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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.
The Iraq war is over. -- [Michael Yon, New York Post]
THE Iraq War is over.
Flames still burst from various sources and wild cards remain, such as the potential that Muqtada al-Sadr might stomp his feet and encourage his diminished militias to attack us. Yet support for Sadr among Shia is hardly monolithic. In fact, many Shia view him as a simpleton whose influence derives strictly from respect for his father. Others cite the threat from Iran, but the Iranian participation in the fighting here remains overstated.
Whistleblower: U.S. Snooped on Tony Blair, Iraqi President -- [ABC]
Former Intercept Operator Tells ABC News He Saw Blair File, Heard "Pillow Talk" of Iraqi Leader
A former communications intercept operator says U.S. intelligence snooped on the private lives of two of America's most important allies in fighting al Qaeda: British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Iraq's first interim president, Ghazi al-Yawer.
VI Day – The Beginning -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Late March, 2003. I’m travelling within Germany on business and get into a taxi. I notice by his accent the driver isn’t a German national. Because there’s kind of a bond between ex-pats, we start talking. I ask him where he’s from.
“Iraq. What about you?”
“I’m an American.”
The anti-war sentiment in Germany is high during this time, so we start slowly. But soon the words come tumbling out as he tells me his story.
Victory in Iraq day? -- [Fobbits need ice cream too - in Iraq]
So yesterday was apparently Victory in Iraq day. I guess we didn't get the memo. Stars and Stripes (deployed newspaper propaganda) has the names of dead people in it everyday, so I'm not sure how we achieved victory when people are still dying. Did al-Qaeda sign a treaty? Did all the foreign jihadists go home? Have major combat operations stopped for the second time? People are still walking the beat right now in full kit with mags in condition red; it's not over yet.
The future of Iraq -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
is in excellent hands. Those would be, of course, my hands.
Yeah. That's Your Author, with a cigarette in one hand and an Iraqi child in the other. And, yes, if you look closely, that Iraqi child is carrying a gun. Yes, it's a real gun, a .25 of some sort. And no - it wasn't loaded.
TAJI and the Fun Haters -- [Annex B - in Iraq]
...The P-CSMs are known for constantly enforcing standards that don’t really fit in a war environment. As the rockets and bullets have decreased, the P-CSMs have increased their haranguing of soldiers who’s drip pans aren’t under their vehicles, aren’t wearing reflective belts with their PT uniforms, aren’t saluting every officer they pass and, in-general, aren’t behaving in a professional pogue-ish military manner. The Pogue CSMs are just a pain-in-the ass.
Recent Pictures: Stampede and New Iraqi Commander -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
Below are recent pictures. A stampede of sheep on the roadway and meeting the new Iraqi Brigade Commander.
Another day in Iraq... -- [Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army - in Iraq]
well here I sit, not much to report. The last 10 -14 days have been plenty exciting enough that I don't need to see or do anything for a little while at least. But you never know when something might happen. There were some things that have happened since then, but you know the phrase, "if I told you, I'd have to kill you..." so that's about as far as i can go with that. They didn't make the news this time....they weren't as significant for say, as the last two things that happened that did. We haven't had any cookouts lately, no parties, not much going on. Other than the normal run-around from my unit....nothing new there I guess.
Al Maliki calls for US pullout if pact fails -- [Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network]
“Extending the presence of the international forces on Iraqi soil will not be our alternative,” Al Maliki told journalists. “The alternative will be their immediate withdrawal from Iraq.” Al Maliki affirmed that the Coalition is acting towards persuading other political parties and blocs of the necessity to engage in the security agreement and approve it before it’s too late.
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One Surge Does Not Fit All -- [DONALD H. RUMSFELD - NY Times]
... As one who is occasionally — and incorrectly — portrayed as an opponent of the surge in Iraq, I believe that while the surge has been effective in Iraq, we must also recognize the conditions that made it successful. President Bush’s bold decision to deploy additional troops to support a broader counterinsurgency strategy of securing and protecting the Iraqi people was clearly the right decision. More important, though, it was the right decision at the right time.
Marines drafting plan to send more troops to Afghanistan -- [LA Times]
MISSION: A U.S. Marine meets with elders in Kunar province, in eastern Afghanistan. Marines are eager to join the fight against the Taliban, with some feeling a sense of unfinished business from 2001 when they were abruptly called off.
2/7 Marines got more than they bargained for -- [Bouhammer]
I have posted many stories about the accomplishments of 2/7 Marines, and have interviewed their Battalion Commander several times and even emailed with him personally. This story in the LA Times does a good job summarizing some of the obstacles and combat hardships they faced.
The Marines of the Two-Seven were not even supposed to deploy to Afghanistan.
Herding Ferrets, And I Have Underwear Now... -- [Embrace The Suck - in Afghanistan]
Two things happened today. First thing in the morning we had another airdrop of water and supplies. Fun for me given the fact that I just got off the towers and had to move directly into gunning for this mission. Always good to be behind a fully automatic weapon with no sleep. So it goes.
Al-Qaeda Thanks Iranian Regime For Infrastructure Assistance -- [Gateway Pundit]
The Iranian regime is providing "monetary and infrastructure assistance" to Al-Qaeda according to a letter signed by terrorist leader Ayman al-Zawahiri that was intercepted recently.
U.S. Troops Attacked in Philippines -- [AP]
The details are sketchy, but the Associated Press is reporting American troops riding in a convoy were fired upon by suspected Muslim militants in the Philippines earlier this week. Here's the report in full
Chavez faces test in Venezuela elections -- [CNN]
Venezuelans swarmed the polls on Sunday to cast ballots in hundreds of gubernatorial, mayoral and legislative elections.
But for President Hugo Chavez, the election is about himself -- and he's not even on the ballot.
Hezbollah, an imminent danger? -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
CIA Director Michael Hayden said last week that al-Qaida was still the largest threat to the United States. He added, "If there is a major strike on this country, it will bear the fingerprints of al-Qaida."
But some analysts say that the focus should not go entirely on al-Qaida, stressing that the capabilities of the Shiite organization Hezbollah should not be underestimated.
USAF VALOUR-IT BABY -- [Greyhawk]
The Auction Takes A Turn -- [LW - BlackFive]
Please, if you have not donated, consider even just a dollar. Five would be great, and no one is going to object to more. But, make that start, for every dollar has a direct and tangible benefit to our wounded and disabled.
Overlooked Deployment Benefits -- [Sgt Grumpy]
As is my normal routine at this time of year, I have begun planning for my tax return and looking at end of year tax moves. In the process of reviewing tax changes that have occurred since I deployed, I realized that there are a number of benefits related to the "tax free income" aspect of being in a Combat Exclusion Zone. This is something they do not brief us on as we redeploy, and it is something I think troops should at least be aware of.
WWII vet receives Bronze Star 63 years later -- [Army News]
Retired Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore congratulates former Pfc Douglas W. Kearney after presenting him the Bronze Star Nov. 12 for achievement during combat in World War II.
Home at last -- [thepaper24-7.com]
With signs and banners waving, the soldiers of 3-139th Field Artillery returned home to a hero's welcome Sunday as dozens of family,
Locals rally to welcome troops home -- [Journal Review]
Celeste Strickler choked back tears Saturday morning as she tied ribbons on light posts along Washington Street. ...
CNN Corrects Its Pathetic 'Bush Snubbed By World Leaders' Story -- NewsBusters]
CNN has corrected a bogus story the network's Rick Sanchez pathetically aired Wednesday about leaders at last Saturday's G20 meeting snubbing President Bush as if he had "cooties."
Palin rocked by Turkeygateposted -- [Hot Air - Allahpundit]
Send to a Friend | Share on Facebook | printer-friendly Starts cute, then takes a turn at around 2:30. Pay attention to the mocking chyrons as the video rolls, which are par for the course on this network for this particular politician. They could have and should have treated this lightly, as a shared laugh at a goofy moment, but Shuster’s tone at the very end says it all.
Maybe the Gray Lady should eat crow for Thanksgiving -- [Ed Morrissey - Hot Air]
...One man butchers a turkey for food (two, actually), and the New York Times gets the vapors. Have any of them ever eaten meat? At all? The editors of the Times should declare right now whether they plan to eat real turkey on Thanksgiving, and/or use turkey in sandwiches from now on. If so, how would they expect to have that available to them without the kind of process seen in this clip? Did they think that turkeys somehow committed suicide and left wills donating their bodies to family dining tables around the world?
Drug Warriors Holder and Rambo: Fighting the Wrong War At the Wrong Time -- [LT Nixon]
Obama's top pick for Attorney General, Eric Holder, has been going through the wringer for the Marc Rich pardon and the Elian Gonzalez debacle during his Clinton daze. But, the only major media publication that has been grilling him on his failed drug policies are those pesky libertarians at Reason.
Obama 'Selling Out' On Foreign Policy? -- [Threats Watch - Steve Schippert]
The headline in the UK’s Telegraph says it all: “Barack Obama accused of selling out on Iraq by picking hawks to run his foreign policy”. If elaboration is needed, read the first graphs. Mr Obama has moved quickly in the
Satirical Article on Iranian Website: Imaginary Letter from Obama to Ahmadinejad -- [MEMRI Blog]
..."Dear Mahmoud, I hate to tell you that your letter caused us quite a bother. The White House translators couldn't or wouldn't translate it, saying it was a job for the department of religious propaganda. Eventually we had to ask for the help of our friends the Israelis who know Persian better than us and even maintain trade relations with you guys on the quiet.
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