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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.)
Signs of independence -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
There have been obvious signs over the last few days that the Iraqi government intends to do more of its own heavy lifting from now on. Assets appear to have begun being shuffled already.
I’m doubtful that my unit or I will be affected, but it’s fairly clear that the Iraqi government is quite interested in Iraqis taking care of their own problems. This is as it should be.
Island Style -- [The Babylon Blog - in Iraq]
Part of my job includes walks through the town to visit projects we are working on. These trips can be the best part of being here because it allows me the chance to get out and see the town and its people. Yesterday we walked out to an island that sits in the middle of the Euphrates River. We needed to inspect some repairs we had done to a primary school there.
A Good Day -- [a mobilized year]
I sat there with one of my men’s blood-soaked IBA (body armor) in my hands. It was the end of a long day and I was exhausted. Although, I had a very strange feeling come over me. It was the feeling of having a good day. A damn good day.
Earlier that day, I received a dreaded message. I was summoned to the TOC because of an emergency situation involving one of my crews. The three minute trip ...
Electronic Blackouts and Fearing the Worst -- [Reporting for Duty - in Iraq]
A blackout occured after our aircraft crashed -- and it probably saved many family members unnecessary grief. If one or two soldiers had been able to call home after the crash, their own families would have been reassured. But the families would have called other families in the unit and told them about the crash -- and those families might have begun to fear the worst.
Since all of the crew members were okay, families would have been alarmed for no reason.
Iraq Pictures - 28 April 2006 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
Locals from Al Harza Village, near Numaniyah, stand in line just to meet U.S. troops during an operation conducted by the 48th Brigade Combat Team. People don't stand in line to meet the criminals such as Al Queda who violate Islam and Muslim brotherhood and law.
...Local contractors work to restore an water pumping station in the southern Baghdad area. Restoring water, electricity and repairing sewage lines has become an essential part of rebuilding Iraq.
Cordons -- [Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck - in Iraq]
I can’t stand them. I guess I should like them because it means that we’ve found an IED. The reason I hate them is because we have to ensure the safety of everyone else. That means that we have to secure the area and make sure that Iraqi civilians and other coalition forces doesn’t enter the danger area. Well, we ran into one today. It wasn’t our cordon but we still had to wait. It’s worse than waiting for a train to cross an intersection.
We stood by for just over an hour. It sucks because we can’t do anything else but wait.
Detrius of War -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Iraq]
...These are two Soviet made BMP armored personnel carriers and a Soviet made T-55 tank. It is early 60's technology and was trying to fight 21st Century warfighters. These Iraqis were smart. They saw what was coming and DD'd outta there!
The detrius of war was all over in 2003 and up until last year. It is all being cleaned up and everyone who comes now does not get to see the sights we saw. It is not sad but it is a change in the way we look at the place and does change the historical perspective.
Local al-Qaida Leader in Iraq Killed -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Iraqi forces killed a local al-Qaida in Iraq leader and two other insurgents in a raid north of Baghdad on Friday, and roadside bombs killed an American soldier and an Iraqi policeman, officials said....
Cleric Calls For End To Militias -- (Los Angeles Times)...Borzou Daragahi and Bruce Wallace
Iraq's senior Shiite Muslim religious figure Thursday called on the country's controversial militias to disarm, marking one of the most overt forays into matters of politics and policy by the influential cleric.
US military sees Iraq edging away from civil war -- (Yahoo News/ Reuters)
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Thursday Iraq was moving away from the risk of civil war and insurgent and sectarian bloodshed would fall dramatically when a new government of national unity is formed.
Iraqi Official Expects Start Of U.S. Exit, With A Big Pullout This Year -- (Wall Street Journal)...Yochi J. Dreazen
A senior Iraqi official said there would be a substantial withdrawal of U.S. troops this year, with the rest leaving within the next two years.
Iraqi Oil Gangs Syphon Off Billions -- (London Daily Telegraph)...Jim Muir
A new class of grand mafiosi sucking billions of pounds out of Iraq's vital oil sector is crippling efforts to rebuild the nation, according to an official report published in Baghdad.
The Iraq pipeline fiasco -- (International Herald Tribune)
The Bush administration's promise that Iraq's reconstruction could be paid for with the country's own oil revenues was one of the many false assertions and assurances that ushered in the invasion. But...
Rebuilding of Iraqi Oil Pipeline as Disaster Waiting to Happen -- (The New York Times)
When Robert Sanders was sent by the Army to inspect the construction work an American company was doing on the banks of the Tigris River, 130 miles north of Baghdad, he e...
Iraq war set to be more expensive than Vietnam -- (The Independent)
The Iraq war has already cost the United States $320bn (£180bn), according to an authoritative new report, and even if a troop withdrawal begins this year, the conflict is set to be more expensiv...
Air Force Rescue Teams Go Mainstream -- [Strategy Page]
More reliable, and effective warplanes, has resulted in very low losses. That has left the U.S. Air Force combat rescue teams without work. No problem. The greater use of Special Forces and commandoes, especially in Afghanistan, gave the rescue teams plenty to do.
Coalition talks security, reconstruction with village leaders -- [Centcom]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ASADABAD, Afghanistan – Coalition, Afghan National Army and village leaders discussed regional anti-terror efforts, security and reconstruction at a meeting in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar Province on April 14.
About 50 village elders and townsmen from Ali Abad, Korangal, Arawara Bandeh and Babiel met with Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Zamari, commander of the 3rd Brigade, 201st ANA Corps, Army Col. John Nicholson, Task Force Spartan commander, Army Lt. Col. Chip Bierman, Task Force Lava commander, and other Coalition leaders as part of Operation Mountain Lion.
Afghan resident turns in terrorists -- [Centcom]
JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces used an anonymous tip from a local villager to ambush two enemy fighters in the Pech District of the Kunar Province on April 19.
Coalition forces were notified that enemy fighters were threatening the local villagers and their families if they provided Coalition forces with their location.
Back from the field... -- [AfghaniDan - in Afghanistan]
My thanks to those who asked where I've been, and my sincere apologies to all who actually want to hear my ramblings! I'll have much more up soon, but wanted to drop a quick note to say I'm back online, at JAF. The last couple of weeks required me to take hundreds of photos, so I've begun the painful process of sorting/editing, and have actual work to do besides. But never fear, I'll tell my tales of Operation Mountain Lion...
Suspected U.S. Spies Targeted -- (Los Angeles Times)...Paul Watson and Zulfiqar Ali
Taliban militants and their allies are waging a dirty war in Pakistan's unruly tribal areas, kidnapping and executing people suspected of spying for U.S. forces across the border in Afghanistan.
Corruption Eroding Afghan Security -- (Christian Science Monitor)...David Montero
Nearly five years after the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan's security situation continues to be dragged down by endemic corruption, roving militias, and a growing nexus between narco-warlords and remnants of the Taliban, officials and analysts say.
Rolling Along -- [SGT Hook]
Your Army continues to go rolling along:
1,700 Soldiers in Kosovo
1,700 Soldiers in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
200 Soldiers in Saudi Arabia/Bahrain
680 Soldiers in the Sinai
18,000 Soldiers in Afghanistan
180,000 Soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait
1,700 Soldiers in the Horn of Africa
And they are busy, serving you well and making you proud…
Korea Feeling the Pain of High Oil Prices as Well -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
Americans aren't the only ones feeling the effects of high oil prices. Korea is feeling the pain too:
...High fuel prices are a big issue in America right now, but I can't help but think how much more expensive oil is in other countries like Korea where they are paying approximately $2 more a gallon than people in the US
The Iran Plan: Lather, Rinse, Repeat -- [ThreatsWatch]
No News on the Iranian Nuclear Crisis, But Plenty of Recycled Rhetoric as the UNSC Deadline Looms
With the Security Council’s deadline for Iran’s compliance expiring Friday, the sense of urgency can be felt all the way from the UN building at Turtle Bay in New York to the deli across the street. Its range of influence extends nowhere near Tehran, as the regime remains defiant with little difference from any other point in the last three years of heightened international attention on the Iranian Nuclear Crisis.
Thanks for the laughs -- [Counter Column]
Not sure where they came over from, but I'd like to thank everyone who came over to this thread and called me a Chickenhawk.
To wit: You, sir, are a true chickenhawk. The living breathing embodiment of privilege without principles, logic without sincerity, rhetoric without wisdom.
You have no sense of what it means to fight and, therefore, your very claims of needing a war are base out of dangerous ignorance.
...Best laugh I've had in a long time.
...I suggested also targeting Iranian industry as well.
Iran has a parliament. They have local rulers with local interests and local constituencies. They have a lot of practical people, even if their current president is a nutcase (though the nuclear program seems to predate him.)
These people do not want to see industry in their provinces destroyed. They ...
War Clouds -- (Los Angeles Times)...Rosa Brooks
LET ME TELL YOU about the next war. It will start sooner than you think — sometime between now and September. And it will be precipitated by the $700-million Russian deal this week to sell Tor air defense missile systems to Iran.
U.N. Agency Finds Iran Noncompliant -- (Washington Post)...Dafna Linzer and Molly Moore
Despite a formal request from the U.N. Security Council, Iran has not provided international inspectors with new information about the country's nuclear program and has accelerated, rather than curbed, uranium-enrichment activities, according to sources familiar with a report the inspectors plan to issue today.
Pakistan Official: No Force Against Iran -- (Guardian Unlimited)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pakistan notified the Bush administration on Thursday it would not support the use of force to halt Iran's nuclear programs.
"We are against any resort to force,"...
Musharraf insists: I'm not George Bush's poodle -- (The Guardian)
· General says US air strikes infringe sovereignty
· President denies running military dictatorship
General Pervez Musharraf, facing a surge of anti-American sentiment, yesterday warned that covert US air strikes against al-Qaida inside Pakistan were an infringement of national sovereignty
US Considering Nuclear Accord With Russia -- (Boston Globe)...Carol Giacomo, Reuters
The United States is discussing the possibility of a civilian nuclear energy agreement with Russia that could help wean Moscow away from cooperation with Iran, according to US officials.
Al Qaeda Admits Defeat -- [Strategy Page]
April 27, 2006: Some interesting trends in the war on terrorism. Trends are often difficult to make out in this murky conflict, but the recent release of an audio message from Osama bin Laden on April 23rd, and a few days later, a rare video from Abu Musab al Zarqawi delivered the same message. Both sent out signals that failed to connect.
Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Terrorism -- [Yankee Sailor]
The end of the Cold War brought about an initial euphoria that the threat of nuclear annihilation had dissipated and dramatic changes in the deterrence postures of the major powers could be enacted. Time, though, has shown that prevailing doctrines of nuclear deterrence are essentially unchanged between the major powers. The change that has created a need for further development of nuclear deterrence doctrine in the last fifteen years, however, is the appearance of nations with small nuclear forces (SNF) and non-state actors pursuing nuclear capability.
Al Qaeda Wields Press As Terror Weapon, Report Finds -- (Washington Times)...Jennifer Harper
Terrorists use the press and public relations as weapons, said a study released Wednesday by Arizona State University.
Attacks Signal Stepped-Up Qaeda Effort -- (Boston Globe)...Bryan Bender
A pair of terror attacks in Egypt this week are the latest sign that Al Qaeda is successfully exploiting the war in Iraq to win new adherents and is outsourcing its wider struggle against the West to home-grown militant groups in other Arab countries, according to US intelligence officials and terrorism specialists.
Questions by the Dozen for Moussaoui Jury -- (AP)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - Only one question matters in the end for Zacarias Moussaoui: the life-or-death one. But to get to a death sentence, the jury now determining the fate of the al-Qaida operative must consider dozens of questions. Each question is a piece of the puzzle about who this man is, what he did and whether he deserves execution or the only other choice, life in prison, for his part in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
A Tribute To Our Fallen Warriors -- [2/28 BCT Iron Soldiers]
Nature’s reverential silence inspired the hearts of comrades gathered for the dedication of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2BCT) Fallen Warriors Memorial on April 16th at Camp Ramadi. 57 names grace the new plaque, and 57 dogtags hang within the obelisk, above the 21st century “Bloody Bucket” of the 28th Infantry Division.
Colorado State Frat Hosts Benefit for Naval Special Warfare Foundation -- [Froggy Ruminations]
If you're in Colorado on April 29th, CSU's chapter of Gamma Beta Phi is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Naval Special Warfare Foundation at 1900 at the Colorado Springs Marriot.
Morons attack UNC, N.C. State ROTC Buildings -- [Eagle Speak]
Vandals sprayed anti-war messages early Wednesday on ROTC buildings on the campuses of North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, authorities said.
An Army ROTC building near Reynolds Coliseum at N.C. State bore the message "ROTC trains murderers" and asked people to resist "the racist war." The vandalism was reported to campus police at about 7:30 a.m.
Marines -- [SandGram]
I have found that some people look at you in a different light when they find out that you are in the Military. It's some foreign concept that you would WANT to be doing this as a job occupation. But I am here to tell you that coming from a long line of Military service, and growing up a Navy Brat were some of the best times in my life. I look back at those days in Little Creek Virginia on the Amphibious base there as the standard that all kids should have. The following are stories of joining the Marines and life as a pilot.
Staffer's Hard Sayings Log -- [The Stupid Shall be Punished]
Excerpts from this quote log have been popping up all over the blogosphere, but I haven't seen the whole thing (at least the whole thing as of when I retired in late 2004) posted. A little background -- this "virtual green book" was kept by a Navy pilot at EUCOM J-5, who was working with all the staff pukes in D.C. and Tampa (CENTCOM, where I was) during the run-up to the Iraq War and the aftermath; it mostly has to do with the thoughts and frustrations of staff officers involved in putting together a Coalition in the brave new One Superpower world. Some of them you've heard before, others you won't understand at all unless you've been a staff puke. One of them is even my very own invention. Sit back and enjoy
Bush Set To Approve Takeover Of 9 Military Plants By Dubai -- (New York Times)...Jim Rutenberg and David E. Sanger
President Bush is expected on Friday to announce his approval of a deal under which a Dubai-owned company would take control of nine plants in the United States that manufacture parts for American military vehicles and aircraft, say two administration officials familiar with the terms of the deal.
Soldier A Casualty Of Life As A Civilian -- (Chicago Tribune)...Colleen Mastony
Army didn't prepare Michael Torok for homefront stresses; he killed himself a year after discharge.
Pentagon Bills Injured Soldiers $1.2 Million -- (Los Angeles Times)...Associated Press
After suffering paralysis, brain damage, lost limbs and other wounds in war, nearly 900 soldiers have been saddled with $1.2 million in government debt because of the military's "complex, cumbersome" pay system, congressional investigators said Thursday
Students Suspended For Marine Recruiter Protest -- (Seattle Post Intelligencer )
Five high school students in Frederick were suspended after staging a "die-in" in front of a Marine Corps recruiting booth during an on-campus job fair, a school official said.
Your new national anthem -- [Hot Air - Michelle]
I’ve been blogging over at mm.com about the upcoming Spanglish-ization of the Star-Spangled Banner by a group of activist Latino musicians. They’re rewriting the national anthem in a show of solidarity for illegal aliens and pushing for Bush White House-endorsed amnesty.
A Washington Shuffle -- [Dadmanly]
A short reflection on why busting pork in terms of earmarks -- member items, pork barrel spending, supplemental appropriations, etc. – is only one battle in a bigger war. (The occasion of this reflection is the Senate Proposal to reorganize the FEMA Portion of Homeland Security.)
An Anthem's Discordant Notes -- (Washington Post)
Spanish Version of 'Star-Spangled Banner' Draws Strong Reactions
Oh say can you see -- a la luz de la aurora?
The national anthem that once endured the radical transformation administered by Jimi Hendrix's fuzzed and frantic Stratocaster now faces an artistic dare at least as extreme: translation into Spanish.
Spanish 'Star-Spangled Banner' Draws Ire -- (AP)
MIAMI (AP) - British music producer Adam Kidron says that when he came up with the idea of a Spanish-language version of the U.S. national anthem, he saw it as an ode to the millions of immigrants seeking a better life. But in the week since Kidron announced the song - which features artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon - it has been the target of a fierce backlash
Running for Senate, and Against the War -- (Washington Post)
Area's Democratic Candidates Find Support in Calling for U.S. to Leave Iraq
From a cocktail party of liberal contributors in Baltimore to the ball-cap-wearing crowd in a conservative town in southwest Virginia, wherever Democratic loyalists gather, there are five words sure to prompt applause for a Senate candidate:
Schoomaker Calls Retired Generals' Comments 'Inappropriate' -- (Mideast Stars and Stripes)...Lisa Burgess
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker on Wednesday criticized retired generals who have come out against Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other defense leaders, calling their comments “unfortunate” and “inappropriate.”
War Game Exposed Rumsfeld's Incompetence -- (Salt Lake Tribune)...Joe Galloway
...The general made it clear he is no antiwar crusader. 'We have to stay,' he said of Iraq this week. 'We have to finish it, but let's do it right.' Van Riper told Knight Ridder that in looking at Rumsfeld's leadership he found three particular areas of inability and incompetence.
Katrina Report Rips the White House Anew -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate inquiry into the government's Hurricane Katrina failures ripped the Bush administration anew Thursday and urged the scrapping of the nation's disaster response agency. But with a new hurricane season just weeks away, senators conceded that few if any of their proposals could become reality in time. The bipartisan investigation into one of the worst natural disasters in the nation's history singled out President Bush and the White House as appearing indifferent to the devastation until two days after the storm hit.
Even MSNBC Contributor Doesn't Want to Watch MSNBC -- [Media Blog]
Washington Post reporter Jim VandeHei provoked quite a discussion yesterday by "officially complaining" that the White House TVs are always tuned to Fox News:
THE HIJACKING OF UNITED 93...AGAIN? -- [Michelle Malkin]
... there is a side of the marketing of United 93 that hasn't been exposed yet or confronted. Watch the latest episode of Vent to find out how jihadist rhetoric is being echoed by the official United 93 discussion site run by Universal Studios.
When Hollywood Makes History -- (Washington Post)
Invented Details in 'United 93' Raise Real Questions
"United 93," Hollywood's first big-budget film about the events of Sept. 11, 2001, is faithful to the major aspects of the tragic morning it depicts. The movie tracks the key events detailed in the 9/11 Commission Report, the most definitive source on the subject: the commandeering of the United jet by four terrorists, the panic of the passengers and the heroic rebellion that ended with the plane crashing in a field near Shanksville, Pa.
At the Station -- [Sgt Hook]
As a follow up to my No Tears In Heaven post, I offer this…
The dozen or so Soldiers were all smiles as they walked through the colorful and patriotically decorated station, having just arrived on the overnight. Stepping from the train, dressed in the standard issue desert camouflage uniform, a light layer of dust still on them, they were all caught by surprise at the welcoming that awaited them. Throngs of people lined the terminal, clapping, cheering, waving, and shouting their thanks and praise. The hand shakes and pats on the back raised the hair on the necks of some, brought tears to the eyes of others, and swelled the hearts with pride of all.
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.)
Thursday, April 27, 2006 -- [Hints...Allegations - in Iraq]
OK, so this has been a negitive web page lately...so I want to tell a story about something that happened to me the other day...as you guys may know recently a friend of mine passed in Iraq a few days after I had left to come back to Kuwait...I flew up North so I could render honors...yet again...here's where the story come's in.
As I was leaving the pavilion where the ceremony was at, I walked up to a smoking area and lit a red. I was sitting with my head down thinking and smoking when a local national came walking up to me..."Mister..." I looked up and gave my normal hello in their local language, according to their customs..."What was that, that all those soldiers were doing over their a few minutes ago...I saw some of them crying"
........and with the most out of nowhere perfect English Lathe put his hands on me and said "things will be better for you Matthew (I had only told him my name was Matt) because you are good man, and you have a good heart....and soul...you are crying, but you make me very happy...I'm not worth the heart hurt you feel...I'm sorry...maybe no one is....but Thank You....I just want to say thank you" and he kissed me on the cheek, and walked away...leaving me their...broken...yet finally thanked by a person I had been looking to be thanked by since the first time
Terrorists Murder Civilians in Iraq on Video -- [The Jawa Report]
A new video released by the Army of Ansar al-Sunnah shows insurgents in Iraq committing attrocities contrary to the Geneva Conventions. The video shows three Arab civilians being murdered by the group.
The terror organization calls the murders 'executions' after condemning the three for 'apostasy'. The maximum penalty for apostasy under Islamic, or Sharia, law is death.
Ramblings of The Online Chaplain -- [The Online Chaplain - in Iraq]
...I rejoiced because a soldier got to go home for a daughters wedding and mourned with a soldier who received a “Dear John” letter, and visited with a soldier whose mother recently died. I have laughed, mourned, taught, listened, prayed, confronted, counseled, been counseled, and preached. I have rejoiced with those who have been rejoicing and mourned with those who mourn.
I have learned that intimacy has little to do with location and everything to do with your heart. I learned that families can grow closer through separation, and that I married above my station in life. But, mostly this week I experienced the sense that God is in control. I learned that even at war, you can be at peace. I know more about the “peace that surpasses all understanding” today, then I did a week ago.
Sandbags, Sheiks, & Cigarettes -- [The Babylon Blog - in Iraq]
On a dusty brown day in the western Iraqi desert, nineteen local sheiks, city councilmen, and local leaders gathered with Coalition Forces to discuss the issues of the day.
...I have a Masters Degree in Intercultural Studies and am trained in cross-cultural communications, but as I soaked up the scene that day I was amazed at what I saw. No amount of schooling could prepare me for this. Meetings like this are difficult under any circumstances. But here were three different groups: local Iraqis, out-of-town Iraqi soldiers, and completely-out-of-country American Marines attempting to find some common ground. The non-attending members may have had the biggest input of all: the insurgents.
It was a clash of cultures that was doomed to fail. But it didn’t.
BAGHDAD AIRPORT
It's been three years since I once stood at this site. This was my former home in 2003. Now the airport is cleaned up and has regular flights. It is quite a change from 2003.
...My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I even found a jet plane to send me home. This is the new Iraqi Airways. The only problem I did not have a ticket to board. Maybe next time...
ATTACKING THE ENEMY & REMEMBERING THE WARRIORS -- [One Marines View]
To follow the milblog conference, Ive been pretty busy and almost couldn’t attend the conference itself. Its all good as Im already back in DC and taking care of business once again. Recently Abu Musab al-Zarqawi released a video where he dismissed Iraq’s new government as an American "stooge" and called it a "poisoned dagger" in the heart of the Muslim world. He continued to tell about how he has been beating the coalition forces there from his directed attacks and such. Granted there are attacks going against us, but not all are directed from him. Some are chance encounters others are planned deliberate attacks.
What Extremists Say -- [Centcom]
ü Zarqawi resurfaces now because the real political progress occurring in Iraq marginalizes him and other terrorists.
ü His poisonous and violent message is being rejected by the overwhelming majority of people in Iraq and in the region.
ü "The answer to the Zarqawi video is not anything that the United States can say; it's what the Iraqis are saying in having formed this government of national unity despite all the threats and all of the violence." (Secretary Rice)
New Zarqawi video online -- [Back to Iraq 3.0 - journalist in Iraq]
...But this video’s audience is not primarily the West. Many people think the insurgents produce videos and stage attacks in sight of western media to influence the populations back home. This is only partially true. By creating the impression — and the reality — of chaos, they can undermine support for the U.S. presence in Iraq among Americans. But the real purpose of these videos is recruitment. Instead of scared westerners, the real audience is the disaffected and angry young men of the Muslim world. They will download this video, like they do all the others, and pass it among their friends and watch it at Internet cafés in Jakarta and Riyadh over and over again.
Rumsfeld, Rice visit Baghdad -- [The Will to Exist]
...Reviews of the surpise visit by our Secretary of State and Defense Secretary were mixed but that is to be expected.
I try to read between the lines whenever these types of events happen, to figure out if anything truly noteworthy might result from such visits. I think the most hopeful development I heard out of yesterday’s visit was this:
He (Donald Rumsfeld) said as a practical matter, one of the first things he wants to do is address a long-standing irritant for ordinary Iraqis: the poor quality or lack of electricity.
Now that would truly be progress. For three years, Iraqis in Baghdad, the capital city, have suffered with spotty, erratic electricity.
A Staff Visit -- [Wordsmith at War - in Iraq]
Life in Iraq can be pretty surreal. As I write this, I’m just outside the city of Ramadi, Iraq, which is the southwest point of the infamous Sunni Triangle in the Al Anbar Province. I am a first lieutenant in the Utah Army National Guard, currently serving as the signal officer (SIGO) of a field artillery battalion. When the enemy shoots mortars or rockets at the thousands of soldiers, marines, and civilian contractors living on our F.O.B. (forward operating base), we shoot back. We’re a lot better at it. The enemy doesn’t usually hit what he’s aiming for – we rarely miss.
I’m on my battalion staff, which means I advise the commander regarding all communications (commo) issues, and maintain C2 (command and control) on the battlefield. Staff officers are not required to leave the F.O.B. all the time on combat missions – they’re planners. But here in Iraq everyone is an infantryman first and foremost.
Soldiers Cannot Fight Against Backstabbing from Home -- [The Foxhole Philosopher - in Iraq]
...All I am saying is this: we are in a fight to the death with Osama and his ilk, and actually most people seem to realize that. This is a fight that the army cannot win alone. I am a soldier, and frankly I do not want amateurs and draftees fighting with me. We do just fine on the battlefield as professionals. But is it too much to ask that these industries contribute what they are good at to the war effort. If the media and academia are so worried about losing the freedoms that America provides for them, is it too much to ask that they do their part to defend them, by telling the world how great those freedoms are, and what they need to do to get them? I can fight terrorists ‘til the cows come home, but I have no idea how to fight hatred of America, especially when it comes from Americans.
107 Degrees, In April -- [189th Transportation Co - in Iraq]
Okay, so most of us have never seen an April quite this warm, that would be an understatement. The temperatures have been doing a gradual increase, and will continue to do so. Thankfully we have ample water to drink and take many safety precautions when working in this sort of hot weather. It’s a little different from Nebraska heat in that there is very little humidity. That is actually a good thing. 107 here is more likely to feel like maybe 95 with the humidity back home. But, this is 107 in April, so who knows how high the temperatures will creep, that remains to be seen.
Another day in Paradise -- [Doc in the Box - in Iraq]
First month is over with and most our the bugs have been shaken out. My medical team is all set on their schedule and life doesn’t seem all that bad. I’m working a swing shift so I never get to seem my room with the lights on. My rack is a cave covered with poncho liners that lets in no light (and hopefully bugs too). It has it’s good points and bad,
Spiders -- [Basic Training Blog - in Iraq]
Im back at Camp Slayer from the month in Abu Ghraib and happy about it. Ill be going there again for another month in about a month.. Had to go to the medic to get an insect bite checked out. He figured it was a spider and he could see the 2 holes from the fangs, which I hadnt noticed. Anyway, later that night I found 4 other bites
Sister of Iraqi Vice President Killed -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A sister of Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi was killed in a drive-by shooting in Baghdad Thursday, police said. Mayson Ahmed Bakir al-Hashimi was shot by unidentified gunmen as she was leaving her home Thursday morning in southwestern Baghdad, said police Capt. Jamel Hussein.
IRAQ: BAATHIST EXPERTS BEHIND ROADSIDE BOMBS -- (AKI)
Baghdad, 27 April (AKI) - Behind the deadly roadside bombs in Iraq, which in three years have killed more than 800 foreign soldiers and countless Iraqis, is the hand of the M-21 of the Mukhabarat, the Baathist intelligence service, according to military experts. The knowhow for construction of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) - like the one which Thursday morning killed three Italian soldiers and one Romanian in Nasiriya - is provided by the M-21, a recent assessment...
Blast at Italian Base in Iraq Kills 3 -- (AP)
ROME (AP) - A bomb blast rocked an Italian convoy at a base in southern Iraq on Thursday, killing two Italian soldiers and a Romanian, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. The bombing targeted a four-vehicle convoy on its way to relieve troops at the local Iraqi police station in the city of Nasiriyah, the statement said. One of the vehicles was destroyed, killing the three soldiers and gravely injuring at least one more passenger.
Wrong body sent to family mourning Iraq death -- [MSNBC]
Australia probing cause of casket mix-up involving military's 1st Iraq death
SYDNEY, Australia - The grieving relatives of an Australian soldier killed in Iraq were distressed to learn that the wrong body accidentally was sent home, the defense minister said Thursday.
Stuck in the Hot Zone -- [Newsweek]
Don't dream about full exits. The military is in Iraq for the long haul.
Maj. Micah Morgan fondly pats the nose of his Predator drone, much as a cavalry officer of old might have stroked the muzzle of his prized horse. "This is the future of the Air Force," says Morgan, a former B-1 bomber pilot. It is a glorious day in the Sunni Triangle. Outside the "wire" of Balad Air Base the insurgency still rages and sectarian war looms, but the sky above is a deep azure and, no small thing, wholly American-owned.
No Reports... short supply of Afghanistan MilBlogs
Army Moving to Secure Data at Afghan Base -- (LA Times)
After reports of thefts, the chief of staff says troops are being trained in the proper use and protection of computer memory drives.
WASHINGTON — The Army's chief of staff said Wednesday that he was frustrated by security lapses at Bagram air base in Afghanistan that led to the loss of potentially sensitive data, and that the military must learn how to be more careful with new technology.
Czech anti-terrorist unit deployed in Afghanistan -- (PakTribune.com)
PRAGUE: A part of a Czech anti-terrorist unit has been newly operating in remote areas of Afghanistan for several days, preparing conditions for the arrival of ...
The Second Front, Camp Contamination -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
The first front in the anti-US hate groups' agenda to get rid of USFK is of course the violence at Camp Humphreys against the camp expansion. The second front in the hate groups' agenda is the fabricated and exaggerated accusations about contamination on the vacated USFK camps that is holding up their hand over to the Korean government. General Bell recently addressed this second front in the anti-US hate groups' agenda
General Bell Beginning to Feel General LaPorte's Pain -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
It looks like the current USFK Commander, General Bell is beginning to feel the same frustration that I'm sure the former USFK Commander, General LaPorte felt when he was in command:
The CIA and Iran -- [TigerHawk]
My esteemed co-blogger Cardinalpark observed a couple of days ago that the CIA's quite obvious bureaucratic war against the policies of the elected President of the United States is at least as much the product of that agency's seemingly dismal track record -- particularly with regard to al Qaeda and Iraq -- as its heartfelt belief in truth, justice and the American way. The fact of that history of error and the effort that a certain faction within the Agency seems to have expended to distract our attention from that history causes one to worry about how well we understand Iran. Indeed, the CIA's experience in interpreting threats from that country is none too comforting.
Bell: N. Korea upgrading force -- (Army Times)
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea is modernizing its missiles and aggressively conducting tests to bolster their capabilities, the top U.S. military commander in South Korea said in an interview published Tuesday.
Army Gen. B. B. Bell also said allies Seoul and Washington need better defenses against the threat of missiles from the North, in his remarks to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.
Iran Leader Warns U.S. Against Attacking -- (AP)
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's supreme leader warned the United States on Wednesday that his nation would hit back twice as hard if America attacked its nuclear sites....
Iran has missiles that put Europe in range: report -- (Reuters)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Iran has received a first shipment of missiles from North Korea that are capable of reaching Europe, Israel's military intelligence chief was quoted on Thursday as saying.
Get Up Stand Up -- [T.F. Boggs - in Iraq]
...Our very way of life is under attack and the longer we wait around to do something about it the harder it will be to defeat. ...
Many people would have you believe that you cannot prove a terrorist’s intent until after they commit an attack like 9/11. But lets think about this for a minute. If a burglar breaks into your house but has yet to steal something then are you able to discern his true intent by his mere presence in your house, or do you need to let him steal something and then leave before you understand completely what his true intentions were? Of course not!
Bin Laden's Latest Rant: The Darfur Genocide as Holy War -- [Strategy Page]
Last week, on a tape aired by the Arab news channel Al-Jazeera, a voice claiming to be Osama bin Laden declared war on the world.
The geographic range of the 21st century caveman's rambling verbal jihad should impress Rand McNally.
EU Lawmakers Allege Numerous CIA Flights -- (AP)
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The CIA has conducted more than 1,000 clandestine flights in Europe since 2001, and some of them secretly took away terror suspects to countries where they could face torture
Four More Days for Fran's -- [Fuzzilicious Thinking]
Have you done all you can for Fran O'Brien's and the family they've developed to support severely wounded troops?
Rumor has it there are still conversations going on between lawyers, so not all hope is lost. What we need right now is to help Hilton understand it is to their benefit to give Fran's enough time to find and establish a new home so that Fran's can make a smooth transition for the sake of the wounded soldiers, and for the employees and volunteers who have been trained in supporting the wounded and have established relationships with them. For example, Fran's employees were given cell phones and have been "on call" for anyone who needs a ride, an encouraging word, or anything else that can be offered.
Nancy Pelosi's Comments on Oil Prices -- [The New Editor]
We have two oilmen in the White House.... The logical ... follow-up from that is $3-a-gallon gasoline. There is no accident. It is a cause and effect.... a cause and effect.
...let's see that matched in your separating yourself from your ... patron, Big Oil. Cut yourself off from that anvil that is holding ... your party down and this country down. Instead of coming to Washington and throwing your Republican colleagues under the wheels of the train, which they mightily deserve for being a rubber stamp for your obscene, corrupt policy of ripping off the American people.
Senate Democrats launch investigation into the 12 largest oil companies -- [The Gun Toting Liberal]
More “smoke and mirrors” anybody? Before I launch into my tirade over this news, allow me to first remind the readers of this blog that I am Liberal, but I am NOT a partisan Democrat. I despise ALL “snow jobs” (not a preemptive potshot at Tony Snow, by the way) by all politicians, when they are perpetrated by the Republicans (especially) and also when they are perpetrated by the Democrats. The latter would apply here:
Fidel Castro May Drill Off Florida's Coast -- [Wizbang]
Fidel Castro is looking into drilling for oil only 45 miles off Florida's coast. Yet, our own country's environmental regulations prevent us from doing the same thing.
...I would like Leader Nancy Pelosi to explain this one to the American people.
Senate Panel Recommends Abolishing FEMA -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Hurricane Katrina's latest fatality should be FEMA, the nation's disaster response agency, a Senate inquiry concluded in calling for a government overhaul to avoid future failures like those the devastating storm exposed. Eighty-six recommendations by the bipartisan panel indicate the United States is still woefully unprepared for a storm of Katrina's scope with the start of the hurricane season little more than a month away.
'We Know What's Best For You' -- (CBS News)... Dick Meyer.
For several weeks in a row there have been headlines like "Bush Approval Rating Hits New Low." This week, it was CNN's turn to break the news, with a poll showing just 32 percent who like the president's performance and 60 percent who do not.
November will be the last time that voters can punish George Bush and I expect they will.
Privately, Bush Says He Favors Citizenship -- (Washington Post)
WASHINGTON -- President Bush generally favors plans to give millions of illegal immigrants a chance at U.S. citizenship without leaving the country, but does not want to be more publicly supportive because of opposition among conservative House Republicans, according to senators who attended a recent White House meeting.
Arizona senators vote to divert Iraq war money to border security -- (The Business Journal)
The U.S. Senate -- including Arizona Republicans Jon Kyl and John McCain -- Wednesday voted to divert some Iraq war spending to border security.
The Senate approved a measure Wednesday that shifts $1.9 billion from a Bush administration Iraq war request to increased border patrols to help curtail illegal immigration and drug trafficking from Mexico.
Senate Panel Demands Oil Co. Tax Records -- (My Way/AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Responding to an election-year spike in gasoline prices, Senate Republicans on Wednesday drafted legislation providing $100 rebates for taxpayers as key lawmakers sought access to Big Oil's income tax returns
From A Canadian Forces Widow -- [Small Dead Animals]
...The reason I am emailing you is the issue of banning the media from the base when the soldiers' remains are returned to their families. While my husband was not overseas, I will share with you my personal experience with the media and a very public death.
Thankfully the media had yet to discover my house when I had to go see my husband for the first time. They found me by 6 AM the following morning. My parents had driven up immediately after my frantic phone call. My father stepped outside to get the papers and he was besieged (to say it lightly) with media camped out in my driveway! They were knocking at my door, putting the cameras on us as we opened it. There was always their cars there, with them sitting in them, waiting for someone to come or go. Phone call after phone call to the house when the lines were needed for more important issues. Our grief was made very public. I was asked if I wanted media at the funeral and I agreed to have them there. I wanted the people of Canada to know that even when Canada's sons and daughters do not go overseas, lives are put on the lone on a daily basis for the safety and security of every Canadian. To show them how the phrase "military cut backs' translates into real life in the forces. I had insisted that there not be a close up on any family member. I was sure Joe Blow watching the news did not need to see my tears, or those of my children to know we were distraught. Yet this rule was broken.
A Typical Politician Masquerading as a Journalist -- [Celestial Junk Blog - Canadian Forces]
Everyone who values liberty understands that a truly free press is one of the key corner stones of any free society. From book publication, news dissemination, to the expression of opinions, it is critical that free societies maximize the flow of ideas and facts. One of the key elements of open expression and exchange of ideas is the News Media. Democracies depend on receiving local, national, and international news in a factual and efficient manner. Journalists are therefore burdened with one of the most vital rolls in keeping free societies free. It falls to journalists to deliver to free societies the “facts” as purely as possible.
'PROGRESSIVE' MEDIA STALLS: 'AIR AMERICA' IN AUDIENCE PLUNGE NYC, 'DAILY KOS' BOOK SELLS ONLY 3,600 COPIES. -- [Drudge Report]
Left-leaning new media has hit turbulence at the marketplace, newly released stats showA book hyped by major media as documenting a progressive revolution of "blogs" and political power, DAILY KOS 'CRASHING THE GATE,' has sold only 3,630 copies since its release last month, according to NIELSEN's BOOKSCAN.
[NIELSEN claims only 2,062 copies of DAILY KOS have been purchased at the retail level; the rest coming through 'discount' outlets. The NIELSEN figures do include online sales from AMAZON.COM, and others.]
MediaNews Buys 4 Papers From McClatchy -- (AP)
NEW YORK (AP) - Six weeks after it agreed to buy Knight Ridder Inc., the second-largest newspaper publisher in the country, McClatchy Co. said Wednesday it has reached a deal to sell four of the 12 Knight Ridder papers it doesn't plan to keep to MediaNews Group Inc. for $1 billion. Once the deal closes for the San Jose Mercury News, the Contra Costa Times, the Monterey County Herald and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, McClatchy will have eight other Knight Ridder newspapers to sell.
The Proposal -- [Tyler Hernandez]
(pics, pics, pics, pics)
The Quarter-Century Mark -- [Fuzzilicious Thinking]
Yesterday afternoon Fuzzilicious Thinking received its 25,000th visitor in just under nine months of operation.
Six Generals Shot Down By The Internet -- [Strategy Page]
The recent flap over six retired American generals publicly calling for the Secretary of Defense to resign, also brought out opinions, via the Internet, from lower ranking troops (active duty, reservists and retired.) The mass media ran with the six generals, but got shot down by the troops and their blogs, message board postings and emails. It wasn't just a matter of the "troop media" being more powerful.
Home at Last -- [AubreyJ.org]
Turn the volume up and say thanks to our men and women of the United States Military
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.)
Spas (Thank You) -- [Iraqi Future, Iraqi Hope, Iraqi Dreams - Iraqi in D.C.]
I felt it very necessary for the first blog to be the true message that every Iraqi wants to tell the American soldiers, marines, airmen, sailors, and American public. That message is simple, it is thank you. We thank you for everything that you have endured in bringing up liberation and bringing us a chance to move forward for tyranny and oppression. After the decades of misery the Iraqi people had really given up all hope that anyone would come to help them but then one day we saw those stars and stripes waving in downtown Baghdad and everyone knew what that flag represented.
A day in the life of an American Soldier. -- [American Soldier]
This will be an ongoing story of a group of soldiers serving in Iraq. The names, places and at times the events will be modified to protect identity and OPSEC.
0645: The soldiers all gathered in the usual meeting spot to receive their pre-mission briefing. They called it the poop meet. SFC Goslin, the platoon sergeant took the floor and began with the days contact report. Detailing the encounters with the enemy, who got killed and who we were looking for. Some days were better than others. This particular day there were reports that the insurgency wanted to capture an American.
“Bullshit!” a soldier shouted out.
Subtle laughter came across the group of men. The lieutenant broke in and reminded everyone to keep their grenade battle ready. They all knew what that meant.
Another Firefight (One that Came Close to Never Being Blogged -- [Michael Fumento - journalist embed in Iraq]
I sure learned the hard way about the veracity of the Chinese expression that begins: "Be careful what you wish for . . ." We were told we might encounter the bad guys because you always "might," but by noon yesterday I would be a seasoned combat photojournalist.
...One brave soul, who turned out to be Sgt. Falk, risked his hide by jumping from his relatively safe position along the wall to pull me in. I yelled: "I'm okay! Go back!" But darned if he wasn't determined to rescue me! My lack of injury doesn't make him any less a hero in my book. As soon as I got to the wall I stood up all the way so everybody could see I was alright, but then another fellow apparently slipped and all eyes turned to him. But he was okay, too. He just needed water so I gave him my Camelbak water bladder to drink from, assuring him I didn't have cooties. The non-injured helping the non-injured!
REMF -- [Skull Nation in the Sandbox - in Iraq]
Well, John is back in the states. He hurt his back. Some crazy insurgent shot at him (We'll not at him but near him, many of our enemies don't aim well). So he did a double backflip with a triple gainer trying to get to cover. I hear his patrol mates held up signs giving him a decent score; 8.75, 9.25, and the Italian in the group gave him an 11 (even though we all know 10 is the best score possible).
...We killed alot of bad guys this week. They are acting up and making themselves more visible.
The Weekend Update. . .and What You Don't See on TV -- [The Desert Excursion - in Iraq]
I went out yesterday for the first time. It was a strange experience to finally be outside the comforts of a secure base, riding in the humvee (I write this phonetically) and seeing the workings of a society of people that we are here to protect. So what don't you see from the media?
Let me tell you what I saw on this patrol that I have never seen in the news. I saw ...
IRAQ’S NEW SAVIOR? -- [Blogging Baghdad - NBC journalist embed in Iraq]
Prime Minister designate Jawad al-Maliki survived an ambush here yesterday.
He was heading out of the bathroom after a meeting of parliament’s defense and security committee when we pounced. Our crew had been waiting for him. I reached out to shake his hand. It was still wet. Apparently there were no paper towels. He reached out his dry wrist so I could shake it. I shook it.
So you spoke to President Bush yesterday, what did he tell you? I asked without preamble.
You want to ask me here? Maliki wanted to know, turning to look at the door with an unmistakable little blue symbol of a man on it.
No, the bathroom might not be a great background for your network television debut, I conceded.
We walked into a small nearby office and talked about his priorities, the country’s unity government and militias.
Have You Ever Seen A Turbaned Man With A Tie! -- [24 Steps to Liberty - an Iraqi in Iraq]
...The Iraqis differ on how they reacted to the decision of making Maliki a PM. Some thought it was a “great news that would solve all the problems in Iraq.” Others said that “he is a tough man who would end three years of violence.” Some said “he is a Shiite. That is enough. Because the Shiites have to rule Iraq from now on.” And many said “why should we care? They don’t care about us, and we care no more.”
The reality from the ground is that Jawad al-Maliki is a Dawa member, therefore, he is a member of the United Iraqi Alliance. And that means
War Letters, Past and Present - Part III -- [Wordsmith at War - in Iraq]
The following letter comes from a website called “War Letters: Rochester Writes Home.” It was written from Vietnam by a man named “John.”
...Now here’s a fictional conversation of a modern day soldier telling his wife about a suicide bombing. He walks into the internet café, signs for a phone, and speaks to his wife over the internet for less than .2 cents a minute. He’s on a forward operating base in Ramadi, Iraq, and she’s at their home near the Rocky Mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah. The whole conversation lasts less than 20 minutes.
Iraq Pictures - 25 April 2006 -- [Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
Soldiers of the 21st Military Police Company, attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, rally after a convoy to an Iraqi police station in the Al Rasheed district. The Soldiers travel to IP stations throughout southern and central Baghdad as part of efforts to help the Iraqi police operate independently in Baghdad.
...21-year-old female Iraqi Army solider who works in the brigade administration office of the 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, donates blood at a clinic at Forward Operating Base Justice near Baghdad. The event was the second time that the Iraqi Army has staged a blood drive. Between the two efforts, more than 350 pints of blood have been donated to the Baghdad Blood Bank.
Hurry Up and Wait -- [Running with the Bulls -- GX journalist embed in Iraq]
...So, I spent the morning pestering the PAOs (Public Affairs Officers) for both Brigades, trying to line up some missions, interviews, photo ops… anything. I only had one week left in country and sitting around with nothing to do was killing me. When it comes to getting my job done I am not, as you can see, a patient man.
Fortunately, with a good deal of help from CPT Lappegaard I arranged several missions over the next few days. There were still some large blank spots where I might well end up sitting around, but hopefully I can find ways to fill that time. Now, to be fair, I did have the opportunity to accompany several convoy escorts, but with my time left here so short, I was hesitant to wander too far from base.
The Mean Streets -- [Just Another Thunderhorse Roughneck - in Iraq]
The IZ, formally known as the Green Zone, is pretty peaceful compared to other parts of Baghdad. Today we decided to go through the nasty parts of the city to find some excitement. It’s thrilling because of the tons of traffic and the numbers of people. It’s also parts of Baghdad we don’t get to see every day. We came up with excuses to take the scenic route. Either I primary route was full of IEDs, closed, or taking small arms fire. Traffic was everywhere and a lot of the roads were blocked with cars. For some reason, there are no traffic lights over here. The city is full of traffic circles with Iraqi Police directing traffic.
sand storm -- [John's Iraq Blog - in Iraq]
...The last week or so offers nothing substantial to write about but I will run it down for you anyway. Lets see...some convoys came in and some convoys left, dito for planes, we had some sandstorms and rain, and we have had a couple of mortar attacks. We have not had any deaths so all in all it has been a good week.
A Certain Cachet -- [4 Mile Creek - in Iraq]
We find a lot of weapons caches around here. And there are reports of sectarian violence almost every day. But that's not always what gets reported.
A weapons "cache" is pronouned as "cash". Easy for me, one of my favorite fishing spots was along the Cache La Poudre river, and the word poudre is harder for me to pronounce than the word cache. Multiple weapons caches are pronounced as "cashes". Around here, you will hear many soldiers pronounce it as cachet. Both the singular cache, and the plural caches. I guess they want to add a certain je ne sai qua to the rather bourgeois work of reporting on caches.
The sound and the fury -- [The Will to Exist - in Iraq]
The above image was taken yesterday as a rain/sand storm made it’s way across central Baghdad. The storm lasted several hours, and strong winds turned the sky a color I’ve not seen before. The accompanying thunderstorm sounded like the biggest mortar barrage I’ve ever heard.
Earlier in the day, I had heard several car bombs go off, and they were puny in comparison to the power of nature.
The Miserable Donuts Naval Attache to Iraq -- [Miserable Donuts]
Allow me to introduce the Brown Sand Sailor, in his own words:
"Always historically-minded, ever since a youth spent perusing a grandfather's academic library, the scribe was fond of the sea even before realizing it was salty. After obtaining a history degree, and working such related jobs as surveyor, sign maker and printer, the beginning writer slaved away at a Master's Degree in Soviet History, receiving it just in time to witness...
Corrections -- (Washington Post)...The Washington Post
An April 23 article about the alleged leak of classified information by a CIA officer incorrectly referred to an attack by U.S. warplanes on a chemical factory in Sudan. The factory was attacked by cruise missiles launched from Navy ships.
Iraqi troops monitored for death squad activity -- (Army Times/ AP)
A soldier speaks with members of the newly renamed Iraqi National Police at a checkpoint in Baghdad on Thursday.
BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. troops aren’t just training Iraqi forces, they’re also keeping an eye on them, watching for signs they could be moonlighting in the Shiite death squads that target Sunnis.
Senators: Prod Iraq On Cabinet -- (Philadelphia Inquirer)...Drew Brown
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a measure yesterday that would require Iraqi leaders to meet deadlines on forming a cabinet and appointing a commission to write new amendments to their constitution or face the possibility that U.S. troops would withdraw.
Rumsfeld, Rice in surprise Iraq visit -- (CNN News)
Looking to bolster relations with new government
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- On a mission to show support for Iraq's fledgling new government, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived Wednesday in Baghdad on unannounced visits
Senate Panel Considers Hearing On Rumsfeld -- (Washington Post)...Charles Babington
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, underscoring lawmakers' concerns about the Iraq war's progress, said yesterday that he may invite testimony from retired generals who have called for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to resign.
Rumsfeld In Line Of Fire Of Eighth Retired General -- (London Financial Times)...Demetri Sevastopulo
Donald Rumsfeld, US defence secretary, yesterday came under more fire after another retired general joined the growing list of retired brass gunning for his resignation. Retired Lieutenant General Paul Van Riper, a three-star general who retired in 1997, told Fox News that Mr Rumsfeld was not capable of leading the Pentagon effort in Iraq.
Abuse Charge Set For A U.S. Colonel -- (New York Times)...Eric Schmitt
The Army plans to charge Lt. Col. Steven L. Jordan, the former head of the interrogation center at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, with dereliction of duty, lying to investigators and conduct unbecoming an officer, Army officials and a lawyer for the officer said on Tuesday.
Dasht-e-Margo -- [Michael Yon - journalist embed in Afghanistan]
“Desert of Death”
Lashkar Gah to Camp Bastion
As our bags were loaded into the Land Cruiser for the journey toward Dasht-e-Margo, the Desert of Death, a man wearing a bomb closes in. Before striking off, we again visit the PRT in Lashkar Gah, where Steve huddles with some Afghan employees. An entire British Army unit has defected, he said, with their weapons and equipment. The Afghans grow quiet, until Steve says, “And they joined the Taliban.”
U.S & Coalition forces weakness against Taliban -- [Afghan Lord - Afghani in Afghanistan]
Increasingly suicide bombing and attacks around the country especially in the southern against international and American forces made embarrassed those whom are involved in the game especially the U.S.A. This caused to an ill-considered action against rebels.
Military operations against Taliban and Alqaeda are nothing else but propaganda. What got the result of the latest operations and what were the previous operation results if did the operation?
Never heard the U.S military operation arrested the insurgents.
An Overview of Kabuli Housing Options -- [Notes from a Surreal Life - expat in afghanistan]
A while ago I decided to stop by Tarsian & Blinkley and buy some new clothes. Tarsian & Blinkley is a women’s clothing store run by a woman with a very good understanding of marketing. The clothes are in the Western style (Western-type designs, some with short hems and no sleeves http://www.tarsian.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=28), but with an Afghan influence, and are made by Afghan women. This allows them to market them overseas as fashion with a conscious and a bit of the exotic. In Kabul, there is no other store like it,
False alarm -- [Pyjama Samsara - Aussie in Afghanistan]
Email from the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office (ANSO) this arvo:
The Afghanistan Islamic Revolution Day will be celebrated in Kabul city on the 28 April. For that occasion, a military parade will be held on that day and preparations have been ongoing for the last days. Please expect traffic problems as some streets (Southern part of Kabul) are blocked off in the morning for the preparations. The celebration will also include a gun salute by artillery guns and the crews are practicing that as well. So please do not be alarmed if you hear artillery fire from today up until the 28 April.
Leaks of Military Files Resume -- (LA Times)
Despite security efforts, flash drives stolen from U.S. base in Afghanistan are still sold at bazaar.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan — Just days after U.S. troops were ordered to plug a security breach at their base here, the black market trade in computer memory drives containing military documents was thriving again Monday.
Afghans' Uneasy Peace With Democracy -- (Washington Post)
In Discord Over Convert's Trial, Muslims Say They Identify With Islamic Law First
KABUL, Afghanistan, April 21 -- The Herati Mosque stands in one of the Afghan capital's most modern neighborhoods. Its imam, Abdul Rauf, was one of the few local clerics to criticize the rigid Islamic views and harsh punishments of the Taliban movement when it ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
Escalating Violence Kills 13 In Afghanistan -- (Washington Post- World in Brief)
An airstrike by U.S.-led forces in southern Afghanistan, a Taliban assault on a police station and a roadside bomb attack on a military convoy left 13 people dead in escalating violence, officials said on Tuesday.
President Roh Has Declared War Against Japan -- [GI Korea - in S Korea]
Does this mean that I need to start stalking up on rations, water, and batteries again as I await the end of the world due to the Dokdo crisis?:
Iran to world: "Drop Dead" Part II -- [Peace like a River]
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Dr. Ali Ardeshir Larijani, said today that Iran would consider withdrawing from the IAEA if sanctions are imposed. Larijani also once again warned that Iran might use oil as a weapon if pushed too far.
Nepal Ablaze -- [Miserable Donuts]
...I have a close friend who lives in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. He's watched the protests from the rooftop of his home. What started as a general strike a few days ago is rapidly becoming a revolution. The government has enacted a 'shoot-on-sight' curfew.
I urged my friend to post his observations on this blog so the world could see what's happening in Nepal.
Senior Iran Cleric Tells Sudan That Nuclear Aid Is Available -- (New York Times)...Nazila Fathi
Iran's supreme leader said Tuesday at a meeting here with the Sudanese president that Iran was ready to share its nuclear technology with other countries.
Russia Helps Israel Keep An Eye On Iran -- (New York Times)...Associated Press
Russia launched a satellite for Israel on Tuesday that the Israelis say will be used to monitor Iran's nuclear activities.
Osama bin Laden calls Baghdad the "Epicenter" of Jihad just as the Iraqi Political Stalemate is Resolved -- [Counterterrorism - Bill Roggio]
The threat of a full-scale civil war in Iraq has receded after the disparate political parties have come to agreement on the face of the new government. After months of deadlock over the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance's selection of Ibrahim Jaafari as Prime Minister, Jaafari reluctantly walked away from the nomination and the UIA selected Jawad al-Maliki. The Iraqi Parliament quickly convened on Saturday and nominated al-Maliki. Jalal Talabani (a Kurd) has been selected as President and Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as the Speaker of the Parliament.
The Military & Propaganda Messages in Zarqawi's Tape -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Bill Roggio]
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's 34 minute long video tape not only includes numerous political messages, as Dr. Walid Phares explains; but also contains information on al-Qaeda in Iraq's propaganda and military capabilities. Several of the military and propaganda aspects are covered below:
Defiant Zarqawi -- [4 Mile Creek - in Iraq]
Good ol' CNN. If Zarqawi can expect a soft landing anywhere, it's on CNN.
Like last month, when everyone else was reporting that there were major fights breaking out all over Iraq between Sunnis and Al Queda in Iraq, CNN was reporting that al Zarqawi was "gaining ground"! The first two sentences could have come straight out of the opening of a spy/war novel:
Torture Numbers Unclear -- [Stop the ACLU]
The Washington Times has an excellent piece in today’s issue (and posted online) concerning the fuzzy math used in figuring out how many actual torture cases actually are based in fact. We here at Stop The ACLU have been saying since this all blew up last year when groups like Human Rights Watch, the ACLU, and others, started crying that the Bush Administration was condoning the torture of detainees that these charges are completely baseless and are only an issue because these groups like to demonize the United States.
IRAQ: ARAB PRESS DIVIDED OVER SPACE FOR NEW AL-ZARQAWI VIDEO -- (AKI)
Baghdad, 26 April (AKI) - Newspapers in the Middle East varied widely in their coverage on Wednesday of the rare video apparently featuring al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, posted to the Internet on Tuesday, in which he reaffirms allegiance to Osama bin Laden and warns his terror network has its sights set on Jerusalem. The only regional paper to lead with the story is the pan-Arab Al-Quds al-Arabi - always highly critical of the US administration's foreign policy. Its editor Abdel Bari Atwan, takes a similar line to that of al-Jazeera Arabic satellite TV network, which aired an interview with Atwan on the new video as the story broke on Tuesday
Va. Terror Case Sent Back To Lower Court -- (Washington Post)...Jerry Markon
The case of a prominent Muslim spiritual leader convicted on terrorism charges was returned to a federal judge in Alexandria yesterday after his attorneys told an appeals court that they believe the man was a target of President Bush's warrantless eavesdropping program.
Jury Convicts California Man Charged With Attending Al-Qaeda Camp -- (Washington Post)...Sonya Geis
A Pakistani American in Lodi, Calif., was found guilty Tuesday of attending an al-Qaeda training camp in Pakistan, hours after another jury deadlocked on charges that his father lied to the FBI to protect him.
First 'Official' Book Review -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
I received word of my first official book review of From Here To There over the weekend. The book review is up at Gloomwing, Review by Steven M. Ulmen. Here's the official review:
Some Things Just Aren't Right -- [Guidons, Guidons, Guidons]
There are some things that just shouldn't be done. This is one of them...aparantly West Point has something called the Cavalry Scout Club...as you can see by the picture above, I guess that entitles some of the members to dress up like real Cav Soldiers and wear a stetson. Are there no CAV Officers serving at West Point who can straighten these guys out?
Warriors Of The Future Will 'Taste' Battlefield -- (Local6.com)
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Military researchers believe the tongue could be key in their quest to create the super warrior of the future.
In a quest to create the super warrior of the future, some military researchers aren't focusing on organs like muscles or hearts. They're looking at tongues. By routing signals from helmet-mounted cameras, sonar and other equipment through the tongue to the brain, they hope to give elite soldiers superhuman senses similar to owls, snakes and fish.
GI Bill Now Unfair For Reservists -- (Honolulu Advertiser)...Tom Philpott
Reserve and National Guard members mobilized for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are discovering an inequity in their GI Bill education benefits that needs to be fixed, says Rep. Vic Snyder of Arkansas, senior Democrat on the House Armed Services subcommittee on military personnel.
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Suit Dismissed -- (Boston Globe)...Shelley Murphy
A federal judge in Boston dismissed a lawsuit challenging the military's 'don't ask, don't tell" policy, ruling that Congress has the authority to exclude gays from the armed services.
Military Plays Serious War Games -- (Newport News Daily Press)...Stephanie Heinatz
...Somehow, someone has used a ship to sneak a nuclear bomb dangerously close to the country. How will authorities respond? That's the question posed by Unified Quest 2006, an annual war game that kicked off this week and is co-hosted by the Army and the Hampton Roads-based U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Annnnnnd herrrrrrrrrresss TONY! -- [The Gun Toting Liberal]
Let me be one of the first to reach across the aisle to congratulate Mr. Snow on securing his new job as the “new face” of one of the most, if not THE most controversial Administrations in the history of the United States.
I have very high expectations of Mr. Snow. I expect him to uphold his journalistic standards to the upmost degree. I will lose all of the respect I hold for the man, which if you’ve followed the links I’ve provided, you’ll know are extremely high, if he tries to play “Scotty McClellan II” on us. I expect the man to answer the questions.
Steele Attacked By Democratic “Hate Politics” (VIDEO) -- [Expose the Left]
Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele appeared on FOX News’ Hannity & Colmes tonight to discuss the recent hate politics Democrats have deployed on his candidacy for the Senate. Steele, a black Republican, has received many attacks from the Democratic party, you know, the “tolerant” party.
Fox Host to Be Named White House Spokesman -- (AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Conservative pundit Tony Snow will be named White House press secretary, Republican officials said Tuesday night, in the latest move in President Bush's effort to remake his troubled White House....
'Giuliani Time' an Unflattering Film -- (AP)
NEW YORK (AP) -- With Rudy Giuliani considering a run for president in 2008, a documentary aimed at tearing down his Churchillian image since Sept. 11 is about to be released....
Fairy Tales at War -- [Strategy Page]
American journalists and politicians, who are hostile to American operations in Iraq, are pushing a story that the U.S. is planning to use nuclear weapons for an attack on Iranian nuclear weapons facilities. They offer no proof, and no explanation of how an American president would hope to survive the diplomatic fallout from using nuclear weapons for the first time since 1945.
Stories not carried by CNN -- [Those Wacky Iraqis - in Iraq]
While I was in Dubai the USS Ronald Reagan was in town. I went into a bar full of sailors and they saw the 1st CAV patch on my 3-Day bag. We got into discussions about the war and I was not surprised to hear from them that they only hear the worst of what happens here. Just like everyone at home, they don't read anymore, they just get all their news from electronic sources like CNN, and CBS, et al.
These MSM entities don't publish good news because "If it bleeds, it leads". Bad news is page one, good news is page three filler. As a result most people don't know about the good that has been done here or how the Army goes about it's day to day business.
Cheap-skate Media Stilts Iraq Coverage -- [Daily Dispatch]
Bruce Kesler, writing in Editor & Publisher asks, “Is the Media Covering Iraq On the Cheap?”
As one who has been an embedded reporter in Iraq, I would answer in the affirmative.
Kesler writes, “Ironically, the same media that criticizes the U.S. for sending too few troops to stabilize Iraq send too few reporters to cover much more than the dramatic bombings around Baghdad.”
Olbermann Attacks Bush Admin "McCarthyism" Against "Scapegoat" Mary McCarthy -- [NewsBusters]
On Monday's Countdown show, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann raised the term "new McCarthyism," as he accused the Bush administration of engaging in a "witch hunt" against leakers "it does not find politically expedient." Olbermann referred to the "Red Scare witch hunt of the 1950s" during which Senator Joseph McCarthy went after communist sympathizers, as the Countdown host formed a pun on the famous Senator's name and the name of recently fired CIA analyst Mary McCarthy, whom on Friday he had sympathetically referred to as a "whistleblower," on grounds she leaked classified information about secret prisons in Europe being used in the War on Terrorism.
Mil Blog weekend -- [Sandgram]
I traveled from Texas to DC this weekend for the first MilBloggers conference, and I must say that at first I didn’t know what to expect. “Capt. B” from “One Marines View” drove up from North Carolina and I figured that we would get together; tell war stories, drink some beer, smoke cigars, and rant and rave about our time in Iraq. It was all that and more! This was one of the most professional, well-orchestrated conferences I have ever attended. Andi, from “Andi’s World” must have slaved 24/7 to pull off such a flawless show.
If you' re a PAO you NEED to be in on these conversations -- [Nine to Five - Military PAO]
First, you may have missed the 2006 First Annual Mil Blog Conference. You can check out some of the AARs at Op-For, SGT Hook, and the main conference organizer, Andi, has a great roll up of all the AARs here. My recommendation: don't miss this next year. For your own professional development and for the betterment of our Army, even if you have to participate online as more than 800 others did this year. You can keep up with it at Andi's world.
The BBC also covered it here.
One of the most interesting things to come out of the conference, at least from a PAO standpoint, is this conversation, which you should be a part of.
Another version of a similar conversation appears over at John Donovan's blog. He's an awesome guy whom I had the pleasure of meeting. He and Beth are intimately involved in Project Valour IT, which provides voice activated laptops for our servicemembers too wounded to use computers normally.
The milblogging community is one that we should definitely be forging a relationship with.
Milblog Conference - Friday -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
The atmosphere was... incredible. There were diners doing the limbo under a crutch. I saw Paul Wolfowitz sitting at a table. A Marine at the bar desperately needed his missing right arm to complete the hand motions for a dance, and yelled "arm!" His wife (also a Marine) stood behind him and provided the arm, matching the movements of his left arm with her right. We were all hysterical, and Capt B said it was the most awesome thing he'd ever seen. Later, she 'lovingly' offered him a cigarette. Each time he opened his mouth for it, she quickly attempted to stick it up his nose.
In the Ladies' room, a young woman at the sinks holds her hand out to another. There's an engagement ring on her finger. "Oh, honey, I am so happy for you!", says the second woman. They embrace. "Of course", the first woman says, "we're going to be here a while longer. Jim needs to have another 4 inches removed from his stump. The femur has deteriorated." "Oh, I know how that is."
It's like a big family, where everyone can just be themselves.
the goings on... -- [Gypsy Life - in Iraq]
...My 27th birthday is on the 26th of this month and I couldn't care less. I could truly stop the aging process now and be happy with it...but time marches on doesn't it.
Rememberance -- [Fire and Ice]
...His father told me the story behind finding the drawing. His stepson Matt was up late unable to sleep thinking about his dead brother. So he did what many of us do during dark midnights of the soul, we google. Matt googled Nick's full name and up jumped a half dozen websit
