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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.
US forces to hand over Anbar control to Iraqis -- [Middle East Online]
US forces will hand over control of Anbar province to Iraqi troops in the coming days, military officials said Wednesday, touting improved security in the region.
Eat ‘em and Smile -- [The War on Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
So are you sure, are you damn sure, that you want her on the gun?"
"I believe she can do the job," Specialist Fishbowl says.
"I do too," Applesauce's team leader says.
I’m reluctant to concede to this. The last truck in the convoy has the important job of warning off oncoming vehicles and acting as the liaison truck with other convoys at the halt. A reliable, experienced person has to be on that gun. But my platoon is fresh out of experienced people and we have to settle for just reliable, or even unreliable and only marginally motivated.
"All right,” I say. “I respect your decision. I don’t want to do this, but I’m fresh out of options. I guess we're done."
Later that day, I see Private Applesauce as I walk back from the dining facility. I stop her.
"You know you got the gun on Vic Six for the next convoy, roger?"
"I know, sarn't."
I want to give her some encouraging words, something that she would remember years from now as words that changed her life.
"Well, don't fuck it up," I say.
"I'll do my best sarn't."
"No, don't do your best. I'm not going to write your husband and tell him you did your best. Just watch your lane and don't fuck it up. Your squad leader must really believe in you."
"Roger sergeant, I won’t fuck it up."
The Littlest Indicator -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
I was answering a question for a friend last night on identifiable progress in Iraq, and I began thinking about the definition of "progress". In graduate school thirteen years ago the political science buzzword for progress was "development", and of course that meant various things to various people depending on what their viewpoint was. Some, including myself, approached development from an economic standpoint, others looked at social or political conditions, still more were concerned with infrastructure. All of these are good indicators to consider when determining the development or progress that is taking place in Iraq.
While there is not a catch-all indicator of development, there is one that is pretty close,
Suicide attack foiled in Talafar -- [Voices of Iraq]
NINEWA, Aug. 29 – Policemen in Talafar on Friday thwarted a suicide attack with an explosive belt that targeted a mosque in the district, the Talafar mayor said.
Iraqi forces take control of Diala’s disputed town-military -- [Voices of Iraq]
DIALA, Aug. 28 (VOI) –Iraqi army commander on Thursday said central government troops are wrestling control of most of Diala’s disputed town of Khanaqin from Kurdish peshmerga forces.
"Iraqi soldiers are totally controlling the areas of Qara-Tapa, Jalawlaa, and al-Saadiya of Khanaqin suburb (155 km northeastern Diala province)," Brigadier Muneim Ali, commander of the Iraqi army 5th division 4th brigade, told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI).
"Senior figures of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK – President Jalal Talabani's party) in those areas received the Iraqi army troops with flowers," he said.
Kurdish forces refused Iraqi defence ministry orders to pull out of Kurdish-populated areas of ethnically divided Diala province where they have been deployed for the past two years.But then conceded Iraqi army deployment in some areas of the disputed town of Khanaqeen.
The deployment of Iraqi troops in Khanaqeen unleashed strong protest of Kurdish official, considering the measures as provocative and a political tool to influence Kurd’s stances in conroversial provincial polls law
Sting of Emeralds -- [Matel - in Iraq]
Plans to set up a string of oases were put on hold by the many conflicts Iraq suffered and provoked over the last generation. The old man I talked to got his agricultural education in Belgium a long time ago. He lamented the lost time and the encroaching desert, but what he felt most acutely was the isolation. Iraqi scientists lost contact with the rest of the world, during the Saddam tyranny and sanctions. They were unable to properly contribute to and benefit from the advance of knowledge in preserving arid lands, so their level of expertise is more than twenty years old. A lot has happened since then.
Contact -- [...feeling of absurdity... - in Iraq]
The vehicle in front of you is now replaced with a 100 meter dust cloud and your ears feel like they were just slapped all at the same time. What do you do?
Again with Anah -- [Matel - in Iraq]
Several members of the ePRT and representative of the RCT made a follow up visit to Anah, since I promised the mayor that I would come back with some experts to address particular things we had discussed. It is a follow up. Some of this entry will be similar to my entry re a couple weeks ago. Bear with me.
...After Al Qaim, Anah is the best run city in our AO. Some of the reasons are clear. Anah's mayor is someone who is competent, honest and who loves his city. The people of Anah mostly have come from someplace else, if for no other reason than that Anah physically moved around twenty years ago when the waters of Lake Qadisiya inundated the old city site. They are less tied to tribal loyalties and tradition than the inhabitants of most other areas in Anbar.
Grumpy Recommends: Hatch Gloves -- [Sgt Grumpy]
Before I deployed to Iraq, I looked at every tactical glove out on the market, but couldn't find what I was looking for. I needed a durable, functional glove, that would provide protection and comfort. We were often scrambling in and out of vehicles, and buildings, and even back in training my hands were getting hammered. But breathablity and comfort was as much of an issue - most gloves I tried made my hands sweat too much.
...If you have a Soldier or Marine going downrange who will be outside the wire, these make an excellent gift.
Hurricane Afghanistan -- [Michael Yon - in Afghanistan]
...Arriving at the Serena Hotel, my driver stopped at the front gate just as two armored vehicles with Turkish markings rolled up behind us. A hotel security guard came out excitedly, asking why we stopped. Meanwhile, heavily armed Turkish soldiers were piling out of their vehicles, guarding the armored car of a hotel visitor. The Turkish soldiers wore patches that say “ISAF,” or International Security Assistance Force. The soldiers were on high alert, and I wanted to be away from them in case of any drama, and so I unloaded the gear and headed to the front gate of the Serena Hotel. Earlier this year, according to an eyewitness who works as a waiter at a restaurant inside the hotel, two suicide bombers detonated themselves at the gate, killing four guards. The restaurant was a nearly perfect vantage point from which to see the attack unfold. The waiter told me that after the suicide bombers detonated at the gate, two men wearing police uniforms shot their way into the hotel, killing two people in the lobby, and then over to the health club where they killed two more before disappearing without a trace.
A Soldiers Story - Argylls in Afghanistan part 3
NEFA Foundation: Interview with Sirajuddin Haqqani, Latest Zawahiri Audio Transcript, Written Responses from KSM/Khallad, Taliban Biography of the Late Mullah Dadullah -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The NEFA Foundation has published several new items on its website which will be of interest to counterterrorism researchers. First, the NEFA Foundation has obtained video of a conversation with Taliban Deputy Commander Sirajuddin Haqqani, the son of the infamous Afghan mujahideen leader Jalaluddin Haqqani. Though only in his early thirties, Haqqani is considered one of the most powerful Taliban military commanders in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and has been rumored as a possible internal political rival to the current Taliban administration of Mullah Mohammed Omar. Haqqani has freely acknowledged his role in organizing recent terrorist attacks in the Afghan capital Kabul, and his partnership with foreign fighters arriving from elsewhere in the Muslim world.
Too close for comfort.... -- [Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army]
First and most important: please say a special prayer for the Soldiers and their families of those over here. I can't say why, but there are people in special need tonight. Thank you.
We are about to enter a "bad" time of the year. Forgive me if I spell this wrong....but Ramidad is about to start. It's a month long religious fasting period that means a lot to them...Forgive me, I'm a Southern Baptist/Contemporary Christian so I'm not too up on that particular religion. All I know is that it raises issues with the safety of our Soldiers over here. It's pretty dangerous time of the year from what I understand. So please keep us in your prayers.
Report From a Forgotten War (4th in a Series) -- [TownHall - Oliver North]
HERAT, Afghanistan -- A Taliban sentry fired the first shots shortly after 2:30 a.m. as Afghan commandos and U.S. Special Operations Command troops surrounded the compound at Aziz Abad. Though the Marine Special Operations Team had employed a daring deception to achieve surprise, they were engaged heavily by gunfire from AK-47s and machine guns almost immediately after deploying at the objective.
Another Mission -- [The Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
I rode in the relatively bombproof confines of an RG31 MRAP, second truck in a four vehicle convoy.
...On the way back I had a perspective shifting conversation with an interpreter who was riding in the MRAP with me. I asked him about himself and he shared that he had a wife and two small sons in another city. He had worked for NATO forces for seven years and before that lived in Pakistan, having fled the country during the Soviet occupation. He talked about growing up during the Soviet-Afghan war and how he wants his sons to grow up in peace. “I don’t care about my life, I do everything for my sons.”
Maybe I’ll post more on that later, but it put a human face on the war for me. Sometimes I feel myself slipping into an uncaring place, just wanting to get the hell out of here and leave this place behind. Listening to people’s stories gives color and meaning to the mission again.
Special visit -- [Staying in Touch - in Afghanistan]
The chief of the National Guard Bureau came to see his troops serving in Afghanistan during a very special visit on 26 and 27 August.
Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum was accompanied by National Guard Bureau Command Sgt. Major David Ray Hudson to see members of the New York National Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and soldiers from other states serving in Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII.
Fighting intensifies in Pakistan's Northwest -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Nine killed in IED strike in Bannu; 50 Taliban reported killed in Bajaur; Taliban and military take additional casualties in South Waziristan.
Pentagon Reports US Airstrike Killed 5 Afghan Civilians, Not 90 -- [WaPo]
"We did not kill up to 90 civilians as has been alleged," one US military official said. The review "comports with our operational understanding" of the ...
Walking the walk in Georgia, part II -- [Castle Argghhh!]
Castle Argghhh! has a correspondent (literally, someone who emails, vice someone I sent over for the purpose) on the ground in Georgia providing humanitarian assistance and a little eye on the ground.
The second report from Dr. Trish Blair, who is providing on-the-ground humanitarian assistance in the Republic of Georgia
Joint Task Force - East prepares for continual presence in Romania, Bulgaria -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Some of you know my fellow SA Germany volunteer Jessica (seen, for example, in the top photo here). That's her husband Mike towards the back of this photo on the right. He's the only one awake and reading ;-)
Joint training exercises have been carried out in Romania and Bulgaria since the fall of the Soviet Union. But ten-year agreements signed in 2005 and 2006 allow for larger-scale deployments and a continual presence in both countries.
The agreements also permit ...
Russia 'could destroy NATO ships in Black Sea within 20 minutes' -- [RIA Novosti]
Russia's Black Sea Fleet is capable of destroying NATO's naval strike group currently deployed in the sea within 20 minutes, a former fleet commander said on Friday.
Russia's General Staff said on Tuesday there were 10 NATO ships in the Black Sea - three U.S. warships, the Polish frigate General Pulaski, the German frigate FGS Lubeck, and the Spanish guided missile frigate Admiral Juan de Borbon, as well as four Turkish vessels. Eight more warships are expected to join the group.
"Despite the apparent strength, the NATO naval group in the Black Sea is not battle-worthy," Admiral Eduard Baltin said. "If necessary, a single missile salvo from the Moskva missile cruiser and two or three missile boats would be enough to annihilate the entire group."
Russia, Iran to discuss Bushehr NPP completion on Sept. 1 -- [RIA Novosti]
A delegation from a Russian nuclear power construction company Atomstroyexport will discuss the completion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran on September 1, a company spokesman said on Friday.
Putin Accuses U.S. Pushing Georgia Conflict to Influence Elections Back Home -- [FOX News]
The White House is rejecting Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's claim that the United States pushed Georgia to war, calling the allegation "patently false."
Putin had suggested that U.S. involvement was intended to affect its own domestic politics.
...Putin Accuses US Pushing Georgia Conflict to Influence Elections Back Home
The Reason To Delay Air Force One... -- [BlackFive]
True story, via Seamus, about President Bush on his way to "Asia" (read Olympics):
I learned a big lesson on service Aug. 4, 2008, when Eielson had the rare honor of hosting President Bush on a refueling stop as he traveled to Asia .
An incredible amount of effort goes into presidential travel because of all of the logistics, security, protocol, etc ... so it was remarkable to see Air Force One land at Eielson on time at precisely 4:30 p.m.--however, when he left less than two hours later, the President was 15 minutes behind schedule.
That's a big slip for something so tightly choreographed, but very few people know why it happened. Here's why....
We need your help to continue supporting the medics and patients -- [Soldier's Angels - Medical Support]
It's night time, this injured soldier just arrived at the E/R after an medevac flight on a helicopter, where the dedicated medics will do their best for him. After that, he'll be transferred to a larger hospital, then probably evac'd to Germany and eventually back home. His recovery may be quick, or might take a life-time. And at every step, Soldiers Angels will be there to assist.
We support front-line medics, Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar and Krzygstan. Soldiers Angels members volunteer at all the major US military hospitals, and we have extended our assistance to VA hospitals and Fisher Houses all over the US.
We need your help to continue our mission:
SA and Bikin on the Block -- [Soldiers’ Angels Louisiana]
I wanted to let everyone know what Acadiana SA’s have been doing. Every month we have a table setup at Cajun Harley Davidson in Scott. We do this to have cards made and signed for the troops. This month it is the 105th Birthday of Harley Davidson.
Road 2 Recovery -- [Thunder Run]
Road 2 Recovery is a program designed to help make a difference in the lives of vets by assisting with their mental and physical rehabilitation programs.
Longtime frined of this Blog Danjel Bout award winning author of the blog 365 Days and a Wake that cronicled his time in Iraq send this personal message about the validity of this program along with a plea for help.
28 August 2008 - David Hardt -- [Blog-ah]
...I often receive e-mails from soldiers struggling with PTSD. Many of the stories they share with me are similar to the one above. One young man, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is still in his unit and is scared his chain of command will see him as weak, said, “I just got back from deployment, and I feel like I don’t belong here. People don’t understand me, and when I act out they think I am being disrespectful. That’s not the case. I just can’t get these emotions under control. I hate how I am; I just can’t turn off that switch.”
The Switch
Some of you may be wondering what that switch is while others, namely combat troopers, know that terminology rather well. For some,...
My PTSD Catharsis Channel -- [A Soldier's Perspective - Roman General]
My writing here triggers me on a continuous basis with the issues of combat and war. I have had therapy for years to move beyond all of my core issues except my war experiences. It took me "growing" up through the cognitive-behavioral restructuring of my childhood to adulthood within the safe place of therapy. When I started writing within this blog I began the "therapy" and reintegration of my combat and wartime issues.
Order your Holiday Freedom Cake -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
Modeled on their successful and ongoing Freedom Calk effort that has sent 5,000 cakes to deployed troops, Bake Me a Wish and Soldiers' Angels are now offering the Holiday Freedom Cake. This is an opportunity to send a gourmet cake to family members, friends or clients while showing a service member that he or she is in also in our thoughts during the Holiday Season.
You Served - Military Blog and Podcast -- [Blogtalk Radio]
You Served is a popular military blog brought to you by VA MortgageCenter.com. Visit us for great posts from CJ Grisham, updates on your VA Benefits, and more! BTR is where we host our brand new podcast, hosted by CJ himself.
Federal jury acquits ex-Marine in Iraqis' deaths -- [MNBC]
Verdict is the first time a civilian jury has weighed in on the law of war
A former Marine accused of killing unarmed Iraqi detainees was acquitted of voluntary manslaughter Thursday in a first-of-its-kind federal trial.
The jury took six hours to find Jose Luis Nazario Jr. not guilty of charges that he killed or caused others to kill four unarmed detainees on Nov. 9, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq, during some of the fiercest fighting of the war.
Fort Lewis love fest: 4-6 Air Cav regiment comes home -- [The News Tribune]
Almost the entire Stilwell family showed up to welcome home Capt. Jacqueline Stilwell. A 2004 West Point graduate, she was the fourth consecutive generation ...
City hosts its biggest 'welcome home' yet -- [Naperville Sun]
The troops were primarily from the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines Reserve Unit made up of servicemen from Milwaukee and Chicago
CNN: How Can Sarah Palin Care for Her Chidren if She's Vice President? (Media Reax Thread) -- [Ace of Spades]
Women can do anything. Except if they're Republican women. In which case, how can they be so selfish as to put themselves in front of their children?
Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC... is decidedly funereal. Not feeling the excitement of this particular first.
NYT Buries Stadium-Filling Soccer Match in Iraq Inside Unrelated Bombing Story -- [NewsBusters]
What do you do if you're the New York Times and you're faced with having to report on an incident-free soccer match in Iraq that had 40,000 in attendance?
Why, you bury it in a totally unrelated story about a bombing, omit any mention of it in the headline, and hope against hope that only a few readers bother to reach the seventh paragraph.
Old Media Misses Rising Support for War in Iraq -- [NewsBusters]
Some how, the Old Media has missed the good news on Iraq. On August 27, the Rasmussen polling organization published a poll that showed American confidence is at its highest level ever in support of the War on Terror since they've begun tracking in January of 2004. This poll got little notice by the Old Media, of course
Matthews Insults Rice & Powell as 'Showcase Appointments' -- [NewsBusters]
Contrasting how Barack Obama won the nomination of the Democratic Party to how Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell achieved their successes, Chris Matthews insulted the aforementioned as "showcase appointments."
Happy Birthday Senator McCain -- [Redstate]
Happy Birthday to Senator McCain! Consider this your place to speculate wildly on VPs. Most recent updates: 1) Pawlenty is not going to be in Dayton; 2) Romney and Palin are; 3) No word on Cantor, Lieberman and other possibilities. ...
McCain-Palin ‘08: CNBC Reports McCain Has Picked Sarah Palin for Vice President -- [Blogs of War]
And now Fox News has confirmed Palin as well. It looks pretty certain now.
Charlie Wilson's Peace -- [WaPo - Charles Wilson]
...In a scene near the end of the movie "Charlie Wilson's War," after the mujaheddin victory over the invading Soviet military, congressional appropriators turn down my request for funds to rebuild Afghanistan's schools, roads and economy. If we had done the right thing in Afghanistan then -- following up our military support with the necessary investments in diplomacy and development assistance -- we would have better secured our own country's future, as well as peace and stability in the region.
In reality, this decision played out over several years and involved many people, but the scene makes clear what a mistake we made. Sure, the problems facing Afghanistan and the region were tough -- feuding warlords, the opium crop and the shift in our attention to the Persian Gulf War. But the Afghans, with our weapons, had done nothing less than help precipitate the collapse of the Soviet Union. And instead of intensifying our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to help the Afghans meet their postwar challenges, we simply walked away -- leaving a destroyed country that lacked roads, schools, and any plan or hope for rebuilding.
Into this void marched the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and we all know what happened after that. Today, fledgling democracies -- be it Afghanistan or Georgia -- face similar danger. We simply cannot make the same mistake.
The lesson here is about more than the good manners of reciprocating a favor. It takes much more to make America safe than winning on the battlefield. Had we remained engaged in Afghanistan, investing in education, health and economic development, the world would be a very different place today.
Obama's Night -- [Real Clear Politics]
It was a remarkable scene last night. The mood of the crowd, the stagecraft, the pageantry and the sheer enormity of the stadium made the evening feel like a cross between Lollapalooza, The Oscars, and the closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.
Obama's speech was brilliant: ...He made one mistake, though
McCain Responds
King Georgia -- [Weekly Standard]
"You can't truly stand up for Georgia," Obama said tonight, "when you've strained our oldest alliances."
It's worth unpacking this statement. First, it's a clear indication that, despite what some bloggers say, Russia's invasion of Georgia truly is, yes, a world-historical event that has wormed its way into the presidential campaign and seriously troubles foreign-policy thinkers on both sides of the aisle.
Second, Obama makes no sense. The implication is twofold: that McCain, who speaks with Mikheil Saakashvili daily, has not "truly" stood "up for Georgia." Please. McCain has so stolidly backed our democratic ally during this crisis that some of Obama's cohorts accuse him of warmongering. How has Obama stood up for Georgia?
Their Brass Band -- [NRO - Jay Nordlinger]
At the Democratic convention in 2004 — Boston — the party stuffed the stage with every senior military person who supported Kerry. They no doubt rounded up every last one of them. And they all stood on the stage, saluting. Remember Adm. Stansfield Turner and that bunch? I think they were all there, except maybe Gene LaRoque.
Anyway, I said that if the Republicans pulled the same act — paraded all the military people who supported them — they would need a bigger room than Madison Square Garden.
Well, the same thing happened this year.
Do You know Enough to Elect Barrak Obama?
Virtual Patriotism -- [Vets for Freedom]
Denver — Having the opportunity to sit courtside at the Democratic National Convention the past few days has afforded me many opportunities to examine what is wrong with our national dialogue over the war.
...The complete disconnect to why we serve and why we volunteer to do what we do devastates me. I see the anger over the war in these delegates. I have tried desperately — and in vain, thus far — to connect with these angry protesters who, in the guise of passion for American greatness, violate the sanctity of those who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan.
If it were not for this political season, 80 days from a presidential election, would any of this be on display? This is a party whose leadership, for the first time in American history, is unified to stop a war in the midst of the fight. They have tried to defund, derail, and dissuade the American military from the strategy of the surge that has undeniably won the war in Iraq.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are 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.
Fewer Marines needed in Iraq's western province -- [AP]
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Marine commandant said Wednesday that his forces in Iraq's once-volatile western Anbar province can be reduced, as the military moves to hand over control of the region to the Iraqis next week. Gen. James Conway, who visited Iraq this summer, told a Pentagon news conference that the two main ground combat units in Anbar, known as Marine regimental combat teams, represent more than enough force to maintain security once the Iraqis take over because violence has continued to drop.
2 Iraqi officials accused of aiding al-Qaida -- [AP]
BAGHDAD (AP) -- A university president and a top local official in a restive province north of Baghdad are suspected of giving weapons and government cars to al-Qaida in Iraq insurgents, according to arrest reports obtained Wednesday....
Soldiers Offer Microgrants, Security While Patrolling Streets of Sha’ab -- [MNF-I]
During a routine patrol around the area, he points to several areas that need improvements – a park here, a new store sign there; even Sons of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq) checkpoints are on his radar for upgrading.
“(We’re) showing the people that we care about them, and we care about the future and trying to put money into the environment – treating them with dignity and respect
Conference Focuses on Future of ISF -- [MNF-I]
As insurgent attacks have slowed dramatically in the past ten months, new IA units have stood up at a rapid pace. The coalition troop surge gave the ISF a chance to accelerate their growth, said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick, commander of Multi-National Security Transition Corp - Iraq.
An ethical dilemma. -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
I have a small sum of money, collected by force from the US taxpayers, given to me for the expressed purpose of spending it on the Iraqi Army in order to improve their performance in some essential way. As General Petraus says, "money is bullets in Counter-insurgency."
No problem. I am all over that. There are lots of things I can spend this money on to make my IA unit more effective. They need everything.
Detainee Release -- [Something on the staff - in Iraq]
One of my many extra duties is to supervise detainee release. For whatever reason, we release individuals from Coalition custody after they’re deemed “no longer a threat to the Coalition or Iraqi people.” So, I get the call that around 50 detainees will land in my little slice of Iraqi heaven, and I need to be out there at fricking midnight to meet the helicopters. Why midnight? Because it’s inconvenient, nothing is ever easy in Iraq…and I hate helicopters. My Iraqi Army partner, and a dozen of his soldiers, sat out by the helicopter landing zone and waited for the detainees.
Child Brides -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
One of our Iraqi security operators took the day off yesterday so that he could attend his brother's wedding in a nice hotel in Baghdad. I asked him how the event went and he said that it was great, even some of the western media showed up for whom his brother works. I asked him, out of curiosity how old his brother was, and he replied 27. Then I asked about the bride, "oh, she's 14". Huh?! This is normal here in the Middle East, and you hear stories all of the time of children even younger than that, some as young as 11-years old, being married off to older men. Our co-worker claims that she loves her new husband, his brother, very much. One of the guys retorted that only last week she loved The Magic Pony. In my opinion the entire practice of child brides is an extreme form of human rights abuse.
U.S. delegation in Falluja to meet officials -- [Voices of Iraq]
ANBAR, Aug. 27 (VOI) – A U.S. congressional delegation on Wednesday arrived in Falluja to meet with several officials over local issues, the head of the city's local council said.
Defense minister arrives in Diala to supervise security operation -- [Voices of Iraq]
DIALA, Aug. 27 (VOI) - Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qader Mohamed al-Ubeidi arrived in Diala on Wednesday to supervise Operation Bashaer al-Kheir (Promise of Good), the commander of the operations said.
Reservoir Dogs -- [Matel - in Iraq]
Tell those terrorists we're coming ... and hell's coming with us.
No further comment. We just liked the picture and it reminded everybody of that movie.
60 Minutes -- [Matel - in Iraq]
I understand the 60 Minutes episode I saw today about Hadithah originally aired in March 2007 and I suppose it reflected the situation at the time. But it is amazing how much things have changed and some mention of that in the follow up segment might have been nice.
The 60 Minutes segment shows the bad old days in Hadithah. They said that most people in Hadithah are hostile to coalition forces. Back then maybe; today things are different. I walk through Hadithah a lot.
Return from Iraq -- [Ventura County Star’s Scott Hadly, Ben Preston]
As the world has watched the Iraq War drama unfold over the past five years, public interest has dwindled. So too has the number of reporters covering the people whose lives are affected by war. In fact, the number of embedded reporters in Iraq has gone from more than 600 at the war’s outset to less than a dozen as of the end of July. With large newspapers sending fewer and fewer reporters to the Middle East, it is almost unheard of for a local paper to do so, but Ventura County Star reporter Scott Hadly just spent July embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq.
...The experience in Iraq opened his eyes to myriad issues, from the family problems experienced by soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen having to serve multiple tours, to the tenuous political situation in Iraq, to the challenges faced by the individuals whose country has been destroyed by war. “It would be presumptuous to go over there and say, ‘This is the situation in Iraq.’ What you’re really looking at are all these people.”
It may surprise some, perhaps, that Hadly said that being there did not make it any easier for him to understand the big picture in Iraq. But the dynamic between different kinds of people living life there was illuminating. “I think it’s a shame that we don’t do more stories.
Erik Swabb is interviewed about the Back to Iraq Program
Baghdad's misguided crackdown on Sahwa -- [LA Times]
Baghdad's misguided crackdown on the Sons of Iraq
Prime Minister Maliki's Shiite-dominated government risks security gains by taking on U.S.-backed Sunni forces.
Shawn Bryam with the 10th Mountain
The Taliban ‘Advance’: No Time To Wobble -- [RUSI]
This week’s violent encounter in Afghanistan’s Surobi district is a timely example of how a tactical event can have strategic impact. In this case, it brought a Head of State rushing to Kabul and it generated some unscheduled messages of France’s clear determination to support the ISAF mission, an outcome which some may say, cannot be seen as a Taliban victory.
UAV Predator Takes Out Taliban IED Emplacement Team With A Hellfire Missile In Afghanistan
UAV Predator Viporize IED Emplacement Team With A Hellfire Missile In Afghanistan.
Eight killed in Islamabad bombing -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Eight Pakistanis were killed and more than 20 were wounded in a bombing inIslamabad. The Taliban attempted to assassinate the senior US diplomat in Peshawar. Pakistani forces claimed to have killed a senior Taliban leader in Swat. The Taliban banned foreign media from visiting North Waziristan.
The Nangarhar Provincial
The Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team and how they bring supplies to the people in that area
Afghan Police Find Body of Japanese Aid Worker -- [VOA News]
Afghan officials say police have found the body of a Japanese aid worker, kidnapped Tuesday in eastern Nangarhar province.
Officials said Wednesday that it appeared Kazuya Ito was shot to death.
Redemption Song -- [Jules Crittenden]
Hero with a dark past makes good, in Afghanistan and back home. The decorated National Guardsman combat vet who saved a critically injured motorcyclist’s life is an ex-cop who did time for assaulting his girlfriend. Commenters at the Herald site think it’s unfair to note that past, but at least a couple seem to get there’s a bigger story here.
Dear Mom, -- [Embrace The Suck]
[First and foremost someone needs to make sure that my computer illiterate mother reads this entry, I don't really care who, just someone make sure that she sees this after I go...hint, hint, HINT]
Dear Mom,
I am sitting here across the hall from you worried about how you are going to deal with the next year with me being gone and in Afghanistan. There is really nothing that I can do to alleviate the fears that you have for the welfare of your eldest son. All I can really say that will mean much of anything is this...
Rules and Easy Step By Step Instructions -- [The Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
I thought this was amusing-- very specific guidelines on how to use the latrine. These are posted inside each toilet stall. This was taken seriously too-- no one wants to mess with the first sergeant there. He means business.
Aafia Siddiqui’s son in Afghan custody -- [Daily Times]
WASHINGTON: US authorities have confirmed that the 11-year old boy they claim to have captured with Dr Aafia Siddiqui in Kabul is her son Ahmed.
According to a report in the Washington Post, in a letter to Siddiqui’s family, US authorities said that photos and DNA tests strongly suggest that the youngster in Afghan custody is Siddiqui’s son Ahmed. The boy is claimed to have been detained on July 18 when Afghan police arrested Siddiqui near a government compound in Ghazni. Siddiqui and her three children disappeared in 2003 in Karachi. She had set out from her mother’s home on her way to the airport to take a flight to Islamabad, but she never arrived. Inexplicably, her family did not lodge a missing person report with the police. She is now in a federal prison in New York, charged with attempted murder.
World Trade Center Steel From NYC Arrives In Shanksville -- [9/11 Families]
At 7:00 a.m. yesterday morning, the Fire Family Transport Foundation launched from Floyd Bennett Field on Long Island to escort a cross of steel from the destroyed World Trade Center to the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Company. The foundation provides medical transport to firefighters, family members, and wounded warriors.
...Hundreds of current and retired FDNY firefighters left Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field at about 7 a.m. to escort the girder on the 311-mile ride to Shanksville, Pa., where Flight 93 crashed.
New York's 9/11 Site Needed Not a Moses but a Logue -- [WSJ]
As we approach the seventh anniversary of 9/11, it is clear that the rebuilding of Ground Zero has failed. A recent editorial column in this newspaper by Daniel Henninger made the sad and insightful observation that even the coming together inspired by that awful event came apart as the process itself unraveled. He called the rebuilding arguably the greatest political and bureaucratic fiasco in the history of the world.
The Truth About Russia in Georgia -- [Michael Totten - in Tbilisi, Georgia]
Virtually everyone is wrong. Georgia didn't start it on August 7, nor on any other date. The South Ossetian militia started it on August 6 when its fighters fired on Georgian peacekeepers and Georgian villages with weapons banned by the agreement hammered out between the two sides in 1994. At the same time, the Russian military sent its invasion force bearing down on Georgia from the north side of the Caucasus Mountains on the Russian side of the border through the Roki tunnel and into Georgia. This happened before Saakashvili sent additional troops to South Ossetia and allegedly started the war.
US, Russia anchor military ships in Georgian ports -- [AP]
BATUMI, Georgia (AP) - A U.S. military ship loaded with aid docked at a southern Georgian port Wednesday, and Russia sent three missile boats to another Georgian port as the standoff escalated over a nation devastated by war with Russia. The dockings came a day after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recognized two Georgian rebel territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, prompting harsh criticism from Western nations.
Russia threatens military response to US missiles -- [AP]
MOSCOW - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is warning his country may respond to a U.S. missile shield in Europe through military means.
Medvedev says that the deployment of an anti-missile system close to Russian borders "will of course create additional tensions."
Soldier's nonprofit group helps Georgian orphans -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
At the Tbilisi orphanage, Gozy wasn’t on official Army business during the Sunday night visit. Instead, the Hohenfels, Germany-based soldier was there as a volunteer to check up on how the children were doing since he last saw them a few days before the trouble started.
For Gozy, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, the idea of helping out children began in 1994.
...his foundation donated $40,000 worth of school supplies to 20 schools, Gozy said.
Real Pravda About Russia in Georgia, Part II -- [BlackFive - Laughing_Wolf]
This is part two of Mzia's guest post on her experiences, and her family's experiences, with Russia in Georgia. Please read this, then go back and re-read Michael Totten's piece again. My thanks to Mzia, her husband, and her family for this.
Iran And the Paper Submarine -- [Strategy Page]
Iran has announced that is has begun production of a new class of submarines that can fire both torpedoes and missiles. Iran has, as far as anyone can tell, no submarine building capability. Over the last few years, Iran has announced several new submarine construction projects. But no one can find any evidence that any of these subs exist. But all this is nothing new for the Iranians.
Bad Day to be a Terrorist -- [Jawa Report]
Yesterday was a bad for terrorists worldwide. 110 MILF terrorists killed in the Philippines, clashes between the taliban and Afghan security forces left 40 taliban dead after air-strikes were called in. And almost 50 taliban were killedby Pakistani security forces near the Pakistan-Afghan border.
Belliraj: I Delivered Bin Laden’s Letters -- [MEMRI Blog]
Abdelkader Belliraj, the Moroccan suspected of being terror cell leader, has acknowledged holding talks with Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman Al-Zawahiri before 9/11 on a new strategy for operating sleeper cells.
He also said that he had met with an Al-Qaeda emissary in Europe and given him letters from bin Laden on structural change in Al-Qaeda and on the Salafi Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) joining Al-Qaeda.
Terrorism Financing Is Still Big Business Even If Terrorist Attacks Sometimes Are Carried Out on the Cheap -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
There is a common misperception that terrorism can be carried out on the cheap and that small terrorist cells simply raise their funds locally making it extremely difficult to detect. This seems to be the thesis of a number of recent articles, including one a few days ago in the Washington Post. They maintain that terrorist groups simply avoid bank transactions, making current financial controls inutile. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Al Qaeda Media Massacre -- [Strategy Page]
August 27, 2008: Over the last few months, al Qaedas Internet propaganda department has been virtually destroyed. The most visible evidence of that is the sharp decline in al Qaeda press releases (often accompanied by vids of attacks on U.S. or Iraqi troops). Last year, there were as many as 200 of these items a month. Over the past few months, this fell over 90 percent.
Google Earth Maps & Terrorism -- [ROFA Six]
Google Earth has been a boon for the average person who wants to take a look at some place in the world. When something newsworthy happens in the world, there is nothing that lets one get a feel for the ground quicker than a closer look using Google Earth. For instance, when the Russian-Georgia Conflict kicked off, one blogger mapped the conflict using Goggle Earth. It put tactical aspects of the conflict and challenges to relief efforts into perspective so much faster than reading about it.
But Google Earth also has a potential darkside. It provides a means for a terrorist to have free overhead surveillance of a place they want to attack. Surprisingly, it took until 2006 before it was confirmed that Al-Qaeda terrorists were using Google Earth for attack planning in Iraq and Yemen.
Vietnam Vet honors families of those serving today -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
...by learning to sew and making Blue Star and Gold Star Service Banners which he sends to the families. He's former Marine Rod Robeson who was chosen by ABC News as Person of the Week back in March.
...I would also like to give a big shout out to this chapter of the Blue Star Mothers, for their generous, enthusiastic, and ongoing support of our mission at Soldiers' Angels Germany. Thank you Tina, Treasurer Linda Tackett, Vice President Rosemarie Annese, President Sharon Bouchard, and all of the members of this wonderful chapter. You rock!!
Nominate an Outstanding Military Spouse to Be 2009 Honoree -- [Soldiers Angels Network]
PITTSBURGH, August 18, 2008 - Military Spouse magazine (MSM) today announced that it is now accepting nominations for its 2009 Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) award, sponsored by USAA. The MSOY honoree represents the millions of military spouses who are unsung heroes maintaining the homefront, giving back selflessly to their communities, and providing support to our nation's troops. Often, these spouses also have full-time jobs and raise families.
In recognition of their countless contributions, MSM will honor one exemplary military spouse from each service branch and also select one overall winner.
Deomgraphics in the Military: If You're Uncomfortable, You're the Problem -- [The Tank - Steve Schippert]
Via The Armorer at Argghhh!!!, a bit of truth about exactly who serves, dispelling the commonly held and media-driven myth that we are more often than not just barefoot hicks unable to find work elsewhere or poor saps just looking for college money. From the Heritage Foundation's latest report, "Who Serves In The U.S. Military: The Demographics of Enlisted Troops And Officers":
Ranking All Armed Forces -- [Strategy Page]
August 25, 2008: We recently updated the Armed Forces of the World database. The regional charts there give evaluations of the quantity and quality of each nation's armed forces in that region. The quantity of each combat unit has been derived from various open sources. Quality has been determined by evaluating historical performance. All armed forces are not equal, and this inequality has been expressed numerically.
Kid Rock, Earnhardt featured in Army Guard advertising campaign
The National Guard has enlisted two superstars to attract new members and remind those already serving what the Guard is all about through a new nationwide theater advertising campaign that debuts today.
The new “Warrior” campaign includes music from Kid Rock and features Dale Earnhardt Jr., the National Guard-sponsored NASCAR Sprint Cup driver.
Over the next two months, the “Warrior” video will appear in more than 3,000 theaters and on over 27,000 screens around the country.
Kid Rock song for the Army National Guard.
Army opens prep school for dropouts to fill ranks -- [AP]
FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Austin Swarner left high school to care for his mother while she fought a losing battle with cancer. Tony Brown wanted to begin supporting himself and left two classes shy of a diploma. Haelee Holden got tired of trying to make it through school while flipping burgers until 1 a.m.
But the U.S. Army, eager to fill its ranks amid wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, doesn't see them as dropouts. They are recruits who only need a GED before they're ready to begin basic training.
Retirement Party for the MH-53J PAVE LOW -- [Blackfive]
While we like to kid about the USAF at times, you will not get away with bad mouthing the 20th in our presence. The pilots, crew chiefs, and operators have pulled our men off of mountains, jungles, deserts - mostly at night during stressful conditions.
Cav Coming Home -- [Blog-ah]
Fort Lewis release – The 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment will return from a 15-month deployment to Iraq on Tuesday, Aug. 26. About 270 Soldiers from the unit will be reunited with their families, at a ceremony currently scheduled for approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in hangar 3063 at Gray Army Airfield.
In the U.S.A.!!!!! -- [Vince's experiences in Iraq]
He called at 1 a.m. to say he had landed in Baltimore! Yeah!!!!! A group of 15 to 20 people from a local organization meet every plane carrying returning troops. They take pictures, have posters and cheer. Vince was very moved and had a chance to talk with several of the folks there about what they do. He mentioned how all the Iraqis he had worked with were so appreciative of U.S. efforts there. They said they hear the same thing from all the soldiers returning. We don't get that report here!
Abrams Overlooks Ayers's Terrorism and Connection to Obama -- [NewsBusters]
During the 11 a.m. EDT hour of Tuesday’s MSNBC “News Live,” host Dan Abrams interviewed Reuters Washington correspondent John Decker about Senator Obama’s campaign seeking a criminal investigation against the American Issues Project over an ad which links Obama to terrorist Bill Ayers.
Boil Over at MSNBC Surrounding Iraq Timetable
Andrew Sullivan Mints a New Swift Vet -- [Patterico’s Pontifications]
Two-tour Green Beret Ted Sampley of the 2004 “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” is now targeting the Republican nominee with the group “Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain.” For some reason, Fox News is less eager to have him on the air than they were four years ago.
Ted Sampley was a member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth?? That’s news to me!!
I followed the link, and I think Excitable Andy misread the following passage:
Two-tour Green Beret Ted Sampley, who helped “Swift Boat” Democrat John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race, is now gunning for the GOP White House hopeful.
That’s hardly the same as saying that Sampley is a member of the Swift Vets.
Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
Bush steps up fight over congressional authority -- [AP]
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is raising the stakes in a court fight that could change the balance of power between the White House and Congress....
Petraeus For VP? -- [Dean's World - Dave Price]
I hadn’t thought that was even a remote possibility, but apparently his name is being bandied about.
Perhaps coupled with a one-term pledge from McCain, essentially making this a Petraeus for President campaign, he would certainly be a potent VP choice, especially given the current exceptionally high regard for the military among the public — if he accepted it.
Charlie Wilson's Slip -- [Real Clear Politics] HT: Glenn
Former Texas Rep. Charlie Wilson -- yes, that Charlie Wilson -- was speaking at an anti-war rally when he, um, flubbed a line: "We should be led by Osama bin Laden," he said, then quickly corrected himself. "I mean Obama and Biden."
John McCain on Leno
Attacking McCain on the P.O.W. Issue -- [Media Blog - Greg Pollowitz]
The latest you hear from the Left is that John McCain is using his P.O.W. story as a crutch to answer every attack, for example, when he used the line on Leno last night when asked about his houses:
...John McCain reminds voters that there are harder things to endure than scraping ice.
McCain: Vietnam and suicide
CNN's John King reports on Sen. John McCain's time as a POW in a Vietnamese prison camp. August 19, 2008
Ayers Unrepentant for Radical Group’s Violence in 1960s, 1970s -- [FOX News]
In the interview, conducted three years after the September 11 attacks, Ayers argued the U.S. government had carried out “many other acts of terror … even recently, that are comparable,” and claimed he and his bomb-planting comrades were “restrained” in their actions.
Ayers, now a professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago, served with Barack Obama on the board of the charitable Woods Fund of Chicago for three years and helped launch Obama’s political career in Illinois by hosting in his Hyde Park home an informal campaign event for the future state senator in 1995.
Ayers claimed the Weathermen were driven by “hope and love,” not despair, and said he did not think the group’s violent acts, targeting federal officials and local law enforcement officers, were “a big deal.”
Obama Camp Threatens TV Stations For Showing Obama-Ayers Ad (Updated) -- [Gateway Pundit]
The Obama Camp is threatening television stations for airing an anti-Obama ad that links the Chicago politician to his associate and friend of 20 years, terrorist Bill Ayers.
Do You know Enough to Elect Barrak Obama?
Bill Ayers: Unrepentant LYING Terrorist -- [The Corner - Andy McCarthy]
As I noted back in April in this article about Obama's motley collection of radical friends, at the Weatherman “War Council” meeting in 1969, Ayers' fellow terrorist and now-wife, Bernadine Dohrn, famously gushed over the barbaric Manson Family murders of the pregnant actress Sharon Tate, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, and three others: “Dig it! First they killed those pigs, then they ate dinner in the same room with them. They even shoved a fork into the victim’s stomach! Wild!” And as Jonah recalled yesterday, "In appreciation, her Weather Underground cell made a threefingered “fork” gesture its official salute." They weren't talking about scratching up the wall-paper.
BREAKING NEWS: ‘I Am The Surge’ Debuts at Democrat Convention -- [FSM - Pete Hegseth]
David Bellavia and I are at the Democratic National Convention informing delegates and the media about the dramatic success we witnessed in Iraq, and the need for victory on all fronts of the Global War on Terrorism.
Today we released a new television advertisement as part of our grassroots and media effort to educate the American public about the success of the surge in Iraq. The ad--"I am the Surge"--hits airwaves tomorrow and will run in the Denver media market this week,
I AM THE SURGE:
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are 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 violence calms, but is the war over? -- [Baltimore Sun]
Violence has largely subsided in Iraq. American casualties are at their lowest levels since 2003, and Iraqi forces are maintaining security in most of the country.
Is the war in Iraq over?
Iraq is a hot issue out on the presidential campaign trail, where Barack Obama and John McCain are squabbling over the genesis of the war and where to go from here.
But from the battlefield, U.S. combat commanders are giving some surprising answers.
Iraq football final before sellout crowd -- [AP]
BAGHDAD (AP) -- Tens of thousands of Baghdad football fans cheered on their club in the top league's final game, the largest sports crowd the city has seen since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003....
Iraq PM Wants Changes to U.S. Military Deal: Ally -- [Defense News]
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is demanding changes to a draft deal on the status of U.S. forces beyond this year, a key Shiite ally in the governing coalition said on August 24.
"There are points in the agreement that are still pending and they can't be approved without changes in order to preserve the complete sovereignty of Iraq," the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC) quoted Maliki as telling fellow Shiite politicians at a meeting on Saturday.
Talabani Watch II -- [The Corner - Michael Rubin]
Talabani still has not been seen in public since August 2, when he flew to the Mayo Clinic. Reuters reported almost two weeks ago that he had had emergency heart surgery. Three days ago, Agence France Presse had reported that Talabani had yet to return to Iraq. Today was the day that initial reports were to have Talabani in Iran, but he is not there, and the Iranian foreign ministry now says that the visit will only happen in the 'future.' No recent photos of Talabani have appeared in his own party's newspaper,
Maliki To Sunni Fighters: You're Done, Thanks -- [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Iraq's government is grateful to U.S.-allied Sunni fighters, but won't allow them to keep their weapons indefinitely, the prime minister said yesterday, hinting at a more intense crackdown on the Sunni groups.
In recent weeks, the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has gone after Sunni fighters despite their alliances with the Americans. Some leaders have been arrested, while scores of others have been disarmed and banned from manning checkpoints except alongside security forces.
Maliki's government has mixed feelings about Sunni tribes that rose up against al-Qaeda in Iraq, starting in 2007, and joined the Americans in the fight against the terror network.
Black and white in a grey land -- [Armed and Curious - in Iraq]
I am often amazed at how we like to see the world in black and white here in the United States. There is good and evil, sweet and sour, right and wrong. We tend to too easily categorize people and we do it in short sighted ways. You see much of the world is grey and Iraq is a place of many shades of grey. Often the bad guys are really bad and the good guys aren’t perfectly good. We have to figure out those distinctions to do business the right way there but often those distinctions are much blurrier than our American minds can see.
Female suicide bomber detained in Baqubah -- [MNF-I]
An unwilling female suicide bomber was detained in Baqubah Aug. 24 by Iraqi Police.
The unwilling suicide bomber surrendered to the IPs rather than detonating herself and potentially killing or wounding bystanders. After identifying the suicide vest on the 13-year-old female, IPs requested Iraqi and Coalition force Explosive Ordnance Disposal units to remove the vest.
After her detainment, the girl led IPs to a second suicide vest. The IPs secured the vest and detained the girl.
Officials reopen refurbished Jadriya Lake Park in Karadah -- [MNF-I]
An estimated 2,250 Iraqi citizens witnessed a step toward normalcy as local officials reopened Jadriya Lake Park in the Karadah district of eastern Baghdad Aug. 22. Joining those citizens at the reopening were the government officials, security force leaders, contractors and Soldiers who worked together to restore the lake and surrounding grounds.
Security Scene -- [VFF' Back to Iraq - Erik Swabb - in Iraq]
It was easy to be skeptical when Brig. Gen. Raheem, a Shia police chief in Baghdad, declared that his district was welcoming back Sunnis driven from their homes during the previous sectarian strife. Reconciliation between Sunnis and Shias in Iraq was supposedly nonexistent. When I pointed out to the general that it seemed easier to maintain security in one-sect districts, he dismissed the suggestion. If the original residents again lived in the neighborhood, he explained, they could identify any strangers and terrorists entering the area.
Bridge re-opens over Thar Thar Canal -- [Fearless 1st Marines’ blog] - in Iraq]
Iraqi Army soldiers operating in an area shared by Regimental Combat Team 1, escorted local sheiks and tribal leaders across a newly constructed bridge in the Bagharra region of Iraq, Aug. 19. The passage marked the re-opening of the Salem Bridge, an important link in connecting local citizens with cities on the other side of the Thar Thar Canal. Insurgents had demolished the original bridge with improvised explosive devices more than a year ago, forcing locals to travel nearly five hours to cross the canal. “Before this bridge opened, the people were suffering,” said 2nd Lt. Nasser Kazzoy, scout platoon commander with the Iraqi Army. “Now that the bridge is open, people can cross the bridge and get to the other side in five minutes.”
Rocks in a Hard Place Episode 6 (Mature)
The sixth of a weekly series of videos following the RAF Regiment on the frontline in Basra. II Squadron receives intelligence that insurgents are hiding rockets within range of the base and sends the...
Three senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders captured in Baghdad -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
A senior al Qaeda adviser, a district commander, and an adviser to Obu Omar al Baghdadi were captured during raids over the past two weeks. Both played a crucial part in al Qaeda's terror campaign in 2007.
Oil windfall, so why can't Iraq shoulder its own reconstruction burden? -- [IN-Iraq - Jim Foley - in Iraq]
Sunni tribesmen are being paid to not blow up critical northern pipelines. The Basrah oil fields in the south aren't being siphoned nearly as often. So now that Iraq is flush in oil profits, why can't it cover the full costs of its own reconstruction?
Rocks in a Hard Place Episode 7
A Flight enters into hostile territory to visit an Iraqi army post and gather intelligence. Close to a symbolic Shia shrine, the site was heavily bombed during the first Iraq war. Wary of local militias, the lads visit a nearby village bearing gifts for the school children.
Muntheria -- [Up Country Iraq - in Iraq]
As part of my ongoing collection effort, I spent some time out east on the Iraq-Iran border gathering information on Port of Entry Transition Teams (POETT). Closely related, but not quite the same, is the Border Transition Team (BTT). The BTT works with the Iraqi version of our Border Patrol, and the POETT works with the customs, passport, and immigration people at the (legal) border crossings (as my wife asked, "Do they really have people immigrating to Iraq?). The Port of Entry (POE) which I visited is called the Muntheria POE, which sits near a city called Khanaqin.
Command And Staff -- [THIS WE'LL DEFEND - in Iraq]
Well on to WHAT I DID TODAY. Right now I am sitting on the back ramp of an MRAP (I told you to look it up) in the parking lot of a National Police Battalion headquarters somewhere in Baghdad. Our team chief, the Major is trying real hard to get the Iraqi battalion leadership to be as excited about his project, adviser wise, as he is. His idea is that they hold a "Command and Staff" meeting once a week. Now this is a grand tradition in our Army, because we have learned over two centuries of mostly kicking ass that the way to do it more effectively is by having a bunch of officers locked in a room together,...
...what? -- [Somethign on the Staff - in Iraq]
Every so often I have these “…what?” moments with the Iraqi Army. Case in point, I went to find an Iraqi officer who was supposed to meet me for dinner. I sat down in his office and used my rudimentary Arabic on one of his brother officers. Then an Iraqi lieutenant colonel walks in and they talk amongst themselves. The first officer proceeds to whip out a tazer, and turn it on for his boss. It sparked and made a series of unfriendly cracking noises. I’ve never had a normal conversation that ended with someone whipping out a tazer. So there’s my first “…what?” moment of the day. I don’t speak that much Arabic, but I’m pretty sure the LTC said “Dude, that totally reeks of awesomeness, let me try.” The LTC grabs the tazer, turns it on and jokingly jabs the active tazer at his buddy. Ha ha! What fun.
My Long War -- [New York Times - Dexter Filkins]
I pulled on my running shoes and stepped into the sweltering streets. It was a Thursday in July 2003, twilight, and well over 100 degrees. I was feeling a little reckless. If this ended badly, the only thing anyone would remember was how stupid I was.
We had set up the New York Times office on Abu Nawas Street. We lived and worked there: an Ottoman-style house with a gated yard and a veranda on the second floor that looked out on a boulevard that tracked the eastern bank of the Tigris River. In those first days, we didn’t fortify the place; no razor wire or blast walls, no watchtowers or machine guns mounted on the roof. Cars motored past our front yard on their way to the Jumhuriya Bridge a couple of miles up the road.
In the beginning, Baghdad wasn’t that threatening.
Ironic -- [Playing in the Sandbox - in Iraq]
Whenever we do foot patrols around towns and I attract my usual entourage of Iraqi kids, the most common question they ask is whether or not I'm married and if I have a baby. Their method of inquiry transcends any possible language barrier - they point at my ring finger (or theirs) and say, "Madame? You, madame? Baby?" and then smile upwards at me with an irrational sense of hope and wonder in their eyes. At first I thought maybe they had picked up a few other English words besides "Give me" and "MisTAR!" and were able to get a reaction out of many soldiers who in fact do have wives and children and are likely more than happy to show off pictures of their families back home. But this happens everywhere I go. Everywhere
Birds Eye View -- [Another Adventure - in Iraq]
Here are a few pictures from the Med Evac. I took them in June. I had forgotten I had them.
We are the lead helicopter. The crumpled up baggy on the right of the picture is what we wrap patients in for transport. It's called a burrito wrap. Nothing like Taco Bell...
No News is Good News -- [Soldier's Mom]
No news lately - which to me is good news as I am sure it is to everyone else. Things are quiet as they are nearing the end of their deployment - it appears that they have made great strides in Diyala Province - something to be so proud of. It has been a long, long year for all of us at home, waiting, worrying and a lot of praying. I can't even begin to fathom how hard it has been on our soldiers and others to be so far from home and their loved ones. I do believe I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel though the prayers and the worrying will not stop until they all come home safely.
Too Much Time On Their Hands -- [Miserable Donuts - in Iraq]
That is what someone must have. Well, that and access to a whole bunch of stickers from their daughter or such.
Pakistan Bans Taliban -- [ROA]
Pakistan Bans Taliban
After a series of deadly suicide attacks by the taliban last week, the Pakistani government has banned the terrorist group. The ban will allow the Pakistani government to freeze the taliban's bank accounts and assests.
The last kiss, a Canadian wife shares her thoughts HT: SpouseBuzz
I found this a few months ago, and I really need to share it.
Govt rejects Taliban truce offer in Bajaur -- [TIN]
The government on Sunday rejected the offer of the Bajaur chapter of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan to unilaterally cease fire in the agency where fierce fighting between the security forces and militants has been raging for over two weeks, claiming scores of lives.
1-6 FA Patrols Nuristan Province (Mature)
U.S. Army Soldiers patrolling villages in the Nuristan Province. Scenes include Soldiers meeting with village leaders and administering aid to locals.
Sacrifices at home appreciated -- [Afghanistan Unfiltered - in Afghanistan]
The past couple of days have been pretty hard mentally. My mind is finally starting to grasp the severity of my situation. I am realizing exactly how long a year can seem when you are gone from your home.
I have spent a lot of time filtering through the memories that my wife and I have shared together. It seems like she has been the one monopolizing my thoughts.
Report From a Forgotten War: Third in a Series -- [Oliver North]
In Khost, 400 miles east of here, near the border with Pakistan, Taliban terrorists observed the anniversary by killing 11 of their countrymen in a suicide car bomb attack against a U.S. base and followed up with a human wave of suicide bombers unsuccessfully storming Camp Salerno.
Taliban Threat 'Underestimated' -- [Financial Times]
A senior French general in Afghanistan has admitted that the international security force has underestimated the threat posed by the resurgent Taliban.
Creating a $table Afghan future to bank on -- [Combined Joint Task Force - 101 - in Afghanistan]
U.S. forces here will now utilize commercial Afghan banking services, which will bolster Afghanistan’s economy by putting approximately $100 million worth of monthly-business transactions into private banks’ hands.
Omar Abdel Rahman Mans Anti-Aircraft Gun -- [Jawa Report]
Or: Why the Taliban are such shitty shots.
Yeah, that's Omar Abdel-Rahman the mastermind of the first World Trade Center bombing. Aka, the Blind Sheikh. And FYI: he lost his sight in childhood.
Mission 1 -- [The Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
On a sudden mission, so my posting may be sparse until I get back to my "home". I'm at a small outpost about 10 miles from Pakistan (no worries, a quiet location in 2008). I'll take some photos. It is VERY small. I was asked to visit this location to see a few soldiers who have been blown up by IEDs over the past two months. Going to assess their current status and make a treatment reccommendation which may include leaving here. At such a small location I need to be sure, because every person counts.
Rohullah Nekpa, the first ever Afghan Olympic medal winner -- [Deedenow Cinema Production - Afghan blog]
Congratulations to Rohullah Nikpa for his winning a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympic games on Wednesday. Rohullah beat the current world champion in the Tae Kwon Do martial arts contest, which made him the first Afghan ever to win an Olympic Medal. President Karzai phoned him with congratulations and offered him a free house in Kabul. Afghan Wireless awarded him a cash prize.
In an interview after the award ceremony, it is reported that Rohullah hoped above all that bringing a bronze medal back to Kabul will help guide his country to a peaceful future
Another Trip to Kabul and WHO is FREEDOM -- [Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army - in Afghanistan]
I finally go to take another trip to Kabul. I was really excited to go again. It was a last minute trip. I had been trying to find someone to support us so we get down there and get some medals picked up and the guys that I usually ride with came through for me on Wed. We left later in the day than I am used to leaving. It ended up being an easy ride to get there. We took the normal route to get there. Once I was there I made contact with my guy down there to let him know I was there would meet him at the warehouse when it opened to get the medals. That became a problem real quick. It was my third trip down there and you would think I would know where the heck the warehouse is.
Meanwhile, half a world away...
U.S. servicemembers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command arrive on the flight line in Tbilisi, Georgia, Aug. 18, 2008. The 21st is part of European Command's Joint Humanitarian Assistance Assessment Team which works closely with other elements of the federal government, international governments, aid agencies and Georgia to alleviate the suffering of the Georgian people affected by the conflict.
Raw: Another US vessel passes through Istanbul’s Bosporus Strait
Military Exercises Spur Warning -- [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
North Korea claimed Sunday that joint military exercises by South Korea and the U.S. last week were a rehearsal for an attack against it and warned it would repel any aggression and “mercilessly wipe out the aggressors to the last man.”
President Assad Wants a Cold War -- [PJM - Meir Javedanfar]
The guns have barely fallen silent in the conflict between Georgia and Russia. The two sides are still squabbling over the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Yet that didn’t stop President Bashar Al Assad of Syria from becoming the first head of state to visit Russia, where he declared his unyielding support for Moscow’s position regarding Georgia. “We understand Russia’s stance regarding the breakaway regions and understand that it came in retaliation to Georgian provocation,” he said.
VFW-Veteran's for Welfare? -- [A Soldier's Perspective - Roman General ]
I was reading an article on the website VA Watchdog dot org, where it's founder Larry Scott slams an unknown supposedly "active duty military officer with multiple Iraq deployments and continuing active duty career." The anonymous author of the posting goes on to trash our veterans benefits, specifically the new Web GI Bill.
Here is the comment:
I am an active duty military officer with multiple Iraq deployments and continuing an active duty career.
It is time for veterans to be intellectually and philosophically honest and oppose this new brand of federal welfare sweeping through Congress in the name of patriotism and “serving those who have served” and all the other platitudes that are greasing the skids of the rapidly expanding welfare state.
A Film Guides War Widows on the Hard Road Ahead - [NYTimes]
When your husband dies at war, the things he carried show up in six black boxes.
Each pair of socks, each T-shirt, each love letter is inventoried on 20 sheets of paper. Everything has been washed, so when you breathe in the scent of a shirt, it doesn’t smell like him.
When a soldier dies, grief is followed by immersion in the somber routines and protocols of a military death.
African American Representation in Officer Corps Declines. -- [John of Argghhh!!!]
EXSUM: This report finds that:
1. U.S. military service disproportionately attracts enlisted personnel and officers who do not come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Previous Heritage Foundation research demonstrated that the quality of enlisted troops has increased since the start of the Iraq war. This report demonstrates that the same is true of the officer corps.
