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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.
For Iraq, getting to Beijing a monumental test of endurance -- [USA Today]
Four years ago, the rag-tag Iraq Olympic team was the darling of Athens.
...Last summer, 13 members of the national taekwondo team were found dead, more than a year after they vanished while traveling to a training site in Jordan. That horror followed the murders of the Olympic cycling and wrestling coaches.
This year, Iraq nearly missed the Olympics entirely when allegations of government interference with the National Olympic Committee led to the team's suspension.
But when Iraq's four athletes marched into National Stadium on Friday night to loud applause, they also did so without the team's inspirational leader.
...The team of four athletes is tiny compared to the nearly 600 sent by the USA. And as in Athens, there are modest expectations. But Fatah said there still is hope. There also are efforts to keep al-Samarrai's memory alive.
"Iraqi Olympics" (July 2008)
The Toughest Tribe in Anbar -- [Matel-in-Iraq - in Iraq]
Western Anbar is a place of tribes and extended families. Each group and sub-group has a reputation as do each of the sheiks. These groups are constantly vying for advantage and position. The Anbaris have come to see the Marines in terms they understand - as a tribe with a history and a reputation, although outside the tribal system. They have come to see the Marines as the toughest tribe in Anbar, the tribe with the longest memory and the one that will pay back in the terms used by the ancient Roman Lucius Cornelius Sulla (Felix) "No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."(BTW - a good biography of Sulla is Sulla the Fortunate. It was published in 1927, but I don't know of a newer one. You could also go back to Plutarch, which is available in full text translation on Google. Sorry, I can never resist the digression.) This is good. The Marines have won respect in Anbar in their own terms.
Running... -- [Collabman's Thoughts]
I have been away and just returned tonight to some pretty ugly photos. As a father of a warrior on the ground with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, it is never easy to look the face of war straight up...but that is what these pictures have challenged me to do.
...I thought quite a while about whether to show the photos that tell the story of what happened in the Diyala province on 8 August and the response of the 2nd SCR to a "turn your head and don't look" situation. I decided that to understand what our men and women are experiencing we need to, at times, look at the ugliness of it all so we understand just a little.
3rd Iraqi Infantry Division
Package about the 4th birthday celebration for the 3rd Iraqi Infantry Division
Moving Forward -- [Up Country Iraq - in Iraq]
There is obviously still plenty going on in Iraq in general. Although the government was hoping to hold provincial elections on October 1st, that timeline won’t be kept. The sticking point is the failure of the Parliament to pass a Provincial Elections Law before adjourning for the remainder of August. One of the major stumbling blocks has been the status of Kirkuk Province up here in the north. Kirkuk is heavily Kurdish, and there is a lot of oil coming from the province. The Parliament has been trying to figure out how to frame the elections in Kirkuk. The Kurds want Kirkuk to be a part of the autonomous Kurdistan region, while the national government ...
Iraq to be handed People’s Mujahideen camp -- [Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network - iraqi TV]
Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier Abdul Karim Khalaf revealed that an agreement with US Forces will be reached to hand over within two months Ashraf Camp in which anti-government People’s Mujahideen of Iraq is stationed. Khalaf announced that the agreement comes as part of ascertaining the power of law around the country noting that this organization is the only one inside Iraq to include 3,500 armed men. He revealed that measures will be taken to arrange the legal status of the organization noting that Iraqi Constitution and law do not allow for any organization to launch attacks on neighboring countries from Iraqi territories.
The chopper fiend -- [IN - Iraq - embed in Iraq]
...Overhearing the radio transmissions of some Medivac choppers rushing into the Theater Hospital at Balad for several minutes was enough to give me and some Indiana soldiers I was riding with one night, the idea it would be better not to knows the details of some of the wounded these birds were carrying.
Living in Armored Vehicles -- [Zoriah - War Photograher - embed in Iraq]
The vast majority of my time in Iraq has been spent in vehicle convoys. Often packed in with supplies, munitions and other soldiers, it is an uncomfortable form of transportation, especially for five, ten or more hours daily. Soldiers and Marines spend as much as seven days a week in these cramped conditions, often wondering when the wheels may come in contact with a roadside bomb.
Medevac Summary -- [Marching Camp - in Iraq]
As those of you who follow the LJ know, I was medevaced from theater this week. Not for anything serious. My left eye clouded over, developing a haze which an optometrist and three ophthalmologists believe is a complication relating to the PRK I had last September. .
...I've been reading a bit in the news accusing the Army of continued shortfalls in care of Warriors in Transition (the buzz word du jour for folks evacuated from theater). I don't know what's going on the US, but I can definitively say that I have not experienced any problems that were not addressed immediately by the capable and dedicated staff, whether in Al Asad, Balad, or Landstuhl.
Arab Music -- [Something on the staff]
During my daily dealings with the Iraqi Army, we spend quality time watching TV. TV, especially satellite TV, is something of a miracle for the Iraqis, as Saddam forbade all satellite dishes. Before 2003, Iraqis could only watch government TV channels.
Back in 2002, an Iraqi took his broken TV to a repair man. The repair man wanted
Dumb Asses -- [Playing in the Sandbox - in Iraq]
...Perhaps not quite as funny overall, but undoubtedly more frequent, are what I call the suicidal donkeys. With every mounted patrol come encounters with the local donkey population, perhaps only slightly smaller in numbers than the local people population. For reasons completely beyond my understanding these donkeys will invariably run directly in front of our vehicles and come to a halt. I have seen donkeys lying peacefully on the side of the road a quarter mile from us, and then just as we reach them they stand up and move right into the path of our oncoming trucks. And stand there.
Memories of Babylon -- [Sergeant Grumpy]
I remember seeing a bus full of Georgian Soldiers, who had deployed to Iraq to cover down on an area the Poles had pulled out of. They are all apparently leaving Iraq, as they are needed back home. God speed to them as they go to battle the Russians. Seems to me the Georgians ...
Breastmilk, KBR'd and ranges oh my -- [Fobbits need ice cream too - in Iraq]
So we rolled up north and got in up there around 0400. Around 0500 I awoke, vomiting all over and with a splitting headache. This is normal; I grabbed some skank KBR bottled water from the big bin in the transient area and was feeling the pain once again. This has happened before; they put 100% fine bottled water into a big bin with non-potable ice and when they chuck the water in, it breaks some of the seals. Eventually the ice melts and seeps into the bottles, and now you're drinking "black" water.
This is how we take the boredom out of 8 hr Patrols
Man, I am glad the late afternoon... -- [Miserable Donuts - in Iraq]
...cooled off.
Pakistan intelligence helping Taliban: NATO general -- [AFP]
Pakistan's intelligence agency is helping the Taliban to pursue an insurgency in Afghanistan that has seen a 50 percent hike in attacks in some areas this year, the NATO commander here told AFP.
The number of foreign fighters, including Europeans, is also increasing here while NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) still lacks the soldiers it needs, US General David D. McKiernan said in a weekend interview.
Afghanistan hopes to end Olympic medal drought -- [chinaview.cn]
Runner Mehboba Andyar, the only female Afghan athlete in Beijing, will compete in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters events. Ahdyar spent years training for her chance on the world supreme athletic stage. In spite of the change in Afghanistan's political fortunes, the only female Olympian has faced daily taunts from her more conservative neighbors, vicious rumors about her character, and even death threats from extremists.
"Afghan Olympic Runner" - is a female (May 2008)
"Six years after the Taliban were overthrown, Afghanistan is starting to evolve. Mehbooba, a 19-year-old female athlete, is the living proof of the changes happening in the country."
"A Welcome Milestone ..." -- [Afghansitan]
Progress can always be seen best by looking at the youth of the country. Afghanistan is certainly no exception to the rule. Yesterday, we met with an impressive young lady working for a government organization best resembling the secretary of state back home.
To be clear, she was in no burka ... in fact she was quite the fireball! Very sharp and committed to the bright future of Afghanistan, she spent time telling us about her battle against the corruption amid other governmental branches. As I thought about it this morning, I began to realize the implications of the role we get to play here in Afghanistan.
Pakistani troops retreat after Taliban onslaught in Bajaur -- [LWJ- Bill Roggio]
The Frontier Corps retreated from the Loisam region after three days of heavy fighting. Taliban forces dig in around Khar.
Taliban “shadow” governor for Uruzgan province arrested -- [LWJ - Matt Dupee]
Australian special forces captured Mullah Bari Ghul, a key Taliban commander in the province. Ghul is the latest in a series of key Taliban leaders killed or captured in the South.
Afghanistan: We Don’t Have That Much Time! -- [The Captain’s Journal]
...The Captain’s Journal has been arguing for more than half a year for focus and force projection in Afghanistan. Somewhat belatedly, the U.S. force command and NATO might have had a similar moment to Apollo 13. “How long does traditional COIN takes? Why, ten to twelve years by the book, sir! We don’t have that much time!”
We helped in Iraq - now help us, beg Georgians -- [London Times]
As Russia forces its neighbour to retreat from South Ossetia, the people of Gori tell our correspondent of betrayal by the West — As a Russian jet bombed fields around his village, Djimali Avago, a Georgian farmer, asked me: “Why won't America and Nato help us?
American troops found amongst Georgian dead?
The War in Georgia Is a War for the West -- [WSJ - MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI]
As I write, Russia is waging war on my country.
On Friday, hundreds of Russian tanks crossed into Georgian territory, and Russian air force jets bombed Georgian airports, bases, ports and public markets. Many are dead, many more wounded. This invasion, which echoes Afghanistan in 1979 and the Prague Spring of 1968, threatens to undermine the stability of the international security system.
The Pipeline War: Russian bear goes for West's jugular -- [Mail Online]
...Their claims came after Russian jets struck deep into the territory of its tiny neighbour, killing civilians and completely devastating' the strategic Black Sea port of Poti, a staging post for oil and other energy supplies. Reports last night also said that Russia had bombed the international airport in Tbilisi. Georgian economic development minister Ekaterina Sharashidzne said: This clearly shows that Russia has targeted not just Georgian economic outlets but international economic outlets as well.'
The return of history -- [Neptunus Lex]
This was not so much a failure of Georgian strategy so much as it was a failure of worldwide imagination. Tanks do not roll overnight, and fleets do not move in a week’s time. Putin is not acting out of petulance but calculation, and the game he’s playing is as long as Russian history itself.
Raping Georgia - [Ralph Peters]
...What just happened? The Kremlin decided it was time to act, since Georgia was only growing stronger under its democratically elected government. Although NATO has been hemming and hawing about admitting Georgia, the Russians didn't want to take any chances. (Just last month, 1,000 US troops were in Georgia for an exercise.)
Calculating that the media and world leaders would be partying in Beijing, the Russians ordered North Ossetian militiamen, backed by Russian "peacekeepers" and mercenaries, to provoke the Georgians earlier this month.
Why Not Ossetian Independence? -- [Castle Argghhh - Kat]
AFSis and a few others, I imagine, are wondering why the Republic of Georgia would fight to keep a recalcitrant little spit of land? Even to the point of taking on a much bigger adversary to keep it. It is a good question. Another good question is why would Russia want it? In fact, by recoginizing South Ossetia as joined to North Ossetia, a Russian territory, it brings that territory into Russia proper and gives them a territory where they can "legally" station thousands of more troops than they currently have under a "peace keeping" agreement. What good are those troops?
First, we need a map.
Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia -- [Greyhawk]
...Ponder the situation in this manner: Georgia is already an American ally in time of war, and they've now been attacked on the homefront. The obvious question: how far will the US go to back a consistent ally in Iraq? The answer will send a message to the world.
True colors: Where's the "anti-war" movement on the Russo-German war? -- [TigerHawk]
...Of course, the Russians have no meaningful justification under international law, far less than the imperfect case the United States and its coalition built to justify regime change in Iraq.
That caused me to wonder, where are the anti-war groups?
Well, as of this morning, you can find no mention of the war on A.N.S.W.E.R.'s home page. The group is addressing many other pressing matters, but apparently not the unremitting attack on Georgia. Code Pink? Nyet. Democracy Now!, which is a left-wing media group, has lots of news about American wars on its web page but nothing about Russia or Georgia.
Saudi Women's Activist Wajeha Al-Huwaider’s New YouTube Video: On the Saudi Ban of Women Competing in the Beijing Olympics - [MEMRI Blog]
The following are screen shots from the new YouTube video by Saudi women's rights activist Wajeha Al-Huwaider titled "No to Women’s Oppression," on the Saudi ban on women competing in the Beijing Olympics. In the video, Wajeha Al-Huwaider writes, "participating in the Olympics is the impossible dream for Saudi women, until they lift the ban on sports for women in public schools and government universities."
It's Sunday in China-- President Bush Speaks Out On Religious Freedom (Video) -- [Gateway Pundit]
...Standing with the Kuanjie Summer Vacation School Choir and Pastor Meng Maoru, President George W. Bush delivers a statement outside Beijing Kuanjie Protestant Christian Church in Beijing Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. Said the President, "Laura and I just had the great joy and privilege of worshiping here in Beijing, China. You know, it just goes to show that God is universal, and God is love, and no state, man or woman should fear the influence of loving religion."
MILFs Attack, 130,000 Flee Southern Philippines -- [Jawa Report]
(Mindanao Island, Philippines) The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has attacked and occupied the North Cotabato Province of central Mindanao causing 130,000 majority Christian citizens to flee. Fifteen villages have been occupied
New Zawahri Tape; He Speaks English -- [Jawa Report]
This is a first... an audiotape from an Al Qaeda leader in.... English no less.... yeah all those days and nights in a safehouse were put to good use....he learned a language.
A Soldier’s Angel Keeps Him Warm -- [Lawn Darts]
Soooooo.. this one is pretty much a nod to Soldiers’ Angels, more specifically Blankets of Hope, but also Blankets of Belief and Blankets of Gratitude. If there’s anyone from Soldiers’ Angels reading this, and you want to use the art for advertising your programs online or something, that would be fine.
The event was rowing - the Olympic Eights more specifically. -- [EagleSpeak]
The team members were not sons of great, wealthy families. They were not sons of Harvard or Yale. They were midshipmen at the Naval Academy. Some of the crew came from land-locked states. Their coach was a former fisherman and sparring partner of John L. Sullivan who happened to have a knack for coaching rowing. For sixteen years he worked to establish the Naval Academy as a force in rowing.
This time, tears of joy -- [The Voice in My Head]
We covered the heartbreaking news from Afghanistan last month in which 9 US troops were killed in an attack on a US held base, including local soldier Pruitt Rainey.
Today we come across the heartwarming news that another local soldier, who survived that attack, is coming home:
The Donut of Misery -- [Something on the staff - home from Iraq]
After the 15th month of a 12 month tour, the phone rang and told us to head to Kuwait. Sheeah, right. We’ll get to Kuwait and promptly turn around for Mosul. But, we went to Kuwait, turned over our equipment and remained skeptical about ever going home. Then we got on the aircraft, still no guarantee! Folks made it to the US of A before the extension, and were called back to Iraq. Landed in Germany, marveled at the green grass but still didn’t think we were home free. Once the plane took off and we were sure it was heading West, we relaxed a bit more.
We landed in Maine.
Russia Claims Reuters Is Playing Fauxtography Games In Georgia -- [Gateway Pundit]
Russian News noviny.narod.ru claims that Reuters is involved in another fauxtography scandal.
These photos were taken in Gori, Georgia after the Russian attack yesterday:
George Clooney to Make Film About Bin Laden's Driver -- [NewsBusters]
With all the topics out there to make a movie about, would you ever want to spend money on and appear in a film focusing on Osama bin Laden's personal driver and bodyguard?
Obama: “America is no longer what it once was”; Update: Rush reacts -- [Hot Air]
...Everyone feels that we can improve ourselves, but we don’t usually cast it in terms of the country no longer being what it once was. Coming from the Obamas, that doesn’t even make sense. They have talked about how difficult it was to break through barriers, not without some justification, to reach this point in their lives and American history.
Doesn’t that speak to the point that we continue to grow and to learn? And if not, ...
Barack Obama To Little Girl: America's Not So Great
“America is …, uh, is no longer, uh … what it could be, what it once was. And I say to myself, I don’t want that future for my children.”
Obama Dumps Stars & Stripes for Campaign Symbol -- [Jawa Report]
Presumptive Democrat candidate Barack Obama recently remodeled his campaign airplane at a cost of $500,000. Changes included new paint and removal of the Stars and Stripes from the tail.
Obama and the Born-Alive Act -- [The Corner - Yuval Levin]
Six years ago, Congress passed the “Born-Alive Infants Protection Act,” making it illegal to kill a child who is fully born during an attempted abortion. The bill passed without a single opposing vote in either house, and was signed into law by President Bush on August 5, 2002. When he was a state senator at that same time, Barack Obama opposed a state version of the bill in Illinois. His explanation for the vote since then has been that the state version did not include a so-called “neutrality clause” which says explicitly that the bill is not meant to influence the legal standing of a fetus before birth one way or another.
Georgia Started the War to Help McCain -- [Greg Pollowitz]
Is this just a bad parody or is HuffPo blogger Blake Fleetwood serious about this?
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
