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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.
Terror Connects to Crime In Iraq: Analysis by General David Petraeus -- [Austin Bay]
...This particular question (terror and crime in Iraq) and its extensive answer are an example of the Internet’s real contribution to serious discussion – space for the expert to elaborate, for concepts to evolve, for significant facts to receive due emphasis, for the experts and the audience to explore. And General Petraeus explores many dimensions of terror and crime, as well as the civilizing force of the Rule of Law. He acknowledges theory –that’s the scholar– as he speaks from crucible — the soldier at war.
Brigade Commander Cites ‘Phenomenal Progress’ in Rashid District -- [Iraq War News]
...“For the first time, I've seen Iraqi Security Forces that can plan, prepare and execute first-class offensive operations,” Martin said via video teleconference from Camp Falcon. “I've also seen a high level of trust and respect by the people of Rashid for their own army and police forces.”
The Strongest Tribe -- [SWJ - Bing West]
Small Wars Journal has received an advance copy of Bing West’s newest book The Strongest Tribe. We will be posting a review and SWJ interview with Bing
What does your title, The Strongest Tribe, mean? During the battle for Fallujah, I asked an Iraqi colonel why the terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, had fled, disguised as a woman. The colonel pointed to the Marines rushing past us and said, “Because Americans are the strongest tribe.”
'Make It Happen' Reaches 3,000 Missions -- [DVIDS]
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The 168th Brigade Support Battalion has reached a significant milestone in its quest to being the best support battalion in the Army. Since arriving in Iraq less than a year ago, the battalion has conducted more than 3,000 Deliberate Combat Logistics Patrols as part of its efforts to sustain units located at eight forward operating bases across Multi-National Division - Baghdad and Multi-National Division - Central.
Driving more than 1.7 million miles, the Soldiers of the 168th BSB have spent countless hours on the road providing support that directly impacts more than 80,000 Soldiers each day.
Ice Water in Their Veins... -- [Collabman's Thoughts]
...The info hounds did tip a video on Outlaw Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment as they work to dispose of an unexploded ordnance in the Diyala province. I found it to be a good look at our warriors as they decide not to wait on the EOD team to arrive. It is an unflinching look at the process they work through...and makes me think they must have ice water in their veins.
Will I Lead if you follow? Will you Follow If I Lead? -- [Big Tobacco]
That's right. I fired one of my E5 team leaders today and replaced him with an E4 corporal. If I did the right thing, why do I feel less like Machiavelli and more like a dirtbag?
...Sergeant Lambchop (OPSEC) was one of the "Marginal" NCOs from "Crazy From the Heat." He has his advantages. He's an infantryman. He makes sound tactical decisions. He does what he is told to do. He also can't pass the PT test and has shown no desire to do so. He complains about the mission and the leadership. His attitude eats away at the core of his team.
Radical Iraq Cleric in Retreat -- [WSJ]
BAGHDAD -- Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr -- long a thorn in the side of the U.S. military and Iraqi government -- intends to disarm his once-dominant Mahdi Army militia and remake it as a social-services organization.
The transformation would represent a significant turnabout for a group that, as recently as earlier this year, was seen as one of the most destabilizing anti-American forces in Iraq. For much of the past several years, the Mahdi Army, headed by Mr. Sadr, a Shiite cleric, controlled sizable chunks of Baghdad and other cities. Its brand of pro-Shiite activism had the side effect of pitting Iraqis against each other, helping to stir worries of civil war.
Browne's Deal with the Mahdi Army (Updated) -- [Standpoint - James Scott Linville]
Monday’s Times contains an extraordinary revelation by Deborah Haynes, about a deal between UK Defense Secretary Des Browne and Motada al Sadr’s Mahdia militia.
Haynes’s report is unlikely to be read widely in the US; but for those involved in military planning the facts she details must have been shocking when they came to light. She writes:
“A secret deal between Britain and the notorious al-Mahdi militia prevented British Forces from coming to the aid of their US and Iraqi allies for nearly a week during the battle for Basra this year.
Mahdi Army to Disarm in Iraq -- [LT Nixon Rants]
New Sadrist literature calls for the Mahdi Army to use no arms at all. This has been confirmed by a Sadr spokesman and is not some rumor. Crash and Burn for the Mahdi Army.
Raw Deal -- [Greyhawk]
London Times: Secret deal kept British Army out of battle for Basra.
Many unnamed MOD officials quoted. ("While we had a strategy of evasion, the Americans just went in and addressed the problem.")
... Whether the larger claims are accurate or not, none of this should reflect on the British soldiers, who've risked much and suffered more with far less support from their government and folks back home than the Americans...
British Commanders Wanted To Storm Basra But The Iraqi Leader Sent For US Marines -- [London Times]
British and Iraqi commanders in Basra had their own troop-surge plan to rid the city of Shia militia extremists but it was vetoed by the Iraqi Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Basra the changed city
Iraqis continue to see improvements in Basra -- [Ministry of Defence News]
The opening of a new pumping station, bringing water to an estimated 2,000 homes in the Hyyaniyah area of Basra, is another sign of the improved security situation in and around the city.
The British Deal with the Mahdi Militia -- [The Captain’s Journal]
Let’s observe at the outset what we have observed before in British Rules of Engagement and Brave Warriors. The British armed forces contains some of the best grunts on earth. It’s the leadership that’s the problem, as it has always been.
Capturing Saddam -- [Iraqi Mojo - iraqi blogger]
Looks like Discovery Channel has made a re-enactment of the historic event. I found a clip:
Ministry to resume oil exploration after 20 year pause -- [Aswat Aliraq]
BAGHDAD, Aug. 6 (VOI) – The Iraqi Ministry of Oil will continue its oil exploration in the coming few days, ending a two-decade pause, an official ministerial spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Iraq Requests to Buy $11 Billion Worth of American Arms -- [Iraq the Model - iraqi blogger]
The memos state that these proposed deals will “not alter the basic military balance in the region”. But clearly the deals-when executed-will definitely change the military balance between the state of Iraq and its allies on the one hand and the terrorists and outlaws on the other…It will be another milestone on the road to build a true strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States as two nations fighting terrorism and building democracy in the middle east.
U.S. Building Iraqi Army Bases -- [Strategy Page]
August 6, 2008: Iraq is hiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to supervise a $1.6 billion construction effort that will build bases (housing, storage, training and maintenance facilities) for the Iraqi armed forces. The Corps of Engineers has long experience in running large scale military and civilian construction projects, and supervised the construction of U.S. bases and logistical facilities in Iraq and Kuwait. But the Iraqis also want the Corps of Engineers to oversee this project because the American officials can be expected to minimize the extent of corruption.
Team Iraq arrive in Beijing for 2008 Olympics
Buenos Dias -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
That is how you say “Good Day” in Iraq. At least that is how you say it around here. There are a bunch of Colombians on my post guarding the gates, so US troops don't have to.
Somehow, no one told them that this was George Bush's unilateral operation and they were not invited.
George is going to be steamed when he finds out there are party crashers here in Iraq.
Back to Iraq- Dispatch from Kuwait -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo/Shawn Bryan]
...Back to the Anbar. Back to Haditha, the same place that is always in my nightmares. Back to Hit and all of the other little bumps in the road that make this province. I am going back to give a perspective on progress.
Amputee Marine returns to combat duty -- [LA Times]
Afghanistan: Mapping the rising violence -- [Chris Radin and Bill Roggio]
Afghanistan has seen its worst bout of violence since the US overthrew the Taliban government in 2002. Taliban-related attacks and incidents have skyrocketed as the Taliban seeks to destabilize and de-legitimize the weak Afghan government and break NATO's will to fight a protracted counterinsurgency campaign.
On Patrol With the ANA
Asad Abad ‘presses’ to Get News to Afghan Citizens -- [DVIDS]
Today’s ceremony marked the opening of a new printing press facility in downtown Asad Abad, Afghanistan.
Prior to this facility all print material including Asad Abad’s weekly newspaper was printed in Jalalabad, Kabul or in Pakistan. The Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team funded this facility to provide a locally-produced, independent print media capacity in Konar.
Before deployment, an introduction -- [Afghanistan Unfiltered]
I contacted the Northwest Herald and they have provided me a great opportunity to clear up some of this confusion. While I am deployed in Afghanistan, I am going to continually send letters home that will be transcribed onto this blog allowing people an unfiltered look into what kind of impact we are actually making in Afghanistan.
I also want to share the emotional side to a deployment. I will share with you personally what I feel as I go through the entire deployment proccess. In all, I want this to be a place where people can get a more personal look into what we are doing in Afghanistan and hopefully spark some quality conversations for or against the war on terror.
Child Marriage in Afghanistan: 7-y-old bride, 40-y-old groom
The Arrangement -- [Stratrgy Page]
August 6, 2008: India's success at containing Islamic terrorists from entering northwest India (Kashmir), has caused some of those terrorists to shift operations to Afghanistan. These Pakistanis are not border tribesmen (Pushtuns) but men recruited from more populous parts of the country (like the Punjab). They are being found among the dead and captured Taliban in those few parts of Afghanistan that are sort of at war.
Anti-Bush Protests Fizzle, Pro-U.S. Rallies Sizzle as Bush Visits Korea -- [Amy Proctor]
As President Bush arrived in Seoul, Korea today, the media predicted that Bush’s visit would be met with “large protests”. The “progressives” and anti-U.S. civic groups thought the turn out opposing Bush would be huge:
“We predict more than 10,000 citizens will participate. We’ll show Korean people’s voice to Bush,”’ one member of the coalition said. However, 374 conservative groups planned pro-American demonstrations welcoming Bush in Seoul Plaza, just a short distance from the progressive’s rally site. Turns out, only a couple hundred protesters came out while 15,000 pro-U.S. Koreans came out to welcome Bush into the capital city of Seoul.
Why Every American Should Care About China -- [ABC News - Bob Woodruff]
The Emerging Superpower Is Forging Relationships Where the U.S. Isn't
..."The rise of China is the single most important geopolitical event of the 21st century," said John Thornton, professor and director of Global Leadership at Tsingua University in Beijing. "And the implications of that rise are enormous."
Watch "China: Inside Out" tonight on a special edition of "Primetime" at 10 p.m. ET
After 300 years of relative isolation, China has decided an integral factor in its success will be its strategic relationships around the world.
Rafsanjani: Iran Beginning Work On Nuclear Fusion -- [MEMRI Blog]
Iranian Expediency Council chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has announced that Iran is at the beginning of the first stage of nuclear fusion.
He said, "Nuclear fusion is more important and healthier than the nuclear fission presently in use."
An Israeli in Kosovo -- [Michael Totten - in Kosovo]
...“Nobody cares?” I said.
“On the contrary,” he said, “people like it. They come to speak to us. They want to be in contact. Here I didn’t see anybody that was negative. On the contrary the people are very warm, very nice. They take Islam to a beautiful place. Not a violent place. When they hear I am from Israel they react very warmly.”
Lots of Kosovar Albanians confirmed what Caspi is saying.
Wow! Not So Fast! -- [BlackFive - Subsunk]
The Wall Street Journal today has an article by a former UNSCOM weapons Inspector that is the clearest assertion I've read yet, that the Anthrax attacks of 2001 were likely the act of a foreign government or, at least, a very sophisticated terrorist organization. The headline screams:
Setting the Record Straight On Terror Watch Lists -- [PJM]
Pajamas Media recently posted a story in which CNN reporter Drew Griffin claimed that he was put on a TSA watch list as retaliation for a story he did on TSA. A lot of readers found it credible, judging by the comments. That’s unfortunate, since the story is quite simply false.
Let’s start with the notion that TSA can just put people on the watch list on a whim. In fact...
MIT Educated Al-Qaeda Wench Moved to New York to Face Charges -- [Gateway Pundit]
Aafia Siddiqui (DOB used: March 2, 1972) is an MIT alumna in biology, originally from Pakistan. She went missing in 2003 and has three children. Last month she was captured outside an Afghan government building with documents giving recipes for explosives and chemical weapons. During questioning by FBI agents and U.S. military officers she grabbed a gun and started shooting at the officials. She was shot in the gut by a soldier and started screaming that she wanted to kill Americans.
The Grey lady of Bagram Caught!! -- [The SandGram - in Afghanistan]
This little piece is interesting, especially since the press has told the world that the US Government had this woman, Aafia Siddiqui, in a jail cell on the base up at Bagram for four years. If you Google “The Grey lady of Bagram prisoner 650” you’ll find pages upon pages of stories of how for the last four years, we, the Military have held this woman under guard, molested her and beat her, yada, yada, yada. Now here is a case where for years, she has been running around doing who knows what, training who knows where and the press was just flat out wrong.
And So the Lies About Aafia Siddiqui Begin ... -- [Jawa Report]
...Recently several "human rights groups" began to associate "Prisoner 650" with Aaifia Siddiqqui. Based on what? Nothing other than believing that "Prisoner 650" exists, that Siddiqqui was missing and wanted by the FBI, and one of Siddiqqui's uncles claiming he thought she had been picked up by the ISI for questioning.
If you looked closely at these "human rights groups" you'd see that they were not so much interested in, say, the rights of Tibetans for self-government as they are
Bin Laden's Driver Convicted -- [LGF]
Osama bin Laden’s driver has been acquitted of conspiracy charges, but convicted of providing material support to terrorism.
Filmmaker Shares Profits with Soldiers' Angels -- [PR Web Press Release]
Pasadena, CA (PRWEB) August 5, 2008 -- Photojournalist and Hollywood producer Edward Nachtrieb will donate a portion of DVD sales of his powerful new documentary film, "All the Way Home" to non-profit Soldiers' Angels. The film follows a group of recovering wounded veterans, many of whom have been assisted by Soldiers' Angels, as they take a trip down Montana's remote Smith River.
Stories of Valor -- [A Major's Perspective - in Afghanistan]
The United States Army has a website dedicated to honoring those of our soldiers that have displayed heroic courage in the face of the enemy. I highly recommend visiting the site. It is absolutely awe-inspiring. STORIES OF VALOR
GI Bill Rate Increase Available Now -- [Military.com]
The GI Bill rate is now $47,556 -- a total increase of nearly $8,000 over last year's rate. This total is based on the new monthly full-time student payment rate of $1,321 multiplied by the 36-month limit. If you are GI Bill eligible and have benefits remaining, you get this increase no matter when you became eligible or begin using it. This new rate is now in affect. Get more information.
Nuance Announces Winners of Second Annual -- [From my position... On the way!]
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Story Contest
Speak Dragon to Improve My Life
...While serving in Iraq, Chuck Ziegenfuss chronicled his thoughts and experiences in a blog. He gained a readership that appreciated the details and openness in which he told his insightful stories with self-deprecating humor. In June of 2005, Ziegenfuss was wounded by an IED while serving as commander of a tank company. During the recovery from his injury, his wife continued blogging for him. Soon he wanted to get back to authoring the blog himself, but his typing was impaired due to the damage done to his hands by the IED.
A Happy Note -- [Greyhawk]
Wish I'd heard about this when I was in Baghdad:
...I wouldn't have had to wait til I got home to actually record... (but then again, I didn't have much time to write even without a guitar to distract me.)
WWII Heroes as "Suckers" -- [C.H.U.D. Busters]
Frank Weltner is an unsavory character....his website reminds cyber denizens of the early days of the internet when everything was midget porn, Star Trek fan fiction , and bizarre conspiracy sites. But he took a break on Memorial Day from bashing our Jewish friends to bashing the troops.
Finally, the Army is promoting the right officers -- [Slate - Fred Kaplan]
Last November, when Gen. David Petraeus was named to chair the promotion board that picks the Army's new one-star generals, the move was seen as, potentially, the first rumble of a seismic shift in the core of the military establishment.
2008 National Defense Strategy (pdf) - [DefenseLink]
The strategy contained in this document is the result of an assessment of the current and future strategic environment. The United States, and particularly the Department of Defense, will not win the Long War or successfully address other security challenges alone. Forging a new consensus for a livable world requires
constant effort and unity of purpose with our Allies and partners. The Department stands ready to fulfill its mission.
Reunion on the Aviano flight line -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Spc. Jesse A. Murphree, Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), greets his 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team comrades returning from deployment in Afghanistan, on the flight line at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 22. Murphree lost his legs in an improvised explosive device attack in the Korengal Valley, near Ali Abad, Afghanistan, Dec. 27, 2007, and has been undergoing treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Photo: Dave Melancon.
While America Slept (Part five) -- [Greyhawk]
The last of the surge brigades returns home
While the 3d ID's 2nd Brigade Combat Team - who completed their return a few days prior - was the last of the ground units of "the surge", the Aviation Brigade was actually the last of the surge units to return home. They are all back now - having spent 14-15 months in the thick of things (usually flying within small arms reach of the surface) - while suffering zero combat fatalities.
The end of the Surge -- [MilBlogs TV]
Back Home, at Last -- [The Post-Standard]
Thank-You Troops!" A few children had yellow ribbons painted on their hands. A toddler wore a T-shirt with words "Welcome Home Daddy!" written on it.
Dozens of 173rd GIs get warm welcome -- [Stars and Stripes]
Troops in Vicenza, Schweinfurt and Bamberg also will be feted in welcome home/soldier appreciation celebrations in September. On Monday, that all seemed
Dozvedania, Alexander -- [Dadmanly]
A most remarkable man has died, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, famed dissident, writer, and philosopher. Hero against communism and communist evil, and significantly responsible for the fall of the USSR and the Warsaw Pact.
...The world has lost not only a literary treasure, but a true champion for freedom and liberty
Online Interview with Milblogs TV Producer and Military Blogger, Greyhawk -- [Milblogging.com - JP]
I recently did an interview with Greyhawk of the Milblog The Mudville Gazette. The Mudville Gazette now has a online show called Milblogs TV, that is very informative. After watching Milblogs TV, I was reminded of the ingenuity of the Greyhawks, who were one of the first milblogs online, and also started the Milblogs Web Ring which brought together the community of milboggers (and helped spark my idea for Milblogging.com).
MilBlogger Video: Anbar Rising, A History -- [The Tank - Steve Schippert]
Greyhawk — whom I refer to as the Godfather of Milblogging — has created a series of videos depicting the historical context (and media misrepresentations) of what happened in Anbar province in Iraq, and how "The Surge"® enabled the tides to change. Click below to see Part II in its entirety, a documentary that could never have been created by our major media outlets.
My new gig -- [Homefront Six]
In addition, we will be featuring a different milblog twice a month as a way to spread the word about milblogs as well as MilitaryConnection. Our first featured milblog is Armed and Curious. If you haven't already heard of it,
Administration Fights Back Against Book Claiming It Knowingly Lied About Iraq-Al Qaeda Connection -- [FOX News]
The White House is strongly fighting back against a new book by a Bush administration critic who claims that the CIA forged a letter from Saddam Hussein's intelligence chief that gave credence to claims Iraq had links to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Ron Suskind, the former Wall Street Journal reporter and author of two highly critical books on the Bush administration, claims in his new book out Tuesday that the administration falsified a letter by then-director of the Iraqi intelligence service, Tahir Jalil Habbush al-Tikriti, to Saddam, describing the activities of Sept. 11 conspirators in Iraq.
Setting the Record Straight On Terror Watch Lists -- [PJM]
Pajamas Media recently posted a story in which CNN reporter Drew Griffin claimed that he was put on a TSA watch list as retaliation for a story he did on TSA. A lot of readers found it credible, judging by the comments. That’s unfortunate, since the story is quite simply false.
Let’s start with the notion that TSA can just put people on the watch list on a whim. In fact...
Nets Lend Credibility to 'Bombshell' Iraq Deception Allegations -- [NewsBusters]
CBS, NBC, MSNBC and CNN all jumped Tuesday to publicize the claims in a new book by a left-wing journalist, Ron Suskind, that President Bush knew before the war Iraq had no WMD and that to justify the war the administration forged a letter to prove a connection between Saddam Hussein's regime and al-Qaeda. The journalists were unfazed by denials from former CIA Director George Tenet, which they dutifully cited, nor the fact the letter couldn't have impacted the public before the war since it didn't become public until nine months into the war.
[UPDATE] If You Want to Move, Push (A Book Review) -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
I will not be Broken
When I'm finished writing this review, I'm going to email every General I've ever talked to, emailed, or can find a contact number for and ask them to give this book as a gift for EVERY Soldier injured in combat and to every family who has lost lost someone in Iraq or Afghanistan.
<strong>Baffling Process Suppresses Military Voting Turnout -- [USA Today]
...Eight years after mess in Florida, hurdles hamper overseas balloting.
Democratic strategists were determined to challenge late-arriving ballots that lacked postmarks — until Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman said on Meet the Press that ballots from military personnel (presumed to favor the Republican ticket) should be given the "benefit of the doubt."
That cut the legs out under the Democrats' efforts, but the controversy highlighted a problem that lingers two presidential cycles later: It is too difficult for Americans abroad, particularly the 1.4 million military personnel deployed overseas, to participate in the basic rite of democracy.
Changes to U.S. Military Personnel Absentee Ballots for November? -- [The National Defense]
Opposing view: We're proud of our efforts -- [USA Today]
Pentagon unit makes voting easier than ever for Americans abroad
The Department of Defense (DoD) is doing right by its servicemembers and all overseas U.S. citizens by ensuring easy access to the information and resources they need to vote.
DoD has implemented all recommendations in the March 2007 Inspector General report on absentee voting. Our directive regarding voting was revised to include authorization to appoint civilian personnel as Voting Assistance Officers and directed the services to establish links to service voting websites containing all necessary voting information.
Additionally, ...
The Wounded Warriors Workplace Initiative -- [Bob Straniere]
Today I launched The Wounded Warriors Workplace Initiative pledging to hire at least one-third of my Congressional staff and one-third of my campaign staff from the ranks of our wounded military veterans and their immediate families. The purpose is to not only recognize the tremendous sacrifices of these brave American families and to employ them, but to empower them by getting them directly involved in the political process and working within governmental institutions. My goal is have the Halls of Congress staffed with wounded warriors and their families by asking every candidate for Congress to make The Straniere Pledge to hire at least one-third of their staff from the ranks of our bravest.
Pentagon’s Unmanned Spokesdrone Completes First Press Conference Mission
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