 |
|
 |
| 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.
Al-Qaeda In Iraq Splintering: Elvis Has Left The Building -- [Threats Watch - Steve Shippert]
This Washington Post report that Abu Ayyub al-Masri has, according to the Iraqi interrogation of captured al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders, fled Iraq for Afghanistan is perhaps the most significant report to come out of Iraq since the fall of Baghdad. It may not readily jump out at readers as such, but trust me when I stress that it is, and will prove such without doubt in due time for those who may question or doubt. Read it all and read it carefully.
...Pay close attention to the following excerpt from the leader of one of the splintered groups...
U.S. official: Iraqis told me WMDs sent to Syria -- [WND - Ryan Mauro]
Former head of prisons says incarcerated ex-Saddam forces disclosed move
A former American overseer of Iraqi prisons says several dozen inmates who were members of Saddam Hussein's military and intelligence forces boasted of helping transport weapons of mass destruction to Syria and Lebanon in the three months prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Don Bordenkircher – who served two years as national director of prison and jail operations in Iraq– told WND that about 40 prisoners he spoke with "boasted of being involved in the transport of WMD warheads to Syria."
U.S. Deaths In Iraq Fall To Lowest Of the War -- [WaPo]
Five American troops died in July as a result of combat in Iraq, by far the lowest monthly U.S. death toll of the five-year war.
The decline in American deaths highlights improvements in security that are widely attributed to three factors: a cease-fire by the country's largest Shiite militia, the decision of former Sunni insurgents to join with U.S. troops, and the buildup of American forces.
October 28, 2007 - Change in the Weather -- [Greyhawk]
...The narrative on Iraq - the one you see in the media, that is - is changing. Claims that "we've lost" and that American soldiers have been beaten by opponents who are righteous heroes or nine-foot tall and bullet proof are being quite subtly shifted to arguments that no potential victory (if even grudgingly acknowledged) could be worth the price. This argument may prove irresistible to those who've invested heavily in defeat.
What If Iraq Works? -- [RealClearPolitics]
There is a growing confidence among officers, diplomats and politicians that a constitutional Iraq is going to make it. We don't hear much anymore of trisecting the country, much less pulling all American troops out in defeat.
Critics of the war now argue that a victory in Iraq was not worth the costs, not that victory was always impossible. The worst terrorist leaders, like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Muqtada al-Sadr, are either dead or in hiding.
The Future of Iraq -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
This is commercial being shown on Iraqi television - you know, the kind of television that was banned under Saddam Hussein. For me, this makes what I and my fellow Soldiers did totally worth it.
Day 41. Catch and release -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
We watched a prisoner release today.
There is a program of reconciliation. It recognizes that not all the people detained as insurgents are guilty of doing anything really bad. If they have not killed anyone, they can be released. Their local sheik has to take responsibility for their future actions and conduct.
Partial solar eclipse in Iraq today -- [Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network]
Arab countries including Iraq will witness a partial solar eclipse today. Experts noted that light will darken in regions covered by the eclipse as a black spot will appear in the sun being the moon’s umbra. They warned people not to look directly into the sun for it harms their vision. To view the video report of this article, click on play movie
Your Filthy Little Mouth -- [The War on Big Tobacco - in Iraq]
Every platoon has one. He is that private or specialist who always has that one sarcastic sidebar comment. He is the kid who agrees to do a detail and then complains about why he was picked afterwards. He is the one who could be such a good soldier if only he would keep his mouth shut.
Mine is Private Jell-O. [OPSEC]
Apparently I Can Be Trusted - [Brad's Excellent Adventure - in Iraq]
...So it turns out that the whole exercise of extending for another tour was unnecessary, and I could be on my way home for good instead of just going on leave before coming back for another year. But hindsight is 20:20, and there was no way to know that at the time the decision had to be made. Now I’m way past the point of no return. And just a couple of days ago I got a recruiting email advertising a Senior ROTC instructor position at Montana State University in Bozeman....*sigh*.
U.S. Troops Winning Hearts and Minds in Iraq
Iraq warns Iran of interfering in its internal affairs -- [Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network]
A number of lawmakers welcomed Iraq’s Foreign Ministry warning to the Iranian Consulate calling not to interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs. To view the video report of this article,
Iraqi women call for eviction of Iranian regime from Iraq,
Dozens of Iraqi women associations and organizations including the Women branch of the National Accord Movement and women branch of the National Dialogue Front in a session held in Ashraf City declared their support for the Iranian Resistance and called for eviction of Iranian regime from Iraq.
Just Plain Wrong -- [A Major's Perspective - in Afghanistan]
In his latest column published in the NY Times he starts off like normal, making a great deal of sense. But, then towards the end he goes off into almost a tangent that is just plain wrong and down-right incorrect. (NY TIMES) :
First off I cant even begin to comprehend his comment about not enough Afghans wanting to fight and die for their country. I have watched the groups of Afghan Citizens sign up for basic training and advanced training to go off and fight and die for their country. In addition I have also met large numbers of well-to-do Afghans that returned from Europe and the United States to fight and die for their country. So in this area, this is just not a true statement.
Secondly ...
MOD Police see progress in Afghanistan -- [ROGUE GUNNER]
The first visit to Afghanistan by the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has seen officers help train newly-qualified local police in some of the most dangerous locations in Helmand Province
Al Qaeda says Bagram escapee killed in U.S. bombing -- [Reuters]
An al Qaeda field commander who escaped from a U.S. prison in Afghanistan in 2005 was killed in a recent U.S. bombing, an al Qaeda leader said in a statement posted on the Internet on Thursday.
US: Pakistani intelligence behind attack on Indian embassy -- [Hot Air]
According to American intelligence services, the July bombing of India’s embassy in Afghanistan was masterminded by the ISI, Pakistan’s own intel service which many suspect of aiding radical Islamist terrorists in the FATA. The attacks killed 54 people, and the news puts more pressure on the Gilani government to take action against its own spy service:
ISI [hearts] Haqqani -- [Abu Muqawama]
That the ISI maintains relationships with some rather unsavory folks in the tribal areas is old news. What does seem to be new is the intensity of American pressure and an implied suggestion that ISI elements may have been involved in the bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul earlier this month. To Charlie's mind, it seems rather implausible that ISI actions are fully sanctioned by the new Pakistani government and more likely that it's going off the reservation
General (R) McCaffrey's latest AAR - this one from Afghanistan -- [John of Argghhh!]
...If anything - as GEN(R) McCaffrey sees it - there is at least as hard a slog ahead in Afstan as we've seen in Iraq, and we're going to need our friends and allies to step up with money, guns, and people, and the intent to use them. That provides the security environment for the most important piece - establishing a functional civil government, and that is going to take more people, more money, and more time. Which will probably ...
American Interpreter Returns to Homeland -- [ubdumb]
American interpreter returning to his homeland. Scenes include the interpreter speaking with local citizens, Soldiers speaking with the locals through the interpreter
Hyperventilating Hystorians II: The Truth About Afghanistan -- [Castle Argghhh! - Kat]
I caught this post by Eric Margolis at Huffington Post via Hot Air. The Truth About Afghanistan. The problem is that Mr. Margolis, for all his purported expertise, started spouting long debunked myths about the importance of a concept oil pipeline through Afghanistan. Until then, he was noting some important points about Afghanistan's tribal nature and its impact on fighting "the war on terror". The same idea expounded on by Strategy Page about the Real Enemy Stays in the Shadows
Contested Nation Building -- [SWJ - Colonel John Frewen]
The Challenge of Countering Insurgency in Afghanistan in 2007
In a military sense, 2007 was the coalition's year in Afghanistan. The coalition defeated the Taliban tactically at every turn, forcing them to resort to indiscriminate attacks with explosives and suicide bombers — tactics which risk alienating the local population. The Taliban's much-vaunted 'Spring offensive' failed to materialise and they suffered substantial losses, including the death of key leaders such as Mullah Dadullah by coalition actions. They lost freedom of action in former sanctuaries such as the Upper Garesh and Chora valleys, and had Musa Qala — a town the Taliban vowed they would never surrender — seized from them as the 2007 fighting season drew to a close. While international media reports have played up the headline-grabbing "coalition's deadliest year", only one side of the ledger has been considered.
After Action Report (AAR) -- [SWJ - General Barry R McCaffrey]
...The battle will be won in Afghanistan when there is an operational Afghan police presence in the nation’s 34 provinces and 398 Districts. The battle will be won when the current Afghan National Army expands from 80,000 troops to 200,000 troops with appropriate equipment, training, and leadership and embedded NATO LNO teams. (Afghanistan is 50% larger than Iraq and has a larger population.) The battle will be won when we deploy a five battalion US Army engineer brigade with attached Stryker security elements to lead a five year road building effort employing Afghan contractors and training and mentoring Afghan engineers.
...Many of these troops and their leaders through general officer level are on their 4th or more combat deployments since "911." We have suffered 36,000 US killed and wounded. Their families are getting tired. The country is not at war. The Armed Forces and the CIA are at war. We are at the point of breaking faith with our troops.
We cannot allow ourselves to fail in Afghanistan.
NATO is central to achieving our purpose.
This is a generational war to build an Afghan state and prevent the creation of a lawless, extremist region which will host and sustain enduring threats to the vital national security interests of the United States and our key allies.
Another Disappointing RAND Counterinsurgency Study -- [The Captain’s Journal]
...But they fundamentally fail to understand the nature of the enemy, and so it’s not surprising that the study reaches the wrong conclusions. In Why is there Jihad, we linked a recent report by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point that studied the internet interview of Ayman al-Zawahiri. They noted many interesting things, but one crucial point to understanding their global movement.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq Leader May Be in Afghanistan -- [WaPo]
The leader of the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq and several of his top lieutenants have recently left Iraq for Afghanistan, according to group leaders and Iraqi intelligence officials, a possible further sign of what Iraqi and U.S. officials call growing disarray and weakness in the organization.
First mission back -- [Cheese's Milblog - in Afghanistan]
I did a couple of convoys as soon as I got back to Phoenix, but yesterday I got to interact with the locals again. We were recon-ing an area that we may return to and, as usual, I was on kiddie-watch as I guarded my truck.
Man stabbed and beheaded on Greyhound bus: Chilling witness account -- [The Calgary Sun]
Manitoba RCMP had no answers Thursday as to what prompted a man on a Greyhound bus to suddenly stand up and repeatedly stab his seatmate, behead him and carve up his body in front of horrified passengers.
Iran: We have started nuclear fusion -- [Hot Air]
Internationally, the Iranians insist that they pursue nuclear technology as a means to produce energy, despite the fact that they sit on a sea of oil. They categorically deny attempts to build nuclear weapons and scoff at opposition to their efforts. Internally, though, they apparently have some other uses in mind, as this comment — reported by Iran’s official news agency — reveals
Total eclipse of sun as seen from plane at 27 000ft
Raw video:August 01/08:The total eclipse of the Sun, seen over the Canadian Arctic, August 1, 2008. Photographed from altitude of 27,000 feet from a location 140 km east of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
Report: Al Qaeda #2 Ayman al-Zawahiri Dead!?! -- [Jawa Report]
Stratfor reports that the United States is attempting to verify rumors coming out of Pakistan that al Qaeda's #2, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was killed in a July 28 Predator airstrike.
Where Al Qaeda Excels -- [Strategy Page]
August 1, 2008: The movement of al Qaeda's main effort from Iraq to Pakistan does not involve large numbers, and the numbers have declined since the terrorists began urging new recruits to head for Pakistan. For several years, about a hundred foreign volunteers (usually for suicide type attacks) entered Iraq each month, brought in via an al Qaeda network in some Arab and European countries.
Anthrax suspect commits suicide -- [Hot Air]
...they knew they had the right source for the anthrax. Genetic testing determined that the spores could only have come from USARMID, where the nation’s best biodefense scientists work to negate such attacks. Ivins became a suspect early, within months of the first attack, when he claimed to have cleaned up a lab contamination without informing his superiors — and without testing again to ensure that the area was clear. Ivins lived about 200 miles from the New Jersey mailbox where the letters were first posted. However, for some reason the FBI failed to follow up on Ivins until just recently.
Gates Sees Terrorism Remaining Enemy No. 1 -- [WaPo]
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says that even winning the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will not end the "Long War" against violent extremism and that the fight against al-Qaeda and other terrorists should be the nation's top military priority over coming decades, according to a new National Defense Strategy he approved last month.
What Pakistan's Intelligence Ties Say About Ending the War on Terrorism -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The International Herald Tribune today reports on a recent CIA mission to Pakistan to confront leaders of the ISI there about the ties ISI members retain to the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Landstuhl clarifies press rules for aborted Obama visit -- [Stars and Stripes - Steve Mraz]
LANDSTUHL, Germany â€" Although news outlets have reported charges that Sen. Barack Obama canceled his trip to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany because the media weren’t allowed to cover the event, U.S. European Command officials say plans were in place to allow limited press coverage.
All media, including local press and the more than 40 journalists accompanying the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee on his eight-day international trip last week, would have been able to photograph the Illinois senator entering and leaving the hospital, said Air Force Lt. Col. John Dorrian, a U.S. European Command spokesman.
If you know one, ask them to tell a story.... -- [THE CI-ROLLER DUDE]
From the Soldier side: Our WWII Vets are passing on at a very fast rate...so if you know one, have him sit down and tell you some stories.... I can almost guarantee that it will be a good one.
Moment of Thanks -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
A website called Moment of Thanks was recently launched into the vast World Wide Web! The site is designed to showcase messages of appreciation and support for military personnel. Viewers can post thank you messages in video, photos or text. There are videos from every day Americans as well as some celebrities. This one is my favorite:
Fort Lewis equipment from Iraq unloaded at Tacoma -- [The Olympian]
...More than 900 vehicles and hundreds of cargo containers are being returned to the fort for the 4-2 Brigade, the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. The ship, the Brittin, arrived Tuesday at the port.
When the equipment was shipped out in March of 2007, anti-war protests led to the arrests of 37 people while police agencies spent $1 million for security.
The News Tribune of Tacoma reports a handful of protesters from the Port Militarization Resistance group showed up Wednesday night and one was arrested for obstructing a police officer and two others were given trespassing warnings.
SECRET SHOTS?
Troops welcome R&R program, which offers free travel and the ... -- [Ventura County Star]
The program, called "Welcome Home a Hero," is similar to one in Maine, where more than 500000 troops have passed through as their planes are refueled and
Cambridge Who's Who Supports the Troops -- [Cambridge Who's Who]
New York, NY, July 31, 2008 - Cambridge Who's Who is dedicated to supporting the men and women who serve our country so when CWW received a request to support a "Welcome Home" festival for the soldiers of the United States Army, Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment who were deployed to East Baghdad, Iraq for 16 months, they immediately accepted. This special giving opportunity was brought to the company's attention by employee, Michele LeFurgy whose brother, Specialist Roberto LeFurgy, was among the soldiers returning from Iraq. The Apache Company, now stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany was deployed to Iraq from July 2006 until November 2007.
The festival included the presentation of a memorial to honor the lives of the 43 soldiers of Apache Company lost at war in Baghdad.
National Guard unit returns from Iraq to heroes welcome -- [Quartzsite Times]
"It is occasions like this when we can welcome home our troops and show them our support that makes all the work worthwhile, especially knowing how much it
If you don’t believe in something… -- [Neptunas Lex]
You’ll fall for anything
The fever swamp rats are drinking their own bathwater again:
During the journalism conference event, I asked (Sy) Hersh specifically about this meeting and if he could elaborate on what occurred. Hersh explained that, during the meeting in Cheney’s office, an idea was considered to dress up Navy Seals (sic) as Iranians, put them on fake Iranian speedboats, and shoot at them. This idea, intended to provoke an Iran war, was ultimately rejected.
I really don’t know what’s more absurd. That Sy Hersh could make up yet another of his ridiculuous, unsourced and unsubstantiated claims, or that so many people minimally clever enough to earn the folding cash required to pay internet access bills could so eagerly believe him.
How Rotten Is the American Media?... Only Half of US Believe Bush Surge Was Successful -- [Gateway Pundit]
Gallop today announced that only half of Americans now believe the Bush Surge of troops in Iraq was successful.
Only ABC Runs Full Iraq Status Story After Fewest U.S. Deaths Ever -- [NewsBusters]
Thursday, only ABC's World News devoted a full story to the fewest Americans killed in Iraq in any month since the war began. CBS and NBC gave the great news a few seconds before pivoting to full stories on the rise of female suicide bombers and the sexual assault problem in the military.
Senator Obama's Netwarriors go over to the offensive. -- [The Armorer]
It would appear free speech isn't a goal of the Golden Horde of Attila-the-Net-Huns that supports Senator Obama. No, I don't think that the campaign is sponsoring this.
But yesterday anti-Obama bloggers and Hillary bloggers who blog on websites controlled by Google started finding themselves locked out of their blogs.
Google and the Anti-Obama Bloggers -- [NT Time Bits - Miguel Helft]
Did Google use its network of online services to silence critics of Barack Obama? That was the question buzzing on a corner of the blogosphere over the last few days, after several anti-Obama bloggers were unable to update their sites, which are hosted on Google’s Blogger service.
This one's for... -- [The Armorer]
...Lex.
Since he's been coping with that whole "hanging up the spurs" thing. I will add a caveat - there are civilians, like AFSis, Princess Crabby, Brab, Bad Cat Robot, Ry, Boquisucio, MaryAnn to name a few, who will act like veterans will act. And people like Cassandra, HF6, Carrie and others, who, if they hang with us warriors long enough, are just as much a veteran as we are.
No Credit Where Credit Is Due -- [Town Hall]
...President Bush came into office promising he would govern with his own style of compassionate conservatism. And he's largely lived up to that promise, but he gets little or no credit. Aid to Africa is only one aspect of that compassion. This week, an annual report to Congress on homelessness in the United States reports a historic drop in the number of chronically homeless people over a two-year period: a 30 percent decline between 2005 and 2007.
FINALLY! Wartime Opposition to War Is Explained Clearly -- [Flopping Aces]
Ok, for those of you playing the home game, let’s recap: President Bush invaded Iraq and ended America’s 13 year war with Saddam with the authorization of Congress, and support of Democrats. Even before the war started, Gov Howard Dean ran for President on an anti-war theme (in addition to governor of Vermont, doctor, maple syrup king, and Presidential Candidate, he’s secretly been a middle eastern intelligence operative and the only man in the world who could accurately assess the threat from Saddam…or…so people were led to believe). As soon as Coalition forces crossed the border, Democrats en masse changed their tune, opposed the war like candidate Dean, and they themselves either tested the Presidential campaign waters, or just jumped right in. And so
Apologies for all my friends -- [Neptunas Lex]
I guess 360,000 dead yankees didn’t quite make the point:
The House yesterday apologized to black Americans, more than 140 years after slavery was abolished, for the “fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow” segregation.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
