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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. Refresh for updates.
Roadside bombs kill 12 Afghan civilians -- [AP]
Twelve Afghan civilians died in roadside bomb blasts in the past 24 hours, officials said Wednesday.
Homemade bombs planted on roads or near government buildings have become a major killer in Afghanistan as the Taliban and other militants increasingly use guerrilla tactics to battle Afghan and international forces. The bombs usually target the military, but civilians are also frequent victims.
The smallest sparrow -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Take another good look at the face of this precious, innocent little angel. Being treated by a Canadian medic after eating gunpowder in his home. Gunpowder for roadside bombs used to kill said Canadian and other ISAF forces.
Remember to whom the family - likely working with the insurgents themselves - turned in their hour of need.
Remember this when asked why we fight.
Watchmen: Picking a Fight -- [Quatto Zone - in Afghanistan]
The thing that annoyed me most about the dozen or so reporters who called today chasing stories on the assessment (aside from the fact that it was clear that only a couple had even bothered to skim the document before calling) is that most of them are intent on forcing this story into the tired journalistic formula of the military man versus the politician. Did McChrystal leak the assessment himself to force the President's hand? Will he resign if the President rejects the approach recommended in the assessment? Questions like these show a reflexive craving for controversy and a bewildering ignorance of the fact that civil-military relations in the United States have matured in the 58 years since General MacArthur's arrogant public confrontation with President Truman. More importantly, they show a blatant disregard for how such a narrative could be exploited by partisans who would accuse General McChrystal of exceeding his military authority or President Obama of not supporting American troops.
This story is not about an argument between two powerful men. It is about an argument between two or more sets of strategic assumptions concerning the mission and desired end state in Afghanistan. General McChrystal was asked to produce an assessment of how to implement the President's March 2009 strategy. He did that. Rather than peddle that assessment in public or private, he has remained appropriately quiet while U.S. and NATO leaders have reviewed it...
Ah... Pessimism -- [Afghan Quest - in Afghanistan]
GEN McChrystal's assessment has now been "leaked." Now what? For some time now, it has seemed that the tide of public opinion has been turning against the "Good War." Why do you think that is?
Because suddenly everyone has realized that Afghanistan is a complex, dynamic situation. It is what analysts call a "wicked problem." Everyone thought that Iraq was complicated and that Afghanistan was more simple. Now that people have really taken a look at Afghanistan, they realize that it is not so simple. In many ways, it is more complex than Iraq. It makes people's heads hurt.
Not being able to make sense of the problem, they figure that nobody can, and that's when the pessimism of the public takes hold.
A few words of caution: ...
What To Do? Part One -- [Free Range International - in Afghanistan]
....President Obama is on record as saying that Afghanistan is critical in order to prevent the return of the Taliban who will provide haven, support and bases to Al Qadea. The problem is that Al Qadea has all the support and bases it needs in Pakistan. I am on record as saying that Afghanistan would never allow Al Qadea back inside its borders no matter who was ruling and the truth is Al Qaeda has spent eight years reconstituting in the Northwest Frontier and doesn't need Afghanistan - they are fine where they are. In fact the ties with their hosts are stronger and their overall security much better than it was when they operated out of Eastern Afghanistan.
When the President throws down a marker that big it makes it very hard to set conditions under which we can leave. The Taliban are not going anywhere - they live here. Al Qadea isn't going anywhere either - they could not be more firmly entrenched in any other place on the globe.
Read the full unabridged version of General David H. Petraeus's keynote speech - [Gen David H. Petraeus - Policy Exchange]
...For the strategy to work, moreover, it's also necessary to find ways to identify reconcilable members of insurgent elements and to transform them from being part of the problem to becoming part of the solution. That is not only important from a security standpoint in the local area, it's also important in generating the kind of momentum that can result in a spread of thinking that is time to reject resistance and embrace political participation.
The goal, of course, is to mobilise local opinion in opposition to violent ideologies, and on this point I might note that it was British deputy in Iraq, Lieutenant General Graeme Lamb, also a former 22 SAS, armed with lessons he'd learned in Northern Ireland, who was one of those who was in the development of the concepts of reconciliation that enabled us to capitalise on the so-called Anbar Awakening, and to help transform it into a broader Sunni Awakening in Iraq in 2007. I might note that Lieutenant General (retired) Sir Graeme Lamb is now in Kabul by the way, helping General Stan McChrystal develop concepts to guide the reintegration of reconcilables in Afghanistan.
Obama Is Considering Strategy Shift in Afghan War -- [New York Times]
President Obama is exploring alternatives to a major troop increase in Afghanistan, including a plan advocated by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to scale back American forces and focus more on rooting out Al Qaeda there and in Pakistan, officials said Tuesday. The options under review are part of what administration officials described as a wholesale reconsideration of a strategy the president announced with fanfare just six months ago. Two new intelligence reports are being conducted to evaluate Afghanistan and Pakistan, officials said.
Report: Pentagon Urges Top US General in Afghanistan to Delay Call for Troops -- [Voice of America]
A major US newspaper is reporting that the Pentagon has told its top commander in Afghanistan to delay submitting a request for additional troops. The Wall Street Journal quotes defense officials Tuesday saying the Obama administration asked for the delay so it can be sure the US is "using the right strategy" before looking into additional troop requests. The top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan has warned that the mission "will likely result in failure" if more troops are not sent within the next year. But General Stanley McChrystal also says that "while the situation is serious, success is still achievable" if the mission receives proper resources and support throughout the coalition. McChrystal's remarks are part of a strategic assessment that is still officially secret, but ...
US Pulls Back in New Afghan Strategy -- [The Australian]
The top US military officer in Afghanistan has ordered his forces out of sparsely populated areas where American troops have fought bloody battles with the Taliban for several years and is redeploying them to protecting major Afghan population centres, reports said yesterday. The strategy shift, which amounts to a retreat from some areas, has drawn resistance from senior Afghan officials who worry any pullback from Taliban-held territory will make the weak Afghan government appear even more powerless in the eyes of its people,...
Less Peril for Civilians, but More for Troops - [Washington Post]
Concern is rising in Congress and among military families over a sharp increase in US troop deaths in Afghanistan at a time when senior military officials acknowledge that American service members are facing greater risks under a new strategy that emphasizes protecting Afghan civilians.
Trying to figure it out -- [A World of Troubles - in Afghanistan]
This message was sent by a soldier I knew in Iraq. He's in Afghanistan now.
I'm trying to figure out why this message grabbed me like it did. It starts with the rocket attack that killed the soldier. The fact that he had six children.
But it's the writer's observation that it happened while he was in the CONEX getting the goodies that Afghans prize as part of the war on "hearts and minds", that gets me most. "To give out to some of the same people who fire these rockets at us."
A lot of soldiers will tell you these kinds of things. These are...the same guys who fire at us, or in the case of Iraq, used to shoot at us and are now paid by us. Seeing as soldiers interact with locals daily, as both intelligence gatherers and ambassadors, it's hard to write off their statements to simple cynicism. They speak to deeper frustrations and survival instincts.
The Great Afghan Pile On -- [Strategy Page]
The U.S. is pouring an unprecedented amount of intelligence gathering and analysis resources into Afghanistan operations. Not just the usual CIA and military intelligence personnel and equipment, but specialists and services from several different agencies. Because the main problem there is he global heroin trade (most heroin comes from Afghanistan), the wide array of intel resources are needed to identify and pick apart a global drug distribution and financing network, as well as how it is integrated with the Taliban, and other terrorist organizations. Among the many American intel agencies contributing their special skills to the undertaking there are;
Wicked Problems for Afghanistan's Civilian 'Surge' -- [Danger Room]
...The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the assessment states, "cannot succeed without a corresponding cadre of civilian experts to support the change in strategy." But read a bit closer, and you'll also find a critique of the way that civilian development experts have spent -- and sometimes squandered -- Afghanistan reconstruction funds.
"The international community must address its own corrupt or counter-productive practices, including reducing the amount of money that goes toward overhead and intermediaries rather than the Afghan people," the assessment states. "... ISAF must pay particular attention to how development projects are contracted and to whom. Too often these projects enrich power-brokers, corrupt officials or international contractors and serve only limited segments of the population."
Al-Qaida Declares New "Cabinet Roster" for its "Islamic State of Iraq" (ISI) -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Al-Qaida's "Islamic State of Iraq" (ISI) has issued an updated leadership "cabinet roster." The roster reads as follows
US-Iraqi Partnership Growing, General Says -- [Defense Link]
Service. Iraqi security forces continue to make progress in providing security for their own country, the deputy commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said today. Iraqi security forces are quickly improving as they train with American forces, Air Force Maj. Gen. James P. Hunt said during a videoconference from Baghdad with Pentagon reporters. "This is all about partnering," Hunt said. "We find that the closer we work with the Iraqi security forces, the better they are, the better they get and the faster they get better. "Whenever we, frankly, want to see them do better, our reaction is, let's get closer to them; let's hug them closer; let's teach them what we know." It has been three months since US forces withdrew from Iraq's cities and towns as part of the US-Iraq security agreement. Iraqi security forces are progressing well and continue
Ramadan -- [In Iraq Now (at 56) -- in Iraq]
I suppose most everyone in this ambiguous war thinks it would be a relief to fight as their grandfathers did in World War Two. They fought German or Japanese soldiers. The enemy wore uniforms and was always the enemy. Here we don't have an identifiable enemy. Once in a while a real enemy will fire a rocket or mortar at our base, but to very little effect and at very great danger to themselves--so it doesn't happen often.
September 11 and September 19 were both supposed to be days that we could be attacked. We weren't. Who knows why or why not.
Another Major to Major conversation -- [Iron Camel - in Iraq]
Me: Maj. Gafney how may I help you?
Him: Yes, this is Maj. XXXX. I'm looking for a checkpoint.
Me: Ok.
Him: It's on XXXX Street.
Me: Well, Baghdad is a big city and I don't know all the streets. Do you know what area it is in?
Him: I'm not sure.
Me: Ok, well, let's narrow it down. Is it ...
US Closes Door on a Onetime Iraq Ally -- [Los Angeles Times]
The man who had fought Al Qaeda in Iraq sat in the waiting room of the immigration office. He watched others go up before him. After several hours, they called his name: Saad Oraibi Ghafoori. In a way, the waiting burned him. He had once led more than 600 men in Baghdad; Iraqi officials and US commanders came to him for help. Now he lived in a nondescript home in Jordan's capital with an upset wife and two restless children - a 9-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl - who had been hoping for more than a year to get the call to go to America. He had sat in classes given by the International Organization for Migration, learning about US apartment rental prices and how to apply for food stamps. He was ready to do whatever the Americans wanted: If they wished him to train US forces heading to Iraq, he would do it; if they wanted him to fight in Afghanistan, he would go.
Making The Murder Money Go Missing -- [Strategy Page]
Terrorist attacks continue in the north (between Kurds and Arabs) and outside Baghdad (between Sunni and Shia Arabs.) But casualties from terror attacks are way down this month, after a spike in August. That's not just a fluke, it turns out to be all about gangsters and the cash that motivates them.
In response to the terrorist violence, a lot more police (and political) pressure was put on the towns and neighborhoods that tend to harbor terrorist gangs. That's part of the reason for the sharp reduction in terror attacks this month. Another reason is ...
Iraq PM Says Almost No Hope of Syrian 'Anti-terror' Help -- [AINA]
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Tuesday Iraq had almost no hope of receiving counter-terrorism cooperation from neighboring Syria and he unequivocally rejected Arab offers to mediate.
Maliki wants the United Nations to establish an independent commission into the August 19 bombings of its finance and foreign ministries, and has charged that 90 percent of foreign "terrorists" who infiltrate Iraq do so via Syria.
"From the beginning, we did not expect to receive a response from Syria to the Iraqi demands," Maliki said in a statement, referring to his request that a list of terror suspects said to be hiding in Syria be handed over.
"We have almost no hope that these efforts will succeed."
Monday Musings -- [Ramblings from a painter - in Iraq]
...Last week, I wrote a post about our support contractors being sent home. The ones who are leaving have all left now. Yes, they can be sent home that quickly. Fortunately for us, some of them will be doing more or less the same jobs from back in the States. The difficulties we face are the 7 or 8 hour time difference, the fact that they're only working 40 hours a week instead of the 65+ that we are, and they're off on Saturdays and Sundays, which are regular workdays here. But at least we have some support. The reason for all this? Money. We don't have as many projects underway anymore, so we don't need as many people helping us.
No Country Would Dare Attack Iran, Says Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- [AFP - The Australian]
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that no country would dare to launch aggressive actions against the Islamic republic and demanded that US-led foreign troops leave the region. "No power will ever dare to think of launching aggression against Iran. Today, Iran is experienced and powerful,'' the hardliner said in an address to the nation on the anniversary of the breakout of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980. "Our armed forces are ready to confront the forces of darkness. If anybody wants to shoot a bullet at us from anywhere, we will cut off his hands.''
Kuwaiti Daily: Europe Is Calling On Arab Countries To Defend Themselves Against Iran -- [MEMRI Blog]
The Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa, which is known for its criticism of Iran, reports that members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg have called on the Arab countries who fear Iran's expansion in the Middle East to establish a military-security organization, in order to defend themselves against Iran's aspirations and against Iran-supported terrorism.
Iran loses its only AWACS as Ahmadinejad threatens the world -- [DEBKA]
Up above a big military parade in Tehran on Tuesday, Sept. 22, as Iranian president declared Iran's armed forces would "chop off the hands" of any power daring to attack his country, two air force jets collided in mid-air. One was Iran's only airborne warning and control system (AWACS) for coordinating long-distance aerial operations, DEBKAfile's military and Iranian sources disclose....DEBKAfile's military sources say the disaster was a serious blow to the Iranian Air Force not long after its first and only AWACS went into service in April 2008.
Obama Presses For Action During Talks with Israeli, Palestinian Leaders -- [Voice of America]
US President Barack Obama says it is critical Israeli and Palestinian leaders work together to resolve issues and restart stalled peace talks in the region. Mr. Obama spoke in New York Tuesday after hosting a joint meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Mr. Obama said despite all of the history, and mistrust between the two sides, they must find a way to move forward. At the start of the talks, Mr. Obama coaxed the two leaders into a handshake and stood back as they gripped hands.
The UN loves Barack Obama because he is weak -- [The Telegraph]
...It is not hard to see why a standing ovation awaits the president at Turtle Bay. Obama's popularity at the UN boils down essentially to his willingness to downplay American global power. He is the first American president who has made an art form out of apologizing for the United States, which he has done on numerous occasions on foreign soil, from Strasbourg to Cairo. The Obama mantra appears to be - ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do to atone for your country. This is a message that goes down very well in a world that is still seething with anti-Americanism.
Remarks: Obama at the U.N. General Assembly -- [TIME]
We have also re-engaged the United Nations. We have paid our bills. We have joined the Human Rights Council. We have signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We have fully embraced the Millennium Development Goals. And we address our priorities here, in this institution - for instance, through the Security Council meeting that I will chair tomorrow on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and through the issues that I will discuss today.
This is what we have done. But this is just a beginning. Some of our actions have yielded progress. Some have laid the groundwork for progress in the future. But make no mistake: this cannot be solely America's endeavor. Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone. We have sought - in word and deed - a new era of engagement with the world. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.
RPT-Qaeda's Zawahri attacks Obama, Arabs in new video -- [Reuters]
Al Qaeda's number two Ayman al-Zawahri appeared on Wednesday in a new video marking the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, attacking Arab leaders and Barack Obama for their policies on Israel.
The video, which was posted on an Islamist website used by al Qaeda supporters, was the second message from al Qaeda this month after leader Osama bin Laden issued an audiotape on Sept. 14 warning Americans over their government's ties with Israel.
The video appeared almost two weeks after the Sept. 11 events it was intended to mark.
Up to 24 More People Sought as NYC Tightens Security in Terror Probe -- [FOX News]
Police in New York City stepped up their patrols and increased their random searches on subways and buses Wednesday following reports that as many as 24 more people are being sought in a suspected cross-country terror plot.
Landstuhl Needs Your Help -- [Soldiers Angels LA]
You may not be hearing about it on the news, but the fighting in Afghanistan has been very heavy, with many wounded moving through the military medical system. Our wounded heroes, their families, and the doctors and nurses who care for them desperately need our love and support. Please consider how you can help.
Wounded Warrior's Spouse: "My husband is GI Joe in a National Guard uniform" -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
...Engaged in a furious firefight with the enemy, his M4 Carbine was his rod; his staff was the group of troops he trained and led.
He never sensed the sniper's bullet, which split the air, pierced his armored helmet and penetrated his brain.
...The wounded warrior's father, the Rev. David Allen, is pastor of the New Vision Worship Center in Fort McCoy. "All I ask of God is to let me have my son back," he said.
Family members could use some help with items such as gift cards for gas, lodging and food. The military provides lodging for Mark's wife, Shannon.
If you would like to make a donation for SFC Mark Allen and his family, it can be made in his name to:
Mike Stokely Foundation
100 Fountainhead Way
Sharpsburg, GA. 30277
If you are on FaceBook, you are invited to join the prayer group for Mark.
Whatever Happens -- [Wife of a wounded warrior]
So there are times I just want to give up on everything but right now I am just going to keep moving.I do not know what happened but I guarantee I did not have anything to do with it. I honestly do not care anymore but it upsets me because people think otherwise. I know the truth and God knows the truth. That is all that matters. I think that my family whether distant or not are important. I would never do anything to damage someone's life. I have been called a bitch, fat ass (lol) i believe that would be calling the kettle black, um crazy ..... I do not want to talk about it anymore so I am leaving it at that. My husband applied for this insurance money for injured soldiers, active or retired.
Mr. Falvey -- [Knottie's niche -- Gold Star Mother]
While Micheal was in bootcamp he wrote Mr Falvey. And every time Micheal came home on leave he would head to the high school to visit Mr Falvey and another teacher he was close to. I'm not sure Mr Falvey realize what a great influence he was on Pokey. And to this day Micheal's letters and one of his dogtags are hanging on the wall in Mr Falvey's office.
The day after Micheal died the first person to knock on our door was Mr. Falvey, in tears. He told us that he had already had the flag lowered at the school and in his hand were the letters Micheal wrote him. Throughout the next few days Mr Falvey stood between us and the media who tried so hard to find us thru the school. He gave interviews , with our permission and blessings, about Micheal. He kept the media and others from intruding on our grief at that time. He also made the arrangements for our other children to be out of school for an extended time without it hurting their grades. He took care of us.
So today he asked me ...
Veterans' service groups cut 25% in Mich. budget -- [Chicago Tribune]
Michigan is poised to slash aid to groups that help military veterans get disability and pension benefits.
A legislative conference committee voted Tuesday to cut $1 million, or 25 percent, of funding for the American Legion and other veterans' service organizations in the state budget that starts Oct. 1. The groups help veterans file claims and navigate a maze of paperwork and federal bureaucracy.
Advocates are not surprised by the reduction because Gov. Jennifer Granholm already had cut $1 million in the fiscal year that ends next week. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations have been forced to lay off service officers.
Lawmakers say it is tough giving veterans less funding, but money is sparse.
McHugh Assumes Duties as 21st Army Secretary -- [Defense Link]
John McHugh was sworn in as the 21st secretary of the Army today following his nomination by President Barack Obama and confirmation by the US Senate. As secretary, McHugh has statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and equipment acquisition, communications and financial management. McHugh also is responsible for the Army's annual and supplemental budget, which this year was more than $200 billion. He leads a work force of more than 1.1 million active duty, National Guard and Reserve soldiers; 221,000 civilian employees; and 213,000 contracted workers. Also, he provides stewardship over 14 million acres of land.
Why won't the US Attorney for CO prosecute Stolen Valor Act cases? -- [Burn Pit]
Rick Duncan was a Marine with a compelling story to tell, and tell it he did, to anyone who would listen. A graduate of the Naval Academy, Rick had been in the Pentagon when the plane hit on September 11, 2001. Volunteering for duty in Iraq, Duncan rose to the rank of Captain, and although openly gay, was assigned to lead a Marine Battalion in the battle of Fallujah. During the house to house battles there he had a finger shot off and suffered a severe head injury that required a plate be put in his head. He returned to the states disillusioned with the war and became executive director of the Colorado Veterans Alliance.
...But Rick Duncan never existed. He was in fact Rick Strandlof,
Back In The States -- [Sour Swinger - home from Iraq]
Hard to believe but I'm finally back in the good old US. New Jersey never smelled so great! LoL. Will be spending a week going through the whole demobilization process. Involves a ton of briefings, medical screening, and loads of paper work. Then I'll finally be sitting at home enjoying some alcohol!!
Am gonna take a break from life and this blog for a bit. Have a lot of family and friends to see. But don't worry, I'll be back
At Pentagon's Request, Washington Post Delayed Story on Afghanistan Report -- [Washington Post]
To Bob Woodward, it was the modern-day equivalent of the Pentagon Papers. But to Obama administration officials, the classified assessment of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, if disclosed by The Washington Post
Inside Bob Gates' Overhaul of the Pentagon (Updated) -- [Danger Room]
Defense Secretary Bob Gates has made legions of fans - and almost as many enemies - in military circles with his no-holds-barred, no-expense-spared approach to waging today's conflicts. "My attitude [is]: If you're in a war, it's all in. I don't care what we have left over at the end," Gates told me for my WIRED magazine profile of him, out today. Since he entered the Pentagon almost three years ago, Gates has fired generals, spent hundreds of billions, deployed tends of thousands of extra troops, invented whole new segments of the defense industry, and radically reordered the Pentagon's arsenal - all in the name giving the U.S. an advantage over its current enemies, now. Never mind
McCain blasts 'disconnect' between WH and military leaders -- [CNN]
Sen. John McCain questioned the Obama administration's approach in Afghanistan Tuesday, saying he has never seen such a "disconnect" between the White House and leaders of the U.S. military.
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