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Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and 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.
ABC Polls Iraqis... -- [Greyhawk]
...and discovers many unsurprising things.
Among the exceptions (click for larger):
Progress in Iraq pleases Schofield brigade leader -- [Star Bulletin]
Iraq's largest operating oil refinery producing more than 290,000 barrels of oil daily is a sign of progress, says the leader of a 25th Infantry Division brigade.
"The exports are way up," said Col. Walter Piatt, who commands the 3rd Brigade Combat Team. "It's making money. It's producing products for the province but also for the rest of Iraq."
Video: Baghdad Happens -- [Hot Air]
JD Johannes, one of the few independent war correspondents who deliver the real story from the front lines, has a new documentary for his Outside the Wire series. He takes us on patrol in search of a terrorist in Iraq, embedded with American troops operating in a newly-pacified capital. When a previously-unknown pool of sewage disrupts the plan at the beginning, it only means one thing — Baghdad Happens, baby:
Civilian Scouts: -- [Grim's Hall - in Iraq]
One of the problems with the Human Terrain Teams -- I speak as a strong supporter of the concept of the HTS and the HTTs -- is that the "social scientist" often fails to understand what the Army expects them to do. The most important figure on an HTT is their "social scientist."
Baghdad Happens -- [Outside the Wire]
Civilian Scouts: -- [Grim's Hall - in Iraq]
One of the problems with the Human Terrain Teams -- I speak as a strong supporter of the concept of the HTS and the HTTs -- is that the "social scientist" often fails to understand what the Army expects them to do. The most important figure on an HTT is their "social scientist."
A Conversation With David Kilcullen - [Washington Post]
Why is an Aussie anthropologist coaching American generals on how to win wars? David Kilcullen, an Australian army reservist and top adviser to Gen. David H. Petraeus during the troop surge in Iraq, has spent years studying insurgencies in countries from Indonesia to Afghanistan, distinguishing hard-core terrorists from "accidental guerrillas" -- and his theories are revolutionizing military thinking throughout the West.
Full-Spectrum Targeting, the Key to COIN -- [Soldiering On - in Iraq]
Targeting in a counterinsurgency (COIN) fight has both a lethal dimension and a non-lethal one. If you have an IED cell as part of your problem-set, there are different means by which a unit can target them to achieve an effect. In the case of the IED cell, the desired effect would be a decrease in IEDs in the area of operations (AO). The traditional technique would be
Military Sports Analogies -- [Wings over Iraq - in Iraq]
I've written a bit for Small Wars Journal in the past few months, but nothing has generated as much debate (or, in some cases, agreement) as an article I wrote regarding the Army's concept of the "pentathlete" leader--leaders who are scholars and warriors, skilled in peace, war, civil administration, and adaptive to new forms of conflict.
Happy New Year -- [Deployed Teacher - in Afghanistan]
It's the Afghan New Year today, Saturday, March 21, 2009
And yet again, the Afghan translators have invited me to their company party (I think I've been officially adopted) to help celebrate the new year, 1388! That's right, 1388.
One of the younger Afghan translators remarked; " Yeah, it's 1388, maybe that's why we're so far behind". We laughed, but in some ways, from what I've seen, he wasn't kidding!
US Army taking charge near Kabul -- [The Torch]
Their first additional brigade this year in Afstan, trying to make a real difference:
US will appoint Afghan 'prime minister' to bypass Hamid Karzai -- [The Guardian]
The US and its European allies are preparing to plant a high-profile figure in the heart of the Kabul government in a direct challenge to the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, the Guardian has learned.
The United States is prepared to discuss the establishment of a political party for the Taliban in Afghanistan, a U.S. diplomat says -- [UPI]
William Wood, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, says the sanctioning of such a party is part of a political strategy to go along with beefed-up military efforts to end the seemingly intractable conflict, Britain's The Observer reported Sunday.
Quick Hits on the AF -- [Registan - in Afghanistan]
Dig the arrogance: Karzai isn’t work out well, so let’s undermine his government and the very democratic process we say we support to install a new official we find more amenable. Those silly “votes” we’re all up on? Yeah, not so important. Assuming this is true — it is, notice, a Julian Borger column. But it is also this petty “review” the Obama administration has drawn up, which so far hasn’t resulted in anything new or constructive.
US Must Have Afghanistan Exit Strategy, Says Barack Obama -- [AFP/The Australian]
US President Barack Obama said the United States must have an "exit strategy'' in Afghanistan even as it expands its military, diplomatic and economic efforts against a Taliban insurgency.
Obama Changes Tactics in ‘Disastrous’ War against Afghanistan's Heroin Producers -- [The Times]
President Obama is planning an overhaul of the ineffective anti-drugs policy in Afghanistan as Washington prepares to announce the non-military side of its strategy to defeat the Taleban.
Back in Kabul -- Battlefeild Tourist - in Afghanistan]
...I spent the previous day working on a post about kidnappings in Kabul, and the region in general, which left me very paranoid about going back into Kabul, alone, with all my gear. I actually gave my wife a deadline for me to contact her, that if passed, she should inform the US Embassy that I was missing.
NATO Gains Commitment, But Not for Afghanistan -- [Washington Times]
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's parliamentary victory last week that will return France to NATO's integrated military command encountered fierce domestic opposition, and analysts say it is unlikely to result in a bigger French contribution to the Afghanistan war.
More unity of command for US forces in Afstan -- [The Torch]
In October 2008 most US forces that were not part of ISAF (they had been under US Central Command) were put under a new command, United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), headed by General David McKiernan, who is double-hatted as ISAF commander.
US to announce Mexican border deployment -- [AFP]
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US is expected this week to announce plans to dispatch more federal agents to its border with Mexico in a bid to combat drug cartel operations there, US officials said.
U.S. missile strikes take heavy toll on Al Qaeda, officials say -- [LA Times]
Predator drone attacks in northwest Pakistan have increased sharply since Bush last year stopped seeking Pakistan's permission. Obama may keep pace as officials speak of confusion in Al Qaeda ranks.
Reporting from Washington -- An intense, six-month campaign of Predator strikes in Pakistan has taken such a toll on Al Qaeda that militants have begun turning violently on one another out of confusion and distrust, U.S. intelligence and counter-terrorism officials say.
Where is Pakistan Heading? -- [Counterterrorism Blog - Farhana Ali]
The oft-repeated question of where Pakistan is heading is often answered with uncertainty about the country's future. In a Congressional briefing on Thursday, March 19th, I presented three key themes, which I have outlined below. First, Pakistan is a failing democracy.
Cables, dispatches and memoranda -- [Peace like a River]
HS Today - Cyber hackers believed to be based in China have tapped three times into the computer network in US Sen. Bill Nelson’s office, the Florida Democrat said Friday. Two attacks on the same day this month and another one last month targeted work stations used by three Nelson staffers — a key foreign-policy aide, the deputy legislative director and a former Nelson NASA advisor, according to Nelson’s staff.
Shabaab leader admits links to al Qaeda -- [Bill Roggio]
The information minister for Shabaab in the southern Somali city of Kismayo welcomed Osama bin Laden's call to remove Somalia's new president and said the group would continue its links to al Qaeda.
Queensryche: American Soldier -- [Far from Perfect - in Iraq]
I just discovered this tonight. Geoff Tate, singer and songwriter, created an album that has come from his experiences interviewing soldiers from WWII through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to his posts, he was talking with his father about what it meant to “Support the Troops” and discovered something much deeper. He ended up taping the conversations and showing them to his family. His wife told him he should write a song, but his own journey led him to write an entire album based on interviews with many veterans and soldiers.
Bracket Racket -- [Briefing Room -- Jeff Bader]
Later the 1st SGTand I embark to the Riverhill Country Club and Golf Course in Kerrville Texas to represent Soldiers Angels at a tribute dinner tonight and tomorrow a benefit golf tournament whose proceeds are donated to Wounded Warriors and The Military Order Of Purple Hearts. As I mentioned yesterday (yes there will be a test on all this later so pay attention), we'll be taking notes on how to proceed with our own 1st Annual Soldiers Angels Benefit and Golf Tournament scheduled for FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 and SATURDAY OCTOBER 17 2009 at the Pine Forest Golf Course in hilly Bastrop Texas.
Living History -- [Jules Crittenden]
...The soil often looms large not just as a blood-soaked symbol but as a defining reality for combatants, who become intimate with it. Mud of the trenches, black volcanic sands of Iwo, red laterite dirt of Vietnam. The stuff CSM Hill spread on the parade ground has an odd, musty taste when it rises up into the sky, blocks out the sun, turns the air yellow, orange, and finally blood-red around you, and inevitably ends up lining your mouth and nostrils. Tastes like 10,000 years of history. The ashes of generation upon generation of towering human achievement, triumph, tragedy and failure.
A great day for the U.S. Army -- [Joseph L. Galloway]
...The new soldiers graduating from basic training with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry marched past the stands, which were filled not only with their proud parents and siblings, but also with the assembled VIPs and such legendary infantrymen as retired Gen. David Grange and retired Gen. Ed Burba and retired Col. Ralph Puckett.
In the infantry and in the Army, there are good days and bad days, and a few great days. This was one of the great days.
Gates Against "The Complex" -- [Abu Muqawama]
The Boston Globe has a staff editorial this morning in support of Sec. Robert Gates and his heroic (in their eyes) struggle against the military-industrial complex.
Most important of all is the common-sense practicality Gates
Got Questions? Get Answers. -- [SpouseBuzz - Andi]
Army families, here's your "one-stop-shop" for information on your benefits.
In Harm's Way -- [Villianous Co]
Whenever I hear the phrase, "reality based community" I have to stifle the urge to laugh hysterically because if there's one thing conservatives can't understand about progressives, it's their dogged insistence on elevating hope over experience. A perfect case in point is the contentious issue of women in the military.
Students welcome soldiers home -- [Southtown Star]
"I think it's important to support our troops...give a little something from home," she said. "(I think we should) show them we care and make them feel as
Families welcome 118 4th BCT troops -- [Clarksville Leaf Chronicle]
"There are no words to describe being home," Scott said. "It's just the best feeling in the world." Greg Williamson is a visual journalist and can be...
Welcome-home ceremony set for 35 Oklahoma Army National Guard ... -- [KFSM]
A welcome-home ceremony will be held for 35 Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers returning from a yearlong deployment to Iraq.
‘Brothers in Arms’: A Song That Wrote Itselfby John Ondrasik -- [Big Hollywood]
I wrote “Brothers in Arms” two hours after seeing Jake Rademacher’s “Brothers at War.” Gary Sinise had set up a screening for a few folks in town and I popped down not knowing what I was in for.
Much has been written about the merits of this film at Big Hollywood and I can only echo the sentiments. As someone who has spent time with our troops overseas, “Brothers at War,” is an honest window into the reality of our soldiers and their families. A view to often obscured and agendized by our culture.
How Will Media Report Chavez Calling Obama 'A Poor Ignoramus'? -- [NewsBusters]
Barack Obama is hailed by sycophantic media members as one of the brightest men to ever be President, and was supposed to improve America's standing around the world.
Yet, on Sunday, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez called Obama "a poor ignoramus" who "should read and study a little to understand reality."
Obama Upsets Sarkozy With Letter to Jacques Chirac -- [Gateway Pundit]
In his latest faux pas Obama managed to pi$$ off France... President Obama wrote Jacques Chirac saying he was looking forward to working with the former French president in the coming four years(?) — Monsters and Critics reported:
Winning friends internationally again; Update: The missing context of the Chirac letter -- [Hot Air]
...Democrats accused the Bush administration of “arrogance” in diplomatic efforts, mostly because we chose to bypass the UN and finish the Iraq War with our own coalition of partners. I doubt that Donald Rumsfeld, with all his New/Old Europe talk, would have appointed a Supreme Allied Commander without at least consulting the major partners in NATO. Obama’s decision to do that speaks to his own arrogance and a certain level of disdain for the Western military alliance.
Dreaming of President Petraeus and an American surge -- [Washington Times]
Signs of our collective weakness emerged after 9/11 when only part of the American population took seriously that we were at war with an evil and motivated enemy determined to destroy our way of life.
Adam Kokesh of IVAW -- [BlackFive]
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