!! -- [Same Ole' Different Day - in Iraq]
...A little background: Most every base has a market that is run by Iraqi's. Most of them sell just basic electronic goods, dvds, and whatever we might need that we can't get at the PX (post exchange). Early in the deployment a good friend introduced me to one of these shop owners named Kevin. Kevin, who had a watch stand, spoke very good english and was very popular among the soldiers. Over the course of the deployment
Pretty emotionally impacting day -- [The Military Vote - in Iraq]
Pretty emotionally impacting day today. I woke up today to face what appeared to be the beginning of another groundhog day. Expecting to have another run-of-the-mill, boring, uneventful day. Boy was I wrong!
A Soldier's Story -- [WORDSMITH AT WAR - in Iraq]
They approach the bag at about 65 miles per hour. He advises the lead vehicle to give it a wide berth. The lead vehicle is past it now. He looks at the bag through the bulletproof window in his door. He watches it blur past him, and become one with the color of the desert.
The world turns orange and black. It’s as if he is inside of a vacuum and time slows down and everything is chaos...
Monday, November 14, 2005 - SSG Paul Farr - in Iraq]
We have done so much in the way of helping the Iraqi people in our AO (area of operation) that was never realized or appreciated by the other soldiers in the Battalion. They just thought we were handing out toys and candy, many still believe that to this day. How ignorant they were at what we were truly doing. I still believe we were the main reason they were able to sleep at night without the sound of constant in-coming or ambushes in our area of operation. Those children walking down the road waving at them wasn’t because the combat patrols were patrolling the area, it was because the Civil Affairs team took time to stop and visit with them, give them school supplies, and treat them like any other kid you see on the street back home, with respect and kindness. We were the ones out interacting with Iraqi people in a positive manner, hiring them to come to work on our base camp, rebuilding schools, erecting power lines, building water sites, and distributing much needed clothing and school supplies.
I watch these so-called military analysts who Monday-morning quarterback the war on FOX News and The Generals who never leave their secure areas in Baghdad voice how this is a complex war.
Missle Pictures - [While Away - in Iraq]
The above pictures are from the other day when the missles came in. The top two depict the one that was closest to us. It hit the trees and ended up buried in the sand. The bottom two were close ...
re: Iraq -- [The World From 1250 Feet AGL. - in Qatar]
First, Iraq is a sovereign nation. They could tell us to get lost, and what could we really say? "Uhhh, k." I feel that it would be an ill-advised move to have coalition troops out of Iraq within one year of now, but then again, I am not the President of anything - except the Camp As Sayliyah Cory Feldman fan club. So what Iraq, and it's leaders, must consider is the consequences of such a request. Regardless of what news outlet you subscribe to, be it blogs or MSM or whatever, I think it is reasonable to say that Iraq is making progress - but, honestly, is far from being completely self-sufficient and totally self-reliant. Such a request is possible and I would think that, if the Iraqis were truly serious, the American Government would honor it or at least entertain it.
Iraq: Resistance Ready to Talk - But Only with the US -- ( RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY)
Quote:
The self-described spokesperson for the Iraqi resistance, Ayham al-Samarra'i, told reporters in Baghdad over on 12 November that seven Iraqi resistance groups are ready to enter into dialogue with the United States in a bid to end the violence in Iraq. But resistance groups will not enter into talks with the Iraqi government, which has labeled them terrorist groups, he said. Al-Samarra'i is the head of the Independent Iraqis Grouping, and served as electricity minister in the interim government.
US used white phosphorus in Iraq -- (BBC)
The Pentagon has confirmed that US troops used white phosphorus during last year's offensive in the northern Iraqi city of Falluja.
"It was used as an incendiary weapon against enemy combatants," spokesman Lt Col Barry Venable told the BBC.
Col Venable denied that the substance - which can cause burning of the flesh - constituted a banned chemical weapon.
Early this month, Italian state TV, Rai, said white phosphorus had been used against civilians in Falluja.
Iraqis Tortured Detainees -- (Military.com)...AP
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi and U.S. officials disclosed Tuesday that more than 170 malnourished Iraqi detainees had been found in a weekend raid at an Interior Ministry detention center and that some appeared to have been tortured.
173 prisoners found beaten and starved in Iraq government bunker -- (The Guardian)
The Iraqi government has begun an investigation into the alleged abuse of more than 170 prisoners who were found locked in an interior ministry bunker in Baghdad, many of them beaten and malnourished and some apparently brutally tortured.
US troops who were searching for a missing teenage boy
GOP Blocks Dems on Iraq Pullout -- (Military.com)
The Senate rejected a Democratic call for a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq but urged President Bush to outline his plan for the successful completion of the mission.
Bush Risks Alienating GOP Over Iraq War -- (AP)
WASHINGTON-- President Bush's efforts to paint Democrats as hypocrites for criticizing the Iraq war after they once warned that Saddam Hussein was a grave threat could backfire on Republicans....
SAUDI ARABIA: PLANES TO PATROL IRAQI BORDER -- (AKI)
Riyadh, 15 Nov. - Saudi Arabia is to use planes to patrol its border with Iraq. Plans are currently underway to start up military flights to protect the kingdom's northern borders on a permanent basis, said Major General Ali al-Anazi from the Borders Guards Command. "The strategy of approving this step is in its final stages," he was quoted as saying by Emirates newspaper Gulf News.
Our Identity: Unmasking Afghanistan's Glorious History -- [Afghan Reality - an Afghani in Afghanistan]
The international media, with very few exceptions, has failed to genuinely report on the realities of life in Afghanistan. This media bias coupled with the political and economic interests of many external states in promoting the "news that sells" has contributed to a potential decay of the global appreciation of Afghanistan's cultural heritage and proud history.
In other words, ...
Creating Officers in Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page]
November 15, 2005: One of the most critical problems in developing effective military and security forces in Afghanistan has been that of providing properly trained and professional officers. At present, most of the officers in the army and national police are a mixed bag of mujahadeen veterans, younger sons of tribal leaders, and even a few leftovers from the pro-Soviet Afghan forces from the ‘80s.
Suicide Car Bomber Kills Three Afghans -- (AP)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- A suicide bomber rammed a car laden with explosives into a convoy carrying Westerners in the main southern city of Kandahar on Wednesday, killing three Afghan civilians and wounding four others, officials said....
President Bush to Arrive in Korea Soon for APEC Meeting -- [GI Korea Blog - in S Korea]
President Bush will be arriving in Korea shortly to attend the APEC meeting in Pusan. USA Today has a run down of his Asian trip itinerary. The paper believes President Bush may run into protests similar to his South American trip:
Commando -- [Desert Odyssey - in Qatar]
One of the more frustrating facts of life around here is the availability of the common bathroom. The nearest one to my desk at work is a 5 minute walk away, outside and across the street. The nearest one to my room is about 200 yards outside the front door of the trailer that I and 35 of my closest friends call home at this point. It can create for interesting ways to avoid the walk, but they tend to be pretty gross. So…I try to suck it up and do the walk of shame at 2am when I need to.
I’m Baaaaaaaack! -- So Far from Home - in Kosovo]
I’m Baaaaaaaack! Sofia, Bulgaria was a great time. It gave me time to relax and turn back into a “real person”. I had forgotten how many freedoms I don’t have here. Just wearing something other than a uniform with a weapon was awesome, great, fabulous, etc!
SRI LANKA: MUSLIMS 'CRUCIAL' TO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS -- (AKI)
Rome, 15 Nov. - The minority Muslim population in eastern Sri Lanka will have a "crucial impact" on the outcome of Thursday's presidential elections, according the Rohan Edrisinha of the Centre for Policy Alternatives in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.
Steven Emerson: Arrested woman bomber a "treasure trove of intelligence" -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Steven Emerson on NBC's "Today Show" this morning and later on MSNBC (links to videos): "(W)e are seeing a rise in the last five years- basically a two to three hundred percent rise- in the number of suicide bombers that are female..." Islamic clerics are issuing fatwas asking women to participate, and more are being actively recruited. One-third of Chechnyan bombers have been female, women have a higher success rate because it's more difficult to inspect their clothing,
USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Looks Likely -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Sixteen provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (technically an acronym for the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism") expire at the end of 2005, and the reauthorization process appears to be grinding forward. The latest proposal includes a limit of seven years for most of the controversial provisions, longer than the four years suggested by a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House last week, but still shorter than the 10 years proposed by the Administration.
Jordan Releases Details on Would-Be Bomber -- (AP)
AMMAN, Jordan -- The would-be Iraqi woman suicide bomber in the Jordan hotel attacks wasn't arrested in Amman, as officials previously said, but the northeastern city of Salt, where she sought help from "relatives," the prime minister said Wednesday....
On A Soldier's Mind As Christmas Comes -- [Holly Aho - a Soldier's Angel]
Christmas is coming, and for many of our troops, a holiday spent away from family and friends. While organizations like Soldiers Angels and Operation Ensuring Christmas (along with many, many others) are working hard to ensure our deployed troops and their families have a happy holiday season, they aren't the only ones with a plan.
Veteran's Day Support Activities at Walter Reed -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany- in Germany]
The "MOAB", mother of all banners.
Each Friday evening a group of FreeRepublic readers and other patriots gathers in front of Walter Reed to show support for our recovering heroes. They have been doing this for months to counteract the demonstration of radical Code Pink protesters.
A big Hooah for.... postal clerks -- [Soldiers' Angels New York]
Everybody who has ever sent packages to military addresses has a less than complementary story about postal clerks. But here are a couple of stories from angels.
The first one is from angel Janet, whose clerk went from being "the one to be avoided", to a supporter.
Trying to Help -- [Miserable Donuts]
The Army has an information and counseling central "clearinghouse" so to speak. You can also call 1-800-464-8107, 24/7/365. The old stigma about using things like this has eroded the last few years. Reality is, many of us need (or needed) something like this - so ...
Politics by other means -- [Neptunus Lex]
This is new: The President dared to defend his presentation of pre-war intelligence and call out those who would, for political advantage, twist the facts and history of events leading up to the war in Iraq. I say for political advantage, because no serious politician on either side of the aisle is currently agitating for a “cut and run” style of withdrawal and even though the President himself is not up for re-election next year. Put another way, even conceding arguendo that pre-war intelligence was in some way improperly cherry-picked so as to hoodwink credulous politicians in the legislature, no one in a position of authority would now agitate for immediate withdrawal – the attitude remains one of, “We broke it, now we have to fix it.”
Stop The ACLU Interviews Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit) -- [Stop the ACLU]
Many of you may remember our reaction to Glenn Reynold’s sympathy for the ACLU. We received a lot of flak for this reaction, and suprisingly a lot of praise. However, many commented on my close mindedness of other views. While his views were differing, one of the main reasons I reacted the way I did was because he provided no means to debate him.
Senate Republicans Pushing for a Plan on Ending the War in Iraq -- [There and Back Again - in Iraq]
Very interesting article from the New York Times about the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and the ending of the war in Iraq.
This article excites me yet worries me. It excites me because I look at it as this could be the last time I have to come over here and I will have the opportunity to stay at home and enjoy life for awhile. On the other hand, this worries me. If troops pull out and we have not completely crushed the backbone of the insurgency then I am afraid that in 10 or 15 years we will be back over here doing this all over again.
"Hitting the opponent in the fist with your mouth..." -- [Argghhh!]
Hugh Hewitt has the latest on the breaking of our will by the forces of Islamofacism. ...and I thought the Democrats were the problem...
Rice: N. Korea Nuclear Intentions Unclear -- (AP)
BUSAN, South Korea -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says North Korea has not followed through on promises to drop its nuclear weapons program and needs to bring "a different attitude" to the next round of international talks....
White House Backs Dividing Appeals Court -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department is backing efforts by congressional Republicans to split up the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the nation's largest federal appeals court and the frequent source of anti-Bush administration rulings....
GOP Likes Chafee As Best Chance in R.I. -- (AP)
WARWICK, R.I. -- Liberal Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee refused to support President Bush in the last election, opposed the GOP tax cuts and was the only Republican to vote against the use of military force in Iraq, a war he has likened to Vietnam....
Esquire: Clinton is world's "most influential man" -- (Reuters)
NEW YORK - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is "The Most Influential Man in the World," according to Esquire magazine.
The magazine has designated him as "the most powerful agent of change in the world" despite his lack of electoral standing and the fact he was laid low by a heart attack ahead of last year's presidential election.
The rise and fall (and rise again) of Willy Pete (UPDATED) -- [Protien Wisdom]
The Daily Ablution’s Scott Burgess takes on the Guardian‘s George Monbiot, who seems determined to make the the White Phosphorus chemical weapon canard stick. And why shouldn’t he, truth be told? After all, the ingredients are there for a successful agitprop campaign: a readership at once self-satisfied and credulous; a columnist with a clear ideological agenda and no fealty to local truths—particularly when his own larger truths can benefit from a few conveniently proferred pieces of disinformation; and a newspaper who doesn’t feel ...
Setting the Record Straight: The New York Times Editorial on Pre-War Intelligence -- [The White House]
The New York Times Editorial Says Foreign Intelligence Services Did Not Support American Intelligence. "Foreign intelligence services did not have full access to American intelligence. But some had dissenting opinions that were ignored or not shown to top American officials." (Editorial, "Decoding Mr. Bush's Denials," The New York Times, 11/15/05)
MUST SEE VIDEO and those with FireFox can view it here (HT: Instapundit)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY -- Greg Notes - in Iraq]
Two years we’ve been together, and
We’re very much in love.
Of course we have our differences,
But none we can’t rise above.
Please bear with me -- [Across the Pond - in Iraq]
Since I have some down time, I am changing my template but I cant seem to find one I like or that will fit what I had on my old boring one. Truly, I would like one that is US Military themed whether it be with camoflauge or with a soldier on it. If anyone knows of a site that has one that Blogger would support, please leave me the site. Or if you can create one and are willing to help a soldier deployed out, please leave a comment. I dont care if I have to pay for it or not. So as of right now, my site is under construction. Thank You.
They Say Blogging is Contagious -- [Lag in Iraq - in Iraq]
A couple of friends I have over here in the "sandbox" recently have begun their own blogs as well. Same Ole' Different Day is written by Sergeant Will Whitley. I don't know what all he will write about, but the title of his blog actually describes my experience in the desert rather well. The Military Vote is also a promising blog from the point of view of Specialist David Macdonnell. I'm sure many of you will enjoy their posts in the future.
CNN Poll: Bush Popularity May Slip Below CNN’s -- [ScrappleFace]
(2005-11-15) — White House officials are reportedly ‘deeply troubled’ by the latest CNN poll which shows that President George Bush is less popular than ever during his presidency, and if the downward trend continues at the current pace, by 2008 Mr. Bush could become as unpopular as CNN’s primetime lineup
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
Hit the wrong @#$&* button, I really need to start doing periodic saves.
All I can do is toss you a few crumbs.
Read Michael Yons latest, superb as usual.
Iraq Pictures Blog has great pics of Operation Steel Curtain and Bill Roggio has some great details.
Irag the Model celebrates their 2nd blogoversary.
The Flying Swede gives us and update in Afghanistan with lots of pics.
Hammorabi, an Iraqi in Iraq, thinks Jordan and the double standard about terrorism.
Go visit the Strategy Page, There's all kinds of good stuff there.
Ma Duece Gunner if finally home and has a few words for the anit- war folks
Be sure to go visit Neptunus Lex, cause he makes any subject interesting.
And whats up with the Republicans lately?
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 restaurant bomb kills dozens -- -- [Salem Pax - an Iraqi in Iraq]
Around 30 people having breakfast there were killed and about 50 injured. That was Kaduri’s. If you are person who likes BIG Iraqi breakfasts then that’s your place. While G and I were working for the NY Times we used to joke that the best way to put western media in Iraq out of action is to attack Kaduri’s. Every morning drivers, interpreters and fixers for many of the media organizations staying at the Palestine or Sheraton Hotels in Baghdad would be there. It was always like this, very busy. Kaduri’s morning shift ends around 11 because he opens very early.
KEEPING STRONG -- [Ones Marine's View - in Iraq]
...The above isn’t about the warriors here in Iraq, it’s a recommendation for you. You are the target. The enemy is being beaten here in Iraq and Afghanistan and they know they cant beat us and their own comrades are turning against one another. Ones that try to fight us die trying and are disappointed that there are no virgins waiting for them because they all went to America to the Marine base instead! Operation Steel Curtain has put the insurgents in a severe hurt locker and now has begun to wind down.
Marines try finesse, not just firepower, in efforts to map the insurgency -- [Kevin sites - journalist in Iraq]
After just two months in Iraq, Staff Sgt. German Alica has picked up enough Arabic to make small talk with the locals. It comes in handy on days like today.
While he chats with an Iraqi man, members of his platoon notify him in his radio earphone that they have just found a site for a mortar tube in the man's house.
... As the Marines move through the town, an imam from a local mosque uses loudspeakers to warn the townspeople the Marines are coming, telling them they must continue to resist the occupation. "We can never live in peace," his voice echoes from the mosque minaret, "while the occupiers are in our midst."
Freedom Fighting or Terror Attacks -- [An Average Iraqi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
There is a big difference between the two terms. Although many people in Iraq fail to realize the two terms, but there is a big difference. Freedom Fighting does not hurt Iraqis; it should only be against occupying forces. This has almost stopped now. Most if not all the recent attacks I see or hear about are always killing a lot more Iraqis than Americans. Although at this point, I do not see how any can benefit Iraq.
INCOMING! -- [While Away]
We had a little scare today. Several of our coworkers raced inside our compound instructing immediate U3 Protection. They had been returning from lunch when a couple rockets zoomed past overhead. Moments later, military personnel guided everyone to a designated area of the building and requested that sector leads account for all employees. Everyone huddled together waiting for an "All Clear" with a voice from a walki-talki confirming the incoming rockets in the background.
FAQ's to an OIF Soldier -- [Lag in Iraq - in Iraq]
Not too long ago I received some letters from some elementary children in Texas. The letters were great! I think the best part for me was actually the laughs I got from some of the questions they asked about Iraq. We soldiers also get asked all sorts of questions from adults. I have realized that military life really is a mystery to many people so I'm going to answer some of my frequently asked questions from both adults and kids. Hope you enjoy...
...How "bad" is it/should we be there? This is what I get asked the most and I always find this question interesting. Why? Because the person back home wants me to give a particular anwer that agrees with what they have already concluded on their own. They don't care what I really think, unless I agree with them. Conservatives ask this question ...
Why We Fight -- [Counter Column]
Senator McCain makes the case better than the Administration does:
"When America toppled Saddam, we incurred a moral duty not to abandon the people there to terrorists and killers. If we withdraw prematurely, risking all-out civil war, we will have done precisely that. I can hardly imagine that any U.S. senator or any American leader would want our nation to suffer that moral stain.
Open Ended -- [Sisyphus Today... - in Iraq]
Getting on the Chinook was, as usual, a quick and orderly process. The key to it all is giving up any and all personal attachment to your luggage. We walked up to the rear gate of the copter in single file. I had more than the usual amount of gear since I was once again transporting equipment to northern Iraq. Luckily I was last in line; my equipment would be near me and I sat at the end of the row. This allowed me not to be rubbing thighs in a soldier sandwich, small consolations. The best part was that I sat next to the tail gunner and an open rear gate.
Not your mother’s war -- [The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/blog - journalist in Iraq]
Baghdad, Iraq — It was past the midnight curfew imposed around the Iraqi capital. The roads were dark and empty, except for U.S. military convoys taking advantage of rolling in the vacuum.
Capt. Josie Hobbs, commander of the 248th Military Intelligence Company, 48th Brigade Combat Team, wades through a murky canal near Yusufiyah, Iraq. Hobbs is the only female company commander in the 48th.
From the gunner’s turret in the trail vehicle, Spc. Gitanja Williams could see the approach into Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah. Behind her, she could see a suspicious car, out in violation of the curfew. It was heading toward her convoy of supply trucks.
Her heart pounded. Adrenaline pumped.
My son took part in this accomplishment by US Marine Regimental Combat Team 8 in Iraq: -- [One hand Clapping - Donald Sensin - Blue Star Dad]
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division partnered with the U.S. Marines from Regimental Combat Team – 8, discovered a weapons cache and detained six terrorists during cordon and search operations in northeast Fallujah
Sunday, November 13, 2005 -- [Iraqi bounty hunter]
ALI BASE, Iraq - The blades of the UH-60 Blackhawk were just about to beat the air into submission as four Airmen rushed toward it with 200 pounds of specialized extrication equipment Nov. 1.
The call for help was made just 300 seconds earlier; the fire station is almost a mile from the helipad; darkness had fallen three hours before and each had to grab battle rattle, a weapon and ammunition.
It wasn't a drill this time. Two trucks were involved in a near head-on collision ten minutes by air from the base and one of the drivers was trapped.
When all is right -- [Salemonz News Service]
...And so it goes, for hour after unending hour. Three colors exist in our world: green, amber and red. Green, of course, means all is good with whatever line on a chart means whatever. Amber means all sorts of things that fall short of green–working on it, en route, almost done, etc. People in charge get all bent out of shape since amber is not quite green. Green is good.
Then there’s red. Red means bad...
FRESH IRAQI DATES -- [2005 Tour of Duty - in Iraq]
This is the end of the date harvest season in Iraq. The dates are placed in plastic bags and put in a storage warehouse until sold. These dates are very sweet to the taste. There are over 600 varieties of dates in Iraq and at one time Iraq led the world in date production.
A Journey to Iraq, One Week and Counting -- [The Fourth Rail - Bill Roggio]
(This post will remain at the top of the page for several days. Scroll down for updates.)
I will be leaving for Iraq one week from today. I am grateful for kind words and the assistance I have received from all of you, so much so that words cannot communicate my gratitude.
Britain says troops may start leaving Iraq in 2006 -- (Reuters)
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain could start pulling its soldiers out of Iraq next year if local forces are strong enough to keep the peace, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Monday.
Saddam Trial to Stay in Iraq -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Saddam Hussein's trial will resume on schedule despite the slaying of two defense lawyers and the threat by others to boycott the proceedings over an alleged lack of security, a senior Iraqi judicial official said Sunday....
Bush Didn't Mislead on War, Adviser Says -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- While admitting "we were wrong" about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, President Bush's national security adviser on Sunday rejected assertions that the president manipulated intelligence and misled the American people....
Iraqi Official Says Syria Exporting Terror -- (AP)
AMMAN, Jordan -- Iraq's defense minister criticized Syria for letting militants train on Syrian soil and warned Sunday that an escalation of violence in Iraq will spill over into neighboring countries....
U.S. Official Defends Pace Of Iraqi Reconstruction -- (New York Times)...Sabrina Tavernise
The American official in charge of reconstruction in Iraq went on the offensive Sunday in response to skeptical questions from Iraqi journalists, saying that American-financed projects here are moving forward but that officials have not publicized them to avoid putting Iraqi workers at risk.
Marines Trying To Keep Iraqi Town Secure After Assault -- (Mideast Stars and Stripes)...Andrew Tilghman
Driving through the marketplace, Sgt. Scott Wood saw many signs of daily life returning to the city center: children playing in the streets, men squatting near shops — and al-Qaida in Iraq propaganda hanging on a wall.
U.S. Casts Doubt on Saddam Deputy's Death -- (ABC News) ...AP
BAGHDAD, Iraq Nov 13, 2005 — U.S. troops will continue to search for Saddam Hussein's chief deputy, the U.S. command said Sunday, casting doubt on an online claim that the suspected architect of the Iraqi insurgency had died.
Roberts: Iraq Will Affect Future War Votes -- (Washington Post)...Walter Pincus
The Republican chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said yesterday that one lesson of the faulty prewar intelligence on Iraq is that senators would take a hard look at intelligence before voting to go to war.
Afghan Army and DEDIA -- [Afghan Lord - an Afghani in Afghanistan]
For the first time 40 afghan army officer trained as in charge of Media in Army.
For the first time 40 Afghan army officers trained from of all army bases in the country to take a new responsibility in Media arena.
The officers of defense ministry have passed a 16 days training which held by American trainer and ended at 28th august 2005 at the Kabul Military Training Center.
AFGHANISTAN: AT LEAST THREE DEAD IN SECOND KABUL ATTACK -- (AKI)
Kabul, 14 Nov. - A second car bomb attack has been reported in the Afghan capital Kabul, just one hour after a suspected suicide attack killed a NATO peacekeeper and the bomber. Reports say one person was killed in the second blast, although this has not been confirmed. Both attacks occurred in the eastern part of the city on a main road that links the capital to the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad. A third attack is reported to have been foiled.
Ex-Afghan president accuses Pakistan of supporting Taliban -- (China Daily)
The head of Afghanistan's reconciliation commission accused forces in Pakistan of propping up a deadly insurgency being waged in the name of loyalists of the Taliban government ousted four years ago.
Catching Up -- [Way Down In Kosovo]
...The following day we went back to Klokott to help he little girl. Our Serbian interpreter, Dada was really furious with the people in this village because of all the filth. I think Dada was really angry with the Serbian government in Belgrade, because they encourage the Serbs here to not participate in building Kosovo side by side with the Albanians here.
France to extend anti-riot powers by 3 months -- (Reuters)
PARIS - The French cabinet agreed to ask parliament for a 3-month extension to emergency powers and President Jacques Chirac prepared to address the nation on Monday over the worst urban violence in 40 years.
Military Pact Official: U.S. Bases A Concern -- (Chicago Tribune)...Tribune news services
The Russian head of a military pact said Friday that the U.S. and NATO bases around Russia were a potential threat to the country, but Moscow has no immediate plans to build up its military presence in Central Asia.
Uzbek crackdown reaches into Russia -- (Tribune foreign correspondent)
After their brutal suppression of an uprising in Andijan in May that left hundreds of unarmed demonstrators dead, Uzbek authorities began jailing scores of Uzbeks in what human-rights activists called an indiscriminate manhunt for anyone who questioned...
Iraqi "bomber wife" captured in Jordan -- [Media Lies]
Turns out the Iraqi husband-wife couple that murdered the people at the wedding party was only half successful. The wife's belt didn't go off, and she is now in Jordanian custody.
A big victory in The War On Terror -- [Austin Bay Blog]
And an information victory at that. Today Jordan put a captured would be suicide terrorist on tv. (Link is to an AP report.) Why is this a victory? Because the harsh evil of Al Qaeda is front and center in Sunni Arab media.
Monday's Winds of War: 14 Nov 2005 -- [Winds of Change]
Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday...
Paying Attention Now, Are We? -- [Chapomatic]
Oh No! It's Suddenly A Crisis! We..Must&Be&UPSET! Someone emailed me this link from the formerly more temperate Commissar. He's upset because of pirate activity off the Horn of Africa. I don't know why he's ...
Time discovers modern piracy here. Just a few comments on a first read: -- [Eagle Speak]
(1) Fact confusion- While asserting that the worst area for modern piracy remains the Strait of Malacca, the actual trend line seems to be heading down in that area since the littoral states have begun to act in concert to clean up the mess.
Queen Of England Is An ‘Enemy Of Islam’ -- [Eurphoric Reality]
Al-Qaeda has targeted the Queen of England as “one of the severest enemies of Islam”. How old is the Queen anyways - 105?? And that little old lady terrifies al-Qaeda?
U.S. Had Iraqi With Same Name As Bomber -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - American forces detained and later released an Iraqi with the same name as one of the suicide attackers who struck three hotels in Amman, Jordan, last week, the U.S. military said Monday. Jordanian authorities said Safaa Mohammed Ali, 23, was among the suicide attackers who struck last Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt, SAS Radisson and Day's Inn hotels, killing at least 57 people.
JORDAN: LEGITIMACY OF AMMAN ATTACKS QUESTIONED -- (AKI)
Rome, 14 Nov. - The legitimacy of last week's triple hotel bombing in the Jordanian capital Amman, has been questioned on various Islamic Internet forums, and condemned in a fatwa issued by a fundamentalist sheikh. The al-Qaeda in Iraq terror group, which claimed responsibility for the attacks, broke with tradition...
AUSTRALIA: NUCLEAR REACTOR BELIEVED TARGET -- (AKI)
Sydney, 14 Nov. - Police in Australia say the group of terror suspects arrested last week in Sydney and Melbourne is thought to have been planning a possible attack on a nuclear reactor. It has emerged that three of the eighteen arrested were detained last year near Australia's only nuclear reactor, the Lucas Heights reactor in New South Wales, which is used for research and medical purposes rather than for generating electricity.
Pringle: Bin Laden Sitting In A Cave Laughing -- (Scoop)
Monday, 14 November 2005, 1:32 pm | Opinion: Evelyn Pringle Bin Laden Sitting In A Cave Laughing | By | The war in Iraq is a miserable failure, any way you look at it. Retired General Anthony Zinni,
Soldier's Angels -- [Major K - in Iraq]
I received this e-mail from a Soldier's Angel and am happy to help such a great organization get the word out by posting it.
Angel living among us! -- [Soldier's Angels in Germany]
We are glad to hear good news from our wounded hero Matthew Braddock!
Here read this update and his story!
And watch his video.
I Love the smell of Willie Pete in the morning!... - [Argghhh!]
Robert Duval's delivery in a variation on that theme will always stick in my mind. The latest kerfuffle over white phosphorous as a "chemical weapon"; left virtually every career combat arms vet rolling his eyes, I'm thinkin'. It triggered in...
Michigan Dad Loses 230 Pounds to Enlist in Army -- {DefenseLINK}
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Nov. 4, 2005 – When a recruiter stopped by to talk to his son, Roderick Evans was the one sold on the military. The Detroit home health care specialist had a passion for helping others and a desire to make a difference.
Democrats 2006: Next Verse, Same as the First -- [Swanky Conservative]
Two examples of the 2006 state of the Democratic Party. Up first, former vice-president and 2000 Democratic Party candidate for President, Al Gore, on terrorism: I don't want to diminish the threat of terrorism at all, it is extremely
HOWARD THE DUCK: DEAN DODGES NBC APPEARANCE WITH REPUBLICAN -- [Drudge]
Dem Chair Dean Ducks Last Second Joint MEET THE PRESS Appearance With GOP Chair Mehlman
The DRUDGE REPORT has learned from exclusive sources that Democrat Party Chair Howard Dean turned down Republican Party Chair Ken Mehlman’s last minute offer to appear together on NBC’s MEET THE PRESS this morning.
Bush looks to lift image on Asian tour -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON - Beset with woes at home, U.S. President George W. Bush looks to boost his image on the world stage this week on a trip to Asia expected to focus on festering issues like North Korea, trade and bird flu.
Ethics panel clears senator in 9/11 leak probe -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON - The Senate Ethics Committee has dropped its investigation of Sen. Richard Shelby regarding allegations he was the source of a media leak about how the National Security Agency handled messages before the September 11 attacks.
Democrats urged to keep option of blocking Alito -- (Reuters)
WASHINGTON - Despite early signals to the contrary, U.S. Senate Democrats must keep open the option of blocking a confirmation vote on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, Democratic Party leader Howard Dean said on Sunday
Analysis: Bush Slump May Hobble World Role -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- President Bush's slumping popularity at home may be taking a toll on his ability to exert influence overseas....
Colleges Make Presidents Millionaires -- (AP)
Curious where those extra tuition dollars are going? One place to look would be the pockets of college presidents....
Republican Lawmaker Says America Can't Be Seen As Supporting Torture -- (Houston Chronicle)...Associated Press
Sen. John McCain said Sunday that America's image abroad could be ruined if Congress doesn't ban the torture of prisoners in U.S. custody.
Rifle-shot statism -- [TigerHawk]
If you ever wonder whether there's a limit to the statism of the editors of the New York Times, look no further than today's editorial on home heating oil prices. Iowa's hayseedish but smarter Senator, Chuck Grassley, has apparently suggested that oil companies donated 10% of their third quarter profits to helping poor people cope with high home heating fuel prices this winter. Grassley, whose constituents have to fend off a lot of cold weather in the typical winter (and who -- on average -- grossly overheat their houses, I might add), can be forgiven a little Big Oil bashing. But here's what the Editors had to say about it:
Firm Helps U.S. Mold News Abroad -- (Chicago Tribune)...Stephen J. Hedges
In an effort to fight what it sees as an insidious propaganda war waged by terrorists, from incendiary Web sites to one-sided television images of the Iraq war, the Pentagon has been quietly waging its own information battle throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.
The Funeral of SPC Tommy Byrd -- [Soldier's Mom]
...As the coffin begins to lower, all the assembled military snap to attention and hold a salute. Mykel, Julie, Michael and Michael, Jr. step forward to place roses on the lid of the casket, followed by distraught friends before they lower the burial stone. Mykel sobs out her husband’s name one last time and she kisses her fingertips and reaches to plant the kiss on the coffin lid. Noah pulls his prized Combat Infantry Badge from his uniform chest and places it gently on his friend’s casket and recites softly the four lines of the St. Crispin’s Day speech from “Henry V” that names them forever members of the Band of Brothers before he returns to attention and holds his final salute to his fallen friend.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
Sunday is Mrs G's day off from the Dawn Patrol, but it's no slow news day. Here's a quick roundup of the latest.
The New York Times reports that the death of Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, the last of Saddam Hussein's inner circle still at large in Iraq, has been confirmed
:"On the blessed soil of Iraq, the soul of our comrade in struggle, and field commander of the heroic resistance, Izzat Ibrahim, passed away to his creator at dawn yesterday," the posting said. The Web site, which is considered an authentic voice of the Baathist underground, gave no cause of death, though Mr. Ibrahim was known to have had leukemia since the late 1990's.Regardless of whatever "effect Mr. Ibrahim's death would have on the insurgency", The Los Angeles Times says that some insurgents want "a deal":American officials would not immediately speculate on the effect Mr. Ibrahim's death would have on the insurgency.
<...>
For many Iraqis, Mr. Ibrahim, 63, a former interior minister and vice chairman of the Baath Party's ruling council, was the embodiment of the brutality that characterized many of Mr. Hussein's closest associates.He was widely feared and despised by the public, on a par with Mr. Hussein's two sons, killed by American troops in 2003, and Ali Hassan al-Majid, the man known as Chemical Ali, who is in American military custody with Mr. Hussein and dozens of other former top Baathist officials.
BAGHDAD — Some Sunni Arab insurgent groups linked to Saddam Hussein's Baath Party are putting out feelers for a negotiated end of fighting in exchange for a timetable for a U.S. pullout from Iraq, a former government minister asserted Saturday, amid fresh signs that upcoming elections have altered the country's political climate.Deal or not, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is cautiously optimistic on the pullout of coalition forces:
In a TV interview to be broadcast in Britain today, Talabani said no Iraqis wanted foreign troops to remain indefinitely in their country, adding that homegrown troops should be ready to take over from British forces in the southern provinces around Basra by the end of next year.Meanwhile the Washington Post notes that the security in Iraq has improved to the point where even UN officials are no longer afraid to venture into the country:But he warned that an immediate withdrawal of U.S.-led forces would be a catastrophe for Iraq and would lead to civil war, with harmful consequences for the whole Middle East.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan visited Iraq on Saturday for the first time since the U.S.-led invasion more than 2 1/2 years ago -- a war he had condemned as illegal -- and called for reconciliation among political factions vying for the country's leadership.Annan's visit followed that of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who's next stop is Jordan:
Condoleezza Rice, the United States secretary of state, is to make an unscheduled visit to Jordan tomorrow, in a highly visible show of support for one of America's leading Arab allies after last week's terrorist bombings in Amman.That al-Qaeda attack has led to a call for Jihad
King Abdullah II called for a global fight against terrorism yesterday as Jordan acknowledged for the first time that al Qaeda in Iraq used foreign suicide bombers to attack Amman hotels, killing 57.The terrorists, meanwhile, continue to find innovative ways to win converts to their cause. The London Sunday Times:The devastating strike was masterminded by Jordanian-born militant Abu Musab Zarqawi, signaling his group is able to launch terror attacks outside war-ravaged Iraq.
King Abdullah called Zarqawi a growing threat to the Middle East and put the international community on notice that it must cooperate to fight terrorists.
"Terrorism is a sick and cross-border phenomenon. Therefore, eradicating it is the whole world's responsibility," he told the state-run Petra news agency. "The body parts we saw in Amman we see every day in brotherly Iraq and have also seen in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and other countries around the world."
CHILDREN orphaned by the Kashmir earthquake are being “adopted” by terrorist groups that hope to train them to fight in the jihad, or holy war...Pakistan’s leading human rights organisation, the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, said jihadi groups fighting the Indian government were taking orphans off the streets and putting them in training camps.
<...>
“We have heard from very reliable sources and seen with our own eyes that orphaned and lost children are being taken by jihadi organisations in northern Pakistan to be trained,” said Fahad Burney, of the trust.Jamaat-ud Dawa, one of the largest jihadi groups in Pakistan, has called openly for orphans to be handed over for an “Islamic education”.
Pakistan moved quickly following the quake to ban adoptions after aid agencies warned of child trafficking.
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.)
WELL, THE HATEMAIL HAS POURED IN... [Instapundit]
... after my earlier post on Bush's speech. For the record, though, I didn't say (and don't think) that anyone who opposes the war is unpatriotic. (In fact, only antiwar people seem to keep raising this strawman). But the Democratic politicans who are pushing the "Bush Lied" meme are, I think, playing politics with the war in a way that is, in fact, unpatriotic. Having voted for the war, they now want to cozy up to the increasingly powerful MoveOn crowd, which is immensely antiwar. The "Bush Lied" meme is their way of getting cover.
One more for 21st Century History -- [Across the Pond - in Iraq]
...Being a soldier currently deployed over here, I do get to see truly what goes on over here, at least in my area, and I do get to see and interact occasionally with the citizens of this nation. The views of these people and what I see over here never seem to match what the media puts out. It always seems askewed somehow. It is as though we live in a world that thrives off of what is wrong in this world and the evil-doers who carry out these tasks. It is a sad world that we have come to live in, where Good History is made and it goes practically unnoticed.
A-rabs, Thanatopsis, and Veterans Day -- [From My Position... On the way! - Recovering soldier at Walter Reed]
Yesterday I had the distinct honor of learning exactly what animals in any zoo feel like every day. As I lay in my bed here at Walter wonderful, my wife by my side, I watched as a pack of Arabs went walking by. Now, they weren't wearing their man-dresses, they dressed Western, which meant that they were dressed in business suits. Very well-made business suits at that. After they walked by my room, I went out in the hall the talked to the MP and DC cop who escorted them. I asked who they were, and the reply given instantly made my blood boil.
I was told that it was the Iraqi Deputy prime minister and his entourage.
Iraq Pictures Saturday, November 12, 2005 -- [Iraq Pictures]
U.S. Army Specialist Ryan Crabtree of the 172 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Alpha Company, creates rapport with local shop owners while conducting a patrol in Mosul. Pic: Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr., USAF
CIA: Saddam an American Ally -- [Open Fire]
Please read the following quote:
"Without a doubt, in the war against al Qaeda, Saddam Hussein was one of our best allies. " -- Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA's bin Laden unit.
This is priceless. A former CIA employee who was in charge of the "bin Laden Unit" during the Clinton administration is claiming Saddam Hussein was one of our best allies when it comes to Al Qaeda. He said this on Hardball with Chris Mathews just this week.
Ramadi Revisited; Cracks in Jihad -- [The Fourth Rail - Bill Roggio]
The city of Ramadi begins to take center stage as one of the last refuges of the insurgency along the Euphrates River Valley as Coalition forces press operations to clear and bold the border towns in western Iraq.
The TRUTH about Iraq's WMD -- [ROFA Six]
This is from the Federalist Patriot. If you do not now subscribe you can by using the link at the bottom of this post.
In Baghdad -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
My unit is busy settling into our new role in Baghdad. Today is cleaning day.
Since we arrived a few days ago, things have been eventful, to say the least. Yesterday Condoleeza Rice was in the area, causing some delays in our normal movement as her security details blocked off various routes we normally use to get from place to place.
We?ve heard several explosions...
Friday, November 11, 2005 -- [Team Med-fah - in Iraq]
Me running into the stadium after a patrol; Master Guns Traylor is covering me (as well as an M1A1 main battle tank on the street).
They?re Here! -- [Jon Jivan - in Iraq]
That?s my excited face.
And we have the most adorable pet kitten now.
One Of Iraq's Most Wanted Reportedly Dies -- (Los Angeles Times)...Solomon Moore
...Ibrahim was the highest-ranking official of the Hussein regime still at large and the U.S. had posted a $10-million reward for his capture or death. In the original list of 55 high-level fugitives prepared in playing card form by U.S. officials, Ibrahim was assigned the status of king of clubs.
Iraqis Seek Normalcy Amid Chaos -- (AP)
...On this typical day in the life of Iraq, shaken as it often is by violence, a whole nation of people get up each morning and try to live normally - going to school, earning a living, getting married, having fun.
Press Poster Boy -- (Washington Times)...Michelle Malkin
Former Marine Staff Sgt. Jimmy Massey was the liberal media's dream come true: An anti-war Iraq veteran who came forward to publicly lambaste the Bush administration and accuse American troops of murdering innocent civilians.
U.S. lies on Iraq war uncovered- but too late -- (Tehran Times)
Bush based his case for Iraq war on numerous unfounded claims that extended far beyond the controversial uranium-from-Niger assertion, said an editorial posted on The Nation.
U.S. troops betrayed by Arab translators -- (World Net Daily)
More victims of bad planning, background checks
It has happened again and again ? unfortunately, just as Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin warned it would before the start of the Iraq war.
Asterisks Dot White House Iraq Argument -- (Washington Post)
Despite statements to the contrary, the administration's prewar intelligence was more complete than that provided to Congress.
Duty near and far -- (The Wichita Eagle)
Thousands of miles away, Dave Weyant focuses on the dangerous job of finding roadside bombs in Iraq, while his wife, Terika, waits for him in Wichita.
Dave and Terika Weyant's story sounds like the plot of a 1940s Hollywood movie. A young couple falls in love and gets married only to have the husband called off to war before they can even settle in their first house.
Car bomb hits Baghdad market -- (Reuters)
BAGHDAD - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan made his first visit to Iraq since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion, arriving on Saturday amid tight security as a car bomb ripped through a Baghdad market, killing at least five people
An original farewell (Seaforth Highlanders of Holland, Memorial Pipes and Drums) -- [The Siegrist Blogs - in Afghanistan]
I want to pass along this photo that I received today from Davey. I think this illustrates how big a loss this aircraft was for the Dutch. The loss of a Chinook is a big hit on any units capabilities, but when you only have a hand full for a whole country any loss of an airframe is huge.
OP's at Islamabad Airport -- [The Siegrist Blogs - in Afghanistan]
(Video)
Back to Bagram Once Again -- [Firepower Forward - in Afghanistan]
As promised, I have once again returned to Metropolis. The hustle and bustle of this fortified American city in the middle of Afghanistan is much the same as I left it with the exception of the weather. Not long before my Pakistan journey, people around here would have killed or died for a cloud.
Afghanistan Election Results Finalized -- (AP)
KABUL, Afghanistan - The results of Afghanistan's landmark legislative elections in September were finalized Saturday after eight weeks of counting slowed by allegations of fraud, and observers said supporters of President Hamid Karzai appeared to be in the majority. Nearly all winning candidates ran as independents, making it difficult to determine where power will lie in the 249-seat legislature. But Western diplomats and other political analysts said it appears that supporters of the U.S.-backed Karzai hold the majority.
Militants Slay Two Senior Afghan Leaders -- (AP)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Militants pulled a deputy provincial governor from his car and shot him dead and killed a former district chief while he prayed in a mosque in the latest attacks on supporters of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, officials said Saturday....
The Amman Bombings -- [Winds of Change - Dan Darling]
My good friend Athena, who lived in Jordan a little while ago, was the first person I IMed when I heard about the attack on the Amman hotels yesterday. As I related to her as we talked for several hours on the subject, I felt like the soldier who has to deliver a message to the family of a dead soldier as I listened to her recount how she had been to all of the locations in question that had been hit.
Zarqawi's Al-Qaida Faction Offers More Details Behind Amman Suicide Blasts -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Al-Qaida's Committee in Iraq--led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi--has issued a third communique claiming responsibility for Thursday's suicide bombing attacks at three Western hotels in the Jordanian capital Amman. In its latest message, Al-Qaida identified the four bombers as all Iraqi nationals: terror cell commander Abu Khabib al-Iraqi (responsible for the attack on the Radisson Hotel), Abu Muaz al-Iraqi (responsible for the attack on the Hyatt Hotel), Abu Omaira al-Iraqi, and his wife Umm Omaira (jointly responsible for the attack on the Days Inn).
Official: Bombers Were 'Non-Jordanians' -- (AP)
AMMAN, Jordan - Three "non-Jordanian" suicide bombers belonging to al-Qaida in Iraq carried out Amman's triple hotel attacks that killed at least 57 people, Jordan's deputy premier said Saturday. Marwan Muasher said the three were males and that no females were among them, replying to claims by Jordanian-born militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's terror group that four Iraqis - including a husband and wife - carried out the bombings.
Jordan Seizes 12 Suspects In The Hotel Bombings --(New York Times)...Hassan M. Fattah
The Jordanian authorities on Friday arrested the first suspects in connection with Wednesday's multiple suicide bombings, as the last of the victims were buried at cemeteries in and around the capital.
Slain Terrorist Was Planning More Attacks -- (AP)
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- One of Asia's most wanted terrorists was poised to launch a fresh series of attacks when he was killed by police earlier this week, Indonesia's president said Saturday....
Letter From Home -- [My Days at Division - in Iraq]
The mail train just keeps on rolling. I was greeted this morning with four more packages and some letters. I'm becoming a popular guy here at D Main. And all you people that are sending the loot, you're sending the right stuff. For three straight days, ...
Veterans' Day at Walter Reed -- [The Gunn Nutt]
This shot pretty much says it all.(pic)
Every Friday we meet in the same place in front of Walter Reed for the purpose of showing support to our Vets. This Friday was special 'cause it happened to be the official day that the country pays tribute to Veterans. The FReepers and friends celebrated the occasion with enthusiasm.
...Then there's the Pinkos. The ever-present, anti-war commie 'tards who show their support by raising money for the terrorists who blow our guys up.
On Leave -- [Major K - in Iraq]
I flew home from Kuwait stopping in Shannon, Ireland and then passing through the "gateway" of Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport. All I can say about the trip is, God Bless Texas! We were warmly received to say the least. As the plane taxied toward the terminal, we passed through an arch of water provided by the Fire Department. Then there was a receiving line of people patting us on the back, clapping and shaking our hands. We felt a little like celebrities. American Airlines even granted us access to their "Admirals Club" while we waited for our flights to our final destination. ...
...On the way back to Iraq, passing again through Dallas, the USO gave us a very warm sendoff.
Happy Veterans Day -- [Firepower Forward - in Afghanistan]
There is a bumper sticker that reads: "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, thank a veteran."
While I appreciate the sentiment, I'd like to take a minute to expand on that.
To all those who wore the uniform before me who ensured that those sitting next to me while I was learning to read and write were both male and female of all faiths and various ethnicities, and from all walks of life; Thank You
How To Support The Troops -- [Winds of Change - Joe Katzman]
Stuck on the home front, but still want to make a difference in the War on Terror? Well, one of the unique features of our Internet and 4th Generation Warfare is that you can. The explosion of direct citizen-soldier and citizen-citizen assistance opportunities is unprecedented - and you can be a part of it!
The House Veterans Affairs Committee Apparently Doesn't Have Time... -- [Counter Column]
To listen to, well, veterans.
From an American Legion press release:
The Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), announced plans to eliminate annual congressional hearings for Veterans Service Organizations. Under Buyer?s plan, The American Legion and other Veterans Service Organizations would no longer be afforded the opportunity to present testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees.
Recruiting Goals Exceeded -- [The Officers' Club]
Why do you only hear "recruiting goals" in the news if the military misses their quota?
DoD released the October numbers a few weeks ago.
I love this line:
"Active duty recruiting. All services exceeded their recruiting goals in October."
Coffee, But No Recruiters -- [Camp Katrina]
Check it out: what with the limited success a few moonbat liberals have had in booting recruiters off of high school and college campuses lately, it's heartening to see that the military presence is being replaced by something equally likely to foster character and self-reliance in our nation's youth. From the Starbucks Gossip blog:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (FOR NOW) -- UPDATED -- [Noble Eagle]
Well, I survived the training deployment and arrived home completely exhausted on Tuesday afternoon. We spent yesterday squaring away the shop. Today I returned to my civilian job. I have tomorrow off. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up on my sleep and my blog reading. Until then, here are some random thoughts generated by my deployment.
Soldier exploitation
A report next week will detail abuses by insurance agents. What can be done to right these wrongs? -- (CNN/Money - Shaheen Pasha)
NEW YORK - More details about the abuse of soldiers from misleading and overpriced insurance ploys will be reported by a government auditor next week, according to people who have seen the report.
Sinise Named Spokesman for Veterans Group -- (AP)
NEW YORK - Gary Sinise will serve as the national spokesman for the Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial Foundation. The actor, who played Vietnam vet "Lt. Dan" Taylor in "Forrest Gump," agreed to the spokesman position, it was announced Friday. The foundation is working to build a disabled veterans memorial in Washington D.C. near the Capitol.
Lib breaks ranks to speak up for Hicks -- (The Australian)
LIBERAL backbencher Danna Vale has broken party ranks and spoken out against the detention of Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks.
The former veteran affairs minister says she asked Prime Minister John Howard to demand Hicks be tried immediately or brought home to Australia.
...Mr Howard refused her request to speak with US President George W Bush about the case, Ms Vale said.
Bush?s Speech, Calls Democrats On Rewriting History -- [Stop the ACLU]
...People saying Bush is back in his groove. Bush called the democrats on rewriting history. He counteracted the democrats lies that intelligence was manipulated, and that the American people were lied to. The democrats had the same intelligence, and voted to ...
A Good Word about McPain/McCain -- [JammedGun]
While I have in this blog routinely savaged Senator McPain/McCain over a number of issue for which he richly deserved savaging, I must now ? in all fairness ? tip my hat to the Senior Senator from Arizona for calling attention to the War in Iraq from the perspective for which I advocate: Namely, dissatisfaction with the LACK OF FOCUS and INTENSITY with which the war is being waged.
The Truth Shall Set You Free -- [Intel Dump - J.D. Henderson]
The Associated Press reported some of the president's veterans' day remarks. I would like to briefly discuss some of his comments. This post(while one-sided) is intended to generate discussion - respectful and analytical discussion - of the issues. I would like to hear mostly from those who disagree, and I want to hear WHY they disagree, not hear mere flag-waving or partisan rhetoric.
First Return Fire -- [Baldilocks]
Veteran's Day 2005 was as good a day as any for President Bush to state simply what keen-eyed and honest observers have been able to figure out without too much effort: that the assertion that his administration ?lied? about WMD in Iraq is itself, a lie.
Considering dissent and limited war II -- [TigerHawk]
President Bush's speech this afternoon -- a response to the unfortunately persistent idea that the Bush administration lied or mislead the Senators who voted to support regime change in Iraq -- has re-ignited the argument about patriotism and the questioning thereof in the context of debating an ongoing war. See, for example, this long post on Instapundit.
Strategists: Bush Comeback Will Be Tough -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - Republican strategists say President Bush has time to snap out of a three-month run of bad luck and setbacks, including GOP losses Tuesday in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey. Still, a comeback will be tough, and will get increasingly tougher the closer the 2006 midterm elections come, strategists in both parties agree.
Let?s Try Baloney -- (Newsweek)
The White House is way off track. Only something radical can rally Bush?s presidency.
Nov. 11, 1005 - Things aren?t getting better in Bush land. They had a horrific week with the election results. Virginia, a Red State, elected a new governor, Tim Kaine, a Democrat to the left of current Gov. Mark Warner, who?s now a hot presidential prospect as a Democrat who can bridge the divide between Red and Blue America.
Democrats Provided Edge On Detainee Vote -- (New York Times)...Eric Schmitt
Democrats who had voted previously to prohibit abusive treatment of detainees in American custody provided the margin of victory on Thursday for a Republican-backed measure that would deny prisoners at Guantᮡmo Bay, Cuba, the right to challenge their detention in federal courts.
Rice takes aim at Syria over human rights -- (Reuters)
MANAMA - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took aim at Syria on Saturday over its human rights record, stepping up Washington's bid to isolate Damascus internationally
Mideast Democracy Summit Ends in Rancor -- (AP)
MANAMA, Bahrain - A U.S.-backed Mideast democracy and development summit ended in rancor Saturday despite adoption of two initiatives that are part of President Bush's push to expand political freedom in a region dominated by monarchies and effective single-party rule. A draft declaration on democratic and economic principles was scuttled after Egypt insisted on language that would have given Arab governments greater control over charitable and good-government organizations.
Democrats' Fundraising Lagging -- (Washington Post)
GOP has nearly 2-to-1 lead, prompting fears of a cash shortage heading into midterm elections.
Hillary presses Bush on China's forced abortions -- (World Net Daily)
Pro-choice senator calls one-child policy 'fundamental injustice'
...Clinton wrote a letter to President Bush urging him to address the human rights violations occurring in China when he travels there next week. The first issue on the list was forced abortion. She says the Chinese government is using "psychological and economic pressure and threats to force women to terminate pregnancies," according to the New York Sun.
When Good Things Go, Good #1 -- [PCS to LinkedInUSAF]
...If your first thought was a good day for some people torn apart by a conflict of epic proportions, you're right. And if you immediately jumped to the conclusion I was talking about people helping people in Iraq - you're not quite right either (ok, you're close). I'm actually referring to wonderful stories, too small to entice the media, being missed by our fellow Americans in our own very large country, the United States of America.
The Prevaricating Media Machine strips away the good things because it doesn't "sell". These stories don't grip the viewer or reader and make them, "come back for more". ...
Crux -- [Sisyphus Today... - in Iraq]
I have been reading a book by a soldier and blogger. I have read several other military bloggers, and a few things enter my mind. First, there are two basic types of military bloggers; bitchers and battlers. The first group I have absolutely no time for.
Congressional Fear of Blogs Surfaces in Vote -- [ROFA Six]
Last week the ?Online Freedom of Speech Act? (HR 1606) went down in flames in Congress. While the Blogosphere has reported it as a ?Dimocrat? vs. ?Rippofflican? thing - it really wasn?t simply a partisan vote. Republicans voted in favor, 179 to 38, while the Democrats voted 46 for and 143 against the measure. Yet, one does wonder how 181 members of Congress could possibly justify voting against a 1st Amendment right.
Living without the "X-Factor" -- [Ryan and Christy's Place - Ryan's home from Iraq]
It has almost been a week. A week ago this afternoon I finally got home and reunited with my family after the longest year in my life.
It really hasn't hit me yet. I'm in a new city. I'm in a new apartment. I have a new car. Soon, I'll be looking for a new job. Heck, I even have a new wife.
It has just been hard to imagine not having to live life at home with "X" amount of days left. The last three times that I was home for any amount of time, I was living with the "X-Factor."
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
In Between! -- [24 Steps to Liberty - an Iraqi in Iraq]
...Their excuse is that Iraq is occupied. Well, wake up. Iraq is occupied by you too. F*****s. I want to scream it. I want to scream. I want to talk to Zarqawi and his coward henchmen, and to the government also. Wake up sleepers. Iraq is occupied by the terrorists. Just forget about the multinational forces now. At least we can see them and talk to them, negotiate, and argue. But what the f**k is happening with these terrorists. I never heard someone saying Iraq is occupied by terrorists. I want to hear this term (OCUUPIED BY TERRORISTS) so I can rest!!
Appearances -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
Much has occurred since my brief return from Iraq. I have so far been unable to post a dispatch about the return of the Deuce Four, and Bruce Willis? appearance at the Deuce Four Ball where he was so warmly welcomed by the soldiers.
We don't use a crutch -- [From the Halls to the Shores - in Iraq]
Happy Birthday Marines, and greetings to you all from Iraq! Though my absence from the site has been prolonged, I assure you, it has not been without reason. We?ve set up shop and gotten to work about the business of combat. Now, I?m not going to sit here and tell you about the toils of war and the horror of it all. In my particular case, ?the business of combat? looks a hell of a lot like ...
Where are you M?? -- [An Average Iraqi - an Iraqi in Iraq]
His phone was being reported shut down. This sometimes happened if the cell coverage is poor. But after the 15th try, I gave up trying. Feeling helpless, I retailed S.
...I hung up again. Feeling helpless again. I had to go to sleep since I was going to wake up early the next day. When I went to college this morning. M didn't show up. S was a mess. I don't know how he could show up at all. Right now. It is 9:00 Pm. More than 24 hours since he went missing. I called S a few minutes. He told me that strangers has called his uncle's house, and told them that they have kidnapped M.
November 10, 2005 -- [While Away - in Iraq]
Happy 230th Birthday Marines!
...The phone call I received in the middle of the night was from my mom. She was worried because of the bombs that occurred in Amman. I'm sure everyone has heard about them by now, but if not, they happened at three major hotels. One of the suicide bombers actually managed to walk into a wedding before detonating himself. Can you imagine? I can't believe someone would actually do that! The bride and groom both lost their fathers. Horrible.
SEMPER FIDELIS -- [Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum - in Iraq]
Greetings,
How does a former Marine (still very much so at heart), celebrate the birthday of the United States Marine Corps? Well, without specifics, I was in the air above the barren night landscape of Southern Baghdad, with Delta Company 1/184th on a combat mission, what the Army calls an Air Assault. CPT D, of "Demon" Company asked me to tag along and lend a hand where I could, despite my reservations, it was my duty to oblige, thus I went.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005 -- [Who's your Baghdaddy? - in Iraq]
This was probably the last time I will interact with the local Iraqi people. My unit will be going back home soon, and I need to focus all of my efforts on redeployment activities.
Regardless of how many times I go on these types of missions, their impact is always the same. I am continually impressed and frustrated with the local populace, and I am always a sucker for the kids.
Can't we do better? -- [Peace like a River]
First, the Pentagon has released the identity of the Marine killed Sunday in Husaybah during Operation Steel Curtain. He is Lance Cpl. Ryan J. Sorensen, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF.
...Here are many, but not all, of the casualties announced just since November 1. See if you find what they have in common.
Thursday -- [Mike's Iraqi Adventure - in Iraq]
We had a fairly laid back day today. Today we observed Veterans Day. That means we get an extra ten hours on our time cards, YAY!! So today actually counted for 19 hours! Christina and I took a long lunch and did some laundry this afternoon. We heard a big blast this morning around 9:45am, apparently there was a suicide bombing at a restaurant frequented by Iraqi police officers. This happened out in the RED zone, nowhere near where we are, despite what the news might say.
Army economics -- [Fun With Hand Grenades - in Iraq]
The last few days have been very hectic and somewhat unnerving. Not necessarily from the work load so much as the bullshit that comes with it. I spent almost three days waiting on the welders to take a flame cutter to the undercarriage of my Humvee to rip out the old bolt on armor.
Shake and bake -- [Fast Bunnies - in Iraq]
I have no problem using incendiary artillery rounds against human targets, though I also hold to the much maligned notion that destroying the enemy is all part and parcel to the conduct of warfare, and that should an enemy persist in fighting, it is their own tough luck when they die a horribly painful death at our hands
Thursday, November 10, 2005 -- [Iraqi Bounty Hunter]
Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Marines have found numerous weapons caches - 17 of which were "substantial in size" -- during the four days of Operation Steel Curtain in Iraq's Anbar province, military officials reported today.
Weapons, munitions and bomb-making material for the construction of roadside and car bombs have been some of the more commonly found items at the cache sites, officials said. One cache discovered in central Husaybah today consisted of large amounts of medical supplies and rocket-propelled grenades and launchers.
Happy Birthday, Marines! -- [One Hand Clapping - Donald Sensing - Blue Star Dad]
This is the best Marine-birthday present I could have received.
Today is the 230th birthday of the US Marine Corps. I browsed to the USMC?s main site to look for the commandant?s message and paged through the photo gallery pages. It was an ?ohmygosh!? moment to see this picture and caption on the third page or so...
Blood!!!! -- [A Soldier's Diary - in Iraq]
I gave blood today at the hospital nearby. That was lots of fun. Actually I didn't give much blood, they took the platelets out of my blood and then put the blood back into me. It is pretty neat. Apparently the platelets are needed to help stop bleeding and are more important that actual whole blood. Pretty neat, eh? I got a T shirt and a key chain, I plan on going every couple weeks from now on, it is for a great cause...
Bush Aide Fires Back at Critics On Justification for War in Iraq -- (Washington Post)
The White House went on the offensive in the debate over the Iraq war yesterday, insisting that U.S. intelligence had compiled a "very strong case" that Saddam Hussein harbored banned weapons and accusing congressional critics of hypocrisy because many of them voted for force three years ago.
The Deabate -- (Washington Post)...Emily Messner
Abuse at Abu Ghraib: Just Having 'A Little Fun'?
I recall receiving this "message from the ghost of General Patton" (warning: it's a stomach-turner) by e-mail several months ago, and it disturbs me as much now as it did then. (If you can handle looking at it, I'd be interested in your take.)
Rice Urges Iraqis to Bridge Differences -- (AP)
MOSUL, Iraq - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a personal appeal Friday for Iraqis to bridge sectarian differences, venturing to a majority Sunni Arab region of the country to ask for cooperation in the coming election. "I want to talk about the importance of reaching across sectarian lines," Rice said on her unannounced visit to this northern Iraqi city, which is about 60 percent Sunni Arab.
OPERATION STEEL CURTAIN MOVES TO KARABILAH -- {Centcom}
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq ?Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. Forces have begun clear and hold operations in the city of Karabilah, approximately two kilometers east of Husaybah, as Operation al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) enters into its sixth day.
Iraqis Seek Normalcy Amid Chaos -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - In the early morning sun, 12-year-old Walid Salim strides to the yard of his school, kisses Iraq's flag and hoists it high. At a lunchtime cafe, three 18-year-old friends gather to eye girls and talk cars. Free to surf the Web, a university professor gleefully searches for news from afar. In a small house, a mother worries for her sons as news of a suicide bomb flashes across town
Straight from dust to mud -- [Orlando Sentinel Reporter Roger Roy in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM ? Yesterday?s posting disparaging the puny raindrops here must have angered the weather gods. Early this morning, I heard the rain still coming down on the tin roof of the building I slept in, and the drops didn?t sound so little any more.
Sure enough, it was the heaviest rain anybody here has seen in months, and it kept up at least a drizzle through much of the day.
Cargo Plane Crashes Into Afghan Mountains -- (Yahoo News)...AP
KABUL, Afghanistan - A cargo aircraft with 10 people on board crashed into mountains near the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday, a spokeswoman for NATO-led peacekeeping forces said.
Squadron Leader Annie Gibson-Sexton, a spokeswoman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, said the plane did not belong to the NATO force, and a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said it was not one of theirs. There were no further details immediately available on the aircraft
AFGHAN, U.S. PATROL KILLS FOUR ENEMY DURING AMBUSH NEAR DEH RAHWOD -- {Centcom}
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan ? Afghan National Army and U.S. forces killed four enemy fighters who had ambushed an Afghan National Police patrol yesterday.
November 11, 2005: Terrorism close to home -from Andrew Breitbart - a guest post -- [Roger Simon]
Last night I received an instant message from my friend Andrew Breitbart. I asked him to post about it on here.
Al Qaeda Killed My Friend...
French interests possible targets of Zarqawi and GSPC -- [Counterrorism Blog]
After the attacks on Jordan by the Zarqawi network, France is even more on a higher alert than last month. Already at that time Nicolas Sarkozy, Interior Minister had declared that the risk of a terrorist attack against France was 4 on a scale of 5. In light of Zarqawi's deal with the Algerian GSPC and their view as France as their number 1 enemy, Sarkozy does not sound paranoid.
Furious Jordanians take to streets -- [CNN]
AMMAN, Jordan -- Calling the al Qaeda in Iraq leader a "lowlife," Jordanians on Thursday flooded the nation's capital in bitter protest of the triple suicide bombings that shook the city a day earlier and killed at least 56 people, most of Arab descent.
"Burn in hell, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi!"
Group: Four Iraqis Carried Out Bombings -- (AP)
AMMAN, Jordan - Police said Friday they had arrested 120 people, mainly Iraqis and Jordanians, in the nationwide manhunt for those behind the triple Amman hotel bombings. Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed the bombings were carried out by four Iraqis - including a husband and wife team. The al-Qaida in Iraq Internet statement was the third it had issued since the nearly simultaneous bombings Wednesday night at the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn hotels. Jordanian officials said the death toll stood at 57, excluding the bombers
Jordan Arrests 120 in Search for Suspects in Hotel Bombings -- (NY Times)...AP
Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia said the bombings had been carried out by four Iraqis, including a man and his wife.
LEBANON: SEVEN TERROR SUSPECTS ARRESTED -- (AKI)
Beirut, 11 Nov. - Seven people have been arrested in Beirut suspected of involvement in "terrorist activities". Lebanese interior ministry sources say they include five former activists close to the al-Murabitun group, an official of the Saiqa Palestinian militia controlled by Damascus, and a member of the popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-general Command (FPLP-CG). Local media on Friday suggested that those arrested had taken part in operations by the secret services "aimed at creating chaos" in Lebanon and had received orders and money from colonel Jamaa Jamaa.
INDONESIA: TERROR THREAT REMAINS SAY EXPERTS -- (AKI/Jakarta Post)
Jakarta, 12 Nov. - The death of Azahari bin Husin, one of the most wanted terrorists in Southeast Asia, has dealt a serious blow to the al-Qaeda linked Jemaah Islamiya (JI) terror network, but officials and experts cautioned that it would not eliminate the terror threat in this country. "Each time the security forces arrest a top leader of a terrorist group, the network will be weakened. But that doesn't mean that terror attacks will not occur again," said vice-president Jusuf Kalla. "Therefore, I would ask the public to remain vigilant," he added.
Across Generations And Continents, One Message -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
Across Generations And Continents, One Message: Support The Troops
By Bob Dole and Lonnie Moore
The two of us were born more than 50 years and nearly 160 miles apart. But we are connected to each other - and to our fellow Americans - in ways that transcend age and geography. Both of us are Army veterans, born and raised in Kansas. And both of us nearly lost our lives on the battlefield. We were wounded near Castel dAiano, Italy on April 14th, 1945, and in Ramadi, Iraq, on April 6th, 2004. We were struck down by Italian bullets and Iraqi rocket propelled grenades.
Calling All Vets ... -- [Daisy Cutter]
Happy Veteran's Day. Man, what a week. Yesterday's post brought forth some of the best comments ever, and it led me to some other great posts and tributes. Some of you (and you know who you are) brought some tears to my eyes. And I thank you.
Today, we pause to remember the nation's veterans. In particular, my thoughts are with those who have fought in the nation's wars. It is good that we remember ... and are reminded to remember.
Veteran's Day - How Will You Spend It? -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
Here's a few things to do on Veteran's Day:
Visit the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. You can listen to audio interviews and watch video clips of veterans who have great stories to tell. You can also read 100's of great stories from veterans of all branches.
LAST ORDERS -- [Soldiers for Truth]
Veterans Day 2005 is Hack's first birthday that he and I will have spent apart in sixteen years. My husband often told me that soldiers who'd spent any time out on the killing fields cared more than a little about good food the rest of their lives and his birthday proved no exception to his rule.
...On his deathbed Hack charged me with certain tasks. It was a short list, much of it quite daunting: to finish and produce a family comedy screenplay he was consulting on for me; to get his leadership book published; to buy a new car ? he even picked out the make and the model ? because he thought our old ones were unsafe; and to keep Soldiers For The Truth going to protect the grunts.
THANK A VETERAN... -- [Soldier's Mom]
I have written before about the members of my family that have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States and how proud I am of them.
...The horrible sadness that came over me the night we learned Noah was wounded now pokes at my heart, stabs at my eyes. It will be impossible not to feel guilty that my son is here and her's is not. Impossible to find words to comfort the young widow who spent the 10 months her husband was in Iraq making plans for the rest of their lives...
Salute to Veterans -- [Cool Blue Blog]
Last Saturday the town of Vergennes hosted a Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America.
Thursday, November 10, 2005 -- [Daily Life of a Marine Mom - Blue Star Mom]
I want to say a big, huge THANK YOU to all our Veterans on this eve of Veteran's Day. If you are a Vet, be sure to visit your nearest Golden Corral for a free meal tomorrow (Friday) between 5-9.
Happy Veterans Day! -- [Updates on my soldier - Blue Star Mom]
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
Thank God for our veterans.
I want to wish all of our veterans a happy Veterans Day. May God bless you on this day with many of heartfelt thanks, from our grateful nation.
...To my special veteran who is serving in Iraq, I want to say, we love you Dan we miss you and we are praying for you.
Thank You, Vets -- [Open Fire]
Today we look back in time to honor our military veterans. Today we recognize the supreme valor, the highest dedication and the willingness to risk life and limb which saved the world from fascism in WW II; heeded this nation's call to combat the spread of Communism in Korea and Vietnam; deposed some worthless shits in Panama and Grenada; showed Saddam Hussein in both Gulf Wars the true meaning of power; and which between conflicts demonstrated the willingness to stand between our nation and its enemies.
Veteran's Day Musings -- [Miserable Donuts]
At 18 years of age, in March of 1985, I walked into a National Guard recruiter?s office in Urbana, Illinois and told the startled NCO sitting there, ?I want to sign up, what do you have?? It wasn?t an impetuous or rash decision, for I had thought for a while about doing just that thing.
My family had always answered when the nation called ? my father and my maternal grandfather were both WWII Navy. My Uncle Jack was an astonishing hero. The Explorer leader that taught me to shoot was an Army Ranger that had fought through Nazi occupied Europe. Being surrounded by these men, it was never a question of serving or not, rather a question of how.
Remembrance Day, 2005 -- [Winds of Change]
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, the guns ceased. Today, the British Commonwealth countries remember those who came before, and those who came after, and all who have...
Veterans Day Messages -- [dougpetch.com]
President George W. Bush - Americans owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have sacrificed for our liberty and for the security of our Nation. We expre
Veterans' Day -- [Stryker Brigade News]
We would like to take a moment to thank all of the veterans, past and present, who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Your efforts represent a debt that cannot easily be repaid, if at all. During this time...
Go Thank a Veteran -- [Camp Katrina]
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given...
Vietnam Vets and the Left -- [Euphoric Reality
Vilmar has an interesting point about how the Left portrays Vietnam Vets.
why is [it] when left wing liberals hold a protest of any type they drag out Vietnam Veterans who look like down and outs? Up until John Kerry ran for the presidency, the Democrats always portrayed Vietnam Veterans as men who couldn?t cope with society and had trouble adjusting to everyday life. They have problems getting and holding jobs, always have long hair and are scraggly beards, and are still wearing their jungle fatigues and complaining that the Veterans Administration is screwing them over. And,...
Veteran's Day -- [Neptunus Lex]
In case any of you missed Bills post over at the Castle, go ye there and get thee right. Then listen in here - not for how its told, but for what is said, for the meaning behind it. And take a knee or two, if that's they way
Veterans? Day? -- [Mostly Cajun, All American and Opinionated]
I am a veteran. This post is about me and millions of others who went before and followed after me. I?m no hero. There are many others who braved far greater dangers and lived to tell about it, or to hold in dark secret recesses within the memory. And there are those who didn?t live. Their stories are ours to tell.
Veterans Day -- [PARTAMIAN REPORT]
It's Veterans Day again. Rather than talk about the number of casualties or to use that number for some political gain... because you are a member of NORML or the Sierra Club, or you think that the Right may overturn Roe v Wade... Just freaking get over it today, ok? Instead of using them to get at the current administration, thank them and let them know that a grateful nation appreciates their contributions in creating a future world free from fear. The point is, if you really care about "The Troops", then you will knock it off. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ONE DAY.
Handful of Veterans Left Who Remember Armistice Day -- [FOX News]
"For the servicemen there were lots of hugs and kisses," recalls Brown, of Charlotte Hall, Md., a teenage seaman aboard the battleship USS New Hampshire, in port stateside when the fighting stopped. "We were so happy that the war was over."
The History of Veteran's Day -- {Military .com}
1918
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities?in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.
Veterans Day Has Fresh Meaning for Iraqi Freedom Vets -- {DefenseLink News}
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2005 ? Retired Navy Rear Adm. Greg Slavonic was visiting wounded coalition soldiers in Baghdad's International Zone hospital last year when he started a conversation with a badly wounded soldier. That day, the soldier was being prepared for evacuation to Germany to receive critical medical care.
Military hits October recruiting targets -- (USA Today)...AP
WASHINGTON ? The Army, which missed its recruiting goal for 2005 by a wide margin, got off to a strong start in the new budget year by exceeding its October targets for the active-duty Army as well as the National Guard and Reserve.
No WMDs? Nah, just NO REPORTING... -- [The Deployment Diary]
I am so tired of the "Bush Lied" agenda. I'm tired of hearing there were NO WMDs found in Iraq. If you search hard, you can find reports of WMDs being found in Iraq. The problem seems to be that there is just no reporting of the WMDs that have been found. The MSM cannot report it because it would interfere with their political agenda and hatred of all things Bush.
Finally, an Apology -- [Right in Raleigh]
Jason VS posts an apology letter from newspaper editor Rex Smith regarding the Jimmy Massey debacle. Massey, you may remember, is a former Marine who has been making exaggerated claims of U.S. atrocities in Iraq. A number of players in the MSM printed these claims (I do not believe the N&O did so), and not many of them have apologized now that the stories have been proven to be lies.
Milblogs Get Mentioned on the Senate Floor -- [Andi's World]
On Wednesday I, along with three other milbloggers, attended a press conference hosted by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference (SRC). The purpose of the press conference was to highlight the other side of the War on Terror. The side that you rarely hear about. The side that knows firsthand that accomplishments are indeed taking place.
...I was pleased to see that a Senator is actually wrestling with the issue of how to get the real story out, something that many of us have been doing for quite some time. Milblogs are a very powerful tool and are loaded with information about the reality of the situation on the ground. People are starting to take note. In my presentation, I commented that I thought Senator Santorum was "smart" to highlight milblogs.
Miracles -- [Major K - in Iraq]
I am back from leave. The time at home was way too short and literally flew by, but first things first. I SHALL CALL HIM, "MINI-ME!!" Actually his name is Sean Andrew. He was born on the 24th and came in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. meausuring 21 3/4 inches long. He is happy, healthy and doing great. My lovely wife delivered him
Nov 11, 2005 - Anniversary -- [A Long Strange Trip - in Iraq]
Today is a day I have been excited about for awhile now, and being in Iraq has helped me learn more about myself, but it has also helped me learn more about the LOVE I have for my wife and family! Most people that know me just know how much EVERYTHING revolves around family for Mis and I, and I guess tht is what drew us together 11 1/2 years ago. We were at the same point in our lives and were looking for the same thing. Well, if some don't know that the first time I met her was in our NG unit(She was in the Army as well).
Nov 11, 2005 - Birthday -- [A Long Strange Trip - in Iraq]
Yes, it IS my 34th birthday today, and I have not hidden that fact that it is my birthday, but really this day does not excite me for the reason of my birthday, but for my anniversary, and I don't really get off on the Bday celebration thing. But, nonetheless, it is, so I took a picture of ME on my birthday! I will show the collage my wife and kids sent me as well! Thanks kids, I LOVE IT, and I LOVE YOU!!!!
The sweetest reunion -- [Ryan and Christy's Place - Ryan's home from Iraq]
...Last Friday, he came back. I stood with hundreds of soldiers' family and friends at his National Guard armory in Tennessee, waiting on a bus that carried Ryan and about 50 other soldiers. We waited. We clutched flags and signs. Children ran around, yellow balloons bobbing above their heads, writing messages in sidewalk chalk on the pavement.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
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.)
The Battle to Rebuild -- [Kevin Sites]
On the anniversary of the fight in Fallujah, one Marine launches a different offensive
It's almost exactly a year ago that the Battle of Fallujah began, and I am, at the moment, riding in the back an armored Humvee heading into that city, just as I did back then.
THE REAL AMERICAN HERO -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
The title of veteran is a term of great respect due to the patriotism, willingness to serve, and dedication to a larger cause. As the holiday approaches if nothing else Americans should remember the vets who made this country what it is today. I stand in front of a unit?s memorial board here in Iraq.
Email From Iraq--Morale Edition -- [Southern By Blog!!]
MY last email with the SPC from 2/299, I kinda delved into how the morale is for him and his platoon. I asked how his mates feel about the Guard now since they been called up for over a year now, the Iraqis and the 48th BCT. Here's the response I got:
Iraqi forces are being trained- and conducting successful operations! -- [Current events and news from the right]
Are you sick of the negative news that comes out of Iraq? Are you tired of the armchair generals who insist that this is a ?quagmire? and there is no way out?
Take a look at this article from The Washington Post. Here?s the skinny?
1) Iraqi forces are being trained
2) We will be in Iraq for awhile longer.
3) Iraqi forces are learning to fight on their own.
4) Iraqi forces will secure their country.
Amazing that some have been so obsessed with number two that they have overlooked 1, 3 and 4! Here?s the article?
November 4, 2006 -- [1st Lt Charles Bradley Triplett]
We have finished up the patrol mission. We have only one or two more patrol missions that will only take about 7 of our guys then we will be officially onto the artillery mission. To say I am happy would be an incredible understatement. We got hit with 11 or 12 road side bombs the past 100 or so days and that is about 11 or 12 more than I really wanted to be hit with. Not only is
Missed Images -- [Open Fire]
I almost forgot to post this picture showing some Iraqi woman voting during last months referendum on the Iraqi Constitution. Take a look at the photograph the woman are holding...do you see it? Yep that's President Bush! File this under another photo the mainstream media will not use. (pic)
Anti-sniper warfare in Iraq -- [Peace like a River]
The technology the US military can deploy to the battlefield these days is truly amazing.
You may recall Arthur C. Clarke's adage, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic". But even to us, who in this day and age are quite accustomed to advanced technology, some of the tools the US military has do seem like magic.
Iraq Pictures - Thursday, November 10, 2005 - [Iraq Pictures]
Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team move down a staircase. The soldiers are patrolling in Mosul in order to disrupt criminal insurgent safe havens and to clear weapons cache sites. Pic: Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr., U.S. Air Force.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005 -- [Iraqi bounty hunter]
An Iraqi army solider walks past a military mural at an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, Oct. 29, 2005. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway
Anti Climax as told by me... -- [A Soldier's Thoughts - in Iraq]
Looking back on my and my team's accomplishments it seems like the end of our tour will be anticlimactic. Even after capturing and ridding Iraq of many 'bad men' so many more have only come to take up the fight against us. How could this be? Perhaps it is because we have become "the Red Coats" in the eyes of the Iraqis, and to them this is their own version of our revolutionary war...
Gubment Cheeeese -- [J Barne's Coffee Shop - in Iraq]
...Allow me to give my appreciation and gratitude for those brave guys. Imagine a bomb squad team that not only defuses roadside bombs and munitions but engages enemy in small arms fire while doing it. It's a job not for the weak and these guys have proven to everyone they aren't the aforementioned. Thanks EOD...
Important Reading -- [A Redleg's Perspective]
Note: I have modified the Subject slightly, since the threat goes beyond just Americans.
This is an information war. He who controls the message, wins the war. We cannot lose this war on the battlefield, but we can and may lose the war here, in our homes and in America. This was written after last years election and rings eerily true to me, considering what is happening now in France as we speak. You can laugh at France's problems right now, but they could become our own very quickly. We CAN lose this war if we don't want to win it enough. Losing this war means losing our civilization.
...If we are united, there is no way that we can lose. I hope now after the election, the factions in our country will begin to focus on the critical situation we are in, and will unite to save our country. It is your future we are talking about!
Who Is Lying About Iraq? -- (Commentary Magazine - Norman Podhoretz)
Among the many distortions, misrepresentations, and outright falsifications that have emerged from the debate over Iraq, one in particular stands out above all others. This is the charge that George W. Bush misled us into an immoral and/or unnecessary war in Iraq by telling a series of lies that have now been definitively exposed.
Al Qaeda In Iraq Fights Other Terrorist Groups -- (Detroit Free Press)...Mohammed Al Dulaimy
Al Qaeda in Iraq, the terrorist group headed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has broken with local Sunni insurgent groups in central Iraq, in some cases resulting in gun battles on the street.
Bomb Hunters Get Tougher Armor Against Iraqi Rebels -- (Detroit Free Press)...Jacob Silberberg, Associated Press
At 8 a.m. soldiers from the Army's 467th Engineers set off on the roads of central Iraq, accompanied by a 45,000-pound armored truck called the Buffalo. Their job: searching for the deadliest weapon in the insurgents' arsenal -- the dreaded "improvised explosive devices," or roadside bombs.
Corrections -- (Washington Post)
An Oct. 29 article incorrectly said that the armored vehicle known as the Buffalo is manufactured in South Africa. It is made in South Carolina.
Two Suicide Bombers Kill 33 in Baghdad -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two suicide bombers detonated themselves near a restaurant frequented by Baghdad police, killing at least 33 people and seriously injuring 19, police said. The bombers struck at about 9:45 a.m., when officers usually stop by the restaurant for breakfast. Police Maj. Abdel-Hussein Mi
