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Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs 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.
Success in Iraq -- [Michael Yon]
The war continues to abate in Iraq. Violence is still present, but, of course, Iraq was a relatively violent place long before Coalition forces moved in. I would go so far as to say that barring any major and unexpected developments (like an Israeli air strike on Iran and the retaliations that would follow), a fair-minded person could say with reasonable certainty that the war has ended.
Leaders Discuss Stability, Growth -- [MNF-I]
“It’s indisputable that the level of attacks is phenomenally low, and that’s great development,” Oates said during a Pentagon press conference at Camp Victory on July 10.
Sitting beside the American general, Maj. Gen. Ali Salih Farhood Oothman said he too is witnessing safer communities and an improved security force.
Is Iraq serious about a U.S. withdrawal timetable? -- [Reuters]
Iraq raised for the first time this week the prospect of setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces as part of negotiations over a new security deal with Washington.
Germany sends first minister to Iraq since invasion -- [Reuters]
...Germany opposed the invasion but his visit is the latest sign many foreign capitals are ready to upgrade ties with Iraq, where violence has fallen to a four-year low.
The 101st Airborne Division Help Iraqis Cool Off in Baghdad
Soldiers from 101st Airborne Division attending a pool opening at Zawra Park in Baghdad
The Lying Propaganda of the Islamic State of Iraq -- [Jawa Report]
To say that the al Qaeda front group known as the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) is full of liars is to repeat oneself. They do nothing but misinform, that is their mission.
The recent lengthy video release by the ISI, The Knights of Martyrdom III, reveals a couple of interesting things.
Anbar Waits -- [Abu Muqawama]
You may recall that late last month Anbar province, once the focal point for the Sunni insurgency and home turf of AQI, was supposed to be PIC'd (that is, pass from the Marines to "Provincial Iraqi Control"). Given Anbar's symbolic importance to the trajectory of the whole war, this is a big deal. Then there was a bombing. Then the Marines canceled the handover because of a sandstorm. Now . . .
Pressure on al-Qaeda in Iraq Increases, Networks Degraded -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — Coalition forces detained two wanted men and 10 additional suspects Saturday while pursuing al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and operatives in central and northern Iraq.
Sgt. Alex Jimenez~Update -- [GOE]
Body of missing Lawrence soldier found in Iraq
LAWRENCE - The body of Army Sgt. Alex Jimenez of Lawrence, who has been missing in Iraq for ore than a year, has been found.
Peaceful demo in Huweija demanding elections on time -- [Voices of Iraq]
Hundreds of Huweija residents on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration, calling on the government to hold Kirkuk's provincial council elections on time.
F16 Takes out Insurgents with a truck load of tubes
Prevent Israel from using Iraqi airspace in possible Iran attack, US told -- [Iraq Updates]
The Iraqi government has asked the United States to prevent Israel from using Iraq’s airspace in any possible attack on Iran, Gulf News has learnt.
IAF using Iraqi airspace? -- [Iraq the Model - Iraqi blogger]
The IDF and Iraq’s defense ministry deny that Israeli air force is using Iraqi airspace to prepare for attacks on Iran.
Taliban Assault Nuristan/Kunar; Nine Americans Dead -- [A Battlefield Tourist]
...This is the second time in a week where reports of civilians attacking Taliban militants. In northwestern Faryab Province, civilians killed two militants and chased ten more off when they tried to kidnap an aid worker. The dead included Faryab’s Taliban “shadow governor”.
Time for a surge in Afghanistan?
Troops in Afghanistan Need Help, Obama Says -- [NY Times]
Senator Barack Obama is proposing that the United States deploy about 10,000 more troops to battle resurgent forces in Afghanistan, a plan intended to shift the American military focus from the Iraq war to the marked rise in violence from the Taliban.
The Trouble With Pakistan -- [Strategy Page]
The Taliban and their al Qaeda allies are making a major effort to expand their influence beyond the Pakistan border and Helmand province (also along the border, but stretches inland to the city of Kandahar.) In the last month this has resulted in over a dozen suicide bomb attacks, which have mostly killed civilians.
Karzai opposes US use of Afghan soil against Iran -- [Reuters]
KABUL - Afghanistan opposes U.S. use of its territory for launching a possible attack against neighbouring Iran, President Hamid Karzai said in an interview broadcast on Monday.
Korea agrees in talks to disable nuclear reactor -- [AP]
North Korea agreed to disable its main reactor by the end of October and allow international inspections to verify its nuclear disarmament in a deal reached Saturday at the end of six-nation talks.
Ayatollah Emami-Kashani in Tehran Friday Sermon: "Oh Liar Israel! Oh Liar White House! If You Wish To Attack Iran, We Will Give You a Response That Will Make You Regretful" -- [MEMRI Blog]
several Iranian websites published an English translation of a Friday sermon given by senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-Kashani. In the sermon, Ayatollah Emani-Kashani insisted that Iran posed no threat and would respond to an invasion.
Behind The Headlines -- [Strategy Page]
Iran is a mess. The economy suffers from growing inflation (over 25 percent) and unemployment (ditto). Jobs are more available to those who behave and avoid outspoken opposition to the religious dictatorship that has ruined the economy and made Iran an outlaw state in the world community. The government uses police state tactics to harass or imprison trade unions and media that speak openly about the incompetence and cruelty of the government.
The "Patch" -- [THE CI-ROLLER DUDE]
...So, while I was goofing off in the office, I looked up the web site for the US military in Kosovo (KFOR 10). I was having a really hard time trying to figure out why we were still sending troops there. Then I looked at the top leaders they have there.... they have no "Combat Patch."
However, Kosovo is a hostile/ hazard duty zone...tax free. So, I figured it out. This is
Kuwaiti Daily: Hizbullah Arming Missiles With Korean-Made Chemical Warheads -- [MEMRI Blog]
The Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa reported, citing a Syrian opposition party in the U.S., that Hizbullah is arming its short-range missiles with chemical agents such as mustard gas and nerve gas, obtained from North Korea.
Foreign Courts Take Aim at Our Free Speech -- [WSJ - ARLEN SPECTER and JOE LIEBERMAN]
Our Constitution is one of our greatest assets in the fight against terrorism. A free-flowing marketplace of ideas, protected by the First Amendment, enables the ideals of democracy to defeat the totalitarian vision of al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.
That free marketplace faces a threat.
Military Courtesy Room Project -- [Emerald City Detachment, Marine Corps League]
We would like to make you aware of a special project that the Emerald City Detachment of the Marine Corps League has spearheaded at Syracuse International Airport. After noticing the large number of troops that were spending long hours waiting for flights, some even over night, two TSA agents, both Veterans, decided to do something about it. Coordinating with the Mayor's Office and the Commissioner of Aviation, a military courtesy room is being established at Syracuse's Hancock Airport. "The Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room" will be official opened on July 29th with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the Mayor, the Commissioner of Aviation, a multi-force Color Guard and a P-3 Orion with a crew of 18 who will be the first active duty service men to utilize this special courtesy room.
MomentOfThanks.com.
Soldiers’ Angels is proud to announce its affiliation with Moment of Thanks, a national platform for people to personally thank America’s Armed Forces for their service and sacrifice. Harnessing the gratitude of a nation, the goal is to send 100,000 support messages via the website MomentOfThanks.com.
HeraldNet: Everett woman's boxes for U.S. troops are packed with care -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
EVERETT -- Jody Harnish was responsible for an ambush in Afghanistan that left five Marines laughing and soaking wet.She should know. She supplied the water balloons.Harnish, 50, of Everett, volunteers with the Soldiers Angels, a nonprofit organization that sends letters and care packages to servicemen and women worldwide. Volunteers adopt soldiers, sending them home-baked cookies and comfort food packed with the nostalgia of home or other items they need."I've sent them just about everything.
Twelve 173rd ABCT paratroopers receive valor awards -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
At a ceremony at the Korengal Valley combat outpost Admiral Mullen presented five Army Commendation Medals with valor devices, five Purple Heart Medals, one Bronze Star with valor device, and one Silver Star to the paratroopers of the 2-503rd PIR, 173rd ABCT.
Marines awarded for heroism -- [3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd)]
Two Marines from Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (fwd), earned Navy and Marine Corps Medals for their heroic actions during a January 2007 building fire at Forward Operating Base al-Qaim. Sgt. Scott K. Piccoli and Cpl. Joshua S. Ybarra received the medals during a ceremony here
An Army That Learns -- [WaPo]
The U.S. Army has done something remarkable in its new history of the disastrous first 18 months of the American occupation of Iraq: It has conducted a rigorous self-critique of how bad decisions were made, so that the Army won't make them again.
Westboro Baptist Church Plans Tony Snow Funeral Protest -- [NewsBusters]
Dear God, please let the Patriot Guard Riders know about this ahead of time. The Phelps gang is ready to strike, and this is their intent. Please pass this along to all who can get the word out so we can stop these fools. According to their site, this is when it's going to happen and why:
Remembering Tony Snow by LTG William Caldwell. -- [SWJ]
Yesterday our Nation lost one of our finest leaders, Tony Snow, who passed away at age 53 after a long struggle with cancer. Tony was a man who was deeply committed to his faith, family, and to his fellow man. Tony also passionately supported our men and women serving in uniform and was deeply moved anytime he had the opportunity to speak with them and hear the stories of their bravery and sacrifice...
MICHAEL DEBAKEY, REFUGEE FROM THE JIHAD, R.I.P. -- [The Astute Blogger]
Pioneering cardiac surgeon, medical scientist, and medical educator Michael Debakey is dead at 99.
He was born in the United States because his parents were refugees from the jihad. From the New Duranty Times obituary
Happy Birthday, Kile -- [Miss LadyBug]
Today would have been Kile's 25th birthday. It's been just over a year now since Kile was lost. I was able to meet his mother, Nanette, last night at The Dell Diamond before the Express home opener against the Oklahoma Redhawks. She and some of Kile's friends were going to be doing a couple of things to celebrate today. At the time of Kile's funeral, his family requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made into one of two memorial funds they had set up.
Back in the USA -- [James Aalan Bernsen - home from Iraq]
Well folks, I'm back. I plan a blog entry to tell you all about the redeployment experience, but well, now that I'm home, real life is too fun to sit around blogging. But I'll try to put something up in the next couple of days.
173rd Airborne starts coming home -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
The advance parties are already home, and now the bulk of the 173rd ABCT's six battalions are starting to return.
AP Stringer Stands by as Taliban Murder 2 Women, Gets Snuff Footage -- [Jawa Report]
We would remind the AP that the act of the Taliban inviting a reporter to the murder means they wanted this news out there. The AP was clearly being used as a propaganda outlet for the Taliban.
Does this make him an accomplice or only a witness to the crime?
...AllahP makes a great point about the AP violating their own ethical standards. Also note his point about the difference between anti-jihad websites showing these images and the *neutral* territory provided by the AP.
Grim anniversary -- [Don Suber]
A year ago today, the New York Times said we should surrender even if that led to genocide in Iraq.
Today marks the first anniversary of the New York Times’s endorsement of genocide in Iraq.
Exhaustive Research At Sacramento Bee Characterizes 0.018% of Military -- [C.H.U.D. Busters - LT Nixon]
...The New York Times tried this several months ago, and it was not well received. The Sacramento Bee is seeking a more political bent with their journalism, as the front page article negatively reflects on the military in Iraq by stating that low-life criminals have literally slapped a uniform on and dragged their ball and chain to the sandbox.
Beats Workin' -- [Greyhawk]
Two decades ago my father passed away from colon cancer that spread to his liver.
...But the Washington Post launched one of the most disgusting CHUD attacks I've ever seen, something I couldn't let slide.)
Classless AP Takes Cheap Shots at Just-Passed Snow -- [NewsBusters]
The AP's story (saved here for future reference in case the wire service is embarrassed into revising it; you might consider saving it too as Exhibit A on how far over the cliff the dinosaur media has driven itself) by Douglass K. Daniel, with Jennifer Loven contributing (it figures), gets in at least three cheap, fundamentally untrue, and totally uncalled-for shots at Tony Snow, who died earlier this morning.
Bob Gorrell shows that for dominant media coverage of Iraq, "No news is good news" means "Good news is no news."· -- [Polistat]
Though "news" should state relevant facts, the nature of facts they redact shows why he derides they way they decide to tell what is "news" in Iraq. This column's intended to serve some kudos to Bob for his verve to show how the news is skewed by their views that far from reality swerve
Uproar over 'Barack as terrorist' New Yorker cover -- [Doug Ross @ Journal]
The New Yorker says it’s satire.... [Sunday Afternoon, Obama was asked] “The upcoming issue of the New Yorker, the July 21st issue, has a picture of you, depicting you and your wife on the cover. Have you seen it?
News Blackout -- NYT Ignores Momentous Pro-Jewish Court Case Win in France -- [NewsBusters]
French media loses big court case proving Palestinian propaganda false, New York Times ignores shocking story... Why?
Pandora's Box -- [Greyhawk]
Start turning over rocks (or picking them up to throw) and you find all sorts of creepy crawly things.
...As it happens, another commenter on that resulting post opened another door quite wide on details of atrocities committed years ago. But in looking at his source (an LA Times article from 2006) I realized that therein could be found the names of at least two men who could answer a lot of questions about their part in the 30+ year cover-up of those crimes.
AFL-CIO mobilizing veterans to oppose McCain -- [AP]
The AFL-CIO is mobilizing union members who are military veterans to work against Republican presidential candidate John McCain and other office seekers it opposes, officials said Thursday.
TOM MANION FOR CONGRESS -- [Gateway Pundit]
Tom Manion lost his son in the Iraq War.
Thomas Manion, a Republican who recently retired as a colonel in the Marine Reserves, entered the Congressional race for the 8th District in Pennsylvanian in January. His opponent is nasty antiwar liberal Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) who currently holds the seat.
OIF Vet Misrepresents Iraq on House Floor -- [Amy Proctor]
Democrat Patrick Murphy is a newly elected Congressman, representing the 8th District of Pennsylvania. He is also an Operation Iraqi Freedom vet and served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq from 2003-04.
My husband served with CPT Murphy in Iraq.
Obama declines to campaign in Da Hood? -- [Greyhawk]
...“I’m having extreme difficulty getting the Obama campaign to commit to this event, and we do not understand why,” said Ms. Picard, whose husband is deployed in Iraq.
Reverend Jackson Wants To "Cut Obama’s Nuts Off"
Senator Obama: Mission Illogical? -- [The Tank - Joel Arends]
...With all the good news coming from Iraq, where’s this so-called “change we can believe in?” It’s becoming clear that facts on the ground, the strategy adopted by our top-level commanders, and the desire of our troops to complete their mission all undermine the whole purpose of your candidacy.
Q: How Does America's Only Muslim Congressman Celebrate the 4th of July? -- [Jawa Report]
A: By going to Kenya. He spent the day with Barrack Obama's grandmother.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
