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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.
Maliki says US era of Iraq dominance is over -- [Khaleej Times Online /AFP]
BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Tuesday that the era of US dominance was over, in a broadside to Washington almost six years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.
The Shiite premier, boosted by the strong showing by his allies in provincial elections, said Iraq was now taking charge of its own destiny and was making good progress toward rebuilding the war-torn country.
His remarks were a pointed rebuke to US Vice President Joe Biden, who last week said Washington would have to be “more aggressive” in pushing Baghdad toward faster political reform.
“The time for putting pressure on Iraq is over,” Maliki told reporters, asked about Biden’s comments
A Signing Ceremony -- [Ramblings from a painter - in Iraq]
Today was the culmination of the working group that I was involved with over the weekend. There was a ceremony in which the US transferred ownership of the Basrah Children's Hospital to Iraq's Ministry of Health.
WHAT WE WILL BE DOING -- [TownHall - Soldier - in Iraq]
I was asked if I could talk about what we will be doing while deployed to Iraq. My team will be advising a DBE Battalion, Department of Border Enforcement, on operations, logistics, personnel, training and so on. We will be working side by side with them helping to build their capabilities for when we leave Iraq.
[Hack] -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
The dust has returned. It was hazy this morning, outright dusty by afternoon, and it's now best described as thick.
We don't tend to run non-essential missions when the visibility is limited, so if doesn't lift, my entertainment for tomorrow is in jeopardy. That's no good, because I'm on a roll this week - two for two at getting lunch provided by someone other than the US Army.
14 Soldiers compete for the title of Kalsu Idol -- [Task Force Mountain - in Iraq]
Keeping in the spirit of the TV show, the judges depicted the original hosts of “American Idol.” The judges also volunteered to be the ones who would decide the fate of the contestants.
The competition began with a variety of songs, ranging from “Lady Marmalade” to “We Belong Together” to “Tom Sawyer.”
Following their performances, contestants faced the judges for praise or constructive criticism.
Iraqi Rock Group Welcomed to US by Metallica
It was a heavy metal miracle. Acrassicauda had been through hell as a rock band in wartime Baghdad. Its practice space was bombed. Its members were branded Satan worshipers and received death threats...
Boots On The Ground -- [Down Range 46 - in Iraq]
Boots On Ground is a term often used in the army vernacular. Essentially, it refers to a Soldier actually standing on the soil or location of a military operation. The 211th MPAD is now in a state of having Boots On Ground. We are here, in Iraq, a war zone.
The Eagle Went over the Mountain -- [Michael Yon]
This after action was compiled to illustrate the difficulties and challenges that Marines will face when deployed to the Helmand and Farah Provinces of Afghanistan. The average enemy fighter in Afghanistan has been fighting continuously for the last thirty years. As a nation, the people of Afghanistan have been fighting for thousands of years. It should come as no surprise that the enemy has developed very effective tactics, techniques and procedures to combat a technologically superior enemy that relies on armored vehicles for transport.
I Joined the Taliban for the Hashish Not the Beheadings, Dude. -- [Jawa Report]
Is this story just too awesome to be true, or what? Arab Times:
[T]he suspect, a former drug addict, decided to go to Afghanistan to consume drugs and grew his beard to give him the look of a Jihadist. After arriving in Afghanistan the man joined a training camp and one week later asked fellow trainees to guide him to the place where hashish is grown. When he arrived at the spot, he took to consuming drugs, says the case papers.
When the Taleban saw him, they were shocked and they came to the conclusion that he had not come to Afghanistan to fight a holy war. So, they asked him to leave.
Afghanistan's Wicked Problems -- [Austin Bay]
The problems afflicting Afghanistan and its violent neighborhood are maliciously complex -- "wicked" problems to use a catchphrase.
"Wicked" problems are dynamic and multidimensional -- intricate, constantly changing challenges that frustrate precise definition. As a wicked problem evolves, we can learn a lot about it -- useful knowledge informing constructive action. But ...
Is Afghanistan Worth It? -- [Captain's Journal]
confluence of events and articles is focusing attention on the question(s) “Why are we in Afghanistan?” and “Is it worth it?” A main stream media reporter recently sent The Captain’s Journal a note questioning what would happen if the U.S. and Britain completely pulled out of Afghanistan? This reporter isn’t alone. The likes of Dr. John Nagl, Michael Yon, Bill Roggio and Dr. David Kilcullen have recently weighed in on a number of both directly and tangentially related issues concerning whether we stay in Afghanistan and what the campaign should look like if we do.
Taliban assault ministries in Kabul -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Nineteen reported killed, more than 50 wounded in suicide attacks and gun battles at the Justice and Education ministries and a prison office.
Afstan, Canada and the US -- [The Torch - in Afghanistan]
CLARIFICATION: This story, which was originally published online on Monday, reported that a senior general said an extension of the Afghan mission of some Canadian troops was being considered during the national election this summer. While the general said contingency plans were being considered to provide security during the campaign, he did not specify an extension of the current troop rotation was under review.
Lieberman Calls For Comprehensive Political-Military Campaign Plan for Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan -- [SWJ]
In an address, on 29 January, to the Brookings Institution, Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) outlined a comprehensive civil-military campaign with five major elements to defeat the insurgency in Afghanistan.
Iran ready for U.S. dialogue -- [Reuters]
The Iranian president's comment that Tehran is ready for talks based on mutual respect with its arch-foe came a day after Obama told a news conference that he saw the possibility of diplomatic openings with Iran in the months ahead.
Mixed Signals From Iran
Ahmadinejad said that he is willing to speak to U.S. leaders in order to address fledgling relations, although his actions may suggest otherwise.
Change! Obama to Lift Sanctions Against Syria & May Allow Travel to Cuba -- [Gateway Pundit]
What Axis of Evil?
For the first time in 30 years, Syria will be taken off the list of the State Sponsors of Terrorism.
Why?... Who knows.
Jihad Watch reported: Syria has been listed by the State Department as among the State Sponsors of Terrorism since December 29, 1979.
Is Obama going to remove that designation?
On what grounds?
"Obama preparing to lift sanctions against Syria," from the World Tribune, February 9 (thanks to Jeffrey Imm):
...For the first time in 46 years, democrats hope to pass legislation to permit unrestricted travel to Cuba.
Change... Miranda Rights Loophole May Help Gitmo Detainees -- [Gateway Pundit]
Because terrorists are people, too.
Omar Khadr faces five war crimes charges that include murder.
In July 2002, Omar Khadr threw a grenade that blew up an American soldier in Afghanistan.
Khadr was wounded and captured during this same firefight.
After his capture a video was found that shows Khadr toying with detonating cord as other men including Abu Laith al-Libi assemble explosives in the same house that had been destroyed in the firefight. He was also seen planting landmines while smiling and joking with the cameraman. It has been suggested that these were the same landmines later recovered by American forces on a road between Gardez and Khowst- Wiki.
Khadr was injured in the firefight and begged to be killed... But US medics saved his life.
Instead, of facing death, Khadr may be set free. He was not read his Miranda rights.
Dining With Terrorists - Global Jihad
Continuing his special series on what defines a "terrorist" Phil Rees travels to Pakistan's remote North West Frontier province, the frontline of the west's so-called war on terror. There he meets members of the Taliban and those seeking to combat and eliminate the group.
Support an Organization that Supports Your Service to Our Country -- [Thunder Run]
I know there are plenty or groups out there that are supporting the military and their mission, but I'd like to once again draw your attention to an organization that is not only supporting the current mission but is also honoring all of those American's who have served their country; both on the front lines as well as the home front. That organization is The National Museum of Americans in Wartime (NMAW).
Love & Hate (pdf) -- [SWJ]
One of my best commanders preached a very simple command philosophy. “Mike,” he would proclaim, “sometimes you got to give the love, and sometimes you got to give them the hate.”
What I have learned about the Army -- [You Served]
The purpose of You Served is to tell the military story. So, it’s in that vein of thought that I reprint a recent story from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael G. Mullen. I hope you like it as much as I did. Maybe I’m biased because here is a Navy man writing about my Army!
Phone Calls Can Be Good or Bad (A Texas Mother's Story) -- [Soldier's Angels NY]
...When he returned to his base another phone call rocked my world. “Mom I am going to Iraq I leave sometime in the next month”. My world was about to fall apart. Zackary had taken the trade of Bomb Disposal and Demolition. Well, you would think that with something like that the only place he could go was a war zone. I didn’t want it to happen. But this was not the Civil War and a hundred pieces of gold was not going to get him out. He was an adult. He made his choice and loving it. What else could I do? I sucked up the courage to tell him to be safe and be good, to remember that he is not the savior of the world and not to do anything dangerous.
ALMOST HOME!!! -- [Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army - on his way home from Iraq]
Jeremy is almost home. I should have done this last night when we got the word, but he will be in Tennessee on Wednesday at about 3pm. That is when his flight is due in Knoxville. I encourage all that can to come to the airport and welcome him home. I am so excited and proud of my brother that there are not words to describe it. I did not get the big homecoming due to my health issues, but I am making up for it by welcoming my brother home. I encourage everyone to email him, call him or post a message on here for him when he gets home.
On War Criminals' Trail, NBC News Stirs Criticism -- [NY Times]
NBC News, which teamed up with local police officers to trap sex offenders for its successful but scandalous “To Catch a Predator” series, is now using similar tactics to hunt bigger game: war criminals.
A Big Lie: Newsweek Claims On Cover 'We Are All Socialists Now'
As the news magazines decline and fall into snarky opinion journals, Newsweek this week has a cover titled "We Are All Socialists Now." They’re recalling Richard Nixon saying "We are all Keynesians now" in 1971. But conservatives uniformly would reply on a rebuttal cover, if there were one: "Speak for Yourself."
Obama Nominee Anti-Military? -- [You Served - CJ]
President Obama recently announced his pick for Solicitor General. No, this isn’t the person who goes around asking people to buy White House magazines or Girl Scout Cookies, it’s actually a legal post. The Solicitor General supervises and conducts government litigation in the United States Supreme Court. The Solicitor General determines the cases in which Supreme Court review will be sought by the government and the positions the government will take before the Court. What kinds of stances do you think Obama’s nominee, Elena Kagan, will take before the Supreme Court? One need only take a look at her past to figure that out.
Time’s Up -- [Fraser from **** - in Iraq]
OK, Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States of America. You have had your chance. Where is the CHANGE? I am seeing nothing different, except a decline in food quality at the chow hall.
1. We will be out of Iraq in 16 months? The clock’s ticking. I’m looking around and I don’t see any moving vans.
2. My 401K is not even a 201K. It’s currently a 101K.
3. Financial institutions are patting each other on their backs and giving themselves big bonuses and new jets. I guess they are really happy with themselves for getting the bail out.
4. He hasn’t paid my mortgage. But then again, I didn’t vote for him.
5. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military is now become, “Don’t Hate, Celebrate”.
Kerry on Taxes - Can we call them socialists, yet?
John Kerry: "So government, yes government, has the ability to make a decision that the private sector won't necessarily make today."
As King Pyrrhus Crows -- [Confederate Yankee]
The Multi-Generational Financial Rape Act of 2009, AKA the "stimulus, bill," has passed in the U.S. Senate. Congratulations, President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid. You deserve all the credit for this bill passing, and I mean that will all sincerity. You own this bill, lock, stock and barrel. All the blame that will thunder down upon you in years to come.
(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)
