 |  |
| Monthly Archives | [−] |
Prev | List | Random | Next |
Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
SGT Matt Maupin’s Remains Found in Iraq -- [Gathering of Eagles]
I have worn a bracelet with Matt’s name on it for almost four years, and was dreading the upcoming anniversary of his capture.
...Today, I take it off and place it on my desk, where I can look at it and remember him. The tan line on my wrist will fade eventually, but the memory of Matt’s sacrifice, and the horrors he endured for the sake of our nation will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who know the price of freedom. Godspeed, little brother. Your name will never be forgotten. Never.
Married Troops Can Live Together in Iraq -- [AP]
BAGHDAD (AP) -- When American soldiers get off duty in Iraq, the men usually return to their quarters, the women to theirs. But Staff Sgt. Marvin Frazier gets to go back to a small trailer with two pushed-together single beds that he shares with his wife....
Baghdad College Students Study U.S. Politics
3/24/08 Political science majors in Baghdad inteviewed by Kira Phillips of CNN.
Color of War -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
Desert Battles are unfolding in hidden and faraway places. Bullets snapp through air, then splap through flesh and men fall. Bodies crumple onto the desert, a fly lands on the lip of an open mouth, fingers twitch as the flesh dies and the winds kick up and dust settles on unblinking eyes. The dry earth drinks their sticky blood and they are forgotten. Their families do not know they are dead. They came to kill Americans and innocent Iraqis. Instead, they were killed themselves. In a desert landscape, sometimes the color of a war can bleed out into black and white.
Interestingly, the people who accuse Yezidis of being devil-worshippers are responsible for the deaths of perhaps a million people in the last few decades. They are the ones who put Yezidis on “reservations,” poured chemical gases on Kurds, set oil wells ablaze, poisoned the water with oil, and encouraged suicide attacks. What do Yezidis want from us? Not much. They want to thank Americans for beating back Saddam. They want Americans to know they appreciate the sacrifice.
Iraqi Forces Show Strength Through Unilateral Exercise -- [MNF-I]
“This exercise is very important to make the people confident in the IP and PSF,” said Iraqi Col. Muhammad Shafur, the PSF battalion commander, through an interpreter. “It showed the people that the police are strong and serious about taking actions against the insurgents.”
“We have to be prepared and ready in case insurgents attack here,” said Iraqi police Col. Faruq Hardan, the Haditha Triad IP chief.
...The IP and PSF planned and executed key training events for their men as coalition forces observed.
The Iraqi forces are working hard to gain the trust of the people through these exercises and with their continual security presence in the community.
Mojo's World -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
The day before Muqtada al-Sadr lifted the Mahdi Army's freeze of attacks on Coalition Forces, things were obnoxiously normal in Anu al-Verona. Kids playing in the dirt, women shopping in the market, old men casting geriatric judgements from front porches, teenagers leering for the sake of leering - you know, the works. It all seems so distant now. Multiple 24-hour plus missions tend to have that effect on the memory.
As usual, Mojo was found near the combat outpost, on the front steps of the governance center. As the mayor’s son, he has the unofficial responsibility of hawking as much crap obtained by less than legal means as possible our way. Phone cards, cell phones, movies, iPods, and various forms of porn far more creative than necessary are always readily available through him – and that’s what he’s willing to try and sell in front of the LT.
Deja Vu All Over Again -- [All Quiet on the Southwest Asian Front -- in Iraq]
Mar. 28th, 2008 - Woken up 3 times yesterday by rocket attacks. The first one not 5 minutes after I laid down to sleep. Then they started coming in every few hours. It made us laugh a bit to hear that the second attack had overshot, landed on the Iraqi Military Academy, and set a mosque on fire.
But the constant interruption of my sleep did me no favors. It hurt to get up for work.
Al-Sadr's Jaysh al-Mahdi still going crazy. It's like all the madness of last summer all over again.
Sadr orders followers to end fighting -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
Muqtada al Sadr has called for his Mahdi Army to end fighting with the government. This comes as his forces have taken significant losses over the past six days.
In Pictures: Iranian munitions seized in Iraq -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
Multinational Forces Iraq has released new images of Iranian-made weapons that have been seized inside Iraq.
As the US and Iraqi Army battle the Iranian-backed Mahdi Army and the Special Groups terror cells in central and southern Iraq, the US military in Baghdad has released further information on Iranian-made weapons seized in Iraq. The US has seized numerous weapons caches in the past, with lot numbers and markings clearly linking them back to Iran. Iran has denied any involvement with sending weapons to Iraq, yet it has not explained how these Iranian-manufactured weapons are appearing inside Iraq.
Curfew Ends, Fightng Continues -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
The curfew ended early this morning, so life is returning to relative normalcy here in the city. Our household staff came in this morning and told me that the fighting still continues in Sadr City despite al-Sadr's call for his followers to withdraw from the streets, CNN is reporting the same thing. It's an indicator that al-Sadr's grip on the Mahdi Army may not be as strong as once thought. Also, to be fair, not all of the insurgents belong to the Mahdi Army, as there has been a lot of fracturing of insurgent groups lately, especially around Sadr City.
This week in Basra – 2 Major Lessons -- [OPFOR]
The infestation of Basra with Mahdi madmen shows what could happen throughout Iraq if American forces would draw down too quickly. It has not been long since British forces prematurely turned over Basra's city streets to local police. Now, the Mahdi Army roams the streets with RPGs and RPK machine guns. Basra has become one of the last Iraqi havens for extremists. If we stop our chemotherapy early because it makes us sick, the cancer will return.
Fuck the Militia -- [TheAngryAmerican - in Iraq]
...The main route we had been working on recently was empty and it was the middle of the day. Smoke from tire fires was in the air. Lately Sadr's militia went buckwhile coming out to fight. Fighting from Sadr City spilled east into Bravo Company's sector. Alpha, and Bravo and some elements from an Armored unit were in the midst of a heated battle in Bravo's sector uprooting militia men from the check points. We drove by a check point tower we had built and the side of it had been hit by an RPG. We drove past numerous check points that were abandoned. Reports of a certain checkpoint that had been taken over by JAM came across the net.
Another Interesting Day -- [Brad's Excellent Adventure - in Iraq]
...I had two projects going in the same area at the same time, and we were doing a pretty good job of managing to our plan. One contractor was adjusting the air conditioning, and another was putting down new tile on a stairway. It was all being done in a secure area that requires extensive coordination and pre-planning for me to get workers in to do anything. I had done the required coordination, and we were where we were supposed to be, and when.
One thing about working with these local contractors is that you can never tell what they are going to do next – they just don’t approach a job the way you’d expect
Escalation Of Force -- [Iraq: The Purgatorium - in Iraq]
The kids in the school crowd in the doorways and peek out the windows at the foreigners clearing the area. Once we finish and take up positions inside the courtyard, the kids become more curious.
"Hello Mista!"
"Mista! Football!"
"Mista! Pen!"
"Mista! I love you!"
"Mista! Give me!"
The teachers were obviously annoyed by the distraction and the kids' unruly behavior. There was really only one way that I could ever respond to something like this.
I gave the kids the thumbs up, which they returned, moderate cheering.
As we walked back, I took point, with my good friend, the travel partner, Solid Steak, on the other side of the road next to me. I went about the usual scanning paranoia routine, looking for the supposed bad guy before the supposed bad guy could supposedly get it on.
Down the road in front of us, an old dude pedaled towards us on a bike. I gave him the closed fist hand signal to stop. He didn't.
I gave him the Iraqi hand signal for Stop. He didn't.
I yelled at him, something polite like, "Hey! Keef! Stop! STOP MOTHERFUCKER!!!" He didn't.
I raised my M4 and put my sights on his face. "HEY! STOP AND GET THE FUCK OFF THE ROAD!!!" He didn't.
Iraq News (31 March) -- [LT Nixon Rants - in Iraq]
The Good: Sadr throws in the towel (that didn't take long). Also, check out my post entitled "Shi'ite Happens" at VetVoice for my take on this whole mess. The fact that many in the media think the Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces are tactically losing to a bunch of thugs is preposterous. Apparently, Iran was involved in the ceasefire too, very interesting.
Dealing With Corruption -- [False Motivation - in Iraq]
Before I post the pictures from the kids I want to touch on a subject that is at the very heart of this conflict here in the Middle East, Corruption. No, not American corruption, Iraqi. The last thing left to do to complete our mission here is to help the IA and IP establish themselves as a legitimate, capable, and competent force; but sometimes they seem so dead set against it.
Hero For A Day - U.S. Troops and Iraqi Children
A Triumph of Spirit -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
The soldiers had told M many times to be careful. They worried about him. He smiled and dismissed the warnings, they said, and asked just one thing: "If something happens to me, take care of my family."
After he was killed, Beckert and Wilz went to console Mrs. M and the children. She was terribly frightened, they said, certain that her children were in danger. She looked at the soldiers and asked: "We go America?"
"We looked at each other," Wilz said. "Then, we looked at her and said, 'Yes.' "
Read this inspiring story about the North Dakota National Guard soldiers of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion and the Iraqi family who became their own. And bring a tissue.
VIDEO: From the Frontline - Episode 2 -- [Fearless 1st Marines’ blog - in Iraq]
This edition features stories on Operation Spider Web and it's mission in Aramayah, Iraq as well as Joint Security Patrols in Subayhat, where they patrol the streets and meet with locals.
Part 2 - Continues to feature stories of Marines patrolling through the Andaloos district in Fallujah, Iraq where they are searching for cars that may house vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) and interview shop keepers along the way.
on call at AFTH -- [the alley - in Iraq]
Posted March 19th, 2008 by JoshI'm the SOD (Surgeon Of the Day) on call tonight here at the Air Force Theater Hospital, and it's just after 1:15 AM. We've just "tucked in" two injured US troops who came from Baghdad, which is sort of a nightly occurrence. One of them had to go back to the OR on arrival here. I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last posted...sorry. It's been a little busier here lately, with lots of Iraqi thoracoabdominal injuries and our fair share of postoperative complications.
"KBR runs this country" -- [IN-iraq - in Iraq]
(KBR employee Brian Bodway, of Gulf Shores AL, trains new Indiana soldiers on how to extract a truck driver in case of an emergency. Bodway has driven trucks in Iraq for almost three years.)
“You’re gonna learn real fast that KBR runs this country,” said Sgt. Robert Bishop, 29, of the Alaskan 297th combat support battalion, as he spoke to several Indiana platoons on their mission for the next nine months- convoy security to and from Iraq's U.S. bases.
KBR, Kellogg Brown and Root, is the omnipresent corporation that seems to supply and maintain everything from Port-a-potties to busing on U.S. bases in Iraq.*
Biggest Mistake -- [One Marine's View]
I heard on the radio the other day that morons are claiming that the Iraqi War was the biggest blunder of President Bush's presidency. Wow, are these guys the most ungrateful, unfocused, un-American people or what? It was a mistake, they say, to invade Iraq. Hell, let's wrap Afghanistan in that too then.
Why 4,000 Wasn't 13,747 -- [Strategy Page]
March 31, 2008: Five years of fighting in Iraq has killed 4,000 American troops. The first five years of fighting in Vietnam (1965-69) killed 40,258. There were about three times as many U.S. troops involved in the Vietnam fighting. But even then, the number of Americans killer per thousand troops in Vietnam was three times higher (19, versus 6 in Iraq). If the casualty rates were the same in Iraq, there should have been 13,747 dead so far. However, there were proportionately more wounded in Iraq. While there were 3.4 times more dead in Vietnam (in killed per thousand troops), there were only 3.2 times more wounded. Overall, there were 133 casualties per thousand troops in Vietnam, versus 47 in Iraq.
Downgrading Iraq? -- [Matt Sanchez]
Five years after the initial invasion of Iraq, Americans wonder where we are.
Iraq is like no other conflict in American history. It is arguably no longer a war, but a low-level insurgency. We are not fighting a country, but a transnational conspiracy that operates more like an international fast-food franchise than a military force. In this conflict, there will be no "D" Day or signing of a peace treaty.
What is victory? It is ...
Mass grave uncovered in Iraq -- [Wa Times]
ZAHAMM, Iraq — The graves of more than 50 people thought killed by al Qaeda in Iraq during their two-year reign of terror in Diyala province's "bread basket" region have been found in a pomegranate orchard in a village near the town of Himbus.
Excavations at the site began last week and were expected to continue after troops of the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment were tipped to the location by a man who claimed to have escaped from al Qaeda's "jail" there last summer.
The Case for Conditional Engagement in Iraq -- [SWJ]
Five years into the war in Iraq with no end in sight, a new strategy is needed. The current strategy of unconditional support to Iraq’s central government has not produced nearly enough political progress. President Bush and those wishing to succeed him should embrace a new political strategy in Iraq that makes our military presence conditional on political accommodation.
Under the leadership of General David Petraeus, U.S. forces in Iraq have designed and implemented the best military strategy possible under the circumstances. But security progress appears to have leveled off, and violence has started to tick back up. Further gains can only come through the political process. General Petraeus recently told reporters that “no one feels that there has been sufficient progress by any means in the area of national reconciliation.” Similar candor will likely be on display when Petraeus testifies before Congress in the coming days.
Al Qaeda Trying to Change the Look of Terror -- [ABC News]
The nation's spymaster said the United States faces an imminent threat of attack from al Qaeda fighters training today along Pakistan's mountainous frontier with Afghanistan.
And the attackers, he says, will look like many of us.
"It's very clear to us that al Qaeda has been able, over the past 18 months or so, to establish a safe haven along the Afghan/Pakistan border area that they have not enjoyed before," CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden said on NBC's "Meet the Press" program.
"That they are bringing operatives into that region for training, operatives that ... wouldn't attract your attention if they were going through the customs line at Dulles with you when you're coming back from overseas," he said.
Front of the line -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Girls get the goods in Andar.
I recently made what may end up being my last visit to Ghazni's much-talked-about Andar District.
Moving to the head of the line.Andar has quite a reputation. Historically it has been the most active area for Taliban. It is the most populous district outside of the central Ghazni District and most are Pashtun, the tribe that dominates Afghanistan and Taliban membership.
Though Andar has improved over the last year, it always perks the ears and makes the hair on you neck stand up when you are told you're going there.
Last Look At Afghanistan Up Close -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
...Over the course of the year, I would spend hundreds of hours on the worst roads imaginable, out in the middle of nowhere, humvee working hard, and here would come the ubiquitous (and I am not using that term lightly; I mean ubiquitous) Toyota Corolla headed in the opposite direction, often crammed to the gills with Afghans. Sometimes it would be just one guy. I have never seen a woman operate ANY piece of equipment in Afghanistan.
Unless you count goats as equipment. I was thinking motorized transport or farm equipment.
Today we moved by armored bus, which is a step up from an up-armored humvee comfort-wise. We had armed exscort... in UAH's... but we were just like tourists on our way to a tour of the local cheese factory.
French Soldiers Engaging Talibans [Part2]
What you'll see: French soldiers looking for talibans in a village, getting engaged (Buzzing bullets above heads), engaging them with 20mm cannons and assault rifles(FAMAS).
At the end of the video, there is a big battle between French/Afghan soldiers and talibans.
The Longest War -- [WaPo - Richard Holbrooke - in Afghanistan]
...Success in Khost required some of America's best troops. Today elements of the legendary 101st Airborne Division -- the Screaming Eagles of the Battle of the Bulge -- are replacing troops from another storied unit, the 82nd Airborne, who, over 15 tough months, took Khost back. That success resulted from tactics developed locally by a stellar team: a courageous and honest provincial governor, Arsala Jamal, who has survived four assassination attempts; a creative American troop commander, Lt. Col. Scott Custer (yes, he is a direct descendant), who devised a more aggressive system of joint patrols with local Afghan army units; and a remarkable young Foreign Service officer, Kael Weston, who has established a direct dialogue with tribal leaders, university students, mullahs, madrassa students and even Taliban defectors.
As I saw in hours of meetings with these groups, Weston's intense hands-on process identifies problems and misunderstandings that might otherwise spiral out of control.
Taliban Deputy Announces "Al-Ibra" ("Lesson") Campaign -- [MEMRI]
On March 27, 2008, the Islamist forum www.alhesbah.bz (hosted by ThePlanet.com Internet Services, Inc. in Houston, TX and NewMedia Express Pte Ltd in Singapore) posted a communiqué by Mulla Beradar, the second in command of the Taliban, announcing a new campaign named "Ibra" ("Lesson") against U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan with the onset of spring
Afghan lament -- [Wa Times - Arnaud de Borchgrave]
Most of the European members of NATO, while professing solidarity with the U.S. and NATO over Afghanistan, and conceding that it's a make-or-break issue for the trans-Atlantic alliance, are not prepared to stay more than another two years, maximum three. Supplying their, at best, weak troop commitments stationed in the quieter parts of Afghanistan (where there is little Taliban guerrilla activity) is more costly than anticipated. Countries like Belgium, Spain and Italy have limited airlift capacity and their military transport aircraft are stretched to the breaking point. European Union countries that are also members of NATO allowed their defenses to run down since 1989 when the Berlin Wall collapsed and money saved went into the gargantuan appetites of welfare states.
Most European "statesmen/-women" concede the need for becoming more engaged in Afghanistan, but the man-/woman-in-the-street questions the need to expend resources in a country that is still hovering between the 15th and 16th century. Taliban was there before we came, argue most Europeans, and will be back even before we leave. With luck, they add, what will follow our withdrawal will accept the education of girls that the Taliban had rejected and ruthlessly stamped out when it ruled the roost between 1996 and 2001.
...In any event, this could not be achieved in time to influence events in Afghanistan where the clock is running out. The Taliban cannot win militarily. Nor can NATO. But could NATO, EU and the U.N. build a viable state with modern infrastructure? Certainly not over the next three years. Hence, Frank Carlucci's admonition to stick it out for 10 to 20 years if necessary. Chances of this happening? Slim to none.
Questionable peace if Taliban are part of it -- [Sydney Morning Herald]
After six years of fighting in Afghanistan, sharing power with the Taliban has been suggested as the way to end the war. Negotiating with the "moderate" and "good" Taliban is an idea the Afghan Government and the coalition forces have employed since the removal of the Taliban at the end of 2001.
All parties, including the Afghan Government, the United States and those Western countries that have considerable numbers of troops in Afghanistan, have been, at different levels, in secret negotiations with the Taliban. So why have all parties suddenly come to a more overt consensus that a political settlement with the Taliban is a solution?
Pakistan's Taliban Militants Welcome Talks With New Government -- [VOA]
The Pakistani Taliban says it is open to holding talks with the country's newly elected government.
Yousaf Raza Gilani talks to media upon his arrival at Parliament House in Islamabad, Pakistan, 24 Mar 2008
A spokesman for the militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulvi Omar, says the group is ready to cooperate with the government and bring peace to tribal areas.
However, he urged Pakistani officials to end their cooperation with U.S.-led forces that are fighting an insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan.
North Korea Vows “Great Lesson” for South -- [GI Korea]
The lack of reaction from South Korea over the North’s rhetoric this week is causing them to increase the threats:
In addition North Korea has increased military maneuvers and aircraft flights along the DMZ in an attempt to increase tensions on the peninsula. However, none of this is working, for example look at the South Korean government’s response to a North Korean threat to turn the country into ashes:
Bush Begins a Long Farewell on the World Stage -- [Moscow Times]
Winding down his presidency, George W. Bush is beginning his farewell tour on the world stage trailed by questions about how much clout he still wields. Air Force One will roar out of Andrews Air Force Base on Monday to whisk Bush to the first in a long-planned series of global goodbye events. After a brief stop in Ukraine, Bush stops in Romania to attend his last summit with NATO leaders.
Part VI: CAIR Portrays "War on Terrorism" as Malicious "War on Islam" -- [Counterterrorism Blog- IPT]
The new perception is that the United States has entered a war with Islam itself," CAIR Chairman Parvez Ahmed declared at Washington's National Press Club in July 2007.
But, in fact, CAIR officials and spokesmen have been peddling that same "new perception" ever since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. They have portrayed virtually every intervening prosecution of an alleged terrorist who is Muslim and every investigation of an alleged terrorist front group as an insidious attack on their religion.
My life in al-Qa'eda, by bin Laden's bodyguard -- [The Telegraph]
He served loyally at the terrorist leader's side in the build up to the attacks on America and is wanted by the FBI and CIA. Nasser al Bahri speaks to Tim Butcher
Nasser al Bahri, a former al-Qa'eda fighter, who was Osama bin Laden's bodyguard
Osama bin Laden is a workaholic who will always be one step ahead of Western intelligence, his former bodyguard has told The Daily Telegraph.
Many have claimed intimate knowledge of bin Laden over the years. But in the case of Nasser al Bahri, a bearded and slightly portly 35-year-old taxi driver who lives in Yemen, the claim is not tainted by exaggeration.
The Bin Ladens -- [Patterico’s Pontifications]
According to a new book about the Bin Ladens, eldest brother Salem wanted to buy America:
“The Arab millionaire is charming but determined. He has made a bet to persuade four young Christian women from four different Western countries to become his wives simultaneously in accordance with the Islamic law that allows polygamy. The girls are American, British, French and German.
Younger brother Osama also has a goal: He wants to bankrupt America.
4,000....DO YOU KNOW ANY OF THEM? -- [THE CI-ROLLER DUDE]
I had to take a break from my vacation. The toll in Iraq reached 4,000 dead the other day. That bothers me alot. It's funny, but so many people I know in California don't know anyone who's in or has been to Iraq (other than me). So, I think for many it doesn't seem real. What makes it real for me, besides having been there, is the soldiers I know who died there. I say the word "know" not "knew" because I will always think of them.
Red White and Blue, Lynyrd Skynyrd: Military Tribute
He knows something's up. -- [Non-Essential Equipment - Military Spouse]
We are trying to get Munchkin ready for the deployment.
We've bought our Daddy doll. We've put photos of CPT Dick everywhere we possibly can. We've been doing a lot of videotaping of CPT Dick reading perennial favorites like "Red Fish, Blue Fish" and "Whopper Cake."
And we've started telling him that Daddy is going away. We've read the advice in books (translation: I have and told my husband what to say) and we've been mentioning it casually over the past few months. A bit more now that D-day is coming right up on us.
... But this week, I think we crossed a line. We were wrapping a present for a birthday party and I started to talk about how Daddy wouldn't be back until after his next birthday. Munchkin looked up at me, somewhat alarmed, and said, "No. No bye-bye. Daddy stay. No bye-bye. Daddy stay here."
Part of him is still here -- [Oh! That's gonna leave a mark]
Stuntman left home at the end of R&R more than 2 weeks ago.
The morning he left, he changed his ACU shirt when he realized that the one he was wearing was faded more than his pants. He removed the velcro patches and the pins and put them onto his new shirt. The old one was hung on the back of a kitchen chair.
It's still there.
Do Valor Awards Mean Anything? -- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
In January I wrote this post about Xavier Alvarez, a member of a California water board who falsely claimed to have been awarded the Medal of Honor in 1987. Mr. Alvarez was charged with a federal crime for falsely making the aforementioned claim and I took Mr. Alvarez's defense counsel, Briana J. Fuller to task for her assertion the Federal government did not have " a compelling enough reason" to regulate claims to military awards and such false claims should be protected as freedom of speech.
The story is one again in the news ...
Fixin' America's Military -- [Intel Dump]
In Slate today, Fred Kaplan and I have a column on several things we think the next president (regardless of who he/she is) should do to fix America's ailing military. The list looks beyond Iraq and Afghanistan to the deeper, structural issues facing the force, and hopefully proposes (or endorses) a few good ideas, including:
There's no place like . . .Kansas? -- [Jason's Iraq Vacation - home from Iraq]
I am back in the US. Not quite home, but I am in the US and happier then I can describe. We arrived at Fort Riley early in the morning a couple days ago, and haven't even really slept since then. A combination of de-mobilization, equipment turn-in and jet-lag has prevented most of us from getting any sleep, but we really don't care. Tomorrow I will be back in Philly and while it it will be sad to say goodbye to everyone, the sense of relief I feel about being home is overshadowing everything.
What Costs More Per Year Than The Iraq War? -- [Western Front America]
Illegals are taking the lives of 23 American citizens each and every day - thats 8,395 Americans a year. In the 5 years of the war in Iraq we have lost 4,000 soldiers. In those same 5 years we have lost 41,975 of our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers to the invaders from Mexico and South America. These illegals are also costing American taxpayers 340 Billion dollas a year, and the numbers keep climbing.
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare support given to illegal aliens each year. See Immigration and Welfare.
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
3...
Progress is measured in steps, not moonshots -- [Peace Like A River]
Both Clinton and Obama have expressed their desire to reach waaaay down the gullet of victory and pull out defeat by pulling our troops out of Iraq. With lip service to the changes the surge has brought, they say the surge was really intended to give the Iraqi government room to meet the “benchmarks”, and since that’s not happening, they say, the surge has failed so let’s call it a day.
Coming Soon: A Crisis in Civil-Military Relations by Richard Kohn at World Affairs Journal. -- [SWJ Blog]
When a new president takes office in early 2009, military leaders and politicians will approach one another with considerable suspicion. Dislike of the Democrats in general and Bill Clinton in particular, and disgust for Donald Rumsfeld, has rendered all politicians suspect in the imaginations of generals and admirals. The indictments make for a long list: a beleaguered military at war while the American public shops at the mall; the absence of elites in military ranks; the bungling of the Iraq occupation; the politicization of General David Petraeus by the White House and Congress; an army and Marine Corps exhausted and overstretched, their people dying, their commitments never-ending. Nearly six years of Donald Rumsfeld’s intimidation and abuse have encouraged in the officer corps a conviction that military leaders ought to—are obliged to—push back against their civilian masters.
Student Mob Shuts Down MN Military Recruitment Center -- [Gateway Pundit]
Student leftists from MacAlester College wearing plastic arm tubes shut down an army and navy recruitment center in Minnesota on Thursday.
The Macalester SDS action was undertaken alongside a protest at the U by the Anti War Committee, UofM SDS, and Youth Against War & Racism. The slightly larger anti war march started at noon and met up in front of the Navy and Army recruitment center.
What A U.S. Surrender Looks Like -- [The Corner - Lisa Schiffren]
The current campaign has gone on long enough so that actual policies and pronouncements made more than a year ago by candidates would already be bearing fruit, were they our president. Take a look at this brilliant illustration of what the history books (websites) would look like if Barack Obama were really our Commander-in-Chief, and we were bound by his convictions on military and political strategy in Iraq, God forbid. As Meigs points out, there aren't a lot of pictures of American surrender. Those that exist are ugly. Increasing the number is not a good platform for a rational nation to embrace.
Washington Post embeds with the enemy -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
Well color me shocked, but the Washington Post has a reporter embedded with the Mahdi Army. They are receiving first hand reports on how the Iranian-backed militias there are trying to kill our troops. I am just curious about how it would have gone over if they had embedded a reporter with the SS in France as we invaded Normandy, or in the caves on Okinawa to report on how well the Japanese were doing slaughtering Marines.
Fortunately for us our media has no qualms about engaging with (not in the proper way), reporting on, and essentially becoming terrorist press agents.
Hersh Says US Media Spreading Fake News and the US is "in real trouble" in Iraq -- [PressTV]
Prominent journalist Seymour Hersh says the US is 'in real trouble' because news coverage on Iraq is anything but balanced and unbiased.
When the American government says the US is winning in Iraq and is not torturing prisoners, they are just words, Hersh told his audience of journalism students in Regina, Canada. "We are in real trouble [in Iraq]."
Remind me again — who’s losing in Basra? -- [Hot Air - Ed Morrissey]
Anyone who follows the news closely in Iraq knew this day would come. The British left a power vacuum behind in the south that the Baghdad government could not fill at the time, and Sadr and the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council’s Badr Brigades filled it instead. They have fought each other and some smaller Shi’ite groups for control of the streets ever since 2005, as Steven Vincent tried to warn people just before they murdered him in Basra. The Iraqi government had no choice but to challenge the militias for control of Basra and the surrounding areas, but they waited until the Iraqi Army had enough strength to succeed.
Did our media give anyone this context? No. They reported it as some kind of spontaneous eruption of rebellion without noting at all that a nation can hardly be considered sovereign while its own security forces cannot enter a large swath of its own territory. And in the usual defeatist tone, they reported that our mission in Iraq had failed without waiting to see what the outcome of the battle would be.
Thank God for Stop Loss -- [MilBlogs - Greyhawk]
...because soldiers aren't capable of living in the cold cruel world outside the hellish military cocoon.
At least that's what the LA Times wants you to believe. Vets Face Grim Job Prospects - and if you think I'm exaggerating above, here are a few key quotes from the first few paragraphs explaining why.
My thoughts on the upcoming release of Bad Voodoo's War -- [J.P. Borda - milblogging.com]
The film Bad Voodoo's War airs on April 1st. Deborah Scranton and my Platoon Sergeant SFC Toby Nunn, have done an outstanding job telling the story of the Bad Voodoo soldiers. I know for a fact, my family, friends, and several of my readers are excited to see what I finally do over here.
It's always tough to explain my job. Even after my last deployment to Afghanistan from 2004-2005, I had some short video clips, photos, and my blog to help illustrate my job as an Infantryman. But man, having this film is way neater.
Prebirth Anticipation -- [Toby Nunn's Briefing Room - in Iraq]
Sand Storm yet. Its amazing to how accustomed we have become to getting sand in and around everything and now what was a catastrophic annoyance is now just another part of our functioning lifestyle. The good news, going to be another Sand Day!
I am very excited for the guys and I to watch "Bad Voodoo's War", I hope the men like it and that their families will enjoy and appreciate this legacy that they have created for themselves. Of course I am a little apprehensive about the public reaction and that of my family. I very rarely share my life outside the house with them. This in part not to create undo worry but to me there are just some things about me and what I do that are mine plain and simple. It's not that I don't trust them with this but Toby and Dad is a much nicer guy than SFC Nunn. Toby and Dad don't swear or cuss around the kids and house but here I have found that my vocabulary has suffered greatly and I am almost embarrassed by my mouth. This is one of the things I am sure Pops will relay to me upon seeing the show. I also hope that the other Families of the guys see how well their loved ones perform so that it takes some of their fears away.
Beating Hollywood -- [cannoneerno4]
People often complain about Hollywood’s leftward tilt when it comes to Iraq, but few do anything pro-active about it.
JD Johannes is trying to do something about it.
He has nearly died a few times trying to do something about it.
Hollywood and the entertainment industry is a business focused on the bottom line. If people want Hollywood to produce a pro-victory film, or a pro-troop television series, they will have to demonstrate that it is economically viable.
Most of the anti-war films have taken a beating at the box office.
To demonstrate to Hollywood and the cable TV networks that a pro-victory documentary is viable, he needs to sell 2,900 in 6 weeks.
Are you willing to prove to Hollywood that a pro-victory documentary is viable?
Are you willing to take on Hollywood and do something about the ongoing flood of anti-war propaganda films?
If you are, here is what you can do:
Don't Panic -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
I want to thank everyone for their support as we negotiate our issues with Big Brother. However, I want to ask that people be level headed for now. We're still in the preliminary stages trying to figure out what's going on. I'm communicating personally with the office and trying to get them to be specific about what rules I've specifically violated on which specific posts.
I would also ask that no one cast stones yet.
Milblog Hate -- [Steward Family Website]
First it was the Army tightening up on soldier’s abilities to post blogs, then they created a special unit out of the Virginia National Guard which is funded and resourced solely to read milblogs and make sure that nobody is saying anything that they shouldn’t. Then the Airforce started banning its people reading milblogs. After that the Coast Guard stopped its senior people from writing blogs.
Well it looks like this is a popular trend, and according to this report (not sure of its validity), even our enemies are catching on.
Blogging the Long War -- [CJR - Paul McLeary]
...As with any other niche in the blogosphere, some heavy hitters soon began to separate themselves from the milblog pack. Sites like Blackfive, The Mudville Gazette, MichaelYon.com, and BillRoggio.com became favorites for war geeks and anyone else looking for insiderish news and critiques from a decidedly pro-military perspective. Each fills a certain role—Blackfive is the irreverent, often partisan, group blog; Yon is the roving, embedded reporter; and Mudville is more an aggregation of other milblogs. Bill Roggio, though, a former Army signalman and infantryman who runs The Long War Journal (which replaced BillRoggio.com) and writes most of its posts, has his sights on something grander.
Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Fact Sheet: Achieving Political and Economic Progress in Iraq -- [White House.gov]
Iraq Has Great Economic Potential
The improvements in security resulting from the surge are enabling Iraqis to make progress on their economy. Since the surge began:
Business registrations have increased by more than nine percent;
Total inflation has fallen by more than 60 percentage points;
Investment in energy and telecom industries has increased;
Oil production is up, particularly north of Baghdad;
Iraq's Government Has Stepped Forward To Meet More Of Its Own Expenses
Early in the war, the U.S. funded most of the large-scale reconstruction projects in Iraq. Now the U.S. is focusing on encouraging entrepreneurship. The Iraqi government is stepping up on reconstruction projects. They have outspent the U.S. in recent budget 11 to one, and soon we expect the Iraqis will cover 100 percent of these expenses.
Combat Outpost Program Solidifies Trust, Garners Intelligence in Mosul -- [MNF-I]
MOSUL — Based on information gained from presence patrols out of Combat Outpost (COP) Rock, Coalition forces recently conducted an intelligence gathering mission here. The COPs allow Soldiers to live in the city and allows constant contact with Iraqi citizens, building trust
Bush meets military chiefs on Iraq -- [Iraq Updates]
President George W. Bush met with the US military chiefs Wednesday to hear their recommendations on Iraq amid a growing consensus in favor of a pause in drawing down in US forces, officials said.
A Cold Spring -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
...Telling them we know what is best and that they need to start relying on their own government and police so we can leave and everyone wins and that any help we can and do provide at least offers a new spring in a land of endless, destitute winters doesn’t often have the effect you think it would. Or should. Or could.
Whether I think we’re here for something other than oil doesn’t matter when they think that we are. Open up your freedom and treasure it! That’s a bow of independence … pretty, isn’t it?
Old but Relevant Quote -- [LT Nixon - in Iraq]
I recall reading Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" on my first deployment and the quote on the first page provided some insight into why we do things that doesn't necessarily benefit ourselves. The rationale being service to others is what makes humanity different than the rest of the animal kingdom. I thought of it last night before drifting off to sleep and thought I should share. Make of it what you want. It's from John Donne from long long ago:
Last Night's Bottle Rocket -- [Catle Argghhh! - Last Night's Bottle Rocket - in Iraq]
*looong sparktrail* - *white flash -- wuhBOOM!*
After about an hour of map-snooping and flash-to-bang comparing (we're not allowed to meander until they sound the All Clear, which they forget to do sometimes), we figured it hit a (vacant) vehicle storage lot a couple-hundred meters away. An on-scene meander after brekkies confirmed it.
Behind the Bloodshed in Basra -- [PJM - Mohammed Fadhil - Iraqi]
...Another important dimension in this confrontation, largely ignored, regards Sadr’s rhetoric about security situation in Basra. The anti-Multinational Force powers always blamed British troops for insecurity in the province prior to their withdrawal.
Now it must be asked in a loud clear voice - who’s responsible for insecurity now that British troops are gone?
Maliki Sets New Cash-For-Arms Deadline.
US-led coalition warplanes dropped bombs on Shia militia positions in Basra overnight, directly entering the fray for the first time since the Iraqi army launched a crackdown in the city, a British mi...
Iraqi police in Basra shed their uniforms, kept their rifles and switched sides -- [Times Online]
Abu Iman barely flinched when the Iraqi Government ordered his unit of special police to move against al-Mahdi Army fighters in Basra.
His response, while swift, was not what British and US military trainers who have spent the past five years schooling the Iraqi security forces would have hoped for. He and 15 of his comrades took off their uniforms, kept their government-issued rifles and went over to the other side without a second thought.
...The reason for his apparent switch of sides was simple: the 36-year-old was already a member of the al-Mahdi Army which, like other militias, has massively infiltrated the British-trained police force in the southern oil city. He claimed that hundreds of others from the 16,000-strong force have also defected to the rebels’ ranks.Abu Iman joined the new Iraqi police force after the invasion, joining the Mugawil, a special police unit infamous for brutality, kidnapping and sectarian murders.
Iraqi PM Vows to Continue Basra Offensive Despite Protests -- [VOA]
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he will continue the Iraqi military offensive in Basra "to the end" with no negotiations or retreat, despite angry protests in Shi'ite districts calling for his resignation. VOA Correspondent Challiss McDonough has been monitoring events from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo and reports intense fighting in Basra continued for a third day.
Iraqi security forces battle the Mahdi Army -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
The Iraqi security forces have launched Operation Knights' Assault against the Mahdi Army and other Iranian-backed Shia militias in Basrah. Muqtada al Sadr’s unilateral cease-fire may fall apart as fighting breaks out in Bagdad and southern Iraq.
AFP Reporter Embedded With Terrorists -- [Jawa Report]
To think members of the Mahdi Army are anything other than terrorists is to not have a firm grip on reality. And yes, I know the al-Maliki government has been dealing with these terrorists for some time, and that al-Sadre's party is part of the ruling coalition (or was). Welcome to the mess that is the entire Middle East.
Sadr Tidings -- [Jules Crittenden]
The good news is, Iraqi forces are heavily engaged with the Mahdi Army with U.S. troops in a supporting role, all over the place. The weird part is, al-Maliki has supposedly taken a lead role in directing operations against his erstwhile bedfellow al-Sadr. The key question, in all matters requiring an element of trust in either al-Maliki or al-Sadr, is which one can you throw farther? The Sadrists are claiming it’s all political, to cut them out of provinicial elections, and if al-Maliki’s that interested, there’s got to be a sleazy political angle to it.* On the other hand,
Iraqis for McCain -- [San Francisco Chronicle - Kathleen Parker]
If Iraqis could elect America’s next president, chances are good that the next occupant of the Oval Office would be Gen. David Petraeus.
Barring that unlikely development, John McCain will do. Or so I hear from an Iraqi journalist with whom I’ve corresponded the past couple of years, a woman whose family was once courted by Saddam Hussein but who later became a victim of his torturers.
Who’s the cougar now?! -- [Military Times -Sheila Vemmer - embed in Iraq]
The troops we’ve been rolling with stopped by a farmhouse out in the desert a few days ago. An extended family lives there in a dark, multi-room dwelling made of crumbly blocks, without furniture.
The father said he’d just taken a third wife, a girl of 17. He had to be in his late 50s. The judge told him she was too young. He said, “She wanted me! What am I going to do?”
Goodbye, Iraq: -- [Grims Hall - in Iraq]
Sir, said she, leave your horse here, and I shall leave mine; and took their saddles and their bridles with them, and made a cross on them, and so entered into the ship.... and so the wind arose, and drove them through the sea in a marvellous pace. And within a while it dawned.
School books -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
The nearly 7 million children enrolled in Afghanistan schools this year is an all-time high, according toe Khanif Atmar, Afghanistan's education minister.
The new school years is just getting underway in most of the country. Children get the months of the harsh Afghan winters off because the snows and temperatures make it difficult to attend schools.
Construction and equipment for many new schools has been made possible through international aid, including military-assisted projects. Here in Ghazni, the military-lead Provincial Reconstruction Team has built and opened a number of schools for this year alone.
Much sexes -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
I have a terrific terp.
When he's not translating for me or other members of our team, he is constantly learning new English words and even slang in a desire to master the nuances of our language.
He not only translates the words to match their appropriate meaning, but he uses the proper inflection, mimicking my emotions if I am happy, angry, appreciative.
So when he makes a mistake, it is not only rare, but sometimes funny.
Kabul, Afghanistan. Not quite as commonly portrayed.
Kabul is portrayed as many things. This is a locals point of view from his perspective.
UK to send judges for Sharia training to the Taliban -- [Sanjar]
Recently the Anglican Church [Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams] expressed that there was nothing wrong with the British legal system adopting some laws from Islamic shari'a and implementing them for British citizens of the Islamic faith.
This is the first time a high ranking religious figure in Europe expresses support for Sharia inside Europe. An Islamic legal system in Europe as suggest by Anglican Church would mean:
"1) Permit polygamy for European Muslim citizens, and not punish them for it – even though this is considered criminal under European law;
"2) Permit European Muslim citizens to beat their wives to discipline them, as the Koran urges;
Coalition forces disrupt weapons facilitation in Helmand -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces were attacked while conducting an operation, March 26, to capture a Taliban leader and disrupt facilitation networks in Helmand Province resulting in insurgents’ deaths and the wounding of a civilian not involved in hostilities.
Coalition forces searched of compounds in the Kajaki district targeting a Taliban insurgent linked to weapons facilitation operations in the area. “Coalition forces received small-arms fire from several insurgents armed with AK-47s, machine guns, hand grenades and rocket propelled grenades during their search,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Coalition forces spokesman. “Coalition forces firing in self-defense during multiple engagements killed several insurgents.”
Coalition forces discovered a wounded civilian not involved in hostilities after the engagement.
PSD Soldiers make a difference at FOB Sharana -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan -- “We are the best section in this company. My Soldiers think we are, I think we are,” said Staff Sgt. Ian Roberts, the noncommissioned officer in charge of Task Force Rugged’s commander and command sergeant major’s Personal Security Detachment.
The 10-Soldier element in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 36th Engineer Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas, does far more than escort the senior leadership around the battlefield.
“They are my go-to guys,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Frank C. Busch, of TF Rugged.
The Soldiers of the “Rugged” PSD are on the road quite a bit. They have conducted more than 40 convoy patrols throughout Regional-Command East, from Jaji, Northern Afghanistan, to Forward Operating Base Warrior in the southern Ghanzni Province, Afghanistan, in the one year that they have been here.
Taliban uses kid as a fighter! - Child launching a rocket
Defining Stunning: The United Nations Unabridged Dictionary -- [Threats Watch - Steve Shippert]
In the enduring spirit of Spy vs Spy, it’s the real-life UN version: “Surprising” vs. “Stunning.” Surprising: (adj.) 1. The United Nations hands out military service medals to Pakistani soldiers. Stunning: (adj.) 1. The United Nations appoints a new human-rights...
Tech. sgt. rescues carjacked toddler in D.C. -- [AF Times]
“I pulled over to let this speeding car pass me, saw the handle of the gas cap sticking out and saw a Marine Corps sticker,” Elliot was quoted as saying in an MSNBC report. “A Marine would never do that.”
Elliot followed the car, suspecting it was stolen. The carjackers eventually parked the car in a Maryland suburban neighborhood and jumped out, speeding off in a blue Dodge Charger, reports said.
That’s when Elliot went to get the keys from the still-running car and noticed a frightened toddler in back.
Cables, dispatches and memoranda -- [Peace Like a River]
A brief world news roundup for 28 March 2008.
... Iran has strongly protested the recent arbitrary act of the US forces on fingerprinting Iranian pilgrims and imposing restrictions on them. The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Thursday stressed that restrictions imposed on Iranian pilgrims at Iran’s border crossings with Iraq should stop immediately.
...South Korea said Thursday that it was “deeply regrettable” that North Korea had ordered South Korean officials to leave its territory, but that the South was undaunted. The predawn expulsion on Thursday followed an announcement on Wednesday by the new South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, that his government would not expand economic cooperation with North Korea unless it cooperated in dismantling its nuclear weapons programs.
PART V: Quick To Defend Alleged Terrorists, CAIR Even Questioned Al Qaeda 9/11 Role -- [Counterterrorism Blog - (IPT)]
CAIR's soft spot for terrorists extends well beyond the Hamas connections documented in yesterday's installment in this comprehensive series on the group. Today we focus on its portrayal of virtually any law enforcement action against radical elements as an
Fitna the Movie: Geert Wilders' film about the Quran (English)
Soldiers' Angels Needs Your Help - Our Founders Request -- [Soldiers' Angels Texas]
This month our flights for wounded and families of fallen bill just for March is at $60,000.
Shipments for deployed, vet packs, and backpacks and suplies to CSH
this month $200,000.
We haven't even talked family assistance which averages $30,000 a month.
Talking to your newspapers and local media helps immensly as well.
Please if you are tight on funds just help by emailing and putting on your blog, do not stress on donating if you are financially comfortable please help by donating.
The Troops need to know that............"America has NOT moved on!" -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
March 26, 2008, Pasadena, CA- Often when deployed service members are asked "What do you need from home?" they answer simply "Your prayers and your support!" Mike Cox from Kirkwood, Missouri has set his sights on raising awareness about America remembering to support our troops and raising funds for much needed supplies at Fort Leonard Wood USO Club and the Fisher House that is slotted for a groundbreaking at the St. Louis VA Medical Center.
While his mission is clear, the steps to get there will take him approximately 850 Miles worth to complete his mission.
Soldiers' Angels Recognizes the Sacrifices of Children in Military Families -- [Soldiers Angels]
...These children make sacrifices and serve their country as much as anyone in uniform does, quietly shouldering part of the burden, making their mom or dad understand that what they are doing is important. Military parents often have to miss holidays and special occasions, and children are left home to worry while parents go on difficult missions. Active duty military families also have to move every two or three years, making the children uproot, change schools and say goodbye to friends. Because military children have to transition and adapt a lot, they gain great life experience and maturity at a young age. April serves as a reminder for military families that there is support available to them with resources to help.
Could You Be A Mentor? -- [SpouseBuzz]
Are you willing to give of yourself in order to help a child? Are you willing to mentor children of our fallen heroes?
Mentors can play a critical role in helping children grieving the loss of a loved one in the Armed Forces, and TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, is recruiting 300+ mentors to help at its 14th annual Good Grief Camp being held Memorial Day Weekend near Washington, DC
Minimus.biz: Paul Schrader Ships Travel Size Goods With Maximus Heart -- [News Blaze]
Since then, Minimus has shipped hundreds of thousands of packages for Soldiers' Angels. Minimus was instrumental in working with Soldiers' Angels to make sure that every soldier serving in Iraq and Afghanistan received a care package from home this last Christmas.
Letters From Our Founder -- [Soldiers' Angels Veterans Support]
I come to you personally asking all of my Soldiers Angels to help me help our Veterans in all of our VA Hospitals and VA Nursing Homes. It has long been a dream of mine to also help our Veterans from every war.
Soldiers Angels has been helping our deployed troops where ever they are, whether it is Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea,etc. We have helped them for 5 years now and we will continue to do so.
In March, 2007 Soldiers Angels started helping the Vets in the various VA\'s around our Country as most of you know from the Wish Lists we have posted on the Forum or send via Emails to you. We have a number of States that we have not been able to get Soldiers Angels to help in yet.
Every Picture Tells a Story (Prologue) -- [Greyhawk]
...I've experienced the internet version of this treatment too many times to count. I write a post about Iraq, and an early comment will accuse me of being a Republican! (Often some other term for "Republican" is applied - "wingnut" being common.) If I bother to respond that I'm not writing as a political party member but as a guy who has been (twice now, and could return sometime in the future) to Iraq I am then accused of claiming that only people who've been to Iraq have the right to talk about it. That accusation is absurd - but the implications of the fact that I have the power to delete comments at will but let theirs stand seems never to cross their minds.
Anyhow, when did victory become a distinct and identifiable Republican characteristic? I'm not saying it is - but there are certainly a lot of non-Republicans out there who believe it without question or hesitation.
Should Arlington honors go beyond rank? -- [Military Times]
...An enlisted service member killed in battle and posthumously awarded the Silver Star for heroism is rendered lesser honors at Arlington National Cemetery than an officer who dies in a car crash the day after being commissioned.
That statement took officials at several veterans’ organizations by surprise. But it is true: Burial honors at Arlington, the nation’s most storied military cemetery and home of the Tomb of the Unknowns, are accorded strictly by rank, not by the circumstances of death.
“That is the custom that has been prescribed,” said Jack Metzler, the superintendent at Arlington for the past 17 years.
1000 Words -- [Longest Drill Weekend EVER]
Will has officially arrived back in North Carolina after a long journey!!!! The official "deployment" is now over - now it enters the 'reintegration phase'.
Welcome back to America Will.
Madeleine Albright: "We Created More Terrorists... Our Soldiers Are the Problem" -- [Gateway Pundit]
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT CONTINUES ATTACKS ON MILITARY AND PRESIDENT!
Albright says that the War in Iraq is the biggest disaster ever.
Of course... This is the same person who said that 500,000 dead Iraqi children was worth it:
"It's a hard choice but we think the price is worth it." -- [CBS News]
Exclusive Photos Show Al-Hanooti's Political Clout -- [IPT]
Before he was alleged to have become a spy for Saddam Hussein's regime, Muthanna Al-Hanooti's charity work and political activism provided him with access to the highest echelons of government.
Newsletters collected by the Investigative Project on Terrorism, some published now for the first time, show Al-Hanooti photographed with dignitaries ranging from First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1996 and Vice President Al Gore along with significant members of Congress.
Feds: Saddam Financed Lawmakers' Trip -- [SF Gate /AP]
(03-26) 22:15 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) -- Saddam Hussein's intelligence agency secretly financed a trip to Iraq for three U.S. lawmakers during the run-up to the U.S.-led invasion, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. The three anti-war Democrats made the trip...
Baghdad Boys "Didn't Know" But "Don't Mind Being Used" -- [The Tank - Steve Schippert]
The Baghdad Boys are busy informing us that they didn't know Saddam Hussein's intelligence service (IIS) was behind their 2002 trip to Baghdad. Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), and former Rep. David E. Bonior (D-MI) were such masters of nuance that they took it upon themselves to lend aid and comfort to an enemy and usurped the policies of the elected administration in the run-up to conflict. But now they say they had no idea that Hussein might have had a hand in facilitating their dissent. So which is it? Masters of nuance or victimized dupes? They can't have it both ways. And as I wrote earlier this morning, there are no excuses for their actions. There are none now and there were none then.
42 Democrats Vow a Drawdown in Iraq If They Win Seats -- [WaPo]
More than three dozen Democratic congressional candidates banded together yesterday to promise that, if elected, they will push for legislation calling for an immediate drawdown of troops in Iraq that would leave only a security force in place to guard the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
"A Significant Increase In The Army and Marine Corps" -- [Hugh Hewitt]
...At the Jacksonville stop, the GOP nominee will call for a significant increase in the size of the Army and Marine Corps. I asked if the Navy would be part of the call for an expanded military, and Schmidt demurred until the senator speaks next week. It seems to me that a naval power needs more than the 280 ship Navy we are headed for.
Expansion of the military is a crucial issue for the fall campaign. The Jacksonville speech will thus be a very significant milestone in Campaign 2008.
Freedom Fighter Called “Terrorist” by INS -- [Michael Totten]
Karen DeYoung published a story in the Washington Post that ought to embarrass anyone making decisions about who deserves permanent residence in the U.S.
Friend or foe? -- [Belmont Club]
CNN's analysis of events in Iraq are wonderful example of how to patch up a theory that is rapidly falling to pieces. The theory of course, is that Iran is a poor, misunderstood victim of US aggression in a third country. The facts however, are that Iran is supporting the Madhi Army in Iraq. How to square the circle? Easy. Just read Michael Ware. "Al-Sadr is involved in a very complicated relationship with the Iranians," said CNN Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware. "The Iranians do provide funding and support for his militia, yet at the same time they're trying to rein him in and get him to adopt a certain political agenda, which from time to time he resists."
A Change of Heart -- [CBN News - Boots on the Ground]
"Despite the differences in religion, race.and so on, I have learned that all human beings are brothers, and that all can live together."
I guess that makes two hearts changed for the better.
Now, consider the incredible leverage of the U.S. Media. Imagine, for a moment, if CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews and the rest ran stories like this every day. How many Arabs in the Middle East watch these news programs? Millions, to be sure. Ask yourself how much more quickly the war on terror could be won if the American press made a point of showing the generosity of the American people.
Somehow the media elite have come to believe that reporting positive news about America is a compromise of journalistic integrity.
Coming soon: NATO TV -- [The D-Ring]
NATO plans to start an online TV channel to improve the image of the Western military alliance.
NATO TV will be launched at a summit next week in Bucharest, Romania, alliance spokesman James Appathurai said Wednesday.
Much of its coverage will focus on the mission of the alliance’s 47,000 troops in Afghanistan. NATO plans to have five TV crews sending regular reports from the country.
The better question is: will people watch it?
NYT Reporter Accuses Bush Administration of Lying About Anti-Terror Program -- [NewsBusters]
Eric Lichtblau, who covers the Justice Department for the New York Times, has an article up on Slate's front page , adapted from his upcoming book "Bush's Law: The Remaking of American Justice," accusing the Bush administration of lying to him about its anti-terrorist surveillance programs.
On Popularity, Readership, Publishing, and Big Brother -- [Far from Perfect]
...The Military has taken a dim view of bloggers, and milbloggers specifically. They are attempting to censor, close down, and control what we put on our sites for one reason or another. They claim OPSEC concerns, which I understand, but I also believe there are more politically motivated reasons as well. I know the Army hates it when they see soldiers engaged in PR where the soldiers views differ from the “company line” as it were. They don’t want the negative feelings of soldiers regarding the war, government, and politics in general to feed to fires of anti-war people, ultra-liberals, the terrorists (think Tokoyo Rose-esque), etc. I understand the need for that, but I also think that our right to voice our opinions, feelings, and thoughts on the war and the life we lead are important to the future and understanding this point in our grand history. I personally think the right to tell our story, in our own voice, outweighs any negative impact on such a naturally flexible thing as politics.
Bring your Daughter to war day
Obama to Disown Pastor If Hillary Dumps Bill -- [ScrappleFace]
(2008-03-27) — Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrat presidential front runner, today reiterated his intention to stand by his controversial pastor despite his presidential rival’s remarks that she would have left the church where the Rev. Jeremiah Wright preached racially-charged, anti-American messages.
Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Iraqi oil exports via Turkey surge to 400,000 bpd -- [Azzaman in English] HT: Haider Ajina
Iraq says it has boosted its oil exports via Turkey to 400,000 barrels per day, the highest volume through the twin-pipeline since the 2003 U.S. invasion.
But an Oil Ministry source said pumping at this ‘high rate’ was only made possible due to a substantial drop in attacks of sabotage in past weeks.
Road linking Falluja to northern provinces re-opened -- [Iraq Updates] HT: Haider Ajina
Local authorities in the predominantly Sunni province of al-Anbar re-opened a road linking Falluja city to northern provinces after it was closed for security reaons, an official security source said.
"The road linking Falluja to Samarra, which passes through the al-Tharthar desert north of the city, is open as of Monday. Travelers using this road do not have to fear any risks anymore
Citizens Line Up at Tameem Recruiting Drive -- [MNF-I]
COMBAT OUTPOST CASHE — One hundred and seventy-five Iraqi men waited for their opportunity to join the police force during a recruiting drive at the 3rd Battalion, 1st National Police Brigade headquarters in Tameem, a town southeast of Baghdad, March 22.
Prospective policemen went through a rigid screening process to find the best possible applicants, said 1st Lt. Kurt Cheeseman, from Greenwood, S.C., the targeting officer for 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. Men between the ages of 18 and 35 had to bring a national identification card, proof of intermediate education and pass a reading and writing exam, medical screening and physical fitness test. Additionally, the men were registered in the biometrics enrollment system and the Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment System and interviewed by the Mada’in Qada chief of police. “It is a very thorough process. It is a four-day event, but we have a lot of men that want to be policemen,” Cheeseman said.
Sadrists order disobedience campaign -- [Iraq Updates]
Followers of Al-Sadr have called for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign.
Followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have called for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign to protest raids and detentions.
The head of the Sadrist parliamentary bloc says the move comes because of the continued U.S. and Iraqi actions against the movement's Mahdi Army militia despite a cease-fire.
Iran, Not al-Sadr, Leading Shi'a Attacks In Iraq -- [Threats Watch - Steve Schippert]
As Shi’a militias and armed groups strike out at US and Iraqi targets from Baghdad to Basra, it is curious to note how many news reports attribute the attacks to Muqtada al-Sadr, either directly or indirectly.
...But Muqtada al-Sadr was sidelined from any command by Iran weeks ago. There are no attributions of direct quotes, commands or comment from Muqtada since the Shi’a militia uprising began in earnest. And there is a very simple explanation for this: The puppet has had his strings cut. Iran is calling the shots.
The fact that his note exists is far more important than its specific wording.
Iraqi security forces battle the Mahdi Army -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
The Iraqi security forces have launched Operation Knights' Assault against the Mahdi Army and other Iranian-backed Shia militias in Basrah. Muqtada al Sadr’s unilateral ceasefire may fall apart as fighting breaks out in Bagdad and southern Iraq.
Stake Through Their Hearts: Killing al Qaeda -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
The sun was setting over Nineveh as four terrorists driving tons of explosives closed on their targets. On August 14, 2007, the Yezidi villages of Qahtaniya and Jazeera were under attack, but only the terrorists knew it as they drove their trucks straight into the hearts of the communities.
The shockwave from detonation far outpaced the speed of sound. Buildings and humans were ripped apart and hurled asunder.
...Al Qaeda is still trying to spin Iraq into civil war, but whereas in 2005-2006 al Qaeda was succeeding, today al Qaeda is being shredded.
The Dungeon of Fallujah -- Upgraded -- [Michael Totten - in Iraq]
Last month I published a piece here called The Dungeon of Fallujah about my visit to the wretched jail in the city. As it turns out, the place was worse than I thought. Prisoners had to supply their own food or starve. I didn't report that detail because I didn't know it. But Marine Major General John Kelly (whom I don't think I met) read my report, investigated the jail, and fixed it. No one in the military talked to me about this. I learned about it from Mary Madigan in my comments section, she learned about it from Ace, and he learned about it from UPI
Museum of horrors exhibits forms of torture practiced by Saddam -- [Iraq Updates]
Gruesome instruments of torture and the personal effects of victims killed by henchmen of dictator Saddam Hussein haunt Iraqis five years after the fall of his brutal regime. The display, on show in Baghdad, is due to travel across the country in "tribute to the thousands of martyrs" murdered when Saddam was in power, former political prisoner Amed Naji al-Badawi said.
...Nooses hang from the ceiling, and a wooden coffin-like box containing a medieval-looking torture rack on which prisoners were pinned and stretched takes center stage.
Pictures of hangings and bodies are plastered on the walls. "These are the horrors of the Saddam regime," said Badawi, a stout man in his 50s who spent five years in the jails of Saddam's feared "mukhabarat" secret service
Easter at Balad -- [IN-Iraq - in Iraq]
...Balad is the logistics hub for the military in Iraq. It supplies the "bullets and the beans," as any staff sergeant will tell you. But Balad supplies them for the entire theater. This is why so many of Indiana's 76th soldiers will be doing convoy security.
There are about 30,000 people working and living behind the wire here. Almost half of them are said to be civilian contractors who do any work and maintainence the Army and Air Force don't do.
...The base was nicknamed "mortaritaville" for obvious reasons. Since we've only been here several days, it will take time to know if it still lives up to its bombastic reputation.
The soldiers of Indiana's Echo 113th, who've been here almost a week, say they hear mortars daily. But because the base is so large and the mortars the enemy uses so inaccurate, everyone walks around base without any protection or seeming concern
Iraq News (26 March) -- [LT Nixon - in Iraq]
The Good: Route Irish, which connects the Green Zone to the Baghdad Airport and Victory Base Complex, used to be known as the most dangerous 6-mile stretch on the planet. Now, not so much according to this AFP article. I've been on Route Irish a few times and I can confirm this. Tough-guy contractor types who wear the "I survived Route Irish" after 2005 should probably get kicked in the sack.
The Geometry Was All Wrong! - - [Miserable Donuts - in Iraq]
Intersecting Parallels? What non-Euclidian geometry informed the shape of this ancient structure? What mad glyphs are these that remain inscribed in the bricks? What Elder rites had been performed under the Moon that shone those centuries ago upon the great city along the life giving Euphrates River... Ha. My apologies, but I happen to be a big fan of H.P. Lovecraft and the Running Dog had sent me a most well done e-mail in that idiom. I wasn't going to blog anything about the Ziggurat at Ur (and so I told a fellow milblogger), as it has been done by other, earlier Milbloggers. And it is kind of like writing about the Eiffel Tower when you go to Paris - none too unique.
The Big List -- [Strategy Page]
March 26, 2008: For the past year, American forces in Iraq have been on the offensive. The troops are not just going after an anonymous enemy. They have a large list (thousands of names) of key people in the various Iraqi and al Qaeda terrorist organizations.
Vets for Freedom: David Bellavia -- [Hot Air - Ed Morrissey ]
As I promised, I saved this clip for last. David Bellavia is best known for his book House to House, which is his personal account of the war in Anbar. I could not include Pete Hegseth’s introduction of Bellavia, but the Bellavia contributed much, much more than just a memoir to the war effort. The Army awarded him the Bronze Star and Silver Star, and Hegseth warned us that these were just temporary; he’s under consideration for the Medal of Honor for his bravery, which would make him the first living MoH recipient from this war. He went into a house alone where at least six insurgents had his unit pinned down, and the only one to come out alive was Bellavia.
Bellavia continues his efforts to defeat the enemy in Iraq with a stirring presentation, one that at turns was funny, heartwrenching, inspirational, and defiant:
5 more... -- [ARIES2K1 GONE TO IRAQ - in Iraq]
where I work, like many other places in the world, consists of people who have to work together as a team to get shit done...imagine how hard it is working with people for only 8 hours a day, 5 days a week...now imagine working with those people for 12-13 hours a day, 7 days a week....
...we got our new LES today, with the extra $1000 since today is my official 366th day...one year and one day...so for the next 2 months, ill get an extra $2000, one for april and another for may...there goes my vacation money for the rest of the year. i want to buy something something nice also...something to let her know that i love her all too much. i think i might have to wait until i'm sure i'll have a job come september but i dont think we'll be hurting anytime soon.
DUMB IRAQI INSURGENT
THIS DUMB INSURGENT DECIDES TO FIRE AT ONE OF OUR TANKS WITH A RIFLE!!!
Urban combat -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Semper Gumby -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
...Working with Afghans also requires a great deal of flexibility. Afghans will drive the mentally rigid to distraction with their sometimes unpredictable, seemingly whimsical behavior. Gumby was heavily involved in all of our mentoring and advising operations with the ANP.
Dealing with Afghan civilians requires a gumbylike flexibility, too. Nothing will screw up your timeline like an Afghan who suddenly decides that his 50 goats need to be on the other side of the road. Gumby is vigilant, yet flexible to deal with capricious Afghan conditions while on combat patrols.
Freedom Watch Afghanistan - 26 March 2008
Chavez: Anyone but McCain -- [Hot Air - Ed Morrissey ]
Hugo Chavez has made sure Americans understand his preferences for the upcoming presidential election. He says he could work with the US — but only if we do not elect John McCain as President:
...Thank goodness Chavez shared his thoughts with us on McCain. At least now we know how Sean Penn will vote in November. That open question had bothered me of late.
Terrorism Disconnect? -- [Threats Watch - Jay Fraser]
It happened last Friday. In what is characterized as an informal meeting with reporters, U.S. Attorney General Mike Mukasey commented that he has been ‘surprised’ by scope of terrorist threats facing this country. The apparent disconnect with the true threat of terrorism by Mr.Mukasey is quite concerning. Frankly, this doesn’t engender a lot of confidence in the lead lawyer of this country.
...At the same time that he expresses concern over the expiration of FISA, and says that he’s not hopeful for a compromise
Come Die For Me -- [Strategy Page]
Two recent audio tapes from Osama bin Laden have attempted to mobilize al Qaeda fans in Europe and Israel. The first message, directed at the twenty million Moslem inhabitants of Europe, condemned the publication of cartoons criticizing Islamic terrorism. Conservative Islam forbids showing images depicting the Prophet Mohammed. Moslems also don't like to be criticized, or accused of being violent. Bin Laden is trying to harness the anger and motivate young European Moslems to making terrorist attacks. During the last three years, al Qaeda has been unable to carry out any attacks in Europe or North America.
Ramstein CASF receives 50,000th patient since 2003 -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
The 435th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany recently received its 50,000th patient since 2003.
Contrary to popular belief, not all medevacs out of theater are Wounded in Action. WIAs have accounted for approximately 11,000 or 22% of the patients. A roughly equal number are classified as non-battle injuries. NBIs can result from vehicle rollovers or work with dangerous equipment. The remainder are called "Disease/other" by the DoD. Service members downrange are subject to the same ailments they might have suffered back home.
Although violence is down throughout Iraq, the number of total medevacs has remained fairly stable due to the high number of deployed service members.
Unfortunately we've seen an uptick in patients medevaced to Germany in March which has almost completely wiped out our supply reserves. We're in urgent need of just about everything. Here's a list of the most important items:- Phone cards
- Sweatpants & Zippered Hoodie Sweatshirts, grey or dark colors, mostly sizes L and XL
- Sleep pants, sizes M, L, XL
- Boxerbriefs, sizes M. L, XL
- Toothbrushes, individually wrapped
- Blankets of Hope
- Body lotion
- Flip flops, large mens sizes only
We can also use coffee, which we distribute to the staff of the 24-hour departments at the hospital such as surgery, ICU, and Missions.
Items sent to Germany should be sent in 'bulk', versus care packages for individual soldiers. We recommend sending Parcel Post, which can be considerably less expensive.
If you would like to help, or know of any groups who'd like to put together a support project, let me know.
Important:
- Notify us at maryann.phillips @ gmail.com when items are shipped.
- Include a note with your name, Email address, and short description of items sent in your packages. Without this information, we regret will not be able to confirm their receipt.
- Please allow 6-8 weeks for receipt confirmation.
Hello Everyone -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
First of all I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for truly being Angels on Earth.
All Soldiers Angels contribute to a cause that truly makes a difference for the better of those heroes who volunteer to defend our freedoms. Although Patti is the founder and our public persona, without you, none of this would happen.
Our Soldiers Angels chain is only as strong as each link in it and we are one strong organization with over 180,000 volunteers. Together combined we walk the walk and accomplish great deeds of kindness.
He is on this earth somewhere... -- [Bliss of the Unknown - Blue Star Mom]
My son is now on the other end of the earth. He is embarking to an "unknown" world that I only get a glimpse through media and the World Wide Web. He is an American Warrior. He is a Defender and I am sure at times he will have to take an Offensive stand when called upon to do so.
...I find myself in SHOCK and AWE that the Average American does not keep up with current World Issues and truly understands that there is more to defending their land then they will ever know. At this moment, I am sure that are Classified Operations throughout the world that the Media and my next door neighbor do not know about. Warriors of our country do not seek to gain monetary means nor glory from others. But they choose this life for honor and the rights that I have everyday.
War Memorial to Slain Iraqi Soldier Vandalized -- [Gateway Pundit]
A war memorial dedicated to a local soldier who died while serving in Iraq was vandalized this past week.
Sgt. Brandon Lee Wallace was killed by a roadside bomb near Fallujah in April, 2007.
His father wrote a song in memory of his hero son after his death.
I am beginning to wonder.... -- [BlackFive - Deebow]
How long it is going to be before we award an MoH to a living recipient? Now, before everyone gets all crazy about what I am talking about here, let me explain.
I have seen the complaint by many in the blogosphere and elsewhere that based on the number of years at war with the Islamofascists and the number of MoH's awarded (in comparison to the other conflicts we have fought), that we are way behind in recognizing our heroes for their selfless acts of heroism that give of themselves for their country, and for the men and women who are standing next to them on that midnight raid or walking patrol somewhere outside the wire.
The Destroyermen's Mission Statement -- [The Destroyermen - Yankee Sailor - sea bound]
Here it is: To deliver an authentic, unvarnished, informative and entertaining account of life aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer, report on USS RUSSELL's contribution to the Global War on Terror and execution of America's Maritime Strategy, and provide insight into the character of the American Sailor.
Our first objective is to offer a true-to-life picture of what American Sailors do day in and day out aboard a warship, in port and at sea. There are, after all, more blogs out there detailing life of the ground-pounding variety than you can shake a cat-o-nine-tails at, but precious few that tell about American Sailors at sea.
Farewell to Paradise -- [The Destroyermen - Yankee Sailor - sea bound]
...Soon, we were bidding farewell to Mighty Mo’ and turning out of the basin for the channel. As we pulled away from the pier, though, the crowd struck me as unusually thin. I soon discovered why. All along the channel, the shores were dotted with small groups and individuals gathered to say their goodbyes and wave as the ship passed. A man and three children perched on rock at the water's edge, and stood at attention and saluted. The ship’s whistle howled one prolonged blast in farewell as we passed the final group, left our home behind, and hurried off to undertake the potentially deadly business at hand.
The Army's TMAAG -- [SWJ - Colonel Robert Killebrew, USA (Ret.)]
The Chief of Staff of the Army's recent decision not to field the proposed Theater Military Advisory and Assistance Groups (TMAAG) was the right one. Regardless of which party wins the general election this fall, future U.S. national security strategy will include increased assistance to allies fighting against radical Islamic aggression. Whether called "building partnership capacity" or some other acronym, the essential idea will be to help other states fight their own wars, rather than providing U.S. combat forces as a first resort. The Army's TMAAG was an effort to get out front of this emerging strategy, but it was taking the wrong route.
welcome to America -- [all expenses paid afghan vacation - home from Afghanistan]
I finally have my feet firmly planted on U.S. soil for the first time in over a year, and it feels comfortably familiar yet foreign all at the same time. My unit came in to FT Bragg for a week (plus or minus a few days) filled with lots of fun out-processing and demobilization activities. Most of this simply involves a lot of waiting, paperwork, and a lot of boring briefings.
A few more days to go and I’ll be back at home in Arizona trying to make the big transition back to my old life.
Welcome home hero -- [Tehachapi News]
Staff Sgt. Micah Stott, has been fighting for our country in Iraq, but came home to be with his family for a short rest.
The VFW of Tehachapi will be hosting a Community Pot Luck for Micah Stott on Sunday, March 30 from 3 - 6 p.m. There will be live music, good food and real hometown hero. All are invited.
Arriving home March 23, Micah is home for his rest and relaxation leave, which is 18 days long. He will be heading back to Iraq at the end of his leave to complete his 15-month Tour of Duty.
After 30 years, vets to receive a ‘welcome home’ -- [Daily American Online]
As troops continue to travel to the conflict in Iraq, Menear said he and other veterans will not allow them to be forgotten when they come home
McCain Asks When Clinton Will Apologize to Petraeus [HT: Stop The ACLU]
War Stories and Cameras -- [Austin Bay]
John Kerry's "Christmas in Cambodia" yarn ignited the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Whatever your memory of the 2004 presidential campaign, Kerry's sudden silence about a wartime Christmas "seared" in his memory was a rare example of a citizens group (the Swifties) publicly backing down a powerful U.S. senator and a major-party presidential candidate.
Kerry's full quote, delivered in the midst of a 1986 Senate debate about aid to the Nicaraguan Contras, is rhetorically powerful: "I remember Christmas of 1968 sitting on a gunboat in Cambodia. I remember what it was like to be shot at by Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge and Cambodians,...
Hillary Clinton is having her "Cambodian" moment -- her claim that she ducked sniper fire when she landed in Bosnia in 1996. Cameras, however, were rolling. The CBS News clip juxtaposing Clinton's stump speech rendition of her "snipers tale" to the tender hugs reality of her Bosnian excursion exposes the candidate's story as blarney.
Air Force Pilot Who Flew Clinton to Bosnia Tells His Side of the Story
Obama Discusses Iraq and McCain in Fayetteville, NC
Barack talks about the mistakes John McCain has made in his position on Iraq....barack obama iraq mccain clinton
If McCain vs. Obama, 28% of Clinton Backers Go for McCainIf McCain vs. Clinton, 19% of Obama backers go for McCain -- [Gallup.com]
PRINCETON, NJ -- A sizable proportion of Democrats would vote for John McCain next November if he is matched against the candidate they do not support for the Democratic nomination. This is particularly true for Hillary Clinton supporters, more than a quarter of whom currently say they would vote for McCain if Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee.
These conclusions are based on an analysis of Democratic voters' responses to separate voting questions in March 7-22 Gallup Poll Daily election tracking. In each day's survey, respondents are asked for their general election preferences in McCain-Clinton and McCain-Obama pairings. Democratic voters are then asked whom they support for their party's nomination.
100 Years -- [Weekly Standard - Michael Goldfarb]
...But here's the question. If we're going to "end the war in Iraq," the Democrats favorite euphemism for declaring defeat and going home, what about Afghanistan? Has anyone asked Barack or Hillary how long they plan to maintain U.S. forces in that country? If they really plan on fighting on to victory in the "good war," a straight answer would probably be something like 100 years. It would seem that any honest debate on this point would lead to a rather simple conclusion: victory takes 100 years, defeat takes 18 months. Give or take.
Reuters: "George Bush Says He Doesn't Regret War's Cost in Lives" -- [Gateway Pundit]
Reuters made this dishonest statement yesterday in their grim milestone report that 4,000 soldiers had lost their lives in the Iraq War...Here is what the president actually said about the mission in Iraq yesterday via The New York Times:
Negative U.S. Media Linked to Increased Insurgent Attacks -- [Amy Proctor]
Negative news coverage and anti-war slanted media reports kill U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians, but hey, it’s all in the name of “democracy”.
Periods of intense news media coverage in the United States of criticism about the war, or of polling about public opinion on the conflict, are followed by a small but quantifiable increases in the number of attacks on civilians and U.S. forces in Iraq, according to a study by Radha Iyengar, a Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in health policy research at Harvard and Jonathan Monten of the Belfer Center at the university’s Kennedy School of Government.
The increase in attacks is more pronounced in areas of Iraq that have better access to international news media, the authors conclude in a report titled “Is There an ‘Emboldenment’ Effect? Evidence from the Insurgency in Iraq.”
Hillary Defends Against 'Swiftboating' on Bosnia -- [ScrappleFace]
(2008-03-25) — After a CBS News video appeared on YouTube contradicting former First Lady Hillary Clinton’s account of her 1996 landing in Bosnia “under sniper fire”, a spokesman for Sen. Clinton’s presidential campaign said unnamed critics were trying to “swiftboat” her “in a fashion reminiscent of what they did to John Kerry in 2004.”
Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Petraeus to bring 'good news' on Iraq -- [The Age / MNF-I]
...Violence overall is down about 60% on last year. Al-Qaeda is on the run, its former allies among Iraq's Sunni Muslims having turned against it. Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim militias are on a voluntary ceasefire, thanks to the cowing of their al-Qaeda enemies. And many ordinary Iraqis finally feel like things may be turning the corner.
...The good news for the Americans is exemplified by Fallujah and Ramadi, both former rebel strongholds in Anbar province west of Baghdad. They have symbolised everything that was wrong with Operation Iraqi Freedom. Both were home to large numbers of Saddam Hussein's fellow Sunnis, who turned against the occupation after his downfall.
Iraq’s Window of Opportunity -- [NRO - Pete Hegseth - in Iraq]
A picture of what the long-elusive victory in Iraq might look like.
One year ago, the neighborhood of Doura in southeast Baghdad was al-Qaeda’s headquarters in the capital city, and the daily dumping ground for dozens of victims of sectarian violence. Public association with Americans or Iraqi leaders, in any form, meant death for its residents. If Americans entered a neighborhood, Iraqis slowly slipped away and refused to talk — even behind closed doors, let alone on a busy market street.
Today, the streets of Doura are safe and bustling, as I witnessed firsthand during a trip three weeks ago. I can still smell the briny scent of fish on sale in busy markets, my boots sliding over the dust, and the muezzin’s afternoon call to prayer echoing in the distance. I saw Baghdad alive again.
On The Ground: the Grunts and the Press -- [Paul McLeary - in Iraq]
Five years into the war, news organizations have understandably cut back a bit, given the immense cost of maintaining a Baghdad bureau. From life insurance for reporters to guards, armored cars (which not all bureaus have), and fortified houses outside of the Green Zone, reporting from Iraq is an incredibly expensive proposition.
But embedding with infantry units is free. Flights to Kuwait, where the Army public affairs team picks you up and puts you on a military aircraft to Iraq, and insurance still cost, but once you’re embedded, your expenses end. And that’s why I can’t understand why every major news organization doesn’t have one reporter embedded with a combat unit at all times. They won’t always be able to file stories, but they can contribute a steady stream of material about the fight—and the ground-level diplomacy—being waged by young American captains, lieutenants, and sergeants. The fact that I spent four weeks in Iraq and only ran into one stringer working for an American newspaper is testament to how few reporters are out in the field. Of course, there are reporters in Iraq, and my time bouncing between combat outposts constitutes an official census; but it is significant that in every unit I was with, I was the first reporter they had seen.
The Liberation of Karmah, Part I -- [Michael Totten - in Iraq]
KARMAH, IRAQ – Just beyond the outskirts of Fallujah lies the terror-wracked city of Karmah. While you may not have heard of this small city of 35,000 people, American soldiers and Marines who served in Anbar Province know it as a terrifying place of oppression, death, and destruction. “It was much worse than Fallujah” said more than a dozen Marines who were themselves based in Fallujah.
“Karmah was so important to the insurgency because we've got Baghdad right there,” Lieutenant Andrew Macak told me. “This is part of the periphery of Baghdad. At the same time, it is part of the periphery of Fallujah.”
In Fallujah, Peace Through Brute Strength -- [WaPo]
Iraqi City's Fragile Security Flows From Hussein-Era Tactics
FALLUJAH, Iraq -- The city's police chief, Col. Faisal Ismail al-Zobaie, a husky man with a leathered face and a firm voice that resonates with authority, ordered an aide to shut his office door. He turned to his computer. Across the screen flashed a video, purportedly made by the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq.
In the video, branches are thrown into a pit the size of a coffin, then doused with kerosene and ignited. The camera pans to three blindfolded men, kneeling, mouths sealed with tape. Six armed men in black masks stand behind them. One declares: "These three men fought and killed al-Qaeda. We will punish them according to Islam." The masked men then kick the three into the burning grave.
Schools...In For The Summer? -- [False Motivation - in Iraq]
Yep, we visited the school again today. We were granted one more final stipend to help fix up the school (since we'll soon be handing over our sector), the teachers and headmasters agreed that cisterns and a water fountain would be a nice improvement.
Apache Troops On Patrol
Soldiers on patrol during Moulib Al Nabi, Birth of the Prophet, celebration. Scenes include Soldiers conducting joint security checks with the Iraqi Army.
Did an US Apache blow away pro-American Sunnis? -- [ROFA Six]
The media story about the incident suggests that an Apache killed 6 pro-US Sunni militia fighters. The US says the six were planting an IED in an area where IED attacks were common. The leader of the Sunni force, Sons of Iraq, says the six were his people and were manning a checkpoint.
But the bottom line is that there is video of the Apache attack that killed the six. It tells no lies and will quickly show who is fabricating in this one. I encourage the US to release and publicize the video of the engagement fast to dampen any backlash by Iraqis. Once Iraqis see that jihadists were using their membership in the militia to conceal their intent and their actions against US forces, the damage of such charges claiming a 'bad shoot' will go away.
U.S. military says hits al Qaeda propaganda units -- [Reuters]
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Saturday it had hampered al Qaeda's ability to recruit new members in Iraq by capturing or killing many of the people who make slick videos used to attract disaffected young Muslims.
U.S. military spokesman Rear Admiral Greg Smith said that in the past year, 39 al Qaeda members in Iraq responsible for producing and disseminating videos and other material to thousands of Internet Web sites had been captured or killed.
"The power of this information is obvious. These guys are using material that is used on Web sites to recruit and raise money," Smith told Reuters in an interview.
"We think the vast majority of this media network has been degraded at this point,"
Rules of Engagement -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
Hour 18 of a 24-hour mission. Well, two missions really. We had spent the day pulling outer security for General Petraeus himself, while he strolled down Anu al-Verona with no body armor, surrounded by a camo entourage and media parade Patton’s ghost would respect, to buy some falafels.
...Then the war got in the way. Again.
45 minutes after we established our outer cordon security positions – right at the aforementioned hour 18 - SSG Boondock’s words boomeranged across the net, hiding the thrill in his voice as much as a teenage boy does while issuing instructions before a panty raid.
“Gravedigger 1, this is Gravedigger 3 … we got some real shady mother fuckers low crawling onto the road, down from the canal. It looks like two of ‘em.”
Soldiers Continue Work to Maintain Security Gains in East Mosul -- [MNF-I]
MOSUL — Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, are working the latest phase of the fight against al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) by living among Iraqi citizens at Combat Outpost Knight in eastern Mosul, and gaining their trust by constant patrolling and interaction.
Suicide car bomb attack killed 13 Iraqi soldiers in Mosul -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
MOSUL, IRAQ: Al Qaeda in Iraq pulled off a highly successful suicide truck bombing today in western Mosul. Thirteen Iraqi soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the 2nd Iraqi Army division were killed and 42 were wounded after a suicide bomber drove a truck packed with explosives and detonated it in the center of Combat Outpost Inman. Three officers and nine enlisted soldiers were among those killed. Eight other soldiers suffered serious injuries and were evacuated to Forward Operating Marez for medical treatment.
...US and Iraqi officers are suspicious of the attack. The suicide bomber knew when and how to strike to inflict maximum damage on the outpost. “The site was clearly reconned,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Meeker, the chief adviser for the 2nd Brigade. “He could not have placed that truck more perfectly inside the COP [combat outpost]. This attack was devastating to this battalion.”
Saddam's Terror Links -- [WSJ]
Five years on, few Iraq myths are as persistent as the notion that the Bush Administration invented a connection between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda. Yet a new Pentagon report suggests that Iraq's links to world-wide terror networks, including al Qaeda, were far more extensive than previously understood.
Naturally, it's getting little or no attention. Press accounts have been misleading or outright distortions, while the Bush Administration seems indifferent. Even John McCain has let the study's revelations float by. But that doesn't make the facts any less notable or true.
Iraq death toll reaches 4000
CNN's Michael Ware reports on a grim milestone for U.S. troops in Iraq after four soldiers are killed by a roadside bomb.
Reup if your crazy.... -- [The Angry American - in Iraq]
Well........ I did it again. 4 more baby 4 more. I didn't get any money. I did get my choice of duty station. I can say its non deployable and I'm really excited about that. Its off to Relaxin Jackson when I'm done here.
Its actually pretty sweet. Since 2001 I've hardly been home at all. I was in the New York Guard and after 9/11 they kept me busy and away from home. Out of the last three years I've been home for 7 months of it. I'm excited to actually be able to be home and be a father and husband. Part of me will miss being deployed, thats what we do, its what we train for. I don't really know what I'll be doing in Jackson but I do know I will not be deploying.
Dispelling Stereotypes - - [LT Nixon - in Iraq]
An disturbingly large portion of the blogosphere believes that US Soldiers are over in Iraq randomly killing civilians, wearing ear necklaces, torching mosques, and other such nonsense. These stereotypes are employed to give credit to their oft-repeated argument "Bush Lied, People Died". Sure, there's lots of intelligible debate about why getting into Iraq was wrong, but I don't see the troops being likened to the Mongol Horde as part of it. That maybe since I've been in the military for several years and have not seen this criminal mentality first hand. Not saying war isn't hell, but when some douche in the comments sections of Matt Yglesias fine blog starts droning on about the US only being over here to kill civilians, I find this ridiculous.
U.S. forces or Multi-National Forces? -- [Intel Dump]
In Friday's Wall Street Journal, Jess Bravin previewed the cases of Mohammad Munaf and Shawqi Omar, two U.S. citizens now being held by the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, pending transfer to Iraqi authorities. Or are they? The key question in the case is whether these men are actually being held by the U.S. Government — or whether they are being held by a Multi-National Force, acting pursuant to a U.N. mandate, not subject to the jurisdiction of federal courts. That question will be argued on Tuesday before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hiya from Hurriya Base -- [Castle Argghhh! - CW4BillT - in Iraq]
My Sur'n Baptist bud was a tad taken aback to learn that Iraqis know what Easter's about. So, in return for the enlightenment, he introduced the stoo'nts to an ancillary side of the day -- the Chocolate Easter Bunny.
Heh. Ever seen a bunch of 25-year-old 12-year-olds?
Peter and his Eggs! -- [Northern Disclosure - in Iraq]
It is Easter and for the first time in many years I have felt its impact on my life.
Peter was dressed a little different than in my past. He wore a white over coat and white chef's hat and spoke broken English with a name tag written in sharpie. Thats right he was a cook at a chow hall in Ramadi. I smiled and ordered a couple of "sunny side up" and he didn't flinch and cooked them with the briskness with out breaking that precious golden yoke. I couldn't believe it, for almost a year now I have approached the eggs to order grill at various places and ordered some sunny side ups hoping to get them but every time I got rejected because of the ban on fresh eggs thanks to that pesky Avian Bird Flu.
Talk of a Troop Surge for Afghanistan -- [US News and World Report]
...talk is increasingly turning to a troop surge for Afghanistan. The conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank, which was instrumental in designing the current surge strategy in Iraq, in January convened an "Afghanistan Planning Group" that will shortly announce recommendations for an influx of troops into Afghanistan as well. "It's clear to everyone who looks at it that more troops are necessary in Afghanistan," says Frederick Kagan, an AEI fellow and an architect of the surge strategy in Iraq.
Out Processing Up The Chain -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
...There were some interesting things from the General's little out-brief today, though. You would expect him to have the statistics, the big picture. Apparently we made a big difference with the ANP. Ten times more of them were dying before we picked up the mission to work with them. District centers were being lost on occasion. Where we are working with them, they have lost no district centers, and their death rate has decreased to a tenth of what it was.
...There are stages of insurgency, and last year... the bloodiest year since we entered Afghanistan... the Taliban tried to take it to the next stage. They tried to take on government forces head to head conventionally. It didn't work out so well for them. The government of Afghanistan is operating in more places now than it was a year ago. I've seen it with my own eyes. Valleys that were contested a year ago are relatively peaceful, and valleys where there was no IRoA (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) presence are now in the process of becoming governed. The boundaries of ungoverned Afghanistan are shrinking.
Afghan & US Led NATO Troops Kill Dozens of Taliban Fighters, Taliban Commander -- [Jawa Report]
The Defence Ministry had said in a statement the commander of the group Mullah Mohammed Hashim had been killed. Will give this the 24 hr rule.
Short Update -- [Richard's 15 Month Deployment - in Afghanistan]
I've been on the road a lot recently, mostly repeating the KAF run I posted about earlier. And the sights stay the same, but never get old. Here a few from my most recent trip.
Happy Easter - - [ETT PA-C - in Afghanistan]
I've seen that alot of new stuff has come across the wire on the internet so I thought I'd update this to let everyone know that I'm fine. I've been on the move alot lately and haven't had much I can talk about to report. Right now I'm up enjoying some "down time" in Kabul. Nothing I'm willing to admit to here except I'm ready to get away from all the brass and worthless uniform policies around this place! Anyway, I truly hope that you all have had a happy Easter and remember why we celebrate it.
Basket cases -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Instead of spending Easter looking for eggs, we went out looking for kids.
SSG Ollerenshaw asks two girls to share an Easter basket.Girl Scout Troop No. 9278 of Liberty Township, Ohio, surprised the guys here at Camp Vulcan with Easter baskets and boxes of goodies sent to us through Operation: Show Our Love. (We also got some goodies from the city employees of Trotwood, Ohio, and the American Legion Post 619 in Dayton, Ohio. Thank you!)
We enjoyed some of the treats, but decided the baskets and stuffed animals would look best in the hands of some of the Afghan children
Taliban and al Qaeda Strategy in Pakistan and Afghanistan -- [Captains Journal]
When U.S. intelligence analysts were claiming that a Taliban offensive in Afghanistan would not occur due to focus on Pakistan, The Captain’s Journal laid out the case for dual Taliban campaigns (one focusing on Pakistan and the other on Afghanistan), and pointed out that the spring “offensive” would be waged differently than in direct, head-to-head kinetic engagements with U.S. forces. The influx of foreign jihadists into the tribal areas of Pakistan
Afghan Cops Get An Upgrade -- [Strategy Page]
March 24, 2008: The U.S. has convinced the Afghan government that the traditional Afghan approach to policing won't work. In the past, cops were poorly paid, and recruited more as a make-work program, than as an attempt to get the best qualified people. These cops were used more as a paramilitary militia, to enforce the will of the provincial government, than to serve and protect the population. The new program will recruit more carefully, pay more, and train the new police to do traditional policing (keep the peace and protect the people.)
Pakistan Now Tops Iraq and Afghanistan in Suicide Bombings -- [Gateway Pundit]
The terror baton is passed... Don't expect this to make many headlines. Pakistan now tops Iraq and Afghanistan in suicide bombings. The Post and Noblesse Oblige reported:
Pelosi calls for probe into acts of 'repression' -- [FT.com]
The speaker of the US House of Representatives yesterday demanded that China allow an international investigation into the violent unrest in Tibet and said the situation there was a "challenge to the world's conscience".
Nancy Pelosi delivered a strong show of US support for the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader, who has been accused by the Chinese government of organising the protests and rioting that began last week.
"We insist the world know what the truth is in Tibet," said Ms Pelosi, during a visit to Dharamsala, the Indian hill-town that is the seat of Tibet's government-in-exile. "We need to know what is happening there."
Double standards challenge U.S. Speaker's own conscience -- [Xinhua writer Wang Jiaquan]
BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Nancy Pelosi challenged her own conscience when the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker on Friday condemned China's legitimate actions against violence in Tibet, but turned a blind eye to merciless rioters.
Apathetic to those innocent victims in the recent Lhasa riot, Pelosi lost her own "moral authority to speak about human rights" when she acted as a defender of arsonists, looters and killers.
Al Qaeda Recruiter Blues -- [Strategy Page]
March 23, 2008: The sharp drop in suicide bombings in Iraq is partly due to the decline in foreign al Qaeda volunteers coming into Iraq. The recruiting, mostly in Saudi Arabia and North Africa, preys on the unique social conditions in those areas. Namely, high birth rates and high unemployment.
France to send 1,000 more troops to Afghanistan -- [Breitbart]
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Al-Qaida deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri called on Muslims in a new audiotape released Monday to strike Jewish and American targets in revenge for Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip earlier this month.
The al-Zawahri tape came on the heels of a message from Osama bin Laden, who called for a holy war to liberate the Palestinian territories—a new push by the terror network's leadership to use widespread anger over the Gaza violence to whip up support.
Sawyer County Record -- [LumberJack in a Desert - injured in Iraq]
The Sawyer County Record has a great article on my speaking engagement at the Hayward Community School District. Pursue your goals and dreams, whatever they are. Be a rock star. Hunt. Fish. Or be a world champion logroller.
That was the message that JR Salzman shared with students at the Hayward Intermediate School Monday morning. Salzman, a Hayward native and five-time world champion logroller, stood before students in the same gymnasium where he attended assemblies and played basketball as a student, wearing his camouflage Minnesota National Guard uniform. And a prosthetic arm.
Another "We Need More Men Like This Kid" -- [BlackFive - Laughing_Wolf]
A few days ago, Mr. Wolf brought us the story of a Make A Wish kid who used his one wish to be a soldier. Now, Michelle Malkin brings us the story of another -- a five-year-old cancer patient -- who used his one wish to to be a soldier. Careful, it is easy for dust to get in your eyes reading this one...
Help Give Hollywierd A Clue -- [BlackFive - Laughing_Wolf]
The "celebrity" site TMZ regards the search for the remains of the fallen as "BS." That's right, the effort to find and return the remains of the fallen is nothing but b******t to them. They have a poll there so that readers can vote on if this is a "Ridiculous Waste" or not.
Go vote. I did. Tell your friends and let them vote as well. It is a lot closer than it should be.
Gratitude Campaign -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
On Thursday, I went up to Fort Knox to promote a Soldier and present another Soldier with a well-deserved Meritorious Service Medal. On the way up, I stopped at a gas station to get a drink and take a break. Since it was during the work day, I was still in my uniform. Just before I got back into my car, I heard a voice behind me just as I was about to get in my car say "excuse me." I turned around and there was a little boy of about 6 or 7 years holding his mother's hand and cautiously approaching me.
"My son wanted to tell you something," the boy's mother said. I got down on one knee so I could be eye to eye with him and introduced myself. In the shyest voice, this little boy said, "Thank you for your service" and buried his face in his mom's pantlegs. I eased his nervousness by giving him five and thanked him for his support.
Troops Are Paid Fairly, But Differently, Study Shows -- [WaPo]
It is one of the most politically sensitive questions on Capitol Hill: Are the troops getting paid the right amount?
A new Defense Department study suggests that the answer is yes, when basic pay, cash allowances, free health care, pensions and tax breaks are taken into consideration.
When those elements are combined, military officers and enlisted personnel are compensated as well or better than 80 percent of their counterparts in the private sector of similar ages and educations, the study said.
USAF Ordered to Step Up and Man Up -- [Strategy Page]
March 23, 2008: A year ago, the U.S. Army was only getting about a third of its requests for Predator missions filled. The surge campaign was under way, and the new Secretary of Defense got involved with the growing number of complaints from army officers about the Predator shortage. The air force had about a hundred Predators, but only a dozen were in Iraq. Questions were asked.
Being home... -- [Eighty Deuce on the Loose - home from Iraq]
is great!
It is the most amazing feeling in the world to be back in the States after so long in Iraq. While over there, it seemed like this day would never come, but finally it did. The flight back was full of anticipation as we all just wanted to end our long journey and be back with the ones we love and care about. For myself, from the time I was last walking around the streets of Baghdad until I landed back in the United States, it was only 4 days. Mind blowing really. One we arrived at Ft Bragg, there were so many friends, family, whatever there, that it was a HUGE crowd. We formed up and marched in while everyone was screaming and cheering, and it was so hard to not break out with a huge smile across my face.
F-18 pilot returns home to canine friend from Iraqi war zone -- [SignOnSanDiego]
They spent months in an Iraqi war zone cementing a special bond.
Marine Major Brian Dennis greets Nubs early Saturday morning at Camp Pendleton.
But after more than a month of being apart, Marine Maj. Brian Dennis began to worry if Nubs the dog would still remember him, especially in a new place like San Diego.
Their reunion early Saturday at Camp Pendleton clearly showed otherwise.
EASTER MASS ATTACK!! Protesters Scream & Spray Fake Blood at Churchgoers -- [Gateway Pundit]
NOT JUST ANTIWAR...
Leftist Protesters Attack Catholic Worshippers at Easter Mass in Chicago
Anti-war protesters are led out of the auditorium after disrupting Easter services at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on Sunday, March 23, 2008. (Tribune photo by Stacey Wescott / March 23, 2008)
MORE VIDEO of Obama's Pastor Jeremiah Wright
Hosting company that suspended Wilders’s site also hosts … Hezbollah? -- [Hot Air]
Too bad to check, but check it I did after someone sent me the link to this post. Can Network Solutions’ terms of use be so exquisitely nuanced that a Dutch MP’s critique of Islam qualifies as “objectionable material of any kind or nature” but a top terrorist group’s propaganda organ doesn’t? Behold:
Bush’s War http://www.julescrittenden.com/2008/03/24/bushs-war/-- [Jules Crittenden]
Frontline’s four-and-a-half-hour epic, airing tonight and tomorrow night on PBS, isn’t actually about Bush. It’s not really about his war, either. “Cabinet Infighting” would have been a better title.
Short review: Cheney-Rumsfeld Junta lied, people died. Surge? What surge? Longer review here.
Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Iraqi Perspectives Project.
Captured Iraqi documents have uncovered evidence that links the regime of Saddam Hussein to regional and global terrorism, including a variety of revolutionary, liberation, nationalist, and Islamic terrorist organizations. While these documents do not reveal direct coordination and assistance between the Saddam regime and the al Qaeda network, they do indicate that Saddam was willing to use, albeit cautiously, operatives affiliated with al Qaeda as long as Saddam could have these terrorist–operatives monitored closely. Because Saddam’s security organizations and Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network operated with similar aims (at least in the short term), considerable overlap was inevitable when monitoring, contacting, financing, and training the same outside groups. This created both the appearance of and, in some ways, a “de facto” link between the organizations.
What Iraqis Want You to Hear -- [Michael Totten]
Two days ago ABC News released a new poll of Iraqi public opinion, and John Burns at the New York Times made a very perceptive observation that should be taken into account when looking it over.
I’ve been to Iraq five times, and never once have I heard an Iraqi say anything hostile about Americans. Partly this is because I don’t spend time in insurgent circles. How could I? The Iraqis I’ve met don’t represent the full spectrum. Middle Easterners are also famous for their politeness and, unlike some people from other parts of the world, they will not get in your face if they don’t like where you come from.
Bearing Witness - 5 Years of Reporting War in Iraq -- [Reuters]
Through five years of war, a team of 100 Reuters correspondents, photographers, cameramen and support staff have strived to deliver news to the world from Iraq - the most dangerous country for the press. These are their personal stories, bearing witness through half a decade of conflict which has taken the lives of 127 journalists, including seven Reuters staff.
Relieved of command -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
On the western outskirts of Mosul, Combat Outpost Inman sits on a dusty and violent stretch of road that serves as an al Qaeda supply line from Syria into the provincial capital. The soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division are assigned to secure a vital stretch of this road leading from Tal Afar, but they have come short of its task. The leadership of Iraq's 2nd Division arrived at Inman on March 20 with one goal in mind: fix the problem.
And on that day, today, a big part of the problem was fixed. The battalion commander was relieved of command.
And more years to come -- [Outside the Wire]
War does not care for the arbitrary timelines of man. The fifth anniversary of Marines and Soldiers crossing the berm from Kuwait into Iraq is treated as a news subject only because we humans tend to measure things in such terms. As Cormac McCarthy wrote in the 'Blood Meridian':
"It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."
A war is a competition between the wills of humans. There are no rules, no boundaries, no timekeepers or even scorekeepers. It is a struggle until one side yields to other. To pretend otherwise only protracts the war.
The United State's war in Iraq did not begin in March of 2003. The United State's war with Mohammanden Jihadists did not start on September 11th, 2001.
Outside the Wire: Documentary Series - This is Iraq!
Counter-insurgency 101 -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
...We continue down the planned route down Route Sabers, where we had staggered into the middle of an Iraqi Army/Sons of Iraq and civilian forces firefight two months earlier, and head south for a few hundred meters. SSG Bulldog’s gunner, PFC Cold-Nuts, registers movement during his scan.
“Gravedigger 1, this is Gravedigger 2-Golf.”
“Send it, Bro-seph.”
“Yeah, we’re passing Sheik Tony Montana’s headquarters right now. His lights are still on. I just thought it was pretty late for that.”
He’s right, I think, and begin prepping to dismount. “Roger 2-Golf. Gravediggers, go ahead and conduct a short halt in front of Montana’s headquarters, and kick out local dismounted security. I’m gonna go in and say what’s up.”
A brief hiatus and you'll believe they hate us... -- [Tragically Famous - in Iraq]
I forewarn everyone about the realities of this war, and henceforth the realities of this journal. They are exhilaratingly fun to write about on the good days, but there’s the dark side to this moon as well. I wish no one had to see it. I wish no family had to bear the weight of an unwelcomed visitor in uniform on their doorstep. However, that’s just not our reality. Iraq is the stadium, and we are the visiting team. No matter how the numbers stack up, some are sent packing, and some are sent packed. It’s a really hard day when a soldier tells his leader, “I just can’t get back in the truck. I can’t do it anymore.”
This is the story, and I will say it is fictional based solely that those who can confirm the second hand information are currently recuperating in the hospital. You infer what you need, but please follow me carefully down this road
A Solemn Time -- [Miserable Donuts - in Iraq]
On March 12th our base was hit by rockets – the worst happened, and three Soldiers were killed. On Monday they were honored at a memorial ceremony given by their unit. Hundreds of American service members, civilian contractors, and Coalition soldiers all attended.
Al Anbar
Marine sings answer to Dixie Chicks hit -- (VIDEO) Unfinished business -- [Military Times]
Cpl. David Thibodeaux was in Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, when the Dixie Chicks partnered with anti-war group MoveOn.org in 2004. Despite the band making headlines with anti-war views, he didn’t know much about them, he says.
Nevertheless, Thibodeaux now sings “Not Ready to End the Fight,” an “answer song” to the Dixie Chicks’ 2006 anti-war hit, “Not Ready to Make Nice.”
“I’ve seen so many good things happen in Iraq, and I don’t think it’s time for the war to end,” said Thibodeaux, a member of the Chemical and Biological Incident Response Force. “Anybody who doesn’t think there are terrorists out there should open their eyes.”
Foreign fighters leaving Iraq, military says -- [USA Today]
A growing number of foreign fighters are leaving or attempting to flee Iraq as U.S. and Iraqi forces have weakened al-Qaeda and forced its members from former strongholds, U.S. military officials say.
The trend reflects a broad disenchantment among foreign fighters, particularly since al-Qaeda has lost sanctuaries in parts of Baghdad and Anbar, a Sunni province west of the capital, U.S. military intelligence officials say.
Guardian: The Surge Is Failing
An Iraqi Insurgent Tell-All: Al-Qaida Is To Blame For "Killing Sunnis" And "Demolishing Their Homes, Mosques, and Their Hospitals -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Evan Kohlmann]
The NEFA Foundation has obtained a copy of a recent interview with a senior military commander of the Hamas al-Iraq insurgent group in the restive Diyala province of Iraq. During the interview, the unnamed Hamas commander sharply condemned the "criminal actions launched by the Al-Qaida network targeting innocent civilians and... other jihad movements... The occupying forces were unable to enter many districts and villages of Diyala until Al-Qaida paved the way for them when they began killing the Sunnis and demolishing their homes, mosques, and their hospitals." The Hamas al-Iraq commander also addressed allegations of Iranian logistical support for local Al-Qaida operations, and the relationship between Iraqi Hamas and a variety of other organizations--including the Muslim Brotherhood, the Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS),...
Returning to dust -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
For now, the worst thing about the dust is what it does to our weapons, particularly our crew-served weapons we mount in the turrets of our Humvees where they become dust magnets.
864th Engineers: Building Afghanistan -- [Blog-ah]
I will say this for the soldiers of the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) – they sure work hard here at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Sharana in completing all of the tasks they have prior to returning home in May.
...FOB Sharana is a beehive of activity with construction – both of the horizontal and vertical variety – going on as the FOB grows in size. From digging and the driving of nails to welding and the pouring of cement, the battalion’s soldiers are doing it all. It should also be noted that members of the Polish Army at times work with their American counterparts.
Afghan, Pakistan, 173rd Special Troops Battalion enhance communication, cooperation -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
NANGAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Communication and cooperation between Afghan and Pakistan border security forces is essential to the success of containing insurgents threatening both countries. To this end, the Afghan and Pakistan border security forces at Torkham Gate, held a Border Flag Meeting Feb. 28 with the 173rd Airborne’s Special Troops Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Milhorn, to address security and communication issues, as well as the upcoming opening of the Khyber Border Coordination Center.
Preventing insurgent operations in the border area requires constant communication between the Afghan and Pakistan border forces, said Milhorn. He hopes to improve the chances of catching insurgents by supplying the Afghan and Pakistan Border Police with radio equipment so they can speak directly with each other.
Iran Gives Syria $1 Billion For Missiles To Strike Israel -- [Pat Dollard]
Haaretz has meanwhile learned that Iran has provided Syria with more than $1 billion for arms purchases, reflecting Syria’s drive to build up its military power in the last year, as well as the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
The $1 billion that Iran has recently provided Syria has been used to buy surface-to-surface missiles, rockets, anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft systems.
Israel has learned that Syria is buying more missiles than tanks, on the assumption that attacking the Israeli home front would deter Israel on the one hand, and help to determine the war on the other.
Where's Adam Gadahn? New bin Laden Message not Subtitled -- [Jawa Report]
Two days ago a "new" bin laden "video" came out which was obviously old. The content of the message was about the Mohammad cartoon controversy. An old message about an old issue. When it came out I noted how unusual it was that the announcement came without the usual banner.
That led me to proclaim, "Case closed: Osama bin Laden is dead!"
Bin Laden's New Message -- [Counterterrorism Blog- Douglas Farah]
There are several interesting aspects to Osama bin Laden's first, albeit brief, message of 2008, transcribed here by the NEFA Foundation. Clearly the senior al Qaeda leadership thought the issue was important enough to have bin Laden address it, something he has not done since December 2007.
Bin Laden Reiterates Al Qaeda Doctrine Tying Victory in Iraq to Victory Over Israel -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Andrew Cochran]
In my opinion, the most important point in the second tape in two days by Osama Bin Laden is his reiteration of long-held Al Qaeda doctrine that victory in Iraq is critical to the long-term success of the jihad throughout the Middle East, ending in victory over and the destruction of the State of Israel. Bin Laden issues a renewed call for jihadists to win in Iraq in order to support the Palestinian cause: "The nearest Jihad (holy war) battlefield to support our people in Palestine is the battlefield of Iraq ... It should be taken care of and supported." This is a quick summary of the doctrine which his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, laid out in his famous letter in July 2005 to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq
Bin Laden’s threat uncovers Jihadist message for Europe -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Walid Phares]
In an audiotape posted on Internet, Osama Bin Laden threatened Europe with punishment because of its “negligence in spite of the opportunity presented to take the necessary measures” to stop the republishing of the Danish cartoons. It also menaced the Vatican with retribution for an alleged role in incitement "against religion." This al Qaeda warning would have been normal in Salafi Jihad logic. This radical movement obviously considers the drawings as an ultimate insult to Muslims and would unleash extreme violence in retaliation. Actually one would have expected al Qaeda to strike back “for the cartoons offense” long time ago. In fact
Counterinsurgency: Forest and Trees -- [Castle Argghhh!]
LT G recently wrote about Counterinsurgency doctrine (COIN) from the ground point of view. This morning, I got the chance to hear about it from the "big picture" perspective in a DoD Blogger's Roundtable. The guest was Colonel Daniel S. Roper, Director, U.S. Army and Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Center at Ft. Leavenworth, who recently spent time evaluating Counterinsurgency operations in Iraq. The center was set up by General Petraeus to be as COL Roper put it, "the focal point connecting all the different efforts developing and implementing COIN doctrine." The mission is to provide "oversight" for COIN integration, to improve the capability of the military to operate in a "full-spectrum COIN environment."
OK, calling all Spotters -- [The Sniper]
I was contacted today through work by SFC Barry Nelson, US Army, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is the Senior Group Leader of the Basic Non-Commission Officers Course (BNCOC) on the grounds at Walter Reed. Any of you who have been to PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC or Sergeant Majors Academy no doubt remember these courses. They're not exactly R&R. Now imagine doing it as a wounded troop. Here was his first missive to me
...We need to go big. Real big if we can. This isn't a simple thing of honoring troops who were injured (though they were) this is about soldiers wanting to further themselves, despite any injuries they sustained. These are troops who want to take the next step in their development.
Soldiers' Angels Soars into the 5th year of Service Member Support -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
March 21, 2008, Pasadena, CA- In honor of the founder of Soldier' Angels, angels across the globe have gathered together to dedicate a week to show appreciation to Patti Patton-Bader for her tireless efforts to support our service members and to grow the Soldiers' Angels into the largest ALL volunteer- military support organization in the world.
GI TYPE WAVE SOLE DESERT TAN BOOTS -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
Why do soldiers request boots; doesn't our military supply boots to our combat forces? The simple answer is yes, but the conditions our soldiers are dealing with in Iraq and Afghanistan tends to "eat up" the boots. The sand and heat just destroy them. So, as you can imagine, our soldiers go through boots pretty fast. Sometimes the PX has limited quantities, especially of common sizes and the supply line for boots can be slow at times. Soldiers' Angels has been fortunate to get a great price for these boots! We get these boots from the same supplier who provides us with our KEVLAR blankets, so you know you can trust their quality. We have been told our boots are more comfortable than the standard issue boots and are approved by the military, guaranteeing that your hero will be in compliance with military regulations.
Soldier's quotes of the week - Comments from some wounded guys -- [Soldier's Angels - Medical Support]
Captain Christine L from the 506th writes about the amazing spirit of some of the wounded guys she's treated in her E/R.
We allow our soldiers to call home after we get them stable and one, whose' Humvee was struck stated to his wife, "Honey, I am OK we just got blown up."
Pt. #2 stated, "Morphine is gooooooood stuff."
The day I was hanging those new curtains you sent, I had one side up and I sat down to take a break and we had incoming. I told one patient,"hey you get the new curtains." He replied, "yeh and a purple heart, not bad for one day of work.
No Dogs or Vets on the Lawn -- [LT Nixon - in Iraq]
A nice lady named Nadia McCaffrey, who lost her boy in Iraq, wants to set up a house for vets suffering from PTSD in wine country, CA. But that has made some neighbors hoppin' mad that they're going to have a bunch of Rambo types running around with their guns n' craziness driving down the property value. Sadly, this seems to be a discouraging trend in a society that has little understanding of the reality of modern conflict. Not only do they want to get involved with it, they don't even want to know about it.
Why Soldiers With Traumatic Brain Injuries and Permanent Handicaps Are Considered Partially Disabled -- [BOB WOODRUFF]
...Even though he is finally doing much better physically, the Boothbys still have obstacles ahead of them. Just this month, the Boothbys received the Department of Defense ruling that Michael had been granted only a 70 percent temporary disability rating.
That means the family of five with one more on the way any day now will have to make due on 70 percent of their previous income.
Boothby's temporary disability rating will be reevaluated annually, even though many of his injuries are permanent. He has traumatic brain injury and has lost more than half of his vision in both eyes.
"He's gonna be blind for the rest of his life. Optic nerves don't grow back. He will never drive. He can't go to work. He can't get to work. It doesn't make sense to me," said Megan, Boothby's wife.
On 5th Anniversary: Disrespect for Army Women and Men -- [The Tank - Elaine Donnelly]
Five years ago this week, infantry, armor, artillery, Special Operations Forces and Marines led the fast-moving ground assault to liberate Baghdad. In November 2004 the same troops, fighting door-to-door and street-to-street, cleaned out Fallujah, an enemy stronghold. Those fierce battles, and many more throughout Afghanistan and the entire region, define “direct ground combat,” which involves more than the experience of being “in harm’s way.”
Protestors Outnumbered By Supporters -- [Blog-ah]
Phil Rashke sent us this report from the Tacoma Mall where war protestors demonstrated against the war....
Good News....the pro-military supporters at Tacoma Mall today outnumbered the "Shut the Mall" protestors three to one! Protestors never got to the front of the military recruiting station and had to do their protest speeches on a side street. Military supporters had lots of "support the troops" signs and lots of American flags. Chants like "Where are Your Flags" and "Don't Dishonor Their Names" greeted protestor attempts to read the names of the war dead. The protestors didn't have one American flag beyond an old 13 star flag....which they had to go find. By about 2:45 pm the protestors gave up and left the area.
Eagles Needed For April! -- [GoE]
It’s time to make our presence felt on Capitol Hill once again. In conjunction with GEN Petraeus’ testimony in Washington DC (on or around April 7th), we are looking for Eagles to take our message of victory and unconditional support of our military to our elected representatives.
Fox Undercover: Camden Excessive Force Investigation [TownHall]
What killed a Chester County man five days after Camden police arrested him at a rock concert? It's what Camden's top prosecutor wants to know as he confirms to Fox...
Real life hero: A Soldiers Silver Star story -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Heroes are made, not born.
And a hero like Spc. Monica Brown, 19, a Lake Jackson, Texas, native is no different. She is the second female Soldier since World War II to be awarded a Silver Star for her gallant actions during combat in Afghanistan in 2007.
She was presented her Silver Star by Vice President Dick Cheney during a ceremony here March 20.
It was dusk April 25, 2007, when Brown, a medic from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, was on a routine security patrol along the rolling, rocky plains of Paktika’s isolated Jani Khail District when her convoy was attacked by insurgents.
BOINGBOING TV: Technology and the Iraq War.
..."I think the golden age of soldier blogs, you know, soldier-on-the-front-line-blogs, is over, unfortunately."
Girl opens gift box to find spc. stepdad inside -- [Military Times]
SANFORD, Mich. — At her seventh birthday party, Amber Birdsall thought the huge gift box wrapped in pink paper likely hid a pair of bicycles. She was wrong. Inside was something she wanted even more — her stepfather, a soldier who had been deployed overseas.
“This is way better than bikes,” Amber said.
The surprise began a few weeks ago when Amber told her inquiring mother that all she wanted for her birthday was to have her stepfather return home from serving 10 months in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Welcome home -- [Redding Record Searchlight]
Sgt. Jereme Espinosa has served two tours in Iraq since joining the military after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He's dedicated to protecting his country and family, and making sure the U.S. is safe. He believes our military has helped Iraqi citizens create a safer social system and rebuild their country. Here are some vital statistics:
Welcome home, Guard soldiers -- [Concord Monitor, NH]
By Joelle Farrell A ceremony will be held at 5 pm today at the Army Aviation Support Facility on 26 Regional Drive in Concord for four pilots and two ...
A down home BBQ welcome -- [Scottsboro Daily Sentinel, AL]
It started out that the family just wanted to put a picture of Sgt. Ayers in the newspaper with a simple message: Welcome Home.
McCain, Iran and Al Qaeda -- [CounterColumn]
So the libtards and other apologists for Islamofascism have their miserable knickers in a twist over John McCain's linking Iran to Al Qaeda in a couple of recent appearances.
The thing is, they're wrong. McCain is right. There have been a number of documented connections between Iran and other extremist groups, both Sunni and Shia, to include, specifically, Al Qaeda, as they make common cause to undermine American power and attempt to drive us out of the region.
Obama's Church Newsletter Published Hamas Manifesto -- [Gateway Pundit]
In the July 22, 2007, Trinity United Church of Christ bulletin, Jeremiah Wright reprinted an article by Mousa Abu Marzook, identified in the newsletter as a "deputy of the political bureau of Hamas." Marzook is a senior member of Hamas living in Syria.
Maybe, this should not be so shocking since the Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a former Muslim and black nationalist.
Obama’s Opposition to Iraq War, Once Firm, Sometimes Has Wavered -- [FOXNews]
Barack Obama declared his opposition to the Iraq war early on — in a speech in Chicago in October 2002, some six months before the invasion began — but over the next five years, he has admitted having second thoughts about that early stand, even casting himself as a supporter of President Bush’s conduct of the war.
Speaking Wednesday in Fayetteville, N.C., Obama again said his opposition to the war has been unwavering.
Vet for Congress [The Corner - Kathryn Jean Lopez]
Tom Reynolds, Republican congressman from New York, announced Thursday he won’t be running for reelection (join the club!). He was facing an Iraq war vet, Jonathan Powers, supported by the antiwar Left
...“Currently there are other GOP candidates considering a run, however should David rapidly raise money and secure support, he is best positioned to defeat Jon Powers. This will be an election about Iraq, and we need an Iraq war veteran than can stand his ground and win the debate on Iraq.”
A young, articulate Iraq-war vet making the case for no surrender on the campaign trail and then in the halls of Congress
DC Moonbat Convergence -- [This ain’t Hell]
Another day, another protest. Today is ANSWER’s “Day of Action”. Since the Iraq War started five years ago today, all of the organizations that have sprung up to cash in on the war decided to have an eight-ring circus in downtown Washington DC, because as one IVAW member told me, the war is about money - apparently for the moonbats, too. My coverage was abruptly ended when I was ID’d as “one of those Milblog guys at Winter Soldier”, so excuse me for not getting all I should have.
Moonbat Convergence DC 3-19-08
War? What War? (At least that’s how it looks from the J-Schools) -- [TPM HT: CounterColumn]
Well, we all have our favorite hobby-horses and so excuse me for a moment whilst I pull mine from the playchest. My hobby-horse has only two legs, “education” and “experience.” Unfortunately, prior to 2003, in the general field of “the media” those legs did not support the body, which I call “military knowledge.” (Or “knowledge of the military”) In other words, right up until we actually went to war there was damned little personal knowledge or experience with things military among the overwhelming majority of reporters.
...I am not saying that this is right or wrong. That is for all of you to decide. But it would appear that in the absence of deep knowledge of military history, the present-day military, and things like military doctrine, there were not nearly enough reporters who were able to cogently examine public pronouncements about the use of force and frame useful follow-on questions for deeply reported stories. Stories which, in theory, would help educate the American public before the decision on the use of force was made. Indeed, though I have no formal study which contains hard numbers (Greg, help me out here) my own interactions with journalists over the past couple decades seems to suggest that only a vanishingly few have any real experience with the military.
Why Isn't al-Qaeda Iran's Sunni Enemy In Iraq? -- [The Tank - Steve Schippert]
That question, naturally, is rhetorical. But it seems to escape Selig Harrison in today's Boston Globe. In an op-ed column titled 'Working with Iran to stabilize Iraq,' Harrison suggests that an overly aggressive US posture-and primarily its support for the growing Sahwa al-Iraq (Iraq Awakening Movement)-is an obstacle that prevents Iran from partnering in seeking a stable Iraq. Iran, we are to be led to believe, would otherwise be a constructive American partner there.
Pay careful attention to how Harrison describes the not-exclusively-Sunni Awakening Movement.
The BBC accuses Bush of 'claiming victory' in Iraq again. He didn't. -- [The Monkey Tennis Centre]
The BBC's headline on its report of President Bush's Iraq speech is 'Bush speech hails Iraq victory'. I was surprised that he would have said such a thing, given the way in which previous claims of success have been used to criticise and ridicule the Commander in Chief.
...So I was surprised that the President would hold out another hostage to fortune by claiming victory again, but this is what the relevant part of the BBC report said:
He said recent troop reinforcements had brought about "a major strategic victory in the broader war on terror".
Surely this is more ammunition for the President's many critics. There he goes again! They'll be shrieking. We knew he was stupid, but this is unbelievable!
If read the speech, however - I happened to see the excerpt in question on Hugh Hewitt's blog - you'll find that Bush didn't say that at all.
All 3 Network Newscasts Recognize Anti-War Protests on War Anniversary -- [NewsBusters]
The "Big Three" networks’ evening newscasts, marking the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq on Wednesday evening, all chose to air news briefs on the anti-war protests across the United States. The news briefs all aired within the first ten minutes of each program. CBS "Evening News" anchor Katie Couric, as part of the first report on her program, used the protests as "evidence" of one of their recent poll results, that "more than half of Americans [59%] believe going to war in Iraq was a bad idea." "There are 155,000 troops in Iraq right now, and today, protesters in Washington and other U.S. cities reflected our poll. Nearly half the respondents [46%] said most U.S. troops should be pulled out within a year."
AP, FNC's Hume Pick Up Hillary's Bosnia Fib; Will Rest of Media Follow? -- [NewsBusters]
On Wednesday, Fox News became the first news network to pick up on the contradiction between claims made by Senator Hillary Clinton about her 1996 trip to Bosnia and the reality reported by journalists at the time. In a speech on Monday, Clinton asserted that “I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.”
Go Ahead Shoot Me -- [Smoking Gun]
With ammunition fragments causing 70% of casualties ro it's soldiers, the U.S. Marine Corps has come up with a new vest designed to protect it's men fighting in Korea. Works great, as long as the soldiers are hit by 'relatively slow speed ...
Usama Audio: We'll Bomb You Back to the Qaeda Age -- [ScrappleFace]
(2008-03-20) — An uncharacteristically-personal new audio recording of a voice purported to be terror-leader Usama bin Laden includes a threat to “bomb Europe back to the Qaeda age.”
(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 and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
EXCERPTS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS ON THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR -- [USA Today]
Five years into this battle, there is an understandable debate over whether the war was worth fighting ... whether the fight is worth winning ... and whether we can win it. The answers are clear to me: Removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision – and this is a fight America can and must win…
5 Years, 1 year -- [Acute Politics]
...It took5 years to research what a lot of those serving in Iraq already took prima facie, but Havard University social scientists believe there is a link between public criticism of the war and increases in violent insurgent attacks.
al-Qaida Torture House [DVIDS- Added: March 17, 2008]
Saddam's Dangerous Friends -- [Weekly Standard]
What a Pentagon review of 600,000 Iraqi documents tells us.
This ought to be big news. Throughout the early and mid-1990s, Saddam Hussein actively supported an influential terrorist group headed by the man who is now al Qaeda's second-in-command, according to an exhaustive study issued last week by the Pentagon. "Saddam supported groups that either associated directly with al Qaeda (such as the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, led at one time by bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri) or that generally shared al Qaeda's stated goals and objectives." According to the Pentagon study, Egyptian Islamic Jihad was one of many jihadist groups that Iraq's former dictator funded, trained, equipped, and armed.
Five Years Burning Down the Road -- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
Coming up on the fifth anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. What have we accomplished in that time?
I did however receive an email from the Army Office of Public Affairs asking me to share the following information. Now normally when publishing information like this I would post a link to document it, however the Office of Public Affairs did not provide one to an official site. I checked the Gulf Region Division Press Releases and could not find one that listed this, so my assumption is that I get to be the primary resource for this data.
The U.S. Army released its latest figures on the relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, in the lead up to the five-year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Iraq from a Soldier's Perspective
Humble Apologies -- [Sgt Hook]
...What you may not be able to see is the tremendous progress your Soldiers and their Iraqi counterparts are making over here. I manage to catch a glimpse at CNN/FOX News/MSNBC at the chow hall and I see very little reporting on goings on in Iraq which I suppose is a sign that we are experiencing great successes. Rest assured, you can take great pride in the honorable job your Soliders are doing, day in and day out.
Iraqi Security Advisor: "Withdrawal of US Troops Would Be Catastrophe" -- [Gateway Pundit]
Mouwafak al-Rubaie: "Withdrawal of US troops from Iraq would be a catastrophe." Iraq's National Security Advisor Mouwafak al-Rubaie told FOX News that he agrees that a precipitous withdrawal of troops from Iraq would be a catastrophe for Iraq tipping it into violent chaos.
...Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the same thing today:
Facts for Feith -- [The Corner - L. Paul Bremer III]
Before the war, there had been disagreements within the American government about the length of the occupation of Iraq. Some, including Feith, argued that as soon as Saddam was ousted, we should turn over sovereignty to a small group of Iraqi exiles our government had been in touch with. Others, including officials at the State Department and CIA, emphasized the deep divisions in Iraqi society caused by Saddam’s long tyranny, and suggested the U.S. would be obliged to undertake a long-term effort to put Iraq on the path to representative government. The president apparently agreed with the short-occupation version sometime in March.
But by late April, and before I was asked to return to government, doubts had arisen among top American officials about a quick handover.
Mosul and the Fight for Iraq -- [NPR]
Five years after the United States attacked Iraq, perhaps no place is more emblematic of the war than the northern city of Mosul. The fighting in Iraq's third-largest city seems to just go on and on. The U.S. military takes part of the city only to lose it again. Insurgents move out, then they come back in.
Important Taliban commander for northwestern Afghanistan arrested -- [LWJ]
Afghan intelligence operatives seized a lead Taliban field commander for northwestern Afghanistan during a raid in Herat province. The arrest follows a series of strikes against the Taliban's leadership in the area this winter.
Religiously Motivated: Al Qaeda and Taliban Step up the Battle -- [The Captain’s Journal]
The Asia Times is reporting on an interesting jihadi recruitment pool for al Qaeda that may both give context to the recent list of bombings and give concern for future counterinsurgency efforts in the NWFP and FATA areas of Pakistan. ...Concerning the Pakistan suicide bombings, the U.S. is taking unilateral action to target Taliban sanctuaries. These actions are necessary since the new Parliamentary coalition is less amenable to warring with the Taliban and al Qaeda and more amenable to talking. ...In fact, the ANP has already made peace overtures to the Taliban. It is of the utmost importance that the motivations of the enemy are understood, because if our theories are correct, talking with the Taliban will succeed in nothing but further extending amnesty and allowing time for the enemy to regroup, retrain and recruit.
Afghanistan Olympic team in training
">
The Afghanistan Olympic team - all four of them - are busy preparing for the Beijing Olympics....itn news quirky Afghanistan Beijing Olympics team Ahdyar Azizi running
Taliban cellular antenna vandals killed, arrested -- [Afgha.com]
Afghan security forces gunned two Taliban insurgents wanted for damaging a cellular phone mast in western Herat province, five other Taliban were arrested following the clash, according to police officials who spoke to the AFP. Monday’s incident occurred after Afghan police caught up with the suspects in the Obe district of Herat province late Monday. At least one of the five Taliban arrested suffered unspecified injuries following the incident.
Militant IED operations degraded in Khowst -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Coalition forces conducted an operation to disrupt militant activities in Khowst Province March 19 in which several militants, a woman, and boy were killed. Two suspected militants were also detained. Coalition forces searched compounds in the Nadar Shahkot District targeting Bismullah – a militant conducting improvised explosive device and weapons facilitation operations.
Several armed militants were killed when they fired on Coalition forces during the search.
“Several armed militants, two of whom were barricaded in a building, opened fire on Coalition forces after they entered the compound,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Coalition forces spokesman. “Coalition forces returned fire killing Bismullah, his brother Rahim Jan, as well as several other armed militants.”
Iranian Youth Chant Against Regime During Fire Festival -- [Gateway Pundit]
Young women dared to discard their veils during the youth parties this week.
...Iranian youths chanted "Death to Ahmadinejad" during Chaharshanbeh Soori celebrations held in Iran this week.
YNET reported:
Qaradawi: Bin Laden May Not be Responsible for 9/11 Attacks -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Thanks to Yousef al-Qaradawi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood who still enjoys speaking publicly, we gain added insight into the group's thinking.
In a recent interview with the al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper Qaradawi demonstrated the continued ambiguity of the _Ikhwan_ toward terrorist events, saying Osama bin Laden might not be responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
Because of the uncertainty (despite al Qaeda's public and repeated claims of responsibility), Qaradawi argues, bin Laden should turn himself in to an impartial international tribunal to determine his guilt or innocence.
State Department Adds Somali Islamists to Foreign Terrorist List -- [The Tank]
Yesterday's Federal Register carried notice of a February 26 finding, signed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, which formally designated the al-Shabaab ("the youth") military wing of the former Islamic Courts Union of Somalia as a "foreign terrorist organization." The State Department also released a fact sheet with information on some of the group's leaders. Both al-Shabaab and the militant Islamists associated with it have been the subject of repeated coverage by my World Defense Review column.
Tornado wipes away soldier's dream home -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Spc. Sox has survived four IED attacks from the Taliban while fighting for his country here in Ghazni, Afghanistan. But it is a natural disaster back home in South Carolina that is creating the most stress in his life.
Sox was told by his fiance, Angel, yesterday that the house that was going to be their dream home when he returned from this deployment had met with the nightmare of an EF-3 tornado during last weekend's storms.
The home was completely destroyed.
The 21-year-old Sox spent the day Monday dealing with the shock of the news. He's been in the South Carolina Army National Guard for just over four years and volunteered to come on this deployment to Afghanistan. Much of the money he makes on a meager specialist's salary was set aside for a new home.
A TRUE SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR OUR TROOPS!
If every American who supports our Troops would do this once a month, imagine the boost in morale for our Troops and our Country!
Unexpected help at Home -- [Courage Without Fear - heading to Iraq]
...In a very short period of time, I'll be leaving Fort Hood for Kuwait. From a base in Kuwait, the roughly 600 soldiers in my unit will be escorting convoys of food, fuel, parts, and equipment north into Iraq. It's great to know that while I'm deployed forward looking out for my troops and keeping them safe, that DCC and the Sisterchicks are looking out for my family back home. You don't know how much that means to me and what kind of weight it helps to lift from my shoulders.
Sweeny soldier receives a hero’s welcome home -- [The Facts]
SWEENY — When U.S. Army Spc. Craig Anderson of Sweeny arrived back in Texas, on liberty from Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq, he got a big surprise.
He was greeted by scores of motorcycle riders who escorted him Saturday to a party thrown in his honor at the First United Methodist Church in his hometown.
Hillary Shot At in '96? No Media Mention of Bosnia 'Sniper Fire' -- [NewsBusters]
In a speech on Iraq policy delivered Monday at George Washington University, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton recalled facing “sniper fire” on her 1996 trip to Bosnia to visit U.S. troops on a peacekeeping mission. But reporters traveling with the then-First Lady made no reference to any “sniper fire” at the time, and pictures of Clinton arriving at the main air base in Tuzla don’t show anyone ducking or covering.
Zombie in Berkeley: 5 Years 'To Many' -- [LGF]
A new Zombietime report, just crossing the wires, featuring the superstar of international useful idiocy, Cindy Sheehan: Iraq: 5 Years Too Many.
Busy day ahead for the anti-war mob; Update: Bush speaks, protesters obstruct -- [Malkin]
Reader J. sends word that the professional protesters and puppeteers will be out in full force in Washington, D.C. Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Given the still-unsolved Times Square recruitment center bombing and the escalating violence of the anti-recruiter mob, I hope the Capitol Hill and D.C. police are ready for this. A partial schedule of events:
Who understands economics -- [Sarge Charlie]
...1)the debts is so high it will take generation to pay it off.
OK it is high but if you can read a graph you will see that the debt is about 5 points below where Bill Clinton was at his peak. I will grant that the Clinton moved toward a balanced budget but only after we elected Newt Gingrich and the boys in 1992. If you consider that we are now fighting the War On Terror on two fronts, the debt should be somewhere near where it was with Truman.
Same Thing ? [HT: Jawa Report]
We cannot see how what we are doing is the same thing al-Qaeda is doing under a different color flag!
Idiot of the Week -- [Paul McLeary]
In a recent House hearing on the status of American efforts to assist the millions of Iraqis displaced by the war, Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher spit out some lines that deserve some ridicule.
Arguing that things are so safe in Iraq these days that there's nothing more for these refugees and displaced people to be afraid of, Rohrabacher said, "It is not the job of the people of the United States to subsidize the existence and living standards of refugees in Jordan or anywhere else if they have the option of going home."
L.A. Times "Dust Up" on Defense -- [Intel Dump]
. Congress authorized the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as if it were signing a blank check. It continues to fund the war with irresponsible supplemental appropriations bills pushed by the White House. Nearly all legislative activity now assumes the status quo and concedes power over the ultimate question (whether to wage war or not) to the president, as if the original authorizing acts were irrevocable grants of permanent war power.
...So why doesn't Congress do more? I think it has much to do with the fact that America isn't really at war; only its military is. Fewer than 1% of Americans serve today in uniform. Our military (including the reserves) increasingly makes up a discrete and insular caste, separate from the rest of civil society. Military families don't form a coherent constituency capable of pushing Congress on this issue.
GOD DAMN AMERICA Rev Jeremiah Wright, Farrakhan & Obama
Daily Kos: The United States Needs to Be Invaded and Occupied -- [LGF]
How much do the lunatics at Daily Kos hate their own country? So much that a diary posted yesterday actually argues that The United States needs to be invaded - not just invaded - occupied.
Because, according to the Daily Kos diarist, being invaded, slaughtered, and occupied is the only way we’ll become a nation of compassionate pacifists.
At least steal a good article -- [Foreign and Domestic ]
The gist of the article is that the Iraqi oil market is being dominated by the black market, which in turn is helping to fuel the insurgency. But the line that got my attention was this- "It's the money pit of the insurgency," said Capt. Joe Da Silva, who commands several platoons stationed at the refinery. No mention of who CPT Da Silva is. He could be Army, Marine, or the local Boy Scout commander for all we know. A Google search of CPT Da Silva points back to an article in the New York Times from today.
The last line of the Strib's roundup is the source of the information-
STAFF WRITER TERRY COLLINS AND NEWS SERVICES
So either Mr Collins quoted the article from the NYT without saying where he got it from, or ...
strong>Rep. Murtha Backs Hillary, Calls for Her to Pull Out -- [ScrappleFace]
(2008-03-19) — Rep. John Murtha, D-PA, the former Marine and outspoken advocate of a U.S. pull-out from Iraq, today threw his credibility and support behind the presidential candidacy of Sen. Hillary Clinton, as he called on her to withdrawal from the race for the White House for the good of her campaign workers and the country.
The veteran Congressman said he has nothing but respect for his fellow Democrat and has her best interest at heart when he says she should immediately withdrawal.
(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 and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Iraq poll: Improvements across the board -- [Hot Air]
A consortium of global media companies, including the BBC and ABC News, commissioned an opinion poll of Iraqis to determine their state of mind. They found that Iraqis have grown significantly more optimistic across the board, with major gains in confidence regarding security and a drop in support for militias. The poll comes at the fifth anniversary of the invasion and about a year after the change in American tactics now called the “surge” began
Study offers glimpse into what it takes to be suicide bomber -- [Seattle Times]
The suicide bombers who have killed 10,000 people in Iraq, including hundreds of U.S. troops, usually were alienated young men from large families who were desperate to stand out from the crowd, according to a U.S. military study.
As long suspected, most came from outside Iraq. Saudi Arabia, home of most of the Sept. 11 hijackers, was the single largest source. And the pipeline is continually replenished by al-Qaida in Iraq's recruiters.
Deep Thoughts with Biggie Smalls -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
Here is a short collection of some of Biggie’s finer moments with my platoon. Keep in my mind, that some of my soldiers think he suffers from PTSD, due to surviving multiple IED strikes in the three years he has worked for Coalition Forces. Also, after some prodding, he reluctantly revealed that he lost three young children during Desert Storm, and that he visits their graves every time he goes home. He has seen far more war over the course of his life than one man ever should. Not all warriors in Anu al-Verona carry rifles when they leave the wire.
-- Biggie: “I am worry that my family would be hurt if people knew I work with Americans. That is why I do not tell them.” Me: “Wait? So you’re saying no one in your family knows you work here? Not even your wives?” Biggie: “Women cannot keep from the talk. They be too proud of me and do the chatter when I am away. Then they will die!”
Observations Of The Arab Culture -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
After a year living in the Arab culture, here are some things that I’ve noticed. I’m not claiming that I understand them, nor am I making any sort of judgment. These are just observations from a western point of view.
-The men are “babied” in the western sense of the word. They’re coddled by their mothers, and soon after by their wives. There’s very little sense of male self-reliance.
- Lying does not carry the same social or cultural stigma as it does in the west.
Provincial Reconstruction -- [CBN News - Chuck Holton - dipatch from Iraq]
Provincial Reconstruction Teams are fanning out across Iraq to bring the next phase of progress and healing to that country. These groups of soldiers and DOD civilians are the elite forces most needed now to stake down the gains that have been made. Their weapons? Things like chickens, construction tools and now computers.
This girls's school in Haditha is being outfitted with computers and internet service that will allow its students to interact with the world beyond their village. This is a much bigger deal than just giving some kids the ability to search wikipedia for their school projects. Here's why.
Iraqi Army: Mosul archbishop died of natural causes -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
MOSUL, IRAQ: Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Mosul, may not have been murdered by his kidnappers, according to new information provided by the Iraqi military. Rahho appears to have died of natural causes while he was held hostage by terrorists demanding millions of dollars for his release.
...“There were no signs of torture. We believe he died of a heart attack, of natural causes.”
The Iraqi Army’s assessment matches a report from the SIR Catholic news agency, which indicated the archbishop died of illness just prior to being left in a shallow grave in eastern Mosul.
Taking Down The Gangs of Iraq -- [Strategy Page]
March 17, 2008: The collapse of the Sunni Arab terror movement has not halted Sunni Arab efforts to hurt the country. Sunni Arabs are still heavily involved in corruption and criminal gangs. Having dominated the economy and government for centuries, the corrupt practices of the Sunni Arabs have become the model for other groups that attain power. But the blame should not entirely be on the Sunni Arabs. Over two thousand years ago, Greek, and then Roman, conquers of the Middle East complained of the corruption endemic in the region, and how it even turned upright Greek or Roman officials into crooks and slackers.
Cheney to Meet With Iraqi Leaders During Surprise Visit -- [WaPo]
Vice President Cheney made an unannounced visit to Baghdad this morning, just two days before the five-year anniversary of the start of the war, to push Iraqi leaders to do more to resolve the political disputes still driving the conflict.
Petraeus: New Prez Pushing Ill-Advised Withdrawal Could Replace Me -- [NewsBusters]
David Petraeus was diplomatic in his language and careful to honor the primacy of civilian authority over the military. But the commanding general of multi-lateral forces in Iraq has left little doubt that if a new president wanted to withdraw from Iraq faster than would reflect Petraeus's considered military opinion, his family would be happy to have him home.
ABC's Bill Weir interviewed the Gen. Petraeus as part of a Good Morning America special today marking the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq. The opening segment focused almost exclusively on the costs of the war.
THE LONG WAR -- [Boston.com]
Five years after the invasion of Iraq
Can it hold? (Video)
Five years after the Iraq war began, and one year into the US troop "surge" bombings and attacks across the country have plummeted, and a relative calm has settled in. But now with gradual troop reductions underway, and calls for a speedier withdrawal growing, the critical question on the ground in Iraq is: Can it hold?
Reflections on the Invasion of Iraq -- [NY Times]
To mark this week’s fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, the Op-Ed page asked nine experts on military and foreign affairs to reflect on their attitudes in the spring of 2003 and to comment on the one aspect of the war that most surprised them or that they wished they had considered in the prewar debate
Iraq war's cost: Loss of U.S. power, prestige, influence -- [McClatchy]
The winner of the 2008 elections will command U.S. forces still at war in Iraq, Afghanistan and against elusive terrorists with a deadly reach. The U.S. economy will remain burdened. ... America's moral leadership and decision-making competence will continue to be questioned," begins a study of foreign-policy choices for the next president, which a Georgetown University task force released last month.
"Restored respect will come only with fresh demonstrations of competence," the study said.
The numbers don't inspire confidence:...
Still Kicking -- [Partamian Report - in Afghanistan]
I'm still alive and I'm still in Afghanistan. I won't be here for too much longer. The deployment is drawing to an end. I just went down to Helmand Province. I flew down on a British Sea King helicopter. Not the best ride in Afghanistan, but it beats walking.
Rugby Is A Mood Altering Activity -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
There hasn't been much of two things required for writing lately; time and motivation. The time issue is pretty obvious, there has been lots of travel. O, Maniac, and I are back at Dubs now, reunited with the original team. Everyone's got stories to tell, and everyone is fine... for the most part.
Coalition forces disrupt militant operations in Khowst, Helmand provinces -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A number of armed militants were killed and five suspected militants were detained March 14 in two separate Coalition forces’ operations to degrade militant networks in the region.
In an operation in the Tani District of Khowst province, Coalition forces performed a search of compounds targeting a militant linked to improvised explosive device facilitation operations.
A number of armed militants were killed when they posed a credible threat to Coalition forces.
A person exited one of the buildings during one encounter. Coalition forces identified themselves in Pashtun, and the person initially complied with the instructions given to assume a non-hostile posture. The person then re-entered the building. A few moments later, he exited the building again with a second person armed with an assault rifle.
MPs Train Afghanistan Policemen
British soldier awarded the Military Cross for fighting off 150 Taliban -- [HT: OP-FOR]
A BRITISH soldier who almost single-handedly took on 150 Taliban after he and his 50-man convoy were ambushed in Afghanistan has been awarded the Military Cross.
Fusilier Damien Hields used his grenade machinegun to destroy seven Taliban positions before his ambushers realised he was their main threat. After peppering his vehicle with bullets, they hit the 24-year-old soldier. He had to be dragged off for treatment by his driver after he tried to continue fighting.
Ethics: On the Flag -- [Grims Hall - in Iraq]
the American flag is not something that can be owned by an individual, like a piece of property. It belongs to all of us, and its care to all of us. While an individual can buy a flag, if he does not take care of it properly -- or if he deliberately insults it -- any citizen is fully correct as a point of ethics to rescue it and restore it to the honor it is due.
Dozens Killed In Tibet Riots 2008.03.15
China bans entry of foreigners in Tibet -- [NDTV.com]
China has prohibited the entry of foreigners to Tibet and asked the tourists currently there to leave.
This announcement has been made in the wake of the worst-ever violence in two decades in region's capital, stemming from pro-independence protests, that have left at least 10 people dead.
British: Let's Talk to al Qaeda! -- [Jawa Report]
Bad: Former chief of staff to Prime Minister calls for opening up channels of communication with al Qaeda.
Worse: Current British Security minister says it would be silly not to have secret talks with al Qaeda.
Getting Inside al Qaeda -- [Strategy Page]
March 17, 2008: After seven years of intense effort, Western counter-terror organizations appear to have developed a growing network of spies within al Qaeda, and other Islamic terrorist organizations. There are two primary reasons for this (aside from persistence). First, there was the defeat of al Qaeda in Iraq. The 2004 al Qaeda decision to undertake a massive terror campaign in Iraq did much to reduce al Qaeda's stature throughout the Arab world. Many al Qaeda members, and supporters became demoralized at the slaughter of so many Moslems, and the inability to kill many infidels (non-Moslems). Opinion surveys throughout the Moslem world clearly show al Qaeda popularity declining as the number of Moslem terror victims in Iraq increased.
New FATF Study Highlights Need For Closer Government - Financial Sector Cooperation to Combat Terrorism Financing -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
From time to time FATF, the Paris based Financial Action Task Force, publishes new guidance and “best practices” to re-enforce the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing practices of its member countries and the international financial community in general. The latest addition to this series is a special Terrorism Financing study issued February 29th (and published on the FATF website March 14th) which assesses current terrorism financing methodology and recommends new actions to combat it.
Urgent - We Need Your Help to Continue Supporting the Wounded -- [Soldier's Angels - Medical Support]
I was contacted by 7 new medical units this week alone because they have heard about what we do. Now, you need to understand what these medics need and that always worry that are asking for too much. Here are a very few examples:
-"If you could spare a few blankets, our patients could sure use them."
-"I hope I'm not asking for too much, but we can't get shampoo and soap here."
-"We lost 5 men this week, and morale is really down. Anything you can send would be a big help. Maybe some magazines or Dvd's to take their minds off their buddies who were lost".
We Must Be More Than An Army At War and A Nation At Peace... -- [Castle Argghhh!]
Another project for local supporters of the troops (or anyone else interested), I received a note from Soldiers' Angels Alert Team
Help us support our troops! We have had troops in Kosovo for over 10 years. After the Serbian death squads began ethnic cleansing, our troops were deployed to protect the innocent civilians and keep Europe from exploding again. We stay there because peace is still a tenuous thing. Recently, Kosovo declared Independence and Serbian nationalists were angered once again. These troops do hard work, have maintained security, treated the ill, built schools, built local governance, trained police and many other programs to help secure the peace and return Kosovo to a fully functioning country. Please support them by writing a letter and telling them that their service to our nation, wherever it is, whatever they do, is something to be proud of and something we appreciate.
MILITARY MENTORS SOUGHT FOR TAPS GOOD GRIEF CAMP ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND -- [T.A.P.S]
More Than 300 Children of the Fallen Will Find Comfort & Grieve Loved Ones Lost
WASHINGTON – Mentors can play a critical role in helping children grieving the loss of a loved one in the Armed Forces, and TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, is recruiting 300+ mentors to help at its 14th annual Good Grief Camp being held Memorial Day Weekend near Washington, DC.
“We’ve found that children who have attended the Good Grief Camp felt a closeness to each other like many have never experienced as they are surrounded by others their age who have experienced a similar loss,” said Heather Campagna, the director of the Good Grief Camp for 2008. “There is a comfort when someone says they understand…and for the first time in many instances, they know it is true..
Mission Accomplished! Now It's Your Turn -- [View from the 8th Floor]
They made it! And I'm so pleased that I was in time to walk the last 1/2 mile with the Resolve to Win marchers.
After 16 days and 383.2 miles, they arrived at the Lincoln Memorial. I can't imagine how they must have felt (tho, this picture on their most recent web post may give you some idea!), but I was so VERY proud to be standing with them.
Patton and the 2008 vote -- [Boston Globe]
"Americans love a winner," Patton growled, "and will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win - all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. . . . The very thought of losing is hateful to an American."
Nowadays, the thought of losing a war isn't as hateful to some Americans as the thought of losing an election. Recall MoveOn.org's infamous "General Betray Us" ad last fall, which was intended to undercut the commander of US forces in Iraq.
Antiwar Protesters Force Senate Into Recess
US Media Ignores 20 Year Anniversary of Halabja Massacre -- [Gateway Pundit]
The US media ignored today the 20 year Anniversary of the Halabja Massacre.
ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, AP and Reuters did not run reports on this historic anniversary.
On March 16th, 1988 the people of Halabja, Iraq suffered the worst chemical attack committed by the Iraqi regime. On that day, 5,000 innocent civilians, 75% of them women and children, immediately perished. This was not the only chemical attack ordered by Saddam, it was just the worst- Halabja.
Iraq in the Talking Points (More Bizarre Sunday Rambling) -- [LT Nixon]
There is an article today about a well-to-do New Yorker who decided to shun the life of glamour and join the Army. If you thought the military was mostly brain-dead hicks, you would be incredibly wrong. The military is the one of the few professions where it doesn’t really matter your socio-economic background before joining.
The Iraq War Fades Away -- [Strategy Page]
March 16, 2008: The war in Iraq is passing from the American memory, before it's even over. Analysis of news reports on the war, show that 15 percent of news stories were about the Iraq war last Summer, but are only three percent now. It's out of sight, out of mind. For example, a recent survey asking people how many U.S. troops had died in Iraq, only about a quarter knew the number (4,000). That's half the number who knew the correct number all the way back to 2003
(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 and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Iranian Army Fires Cannon At Northern Iraq Villages -- [MEMRI Blog]
The Iranian army fired cannon yesterday, March 13, cannon at villages in the Al-Suleimaniya region in northern Iraq, claiming that members of the PJAK organization were present in the villages.
Learning to trust in Iraq -- [CJR - Paul McLeary - in Iraq]
...This is how easily things can turn in Iraq. If the police commander had rolled up on the checkpoint and tried to arrest the men staffing it, the situation could easily devolve into a gun battle between Iraqi government forces and the irregular forces being paid by, and deriving their legitimacy from, the Americans. It’s not a situation that anyone, for obvious reasons, wants. For starters, it would spotlight the fact that the American military is paying citizens to do the work that the Iraqi government security forces have been unable to do, therefore calling into question the effectiveness of the government itself. Also, in Iraq’s tribal society, such a confrontation would likely start a bloody cycle of revenge with U.S. forces caught in the middle.
Doura Market
The Doura Market in Baghdad, Iraq. Scenes include patrons walking the streets, coalition forces visiting with shop owners, kebabs and shawarma being made, Soldiers patrolling and various shots of shops and shop keepers.
Saddam supported at least two al-Qaeda groups: Pentagon -- [Hot Air]
Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced that an investigation into over 600,000 documents captured at the end of the invasion of Iraq showed no operational links to al-Qaeda — or at least, that’s how the media reported it. After a strange few days in which the Pentagon delayed the report, it finally hit the internet last night — and it’s clear that the analysis done by the media was superficial at best. If no operational “smoking gun” could be found, the report still shows that Saddam Hussein had plenty of ties to all sorts of terrorist groups, including radical Islamist jihadis.
1999 ABC News Video Shows Bin Laden’s Connections To Saddam Hussein -- [Pat Dollard]
Another Convoy -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
...As we drive past a Iraqi Army check point, we throw a couple bottles of water out to them as they are uncomfortable as us but manning their post and doing great. Professional and squared away. They were surprised to see us give them some water and thanks us in Iraqi. These guys really appreciate things like that. When yousee them walk down to the Euphrates river and fill up an empty water bottle and drink it, it will make you barf.
Kidnapped Archbishop Found Dead in Iraq -- [WaPo]
...The death of Paulos Faraj Rahho, 65, archbishop of Mosul's Chaldean community, prompted expressions of remorse and condemnation from the Iraqi government and Christian leaders
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said it was a crime of "aggression aimed at inciting sedition among" Iraqis.
Fallujah opens Awakening headquarters [ME Times]
FALLUJAH, Iraq, March 10 (UPI) -- Councilmen in Fallujah voiced their approval for the establishment of five offices for the Awakening movement in the predominately Sunni city.
The approval came following a request from the head of the Awakening movement, Ahmed Abu Risa, Voices of Iraq reported Monday.
Handshakes with the Enemy -- [Michael Totten - in Iraq]
Abe [Greenwald] already blogged about this, but I wanted to follow up on Diana West’s fretting in the Washington Times about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent trip to Iraq, where he was supposedly given a warm reception by the Baghdad government. “[O]ur Iraqi allies have welcomed our Iranian enemies right into it.” Not so fast. Iraq and Iran are two Shia-majority countries. They share a long border and a terrible history, as Abe pointed out. They should be expected to have relations of some kind, and the more civil the better considering the depth of hatred Iranian Persians and Iraqi Arabs have for each other. Another full-blown war between Iraq and Iran is in the interests of no one.
On Iraq's Economic Development: Part III -- [FBL - Castle Argghhh! ]
According to Ambassador Ries, a healthy Iraqi economy will be built upon two major sectors (petro-chemical and agricultural), as well as the smaller sectors of tourism and light manufacturing. Growth and development of these areas will fuel Iraq's economic reconstruction and recovery.
"Heavy Metal in Baghdad" A Movie About Life as an Iraqi Rocker -- [Gateway Pundit]
Opens March 12, 2008
Heavy Metal in Baghdad is a feature film documentary that follows the Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda from the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 to the present day. Playing heavy metal in a Muslim country has always been a difficult (if not impossible) proposition but after Saddam's regime was toppled, there was a brief moment for the band in which real freedom seemed possible. That hope was quickly dashed as their country fell into a bloody insurgency. From 2004-2007, Iraq disintegrated around them while Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis.
Militant operations degraded in Khowst Province -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Eleven suspected militants were detained Wednesday during an Afghan National Security and Coalition forces operation to degrade militant activities in Khowst Province.
The combined force performed a search of compounds in the Tanai District targeting militants linked to foreign fighter, improvised explosive device and weapons facilitation operations.
During the course of the operation, ANSF and Coalition forces found and detained 11 individuals. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement in militant facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities.
Medevac Mission In Afghanistan - "DustOff Mission In Afghanistan"
Approx. 25 KM North Of Naray FireBase 8000 FT MSL.
It was at night, under goggles, and shows just how far they go to pick up the wounded. Many have seen the photo of a CH-47 Chinook with its back wheels on a rooftop during the day, but this is at night, at high altitude, and with one of the crewmembers on the roof helping the patient. Filmed from an AH-64 Apache using its FLIR.
ANSF, CF cause insurgents to flee, discover IED, weapons cache in Zabul -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82 - in Afghanistan]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, conducted a security patrol to disrupt insurgent activity near Surksang, Zabul Province, Afghanistan, March 11.
The patrol was attacked by a large group of insurgents from two different locations with small-arms, heavy-machine gun, and recoilless-rifle fire. The ANSF force returned fire and precision close air support suppressed the enemy. After pursuing the retreating enemy, the ANSF found a weapons cache consisting of a recoilless rifle, three heavy machine guns and two other weapons.
“The cache was found as a result of the insurgents’ hasty retreat,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Coalition spokesperson
... “At no time today did the enemy forces ever gain an edge on the ANSF,” Bowman said.
An al-Qaeda-Taliban Fissure -- [Threats Watch]
• Afghanistan: Al-Qaeda Bloggers’ Sparring With Taliban Could Signal Key Differences
It is not a new fissure, as the Pashtun Taliban have always had their theological differences with bin Laden’s largely Arab al-Qaeda. But it is a fissure that appears to be rising to the surface once again after being largely pushed aside by unifying conflict with America and others.
UH-60 Medevac - Afghanistan - "Dustoff Mission OEF 07-08"
L-3 Vertex, Bagram Afghanistan.
Still outside looking in -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Despite their importance to Afghan life, women are often excluded and abused.
Despite the best efforts by the U.S. and Coalition forces to improve security and life in Afghanistan for half a decade, the lack of progress for women continues to be one of the most difficult hurdles.
Hunger won out over shyness as a girl clutches a bag of cookies.Even though women are an integral part of Afghan society, in many respects they are still treated like outsiders looking in to their own country
I got nothing boss! -- [ETT PA-C - in Afghanistan]
Well, today we had a genius driving in the middle of the road, coming toward us and this gunner is waving and shouting, the whole Rules of Engagement thing, and finally points his 50 down down at the guy and screeches out with a trailing up and question mark pitch "Are you trying to die?" Come to find out the guy didn't want to see Allah today and politely left about 20 ft of tire markings on the road and probably some fecal matter on his seat.
The Eleven New Demands -- [Captain's Journal]
...Because of the influx of foreign jihadists and evolution of fighters in the area to a more global perspective, Pakistan itself is now at risk. Further, the Afghanistan campaign is in jeopardy of failure because of transnational movement and safe haven in the mountainous areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. CENTCOM realizes that the counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan and Pakistan are one and the same campaign. Thus, a more forceful U.S. presence has been proposed to Pakistan, along with eleven new demands (the story as broken by Shireen M Mazari and universally ignored by the so-called Main Stream Media).
Lost Over Iran -- [CJR - Eric Umansky]
President Bush warned just last August that unless Iran is stopped, the Middle East would be put “under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust.” Military strikes seemed to be a possibility. “We will confront this danger before it is too late,” Bush said. And yet the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), the collective judgment of sixteen U.S. intelligence agencies, concluded that Iran wasn’t intent on building a bomb
Islamist Forum Posts Anthrax Making Instructions -- [Jawa Report]
More evidence that cyber terrorists are linked to actual terrorists.
Jveritas told me about the posting at a well known al Qaeda support forum giving instructions on how to cook up Anthrax. I didn't mention anything about it before for two reasons. First, this kind of posting clearly crosses a line making it a legal matter rather than a military or intelligence one. Second, developing Anthrax into a weapon is a little different then developing an IED. Like building a nuclear weapon, it's a little harder to do in practice than it is in theory
Wounded Soldiers See the Pentagon In Private Parade -- [WSJ]
"I was really humbled by it because I didn't do anything special," says Cpl. Lyon, a 22-year-old Marine who lost a leg in a mortar attack near Fallujah. "I went to Iraq to do a job, and I got injured and actually couldn't do it. So why was I getting honored?"
...It's an example of the ways the military has chosen to honor its own out of public view. The Pentagon has until recently refused to release any photos of the flag-draped caskets of fallen U.S. troops being brought off planes back at home. President Bush doesn't attend military funerals and meets with bereaved family members only in private settings. Journalists embedded with American forces, meanwhile, must sign a contract limiting their use of photos of dead or wounded service personnel.
Veterans walk to support comrades -- [Rocky Mount Telegram]
Marc Breslow gently pulled back on the heel of his tennis shoe and then released a forceful sigh.
Resting momentarily in the shade of a golden yellow motor home, Breslow stretched his toes, leaned back in his seat and gulped down a bottle of water.
"My feet are a mess; a blistery, bleeding mess," Breslow said as sweat beaded on his forehead, eventually dripping from his brow and smudging his sunglasses. "This is crazy, what we're doing."
What's even crazier, the 57-year-old Breslow said leaning forward in his chair, is that he and his two comrades returned from a battlefield in Iraq less than three months ago and are now walking nearly 400 miles across America in a project they dubbed Resolve to Win.
Carl Heerup's Observations--Day 13 -- [Resolve to Win]
Wow! Today was the best day yet. Mr. Don Blosser (sp?) walked with us the whole 22 miles, carrying the flag or guidon. Members of his post met us, as did others at the rest stops, we had a tremendously enthusiastic response from motorists and from residents and businesses along the way. We had legion riders with us the whole way. At the third rest stop, we were met by a lot of American Legion Post 320 members, whose honor guard walked the last leg with us. Finally, we were met by two pipers who played the last mile or two, greatly lifting our spirits.
Freedom is not free. -- [Five for Fighting]
Support our Troops and their families by watching this powerful and important video on the Five For Fighting charity website. Through a $30,000 contribution from TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the site will donate about $1.00 per view to Operation Homefront for the first 30,000 views. Operation Homefront is an organization that provides emergency assistance to our troops and the families they leave behind, and was started by a wife who's husband is currently stationed in Iraq. Let's get to 30,000 and more.
America's Female Warriors Show Bravery, Loyalty -- [Cassandra]
Here are two inspiring stories that should get more attention.
Some time this month, a nineteen year-old Army medic from the state of Texas will become the second woman to earn the Silver Star for valor under enemy fire. Spc. Monica Lin Brown, characteristically, plays down her achievement:
Military artists capture realities of the war zone --[Fredericksburg.com] [HT: Fire and Ice]
The Marine couldn't have been more than 21 or 22, but he was no kid. Michael Fay could see that in his face.
Fay, a chief warrant officer and combat artist traveling with the Marine's unit, stepped away from the security of the school to capture that gunner's image with a digital camera.
Commentary: Why I Don’t Support the Troops -- [Berkeley Daily Planet] HT: Texas Rainmaker
In the recent political battle around the Marine recruiting station in Berkeley there has been much confusion around the concept or slogan of “supporting the troops,” but opposing the unjust wars of the Bush regime. Many who oppose the Bush regime wars also say they “support the troops.” Let me say it straight out—I do not support the troops and neither should you. It is objectively impossible to support the troops of the imperialist military forces of the U.S. and at the same time oppose the wars in which they fight.
What is soldierly patriotism? -- [John of Argghhh! ]
a post from a proud father.
...Son to this day, I cannot answer the question, “Why did you join the Marines?” Yes I was asked many times. All the answers were and are phony. They will just not understand. It was my destiny, it is yours. No answer is good enough. It’s like that line in Blackhawk Down … “Hoot, why do you do it man, are you some kinda war junky?” You remember his answer, “Know what I tell them? …. Nothing. They wouldn’t understand anyway.”)
...I remembered that I’m doing this because I am able to do this and I need to do this and it’s a job that chooses you, you don’t choose it. I’ve come to that determination
Will American war crimes be revealed? -- [Salon]
More than 100 veterans gathered in a Detroit hotel in early 1971 to talk about things they had seen and done in the Vietnam War. Called the Winter Soldier Investigation, the group spoke about a horrifying array of allegations: convoys driving over civilians; burning of villages; bodies thrown out of helicopters; torture, mutilation and infamous "free-fire zones," where anyone not wearing a U.S. uniform could be killed.
Admiral Fallon Steps Down -- [Blackfive]
...Wolf's sources, for months now, have said that this was coming, not for disagreements with the administration about a looming war with Iran, but for some other internal "issues" that have nothing to do with policy or the administration. His replacement has been considered for some time now.
Air Force Using Nazi, Dead Kennedys Anthem -- [Danger Room]
"Above All... The new slogan is admittedly a bold one," said Col. Michael Caldwell, deputy director of Air Force public affairs, "but so are Airmen."
So far, so good, right? Then a few of those pesky bloggers translated "Above All" into German. Turns out its "Über Alles." Which is a wee bit problematic. Since "Deutschland Über Alles" was Nazi Germany's national anthem. Oops.
United State Air Force "Above All"
Liberal America’s Disconnect with War and the Need for War -- [Thunder Run]
...This is the major difference between “liberal” America and “conservative” America when it comes to war and prosecuting war. “Liberal” America believes that by talking and negotiating we can protect our country from future attacks and avoid war, whereas “conservatives” tend to believe that we must be willing to stand up and defend ourselves to ensure our own safety. The major flaw with liberal America’s theory as Ms Hagelin points out is that in this war there is no government to negotiate with, unlike the Cold War when we could open a line of communication with Moscow and see a noticeable result along the Berlin Wall, talking with Pakistan or Iraq or Saudi Arabia or any of the Middle Eastern Nations produces no end result as it pertains to Al Qaeda or the Taliban or any of the other numerous militia and terror groups operating around the world.
Interview: An Iraq Vet Runs for Congress -- [Newsweek]
...Why did you form the group Iraq Vets for Congress?
To help individual campaigns. If there are veterans who vote because a guy is a fellow veteran, that individual person does that on his own. [I formed the group] because politics has become a millionaire's game. A high, high percentage of people in congress are millionaires. So, by joining forces with other veterans we’ve been able to get more national attention. We’re starting to break through nationally and what that does it raise our individual profiles. And, the biggest thing is fund raising. I have to raise more than a million dollars for this campaign. I have about a hundred thousand so far, and my opponent already has a million dollars.
Obama's War -- [Commentary Magazine - Peter Wehner]
Throughout his dramatic campaign to win his party’s nomination for the presidency, Senator Barack Obama has tended to ignore the specifics of policy in favor of the generalities of emotion, centering his appeal to voters on vague promises of “change” and “unity.” But on one issue, above all others, Obama has remained fixated from the campaign’s first moment, and that is the war in Iraq.
America's media failed -- [From the Frontline]
CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, who recently relocated from the UK to the US, was recently interviewed by former TV man Marvin Kalb at the National Press Club. Amanpour said the profession “failed to do our duty” in the run up to the Iraq war. She also touched on the leading cause of death in journalism these days,
Harvard economists’ study: Media’s anti-war rhetoric emboldens Iraqi insurgents -- [Hot Air]
Caveats aplenty — the data didn’t include Baghdad, there’s no way to tell if attacks increased because of the rhetoric or were just re-timed to coincide with it — but to no one’s surprise except possibly the left’s, “U.S. out of Iraq” does indeed create an incentive for jihadis to try to push the U.S. out of Iraq.
Shut Up and Blog: 5 Years of TexasRainmaker -- [TexasRainmaker]
Back on March 13, 2003, this blog was born. Inspired by the desire to respond to the Dixie Chicks’ incessant whining about censorship and their inability to actually know what censorship was - and having grown tired of posting my thoughts randomly around the web and continually talking back to the talking heads on radio and television - I decided to try this little experiment.
Daily Show - Marines in Berkeley -- [HT: Cassandra]
Video: Obama's Pastor Teams with Veggie Tales -- [ScrappleFace]
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, recently-retired pastor of Sen. Barack Obama’s home church in Chicago, announced that he’s teaming up with the producers of the Veggie Tales children’s videos to promote his own brand of biblical race relations for boys and girls.
(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 and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
A Neighborhood Reborn -- [Gathering of Eagles - Captain Pete Hegseth - in Iraq]
Al Doura, Baghdad — As I step out of the humvee into the street, I have two facts in mind: I’ve been here before; and this time, I don’t have a weapon.
...Children approach, as they usually do — but today it’s not just children. Young men walk up, initiating conversation. Women cross the street between our humvees, seemingly unaware of the GIs. The people are friendly, but not assertively so. Our presence is natural, almost routine. My inner tension clashes with the calm scene unfolding around me.
I take a few steps into the middle of an intersection with a clear view in all directions. Along the main thoroughfare, my immediate surroundings are replicated: block after block of shops and bustling residents. The side streets that I remember as sewage-clogged gutters are clean and teeming with construction and activity.
Commander Sees 'Stunning' Improvement in Anbar Province -- [Defense Link]
A month into his third tour in Iraq, the commander of Multinational Force West said he’s stunned by the sharp drop in violence across Anbar province.
In the Villages of Al Anbar -- [Michael J. Totten - in Iraq]
...“We're trying to get them away from Saddam's ways,” Sergeant Kimball said. “They're leaps and bounds better than they were. Their hearts are in the right place. They do not like Al Qaeda. It's like an Iraqi Mayberry here.”
...As we approached the main market area, a conservatively dressed woman said “salam aleikum,” peace be upon you, to Sergeant Guerrero.
“Wow,” he said and turned his head as she passed. “That's the first time a woman has ever spoken to us out here.”
“It's no big deal in Fallujah,” I said. “Happens there all the time.”
“Here it never happens,” he said. “Until now.”
Fallujah's First 5K Road Race a Great Success -- [Gateway Pundit]
This didn't make many headlines today...
Fallujah, Iraq, once a terrorist haven, held its first fun run on Sunday.
...About 200 participants took part in the run on Sunday
Mission Accomplished! -- [Eighty Deuce on the Loose - in Iraq]
It is over. The words I have been waiting to say for so long while doing this blog, I AM DONE! And a job well done. I know back in the day when President Bush made his whole Mission Accomplished speech from the Navy aircraft carrier, the mission that most Americans assumed he was talking about was the Iraq War, which at the time was no where near done. There was and still is much controversey over his decision to make such a statement.
...The situation in our area had taken a complete 180 from where it was when we began. The Sunnis and the Shiites began to trust one another. Killings were almost non-existant. Attacks in the markets were so rare and weak, that the resolve of the Iraqi civilians was no shaken. People were no long so fearful of working with the Americans and giving us intel. And in some areas, you could tell the people really loved us being there. I wouldn't go so far as saying it was completely safe in our area, but its getting damn close. Its amazing to think how much of a differnece 15 months had made. And it shows in the level of attacks on our troops.
Hawr Rajab Sees Significant Economic, Quality of Life Improvements -- [MNF-I]
With security improving in Hawr Rajab, stores and schools are reopening and a number of programs are revitalizing a community once on the brink of chaos.
...When the insurgents attacked, the SoI program in the region was still in its infancy, but the members were not deterred. With the assistance of Coalition forces and IA Soldiers, residents began to reclaim their community and insurgents not killed or captured were forced to flee.
Al-Qaeda Commander in Northern Iraq: We Are in Dire Straits
..."It is true that we have lost several cities and have been forced to withdraw from others, after a large number of [Sunni] tribal leaders betrayed Islam and when their tribe members joined forces against us. However, we are still fighting, and the 'paralysis' mentioned by the Crusaders is true only for some of the regions. [Besides,] it is common knowledge that any war always involves advance and retreat, so that [even] in those regions I wouldn't call our position 'paralysis,' but rather 'the [changing] conditions of the war.'"
Al-Jaza'iri added: "…I do not want to paint a false picture: Our position is very difficult, but we are fighting, and will continue to do so…"
Reasons for the Decrease in Al-Qaeda's Popularity
Asked about possible reasons for the decrease in Al-Qaeda's popularity, Al-Jaza'iri said that indiscriminately murdering civilians had been a mistake that had "harmed the organization's reputation."
He stated: "In the Al-Anbar [district], for example, Sunni Iraqis voluntarily enlisted for jihad activity not because [they believed in] it, but because they hated the Americans and [wished] to take revenge on them and on the betrayers of Islam. Some were motivated by financial considerations, and got carried away with murdering and executing futile attacks, which killed a lot of unfortunate individuals.
MEMRI TV on Special Report 3-10-08
On The Ground: The Suicide Bomber -- [CJR - Paul McLeary - in Iraq]
...The explosion and the aftermath was a test Lt. Cox felt that the patrol base passed. “The soldiers were pretty inventive about where to hang the IV bags, and figure out ways to help these people. You only have so many medics and when you have a mass casualty situation like that, you just don’t have enough, you can’t tend them all at the same time.”
Within thirty minutes of the blast, two Army helicopters actually landed on the small patch of land inside the base to ferry the most badly wounded Iraqis to an Army hospital, a risky move that impressed Cox, and one he hoped impressed the Iraqis, as well. It showed the Iraqis, he believes, that while groups like al Qaeda want to sow death, the Americans are willing to risk their lives to save Iraqi lives.
Guitar Heroes -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
...A group of four Kiowa Warrior pilots were only a few minutes away from the enemy, but their helicopters were on the ground and the engines were cold, while the pilots were waiting in a building near the runway, playing Guitar Hero to pass the time.
A soldier interrupted the Guitar Hero session, telling the pilots to get in the air. Orders would come over the radio. The pilots abandoned Guitar Hero and raced out the door into the cold night to their OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, economy-sized helicopters that would make a Ford Pinto seem spacious. The pilots crammed two each into the two helicopters, strapping in, cranking engines, while radio chatter had already started. The pilots learned that the Predator had identified a target,
...Total time from playing Guitar Hero to getting airborne and delivering justice was an astounding twelve minutes. Apparently at least five terrorists were killed, while at least one escaped, though he probably needs new eardrums and might ask for a raise before trying that again.
Haditha girl returns home after heart surgery in U.S. -- [MNF-I]
HADITHA, Iraq – A two-year-old Iraqi girl returned to Haditha March 7 after undergoing open-heart surgery at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University.
Ala Thabit Fattah, the girl’s father, and several family members traveled with Marines to Baghdad International Airport to meet Amenah, who departed Iraq Jan. 22 with his wife.
“I am very happy. I was very worried that my daughter would not come home alive,” Fattah said. “I am very grateful for the great treatment the American people gave to my family.”
Amenah Return -- [DVIDS]
Footage of coalition forces returning an Iraqi girl, Amenah Ala Thabit, to her family after receiving open-heart surgery to preserve her life. Provided by Regimental Combat Team-5, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.
Study: Iraq had no link to al-Qaida -- [Houston Chronicle]
The new study of the Iraqi regime's archives found no documents indicating a "direct operational link" between Hussein's Iraq and al-Qaida before the invasion, according to a U.S. official familiar with the report.
He and others spoke to McClatchy on condition of anonymity because the study isn't due to be shared with Congress and released before Wednesday.
Muqtada: Another Change of Command Inside Iranian-Backed Terror -- [Threats Watch]
The Chicago Tribune reported that Muqtada al-Sadr addressed on Friday “in an unusually personal letter to his followers” that he is taking a break, seemingly hanging up ballots an bullets. It is of course difficult for a Baghdad slumlord to address his ‘masses’ in person. It’s a long walk from Tehran.
“So far I did not succeed either to liberate Iraq or make it an Islamic society — whether because of my own inability or the inability of society, only God knows,” Sadr wrote.
“The continued presence of the occupiers, on the one hand, and the disobedience of many on the other, pushed me to isolate myself in protest. I gave society a big proportion of my life. Even my body became weaker, I got more sicknesses.” What Muqtada did not say was that, having outlived his usefulness, his Iranian masters have determined that he needs to stay out of the way. Sadr is apparently not the only one ‘sick’ and ‘tired.’
Targeting Mosul’s kidnappers -- [TLWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
Bill Roggio accompanies the Iraqi Army on a raid against al Qaeda and extremist kidnapping cells in Mosul, Iraq. Coalition forces continue to dismantle al Qaeda's cells in the city.
Daylight Saving Time in Iraq -- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
The implementation of Daylight Saving Time always seems to be controversial in Iraq. There is no Uniform Time Act such as in the United States so the "spring forward" seems to be up for debate every year.
...This becomes an issue because rumor control or RUMINT indicates the Iraqi Parliament may not authorize the implementation of Daylight Saving Time this year. As we get closer to 1 April we will find out the truth.
Courage in the Night -- [911 Families]
None of us knew at that moment how much courage would be required for me to survive that night what was about to happen that would change my life forever. As we were finishing cake and ice cream, I received what would be the most devastating phone call of my life. My oldest son Kristofer had called asking where I was and how long it would take me to get home. When I questioned why he said, “You just need to come home.” I had a sick feeling in my being and I knew what faced me ahead. I knew that when I arrived home that I would be informed that my youngest son Marc had died, being the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq
...when I heard that there was a possibility of a press embed and that I might actually be able to deliver some of the cards to our heroes in Iraq. I was amazed! It would have been easy when I was asked if I wanted to go to say no and bow out and stay home, everyone would understand. After all, it still is a war zone and my son had been killed there. It took strength and courage to make the decision to travel to the war zone where my son gave up his life, courage that was given to me from God above.
5 Year Anniversary of War in Iraq
...America is a force for hope in the world because we are a compassionate people, and some of the most compassionate Americans are those who have stepped forward to protect us,” Bush also said in the State of the Union. I’m glad the president described our military members as compassionate. He could have used other adjectives: brave, able-bodied, determined, or strong. Instead, he picked a word many probably would not choose in a word association game to describe a Marine or soldier. Yet compassion is the very thing that allows our service members to put a nation of families before their own families.
Risky business: Afghan interpreters for U.S. put themselves in jeopardy -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan]
GHAZNI, Afghanistan - Najib should have been killed by the Taliban. He still may be.
"I'm not afraid," he said. "Let them do what they want."
That bravado probably comes from the fact that Najib has spent the past several months hiding out in his home in Kabul but has mustered up enough courage today to travel to Ghazni and visit his family and meet with me to tell his story.
Najib's only crime that makes him a target of the Taliban is that he once worked as an interpreter, a profession he is scared to return to, despite that it is one of the most lucrative jobs in this impoverished country.
Dag Village Micro Hydro -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
3rd Platoon, Able Company, 2-503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment conducted a reconnaissance mission at the Dag micro-hydro project near the Dag Village. After inspecting the micro-hydro project, the Paratroopers went into the DAG village to discuss future projects. During the meeting with village elders, some of the members of 3rd platoon enjoyed some goat milk tea with elders and discussed other needs of the village.
Micro-hydro power is proven technology, and a practical method to bring energy to remote mountain villages near mountain streams.
Call of Duty -- [Carlie Foxtrot - soon to be in Afghanistan]
I have known I would be deploying for some time now. However with a sudden change in training requirements, I am leaving home this week on only a few days notice.
It is always fun telling your spouse that you are leaving in a few days, and won't be home for 10 months.
As I said, the deployment was expected, but the training requirement that will end up lasting a full 50% of the actual deployment was not.
The Last Letter Home -- [WSJ - MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS]
ORGUN-E, Afghanistan - "How do you start a letter like this? How do you end it?" On a raw November morning here, along the wild frontier bordering Pakistan, Lt. Col. Michael Fenzel spoke those words as he sat down to write to a father who would never see his son again. Images ran through the colonel's mind. His own two toddler boys, growing up quickly every day he is away at war; the parents of Private First Class Jessy Rogers, whose own child would be forever 20 years old, his age when insurgents detonated a bomb under his Humvee. Lt. Col. Fenzel, commander of the 1st Battalion (Airborne) of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, started writing, then stopped again. He pressed his forehead into his palms. "Jesus, this is hard," he said.
Geopolitical Diary: Beijing Eyes the Periphery -- [Stratfor]
Chinese media reported on Sunday that air marshals foiled a March 7 attempt to crash a China Southern Airlines plane flying to Beijing from Urumqi in Xinjiang province. The chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, Nur Bekri, said on the sidelines of the ongoing national parliament session in Beijing that some people on the flight had attempted to “create an air disaster.” A spokesperson for China Southern Airlines told the official news agency Xinhua that “it’s up to the police” to determine whether it was a terrorist attack. Chinese media have hinted that the attempted attack was carried out by ethnic Uighur Muslim separatists from Xinjiang.
Senior Pakistani Editor: We Should Not Hesitate In Using Nuclear Weapons To Take Kashmir From India -- [MEMRI Blog]
The senior Pakistani editor Majeed Nizami has said that Kashmir is a jugular vein for Pakistan and it should not hesitate from using nuclear weapons in order to get it from India. Majeed Nizami is the Chief Editor of mainstream newspapers Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt and The Nation and Managing Director of ‘Waqt’ television channel.
Islam Will Dominate America "By Force" -- [Jawa Report]
A follower of Omar Bakri Mohammed, the exiled British cleric, claims that the U.S. & Britain will be overthrown by Muslims from within or conquered by Muslims from without. The links in his sidebar clear show that "Duaat" is a Bakri follower, including links to several "Ahlus Sunnah wal jama'ah" organizations and a direct link to Barki's own webpage.
Europe under Al Qaeda's triple threat -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Last November, Gilles de Kerchove, the European Union's anti-terror chief, said that al-Qaeda was the biggest threat to Europe. To confirm this, Western intelligence services have recently established operational links between al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and al-Qaeda in The Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) whose goals include striking at the heart of Europe.
Al-Qaeda has not made any secret of its eagerness to target Europe.
Globalized jihad, then (1993) and now -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Fifteen years from now, when classified documents produced today begin to be declassified, we will surely look back with some discomfort and see just how far off some of our judgments were when written in 2008. Such is the nature of intelligence assessments. What would be worse, however, would be for us to look back fifteen years hence and find ourselves stuck in much the same place we are today.
A genius working for our wounded. HT: [ THIRDWAVEDAVE ]
WE NEED DONATIONS!!!!!!!! -- [Banter in Atlanter]
Months ago I told you all that I've decided to run the ING Georgia Half Marathon.
Well I've also decided to have some fun with this and contribute to a good cause. I'm going to run the race the for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation so please help me raise money for this fantastic organization.
Inspiration from one set of heroes to another -- [TheNewsTribune]
“God bless you and come home safe” reads the message on a red T-shirt from the Fire Department in Lincoln, Neb.
“Thank you for your support” is scribbled on a shirt from the Spokane Fire Department.
“Hang in there, stay strong and be safe,” wrote a person on a shirt from Millerton, N.Y.
“Thank you for serving the best country ever!” says the writing on a shirt from San Antonio.
These shirts – and about 25,000 others – will soon head to U.S. and Canadian troops overseas as part of the Hero To Hero program, which had a PackOut event Saturday at Camp Murray.
Service members and civilians sat at long white tables and signed messages on T-shirts donated from fire and police departments around the world. The hope is that the shirts will provide a morale boost to troops overseas.
A bomb threat against the Gathering of Eagles -- [Michelle Malkin]
Update: Meet the IVAW jerk ; Update: More threats to “waste” counterprotesters
The blogger in question claims to be Evan M. Knappenberger. The big deal about this is, Evan M. Knappenberger is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War. It looks pretty plausible because Knappenberger uses the same “Gathering of Smeagols” title line. The kicker? The end of his IVAW post:
Components Report Recruiting Success -- [Defense Link]
WASHINGTON, March 10, 2008 – All active and reserve components met or topped their recruiting goals for February, Defense Department officials announced today.
The February successes marked the ninth straight month in which all four services met or exceeded their active-duty goals.
The numbers came as particularly good news within the reserve components, which experienced some recruiting shortfalls in December and January following a strong November.
Say What? Military Near Top of the ‘Prestigious’ Career Heap -- [Family Security Matters]
A recent Harris Interactive survey indicates a handful of careers are considered very prestigious by American adults. Over 50 percent of those surveyed believed scientists, teachers, doctors and military officers had “very great prestige.” (Firemen topped the list with 61 percent.)
At the bottom of the list of prestigious careers were real estate brokers (5 percent), bankers (10 percent), and actors (9 percent). Journalists are also not far from the bottom of the scrap heap, with less than 20 percent surveyed according them prestige.
...Duty, honor and country refer to the giving of yourself for something greater than you are. You may earn a few medals on the way – but in the end, joining the military and, in the event that you become an officer, leading your uniformed legions into battle in defense of your country and its ideals, putting yourself in harm’s way – means a lot more to most Americans than how many Oscars or Pulitzer prizes are collecting dust on your mantel.
Many actors and journalists have been trying to pin a bad name on our military since the days of Vietnam, with efforts picking up since Americans entered Iraq in 2003. If this survey is to be believed, they haven’t been doing a very good job
Town to welcome home troops Tuesday -- [Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune]
Missouri National Guardsmen are set to return home tomorrow (Tuesday) after being deployed for over a year in Kabul, Afghanistan. About 150 citizen-soldiers of the 129th Field Artillery Battalion were mobilized in fall 2006 and will finally reach the end of their mission.
The soldiers are expected to arrive in Chillicothe sometime around 10:30 with a police escort and be accompanied by the Patriot Guard Riders.
Fort Stewart 3rd Infantry Welcome Home from Coastal Electric
Welcome home, Vietnam vets, and thank you -- [Herald-Citizen]
COOKEVILLE -- Most of us were taught at a young age to say "thank you," when someone did something kind for us. But for the Vietnam veterans, it has taken nearly 35 years for them to hear that special little phrase from their country. Since last year, a group of Vietnam veterans and their supporters have been working to secure one day out of the year that they and their fellow veterans can be honored for their courage and sacrifices.
And they have succeeded. Three proclamations, one signed by Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III, one signed by Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill, and one signed by Gov. Phil Bredesen, declare that March 29 will now be known as Vietnam Veteran's Day. Tennessee is the first state to make such a declaration.
McCain: United States Has Been Torturing POWs -- [Stop the ACLU]
They don’t call him the Maverick for nothing. It’s not inconsistent with what he has believed in the past. It’s certainly in opposition to President Bush’s statement that the U.S. does not torture. It’s quite an uncomforting statement to be saying of our own military. Most surprisingly, it’s the “Republican” candidate saying this stuff.
Linda Foley’s Mouth Shrills Again -- [Democracy Project]
Linda Foley is running for re-election as president of the Newspaper Guild, union for 34,000 in journalism. Foley is sticking to her phony charge, made in 2005, that the U.S. military was purposely targeting journalists in Iraq, not presenting any evidence then or now.
In 2005, this reckless charge created quite a stir, especially in the shadow of the Eason Jordan exposure as a CNN shill for Saddam Hussein’s regime. Foley was widely denounced, and the Boston Globe’s star technology reporter, Hiawatha Bray, briefly challenged her dominion of the union’s executive board.
Reuters Lines Up Iraqis Who Hate Bush, Pine for President Hillary -- [NewsBusters]
The Reuters wire service has scoured the countryside of Iraq for opinions about who should be elected to the U.S. presidency. Apparently, either Iraq or the Reuters template offered only two options: (a) "change" from the hasty and stubborn Bush team, or (b) and apathy over how America will never change from its ruinous policy. But isn’t there anyone in Iraq who is grateful for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, or grateful for the American commitment to stay and help build a civil society? Reuters interviewers couldn’t seem to find a one. Reporter Aseel Kami began by underlining the need for change:
Whoopi Goldberg Claims Bush Skipped Afghanistan to Attack Iraq -- [NewsBusters]
"The View" co-hosts, typically very loose with the facts, demonstrated that again on the March 10 edition. Ironically accusing the Bush administration of lying to take America into war with Iraq, Whoopi Goldberg put out false information herself.
(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 and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
The Torture House -- [BlackFive]
In the picture below, the hooks on the door were used to hang humans from...there's also bloody handprints by the door. This torture house was discovered by Sons of Iraq and our forces took this picture yesterday:
Sons of Iraq led coalition forces to an al-Qaida in Iraq torture house and prison in northern Zambraniyah March 5.
School Of Torture -- [NY Sun - ENTIFADH QANBAR - Iraqi politician]
Recently, the Iraqi military and the coalition forces have discovered torture houses run by Al Qaeda in Iraq.
To obtain an accurate picture of the level of atrocities committed by this band of thugs, it is first necessary to review what the American military rightly calls the "atrocity sites." I saw pictures of the bodies of victims found in these houses showing burned feet, open wounds, cut limbs, dislocated shoulders and joints which were the grisly results of hanging and beating and other horrific methods of torture.
...Torture equipment included: Drills, blow torches, chains hanging from the walls and ceiling, blood trails, saws, drills, knives, weapons, masks, and handcuffs.
...I am an Iraqi who has suffered under Saddam's harsh dictatorship and who actively fought Saddam for many years before the liberation in 2003
Madeleine Albright: "500,000 Dead Iraqi Children Was Worth It" -- [Gateway Pundit]
Sometimes Genocide Is OK...
It just depends who is in office at the moment.
Here is a much forgotten exchange between Lesley Stahl and Madeleine Albright on "60 Minutes" back on May 12, 1996 that is not getting much play lately:
Lesley Stahl on U.S. sanctions against Iraq: We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that's more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: I think this is a very hard choice, but the price--we think the price is worth it.
In case you missed that episode, here is the video:
Lesley Stahl and Madeleine Albright on "60 Minutes" back on May 12, 1996 (CBS Video)
Make My Day -- [Strategy Page]
March 7, 2008: The war has shifted from Baghdad, north to Mosul, the third largest city. For centuries, this was the capital of the largely Kurdish Mosul province, Saddam applied over a decade of ethnic cleansing to the city, to make it more Arab than Kurdish. The Sunni Arab terrorists that made it to Mosul, after being driven out of Baghdad and Anbar (western Iraq), are hard core survivors. The Sunni Arabs already in Mosul are determined to make a last stand.
Iranian Hegemony in Iraq -- [The Captain’s Journal]
General Petraeus warned us. In testimony before Congress in September of 2007, he said “You cannot win in Iraq solely in Iraq.” He also said that “It is increasingly apparent to both coalition and Iraqi leaders that Iran, through the use of the Quds force, seeks to turn the Iraqi special groups into a Hezbollah-like force to serve its interests and fight a proxy war against the Iraqi state and coalition forces in Iraq.”
Outside The Wire 2007 -- [JD Johannes]
Under the Crescent Moon -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
...There are few things I’ve experienced in this life as eerie as a late-night dismounted patrol through the pitch black of Anu al-Verona. Sure, fear is a part of it, and an expected element, at that. But when you’re surrounded by twenty stone-cold warriors bred on machismo and testicular fortitude, it’s relatively simple to ease yourself out of the trepidation you imagine one should feel during combat operations. It’s not just the nerves, either. Corporeally stimulating makes it sound too much like a natural high, feeling alive again makes it sound too much like a daytime television talking point. All things considered, it’s simply sensual overload – every sense churns away on the fumes of our remaining wits to keep us alert, with every turbo button being pressed maniacally to keep us moving; these are the moments that will make the rest of our lives grey and mundane in comparison
Education and Peace
Re-opening of the Ramadi General Hospital and school demonstrating the link between education and peace
The Thunder Rolls: Taji Rail Lines Open for First Time Since 2003 -- [MNF-I]
CAMP TAJI — The railroad lines of the Taji Qada, north of Baghdad, have laid dormant since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, but as a result of the efforts of Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, the first train let loose a thunderous blast of its horn March. 5, as it slowly rolled through the gates of Camp Taji.
The Actual Surge -- [HT: the Tank - James S. Robbins ]
Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno gave a great briefing today on the surge strategy in Iraq at the Heritage Foundation. It's definitely worth a listen.
Operational Update: Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner -- [MNF-I]
I have a brief operational summary and then we’ll be glad to take your questions. Even as security trends improve, Iraqi and coalition forces continue to pressure and disrupt al-Qaeda – Iraq and other extremist groups here. In recent weeks, Iraqi and coalition forces captured or killed 26 senior leaders in the al-Qaeda – Iraq terrorist network.
Eight were al-Qaeda emirs, meaning they exercised responsibility for a geographic or functional area. Five were al-Qaeda cell leaders. And the remaining 13 were terrorist facilitators. They were either involved in supporting the network of foreign terrorists, organizing the movement and security of senior leaders of the terrorist cells, or the making and use of improvised explosives and suicide vests. The ten most significant are listed on this slide and include five emirs, four cell leaders, and one facilitator.
Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle: March 2008 Update -- [The Long War Journal]
During late January and early February, the Iraqi National Police (INP) 2-1 Brigade and elements of the Iraqi Army's (IA) 11th Division began operating north of Baghdad. The area north of Baghdad is normally controlled by the IA 9th Mechanized Division, but significant elements of the 9th deployed to Mosul to conduct clearing operations. The IA 4-9 and (at least elements of) the 2-9 Brigades are deployed to Mosul.
Iraqi press is reporting more Peshmerga forces are to go to Mosul. As part of the Government of Iraq's 2008 budget deal, the Kurdish Regional Government is transferring two divisions to the Iraqi Army.
Iraq Pictures 07 March 2008 -- [Iraq Pictures]
Members of the Duraiya Sons of Iraq group provide security along the Salman Pak to al Lej, Iraq, road, near Checkpoint 600, during the reopening ceremony. The road and checkpoint were closed to the public after a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb there, killing seven Iraqi national policemen last May.
Sheik of Al-Anbar Council: We Can Eradicate Al-Qaeda in Iraq -- [MEMRIVideo]
bratwurst and near beer -- [the alley - in Iraq]
...For all the non-medical (or really non-surgical) people out there, you may not really get this, but would someone please stop shooting out the popliteal artery....please? Last night I did my third popliteal vascular reconstruction (two of them combined artery-vein injuries), not to mention the one or two others the other guys have done. It's really getting crazy...I'd like to just fix a simple, say, SFA or something, but no, it always has to be right behind the freakin' knee.
Spreading some sunshine -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
It was up to the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army to bring the sunshine.
They did so in the form of humanitarian assistance. More than 400 families received food, prayer carpets, blankets and other sorts of HA in the combined operation by the ANA and ANP.
We went along for the ride and mentored our counterparts as they planned and executed the drop in the Deh Yak district center.
British Soldiers Call In Airstrike On Taliban HideOut - Afghanistan
Ground Truth In Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page]
March 6, 2008: Sometimes it takes an outsider to let all the players know what's really going on. Case in point is a recent survey conducted by a Western NGO in Afghanistan. Some 500 people in six provinces were queried. The answers track with what the government and NATO civil affairs operators already know, but it's still information that never seems to get out to the Western public.
Taliban Defeat in North-West Frontier? -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Pakistan's February 18 elections signaled a dramatic shift in Islamist parties' fortunes in the North-West Frontier Province. In the 2002 general election, religious parties won 67 seats in the 99-seat provincial assembly, while in 2008 they won only nine seats. Some commentators have attached great strategic significance to these results.
China Must Be Punished -- [Strategy Page]
March 7, 2008: The U.S. Department of Defense has come right out and said they believe a series of Internet based network attacks, on their computer networks last year, came from China. These attacks were quite specific, often directed at named individuals in the Department of Defense, and succeeded in stealing large quantities of secret material. The Department of Defense report also cited similar attacks on European defense and commercial organizations. In Britain, MI-5 (the domestic intelligence agency) sent warning to major corporations warning them of similar attacks and advising increased security of their data. The Department of Defense believes that China has the most powerful Cyber War capabilities on the planet. That means the Chinese can shut down just about any site they target, and penetrate most as well.
U.S. jets scramble to turn back Russian bomber -- [MSNBC]
SEOUL, South Korea - U.S. and South Korean fighter jets scrambled to turn back a Russian bomber that approached a U.S. aircraft carrier during training exercises, South Korean and U.S. officials said Thursday.
The Russian aircraft flew close to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in waters off South Korea's eastern coast Wednesday, but retreated shortly after the allied warplanes approached, an official at the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said on condition of anonymity, citing office policy.
US Dept. Of Defense Bans Google Map Makers -- [Jawa Report]
The US Defence Department has banned Google map-making teams from making detailed street-level video maps of American military bases after images of one ended up on the popular internet site.
A message sent to all defence department bases and installations around the country late last week told officials not to allow the mapping website from taking panoramic views inside the facilities.
Google said taking such pictures was against its policy and the incident was a mistake.
Has the Anti-War Crowd Gone Too Far? -- [Thunder Run]
...explosion occurred outside a very successful recruiting station in Times Square NYC. While no report seems to link the current escalation of force by the anti-war / peace movement I will. First we saw Code-Pink in Berkeley, CA swarm around and set up a continual protest against the USMC. Then we have crowds invading a recruiting station in Washington DC. Now…a bombing of a recruiting station in NYC.
Times square explosion CCTV video - CNN
Al-Qaeda's Media War: The Big Bang Theory -- [ThreatsWatch - Steve Schippert]
It’s not a theory. It’s a practice. In presidential campaigns, ‘making the news’ is often regarded as free campaign ad space or a reach multiplier. For al-Qaeda, the dynamic is the same and is a primary driving factor in its...
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund [bump] -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
A couple of months ago, the American Institute of Philanthropy released a report card on veteran's charity organizations. At the bottom of the list - not surprisingly - was Army Emergency Relief. But, at the top of the list was Fisher House and Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. One of my stated causes when I started They Have Names (don't remind me, I beat myself up enough!) was the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
Misreading the Surge Threatens U.S. Army's Conventional Capabilities -- [World Politics Review]
...A misleading current narrative contends that the recent lowering of violence in Iraq is primarily due to the American "surge" and the application of so-called "new" counterinsurgency methods. Because these new counterinsurgency methods have worked in Iraq, the thinking goes, why not try them in other places, such as Afghanistan? This hyper-emphasis on counterinsurgency puts the American Army in a perilous condition. Its ability to fight wars consisting of head-on battles using tanks and mechanized infantry is in danger of atrophy.
Cooper, Dr. Helen, and COIN: -- [Grim's Hall - in Iraq]
...The key to successful counterinsurgency is being able to move quickly back and forth between these modes. Listen to Megan Ortagus, a young lady from (I gather) Beverly Hills, talking COIN operations with a retired Special Forces Master Sergeant. She says she'd never been to Iraq before and "watched all the good war movies," so she could feel prepared. She likens the Dora Market in Baghdad to Rodeo Drive. She understands what is going on well enough to think about it and discuss it, however. She is able to fulfil her function as a citizen in voting for representatives, and in advising those representatives as to right courses of action.
Jim has been doing COIN since the 1980s. While she talks about "kinetics," he talks about how you have to sit down and "break bread and drink chai,"
Plan would replace personalized welcome home displays for troops -- [Boston Herald]
METHUEN - A governor’s task force is recommending that personalized displays that welcome troops home be replaced with metal signs on highways overpasses. The Massachusetts Highway Department has tried to ban the homemade displays — which often include signs and flags — saying they could fall and create a hazard for drivers. The task force wants to replace the displays with generic signs that read "Welcome Home," and "Thank You" and are adorned with the seals of the military branches.
Veterans and family members of troops say such signs aren’t personal and don’t allow people to give returning soldiers a real hometown welcome.
Soldiers with 1st Brigade, 3rd ID Return Home -- [WTOC, GA]
FORT STEWART, GA (WTOC) - After a 15 month deployment, 40 soldiers with the Third Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team came home Wednesday night.
...After a welcome from the rear attachment commander and a little singing, friends and family rushed the field to greet their soldiers.
Murtha Gets His Way On Haditha -- [Let Freedom Ring]
According to this Thomas More Law Center action alert, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani is being thrown under the bus because the military caved to John Murtha’s political agenda. Here’s what Richard Thompson said on behalf of his client:
“Military Judge Colonel Stephen Folsom’s, USMC, ruling yesterday refusing our request to take the deposition of Congressman John Murtha, D-PA, is the latest indication that it will be impossible for Marine Lt. Colonel Chessani to get a fair trial regarding November 19, 2005, Haditha incident,” said Richard Thompson, Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, the Ann Arbor, Michigan based public interest law firm defending Lt. Col. Chessani.
“This entire prosecution is politically motivated and stinks to high heaven
The Resolve To Win March -- [Hugh Hewitt]
A group of Iraqi War veterans are marching up to D.C. from South Carolina to underscore the fact that our military is winning.
What The Lamestream Media Taught Me About Deployment -- [Villainous Company]
...The thing is, the media seem to get the military wrong with frightening regularity. As someone who grew up Navy, I experienced more frequent moves than I have in the Marines. My Dad was at sea for much of the time I was a young girl. So when I read the ridiculously overhyped descriptions of families "torn apart" by frequent deployments, I have to laugh. I grew up with that. There were no 'family services'. No counseling. We had friends, neighbors, church. We had each other. We made do. My mother and mother in law dealt with it all with grace and strength and the kind of steel I have only tried to emulate in my time in the Corps. They weren't perfect, but they were equal to the task, and more than equal.
And, like Sarah, I have found deployments to be as much about opportunity as deprivation:
Journalistic Standards -- [Matt Sanchez]
I just found these guidelines for journalists. I'm hoping this is some kind of joke:
On Oct. 6 at its National Convention in Seattle, the Society of Professional Journalists passed a resolution urging members and fellow journalists to take steps against racial profiling in their coverage of the war on terrorism and to reaffirm their commitment to:
(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 and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
In the Slums of Fallujah -- [Michael Totten - embed in Iraq]
...Captain Eastin is the commanding officer of Lima Company, and they operate in the slums of southern Fallujah. The houses down there are smaller than they are in the rest of the city, and much more decrepit. Southern Fallujah isn't nearly as rough as a Latin American, Indian, or Egyptian shantytown, but its residents live a hardscrabble life and largely depend on charity for survival. There isn't much of an economy. Unemployment is well over 50 percent. Many residents worked in the industrial district, but only a few factories have re-opened so far. Business owners are waiting for government compensation which was supposed to have been delivered from Baghdad months ago.
The Rejected -- [CJR - Paul McLeary - embed in Iraq]
“They’re gonna see us going out, and know that we have to come back this way,” Captain Glenn Helberg cautioned his men. We were walking out of combat outpost Courage, northwest of Baghdad, just before nightfall. The message was simple: the enemy studies habits, trends, and patterns just as any other military outfit does; so as the platoon left the base, Helberg wanted to make sure that his men were not complacent on the way back in.
Men With Guns -- [CJR - Paul McLeary - embed in Iraq]
A slim, slightly weathered-looking man with flecks of gray in his hair, Colonel Ehssan—leader of the local Sons of Iraq group—sits behind his desk, looking unhappy. We had driven from combat outpost Courage this morning to his headquarters, a first floor room in an old building set far back from the road, only a few miles from the base. The room, and the building, is typically Iraqi, meaning typically shabby, with sand-caked windows, peeling yellow paint on the walls, and a few long couches turned toward the colonel’s desk. A space heater sits in the middle of the room, providing whatever heat it can muster.
Whom to be trusted -- [Inside Iraq - an iraqi in Iraq]
...The Iraqi doctor said I can make this simple thing here in my clinic just now but for the retina it needs expensive medical equipments which Iraqi doctors and hospitals don’t have while the Iranians have. It was a shock for us and a disaster for mom. She said “ I didn’t want to go to Iran from the beginning ,but you insisted on that.
...I totally agree with mom and the reason made me write this blog is that we fed up with our attempts to find a specialist oculist to treat my mom in Iraq. We heard that there are some Iranian doctors in Arbilin Kurdstan region come to do such operations, but no more for the Iranians’.
The thing that pushed to write it just now is the Iranian president’s visit to Iraq which had many promises in hand ,but the results would be nothing.
Baghdad ER 10 -- [krisfaun]
Iran Still Destabilizing Iraq and Region -- [The Captain’s Journal]
In yet another sign of the inept and useless United Nations, the U.N. Security Council has authorized further sanctions against Iran.
The United Nations Security Council has authorized further sanctions against Iran over its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment activities. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and does not fall under the Security Council’s remit.
F-16 Air Strike On Alqaeda Camp - Iraq
Violence Leaves Young Iraqis Doubting Clerics -- [NYT]
BAGHDAD — After almost five years of war, many young people in Iraq, exhausted by constant firsthand exposure to the violence of religious extremism, say they have grown disillusioned with religious leaders and skeptical of the faith that they preach.
“I hate Islam and all the clerics because they limit our freedom every day and their instruction became heavy over us,” said Sara, a high school student in Basra. “Most of the girls in my high school hate that Islamic people control the authority because they don’t deserve to be rulers.”
Dogs and Pony's -- [TheAngryAmerican - in Iraq]
...My job in all of this is to initially stop traffic. Me and my boyz have some tricks up or sleeve to try and mitigate the risk for all those involved. –I’m not telling you but if you’re in the military and want to know what they are feel free to comment and I’ll e-mail it to you. The men of 2-2, our piece of the pie is to stop traffic and begin to funnel it to the search guys. The search guys have it the worst but that’s as far into that as I’m gonna go. Use your imagination. We do all this all the while you couldn’t fit a BB up our asses. One day we got Froggy and handed out Newspapers to those stuck in traffic. Hindsight being what it is makes me think “What the fuck was I thinking.”
INSTAPUNDIT'S IRAQ CORRESPONDENT, Major John Tammes, sends this report and photo: -- [Instapundit]
Am now at Tallil, Iraq. I will be working, along with several others, to coach, teach, mentor and advise the Iraqi Army on what they need to do to sustain the fight by themselves.
General Petraeus Describes Factors Affecting Iraq Assessment -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — The top military commander in Iraq gave some insight yesterday into what he will consider as he prepares to report to the president and Congress in April on the way ahead.
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq, spoke with reporters accompanying Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is visiting the country.
The security trend lines all are favorable, the general said. “Attacks have continued to go down. We’ve had a five-month period consistently of a level of attacks we’ve not seen since spring of 2005,” he said. “This past week was the fourth-lowest since October 2004.”
Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker will explain why they believe attacks have come down when they report to President Bush and Congress.
The general said he is encouraged by the statistics and what he sees around the country. “In fact, the level of attacks has come down in recent weeks below a level we thought might be the ‘irreducible minimum,’” he said.
Across the Ocean -- [Acute Politics]
...We flew over empty darkness and over the pyres of oil fields at work, then on out over the tankers docked in the Gulf, and into the bright lights of Kuwait City. We had some delays and confusion in Kuwait in the process of facilitating Operation Puppy Love III, but I made the plane.
Now I'm home again, and in the process of writing out stories, labeling and organizing pictures, and eating good food.
3 March -- [Dude in the Desert - in Afghanistan]
Went out on a mission today… it was the normal stuff…this one was a short fast trip –only a couple hours…we went and checked out some rock quarries, sand processing plant, and some road construction…I was gunning and it is definitely getting warm and dry again…my face was covered with dirt after the trip…we were on paved roads for about 1 miles of the 25 mile round trip…the places we went were out in the middle of nowhere, so no kids, no people, no nothing anywhere…we just rolled around in the open countryside and didn’t have anything distracting us—except the boredom…which is good, I suppose…no bad guys, no bombs, nothing bad, so an overall good trip…
TalibanCare -- [Strategy Page]
March 4, 2008: While the mass media likes to play up the possibility of the Taliban once again ruling Afghanistan, that is unlikely to happen for some very fundamental reasons. Mainly, there are not that many Afghans who share Taliban beliefs. The Taliban have always been a small group of religious fanatics pushing the religious and social customs of a few Pushtun tribes in southern Afghanistan and western Pakistan. As an example of how that does not work, consider a recent incident in Pakistan. Near the Afghan border, in one of the most pro-Taliban parts of the tribal territories, a pro-Taliban tribal leader made some demands of the director of one of the few hospitals in the area.
Royal Netherlands Air Force AH-64D Apache strike in Afghanistan
KAF Run -- [Richard's 15 Month Deployment - in Afghanistan]
... And to ride around in this country you have to dress for success. SGT Streiff and I were seen off on this convoy by our friends Joe (the tall, bearded man, a contractor from South Africa) and LT Saef, an officer in the Jordanian Army. Whatever you may read in the newspapers, I think we are well equipped and supplied here in Afghanistan. We don’t have everything we want, but I think we have everything we need. Personally, for the scale of what we are trying to do, I think it’s going amazingly well, all things considered.
ANSF, Coalition forces identify detained local Taliban leader -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces have positively identified a Taliban leader detained during a Feb. 25 joint operation in Ghazni Province as Mullah Shabir.
Shabir was detained during the operation, which targeted insurgents with ties to Taliban and foreign-fighter facilitators.
Shabir is believed to have provided intelligence, logistical support and improvised explosive devices to Taliban forces. He is also believed to be responsible for recent rocket attacks throughout Ghazni Province.
Skill labor workshop provides opportunities for Afghans -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan (22 Feb.) - Soldiers out of Fort Lewis, Wash., assigned to Task Force Pacemaker, provided advanced carpentry and masonry skill training Feb. 4 to citizens of Orgun, Afghanistan.
"It's a game of cat and mouse" - Coldstream Guards take on the Taliban: Part 2 -- [Ministry of Defense News]
After repelling a week-long attack from Taliban insurgents when they arrived at Forward Operating Base Keenan, 3 Company Coldstream Guards have since been undertaking daily patrols to weed out the remaining pockets of enemy in the surrounding area. Report by Neil Weddell.
IRAN ARMING HIZBALLAH WITH MISSILES VIA TURKEY -- [Astute Blogger]
Iran is arming Hezbollah with missiles sent via Turkey, according to intelligence received in Israel. Turkish authorities are unaware of the arms shipments, which are in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 that brought an end to the Second Lebanon War.
The Global Implications of China's Military Expansion -- [The Tank - J. Peter Pham]
Pursuant to a 2000 Congressional mandate that the Secretary of Defense annually submit a report "on the current and future military strategy of the People's Republic of China" addressing specifically "the current and probable future course of military-technological development on the People's Liberation Army and the tenets and probable development of Chinese grand strategy, security strategy, and military strategy, and of the military organizations and operational concepts, through the next twenty years," the Pentagon released yesterday the 2008 edition of its Annual Report to Congress: Military Power of the People's Republic of China. Among the key findings of the document:
Behind the Colombia - Ecuador - Venezuela Border Fracas -- [Austin Bay]
The real news behind South America's latest border fracas is Colombia's looming victory in its own narcotics-powered civil war.
This is a victory Colombia's chief international antagonist, Venezuelan caudillo Hugo Chavez, fears -- for several calculating reasons.
Let's start with Colombia's slow and grueling democratic accomplishment. On Feb. 5, hundreds of thousands of Colombian citizens marched in the capital, Bogota, in a mass protest against crime and terrorism. Their anger had an explicit political target: the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, better known by its Spanish acronym, FARC.
Al-Qaeda is losing the war of minds -- [The Financial Times]
The US “surge” in Iraq has been so manifestly successful that no serious person can deny that gains have been made. Even Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have (grudgingly) conceded progress. Yet both Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama are quick to add that progress has been purely on the military side and that those gains are ephemeral. This fits with their broader narrative – that the war has been a disaster on every front.
Obama mentioned among documents recovered by Colombia from slain FARC leader Raúl Reyes -- [Free Republic]
Article has the last "letter" from Reyes to the FARC. Below is the relevant section talking about Obama
6. The gringos will ask for an appointment with the minister to solicit him to communicate to us his interest in discussing these topics. They say that the new president of their country will be Obama and that they are interested in your compatriots. Obama will not support "Plan Colombia" nor will he sign the TLC (Colombian Free Trade agreement). Here we responded that we are interested in relations with all governments in equality of conditions and that in the case of the US it is required a public pronouncement expressing their interest in talking with the FARC given their eternal war against us.
Terrible TV -- [NRO]
The U.S. is losing the larger war against terrorist television.
Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department smacked the Syria-based Al-Zawraa television station with the label of Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Treasury leveled the charge that al-Zawraa took cash from al-Qaeda and broadcast coded messages through patriotic songs to the Islamic Army of Iraq, a Sunni terrorist group that continues to attack Iraqi citizens and American soldiers. This was a small battle won in the War on Terror. However, the U.S. is losing the larger war against terrorist television.
Analyst Avi Jorisch first brought the problem to Washington’s attention with the rise of ’Hezbollah’s 24-hour al-Manar satellite channel, which broadcast the message “Death to America” to an estimated 15 million viewers before Jorisch’s work eventually encouraged the Treasury Department to designate the channel as an SDGT in March 2006.
Growing International Free-For-All, As Charges Mount On Chavez Laundering and Terrorist Ties -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
This week, while Venezuelan troops moved towards the Colombian border, and Ecuador broke relations with Colombia, there has been startling new information emerge publiclly about alleged Venezuelan support for terrorist groups, laundering of political funds, and possible efforts on the part of the Colombian terrorist group FARC to build a dirty bomb.
The Hardest Night -- [Paulette - The Making Of A Volunteer] HT: CJ
...With close to 200 soldiers in the room it's hard to spend a great deal of time talking to each one. So I'm handing out the bags and this one soldier was asking me about the CD in his bag. He's looking at it..and he starts sniffling. I thought he was pretending to cry. so jokingly I said,"what in the world are you crying about?" My heart almost stopped when he looked up..his eyes were brimmed with tears..he said," I miss my daughter..I didn't get to say goodbye." I told him it was ok..that he wasn't saying goodbye anyway..it was just see you later. he went on to tell me she would be five before he made it back home. It was his first child and that she was his life.
WOODROW WILSON KEEBLE - MOH Recipient -- [Noble Duty Milblogger Coalition]
Woodrow Wilson Keeble is the first Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor. The President presented it to his family in a ceremony today in the White House.
It's taken nearly 60 years for Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble to be awarded the medal he earned on the battlefield in Korea.
America's Favorite Mom- Vote for Patti Bader! -- [Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho]
Brandon nominated his mother for America's Favorite Mom. Copy and paste this link in your address bar and vote for her! We'd really appreciate it!
http://www.americasfavoritemom.com/mothers-day-2008/mom/Patti-P-3418
My Mother Patti-Patton Bader
Is one of the most amazing woman in the world, literally. She has done more for me and the entire Military then another mother in the world. And I do mean that to be a fact, not a build up or over dramatic use of the word. She started a organization called Soldier's Angels http://www.soldiersangels.com/ when I was in Iraq...
How to understand war -- [Belmont Club]
After the Read More! -- a military manual with principles so secret they are never discussed in public. But they may be discussed around the water cooler.
"Osama for Obama" T-Shirt At Hillary Rally; Declares Obama Lies When He Says He Was Never a Muslim -- [Ace of Spades]
Fun stuff, but if you watch the video, it's not clear to me he's actually a Hillary supporter.
He may, in fact, belong to the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. Or perhaps just to the Vast Novelty Political T-Shirt Conspiracy.
"The truth is he was born a Muslim, his father was a Muslim, his mother married a Muslim after divorcing his father. His grandfather was a Muslim. It doesn't matter. But what does matter is when Obama said he was never a Muslim. He was a Muslim. He was born a Muslim. He was a Muslim for six years of his life," Elbaum said.
Was Obama's Iraq War Opposition Based upon a Relationship to Saddam's Arms Dealer? -- [Confederate Yankee]
That is the theory being floated by conservative blog Illinois Review, and frankly one I've heard speculated about before... but does that speculation hold water?
The theory goes like this:
Barack Obama has had questionable dealings (including the purchase of his home) with Tony Rezko, who is on trial on corruption charges, and who may have directed kickbacks to Obama.
All The News That's Fit To Make Up As You Go Along -- [NewsBusters]
Shouldn't an editor pick this up before the article gets into print? From the NY Times:
An article on Sunday about preparations in Baghdad for a visit by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran described Iran’s ethnic makeup incorrectly. Slightly more than half of the country’s population is Persian; Iran is not “overwhelmingly Persian.” (It is overwhelmingly Shiite Muslim.) (Go to Article)
It’s 3 a.m.: Another Long Night in the White House -- [ScrappleFace]
Note: YouTube deleted this video within less than 20 minutes of posting. Let’s see how long it stay up on Google.
Update: YouTube restores the video.
(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 and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
U.S. Military Kills al-Qaida Leader -- [Military.com]
BAGHDAD - A U.S. military helicopter fired a guided missile to kill a wanted al-Qaida in Iraq leader from Saudi Arabia who was responsible for the bombing deaths of five American Soldiers, a spokesman said March 2.
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Gregory Smith said Jar Allah, also known as Abu Yasir al-Saudi, and another Saudi known only as Hamdan, were both killed Wednesday in Mosul.
Sisters of Fallujah help to protect city -- [Marine Corps News]
FALLUJAH, Iraq (March 2, 2008) -- It has become desperate times for the insurgents in the al Anbar province. Backed up against the ropes and badly beaten, they are trying to resort to any dirty trick that they can come up with… even if it means sneaking bomb-making material with women and children past the Coalition and Iraqi forces’ security.
These tactics have proven to be futile thanks to the brave women known as the Sisters of Fallujah who selflessly help protect their city and stop any insurgents’ attempt to harm their community.
One last CIB... -- [Eighty Deuce on the Loose - in Iraq]
...The other night, the CLC (Concerned Local Citizens) Group swung by the outpost with a guy that they had detained. Apparently they found this guy out walking around and he had what looked to be a homemade gernade. I had never seen a gernade like this. It had a plastic body and just looked fashioned. Over the past week or so there have been a few incidents with some people throwing gernades at IA (Iraqi Army) and IP (Iraqi Police) checkpoints, so I can only imagine that this is what this guy was going to do. So far they haven't targeted any US personnel with these gernades. Once we had this guy in our custody, they began questioning him and apparently at some point he stated that he would take us and show us where some more stuff was.
Operation School Supply -- [Knee Deep in the Hooah! - in Iraq]
I finally got some pictures of how the school supply delivery went, and it has been wonderful looking through them all. I wanted to share them here since so many of you followed the progress of the project. I also wanted to put something up on the blog in order to thank everyone involved — especially the Mead Corporation.
For those of you who were not around on Knee Deep back in November/December of last year we worked hard to get 600+ pounds of donated school supplies to the children in the Diyala Province. The donation was the result of Mike’s request and an email I sent to a friend at the Mead Corporation. Mead donated 600 pounds of school supplies, and friends and church members donated more on top of that.
King Arthur in Baghdad -- [Grim's Hall - in Iraq]
Though not a Paladin, King Arthur was Charlemagne's chief competitor as a legendary symbol around whose court chivalric tales were told. I mention this because I was over at Camp Slayer today, and in the light of our discussion, I happened to notice their sign:
Iraq News (3 Mar) -- [LT Nixon Rants]
The Good: Outgoing #2 officer in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Odierno, talks with Michael Gordon of the New York Times about the future of Iraq. He recommends more job creation, which isn't sounding like a bad idea, since unemployment fuels the insurgency. More dead terrorists up by Tal Afar. Ninawa province in northern Iraq is currently hosting the brunt of Al-Qaeda activity, and small victories like these will aid in preventing future violence in Iraq.
Petraeus Describes Factors Affecting Iraq Assessment -- [Defense Link]
BAGHDAD, March 2, 2008 – The top military commander in Iraq gave some insight today into what he will consider as he prepares to report to the president and Congress in April on the way ahead.
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, spoke with reporters accompanying Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is visiting the country.
The security trend lines all are favorable, the general said. “Attacks have continued to go down. We’ve had a five-month period consistently of a level of attacks we’ve not seen since spring of 2005,” he said. “This past week was the fourth-lowest since October 2004.”
The Patton of Counterinsurgency -- [The Weekly Standard]
Great commanders often come in pairs: Eisenhower and Patton, Grant and Sherman, Napoleon and Davout, Marlborough and Eugene, Caesar and Labienus. Generals David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno can now be added to the list.
Ahmadinejad Does Baghdad -- [IraqPundit]
Middle East watchers will read whatever they want into the visit of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Baghdad. One view is that Iran did this to spite the United States, which is not far-fetched. Another is the historically ill-informed view that Iran would never "try to topple the first friendly Shiite regime ever to come to power in Baghdad." [First?!!] But the simplest way to understand the visit is that, in the Middle East, leaders are always paying each other personal visits, exchanging kisses at the airport, etc., even as they work to undermine one another's interests. Short of the bloody enmity that existed between Iran and Baathist Iraq, this is how things are done. Anyway, Iraq needs stable relations and trade agreements with all its neighbours, even this one.
February 1, 2008 -- [Afghanistan]
Dear all,
The word 'infantry' just doesn't seem to cover everything we do here. Over the past couple weeks we escorted doctors and medics all over our area, to treat ailments ranging from TB and polio to impotence and measles. Our mobile footprint was relatively light, but the impact was tremendous. We distributed thousands of dollars in medical supplies, comparable amounts in humanitarian assistance, and even more in medical expertise and personal care. The force behind this operation was almost exclusively American, with all providers, medicines, and direct support coming from us, the one and only 'Great Satan'.
Yet as usual, everywhere we went we tried to avoid credit or praise. ...But I didn't come to Afghanistan for a thank-you card. Nor do I expect the Afghans to jump around and wave American flags. I do, however, expect them to honestly acknowledge our investment.
Recently one of our units killed some bad guys. Foreign though it might be to some, for us this is more than just a newspaper article. For us their elimination means fewer explosions, and for the locals, a respite from terror. Unfortunately, however, there have been allegations that during the mission, some Afghan Security Forces were
killed.
Winter school -- [John's myspace - in Afghaistan]
If you look on top of the building in the background of the first picture, you can see what looks like a massive bush growing on the roof. That's actually a pile of several hundred chairs and desks, reduced to their metal frames and tossed up there to get them out of the way.
Literally every school I have visited in Afghanistan has a similar heap. The furniture, when delivered, is promptly torn apart and the cushions and seats are sold for scrap. The metal frames apparently have no value, and are left behind. That is the sort of everyday corruption that plagues Afghanistan. Not even the smallest things are safe from individuals who care only about how they can be converted into cash.
The more I think about it, as I write this post, the angrier I get. When I asked about a similar pile at the boys' high school in Gardez (dumped in the front lobby, apparently without any concern for discretion), I was told that they had 'broken' and were being stored there because there was no way to fix them. The sheer transparency of that lie is grating.
Repent! The End Is Near! -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
I've been back at my current FOB for over a week now, and have made a conop* to Kabul and back in the meantime. The day after we got here, we made a major thrust into the country to the north of here, which is generally accepted to be "Indian Country." It was sudden, it was in force, and it was a surprise.
The enemy did nothing.
He didn't fail to act because he was so frightened of our massive firepower. He just didn't know that we were coming, and it was too late to throw an impromptu party, so he watched how we operate.
82nd DSTB medic prevails under fire -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – In a hail of bullets and rocket-propelled grenades, many Soldiers would be hesitant to expose themselves despite advances in body armor and medicine. Not every Soldier would risk his life to help a soldier from a different army.
Throughout the history of war, men have risen to the occasion in the heat of battle to save the life of another.
Staff Sgt. Joesph Peer, a combat medic attached to the 82nd Airborne Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment, is one of those men.
When facing a fanatically persistent And destabilizing Insurgency -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
...As a combined joint and multi-national task force, we are intent on increasing interoperability with the fledgling Afghan National Security Forces, fostering regional military professionalism within the Afghan National Army, and demonstrating by example the role of the Afghan National Police in a democracy. Reciprocal military-to-military contact is the primary method of executing these goals. The reciprocity concept means all sides US Forces, host nation forces, and international partners participate and benefit.
This success is especially critical in the company of an unprecedented media presence. The media alone can make the difference between success and failure, particularly in elongated military operations and global campaigns like the ones we are currently engaging in Iraq and Afghanistan. And all at a time when our Allies must trust and have confidence in our efforts - Once this trust is violated, this relationship becomes ineffective.
Canadian TV: NATO Mission In Afghanistan "Worthless"
Canadian TV network channel 3 (Toronto) reports that the NATO mission in Afghanistan is worthless and has not produced any visible improvement to the general population of Kandahar province, in fact, it has only produced misery.
Under the Taliban government afghanis had electricity, under NATO this is not the case and suffering has increased.
ANSF, Coalition forces degrade IED, foreign-fighter networks -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – An armed insurgent was killed and two suspected insurgents were detained March 2 during a joint Afghan National Security and Coalition force’s operation degrading Taliban foreign-fighter facilitation and improvised explosive device networks in Zabul Province.
The joint force conducted a search of compounds in the Jeldak District targeting a Taliban sub-commander responsible for facilitating suicide IEDs and foreign-fighter networks.
Coalition forces disrupt Taliban leaders in Zabul, Helmand provinces -- [Combined Joint Task Force -82]
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several insurgents were killed and eight suspected insurgents were detained March 1 during two separate Coalition forces’ operations to degrade Taliban leadership networks.
Coalition forces performed a search of compounds in the Garmsir District of Helmand Province during an operation targeting a Taliban commander responsible for facilitating foreign fighters and weapons smuggling operations.
Several insurgents were killed when they fired on Coalition forces.
Coalition forces found and detained four individuals with suspected links to Taliban networks as they continued their search. Coalition forces also recovered several weapons, ammunition vests and hand-grenades that were destroyed on-site to prevent further use by militant forces.
Texas Independence - Part I -- [James Aalan Bernsen - in Iraq]
...O.K. Call me strange, but I'm an 8th Generation Texan, and for me, July 4 is the second most important Independence Day on the calendar. An equally - perhaps more important - date is March 2 - Texas Independence day.
In honor of the actions it commemorates, I continue a tradition I have performed for over 10 years now: the annual Texas Independence Day message. It's a long post, so I'm going to break it up over the next couple of days. So Happy Birthday, Texas.
Don't Mess With Texas -- [Media Blog]
A Danish journalist came this close to getting shot Saturday by an elderly woman packing a pistol near President Bush's ranch here in what was easily the strangest incident I've ever witnessed covering the White House.
...What Svensson didn't realize was that he had stopped walking a couple hundred feet away, on the front lawn of an elderly woman. An elderly woman who looked through her window and didn't like that a strange man was standing outside her house. An elderly woman who had, um, a gun....
Iran ‘number one world power’: Ahmadinejad -- [Dawn]
TEHRAN, Feb 28: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared on Thursday that Iran was the world’s “number one” power, as he launched a bitter new assault on domestic critics he accused of siding with the enemy.
“Everybody has understood that Iran is the number one power in the world,” Ahmadinejad said in a speech to families who lost loved ones in the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.
“Today the name of Iran means a firm punch in the teeth of the powerful and it puts them in their place,” added Ahmadinejad, who on Sunday will become the first president of the Islamic republic to visit neighbouring Iraq.
Chavez Warns of War With Colombia -- [Newsvine]
Venezuela and Ecuador have ordered troops to their borders with Colombia, raising concerns of a broader conflict after Colombia killed a top rebel leader on Ecuadorean soil.
Blood In The Streets Over A Naked Ankle -- [Strategy Page]
March 3, 2008: The war in Iran is on the streets. In poor neighborhoods, drug addiction and unemployment supply a growing number of gangs with ruthless and brutal recruits. The police respond with public whippings and up to ten executions a day. So far this year, 48 have been executed, compared to 298 for all of last year.
U.S. Guided Missile Strike Targets 'Terror Suspect' -- [Fox News]
.S. forces struck an Al Qaeda training camp in Southern Somalia Monday and officials say they're confident the military hit the intended target, FOX News has confirmed.
Planes fired at least one precision guided missile at the Somali town of Dobley, a senior U.S. defense official told FOX News.
There was no immediate word on casualties, but the residents and police told The Associated Press that a home was destroyed and eight people, including four children, were injured.
U.S. officials at Central Command said the overnight strike targeted less than 20 Al Qaeda terrorists. They were assessing the damage done by the attack Monday, and said they'd know more about its success later in the day.
Ricin Scare in Las Vegas: Facts and Fiction -- [Counterterroism Blog]
As the investigations into Las Vegas Ricin poisoning continue since last Friday, the mystery over two vials of poison found in the Von Bergendorff’s Motel room still haunts Police, FBI and U.S. Homeland Security agents. Police claimed to have found guns, "anarchist-type" fiction (with the ricin section highlighted) and castor beans from Bergendorff’s room who has been under medical supervision since mid February. Apparently, there is no indication of any link to terrorist activity or any involvement of Crime syndicates active in the locality. The seized literature and the social behavior of Bergendorff suggest that this could be a case of ‘millenarianism’ or an individual with an ‘apocalyptic’ worldview (remember Heaven’s Gate or Aum Shinrikyo cult).
Supporting the Troops -- [Canyon News]
...our soldiers are now relegated to back pages of newspapers; they are also not the first or even the third lead story in any news broadcast. That is unless the media or the politicians want to elevate themselves in some manner by talking about them. We should be talking about them every day. We should have a President who makes the case to the nation on a weekly basis how we can support our troops. We should have politicians and journalists telling us to send a soldier a letter, a card or a care package. Sure we have Soldier’s Angels and the U.S.O. But we should stop expecting organizations to do what each American should be doing. Supporting our men and women who are in harm’s way so that we have a free and safe nation and that the western world is free. Our troops have liberated people in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but all we hear is, “Let’s end this war.” That is up for the American people, fine. You decide that come November. But until then, can we should demand that our politicians and the nation’s media outlets show our brave Americans a little more respect and honor.
Thank you, to all the American and Coalition forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq for your service to our nation and your own. And thank you to all of your families. God Bless and thank you.
MAIL CALL!Supporting the Troops -- [Kasee - Soldiers Angel]
My weekly ’surf’ of the web, for news by and about Soldiers Angels
Soldiers Angels Germany asks us
Let’s Show the Sky Soldiers some love
and Soldiers Angels Louisiana is looking for some Angel help
(and Soldiers Angels Louisiana is the 'Featured Blog of the Week" this week)
Tanker Brothers posted about Jeremy’s House
NEED YOUR HELP!!! An Opportunity to Honor a VietNam Veteran -- [Yikes]
Hey everyone, I'm back again. Will post later about the memorial service for our PGR friend, Deltoid. It was amazing but I just can't put it down on paper (or computer screen) just yet. IN THE MEANTIME.... I need your help.
A very special Vietnam Veteran who lives not far from me is in need of some serious cheer & encouragement
The Cactus Cuties sing The National Anthem -- [HT: Stop the ACLU]
An American Hero -- [OP-FOR]
Friday, February 29, 2008 was a sad day for the Marine Corps. It was a clear and sunny afternoon at Parris Island, much like the day thirty years earlier when Private Eddie S. Ray stood proudly at attention on the parade deck just down the street. Today, Colonel Eddie S. Ray stood at attention under the watchful eye of “Iron Mike.” This time Colonel Ray stood alone, in front of family and friends.
Supporting our troops" not relevent to the overall cause.. -- [BravoCo - Live Leak Forum]
I am not against tour troops. Props to them. But this isn't about them. You have to remember the military is supposed to be a machine, free of emotion.
But most of these pro-war supporters are just filled with emotion, talking about freedom and that the troops are protecting our freedom, etc. Its total bullshit.
I give props to the soldiers for enlisting, but they have absolutely nothing to do with the orders they receive from the higher-ups. The truth is they aren't fighting for America's freedom, nor are they protecting us from a threat. Not in Iraq, not in Afghanistan.
Why Are U.S. Troops So Hard To Kill? -- [Strategy Page]
March 2, 2008: While every combat death is a tragedy, the war in Afghanistan has been notable for how few of them there have been. We'll use a standard measure of combat losses, the number of troops in a combat division (12-20,000 troops) who are killed each day the division is in combat. Since late 2001, there have been .12 American combat deaths per division day in Afghanistan. During the Vietnam war, the average division lost 3.2 troops a day, which was similar to the losses suffered in Korea
The State of the Marine Corps! -- [The Military Observer]
...In my current assignment, I am often asked by the media and others about the health of our Corps. How do I reply? Tonight I will tell you what I tell them. We are indeed in good health. Our Corps is in the best shape I have seen during my 33 years of service. The young men and women serving today are our nation’s next greatest generation. They are taking the baton from the likes of Admiral Spiro. I have been in combat with them twice, and can say they are a national treasure, they are our future leaders and we are in good hands.
Symbols and the USS New York -- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
I suggest, without proving, that it has become very hip to trash symbols or deny their importance. The Flag of the United States being possibly the most prominent of said symbols. Nonetheless, again, without providing links, I think most people agree that symbols are very important.That is why yesterday's christening of the USS New York (LPD 21)is important.
A STORY ABOUT A HELICOPTER THEY CALL "HUEY" -- [ThirdWaveDave]
After seeing a video posted at Pitchpull, I told Greybeard that it reminded me of a story of my own and that I'd be posting about it with this video. After some thought, though, I decided this story is not about "me"--it should stand on its own because it's a great story about a great aircraft and the crews who flew and maintained her. Thanks for posting this, Greybeard. I know a few guys who'll appreciate this man's efforts.
ARMY RESERVE SOLDIERS TO RECEIVE -- [Blog-ah]
(Army Release) – About 18 Army Reserve soldiers who served with the 321st Engineer when Ithe unit deployed to Iraq in 2006, and returned in September 2007 will receive Welcome Home Warrior Citizen awards Saturday, March 2 at 10 a.m. Allen Reserve Center, Fort Lewis, Wash.
...The Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Award was developed to provide an appropriate ceremony in which to thank each soldier who participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Tennessee’s 130th Support Center heads home from Iraq -- [MNF-I]
CAMP BUCCA, Iraq – Lt. Col. Robert N. Hibbett and the soldiers of 130th Support Center are preparing to return to Tennessee after transferring their responsibilities to 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery of the Oklahoma National Guard, commanded by Lt. Col. David Jordan.
“Due to Lt. Col. Hibbett’s leadership by example, positive attitude and willingness to help, each of us now has a better life here at Bucca,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Hipwell, commander, 300th Military Police Brigade, who has overall responsibility for operations at Camp Bucca.
...Hibbett thanked his soldiers by name for their hard work. “We are leaving with the knowledge that the work of the 130th is in good hands.”
“The 130th RAOC set us up for success,” said Lt. Col. Jordan. “These projects will be supporting troops at Camp Bucca for as long as we’re here.”
FNC's Rove Highlights Obama's Flip-Flop on Iraq Troop Withdrawal -- [NewsBusters]
On Thursday's The O'Reilly Factor, FNC analyst Karl Rove quoted an AP story by Christopher Wills from September 18, 2004, which had reported not only that Barack Obama had previously been open to a U.S. troop increase in Iraq when he was running for Senate, but had warned against a premature troop withdrawal as a "slap in the face to the troops fighting there" which could make Iraq "an extraordinary hotbed of terrorist activity."
But They Support the Troops! -- [WSJ - JAMES TARANTO]
You'd think Hillary Clinton supporters would be worried mostly about Barack Obama, but a couple of them have turned their sights on the man who likely will oppose Obama in the general election, John McCain. And they are attacking him for his military service.
Blogging Thumbs Up -- [Doc in the Box]
Last May when I went to the Milblog Conference, there was talk about us being in the last days of milblogging. That military was cracking down on blogging from the front. Being someone who has spent a fair portion of the last 4 years blogging from Iraq, I’m beginning to think it was all a Net Myth.
...If you watch the news about Iraq, unless it’s something that goes boom or there’s an argument for or against us being here, we really don’t get much air time. The official military sources (PAO’s) are putting out stories every day but are writing for mostly a military audience, unless you’re connected with the military, you’re not going to see much of their work. Main Stream Media is geared towards finding that big story, something that will sell papers and grab peoples attention or something that they can run for 24 hours for most of a week.
More Americans turning to Web for news -- [Reuters]
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nearly 70 percent of Americans believe traditional journalism is out of touch, and nearly half are turning to the Internet to get their news, according to a new survey.
While most people think journalism is important to the quality of life, 64 percent are dissatisfied with the quality of journalism in their communities, a We Media/Zogby Interactive online poll showed.
NATO discusses digital media -- [Frontline Blogger]
NATO Review discusses the effects of new media and blogging upon the amount and quality of information coming out of warzones today. The video discussion includes contributions from the founder of liveleak.com - a haven for bomb blasts, humvee crashes and the like. The discussion accompanies an article by our very own Vaughan Smith about how he got into journalism, military minders and the importance of independent reporting,
Rolling Stone: Ann Coulter is a 'Skanky B***h-Wh**e' -- [NewsBusters]
Has American journalism degraded so far that a magazine with a circulation of over 1 million would allow one of its columnists, in an article about a Republican nominee for president, to refer to a popular albeit controversial author as a "skanky bitch-whore?"
Such was the case in the most recent issue of "Rolling Stone" wherein Matt Taibbi, in a tremendously defamatory piece about John McCain, also took the opportunity to vulgarly attack Ann Coulter whilst regularly besmirching conservative talk radio hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
