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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.
Awkward in Hadithah -- [Matel - in Iraq]
An awkward moment came when Hadithah Mayor Hakim announced that he hoped the Republicans would win in the fall elections. He obfuscated a little when the Democratic Codel leader reminded him that three out of the four members of the visiting Codel were Democrats, but he didn’t back down. His point was that he wanted America to stay in Iraq until the country was secure and he was spooked by the talk of precipitous withdrawal he heard from the U.S.
Stuck in limbo -- [Fobbits need ice cream too - in Iraq]
...A group from our company "found" an "IED" last night while securing a bridge along our route (we provide our own route clearance and MSR bridge security since the 82nd Airborne turned over our AO to the 1st Cav who suck greatly at this job) which turned out to be a headdress with mud on it. A local shiehk came over and grabbed it, dumped the mud out and waved to our guys, who flex cuffed him and brought him back to this FOB to interrogate him. Nice work dudes, now we're going to get a real IED.
Basrah Airport
The expansion of the Bazrah International Airport to support the increase in tourism and broaden the international capability of the facility.
Getting Our Money’s Worth in Iraq -- [PJM - Greyhawk]
The AP reports that the Congressional Budget Office is worried about the cost of the war in Iraq; more specifically, they don’t think our government is getting a good deal for our money.
...So now we know that according to the CBO report security contractors –about whom the Washington Post dedicated so much article space they ran out of room to tell us where our money is actually spent– make up a small percentage of the total contractors in Iraq and represent a savings of taxpayer dollars. (We could have saved much time if only the WaPo hadn’t been so confusing in that opening paragraph ... So let’s re-write it for them
Basrah Airport Part 2
The expansion of the Basrah International Airport to support the increase in tourism and broaden the international capability of the facility
Interview with an Iraqi Translator -- [VFF - Back to Iraq - Ben Hayden - in Iraq]
Iraqis feel for the position of the United States. In an interview with an interpreter for the U.S. Marine unit, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, one Iraqi says that the US is in a “bad situation, no matter what route they take.” Nick, the name the interpreter uses because he doesn’t want the terrorist to know his real name, tells a different story about Iraq. “If the US stays, the Americans will hate their own government. If the US leaves, they (the terrorist) will kill us.”
Arsenal for Iraq-racy -- [VFF - Back to Iraq - Pete Hegseth - in Iraq]
With security improved, reconstruction and good governance pose the next strategic challenges.
Long Days... -- [Collabman's Thoughts - son in Iraq]
Our warriors from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment continue to work long hours hunting insurgents and taking care of business in the Diyala province. Chris indicated the other day in the virtual world that he had just finished 26 straight hours. Another parent shared today that their warrior had just finished 30 hours straight. All while wearing full combat gear in oppressive heat...can you say wow? I can and did...
Fukuyama’s Wrong -- [Peter Wehner]
Francis Fukuyama has taken to the pages of the Wall Street Journal to argue that while virtually all the trend lines in Iraq have been moving in a positive direction for the past year, the war was still a grave mistake.
Let’s examine some of the arguments Fukuyama makes to support his case.
1. Fukuyama writes, “By invading Iraq in the manner it did, the U.S. exacerbated all of the threats it faced prior to 2003. Recruitment into terrorist cells shot up all over the world.”
That was true for a time–but it’s not true any more. Professor Fukuyama writes as if we’re still in 2006 instead of 2008.
More time lost… -- [Notes from Tommie - in Iraq]
...Another piece of information is that my platoon finally got some credit for everything that we’ve done so far with this deployment. 98% of the time whenever we try to put in for an award of any kind we get responded to with “they’re just doing there jobs.” To me that is absurd, we save lives and track down enemy targets but aren’t in the running because we’re “just doing our jobs.” How is that any different then an infantrymen or scout shooting down the enemy, after all that IS there job. Alas, the army too (like so many other things in our society) is more politics then actual war. Here’s a pic of my certificate of achievement, each of the shadow operators was given one…
Day 55. Shamania -- [Rocinante's Burdens - in Iraq]
Lots of interesting things going one here. None of them violent.
First, as the title suggests, the celebration of shamania is going on. This is a religious observance by Shi-it Moslems.
Ghost of Babylon, part Wahed -- [Sgt Grumpy]
The story of how I hurt my shoulder, the reason for my still being on active duty, starts with an attempt on an Iraqi General's life.
In Xanadu, er...Baghdad -- [Miserable Donuts - in Iraq]
did Kublai Khan... um, Saddam decree a...uh, mediocre pleasure dome decree:
Where Tigris the, waste filled river, ran through qanats dug by man. Down to a sun baked sea.
So twice five meters of trash strewn ground. With T-walls and checkpoints were girdled round:
Taliban leader in Bajaur rumored killed in Pakistani strikes -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Taliban emir Faqir Mohammed rumor killed in fighting, but the reports are unconfirmed. Thirty-two Taliban killed in helicopter strikes.
HMM-365 Aces Afghanistan Tests
Marines from HMM-365, the "Blue Knights" provide support for Marines on the ground in Helmand province.
U.S. Troops Train Afghans To Take Their Place -- [NPR]
U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan are involved in an ambitious project to turn thousands of Afghan soldiers into commandos. The effort to create an elite fighting force is part of the broader counterinsurgency strategy that U.S. military officials say is key in helping stabilize Afghanistan.
Financing the Taliban -- [Captain's Journal]
Some Taliban and al Qaeda support comes from radical Salafists in Saudi Arabia, but the Taliban also harvest their own support. Regular readers of The Captain’s Journal know that we’re not particularly fond of the notion of mixing the war on drugs with Operation Enduring Freedom, since the idea of destruction of a farmer’s means of income does not comport with the need to win the population.
Highway to Hell -- [Lt Nixon]
...It is obvious that the NATO-built highway between Kandahar and Kabul is essential to maintaining governance in the southern portion of Afghanistan, but does anyone have any ideas on how to secure it? More UAVs to monitor for bad dude activity? Enlisting support from the tribes around the highway? It is probably the result of the mission being "under-resourced" that the ISAF commander noted a few weeks ago. Why are we and our NATO allies allowing Afghanistan to be forgotten?
Mo's Men
Helping the Afghan people -- [Staying in Touch - in Afghanistan]
Ever since the first Task Force Phoenix, we have conducted outreach efforts to help the people in the region and also show the Afghan Army and police to do it, as well. All around the country, U.S. commanders are working locally and using federal dollars to plan, support and construct projects that will help ordinary Afghans.
Policing the world sometimes strains troops -- [Afghanistan Unfiltered - heading to Afghanistan]
America is one of the richest and most powerful countries in all the world. We live lives here that people in other countries can only dream of. But with great power comes great responsibility. In Afghanistan we are going to be working to give the people a better life - a life free of fear and oppression from terrorists.
In essence, we are going to be the police that they don't have. I've heard it said many times before, that America is the police of the world, but today I questioned how long American soldiers can keep up that responsibility.
This deployment of the Illinois National Guard is going to be the largest of its kind since WWII. This just solidifies to me that the Active Army is straining to keep its ranks filled.
I personally believe that it is America's responsibility to police the world. We are one of very few nations that is up to such a task. ... This is why I am so excited to be participating in this deployment to Afghanistan.
Vaguely Romantic Notions -- [The Left Captain - in Afghanistan]
I was speaking with an interpreter-- an Afghan man in his 40's-- listening to the tale of the downfall of his family, and I realized that Afghans my age (36) have grown up with constant war and worsening poverty. One million Afghans were killed during the Soviet-Afghan war and the country dropped from being almost the least developed in the world to, now, being the least developed in the world, just behind Angola. Some of his family managed to flee to the US, himself included, but now he has returned, trying to give something back to his native country by working as an interpreter for NATO.
Farewell Musharraf, Farewell Pakistan? -- [Threats Watch - Steve Schippert]
At FrontPage Magazine today, they have chosen to run Farewell Musharraf, Farewell Pakistan? as their feature article. It’s a look at the current difficulties for both the United States and Pakistan as the new government seeks to impeach president Pervez...
If Musharraf Goes: Assessments and Opportunities -- [CTB - Aaron Mannes]
There are reports that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will be stepping down in the next few days in order to avoid impeachment. Musharraf has denied these reports, but the prominence of the rumors indicates strongly that the political balance of power has shifting against Musharraf - he will almost certainly be reduced to a figurehead. It is difficult to say how history will judge Musharraf. From the American perspective
Armed Negotiations: It Ain't Over 'til the Fat Russian Lady Sings -- [Kat - Castle Argghhh!!!]
...A quick overview of how the situation currently stands in Georgia (from open sources). "0" represents the jumping off point for the Russians' two divisions of heavy and light armor (appx 150 vehicles and 10,000 men). As a reminder, the numbering of these locations is simply based on an east to west accounting, not the order of battle. The exact location of the Georgians at the time of the beginning of hostilities is not 100% clear. Somewhere...
Russians use Cluster Munitions Against Civilians -- [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia]
The authorities of Georgia possess comprehensive evidence, proving that different types of heavy conventional weapons, including cluster munitions, Rocket Complex 9M72 Iskander (SS-26 Stone) etc., have been indiscriminately used against civilian population and infrastructure of Georgia. The utilization of such weapons against peaceful population and civilian objects vividly reveals the inhuman brutality of Russian troops acting on the territory of Georgia.
Can Russia actually, legitimately, really, claim "genocide"? -- [Danger Room]
Russia asserts that Georgia was committing "genocide" against it in South Ossetia, a claim ridiculed by most everyone. But, actually, under the fuzzy international law of genocide, the country might have a case---if only because almost anyone, in any conflict, has a case.
Bush Toughens Up -- [WSJ]
President Bush strengthened his response to Russia's invasion of Georgia yesterday, sending his Secretary of State to Paris and then on to Tbilisi, and dispatching C-17 transport aircraft with medicine and other humanitarian supplies to the besieged Georgian capital.
South Ossetia: The perfect wrong war -- [CTB - Walid Phares]
I am posting an article I titled "South Ossetia, the Perfect Wrong War." In the current hot debate about the South Ossetia-Georgia conflict there are two main trends in the West:
1. Western frustration: To consider Russia's aggressive response as part of a renewed Cold war and thus a signal for the West to mobilize against the Russians, again.
2. Anti-American Critics: To consider US policy as responsible for this and other crises and thus the need to change this policy.
Our New Running Joke -- [Acute Politics]
...The current government of Georgia is done. Russia will call for "regime change", although they will not use that word. If they get a new government outright, Georgia will become the newest old Russian puppet state. If the current government survives Russian demands for replacement, they will not last long at home and the end state may well be the same.
Other western-friendly former bloc countries have to be sweating buckets right now. Looking at you, Ukraine.
Little Green Footballs Mentioned In Denver Cyanide Death Investigation -- [Gateway Pundit]
Somalia Man Saleman Abdirahman Dirie Found Dead, Large Amount Of Possible Cyanide Found, possible links to Somalia al-Shabaab Terror Group
Good News: Austria to Fund al Qaeda Terrorism -- [Jawa Report]
Not a joke. AKI [which provides, by far, the best terrorism related reporting] notes that Austria has agreed to pay al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb up to $5 million for the release of two civilian hostages, Andrea Kloiber and Wolfgang Ebner.
Bali Bombers Nearing Execution -- [Jawa Report]
(Jakarta, Indonesia) The murdering scum Bali bombers, Amrozi, Mukhlas and Imam Samudra, have exhausted all avenues, presumably, for appeal of their convictions and are set to be executed before the start of Ramadan on September 1st.
Al-Jazeera Deputy Editor: We Didn't Apologize For Kuntar Festivities -- [MEMRI Blog]
The release of a MEMRI TV clip of festivities held by Al-Jazeera TV for released Lebanese prisoner Samir Al-Kuntar triggered criticism of the channel's lack of objectivity and reports that it had apologized for the celebrations.
However, Al-Jazeera deputy chief editor Ahmad Jadallah denied that the channel had apologized ...
American Airlines Narrowly Avoids the C.H.U.D. Label -- [C.H.U.D. Busters]
Wek dropped C.H.U.D. Busters a tip about American Airlines charging too much for servicemember bags headed for the front, but AA decided to implement new policy to waive the fee.
Boxes From "Step Up for Soldiers"
Care packages being delivered to service members. Scenes include boxes stacked on floor, service members carrying them out, and opening boxes, and a service member saying thank you
Recruit your friends and family to join IAVA.
99,000 Americans have joined IAVA in less than four years. 99,000 Americans have shown their support for our newest generation of veterans.
With your help, we can make it 100,000.
IAVA continues to achieve victories for our nation's veterans because of the growing number of Americans, like you, who support us and our work.
Because of your generosity, we raised $20,000 for Scott Winkler and Carlos Leon, two wounded veterans who are competing in the Paralympics next month.
MEMORANDUM FOR U.S. JOINT FORCES COMMAND -- [SWJ]
Subject: Assessment of Effects Based Operations
1. Attached are my thoughts and Commander’s guidance regarding Effects Based Operations (EBO). The paper is designed to provide the JFCOM staff with clear guidance and a new direction on how EBO will be addressed in joint doctrine and used in joint training, concept development, and experimentation. I am convinced that the various interpretations of EBO have caused confusion throughout the joint force and amongst our multinational partners that we must correct. It is my view that EBO has been misapplied and overextended to the point that it actually hinders rather than helps joint operations.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: From A Combat Veteran's Perspective -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
Returning Combat Veterans have a difficult time reintegrating back into society and family life. The scope of this paper explains these issues as they relate to the hindrance of Veterans from attaining a meaningful and productive life.
Coming home and helping those who helped us -- [Armed and Curious - home from Iraq]
I have finally sat down at my computer after a remarkable two weeks that has taken me from 18 hour work days in Baghdad all the way to my living room in Virginia. I am still sort of shaking off the shock of the transition. It is always so strange coming home from combat even though my combat is hardly the dangerous kind it once was.
Soldiers get a patriotic welcome -- [So Md News]
By ERICA MITRANO Summer is the traditional time for barbecues, but the party at a Huntingtown home last Saturday, Aug. 9, was a bit different.
Crowds welcome bodies home -- [Edmonton Sun - Canada]
Normally the conversation is about the need to remain in Afghanistan, or about grief over the loss of life.
But yesterday as the bodies of Master Cpl. Joshua Brian Roberts and Master Cpl. Erin Doyle were repatriated, there was a hint - subtle and small, but still noticeable - of the hope for peace.
"All those people in war stand up and fight and try to get peace, but they give their lives for it," said Rachel Milani, 7, of Niagara Falls.
Blog World Expo Joins The Military (Noon Pacific time 3:00 PM Eastern time) -- [Blog World Radio]
We are joining up with our military bloggers this week to talk about their conference which will be held in Las Vegas along with Blog World and New Media Expo. We are joined by Andi Hurly full time Mom and founder of Spouse Buzz, organizer of the Milblogging Conference, Greyhawk of the Mudville Gazette and Mrs. Greyhawk, and Bill Roggio of the Editor of the Long War Journal and President of Public Mulitmedia, Inc. We have a very full plate and our show is going to be packed with info about military blogging and about their conference taking place in Las Vegas.
Blogworld Expo / MilBlog Conference (BUMPED W/ MANY UPDATES) - [Mrs Greyhawk]
...UPDATE 1 - SURPRISE! Andi has pulled it off again with big names at the MilBlog Conference. Pete Geren, Secretary of the U.S. Army, and General George Casey, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, join us via phone for the Blogger's Roundtable panel.
And I here there are more surprises ahead.
MANY MORE UPDATES SEE ...
New Rap Song Advocates Killing Bill O'Reilly and Michelle Malkin -- [NewsBusters]
Although the hatred for conservative media members by leftists in this nation knows no bounds, a new "song" by the rap group East Coast Avengers represents a new low in vitriolic musical expression.
John McCain and the POW church riot -- [Chicago Tribune]
They called it the church riot. — Sen. John McCain, who is known for his reticence and even discomfort invoking faith on the campaign trail, was once dubbed a “Hell's Angel” for rioting against his captors in Vietnam in order to hold Sunday church services.
U.S. Troops Deployed Abroad Reject McCain’s Iraq Plans, Donate 6:1 To Obama -- [Think Progress]
“… Not only is Obama’s withdrawal plan — redeployment within 16 months — seemingly more popular amongst U.S. troops, but is also favored by Iraqi government officials. Even many wealthy donors in the United States who contributed to Bush in 2004 have been reluctant to donate to McCain because of his Iraq policies.”
Deployed Troops Give To Obama 6 to 1 - [Donklephant]
“… I think we’ve always been led to believe that people in the military will overwhelmingly support the Republican candidate, but that doesn’t seem to be the case…
Troops stationed abroad donating to Obama by six to one margin -- [Hot Air]
Beyond that, the would-be McCain soldier-donor has a hurdle to clear on his way to his checkbook that the Paul and Obama donor doesn’t. By kicking in to Maverick, he’s making it marginally more likely that he’ll continue to be deployed in the field and away from his family in the future. Even if he agrees with McCain’s foreign policy, thinks we ought to finish the job in Iraq, and is willing to continue serving bravely and well to that end, it’s asking a lot to ask him to pay for the privilege.
NOT The “Shocker” Most Americans Would Believe: -- [Gun Totin Liberal]
Barack Obama Receives Six Times MORE In Campaign Controbutions Than Panama John McCain Does From Deployed U.S. Troops
Yep — SHOCKER, indeed — although, I’ve been trying to tell America for years “The Troops” are anything BUT a bunch of Bush-Cheney-McCain backers (Lots of good stuff there, by the way) but you’d never know it if you have never served in the U.S. military and had never been exposed to the HIGHLY limited “Freedom of Speech” standards our troops must adhere to under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (”UCMJ” for our acronym fans).
During the Bush-Cheney Oligarchical “Big Oil And Nation Buildin’ Bidness” in Iraq, far-right, neconservative, Pro-Bush, Pro-Cheney, Pro-Mccain U.S. military member sites such as the ones represented by my brothers and sisters over at the MilBlogs have FLOURISHED — while we “military lefties” have had to either bite our tongues or blog anonymously, as I have done HERE since early 2004.
OK... -- [Grim]
An AP photo appears to show Obama's school registration in Indonesia, listing his religion as Islam. I see that Obama's Fight the Smears page doesn't mention it, though it denies that he was "raised as a Muslim."
So: is the photo real?
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