Dawn Patrol 03/20/2009

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and various 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.

IRAQ

Iraq combat deaths at 6-year low -- [USA Today]
U.S. combat deaths in Iraq have flattened at the lowest level since the war began six years ago Thursday, and the Navy has not lost a member to combat in more than a year.
Three Marines have been killed in combat since August, and none since December, records show. The Air Force hasn't had a combat death since April, and the Navy since February 2008.

Iraq sees first Western tour group since Saddam fell -- [Reuters]
Iraq has received its first group of Western tourists since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said on Thursday.
The group of eight holidaymakers -- five Britons, two Americans and a Canadian -- arrived on March 8 and toured Iraq's landmark historic sites, including the Biblical city of Babylon, fabled home to the Hanging Gardens.

New Alliances In Iraq Cross Sectarian Lines -- [Washington Post]
Six weeks after provincial elections, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has allied himself with an outspoken Sunni leader in several provinces and broached a coalition with a militant, anti-American cleric, suggesting the emergence of a new axis of power in Iraq centered on a strong central government and nationalism.
Negotiations are still underway in most provinces, distrust remains entrenched among nearly all the players, and agreements could crumble. But ...

What I Will Leave Behind -- [Blogs over Baghdad - in Iraq]
Over the past few weeks SPC Gardner and I have had the opportunity to interact with Iraqi families who come to our office for identification badges. Most of these families arrive dressed in what we would refer to as our “Sunday best” and are prepared to wait for hours. Since our building is not really set up for children, SPC Gardner requested that her family and other organizations in the States send toys for us to give to the children. It was at this point that I began to realize what I would leave behind, the impression of a United States soldier.
SPCs Brittany Gardner and Mary Lee share some presents with local Iraqi children. (Photo by SGT Emily Anderson)
Most children under the age of five have only lived in a military occupied Iraq. Before I came to Iraq, I would hear on the news, various reports of the Iraqis opinions of American Soldiers.

A most desperate situation -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
To our horror, we found ourselves out of meat. There is worse Army chow out there - I know, I've eaten it - but meals here are nothing to write home about. It's been almost a week now since our last Giant Meat Festival.

Museum of Saddam's Horrors -- [Military.com]
In Iraq a museum is being built to display the instruments of torture and the documents proving guilt of Saddam Hussein, his sick son Uday, and his loyal henchmen.

Intelligence made it clear Saddam was not a threat, diplomat tells MPs -- [The Guardian]
A former diplomat at the centre of events in the run-up to the Iraq war revealed yesterday that the government has a "paper trail" that could reveal new information about the legality of the invasion.
...He told the inquiry that the intelligence made it "very clear" that Saddam Hussein did not pose a significant threat to the UK, as was being claimed at the time by ministers, and that tougher enforcement of sanctions could have brought his regime down.

A Few Musings -- [S4 at War - in Iraq]
I set aside my preferred eating habits, picked a honey bun from the plate of pastries set out (it was 9am), and listened eagerly to LTCs and COLs discuss constructing buildings to 2005 vs 2008 standards, are 2005 standards safe? Well we really only use about 5 pages of the SOP anyway so it doesn’t even matter. What about the light balasts? Have we inspected every light bulb in Iraq yet? I left soon after finishing my honey bun.
In other news, FOB closure is about to assume a feverish pace I suspect. More details to follow as they become known.

What You Hear In A War Zone -- [Down Range 46 - in Iraq]
I could hear my breathing and the rhythmic jangling of my dog tags bouncing between my chest and shirt. I could hear the voices of my Soldiers yelling at me across a small span of lake saying, "you go first sergeant!" What I heard were the peaceful sounds of a morning run along a beautiful lake. It was invigorating.
Here is what I did not hear, though I can promise you these sounds fill the air around us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The whopping rotor blades of helicopters over head. The constant drone of hundreds of diesel generators, from which there truly is no escape. The ...

Assad clarifies Syria stand in Iraq -- [alsumaria.tv]
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad affirmed that he is ready to play the role of the mediator with Iran given that he receives a tangible and clear plan to suggest to Tehran and that in an interview with La Republica Italian newspaper. Answering a question about the Iranian influence in Iraq Assad said he thinks that one should differentiate between the influence based on mutual respect and meddling in internal Iraqi affairs. To that,...

The States of Iraq and Afghanistan - [New York Times]
Since the first anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, we have compiled charts on the state of the country for the Op-Ed page every three months. Now, on the sixth anniversary of the invasion, it seems appropriate to include data from the conflict in Afghanistan as well.

AFGHANISTAN

Airstrike Kills Two Key Taliban Leaders -- [Long War Journal - Bill Roggio]
Two Taliban commanders were killed in a Coalition airstrike in southern Afghanistan on March 16, while in central Afghanistan, Afghan and Coalition forces are conducting a major operation to dislodge the Taliban from a valley north of Kabul.

Interview With Afghan President Hamid Karzai -- [PBS]
Mr. President, thank you for having us. Let me start about the new American forces that are coming here, 17,000 troops. Do you welcome them? And did you give them your approval?

Dispatches from FOBistan: The Garrison Problem -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
Grunstein is onto something with the “gated community” issue in both Iran and Afghanistan
...I had a really interesting (and, truth be told, depressing) conversation with a Lieutenant Colonel. He was complaining that commanders get investigated for injuries and deaths on their watch, but not for ceding territory or making enormous mistakes that cost Afghan lives. He felt, rightly, that this was the inversion of a desire to actually defeat the insurgency, and indicative of the ridiculous obsession with averting risk currently infecting the Army.

Our Must-Win War -- [Washington Post - John McCain and Joseph Lieberman]
The 'Minimalist' Path Is Wrong for Afghanistan
...The political allure of such a reductionist approach is obvious. But it is also dangerously and fundamentally wrong, and the president should unambiguously reject it. Let there be no doubt: The war in Afghanistan can be won. Success -- a stable, secure, self-governing Afghanistan that is not a terrorist sanctuary -- can be achieved. Just as in Iraq, there is no shortcut to success, no clever "middle way" that allows us to achieve more by doing less. A minimalist approach in Afghanistan is a recipe not for winning smarter but for losing slowly at tremendous cost in American lives, treasure and security.

The Negotiations Kabuki Continues -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
I’m glad Ackerman has knowledgable sources—maybe one can tell him that they’re not really “senators” the way Americans conceive them, and oh yeah that the last time the government tried this in 2007 the Haqqani Network not-so-politely told them to get lost. Right now, we have the authority of a “mediator” who is himself tied to the idea of being an honest broker because he’s former-Taliban to tell us that Jalaluddin and Siraj, apparently not content with the resouding successes they’ve enjoyed the last two years, now want to back away and join the government. Color us skeptical.

Holy Sh** Report -- [Flopping Aces - Wordsmith]
...“Moderate Taliban” sounds like an oxymoronic term. But yeah, if there are reconcilables amongst them, let’s bribe them off so that they can live to radicalize another day while we slaughter their dead-ender brothers-in-fanaticism.

US Preparing Possible 'Surge' in Afghanistan -- [VOA]
U.S. officials are considering several new strategies to try to reduce violence in Afghanistan and strengthen the country's government. plans include more diplomatic outreach as well as proposals for further expanding military strikes into Pakistan.
While Iran regularly holds talks with Pakistani and Afghan leaders, it has not participated in discussions with the United States on the war in Afghanistan.
That could change on March 31, if Tehran accepts an invitation to join an international summit at The Hague.

Road Map For Afghanistan -- [Washington Post - David Ignatius]
Last October, the Bush administration arranged a briefing for aides to Barack Obama and John McCain on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. Among the expert advisers was David Kilcullen, an Australian counterinsurgency guru who had been one of the architects of the U.S. troop surge in Iraq.
...Obama's policy choices for Afghanistan are usually presented in stark terms: Either he authorizes a major new escalation, well beyond the 17,000 additional troops he has already approved, or he scales back the mission to a narrower counterterrorism effort aimed at preventing al-Qaeda from mounting attacks.
Kilcullen argues that either of these extreme options would be a mistake.

Oh God Please No -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
It’s not just Pakistani authorities—if Obama thinks that a civilian, democratically-elected government is an important bulwark against an unaccountable military and the ultimate victory of Islamist extremism—both debatable concepts to be sure—then they must not escalate the drone attacks. As they stand now, those drone attacks are the best militant recruitment tool the TTP and LeT have, as they are deeply unpopular even among anti-terrorist and anti-extremist leaders in Pakistan.
Since people actually listen when David Kilcullen speaks, they should listen to his advice on the FATA:

Afghanistan Strategy: Lure Fighters Away from Taliban -- [Los Angeles Times]
The Obama administration's plan to overhaul the Afghanistan war will include a reinvigorated effort to sap the strength and influence of Taliban leaders by luring away their foot soldiers, according to advisors involved in a painstaking strategy review.

All The News That Fits -- [Strategy Page]
A major component of Taliban success has been their ability to manipulate the local and international media. Much of this media work is done by, or with the help of, Moslems living in the West, via the Internet. While the old Soviet Union terrorist training schools gave good advice on how to provide the media with what they are looking for (bad, and preferably bizarrely bad, news) to get the attention you desire, a lot of Moslems moving to the West quickly pick up on how the media works.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

We The People Stimulus Package [H/T Grims Hall]

Iranian Tip Credited For Hit On Syria Nuclear Site -- [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
An Iranian defector told the West that Iran was financing North Korean moves to transform Syria into a nuclear weapons power, leading to an Israeli airstrike that destroyed a secret reactor, a report said Thursday.

BRITNEY ZAPATERO: -- [Barcepundit]
Oops, he did it again. First Iraq, now Spain is unliaterally pulling its troops from Kosovo:

Two U.S. Navy Vessels Collide in the Strait of Hormuz - [US Naval Forces Central Command]
MANAMA, Bahrain – A U.S. Navy submarine and U.S. amphibious ship collided in the Strait of Hormuz early Friday morning, March 20, 2009.
The collision between USS Hartford (SSN 768) and USS New Orleans (LPD 18) occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time (5:00 p.m. EDT, March 19).
Fifteen sailors aboard the Hartford were slightly injured and returned to duty.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Bin Laden urges jihad against new Somali government -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Al Qaeda's leader praised Shabaab and called for the downfall of the government led by former Islamic Courts leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. This is the third tape on Somalia released by senior al Qaeda leaders since Feb. 13.

New Bin Laden Audio: "Fight On, Champions of Somalia" -- [Jawa Report]
Earlier today al Qaida'a media front, As-Sahab, released an audio tape dubbed over a still picture of Bin Laden in front of a map of Somalia. This is the second video released by As-Sahab that deals almost exclusively with Somalia in the past two months.
...Exit question..... WTF happened to Zawahiri? No tapes from him recently and one unconfirmed sighting in Somalia. I don't understand why al-Qaeda has switched from Zawahiri and al-Liby all at once to bin-Laden.

A Inhofe Calls For Vote On Guantanamo Detainees -- [NewsChannel 8]
Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe is calling on all his fellow Senators to take a stand against bringing detainees from Guantanamo Bay into the United States.
"Every member of the U.S. Senate needs to let their constituents know where they stand on this critical national security issue," Inhofe said. "Americans deserve to know the truth about what could be coming to their communities in the not too distant future."

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Leave A Comment, Support the Troops -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
Help raise a lot of money for Soldier's Angels and Wounded Warriors Project just by leaving a comment! It's so easy that all you need to do is leave a comment or become a subscriber of one of my new favorite places. Check out Just Barely for more info.

Welcome to More Than Brothers -- [More Than Brothers]
Our purpose is to increase awareness over the rigid and antiquated policies that endanger our men and women at war today. The types of injustices recently suffered by the men of Dog Company are increasing in frequency because of misguided foreign policy. Reasonable acts of self defense have become so scrutinized that dangerous hesitations and misguided priorities have become hallmarks of today's battlefield. Our rules of engagement put the American Soldier at an unfair disadvantage.
The challenges faced by the men of Dog Company still loom overhead. Several Dog Company Soldiers are facing punishment for safeguarding their brothers in arms. The time is ripe for a public debate on the double standards that tie our hands in combat while making it easier for the enemy to cut them off.

MILITARY

$500 stop-loss pay will begin April 1 -- [One Marine's View]
ARLINGTON, Va. — Soldiers currently stop-lossed can expect an extra $500 on April 1, a top Army official said late Wednesday.

Viet Nam - Ambush on Alpha and Delta Companies

Vets rundown the events leading up to and following this controversial day in the Vietnam war.

Military Laser Hits Battlefield Strength -- [Danger Room]
Huge news for real-life ray guns: Electric lasers have hit battlefield strength for the first time -- paving the way for energy weapons to go to war.

WELCOME HOME

Town to welcome heroes home -- [Hampshire Chronicle]
Romsey will have the chance to show its support for our troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan when members of the Princess of Wales’s Royal

Soldier returns from Iraq to throng of well-wishers -- [Delaware County Daily Times]
“This is too much,” he said. “I’m happy to be home. I just didn’t expect this.”
The welcome in his hometown was the second part of Lebold’s welcome home celebration. When his plane landed at Philadelphia International Airport earlier in the evening, he was greeted by family members and a contingent of the Warriors Watch motorcycle riders.

‘Welcome Home’ ceremonies going national -- [New Richmond News]
The two simple words, “welcome home” aren’t hard to say, but many soldiers who served in foreign wars never heard them. Now, sometimes decades later

10,000 line the streets to welcome home Royal Lancers -- [Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]
Thousands of people lined the streets of Northampton to welcome county soldiers home from Iraq.

MILBLOGGING

The Art of Milblogging AND Break-dancing Stormtroopers -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
After being part of the Small Wars Journal community for a while, I can honestly say that, yes, a few people with ideas and laptops can make a difference.
...After being part of the Small Wars Journal community for a while, I can honestly say that, yes, a few people with ideas and laptops can make a difference.

In the Agora -- [Greyhawk]
Wikipedia: "The Agora was an open "place of assembly" in ancient Greek city-states. Early in Greek history (900s–700s BCE), free-born male land-owners who were citizens would gather in the agora for military duty or to hear statements of the ruling king or council."

Troop Tube

Bases Ban Troop Tube

THE MEDIA

Two U.S. journalists being held in North Korea -- [CTV.ca]
North Korean soldiers detained two American journalists near the country's border with China, South Korean news reports and a South Korean missionary said Thursday.
The journalists -- Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for former Vice President Al Gore's San Francisco-based online media outlet Current TV -- were taken into custody Tuesday, a missionary who spoke to them earlier that day told The Associated Press.

North Korea Detains Two (?) U.S. Journalists -- [One Free Korea]
The preponderance of reports thus far suggest that two American journalists with the network Current TV were arrested — and if this is confirmed, it would be fair to say “abducted” — from the Chinese side of the Yalu River while filming North Korea.

POLITICS

When Will Obamas Stop Lying to Military Families? -- [Villianous Co]
You know, I'm becoming extremely tired of Barack and Michelle Obama lying to the American public and military families:
...During last year's campaign??? By the time the Obamas finally woke up and realized we could be useful to them we exist, military families had been at war for five years. What took our monumentally clueless First Lady and her husband so long to wake up and smell the coffee?

Obama Offers Olive Branch to Iran via White House Video

"Coasters" -- [Greyhawk]
Remember the 25 DVD Giftset? "Geesh," said a local blogger at the time, "I hope they were encoded for region 2."
As it turns out, nope:
Alas, when the PM settled down to begin watching them the other night, he found there was a problem.

Obama White House bars press from press award ceremony
Barack Obama was elected commander in chief promising to run the most transparent presidential administration in American history. This achievement and the overall promise of his historic administration caused the National Newspaper Publishers Assn. to name him "Newsmaker of the Year."
The president is to receive the award from the federation of black community newspapers in a White House ceremony this afternoon.
The Obama White House has closed the press award ceremony to the press.

Brownback to block Iraq nominee -- [Washington Times]
Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas threatened Thursday to take advantage of a Senate rule to block the confirmation of Christopher Hill as U.S. ambassador to Iraq on the grounds that Mr. Hill misled him in promising to raise human rights in talks with North Korea.

19 March 2009 -- [One Free Korea]
THE WEEKLY STANDARD BLOG is reporting that Senator Brownback is publicly threatening to hold Chris Hill’s nomination, which would doom it. TWS points out that Brownback isn’t running again and has little to lose by raising the ire of Sen. Richard Lugar. Lugar, who represents the State Department in the Senate, is also Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
IT WAS LUGAR, you will recall, who quietly torpedoed the nomination of John Bolton as U.N. Ambassador, despite the fact that Bolton rammed the only effective U.N. resolutions on North Korea through the Security Council.

Outrage of the morning -- [Patriots for America]
A posting from my Marine web site.
The outrage of the morning: the Department of the Navy has given Congressman John Murtha a “Distinguished Service” award. Yes, that’s the same John Murtha who accused the Haditha Marines of being murderers without evidence, before their trial, then refused to apologize when all charges against them were dropped.
Here’s a petition to try to reverse this utterly unmerited award:

PETA Sees Win In Military's Probe Of Use Of Animals -- [Norfolk Virginian-Pilot]
An animal-rights group is claiming a victory in its campaign to get the military to stop using animals to simulate battlefield injuries, but the Defense Department says the group had nothing to do with a decision to weigh the issue.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

Dawn Patrol 03/18/2009

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and various 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.

IRAQ

ISI Commander in New Audio Message: Obama's Decision To Withdraw U.S. Troops From Iraq - An Admission of Failure; New Campaign Underway -- [MEMRI Blog]
In a 16-minute audio message on March 17, 2009, Islamic State of Iraq commander Abu 'Omar Al-Baghdadi stated that U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq constitutes an admission of failure.

A View Of Iraq 6 Years After U.S Invasion & War (Part 1)

Iraq: Winning the War with Women -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Farhana Ali]
Over the past year, there is more attention being given to the trend of female suicide bombers in Iraq. Earlier this month, I was invited as a guest speaker by Columbia University to present my research findings on women in Iraq's insurgency. The same week, I offered a similar presentation at Rutgers University School of Law, which devoted an entire day to "The Gender Dimensions of Terror." This week, I received two interview requests from international journalists about female bombers in Iraq, which makes it clear that the world community continues to seek answers to the bomber behind the veil.

The Troops Are Still There -- [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Tomorrow is the sixth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, but no one is paying much attention.
Instead, our attention is fixated on bank bailouts and AIG bonuses. There are still 142,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq, but there is amazingly little fuss about them. U.S. casualties are down, and most troops will be withdrawn by the summer of 2010, with a reserve of 35,000 to 40,000 remaining through 2011.

Open to interpretation -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
My team consists of a major, a staff sergeant and two buck sergeants. We have, collectively, nine tours in rakistan, and about fifty years of service. We would be entirely useless, however, without our interpreters.

Ordinary Moments in a Once-Unpredictable Place -- [Washington Post]
"The disaster of the occupation," read leaflets handed out at Abu Hanifa in the months after the United States invaded and occupied Iraq. They echoed the graffiti. "Long live Saddam," declared a slogan, scrawled in black. "Jihad is our way," proclaimed another. Soon, what Iraqis call the taifiya, the sectarian war, began, and after nightfall, Antar Square looked like it might an hour before dawn: dark, abandoned and menacing.
The street beyond it was called Sharia al-Mawt, or the Street of Death.

Peace and Disquiet -- [Strategy Page]
March 18, 2009: A public health survey indicated that 30 percent of Iraqis had experienced a shooting or bombing incident. Ten percent had been kidnapped, or arrested, or had a family member suffer such a fate. The large number of people exposed to terrorist violence has generated a lot of the tips about the remaining radical organizations. There are still groups of Baath party terrorists, seeking to use terror to return Baath to power. While that appears absurd, the Baath members involved are deadly serious.

Fighting for Hearts and Minds -- [IraqPundit]
One of the Middle East's struggles got some press this week. We have known for a while that there's a fight for the support of the Arab people for different ideologies. Recently, it reached a new level when the head of the Arab leaders and the head of the terrorists made their arguments. Arab League chief Amr Moussa is visiting Iraq to improve relations among member countries. During a visit to Baghdad, he promised to hold the 2010 meeting of the Arab countries in Baghdad under an Iraqi chairmanship. Improving relations among the countries would open up all sorts of economic opportunities for the region.

AFGHANISTAN

McKiernan: Afghanistan "will be won" -- [Greyhawk]
The quote struck me because it's the first sign of any optimism whatsoever I've heard from that theater of operations.

They move quick around here... (updated) -- [Abu Muqawama]
Increasing the funding for an aid program may not make a lot of sense in this economic climate, but the NSP isn't like traditional Western aid programs in Afghanistan (where, because of overhead and other costs, only a third of the funding actually finds its way to the Afghan government). The NSP is one of the most cost-efficient programs because Afghans are involved at every level in the decision-making process. And the Taliban are less likely to burn down a school made by fellow Afghans than they are a school made by USAID.

200 Years In The Kingdom of Kabul -- [Outside the Wire]
The nature of how little things have changed became starkly apparant to me a few months ago when young man from Peshawar, via Qatar, bought the corner gas station near where I live.
At first I chatted him up in Arabic, after seeing some script on a jacket he was wearing. I could tell he was not an Arab. And he confirmed that he was from Pakistan.
But, he went further. He was an Afghan, a Peshawar Pathan.

15 Lawmakers: 'Reconsider' Surge -- [Washington Times]
A bipartisan group of 15 congressmen has called on President Obama to "reconsider" sending 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan without first securing an exit strategy.
"We urge you to reconsider such a military escalation," wrote the lawmakers, saying the planned deployments "may well be counterproductive."
"We are also concerned that any perceived military success in Afghanistan might create pressure to increase military activity in Pakistan. This could very well lead to dangerous destabilization in the region and would increase hostility toward the United States," they added.

U.S. Plan Would Send Hundreds More Civilians to Afghanistan -- [Washington Post]
Hundreds of additional U.S. diplomats and civilian officials would be deployed to Afghanistan as part of the new civil-military regional strategy that President Obama’s top national security advisers plan have prepared for his signature next week, according to administration officials.

At the Front in Musa Qala -- [A Battlefield Tourist]
This is the first of maybe 10 videos that I’ll be releasing in regards to my recent trip to Farah and Helmand Provinces. This particular story is a video version of this post: Four Hours With Brits and Afghans.

Russian Mined -- [Deployed Teacher]
As I approached, I asked the elder why he was limping, like he could understand my impeccable English! Then, I reverted to what I know best, gesticulating, pointing to his leg, and raising my voice like he had a hearing problem, as opposed to a comprehension problem. Now he understood my question!
I was stunned by his answer because I knew he spoke little to no English. He stopped, looked down, lifted his pantleg to show me a prosthesis and exclaimed, "Fuckin' damn Russians mines! Fuckin' Russian mines!"

Troops Aid Afghans With Security, Supplies -- [Defense Link]
As the Afghan people work to develop their infrastructure, U.S. forces are offering their assistance on a number of fronts. In recent days, U.S. soldiers provided security for the opening of a new district center in eastern Afghanistan and delivered humanitarian aid to villagers in the south

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Kremlin Signals a Harder Line on Relations With the US - [Wall Street Journal]
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev struck a Cold War tone on Tuesday, pledging to press ahead with an ambitious rearmament program in response to what he described as NATO's military expansion close to Russia's borders.
His hawkish comments come ahead of his first meeting with President Barack Obama early next month

Medvedev Pushes Plan to Remake Russian Military - [Washington Post]
President Dmitry Medvedev vowed Tuesday to press ahead with an ambitious overhaul of Russia's armed forces despite the nation's economic problems and vocal opposition from within the military.

US Shares Blame in Mexico Drug Violence, Senators Say - [Los Angeles Times]
Efforts by Mexico and the United States to stem the skyrocketing border drug and weapons trade are failing, and both countries are to blame for the rise of violent cartels responsible for more than 6,000 deaths in Mexico last year, lawmakers and experts said in a Senate hearing Tuesday

UN expert: North Korea commits widespread torture -- [AP]
GENEVA (AP) — A U.N. human rights investigator accused North Korean authorities Monday of committing widespread torture in prisons that he called "death traps."
Life in the reclusive communist-ruled country is "dire and desperate," said Vitit Muntarbhorn, adding that people are denied enough food to survive.

North Korea Refuses Further Food Aid From U.S.-- [Washinton Post]
"North Korea has informed the United States that it does not wish to receive additional U.S. food assistance at this time," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters. "We are obviously disappointed," Wood said. "Clearly this is food assistance that the North Korean people need. That's why we are concerned."

INTOLERABLE SUFFERING, STARVATION, torture, almost universal suffering, yada yada: -- [One Free Korea]
Diplomats said his comments and an accompanying report, although similar in their conclusions to studies of North Korea from independent rights groups, were among the most critical on one country ever presented to a U.N. forum. Muntarbhorn, formally a special rapporteur for the Council which is not obliged to act on his recommendations, said the North Korean government’s abuse of its citizens should be addressed by the entire global community....

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Drones Buzz Pak Town Eyed As Bin Laden's Hideout -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
"If they are in Chitral but aren't shooting right now, they have intel to suggest a bad guy is there and they are trying to build a targeting package," surmised a former U.S. counterterror operative with recent experience hunting Al Qaeda leaders. "It often takes days or weeks to confirm that you have the right guy, and that you can take the shot in a way that minimizes casualties."

Obama secretly ends program that let pilots carry guns on planes after 9/11 -- [Jawa Report]
Thats right he's ended the program allowing pilots to carry firearms on a plane.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Veterans Groups Denounce Private Insurance Proposal -- [Washington Post]
An Obama administration proposal to bill veterans' private insurance companies for treatment of combat-related injuries has prompted veterans groups to condemn the idea as unethical and powerful lawmakers on Capitol Hill to promise their opposition.
Nevertheless, the White House confirmed yesterday that the idea remains under consideration, and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and leaders of veterans groups are scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss it further.

The Slow Boil Begins -- [Greyhawk]
The American Legion describes some potential problems with the newly proposed Obama/Shinseki "F#$k the Veterans" program...
clarifying remarks from David Rehbein: "President Obama made clear during our discussion that he intends to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans with service-connected disabilities."

American Legion commander “angered” after meeting Obama -- [Hot Air]
Apparently, the Obama administration hasn’t backed away from its plans to start offloading costs for wounded veterans to third-party insurance, which will make acquiring such insurance nearly impossible. The commander of the American Legion emerged from a meeting with President Obama “angered” at Obama’s insistence on generating revenue from those who sacrificed for American security:

Crossing The Line -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
Mr. Obama, who the hell do you think you are to turn your back on our troops who fought the nation's war, defended our freedom, and pursued our interests abroad and were injured in the process?! Billing our wounded warriors?! Are you F*#@ing serious?!

For Wounds Suffered, Purple Heart and a Bill! -- [Afghanistan Shrugged - in Afghanistan]
It bothers me greatly to think that the US Government who sent me here to fight would think about charging me or my insurance company for wounds and service related disabilities suffered in the defense of my country.

Obama backs off plan to alter vets' healthcare -- [The Hill]
The White House on Wednesday backed off a controversial plan that would have dramatically altered the way the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) handles insurance claims, after veterans groups staged an all-out fight against such a proposal.
President Obama will not pursue a proposal that would have allowed the VA to charge private insurance companies for the treatment of veterans with service- and war-related injuries.

The military privacy debate -- [La Times]
...One acquaintance, favoring privacy, said that if the worst were to happen to her husband and someone wielding a camera dared to elbow in on her family's grief, she'd "open up a can of Army wife whoop-ass." The image of the modern military spouse is half-frontier wife, half-Care Bear -- by turns stoically able and cooingly comforting. But when it comes to acting on behalf of our kin and the larger military family, make no mistake: Wives are warriors too.

Tell Me Mr. Gates....How Can You Lift the Ban After This? -- [Thunder Run]
So your visit to honor these fallen heroes was a personal visit, one no media agent was allowed to impose upon, and yet you are still planning on lifting the ban on media access to Dover. You sir are a hypocrite and a failure to those you serve!

Army Leaders Develop Suicide Prevention Programs -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
I got this from Forces Command and wanted you know more about what we're doing to try and stem the suicide rates within the Army. A lot of this I've already mentioned, but there is some great news in here that may help.

You Can Prevent an Abomination From Happening -- [BlackFive]
If it were possible, I almost spewed Guinness when I saw that our pal Nick at Ranger Up wants to be in a photo shoot in short shorts and a women's tank top...?!
But there is a charity angle to this. You can follow Nick's instructions and we can help Soldiers Angels and the Wounded Warrior Project and help Nick win a bet and keep his hairy self out of some shorts destined for the beautiful and talented Amy. Here's Nick's message:

MILITARY

The End of Stop Loss -- [Castle Argghhh!]
Secretary Gates announced today the Army was ending its use of the Stop Loss authority this year.
The Army has chosen to stop using the Stop Loss authority they've been using for the last six years. They retain the option, however. Don't think it went away. We're one major mess in the world away from it coming back.
What's changed?...

Gates readies big cuts in weapons -- [Boston Globe]
Two defense officials who were not authorized to speak publicly said Gates will announce up to a half-dozen major weapons cancellations later this month. Candidates include a new Navy destroyer, the Air Force's F-22 fighter jet, and Army ground-combat vehicles, the offi cials said.
More cuts are planned for later this year after a review that could lead to reductions in programs such as aircraft carriers and nuclear arms, the officials said.

Concerning U.S. Defense Cuts -- [Captain's Journal]
Following are some related but disaggregated thoughts on the upcoming U.S. Department of Defense budgetary cuts, along with some very good required reading on this subject

Bad Tactics, Bad Infantry Officers??? -- [A Major's Perspective]
A friend of mine just sent this to me, and at first I thought
He first states, "because American infantry tactics are bad. They amount to little more than bumping into the enemy and calling for fire. The easiest way to provide the overwhelming firepower our bad infantry tactics depend on is with airstrikes. So to win tactically, we have to lose strategically."

Dismissal Of Iraq Charges Upheld -- [Los Angeles Times]
An appeals panel rules that a military judge rightly tossed out charges against Marine in Haditha deaths.
A military appeals court Tuesday upheld the dismissal of war crimes charges against Marine Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, the highest-ranking Marine charged in the 2005 killing of 24 civilians in Haditha, Iraq.
The court agreed with a military judge at Camp Pendleton who ruled in June that there was the appearance of "unlawful command influence" in the matter because a Marine lawyer who investigated the case had sat in on meetings where it was discussed with the general who later decided to charge Chessani and seven other Marines.

WELCOME HOME

THE VICTORY LAP OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP SCURRYING AND LOVE THE CALM -- [Buck Sergent - home from Iraq]
This one's for you, GH:
JAMming in Jamia: Strumming the West Baghdad Blues and bringing it to Jaish al Mahdi with some SRV northwest of the IZ.
Yes, I'm finally home again.

THE MEDIA

Why we laugh when someone talks about "unbiased journalism" -- [The Torch]
As I've said before, and undoubtedly will say countless times again, there's no such thing. "Unbiased journalism" is a fairy tale told to children and developmentally challenged adults. It does not exist in real life. Case in point number...geez, I've lost count. Well, regardless, I give you Mike Blanchfield of the Canwest tribe of ink-stained wretches, who seems to be just aching for the CF and the Canadian government to admit we've screwed up in Kandahar by the numbers. Why, look at what the Dutch have done:

Bouhammer review of At War -- [Bouhammer]
This review is based on my thoughts and feelings, the feedback I heard from people in my home the first night and the almost hour of questions and answers we had the 2nd night at the University at Buffalo. Well it has taken me a week to come up with the thoughts and words to describe the Scott Kesterson/David Leeson film, At War. I watched it with Scott, my family (to include my son who just got back from Afghanistan himself), and a couple of members of my ETT team in my house last Sunday night

Washington Times journalists train Diyala journalists -- [MNF-I]
Baqubah, Iraq – Addressing complex issues ranging from journalistic license to the independence of the press, Mr. Richard Tomkins recently gave a media class to local journalists at the Diyala Governance Center in downtown Baqubah, the capital city of Diyala province, March 11. A veteran journalist currently writing for the Washington Times, United Press International, and the Middle East Times, Tomkins has a career that spans more than 36 years, four continents, and a multitude of different publications across the globe

POLITICS

Tacky Michelle Obama & Liberal Media Diss Laura Bush -- [Gateway Pundit]
It's been at least 8 years since America has had such a self-absorbed and selfish First Lady.
In a recent interview the Far Left wife of the antiwar president was just too impressed with herself for noticing that the military families actually sacrifice for their country here in America. Team Obama even went as far as to suggest that military families "had probably have never been invited to the White House."
What a slap in the face to the Bushes. It truly takes a liberal to be that self-absorbed.
And, it takes a liberal media to be oblivious to the fact that the Bush family spent hundreds of hours comforting military families.

Another Marines View -- [Maj Pain - BlackFive]
“I'm Tired" by Robert A. Hall
...I'm tired of a news media that thinks Bush's fundraising and inaugural expenses were obscene, but that think Obama's, at triple the cost, were wonderful. That thinks Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time, but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to control weight and stress, that picked over every line of Bush's military records

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

Dawn Patrol 03/16/2009

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and various 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.

IRAQ

Dramatic Advances Sweep Iraq, Boosting Support for Democracy — [ABC News/BBC/NHK National Survey of Iraq]
Dramatic advances in public attitudes are sweeping Iraq, with declining violence, rising economic well-being and improved services lifting optimism, fueling confidence in public institutions …

Cheney: US 'succeeded' in Iraq -- [Seattle Post Intelligencer]
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said in his first television interview since leaving office that the Iraq invasion was "worth doing" and the US succeeded ...

US forces shot down Iranian drone-Iraq official -- [Reuters]
US forces shot down an Iranian drone aircraft that ventured inside Iraq several weeks ago, a senior Iraqi ...

Sadr City streets renovated at $2.4 m -- [Aswat Al Iraq]
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Baghdad’s Secretariat has initiated work on a project to renovate a main street in Sadr city at a cost of nearly $2.4 million U.S. dollar.
“Work has begun on Saffi al-Din al-Heli street at Zain al-Qaws intersection,” according to a statement released by the secretariat and received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
Renovation works will also include the streets of Zayn al-Qaws, al-Ommal and Missan, the statement explained.

Sobering Stories -- [The Writings of a Man’s Man -- in Iraq]
In the last few weeks I have run into sobering story after sobering story. I have talked to at least five separate families who have had family members (Fathers, sons, brothers, daughters and sisters) kidnapped and in almost every case murdered by extreme Shia Insurgents. They all come to me, the face of the United States of America at the Joint Security Station hoping that I will be the one to bring them justice. They all complain that the Iraqi Police have done little to find the perpetrators of these heinous crimes or bring them to justice. Unfortunately there is little I can do as I am not a detective and even if I find out beyond any shadow of a doubt who has committed what crime the security agreement means it is up to the Iraqi Police to pursue justice. Even when I can find out who the perpetrator is getting a warrant for them is difficult, and if I get a warrant finding them is nearly impossible. Even if I get a warrant for their arrest, find them and help the Iraqi Security Forces to detain them, corruption could lead to their release and proving anything in trial is extremely difficult.

Things that make you say "Huh." -- [Bad Dogs and Such - in Iraq]
In true lead-from-the-rear fashion, I was doing paperwork on the FOB today while my boys were out battling the forces of evil. SGT C was out doing a "Key Leader Engagement" in a village nobody remembered visiting. SGT B went to look at a couple of schools.
I was standing around when SGT C got back. He caught my eye and rushed over.
"Hey, man," I said. "How was the mission?"
"You'll never believe what we found," ...

Virginia Peanuts -- [Notes from Iraq - in Iraq]
On my first day back with the team, we went on a combat patrol to visit our Iraqi Army counterparts. En route, I was quickly reminded where I was, as a herd of sheep traveled down the road toward us, parting closely to our stopped vehicles. Not a common sight in Virginia.

A Soldier of the 9th Iraqi Army Division: -- [Grim's Hall - Grim in Iraq]
The uniform variations are endlessly hilarious to US soldiers. Our XO said that a good unit of the IA will have at least nine different kinds of uniforms, none of which will be worn to standard...On the other hand, note the correct eyepro, the soldierly bearing, and the fact that somebody thought enough of him that they gave him a combat patch (even if he is wearing it with a Marine Corps uniform). That's not too surprising.

Felafel: -- [Grim's Hall - Grim - in Iraq]
The puppy's name -- for those of us who cared to give her a name -- is "Felafel." She lives at a patrol base we've handed over; I'm not sure what the Iraqis call it now. They don't call the puppy anything at all, but she comes running when she sees an American hummer.

Now Why Don’t He Write..? -- [The Gun Line - in Iraq]
It’s funny, if you think about it… Haven’t heard anything from the ol’ Gun Line?
That’s because nothing has happened!
Think about it.
A war zone.. And there’s nothing to report…

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan strategy to be unveiled by Obama -- [Karachi News.Net]
After a secretive, two-month review of Afghanistan by senior civilian and military officials, President Obama will announce his strategy for the US military commitment before the end of the month.
President Obama will announce aspects of the administration's new approach for the Afghan government to reconcile with some elements of the Taliban and other militant organizations.
He is also expected to explain efforts by the US to ensure that the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region ceases to be a safe haven for terrorists.

What Failed In Iraq, Fails in Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page - James Dunnigan]
...The important thing was avoiding, detecting or defeating IEDs. In 2006, only 8 percent of IEDs put out there caused casualties. In 2007, it was nine percent. In 2008, it was less than five percent. The main objective of IEDs was to kill coalition troops, and at that, they were very ineffective. In 2006, you had use 48 to kill one soldier. In 2007, you needed 49 and by 2008, you needed 79. IEDs are doing worse in Afghanistan,
In Afghanistan, the enemy starts off at a disadvantage, because they don't have the expertise or the resources of the Iraqi IED specialists.

Improved Security Will Clear Way For Afghanistan's Move Foward, Mullen Says -- [Defense Link]
Providing security for Afghan people until they can provide their own will help set the conditions needed to move the country forward, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a Public Broadcasting Service interview

What Lessons Do We Already Have On “Tribal Militias? -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
FOB SALERNO, AFGHANISTAN — Here is some neat research:
Tariq, Mohammed Osman (2008). “Tribal Security System (Arbakai) in Southeast Afghanistan,” Crisis States Research Center [PDF]
The issue of raising up tribal militias to do our fighting for us has caused me a great deal of worry. In 2006, for example, the Afghan government thought it needed to try this in the South. Needless to say, few received it well:

Empower Afghans -- [Deployed Teacher -- in Afghanistan]
Somebody brought up a great point about where to draw the line in how much we help Afghanistan and it's citizens. I was having a discussion concerning Afghan children on the other side of the fence, "outside the wire". The translator said "Yes, children typically stand there, with puppy dog eyes, hoping a soldier will throw them some bottled water, candy, etc." Soldiers are torn, because they see their plight, maybe even see their own children in their eyes, and naturally, want to help.

Taliban threaten to kill aid workers as spies -- [CNN]
A top Taliban commander has issued a new threat to foreign aid workers, saying that under the insurgent group's new "constitution" they will execute them as spies or hold them in exchange for the release of Taliban fighters.
Taliban militants pose with their weapons as they drive their car in Wardak province. (File photo)
In an exclusive telephone interview Friday night with CNN, Mohammed Ibrahim Hanafi said the Taliban intelligence wing was actively gathering information on foreign aid workers. "If we get someone, that is how we will deal with it under our new constitution," he said.

Russia backs US ops in Afghanistan -- [AFP]
KABUL (AFP) — Russia supports US operations in Afghanistan and is ready to contribute to stabilising the country, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an ...

Lavrov visits Afghanistan

US launches second strike outside of Pakistan's tribal areas -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Two al Qaeda operatives and two Taliban fighters are reported to have been killed in an attack on a compound Bannu.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Chávez denies offering base to Russia -- [Boston Globe]
Chávez - a fierce critic of Washington with close ties to Russia and Cuba - said his government did not raise the possibility, as Russian media had reported ...

Iran signs $3.2-billion natural gas deal with China -- [Los Angeles Times]
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivers a speech during a conference in Tehran, March 4, 2009. Iran announced a $3.2-billion natural gas deal today

Why Iran hates the United States -- [The Examiner]
U.S. policy has not only ignited right-wing Islamic fundamentalism in Iran, but the U.S. has gone so far as to stifle democracy in this Persian Islamic Republic, beginning over half of a century ago. In addition, as mentioned in the previous article, U.S. support for Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war during the 1980s has aggrandized America’s image as “The Great Satan”. Although younger generations have revealed a heart-felt predilection towards American freedom, the U.S. can’t simply wait 10 years for democracy to flourish - like a boy whistling in the dark; it must deal with the regime in power that is led by Ahmadinejad and old guard imams, mullahs and ayatollahs immediately – especially to deter them from weaponizing nuclear power for long-range usage.
In order to attempt diplomacy with Iran, U.S. diplomats must ...

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Bin Laden accuses Arab leaders, urges jihad -- [Reuters]
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden accused conservative Arab leaders of plotting with the West against Muslims and urged his followers to prepare for jihad (holy war), in a recording posted on Islamist websites.

Obama's Changes to Anti-Terrorism Policy Will Raise the Risk of Attack -- [FOX News]
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday that the Obama administration will "raise the risk" of a terrorist attack by overhauling his predecessor's approach to the War on Terror.
Cheney sharply criticized Obama's decisions to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, limit the methods CIA officers use to interrogate terror suspects and suspend military tribunals for alleged terrorists, saying those decisions taken together will make Americans less safe.
And he warned that the administration was transitioning to a pre-9/11 mindset that views terrorism as a "law enforcement problem" and not a military threat.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Living MoH Recipient May Be Coming -- [Marine Times]
The Marine Corps commandant said Wednesday that an investigator is reviewing a valor case that, if approved, would yield the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor in the war on terrorism.
“We have a case that I sent an investigating officer out to take a look at on the West Coast that, if proven, I think will prompt me to recommend the Medal of Honor for a living Marine,” Gen. James T. Conway said.

A unique parade -- [Armed and Curious]
I was finally privileged to attend a Wounded Warrior March for the first time. Taking place every six weeks or so it brings about a dozen wounded service members and their families down from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit the Pentagon for a tour and to be honored by the employees of the Department of Defense. No cameras are allowed and no media coverage is invited. Just the wounded warriors and the people who labor in Washington so far away from the battlefield.

ETT team needs your help, AGAIN! -- [Bouhammer]
Hey brother, I feel bad asking you for help again but we’ve got an issue. The 101st is ripping out and has decided that they really no longer need to order UGR-As nor really serve chow, thus we’re having to live off of the stuff we’ve stockpiled from your readers that sent us stuff. Needless to say we’re running low again and need a class 1 push if you can wrangle some up for us. Your readers were awesome last time we just didn’t foresee having to live day to day off their generosity. Additionally, our BDE (Brigade) has given up pushing any kind of supplies to us. We could use any kind of microwavable food, ramen, mac & cheese, rice, pasta anything we could eat for meals. Thanks for anything you can do to help us out, we really appreciate it!
If you know of a civic group, scouting organization, place of worship, or whatever that can help, or ...

Soldier Ride 2009 - Texas -- [Miss Ladybug]
I had recently been "introduced" to Toby Nunn by CJ, since Toby calls the Austin area his home-base. Earlier this week, I found out Toby was actually back in town, and that he would be participating in the Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride here in Texas. The first leg of that was to be here in Austin Thursday morning. As it turned out, I was able to take the time to go downtown to Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop, a local sponsor of the ride, and finally meet Toby in person, chat with him, and witness the "opening ceremony" and start of the ride.

Unbelievable Generosity -- [A Soldier's Perspective - CJ]
I got a call this weekend from the manager of the Starbucks where I get the donated coffee to send overseas. I didn't even realize they were doing a troop donation drive until she called me. There was tremendous response, which is both good and bad.
The good is that they have nearly 350 pounds of coffee for me to send out that was donated!!! The bad is they have nearly 350 pounds of coffee for me to send out that was donated!!!

MILITARY/MILITARYLIFE

Military service -- [Durango Herald]
Many troops have had to serve two and sometimes three tours, for as long as 15 months. National Guard members, who might have expected their duty time would be limited to peacetime's summer camp and a weekend a month of training, have been heavily used for extended periods alongside regular forces in the Middle East. But those most worthy of sympathy, it seems to us, are the former active-duty soldiers on "ready reserve" status to complete their military commitment who found themselves called back to active duty, and sometimes back in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The fine print in the enlistment agreement was always there, but for decades the few years in "ready reserve" meant no duty obligations.

A Fresh Perspective and a Brand New Series at SpouseBUZZ: In Transition -- [SpouseBUZZ - Andi]
We have a lot of "significant others" who read SpouseBUZZ. Take a look at this entry, and this one, too. Most recently, we received an email from someone who wanted to know what military life was like.
Last week, I linked to a blogger who is just beginning her journey as a Marine wife. We were curious. What would the transition be like for her?

How to Handle the Separation -- [SpouseBUZZ - Andi]
Most of the email asks about how to get through a deployment (more on that later), but here we have a wife who has been married for quite a while and is just starting her journey into military life.

Home Front Hero, Profile: Colleen Saffron -- [You Serverd - CJ]
Colleen Saffron is 37 years old and an 20 year army wife who has served alongside her husband to receive the Molly Pitcher and the Commanders Award for civilian service over the years as well as filled executive positions on the board for PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel through the Chaplain’s system), been involved in FRG, and also participated in community programs and volunteered in her children’s schools.

Military Spouse Day Ceremony

A Tiny Broken Heart -- [Crazy Daizy]
What started out as a fun and festive celebration turned into a tear filled missing daddy meltdown. Why? Because the daddy of the little boy is home for his two weeks of R and R. All the wives are jealous of the little boy’s mom and are counting down days until we get to celebrate those go by way too fast weeks and all the kids were hanging on him like they had never seen a guy before. But Monkey, well, Monkey is very much a Daddy’s girl. Has been for the majority of her four years on this earth. So, Monkey does not handle it well when there are daddy’s around and hers isn’t one of them.

A Touching Dedication -- [Spouse Buzz - RedLegMeg]
I received an email from my FRG this morning and was surprised to find a link to a great song (and video) that is dedicated to, and aptly titled, The Military Wife. I was even more surprised when I realized it was a song by Soldier Hard, a To The Fallen Records artist that was featured on SpouseBUZZ Talk Radio back in Sept. 2008.

We’re Tired, But We’re Strong -- [You Served - CJ]
...We are tired, we are stressed, and we are fed up, but we will NEVER give up.
Our military does not understand defeat. The only way we can lose is if our elected officials and the American people lose focus of our purpose and mission.

WELCOME HOME

Military red tape delays spouses being reunited -- [Northwestern]
...My husband was told that none of his family members would be allowed to see him at Ft McCoy, which is 1 1/2 - 2 hours from our home. I have not seen my husband since April 21, 2008. I am having a really hard time understanding the motivation behind telling our returning soldiers to just wait a little longer to see their loved ones.

Appleton-based soldiers back from duty -- [Chicago Tribune]
Members of an Appleton-based Army Reserve unit who have spent the past year in Afghanistan returned home to the embrace of family and friends Sunday. ...

Ft. Hood Soldiers Return...from iraq PART 1

THE MEDIA

Festival launches “Brothers” and More -- [Big Hollywood]
The buzz is getting out regarding Jake Rademacher’s “Brothers at War.” It’s a great film with a good heart that shows the patriotic values of a true American family. Brothers held it’s world premiere screening in May of last year at the 2008 GI Film Festival where it won Best Feature Documentary, and this month it hits theaters nationwide. Brothers is one of many great pro-soldier, patriotic films that screen at the GI Film Festival — the first and only film festival in the nation which honors men and women in uniform.

BROTHERS AT WAR (Official Trailer)

Taking Chance: HBO's "most-watched original movie in five years" -- [Greyhawk]
"Taking Chance" does not glorify the war. It takes no discernable position on whether America should be in Iraq, although a few people Colonel Strobl meets along the way express their view, pro and con. But almost without exception, the Americans he encounters are respectful, patriotic, grateful for his service and for Private Phelps's. If Hollywood wants to make war movies that appeal to a broad audience, it could do worse than to take in "Taking Chance." The Americans who show Colonel Strobl such reverence as he makes his way west are the very audience Hollywood wishes it could reach.

Military TV Shows, Series & Documentaries -- [Uncle Jimbo]
Another call for the B5 readership's collective knowledge. I am compiling a list of all TV shows about the current conflicts, Iraq & Afghanistan. I will list the ones I am aware of so far and ask for any I am missing. This includes documentaries, series pretty much anything focusing on these topics. I am leaving out the Military/Discovery & History channels for now and working on broadcast and pay cable.

POLITICS

Petraeus planning 2010 visit to Iowa -- [The Spectator] H/T Gateway Pundit]
Petraeus going to Iowa, a state he doesn’t have previous ties to, is going to create a huge amount of buzz about his presidential ambitions because the Iowa Caucuses kick off the whole presidential nomination process. If he does, deliver the address—and Petraeus must know this—it will be seen as a sign that he is thinking about running in 2012. Previously, it has been thought that Petraeus would not run against a president who had been his Commander in Chief. But there are reports of tension between Petraeus and Obama over both Iraq and Afghan strategy. Very little is known about Petraues’s politics and no one knows how he would make the transition from soldier to politician. But if he did enter the race, it would shake things up dramatically.

So, still happy with Shinseki? -- [MilBlogs - CDR Salamander]
Always looking out for the troops, you know.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance.

President Obama and the National Anthem at Camp Lejeune -- [Blackfive]
While there is plenty of evidence that the President isn't exactly supporting the military, (President Obama's Secretary for Veteran's Affairs admitted that the administration is considering making veterans pay for VA Health benefits), here is one rumor/news item that is just not true.
Hal Turner, who appears to be a radio host (at least occasionally), reported that President Obama did not appear on stage at Camp Lejeune until after the National Anthem played ("Obama skips National Anthem..."). The implication is that he is un-American or anti-patriotic. Well our friend Corporal Seamus decided to ask about it and received this message, cleared hot, from Lieutenant General Hejlik, Commander of Camp Lejeune.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

Dawn Patrol 03/11/2009

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and various 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.

IRAQ

The Slain Soldier of Salah Ad-Din‏. -- [Dum Spiro Spero]
“Also on Saturday, a U.S. soldier was killed during an attack on an American patrol in Salaheddin province in northern Iraq, the U.S. military announced. It was only the third combat fatality suffered by U.S. forces in Iraq this month.”

March 9 - [S4 at War - in Iraq]
Its hard to go into details about this story but I’m already working to pre-position supplies and set some of the guys who rely on me up for the possibility that they lose logistical support. I can’t, however, provide helicopters. Though maybe that would explain why one of my Companies has been trying to order parts for a Chinook engine.

The Pathetic Afghan Army & Will Obama Fumble Iraq? -- [Micahel Yon]
The disconnect between reporting and reality on Iraq was dramatic during 2005. Media stories about the incompetence and hopelessness of the Iraqi army and police were like the soup of the day, every day. Yet month by month, before my eyes, Iraqi security forces were improving. Reporting this truth earned the label of “stooge,” because the soup of the day was Failure. Millions of Americans and Europeans apparently wanted Iraqis to suffer because those same Americans and Europeans seemed to hate George Bush.
Today Iraq is succeeding, but as Generals Petraeus or Odierno might say, the situation remains fragile and reversible. Whereas the Bush-war ended in a new if messy democracy, this year we could see an Obama-war begin; the new President has sent a clear signal that we intend to mostly abandon Iraq during this crucial transition period. Today, the progress is obvious. But if Iraq descends back into chaos, the Obama-war, a newborn war, will not be a result of U.S. aggression, but of limp leadership intent on fulfilling campaign promises that were misinformed to begin with.

Al Qaeda in Iraq strikes for third time in Baghdad area -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
US military intelligence officials are concerned that al Qaeda in Iraq has established a deadly bombing cell in the Baghdad region, after two major suicide attacks over the past three days killed more than fifty Iraqis. The attacks do not indicate a resurgent al Qaeda insurgency, however, but a return to its terror roots.
Today's attack in the Abu Ghraib region on the western outskirts of Baghdad has sparked fears that a new terror campaign is underway in the nation's capital.

What ever happened to sleep being a 'force multiplier?' -- [FOB Tacoma - in Iraq]
MOSUL, Iraq – This is one tired country.
No matter where you are, folks always seem to be trying their damndest to catch up on sleep. As I type this, a dude is sprawled out on a wooden bench next to a runway, using his plate carrier as a pillow.
The passenger terminal at Contingency Operating Site Marez looks like a flophouse. Four soldiers from 1st Cav are sleeping against a wooden table. A junior officer is using four seats as a makeshift bed. And a contractor...

AFGHANISTAN

The Life [And Death] Of Erin Doyle -- [Legion Magazine]
“He died pulling the trigger. He died screaming into the face of the enemy.”
The first time I saw him, he was quite literally presiding over a meeting between two sets of patrol leaders—one captain and one sergeant—during a long and arduous hike in the deep outback of western Panjwai.
The captain and sergeant would make plans, then kind of quietly look up at Doyle. With a headshake and a grunt, he’d torpedo their idea and they’d go back to the map. This went on for half an hour or more, as gunfire and explosions rippled overhead. With his rank obscured by his gear—his battle rattle—I assumed he was a warrant officer or maybe the company sergeant major, based solely on the deference and respect he received from the other soldiers, many of whom I knew to be cynics of the first order.
When the planning conference broke up, ...

ETT: Mutt Soldiers -- [AFGHANISTANSHRUGGED - in Afghanistan]
I’m a mutt soldier. No if, ands or buts about it. I’m definitely a cross of breeds and variety. Before I get to my explanation let me illuminate how I arrived at this conclusion. Which by the way was inevitable. I’ll explain that too.
...ETTs are mutts because they just don’t fit anywhere.
We are not Special Forces soldiers though we execute a traditional SF mission. Foreign Internal Defense was the founding paradigm behind SF and they’ve now relinquished it to ETTs. They’d prefer the much sexier mission of direct action versus training foreign armies. An SF soldier gets about 18 months worth of training and goes through a special selection process to ensure that he’s the right fit for training foreign militaries which they don’t really do anymore.

Dispatches from FOBistan: Letting the Message Drive the Operation -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, AFGHANISTAN — The other night, I found myself on the south end of Bagram—past the Egyptian hospital, the “Hearts and Minds Gym,” Camp Blackjack, even the rotary wing terminal. I had wanted some air, something to break the psychotic monotony that is Bagram Air Base, and found myself near the base mosque.

Reservists in Afghanistan -- [The Torch]
Ian Elliot of the Kingston Whig-Standard - one of the MSM reporters who participated in the same trip I took to Afghanistan earlier this year - has had his pieces released bit by bit in his newspaper, and his latest deals with local reservists. Specifically, it focuses on Cpl Sean Jump of the Princess of Wales' Own Regiment, who was working at the KPRT when we were there, and then broadens out into a bigger discussion of reserve involvement in Afghanistan.
Ian's angle is a local one by necessity, but I find that wider discussion of the role of our CF reserves quite of interest.

Embed in Pictures -- [Battlefeild Tourist - in Afghanistan]
Ok, I’m going to try something new, because frankly, it is more time efficient and I have little time. So I’ll be posting my embed pictures on Facebook. I’m still going to put them in SoundSlides… just when I get more time.
Here’s the first group of pictures I put together. Most are from Musa Qala, some from Kabul and the rest Farah.

Task Force Takes Troubled Valley -- [On Location in Afghanistan - Fred Baker in Afghanistan]
FORWARD OPERATING BASE AIRBORNE, Afghanistan, March 9, 2009 – Coalition forces along Afghanistan's Logar River are sending a forceful message to insurgent fighters that the coalition will go wherever, whenever it wants

CT/COIN in Afghanistan -- [Abu Muqawama]
...I asked a highly respected retired U.S. Army general a year ago what the appropriate role for direct action special operations forces was in a population-centric COIN campaign. His answer was that direct action SOF is highly valuable because "it's the way you play offense." At the same time, though, it absolutely has to be tied into a greater COIN strategy. The cool kids cannot be allowed to just run amok, no matter how much they may want to. It appears as if -- after several long years where "the task force" had carte blanche -- officers are getting this.

U.S. Halts SOF Raids in Afghanistan -- [Captain's Journal]
...SOF are not supermen. They are (or should be, or started out) as soldiers with specialized billets. Language, training, and cultural knowledge not typically found in the balance of the Army or Corps should mark SOF. For SEALs, they must do things that require specialized training, such as underwater demolition requiring use of the closed circuit oxygen system rebreather, and so on. Airmen who use satellite uplink equipment need specialized training. To pretend that kinetics is performed by SOF while the “big Army” does something else is both elitist and insulting.

Officials: Afghanistan Taliban leader was at Gitmo -- [AP]
U.S. officials say the Taliban's new top operations officer in southern Afghanistan is a former prisoner at the Guantanamo detention center. Pentagon and CIA officials say Abdullah Ghulam Rasoul was among 13 prisoners released to the Afghan government in December 2007. He is now known as Mullah Abdullah Zakir, a name officials say is used by the Taliban leader in charge of operations against U.S. and Afghan forces in southern Afghanistan.
One intelligence official told The Associated Press that Rasoul's stated mission is to counter the growing U.S. troop surge.

The Pathetic Afghan Army & Will Obama Fumble Iraq? -- [Michael Yon]
...Going into Iraq was a decision made by many. Pulling out so quickly is a decision made by one man.
Yet the Afghanistan situation was nearly opposite. Most westerners seem to want to see Afghanistan succeed, and they veritably chant about poverty and women’s rights, though few people actually are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to achieve dreamy visions. Whatever the case, the public and the media gave a free pass to dozens of nations in Afghanistan, and today about 40 nations are directly involved. Some of the military bases look like a carnival of uniforms, and the soldiers behave under a carnival of rules. By the time you add in all the contractors, aid workers, “friendly” spies and deadly enemies, it’s likely that people from a hundred countries are inside Afghanistan at this moment. Despite the broad representation, until recently we called it “The Forgotten War.”
Today we have an American President and Secretary of Defense who have essentially kicked, prodded and begged our allies to get more serious about Afghanistan, but mostly to no avail. And so 17,000 more American troops are kissing their loved ones goodbye, many of them for the last time in their lives, and heading into Afghanistan. Per capita combat deaths probably will be higher in Afghanistan this year than for any year in Iraq. The situation is very serious for the relatively few soldiers fighting there. Some are in combat every day and night.

Afghanistan Fight Turns to Economy + Governance -- [On Location in Afghanistan - Fred Baker in Afghanistan]
It’s hard to find a good, old-fashioned combat fight in Afghanistan right now -- even here, surrounded by the battle-hardened, well-armed infantry and artillery troops of the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
That’s partly because it is still winter and most insurgent fighters are holed up waiting for warmer weather, but also because the fight has changed across this rural landscape.

Boots on the Ground -- The Taliban Surge -- [Defense Tech]
A quick hit live podcast with The Long War Journal's Bill Roggio and DoD Buzz contributor Greg Grant on the upcoming Taliban surge and the terrorist attacks in Lahore.

All-Female Marine Team Conducts First Mission in Southern Afghanistan -- [Defense Link]
Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment -- the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Afghanistan -- now have a special group of people to help them complete their mission in Afghanistan. The task force’s all-female Marine team is interacting with the Afghan female population in southern Afghanistan -- a task considered culturally unacceptable for the male Marines operating there.

The Great American Influence -- [Deployed Teacher - in Afghanistan]
I know I've mentioned my Polish friends before (pic attached). They are based here and maintain the Polish helicopters. Their soldiers are also based in Ghazni where they have a larger presence, along with greater military responsibility for that region.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

F-22s to Darfur? Not So Fast … -- [War is Boring]
U.N. officials and aid workers are gathering in eastern Chad to discuss preparations for an alarming contingency. With the recent arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Bashir and his subsequent ejection of foreign aid groups from Darfur, the U.N. and Chad’s humanitarian community are worried that thousands of Darfuri refugees currently living in camps in western Darfur might flee to eastern Chad.
Problem is,...

Eurasia Critic: From Enemies to Friends in Just 180 Days: the Curious, Rapid Thaw of U.S.-Russian Relations -- [War is Boring]
What a difference six months can make. In just half a year, U.S-Russian relations have risen from their a 15-year nadir, up through waning degrees of discomfort, all the way to the level of a genuine strategic partnership.
In August, many in American media, academia and government genuinely feared the resumption of the Cold War. In February, Russian and American diplomats forged an alliance that will prove critical to U.S. goals in Central Asia.
There are several potential explanations for the change: ...

The North Korean Tangle -- [Austin Bay]
...North Korea's major export, however, is the threat of war magnified by potential nuclear holocaust. It's an international version of an alley bully's extortion game. Pay me off, the punk waving the pistol says, or I'll burn down your store. The analogy, however, only goes so far. North Korea's Kim waves a nuclear weapon, and if he uses it, he kills himself.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Why Is the Military Commission Releasing 9/11 Prisoners’ Statements? -- [The Washington Independent]
You’ve probably heard by now that the five alleged plotters of the 9/11 terrorist attacks have not only admitted to the deed once again, but cackled and boasted about it. As soon as the U.S. military commission approved for release their statement, titled “The Islamic Response to the Government’s Nine Accusations,” it was featured in newspapers, on TV and online all over the world.
But wait, weren’t those military commissions proceedings supposed to be stopped, pursuant to President Obama’s executive order? So why were the five men allowed to even file a statement in the case, let alone have it released to media around the world, particularly when many other legal filings have been kept under seal? What’s more, the commission hasn’t even determined the competency of two of the men, and their lawyers didn’t know about or approve the filing or its release.
Those are some of the questions being asked by the American Civil Liberties Union, which has helped many of the Guantanamo detainees get legal counsel.

Officials: Taliban's New Top Operations Officer Is Former Guantanamo Bay Detainee -- [FOX /AP]
The Taliban's new top operations officer in southern Afghanistan had been a prisoner at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, the latest example of a freed detainee who took a militant leadership role and a potential complication for the Obama administration's efforts to close the prison.

The War Is Over -- [NRO - Andrew C. McCarthy]
Federal courts have just surrendered in the war against radical Islam.
The war is over. Our peerless armed forces took Tora Bora and, when we finally let them, Fallujah. But al-Qaeda won in Washington, and that has made all the difference.
The War on Terror has radically altered the compact between the American people and their government by dramatically changing the nature of the U.S. courts. Until this new, unaccountable monster is caged, it will continue to devour our political community’s capacity to wage war and to defend itself.
And that caging had better happen soon, because the word “war” in this context refers only to our nation’s forcible military response after the 9/11 attacks finally made the atrocities of radical Islam impossible to ignore any longer. Our response did not start the war. That war, radical Islam’s jihad against the United States and the West, continues — and ever more perilously. As we hollow ourselves out by the day, we become a much softer target.

The ACLU Discovers the Merits of Military Chain of Command [The Corner - Andy McCarthy]
Al Qaeda's lawyers at the ACLU are in a froth because the military judge presiding over the war-crimes commission case against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and five other terrorists accepted and made public their "Islamic Response" to the government's allegations — a diatribe in which they proudly admit that they carried out the 9/11 atrocities.

Greene and Kilcullen on Terrorism -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
...At this point, I have to stress how critical it is that we, as military leaders, study grand strategy. In the day-to-day life of the military, even in combat, our view of the world can be somewhat myopic--if you're not careful, you can find yourself focusing too much on inane topics like property accountability, what percentage of your soldiers have completed their mandatory EO training for the quarter, evaluations, the endless string of reports that are sent up, and so forth.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Obama wants vets to pay for treatment -- [Blackfive]
WTF?!
On CNN's Political Tracker:
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance, but was told by lawmakers that it would be "dead on arrival" if sent to Congress...

Spring Training and the Wounded Marines -- [BlackFive]
Received this report on how some wounded Marines were treated at a pre-season game on Sunday.
...In case you were wondering, the above email is from Rich W. and Jim P. who helped get 17 wounded Marines out to Phoenix for Spring Training. Rich and Jim are former Marines and are, not surprisingly, always faithful.
The USAF gave them vans to transport the wounded Marines.
So who was the email of thanks directed to?
It was sent to the man who personally paid for airfare and hotels for the 17 wounded Marines.
His name is Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants.

Their Hope Is That Their Experiences Will Help Soldiers To Heal -- [A Soldier’s Mind]
In the military, a General is consider a strong and stoic leader. They lead their Soldiers with a firm hand, most lead by example. The decisions that they make can affect the thousands of Troops in their command. They don’t achieve their rank by mistake, but instead by their actions both on and off the battlefield. They command respect from the Soldiers that they lead and their very presence can make the lowest rank Soldier shake in their boots. They are expected to be in charge, firmly making sound decisions without hesitation, with the hope that the decisions they make is the correct one. They serve as an example of what a Soldier should be, and they definately don’t talk about their feelings. Especially when doing so might make them appear to be weak.

Survivorship: An Emotional and Financial Primer -- [Military.com - Ask June]
Everyone deals with the death of a loved one in an individual way, but it’s difficult to cope when society does little to prepare us for grief – and even sets a timetable for mourning.
“Most companies expect you back at work after three days if a close relative dies, and often give no paid time off if you’ve lost a close friend or even someone as emotionally important as a grandparent,” said Larry Bordovsky, a USAA financial planner who manages a team of certified financial planners TM practitioners who have helped dozens of families through the estate-settlement process.

Walter Reed to Mark Centennial in April -- [Household6]
Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) turns 100 years old next month. WRAMC was our previous duty station and it was an awesome place, despite certain news headlines. There was so much commitment and dedication to not only our wounded warriors but family members and retirees as well.

MILITARY

White House Puts Tankers, Bombers on Hit List -- [Danger Room]
The Obama administration recently released a $533.7 billion Pentagon budget that gives the basic outline of the military's spending priorities for the next fiscal year. That budget proposal, however, gave few details on what big-ticket items the services may need to cut in order to bring their procurement accounts in line.

Obama to Kill New Bombers, Delay Tankers? (Updated) -- [War is Boring]
Update: Some folks are convinced that the tanker delay is ploy by the administration to get Congress to add funds for a program that everyone knows we need. Or maybe not, according to Stephen Trimble, who quotes John Young, the Pentagon’s acquisitions chief, saying:

WELCOME HOME

Wounded sergeant greets his soldiers -- [Killeen Daily Herald]
Help welcome 4th Infantry Division troops home. The 4th Infantry wants the public's help to welcome its soldiers today through Monday. Officials urge members of the local communities to gather at Victory Corner and Fort Hood's Cameron ...

Muslim losers protest return of Brit troops -- [Uncle Jimbo - BlackFive]
This is really reprehensible and deserving of scorn and outrage and all that as theses scum protest the return of the troops who give them the right to show what ass clowns they are (there were baby killer signs as well). But seriously, look at these pathetic losers they suck Hoover.

Muslim Protesters At Parade Hurl Abuse At British Troops Returning From Iraq

Welcome Home -- [Blue Springs Examiner]
James Frazier meets in a family hug with son Joe and wife Sarah after the welcome home ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Independence Tuesday morning

A hero's welcome home -- [Geneva Sun]
He jumped a couple of roofs and made me chase him down," he said. " ... This welcome is for all of the troops. I am happy to be the representative."

MILBLOGGING

Concluding the Recommendations -- [Soldiers in the Blogosphere]
New media is being increasingly used by citizens and businesses. Blogs are numerous and regularly read by many. YouTube is among today’s most popular websites. Businesses use new media to better engage with their customers. The military has incorporated several capabilities of new media in service portals to improve communication and facilitate professional dialogue. When blogs first surfaced in large numbers at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Army reacted first by banning posts but quickly modified that policy to provide oversight of Soldiers blogging. Since this time,

Educate Soldiers to be Effective Communicators -- [Soldiers in the Blogosphere]
Just as important as ensuring they understand the application of OPSEC to the web, Soldiers must be educated to be effective communicators. They must be able to clearly articulate the story they have to tell, make it readable and interesting, and be aware of the best ways to get that story out to the most people possible. This is where the Army should focus the bulk of its education and training efforts concerning new media.

Dispatches from FOBistan: The Army’s Woeful IT Policies Poison the War Effort -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
In January, when I first arrived here, I made an alarming discovery about the state of IT in the Army. Practically all of the blogs and other online tools I use to stay informed and connected to my colleagues (see here, for example) did not work. More accurately, they are deliberately blocked by a series of web filters, both automatically and manually constructed, in an effort to restrict inappropriate uses of the Internet from Army computers.

Number of Military Blogs Blocked on DoD Computers in Afghanistan -- [Captain's Journal]
...Pressing him for more data and information, Josh responded with an article of his own. The results of his little investigation are striking.
Blackfive is blocked, as is Abu Muqawama, Global Guerrillas, and our very own The Captain’s Journal. This list is not comprehensive. Allowed are Small Wars Journal, The Long War Journal, and rather interestingly, Bouhammer, whose URL has the word ‘blog’ in it. I use Wordpress to create articles, but I am not associated with Wordpress and the Army would have no way of knowing what software I use.

Regarding Proxy Servers and Blocked Websites -- [Wings over Irag - in Iraq]
David Axe at War is Boring has notified us all that the US military has just now blocked his blog from their servers. Add this to a long list of milblogs that are on the US military's ban list,

War Is Boring, Blocked! -- [War is Boring]
I won’t lie: I’m a little hurt. Emotions aside, I agree with Josh that blocking blogs such as War Is Boring only hurts the military’s efforts to reach the public with important messages and impedes the free exchange of ideas that is vital to our war efforts. Consider my recent contributions to the national-security process, all anchored in this blog:
* War Is Boring was an important player in the evolution of the Army’s “MilSpace” forums, where soldiers can freely exchange tips and tactics outside the normal, glacial bricks-and-mortar processes
* My reporting is now included in the National Security Space Office’s handouts for promoting its squad space transport concept
... It’s dumb for the Army to block this Website, and others. That’s like prohibiting soldiers from subscribing to The New York Times. Not that this humble blog is as big and well-resourced as NYT. They are, however, equally valid sources of information and equally powerful forums for debate on national security.

THE MEDIA

Brits Officials Can't Get Obama Folks on Phone, U.S. Media Not Picking Up Either -- [NewsBusters]

Sensationalizing from the Other Direction -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
...despite the good news coming from provinces like Bamian, it is just ridiculous to argue that the bad news journalists, whom I sometimes skewer, are completely disconnected. Max Boot does his best anyway:
...Boot goes on to repeat the same old tired numbers story we’ve spoken of at great length here—going back into 2007, when Boot actually felt it necessary to express concern for the state of the country. There are other tropes in his piece, like placing blame for low troop numbers only on NATO when the U.S.’s own lazy management of the conflict from 2002-2007 bears considerable responsibility, that are hardly worth mentioning.

POLITICS

President Obama @ work. -- [The Armorer]
Steve Schippert of Threatswatch, Matt of Blackfive, John of Op-For, and Ace (of Spades) and I have been chatting in email regarding the fallout of Secretary Shinseki's testimony before Congress that ignited the shite-storm that is spreading around. Steve made a nice "wrap-it-all-up" observation (and I don't like it just because it opens so well...):

Freeman speaks out on his exit -- [The Cable]
Retired Amb. Chas Freeman, who said today that he no longer accepts an offer to chair the National Intelligence Council, has just sent this message:

A Turning Tide? -- [Newsweek]
Obama still has the approval of the people, but the establishment is beginning to mumble that the president may not have what it takes. — Surfer that he is, President Obama should know a riptide when he's in one. The center usually is the safest, most productive place in politics …

Judicial Watch Uncovers Documents Detailing Pelosi's Repeated Requests for Military Travel -- [Judicial Watch]
House Speaker Issued Unprecedented Demands for Military Aircraft and Wasted Taxpayer Resources with Last Minute Cancellations — Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates …

Pelosi Air: We Fly While Tax Payers Pay! -- [Flopping Aces]
Take a look at the passenger manifests for March 2007 trip to Ireland and Great Britain (PDF page 31). And another to Great Britain, Italy and Spain in March 2008 (PDF page 29)
The chart below is for House travel for May 2007 (PDF page 78):

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

Dawn Patrol 03/09/09

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and various 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.

IRAQ

U.S. To Pull 12,000 Troops From Iraq As Withdrawal Begins -- [Los Angeles Times]
The initial phase in Obama's plan to end combat operations will take place over the next 6 months, military officials say. Just before the announcement, a suicide bomber kills 33 police recruits in Baghdad.

Diversions (III) -- [Greyhawk]
Remember the Iraq drawdown you heard about last month? The one where a Brigade originally scheduled for Iraq was going to Afghanistan instead? Well, a funny thing about that...

U.S., U.K. Troops to Begin Iraq Pullout by Sept.

Coalition cuts combat brigades by half since peak of US 'surge' -- [LWJ - DJ Elliott]
The number of US and allied combat brigades deployed in Iraq has been cut in half since the height of the "surge" in the summer of 2007, while the number of Iraqi security forces has nearly doubled during the same period of time.

The Red Pill (III) -- [Greyhawk]
"The main mission has instead shifted almost entirely from combat to stability operations, from fighting insurgents to rebuilding Iraq’s services and shattered economy in a way that could offer a better chance for the country to succeed, making America’s exit more like a victory than a retreat."
- - The New York Times front page, on Iraq today

Suicide Attack Kills 28 In Baghdad -- [New York Times]
A suicide bomber driving a motorcycle laden with explosives blew himself up in the busy early morning hours on Sunday near the police academy, killing 28 people, including 5 police officers, and wounding 57, some of them seriously, according to Iraq’s interior minister.

Everything happens for a reason -- [Blogs Over Baghdad - in Iraq]
...As I read the story, each word drew me in…and made me think more about the reasons for things. It seems this particular attack happened early this morning, maybe the same time I might have been on my way to visit my friend. The story also said that the attack happened near an Iraqi policy academy.
I’m not sure exactly when during the “early morning hours” the bomb went off in the middle of a crowd of oil workers protesting for better pay, or if the adjacent police academy was the same one I was planning to visit.

I Was a Rock Band Roadie in Iraq -- [War On Terror News]
As part of the events and communications team here, I am called upon to be part of base Morale, Welfare and Recreation events. Sometimes these missions are a chore, sometimes they are exciting, but they are always a learning experience.

AFGHANISTAN

McGuire - Ramstein - Bagram and back: Lifeline to Afghanistan -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Ramstein's a busy place these days. Pressure on supply lines moving through Pakistan and the possible closure of Manas in Kyrgyzstan, combined with the planned increase of forces in Afghanistan, have made the delivery of personnel and supplies directly to Bagram by air a necessity.

Obama says US is losing war in Afghanistan and hints at Taleban Talks -- [Times Online]
President Obama conceded yesterday that America was not winning the war in Afghanistan and opened the way for negotiations with moderate ...

Taliban: no peace talks unless withdrawal of all foreign troops -- [Xinhua]
Obama, according to US media reports, said on Friday that he would open the door to a reconciliation process to moderate Taliban elements as the US troops

Afghanistan welcomes Obamas Taliban initiative

Boom Frequency -- [Greyhawk]
I spoke via phone with a friend at Bagram this week, one who was with me in Baghdad in 2007. I'd heard about that car bomb story immediately before he called, but I didn't ask him about it directly, instead asking a more general "How's security?".
"Here?" He replied, "Not bad. No where near as bad as we had it in Baghdad."
Your results may vary.

"The Myth of the Two Talibans" -- [counterterrorism Blog - Dr. Walid Phares]
If the Iraq model is the inspiration for Obama’s reaching out to “elements” of the Taliban, he has not learned the correct Iraq lesson.

Silly Rabbit I have two F-15s -- [Afghanistan Shrugged - in Afghanistan]
“I wish I was Spiderman, and then it this would be much easier”. I thought to myself as we scaled the side of the mountain. Afghan soldiers scampered past CPT Brain and I doing their best imitation of Icarus. We slowly plod along through the cracked pieces of shale that populate the slope like broken dinnerware. My wings have already melted and I’m now stuck with my leather personnel carriers to propel me.
The ANA look at us as they move by with pity, they’re well aware of how much the equipment we’re carrying weighs. Several of them have tried our equipment on prior to this and been shocked.

The Afghan Wilderness: A Tiny Victory -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Andrew Cochran]
1LT Aaron Flint is serving on an Afghan Police Mentor Team in Paktya Province, Afghanistan. He's a former staffer in the U.S. Senate, a member of the Montana Army National Guard, and most recently worked as a reporter for KTVQ, the CBS affiliate in Billings, Montana. He sent the following account of our work with the Afghan people with permission to post it here.
----------
As Doc Sleaford lightly cuts the old bandages off her badly burned skin, Sergeant Dylan McGee holds up her tiny legs, blood dripping into his right hand. In a room next door, soldiers e-mailing their family and friends from the tiny makeshift computer lab are interrupted by the heart wrenching cries of a 9 month old baby girl. To the soldiers she is baby Farida.

Rebooting the Afghan mission -- [BBC]
A convoy of American armoured Humvees ventures out of the heavily fortified Camp Phoenix on the edge of Kabul.
...They warn that following a narrower military strategy will not work in itself without building a capable state.
There have been some signs of progress in recent years. While the Afghan police are acknowledged to need considerably more work, the Afghan National Army is moving ahead much quicker.

IED Attacks Soar In Afghanistan -- [USA Today]
Jump in coalition deaths could portend fierce spring.

Guard Practices Airdrops For Troops In Afghanistan -- [Baltimore Sun]
Maryland Air National Guard cargo crews are prepping for an expected deployment to Afghanistan next year, flying a critical mission of air-dropping supplies to U.S. troops fighting in remote locations.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

North Korea warns of war if 'satellite' is shot down -- [The Guardian]
Regime suspected of disguising long-range missile test as peaceful rocket launch

N Korea Warning Over 'Satellite' The South And US Join In Military Exercise.

U.S. Air Force To Widen Access To Detailed Space Surveillance Data -- [Space News]
The U.S. Air Force has agreed to provide wider access to its high-accuracy catalog showing the whereabouts of orbital debris and operational satellites as part of an effort to enable commercial and non-U.S. government satellite operators to better avoid in-orbit collisions, according to U.S. Air Force officials.

The Personal and the Political in the Middle East -- [Michael Totten]
...Most Westerners who spend time in Muslim countries have similar stories to tell. Jeffery Goldberg related some of his own on his Atlantic blog recently. “I was once with a mullah in Pakistan,” he wrote last week, “who told me that Allah would soon fulfill his promise and destroy the Jews, but who invited me to stay in his guest room rather than make a dangerous night drive back to my hotel. I took him up on his offer, and slept soundly. It wouldn't be fair of me to call this sort of hospitality superficial, because it grows from a real spirit of personal generosity, but I've learned the hard way that the personal isn't always the political.”

We'll Take Los Angeles -- [Strategy Page]
Western nations have told Russia and China that if they arm Iran with modern weapons, there will be consequences.

Iran Tests Air-To-Surface Missile -- [Los Angeles Times]
Iran has test-fired a precision air-to-surface missile with a 70-mile range, a news agency reported Sunday, a capability that could threaten ships in the Persian Gulf.

Iran using nuclear talks to buy time for bomb: Israel -- [AFP]
Iran is trying to use the talks with Western powers on its nuclear ambitions to buy time to produce an atomic bomb, Israel's military intelligence chief said on Sunday.

Border Watch -- [Aviation Week]
Add Mexico to the list of world trouble spots keeping Pentagon planners up at night.
The U.S. Marine Corps’ Strategic Vision Group has placed Mexico on its list of places to watch because of potential instability. ...But the Marines aren’t the only ones keeping a close eye on events south of the border. The CIA, Homeland Security and State departments all say Mexico’s troubles are a growing concern.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

Thomas Barnett: The Pentagon's new map for war and peace -- [HT: Ace]

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Green Beret becomes first amputee to complete Jumpmaster Course -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Late last year SFC Mike Fairfax became the first amputee Soldier to complete the Jumpmaster Course, paving the way for other amputees.

Army Suicide Prevention Update -- [A Soldiers Perspective - CJ]
Before I go any further with this post, I want to address that Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Airman that may have come here for answers. You may be contemplating suicide and you're seeking help over the internet. If this is your only outlet, please seek us out. My email address is on the sidebar and regardless of the time of day, you may contact me. If you need help, I will give you my personal phone number. Above all, don't go to extremes and try to kill yourself.

Clausewitz: On Crazy Cat Ladies -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
When I first deployed, I signed up at one of those Adopt-A-Soldier websites and I got a lot of great responses. Also, true to form for me and my blogging escapades, I got a lot of crazy people replying to me. I'm grateful for packages and letters and whatnot, but did it have to come from the nutjob segment of the population? Let's look at the highlights:

New VA Legislation Breaks a Sacred Trust -- [VFW Radio]
New VA legislation would charge veterans for healthcare? It's true. We'll speak with VFW Director of Communications in Washington, Joe Davis, on this absurd concept and VFW's nationwide call to action on this issue.

Beautiful watercolors for Soldiers' Angels -- [Made A Difference For That One]
While I was in Balad, I saw their work in action. Wounded warriors would receive a backpack with comfortable clothing for the trip home and some comfort items like a Dopp kit and a travel mug. It made a difference for these men and women who either had only dirty uniforms, or no clothing if we had cut it off of them.
My friend who is an artist paints cards for Soldiers' Angels. I haven't seen the other entries being considered for this year's cards, but her watercolors are very beautiful.

MILITARY

Odyssey Took Man From Campus To Combat -- [Arizona Republic]
...Bhatia was joining the Human Terrain System, a Pentagon experiment to re-engineer battle against Afghan and Iraqi insurgents by teaming soldiers and scholars. Human Terrain set off a war of its own in academia: Critics, particularly anthropologists, argued that researchers risked betraying the people they studied by feeding information to the military.

To Whom Should our Generals Listen? (Full PDF Article) -- [SWJ]
Today there is much being written, discussed and even passionately argued over the nature of future conflicts that the US will face. This debate is critically important as the military enters a new QDR period and develops the future operating concepts for the military and (as US leadership has now fortunately come to realize) the whole of government approach to US National Security challenges. One might ask why this important or perhaps more pointedly, is it really that important?

Regarding Proxy Servers and Blocked Websites -- [Wings Over Iraq - in Iraq]
David Axe at War is Boring has notified us all that the US military has just now blocked his blog from their servers. Add this to a long list of milblogs that are on the US military's ban list, to include great ones like Andrew Exum's Abu Muquawama, blogs.state.gov (an actual .gov address from the US State Department), Global Guerillas, The Captain's Journal, and others (by some accounts, this includes Small Wars Journal, and other professional websites). You have to wonder about the military IT department's criteria for blocking websites.

WELCOME HOME

Troops returning home to Utah: 'People really do care' -- [StandardNet]
He said the welcome home reception he received in 2009 was similar to the one he received in 2003. "I think it's (public support) pretty much the same,"

Crowds welcome soldiers home -- [Bury Free Press]
By Bury Free Press reporter Crowds enjoyed welcoming home soliders from RAF Honington who took part in a homecoming parade on Saturday. ...

THE MEDIA

Wikipedia Scrubs Dear Leader's Page Clean of Critical Entries -- [Gateway Pundit]
Wikipedia scrubs Obama's entry clean of any critical information that may taint your view of Dear Leader.
Communist tyrany Joseph Stalin routinely air-brushed his enemies out of photographs.
Wikipedia airbrushes any controversial information about Dear Leader from its webpage including his 20 year relationship with mentor Jeremiah Wright and his long relationship with terrorist Bill Ayers.
World Net Daily reported, via Drudge:

Media Spins Obama's Withdrawal Of Troops That Were Planned Months Ago -- [Gateway Pundit]
We now know that the media will spin anything to make Barack Obama look good despite the colossal economic disaster due to his policies.
Today the corrupt media rejoiced in the news that President Obama will withdrawal troops from Iraq.
This is despite the fact that David Petraeus already announced this plan back in 2007.

POLITICS

Obama's Pledge To Prune Pentagon Raises Fear Of Job Cuts -- [WSJ]
In pledging last week that the “days of giving defense contractors a blank check are over,” President Obama is taking on the giant weapons contracting system that he says has “gone amok.”

WSJ: Taxing the other 95% -- [Hot Air]
Send to a Friend | Share on Facebook | printer-friendly A week ago, I warned about the coming cap-and-trade tax that would hit the 95% of Americans that Barack Obama promised would never see a tax increase. The Wall Street Journal picks up that story today, stating the obvious that Obama’s populist supporters never quite understood. Once you tax a producer, the producer passes those costs along to the consumer:

Gift exchange gone wrong -- [Greyhawk]
Don't you hate it at Christmas when someone gets you a a pen holder fashioned from the oak timber of HMS Gannet, a Navy vessel that served on anti-slavery missions off Africa, a framed commissioning paper for the HMS Resolute, a Royal Navy ship that came to symbolize British-American goodwill when it was rescued by the U.S. from icebergs and given to Queen Victoria, a first edition of Martin Gilbert’s seven-volume biography of Winston Churchill, whose World War II partnership with President Franklin Roosevelt symbolized the U.S.-Anglo alliance, and all you have for them is a DVD set?

Obama is 'Overwhelmed' Being President -- [Amy Proctor]
You remember the formality blunders that President Obama and his staff committed while the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited last week… not giving Mr. Brown a formal dinner, a press conference and bestowing a pretty pathetic gift on the visiting PM.
Aidsclose to Obama told the UK Telegraph that the president was “too overwhelmed” and “tired” to give PM Brown the proper welcome. The Obama administration seemed confused by what the proper protocol should be.
In-over-his-head?

Rasmussen: Obama's approval rating at lowest since inauguration. -- [Rasmussen Reports]

Pentagon's Unwanted Projects in Earmarks -- [Abu Muqawama]
Guess who is funding the infernal F-22 over the objections of the Pentagon's senior leadership? The evil Republicans! Oh, wait... No, as it turns out, it's mostly Barack Obama's own party which is to blame.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

Dawn Patrol 03/06/2009

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.

IRAQ

Iraqis Gain More Autonomy and Sovereignty Through Peace and Stability -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
..."So just in the last 60 days, we have had some very historic events which have had some very significant impacts here in Iraq," noted Perkins. "And I can tell you, on the whole, things are going quite well and these changes are for the better."
"The strategy is not changing," MG Perkins said. "It is just being fought primarily by iraqi forces, not us." The mission is not changing, just the people conducting it. US forces have already reduced their numbers by nearly 25% from surge levels while the capabilities and number of Iraqi military and security forces has increased.
It wasn't but a year ago that we were suffering over 190 attacks PER DAY in Iraq. Thanks in large part to the surge and efforts by our men and women in Iraq, that number is now less than 10 per day. Perkins said that the model being used today has proved to work rather well. While our troops are moving out, the Iraqis are moving in.

The New Face of COIN in Iraq -- [War, the military, COIN and stuff]
On a conference call with bloggers this morning, Maj. Gen. David Perkins, director of strategic effects for Multinational Forces-Iraq outlined how U.S. forces are conducting combat operations, post-Status of Forces Agreement.
Gen. Perkins reiterated that while all U.S. forces will be out of Iraqi cities by June of this year, “the strategy is not changing, there is still a counterinsurgency fight being waged, being fought primarily by Iraqi security forces and not the U.S.” In other words, the insurgency is being dealt with, but what is changing is who is doing the fighting,

Thursday, March 5, 2009 -- [Whatever It Takes - in Iraq]
I regret not having posted sooner but we have been quite busy over the last few weeks. Our Soldiers are either getting ready for a mission, on a mission, or getting back from a mission. As they get more familiar with the area they are becoming more effective at what they are doing. Each day offers new challenges and the potential to influence the local population in a positive way.

The joys of moving -- [Blogs over Baghdad - in Iraq]
After less than two months here in Baghdad, it is time for our unit to move again. NO, not Afghanistan. Instead we are moving our Combined Press Information Center from its current location near the Baghdad Convention Center to a new location on Camp Prosperity, the place where we live.
Although the move is only about 3-4 miles, it is a huge undertaking for our soldiers, the contractors who support us, and others who visit our offices.

Contract Killer -- [Attackerman]
Odierno's asking his commanders to cut their reliance on contractors -- there are about 150,000 of them in Iraq, according to the Christian Science Monitor's Gordon Lubold, which include 37,000 Iraqis -- by 5 percent each quarter. He apparently made a point in his directive of criticizing the military's reliance on contractors, and candidly told commanders that their troops may need to take up the shortfall. Whatever will happen to KBR's Sri Lankan ice cream scoopers at the dining facility at Baghdad's Camp Liberty?

The costs of leaving Iraq -- [Foreign Policy Blog - Tom Ricks]
Sen. James Webb (D-A Country Such as This) notes with alarm in an interview with NBC's Andrea Mitchell that the Status of Forces Agreement between the U.S. and Iraq has "plenty of loose language in there that would allow our troops to stay longer." He dislikes that idea. I think it is going to happen and think, on balance, that it is better than leaving. But I don't much like either option.
But what happens when the Americans pull out? Here's an interesting quote from today's Stars & Stripes:

Iraqi joy for U.S. withdrawal, concern over possible regional interference
March 1, 2009 - 02:40:13

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi citizens expressed their joy with the decision taken by U.S. President Barack Obama to withdraw troops from Iraq, while other citizens were concerned about the ability of Iraqi forces to take over the security file, without foreign troops.

Iraqi joy for U.S. withdrawal, concern over possible regional interference -- [Aswat Al Iraq]
“I was happy, as was every Iraqi citizen, with the announcement of the end of U.S. troops’ presence, mainly after the Iraqi security proved their ability and efficiency to maintain security throughout the country,” Aamer al-Husseini, a 40-year-old employee, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
However, he voiced concern about possible foreign and regional threats after the U.S. withdrawal.

Refusing To Forget The Iraq War -- [Los Angeles Times]
Journalist Thomas E. Ricks provides little solace to those who want to believe a U.S. victory in Iraq is at hand. But those who want to pull out now won't find much comfort either.

A Little Compassion -- [Far from Perfect - in Iraq]
So I saved a life yesterday. Granted it wasn’t a wounded soldier. It wasn’t even a civilian, but it was a life nonetheless.

Kuwait Shopping -- [Bouhammer - The Dude - in Kuwait]
It was in a shopping plaza / market area in a neighborhood just outside Kuwait City where you could purchase just about anything. I turned around to come out of one of the crowded little shops in the shopping area and as I turned, there stood a female approximately 5ft. tall, fully covered in black, ninja clad pajamas. She gently grabbed both of my arms and stated “Mista, give me money please!” After doing a quick assessment and realized she didn’t have any wires or odd bulges coming off of her, I decided not to grab her arms and throw her to the ground. I just stepped aside and quickly changed my location. For a split second I thought I was going to go boom and had all I could do to keep from flipping on this woman. Needless to say I had a surge of adrenaline bent on survival that I haven’t really felt since I left the ’Stan. It was a reality slap that I wasn’t shopping back in the states. All my co-workers have informed me this area is very safe and haven’t had any issues. Lets just say I’m not going to wander down some back alley late at night over here anytime soon.

Abu Ghraib MP Slain In Bid For Redemption -- [Washington Post]
Santos A. Cardona, an Army dog handler involved in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, was determined to continue fighting in America's overseas battles to erase the stain of his assault conviction, his family members said.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan Is Better Than You Think -- [Commnetary Magazine - Max Boot]
I have just returned from Afghanistan shocked by the depth of the disconnect between reality and reporting.
The coalition officers that I spoke with expressed confidence that with the U.S. reinforcements now flowing into the country, they will be able to score victories against insurgents who have been given free reign in some areas because of a paucity of NATO resources. But even before the 17,000 additional U.S. troops arrive, the situation is hardly critical. Kabul and the other major cities are safe, and even large swathes of the countryside are hardly infested by insurgents.
That is the reality. This is the reporting:....
...I may be attaching undue importance to this one article but I think it has been worth deconstructing because it is such a perfect reflection of the emerging zeitgeist on Afghanistan, which bears scant relation to what is actually happening in Afghanistan.

Afghan police officers complete vital training -- [Ministry of Defense]
Over 300 Afghan National Police officers have successfully completed a vital training programme devised by a joint partnership to expand their ability to provide security in...

Liars Are Executed in Afghanistan -- [Strategy Page]
An Afghan court has convicted a man of deliberately giving the wrong information to American intelligence officers, about where some Taliban were staying.

Afghanistan: words and guns -- [Conference of Defence Associations forum]
The CDA Institute and the CDA held their annual seminar and general meeting on 26-27 February 2009. With keynote addresses from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and National Defence, addresses by prominent military, academic and policy individuals and over 400 attendees, the event was a great success.

New rules for Afghanistan? -- [Wings over Baghdad - in Iraq]
Every counter-insurgency strategy is different, and Afghanistan is no exception. Much like Iraq, the difficulties that plague the political/security situation are--here's the buzzword again--multi-faceted, and indeed, hybrid in nature. The difficulties lie in that Afghanistan (similar to Iraq) has a robust insurgency (or insurgencies), terror networks, internicene fighting (near-civil war), criminal organizations (particularly a drug trade), and a weak government and economy. Oh yeah, a weak neighboring state that actuall has nuclear weapons isn't that great either.

Intelligence Failures Crippling Fight Against Insurgents In Afghanistan, Says Report -- [The Guardian]
...Based on scores of interviews with British, US, Canadian and Dutch military, intelligence and diplomatic officials - and marked for "official use only" - the book-length report is damning of a US military often unwilling to share intelligence among its military allies. It depicts commanders in the field being overwhelmed by information on hundreds of contradictory databases, and sometimes resistant to intelligence generated by its own agents in the CIA.

Failure Is Not Realism - The Top Three Excuses For Giving Up in Afghanistan-- [Foreign Policy Blog - Masood Aziz]
It's time to stop making excuses for why Afghanistan can't be won.
Even as the United States ramps up its military presence in Afghanistan, a political debate has already begun over how low to set expectations.
...But those who say that Afghanistan can never be won ignore the fact that the United States has never really tried. If you consider all post-conflict reconstruction projects since World War II, the United Stated has by far spent the least per capita in Afghanistan.
Three common mistaken assumptions have become the rallying cry of new "realists" advocating inaction. It's time to fact-check those excuses.
Excuse #1: Democracy can't work in Afghanistan ...Excuse #2: The Afghan Army should handle it from here...Excuse #3: Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires

In Search of Good Taliban -- [Captain's Journal]
Military brass and strategists have been pining away at the good Taliban - the ones with whom we can deal in order to manufacture some sort of Afghanistan tribal “awakening” on the order of the Anbar campaign. Thus the secret negotiations continue, attempting to stop the leak through the dam that is the Afghanistan insurgency.
...So this commentary groups the Taliban in three divisions. First, there is Jalaluddin Haqqani, ex-anti Soviet fighter and commander, now anti-U.S. commander. Second, the Tehrik-i-Taliban, and third, Mullah Omar and the more traditional Afghanistan Taliban who have sought refuge in and around Quetta. He has aligned al Qaeda with Omar when perhaps they should be more aligned with the Tehrik-i-Taliban, but let’s not quibble over details.

Mullah Omar Calls for a Taliban Surge -- [NY Times]
...Mullah Omar, who is believed to be operating from the Pakistani city of Quetta these days, recently issued a letter in which he called on Islamists in Pakistan to stop fighting there. On Tuesday, The Guardian’s Saeed Shah reported that Mullah Omar’s letter reportedly said that:

Kyrgyzstan Hesitates On Plan To Close Base -- [Wall Street Journal]
The government of Kyrgyzstan is showing signs of waffling on its decision last month to close a U.S. air base that is a major supply hub for troops in Afghanistan.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

A Tragedy of Errors, and an Accounting After a crash, the Marines set an example. -- [WSJ _ Peggy Noonan]
Lee's husband, a grocer named Dong Yun Yoon, was at work. The day after he'd lost his family, he humbled and awed San Diego by publicly forgiving the pilot—"I know he did everything he could"—and speaking of his faith—"I know God is taking care of my family."
His grace and generosity were staggering, but there was growing local anger at the military. Why was the disabled plane over land? The Marines launched an investigation—of themselves. This Wednesday the results were announced.
...This wasn't damage control, it was taking honest responsibility. And as such, in any modern American institution, it was stunning.

An “Avoidable” Mishap -- [Neptunus Lex]
...automation can also breed complacency as well as encourage a shallow understanding of the underlying complexity of any given system. After all, no one man can understand it all.
Yet if the air is an unforgiving mistress, so too can be the United States Marine Corps, especially when facing intense public scrutiny over a decision revealed - in retrospect - to be a poor one:

Did Obama tell our NATO allies about his Russia letter? -- [Foreign Policy Blog - Steve Biegun]
An addendum to the recent stories on President Obama's letter to Russian Prime Minister Medvedev. Much has been made about the nature of the reported Obama proposal to swap NATO missile defense in Poland and the Czech Republic for a Russian-assisted end to the Iranian nuclear weapons and long-range missile programs. The Russian reaction to the letter is that there will be no swaps; President Obama explains that the letter only contained what he has always said publicly.
Interestingly, there is still a dog that has not barked, so to speak: What do the governments of Poland and the Czech Republic, or for that matter the NATO alliance (which committed itself at the 2008 Bucharest Summit to the deployment of missile defense in Eastern Europe), think about the proposal in Obama letter?

Exclusive: Obama-diplomacy and the Mindless Missive to Moscow -- [Family Security Matters]
Projecting weakness while China and Russia rearm is just plain stupid!
The revelation of the Obama letter to Russia offering to trade the deployment of a missile system that could protect our Eastern European allies, as well as round out our global detection capability – in essence throwing our allies under the bus – so that Russia would exert pressure on Iran to stop their nuclear program should demonstrate once and for all the danger we face from our own leadership.
...the Chinese government yesterday announced it would increase its defense budget by 14.9%. Russia has already established it plans to dramatically overhaul its military and is in the process of upgrading virtually every aspect of its offense as well as defense capabilities. And what is the U.S. doing? About to cut our defense budget, pull back our troops from the Middle East and now adding insult to injury

Missile Defenseless -- [NRO]
Russia will pledge cooperation and perhaps even support a toothless resolution at the U.N., Obama will declare the abandonment of missile defense a diplomatic imperative, and Iran will continue going about its sinister nuclear business. (Last month, the ayatollahs’ rocket scientists put a satellite into orbit, demonstrating a technological prowess with worrisome military implications.) Meanwhile, the members of NATO will wonder whatever happened to the multilateralism that Obama once vowed: They had joined in mutual support of the missile-defense system only to have the new president engage in a bit of freelance diplomacy with the Kremlin.

Observing the Sea Centric Strategic View of Russia -- [Information Dissemination]
It is interesting to note how various countries are making strategic decisions in a downward economic spiral, and I can't help but observe what Russia is doing and note with interest they appear to be resetting themselves for the rebound.

Flight Paths Changed After North's Threat -- [Washington Times]
North Korea threatened South Korean passenger planes flying near its airspace on Thursday and accused the U.S. and South Korea of attempting to provoke a nuclear war with upcoming joint military exercises.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

TORTURE: Some Thoughts -- [Michael Yon]
On 24 February 2009, President Barack Obama said during his speech: “The United States of America Does Not Torture.”
The President’s words were cast LIVE, around the globe, and I was literally on the other side of the world, a dozen time zones away watching it on CNN. I made a small entry on the website with a few thoughts, unleashing a torrent of criticism, which was expected; I don’t write to please, but in an attempt to deliver truth about the war.
Anytime I deliver bad news, such as back in 2006 that we were losing the war in Afghanistan while nearly everyone “knew” we were winning, there resulted an avalanche of criticism and insults, along with a decline in readership and support. But that’s the way it goes. If a writer wants to make money, he should avoid truth and tell people what they want to hear. Yet to win the war, tell the truth.
...Other folks said they have never seen me talk or write about torture, though I have probably done so on dozens of occasions, again to millions of Americans, long before the elections, and probably before I ever knew the name “Obama.”

Dark Times -- [Michael Yon]
There is a gathering storm and it promises to wreak havoc. It would be sad to see CIA agents prosecuted for following orders, but this subject goes to the heart of darkness and is by nature a swamp where everybody involved will get bitten. Every American soldier knows that following orders is his or her duty, and to ignore an order could result in imprisonment, or even execution. But every soldier is also trained that to perform unlawful orders is unlawful. For instance, if a General orders a Captain to line up unarmed non-combatants and shoot them for no reason, the action would constitute murder. A war crime. The Captain could claim he was only following orders, but that might not save him because he is a military professional and knows better. (A fact from the battlefields: I have many times witnessed American officers and sergeants from the Army and Marines, protecting prisoners from the wrath of Iraqis, but it is a fact that Iraqis often torture prisoners.) If the soldier were 19 years-old and executed an unlawful order from a high ranking sergeant or officer, maybe the court would have mercy, and I certainly would view the circumstance differently. But who knows what a judge would say?

CIA Veterans Blast Senate Probe of Operations Under Bush -- [TIME]
.....But even Agency veterans winced at the latest bombshell from Gitmo: the revelation that the CIA destroyed 92 videotapes that may have shown detainees being subjected to harsh interrogation techniques. "It would have been my instinct to say that these [videotapes] are the sort of thing we have to keep," says Ford.
For the CIA staffers who may come under scrutiny in the Leahy and Feinstein investigations, there's some consolation in the fact that their new boss is in their corner. Former Congressman and Clinton White House chief of staff Leon Panetta has promised to cooperate with Congress, saying, "I think that we have a responsibility to be transparent on these issues and to provide them that information." But during his confirmation hearings by Feinstein's Committee, Panetta made it clear he doesn't support the prosecution of CIA staff involved in detention and interrogation of terror suspects, saying they were simply following guidelines issued by the Bush administration. At a media roundtable last week, Panetta returned to the theme: "I would not support any investigation or a prosecution of those individuals. I think they did their job, they did it pursuant to the guidance that was provided them, whether you agreed or disagreed with it."

Terror Trials In U.S. Are A Worry -- [Washington Post]
...Any plan for terrorism trials in federal courthouses would face extraordinary difficulties, lawyers say. Much of the evidence is classified, and key witnesses are reluctant to testify. Government secrets can be spilled. Litigation can be expensive and stretch for years. Security is a nightmare. The Guantanamo detainees pose hurdles on a scale rarely seen.

My Correct Views on Everything -- [Abu Muqawama]
...COIN is a means to an end. It is not a foreign policy strategy and is not associated with any particular school of international relations. Proponents of COIN doctrine are realists, neo-conservatives, and liberal interventionists. The reason we promote COIN doctrine in the U.S. military is because, following Vietnam, the military made the mistake of assuming we would never have to fight large-scale COIN operations ever again.

Strategy and Counterinsurgency -- [Cato@Liberty]
...First, the COIN gurus do not confine themselves to the operational side of things. Exum works for the Center for New American Security, which has collected counterinsurgency experts who argue that 1) Americans can become proficient counterinsurgents and 2) counter-terrorism requires that transformation. I believe neither. Apparently Exum only buys 1. I hope he can convince his colleagues to stop saying 2.
Second, the stark divide between strategy and operations is an ideal. The theory that the military services are only professional technicians serving the ends of politicians is too simple. The Army has political interests, which change with its structure and leadership. Those interests affect our defense and foreign policy. The causal arrow between national security policy and the structure and doctrine of the organizations that execute it points both ways.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Senior Airman Daniel Warila Witnesses Birth Of Child Via Webcam -- [DVIDS]
SOUTWEST ASIA - Several thousand miles away from home, a 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman was able to witness the birth of his first child live thanks to modern technology.
Senior Airman Daniel Warila, a 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Aerospace Ground Equipment mechanic, welcomed Lucas Daniel Warila into the world thanks to the staff at the Chapman's Activity Center and the webcam capability they provided for the occasion.
Setting up the webcam required coordination with the hospital as well as the CAC to ensure the computer would be available and that the couple could connect through a chat program long enough for the birth.

In Response to the Latest VA Proposal -- [VFW Radio]
It’s time for everyone to drop the bag of chips, get off the couch and do whatever it takes to bring some heavy smoke down on the new administration and let ‘em know that we aren’t going to allow them to charge service-connected and wounded veterans for VA care.

Speaking of veteran's issues... -- [John of Argghhh!]
By The Armorer on March 6, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)
From the VA:VETERAN'S PENSIONS Update 01: If you are a wartime veteran with a limited income and you are no longer able to work, you may qualify for a Veterans Disability Pension or the Veterans Pension for Veterans 65 or older. Many veterans of wartime service are completely unaware of the fact that if they are 65 or older and on a limited income they may qualify for a VA Pension without being disabled.

Reserve Chiefs: Our People Deserve Better Retirement -- [Pacific Stars and Stripes]
Reserve and National Guard members deserve a better retirement plan, one that pays an annuity earlier than age 60 at least for those willing to serve longer than 20 years, Reserve leaders have told Congress.

Suicide Prevention Requires Army Leadership -- [North Shore Journal]
The United States Army received some disturbing information about its soldiers in January and February 2009. In January, 12 soldiers committed suicide and another 12 cases are pending a final determination. In February, 2 soldiers committed suicide and 16 are pending a determination.

Lost Boy of Sudan promoted in U.S. Army -- [CNY Central] H/T to LL
He's a war orphan, a lost boy of Sudan who became a U.S. Citizen. Now, there's new honor for Jacob Majok as he moves up the ranks of the United States Army.

MILITARY

Introducing the 'Iron Eagles' - Awesomely Bad Videos from the Military-Industrial Complex -- [Danger Room]
The idea wasn't to make a vaguely-menacing, sometimes-silly testament to the Pentagon's far-reaching spy powers; quite the opposite. This Defense Intelligence Agency promotional video was supposed to be a way for the group to explain to the rest of the military-industrial complex "who we are and what we do." But to outsider ears, the clip just alternates between goofy and creepy.

Darpa Wants a Lab for Sim Afghanistans -- [Danger Room]
The U.S. military is bankrolling a dozen or more programs, to create Sim Afghansitans and Sim Iraqs where they can test their war plans. The problem is, each model-maker uses his own set of country-building software, his own set of data about the country's social, cultural, and political structures -- and his own theories about how people interact.
Darpa, the Pentagon's premiere research agency, has a fix for that. It wants to build a "social computing synthetic lab," so that all these different computer models and social science tools can actually be tested and improved.

U.S. Service Members Become American Citizens -- [DVIDS]
U.S. service members from all over the world gathered together in the rotunda of the Al Faw Palace here on March 3 to take part in a ceremony they will not soon forget.

WELCOME HOME

310 returning soldiers put on 17-hour lockdown -- [The Leaf Chronicle]
About 310 soldiers with the 4th Brigade Combat Team got an unwelcome welcome home when their flight landed Tuesday afternoon: They were put on lockdown for 17 hours because of a missing pistol.
"There was a 9 mm that came up missing on yesterday's welcome home flight," post spokeswoman Kelly Tyler said Wednesday.
The soldiers couldn't go home or leave with their families until the weapon was found or it was determined that it would not be found, Tyler said.

Surprise! Troop Greeter Gets to Welcome Husband -- [MSNBC]
"Being able to welcome home these soldiers who have sacrificed so much is a good way for me to serve my country," she told reporters, who were also in on ...

Families Welcome 400 National Guard Members Home -- [WOWK]
Thousands of people showed up at Boyd County High School Thursday to welcome home members of the Kentucky National Guard
400 members of the 201st Engineer Battalion returned from Afghanistan after being there for a year.

THE MEDIA

All The News That Fits What We Want You To Think, We Print -- [Terry Glavin]
In the midst of all the embarrassment that Canada's national news media brought upon itself this week by its strange and hugely public display of myopia, amnesia, and perhaps something rather worse, I found myself a bit troubled by a nagging question.
The question wasn't just about why it appeared to be too much trouble for the Globe and Mail to check its own front pages from less than a year earlier before pronouncing that something Canada's prime minister had said about Afghanistan was a thing he'd never said before. That did bother me, but having spent almost my entire adult life as a working journalist, I'm merciful about these things. Newspapers do make mistakes.
The question I can't shake is this: ...

Chavez Declares War on Opposition Media in Venezuela -- [Fox News]
Addressing the nation on his weekly television show on Sunday, the Venezuelan president laid out plans for his next crusade, ordering his governors and mayors to draw up a "map of the media war" to determine which media are "in the hands of the oligarchy."

POLITICS

Warfare Balance Sheet -- [Washington Times]
In recent days President Obama has begun to clarify his intentions on how to prosecute the wars he inherited in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MoveOn.org Switches Its Role -- [WSJ]
“We’ve mostly focused on stopping things,” said Justin Ruben, who took over as the group’s executive director last month, citing the group’s long-standing opposition to the war in Iraq as a prime example.
Now, with President Barack Obama in the White House and Democrats in Congress, MoveOn.Org can finally find something to be for—namely, health care reform, energy reform, economic policy reform, and ending the war in Iraq, Ruben said.

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

(Need more? Dawn Patrols Archives are here.)

Dawn Patrol 03/04/2009

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.

IRAQ

U.S. army asserts Iraqis ready to maintain security after withdrawal -- [Aswat Al Iraq]
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: U.S. military commanders asserted that the Iraqi security forces are ready to receive the security from the Multi-National Forces.
The Associated Press quoted a senior U.S. army officer as saying that he is optimistic regarding the success of the Iraqi forces in maintaining security.

Iraq Comeback -- [New York Post]
It wasn’t just troop levels that surged in Iraq — so have cellphones, Internet use and drinking water. Several indicators show the quality of life for the average Iraqi is on the rise as the sixth anniversary of the start of the war approaches.

US commanders hone battlefield diplomacy in Iraq -- [Seattle Times]
Sheik Sabah Mutasher appreciated the U.S. Army's efforts to build a school for his tribe. But he didn't embrace the American mission until Col. Walt Piatt showed up in a dusty pickup truck for a spur-of-the-moment courtesy call.

A Drawdown Of Contractors In Iraq -- [Christian Science Monitor]
American troops have a silent partner in Iraq: Tens of thousands of contractors who support their mission in unsung but critical ways, serving food, providing security, and cleaning bathrooms. But as President Obama reduces the American military presence there over the next year-and-a-half, US commanders face the challenge of weaning themselves off the contractors' services and sending them home.

Iraqi Islamic Party Denounces Rafsanjani’s Visit to Iraq -- [MEMRI Blog]
The Iraqi Islamic Party, headed by Iraqi Vice President Tariq Al-Hashemi, issued a statement declaring the current visit of Iranian Expediency Council chairman Hashemi Rafsanjani as "unwelcome," and asked the government of Iraq to review the documents pertaining to Iran’s intervention in Iraq which has almost led to “the disasters of a civil war.”

Obama Pulls Out, Polemically -- [Austin Bay]
President Barack Obama's military "pull-out" from Iraq as announced last week isn't what his campaign promised -- thank goodness.

AP count: Iraqi deaths hover near lowest level -- [AP]
Casualties among Iraqi civilians and security forces last month dropped to their second-lowest level in nearly four years with 283 deaths

Freedom Journal Iraq, March 4

PM says elections results suspend enemies’ plans to divide Iraq -- [Aswat al-Iraq]
BAGHDAD / Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday said that the results of the recent local elections suspended the plans of what he termed as ‘Iraq’s enemies’ to divide it.
This came during his meeting with a number of chieftains in Baghdad, according to a statement of his office.
“Al-Maliki said that the elections results stopped the destructive steps against Iraq,” said the statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Cracking Down On Corrupt Cops -- [Strategy Page]
The war is still being fought in Mosul. Here, Kurds and Sunni Arabs confront each other over who will control the region. Saddam Hussein sent hundreds of thousands of Sunni Arabs north and settled them on Kurd land, and in Kurd houses. The Kurds were forced further north, and now, a generation later, they are back.

Some more good stuff from the Combat Camera guys. -- [Castle Argghhh!]
Next, "Bang! Bang! I got you!" I remember some days early in my career where training similar to this (we did at least have weapons, if no blanks) was something of a norm. It takes some real small unit leadership (of course, in this case, a pending deadly work environment after training is concluded helps) to keep people focused on the task.

The Courtyard of a Great Sheikh: -- [Grims Hall - in Iraq]
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I Hate My Job -- [S4 at War - in Iraq]
I spent the majority of the day today coordinating for chemical latrines (the previously mentioned port-o-pottys, to you silly civilians) and signs to put on our trucks announcing that our convoys are provincial approved, and that Iraqis are free to pass if its safe to do so (Note to Iraqis: “safe to do so” does not mean high speeds on the opposite side of the median into oncoming traffic). No day is complete, however, unless civilian contractors make it more difficult. The “port-o-pottys” I need are contracted by KBR. They clean and maintain them for us. I need to put them on the Iraqi Army portion of our FOB for about 5 days (the Iraqi Army portion of our FOB is connected to our side and just as safe as our side). But

AFGHANISTAN

Rough couple of weeks -- [Miserable Donuts - CSMBones - in Afghanistan]
The last two and a half weeks have been rough. The TF has suffered 6 KIA and a few injured. The mission continues as we train and fight alongside our Afghan brothers of the Afghan Army and Police. The 33rd is in the fight now. All of us. Keep these Soldiers, their Families, and their Comrades in your thoughts and prayers. We will Soldier on.
When I think about what surrounds me, the institutional corruption, the random violence, the fear and desperation. I feel the reasons why I am here more and more sharply. As we grow in our soldiers skills, surviving by finding the hidden dangers, seeing the secret motives and the shifting politics... we grow a set of skills that is unique and powerful in this situation

Wikileaks releases major RAND study into Iraq, Afghan intelligence, counterinsugency: Pentagon Papers? -- [Pak Alert]
This major November, 2008 RAND Corporation study on intelligence operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, conducted 300 interviews at all levels with US, UK and Dutch intelligence officers and diplomats.
The 318 page document could be described as part of the “Pentagon Papers” for Iraq and Afghanistan. It was confidentially prepared for the Pentagon’s Joint Forces Command and focuses on intelligence and counterinsurgency operations.
Marked “For Official Use Only” study was distribution restricted to a select group of Coalition war partners and Israel.

Major RAND study with 300 interviews: Intelligence Operations and Metrics in Iraq and Afghanistan, Nov 2008 -- [Wikileaks]
...The intelligence on the military side was not tied in with the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency], and the CIA was not listened to. . . . I had my most depressing discussions with the intelligence people who could see what this was leading to, and could see what the pop- ulation thought better than [then-director of reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in Iraq L. Paul] Bremer could. . . .

Taliban rivals unite to fight US troop surge -- [The Guardian]
Three rival Pakistani Taliban groups have agreed to form a united front against international forces in Afghanistan in a move likely to intensify the insurgency just as thousands of extra US soldiers begin pouring into the country as part of Barack Obama's surge plan.

US Takes Fight to Taliban Leader -- [Washington Times]
Unmanned aircraft have begun targeting Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, a shift in strategy by the Obama administration that may reflect efforts to pre-empt a Taliban spring offensive against US forces in Afghanistan.

Murtha: Um, we need 600,000 troops to pacify Afghanistan -- [Hot Air]
The Pennsylvania Democrat, who chairs the powerful subcommittee that funds the military, said his figure was based on the country’s history of rigorous fighting and its size.
“That’s what I estimate it would take in a country that size to get it under control,” Murtha said in an interview…

Afghan children likely killed by Taliban -- [Globe and Mail]
The explosion that killed three Afghan children last week was the work of the Taliban and not Canada's fault, say military officials who admit they're still struggling to understand the outburst of anti-Canadian sentiment touched off by the tragedy. Forensic analysis of fragments from the bomb that killed the three young boys determined it was likely an old munition, perhaps left over from the Soviet occupation, that may have been fashioned into a booby trap, officials said.

Op Ed: A Surge or Not a Surge? -- [A Battlefield Tourist - David Tate - in Afghanistan]
Let us get this straight because history needs to know what is, and what isn’t, a military surge. God knows, the media is back with this darling of a word and I’m going to get them to make this right.
...The fact is, in regards to military surges, there have been three large scale surges, in either Afghanistan or Iraq, since either war began. What we face today in Afghanistan 2009, is actually an escalation and it needs to be recognized as such.

Combat video of Candian Army mentoring ANA and Afghan police -- [The Atlantic Monthly]

"Footage of combat in Afghanistan, filmed and with voiceover narration by Louie Palu".

Blast hits US base in Afghanistan, several wounded -- [AP]
A bomb blast exploded outside the main U.S. base in Afghanistan on Wednesday, wounding several people, a U.S. official said. An Afghan governor blamed the attack on a suicide car bomber, and the Taliban claimed responsibility.

Britain presses Karzai on polls -- [The Peninsula]
Britain pressed Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday not to go ahead with early elections in April, saying the original timetable of August was better for security reasons.

Northern Exposure Part Two -- [Free Range International - in Afghanistan]
Whilst passing through Chahar Bolak District, we encountered what appeared to look like two members of the Afghan National Police (ANP) standing on the road. We know this section of the route quite well and had never seen a checkpoint in this area before. There is really only one response in a situation like this – turning around and going back will expose you for several seconds well within rifle range as you’re turning (there are no fancy J turns on these crappy roads mate) it is best to hit the gas, get the weapon up and be ready to respond if the guys in the road attempt to bring their weapons to bear. Criminal gangs are known to wear ANP uniforms whilst performing their dastardly deeds which is a fact well known to the ANP who always run night time checkpoints in force with lots of ANP vehicles. The two men in front of us who were diving out of the way of my driver were definitely free lancing trouble makers.
...In conclusion, I would have to say that the stance on security measures and operations within Afghanistan has always been of a ’reactive’ nature. And by stating this, I am including the collective effort, military and civilian organizations combined. As opposed to knee jerk reactions which are usually a result of mitigating incidents well after they have occurred, a proactive posture can actually be assumed and become an effective tool for achieving goals and missions.

Freedom Watch Afghanistan

Bonecrusher seeks out IEDs -- [From the Stan - in Afghanistan]
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – He sat and pondered the question, “What is the best part of your job?”
Displaying a big grin he responded, “knowing that we’ve ruined the enemies’ plans as they’re observing.”
Sgt. Mario L. Spencer, a combat engineer with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and the vehicle commander of “Bonecrusher,” a Buffalo Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle, was satisfied with his answer.

Afghanistan diary: A hobbled march to victory as French forces prevail -- [The Guardian blog]
From the air, the Morales-Frazier firebase looks like it has been etched on to the bare rock. It sits at the bottom of a long, deep valley full of insurgents and stands between them and a new road being built under the Taliban's nose.

Needlessly Sensationalistic -- [Registan]
Reading these accounts describes a country and a people I have never visited or met… and I am there right now, spending time outside the wire. As a case in point: where has The Guardian’s Julian Borger been?
...Point: “a single US rifle company that had made no progress in uprooting the Taliban”
Counter-point: Don’t tell Old Blue. This badly mischaracterizes the challenges of operating there.
Why? Sources matter, and doing one’s homework is hard.
Point: “The building of the road… would not have been possible before the French arrived”
Counter-point: Right. The U.S. started the road in 2007, more than a year before the French took over.
Why? Who can tell any more? I would guess Borger probably sole-sourced his background, and this is what happens when you’re lazy.

How was your SNOW DAY? -- [What's Haole up to Now?]
The snow starts early in the evening, and the official word comes soon after dark. “SNOW DAY, no school” Yeah, we all get to sleep in tomorrow. That's what we heard all over the east coast today. READ ON
Not so for our young and not so young warriors in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. For them, it means pulling out the layers of clothes, and getting ready for the patrol through the “wet cold stuff”.
What follows is a pictorial record of one of their “Snow Days”. A day filled with snowball fights, snow angels, or snow ice cream treats? Not exactly ‼‼ Real contact with the enemy, trudging along paths as show falls, MRE’s or other pre-packaged foods. Another day on the battlefields of Eastern Afghanistan.

Welcome Back To The Suck, My Friend -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure]
Months ago, I read my first post by Vampire 6. I commented, and he emailed me back to tell me that he had read my posts while preparing to deploy. As Bouhammer pointed out, we are links in a chain. Vampire 6 is the current baton-carrier for the embedded trainer types in Afghanistan. He's done some fantastic posts, sharing the experience and the frustrations wonderfully. His "Illum, Illum, Where Art Thou?" should be required reading for battalion commanders deploying to Afghanistan.

Afghan tech boom: Mullah embraces iPhone -- [AP]
KABUL (AP) — Mullah Abdul Salaam Zaeef is a former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan. He spent almost four years in Guantanamo. He wears a black turban, has a thick beard — and is never without his Apple iPhone.

France has No Plans to Increase Forces in Afghanistan: -- [Daily Outlook Afghanistan]
PARIS, France - Despite the degenerating security situation in Afghanistan, France has no plans to send more troops to the conflict- torn country, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Tuesday in Paris. "We do not have the intent (to send more troops). We have just increased the number of soldiers in the region," Kouchner told reporters.
However, Paris wants to increase its commitment to the.

U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Iranian IRGC Commander: Israel's Nuclear Installations Are Within Reach of Our Missiles -- [MEMRI Blog]
At a conference being held in Tehran in support of the Palestinians, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Ali Aziz Jafari, said that if Iran is attacked it will deliver a forceful response, and added that the entirety of Israeli territory, including its nuclear installations, are within the range of Iranian missiles.

Obama Team Seeks to Redefine Russia Ties -- [Washington Post]
The Obama administration is preparing a wide-ranging set of initiatives designed to put shaky relations between the United States and Russia on a more solid footing, including resumption of strategic arms control talks as early as this spring, reactivation of the moribund NATO-Russia Council and possible US reconsideration of plans to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, senior administration officials said.

Russian Welcomes Letter From Obama -- [NY Times]
The Russian president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, said Tuesday that his administration was open to overtures from the United States on its proposed missile defense plan, but he dismissed the notion of a deal in which the United States would shelve the plan in exchange for Russia’s help on Iran.

WAR ON TERROR /TERRORISM

New NEFA Chart: "Prominent Jihad Media Organizations in Central Asia"-- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The NEFA Foundation has released a new roster I have created charting the eight most prominent jihad media organizations active in Central Asia--namely, Al-Qaida's "As-Sahab Media Foundation", "Labayk Media Productions", "Ummat Studios", the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan's "Jundullah Media", the Islamic Jihad Union's "Badr at-Tawheed Media", the Turkestan Islamic Party's "Islam Awazi Information Center", "Manba al-Jihad Media", and the official media wing of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban). Taken together, these various underground organizations are responsible for producing the vast majority of mujahideen propaganda videos that have originated from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and western China over the past five years.

Islamists advancing their agenda through Sharia -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Pakistan recently gave in to the pressure of Islamist militants. Indeed to buy off peace, Pakistani authorities allowed the imposition of Sharia (Islamic law) in the Swat valley.
How long the cease-fire will last is anyone's guess. But in any case, Pakistan has allowed a precedent that could extend to other provinces; in fact the Swat valley is only about 100 miles away from Islamabad, the capital. But Sharia is not just making inroads in Pakistan but actually creeping in the West and in particular in Europe.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Unopened claims letters hidden at VA offices -- [Army Times]
A new report about Veterans Affairs Department employees squirreling away tens of thousands of unopened letters related to benefits claims is sparking fresh concerns that veterans and their survivors are being cheated out of money

First Lady Urges Support For U.S. Service Families -- [Washington Times]
First lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday observed women's history month by touring a memorial for women in the military. She said the country must do all it can to support not just the servicemembers on active duty, but their families, too.

VAMPIRE ETT Wants YOU! -- [Afghanistan Shrugged - in Afghanistan]
Vision has agreed to sell our shirts on their website and donate $5 to Soldiers Angels/ Web of Support for each and every VAMPIRE shirt they sell. Soldiers Angels/ Web of Support is an outstanding organization supporting deployed troops. Check out their site at soldiersangels.org to see the great work that they’re doing.
So here comes the close. Now you can own a T-shirt, designed by a Veteran, made by Veterans and sold to support and organization doing incredible things for Veterans. You just can’t beat that deal, joint warfare at it's finest! Become an honorary VAMPIRE and support the fine organization that support us. We really appreciate everything they’ve done for us and this is just a small thing we can do to show our gratitude.

New Legislation by Sen. Claire McCaskill, and The Dover Controversy -- [VFW Talk Radio]
Just days ago, Sen. Claire McCaskill introduced new legislation that would overhaul substance abuse treatment programs throughout the military. We'll speak with her on this issue and the toll the current economic state is taking on America's veterans.

MILITARY

Catch F-22 for Obama - [Christian Science Monitor]
The most advanced warplane in history, the F-22 Raptor, is on Barack Obama's chopping block. Yet the president faces a no-win situation. If somehow he gets Congress to stop paying for more of the stealthy jets – whose full cost is $354 million a plane – thousands of defense workers will quickly lose their jobs in a recession. As a Democrat more interested in spending money on butter than guns, Mr. Obama does not see guns as butter. His priorities are healthcare, energy, and education. Some Democrats even want a 25 percent cut in defense spending.

INTELLIGENCE: EA-18G Smokes An F-22 -- [Strategy Page]
When pressed, navy personnel watching over the aircraft would only reveal that the EA-18G had "virtually" shot down an F-22 in a training exercise.

F-22 and USAF pilots… -- [All our Might]
One military aviator has written into AOM and provided interesting insights on the F-22’s capabilities. He also has a few substantial comparisons between the USAF and USN mindset and attitudes - the USN adapts, the USAF doesn’t.

Just Build the F-22, Okay? -- [The Captain’s Journal]
Over at Abu Muqawama, Abu M. is telling us about his lamentable bent towards socialistic jobs programs by finally advocating the F-22 program. Well, not quite. The kind of people who will continue to work - engineers, highly skilled

We Need More Icebreakers! -- [Rear Admiral Norm Venzke, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)] Via Michael Yon
The United States icebreaker fleet is absolutely inadequate. That opinion is supported by the fact that the fleet is incapable of meeting mission requirements without a chartered foreign icebreaker.

WELCOME HOME

Are We Ready to Welcome the Soldiers That Obama's Bringing Home -- [AlterNet]
No matter how you feel about the war, you can help support our veterans. If you want to help your community welcome home our troops,

Fort Carson Soldiers Return Home -- [KKTV 11 News]
Outside the Mountain Post, a few kids played hooky, so they can be the first to say "welcome home" to their hero. They waited Sergeant First Class Troy ...

Small group receives a big welcome ceremony at Fort Hood -- [Killeen Daily Herald]
His wife Shelia Bagley, and children Nathan, 11, Jasmine, 4, and Joseph, 3, waited patiently for James to get home. As troops flowed back to Fort Hood by ...

THE MEDIA

A Hundred Flowers Bloom, A Hundred Schools Of Thought Contend -- [Terry Galvin - freelance journalist recently returned from Afghanistan]
Sometimes, the gulf between what you read in the newspapers and the stuff that actually happens in the real world turns out to be a gaping, yawning chasm. Such is the case in the matter of what Great Helmsman Stephen Harper is reported to have said and meant on the subject of Afghanistan just lately, and what he really said and obviously meant.

POLITICS

New Post Proposed At Pentagon -- [Washington Post]
A bill to end cost overruns in major weapons systems would create a powerful new Pentagon position -- director of independent cost assessments -- to review cost analyses and estimates, separately from the military branch requesting the program.

A Moderate Manifesto -- [NY Times - David Brooks]
“Those of us who consider ourselves moderates are forced to confront the reality that Barack Obama is not who we thought he was.”

We're Sorry" -- Obama voters express their regrets -- [Doug Ross]
The drones Obama voters have begun sending me photos expressing their sorrow in voting for the Won.

Obama Linked To Anti-Limbaugh TV Spot -- [Riehl World]
I was linked in this post which in turn was linked by Glenn tonight. My point then was that an attack on Limbaugh would fail. But tonight I saw this on a new anti-Rush television spot. That led me to these folks who produced the ad and ultimately to this name: Brad Woodhouse - President
And that name brings you here - and spare me the - well, he's actually here, or there now .... if they haven't updated the site. That really doesn't matter much in the end.
The takeover of the Democratic National Committee by Barack Obama's campaign continues apace with the hiring of communications operative Brad Woodhouse at the national party committee.
First I was wondering why is Obama so hell bent on attacking, he won? True. But

Bush Knew How to Lift the US From Recession... Obama Doesn't -- [Gateway Pundit]
When President Bush came into office he inherited a recession, the internet bubble bust, scandal on Wall Street, and the attacks on 9-11 all in his first year. The budget surplus of $128.2 billion he inherited evaporated.
In 2002 the budget deficit climbed to $157.8 billion, an increase of $286 billion.
In response to the economic recession, President Bush reduced taxes and gave money back to American workers, business owners and entrepreneurs. From 2004 to 2007 there was a steady decline in the budget deficit from $412.7 billion in 2004 to $162 billion in 2007. The tax cuts also reduced unemployment to 5.2% during the Bush years. The Bush years saw the strongest productivity growth in 4 decades and witnessed robust GDP growth.
Then America was hit by the mortgage crisis that President Bush warned the Democratic Congress about 17 times in 2008 alone.

Team Obama is already blaming Bush for their record $1.75 trillion budget deficit. -- [Gateway Pundit]
And, just like how Obama and the democrats lied about the the last 8 years of economic growth, they are hoping that the media will play along with them and blame Bush for the dangerous deficit they have already racked up in Obama's first 40 days on the job.
To be clear-- those failed Bush policies dropped the deficit 4 of 8 years, held an average unemployment at 5.2%, saw the strongest productivity growth in 4 decades and witnessed robust GDP growth.
Bush was able to do this despite the recession he inherited, 9-11, Hurricane Katrina, and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As you can see from this chart,...

HUMOR / SATIRE

Day By Day

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