MichaelW on May 13 2008 | Filed under: Humor, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war
Both via Major John at Miserable Donuts, a milblog. First, a joke as told by an Iraqi Army captain:
President Jalal Talibani summoned the leaders of the Iraqi parliament to his office for a meeting. In the middle of the meeting his wife calls him and says, “Jalal, there is a thief in our house!” [...]
Joshua Foust on May 08 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Notes on the war
One thing I’ll never understand about the military is how it looks to failed wars to prove the truthiness of its current strategy. What baffles me more is how earnest scholars, like Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations, manage to revel in such silliness. Surely he knows what a failure is? To whit: [...]
Joshua Foust on Apr 24 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Notes on the war
Whatever could this guy be going on about?
“Saddam had his big castles; they symbolized his power and were places to be feared, and now we have the castle of the power that toppled him,” says Abdul Jabbar Ahmed, a vice dean for political sciences at Baghdad University. “If I am the ambassador of the USA [...]
Lance on Apr 23 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
This is cool, David Adesnik of Oxblog has been in Iraq working for the coalition on the sly. I find that encouraging and I can’t wait to hear what his impressions are.
I am also encouraged that he is now working for McCain. I won’t say it will sway me to vote for him, but it [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 23 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Security improvements bringing people back to their homes in South Baghdad…
With security improving, local economies flourishing and community reconstruction underway, Iraqis who once fled their South Baghdad homes in fear are now returning to the villages they deserted.
This is a good sign, said Maj. Mark Bailey, the officer in charge of the Multi-National Division – [...]
MichaelW on Apr 21 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
I was pleasantly surprised, and mildly irritated, to see that Condi Rice basically called Muqtada al-Sadr a coward while she was in Baghdad recently (via: Instapundit):
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mocked anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as a coward on Sunday, hours after the radical leader threatened to declare war unless U.S. and Iraqi forces end [...]
Lance on Apr 20 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
The NEW YORK POST reviews Michael Yon’s new book.
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MichaelW on Apr 17 2008 | Filed under: Blogs, Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war, Philosophy
There seems to be some confusion on the part of some as to exactly what sort of place ASHC is:
I was rather surprised to read this dubious and scornful appraisal of Michael Yon’s Wallstreet Journal editorial at A Second Hand Conjecture, a heretofore conservative site.
The post Mick Stockinger is referring to was created by Joshua [...]
Lance on Apr 12 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
In line with my last post, McQ salutes the professionalism of our troops in the context of Michael Yon’s latest. Read ‘em both. Of particular note is Yon’s response to us having to pay those who work with us after the awakening.
While at QandO, follow his links to the latest on Iraq’s attempt to tame [...]
Lance on Apr 11 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
I was sent this via e-mail from my Uncle Pat, also known as Colonel Alfred H. Paddock. Uncle Pat is a story in and of himself, but I’ll tell you a little more about him after the e-mail. Let it suffice to say for now that Pat is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 07 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
This will be good news if it happens…
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/04/07/sadrs-political-universe-continues-to-shrink/
Iraq’s major Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties have closed ranks to force anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to disband his Mahdi Army militia or leave politics, lawmakers and officials involved in the effort said Sunday.
Such a bold move risks a violent backlash by al-Sadr’s Shiite [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 02 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters
Fred and Kimberly Kagan have a decent analysis of what we do and don’t know about the situation in Iraq.
Just the highlights (as I see them)
Do Know
* The legitimate Government of Iraq and its legally-constituted security forces launched a security operation against illegal, foreign-backed, insurgent and criminal militias serving leaders who openly call for [...]
Keith_Indy on Apr 01 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
Let’s see, the Mahdi Army is in retreat, and the ISF is continuing operations, and sending reinforcements.
Isn’t it OBVIOUS that Maliki is loosing.
Update -
This puts things into perspective…
Mission accomplished has been duly declared, although the JAM in Basra remains apparently intact and raids are still ongoing to seize some of the weapons whose surrender was [...]
Synova on Mar 29 2008 | Filed under: Culture, Military Matters, Society, Synova's Page
I’m often guilty of seeing connections between things that others seem to think make no sense at all. So bear with me and then tell me what you think.
The New York Times review of “Stop-Loss” explains the failure of Iraq themed movies in this way, “The commercial failure of last autumn’s crop of [...]
MichaelW on Mar 25 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war
Al Qaeda’s efforts in Iraq have been less than successful over the past year, due in large part to the Anbar Awakening and the related Councils of Concerned Citizens/Sons of Iraq movements, and the support offered those movements by Petraeus’ COIN methods manifested by the “surge.” Essentially, as Tigerhawk predicted a while back (and [...]
MichaelW on Mar 11 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Media, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
Apparently rumors have been swirling around for awhile that Fallon was on his way out. Well, today he resigned and the speculation is that it was over a recent interview he did in Esquire, written by Thomas P.M. Barnett (regarding which Josh noted Fallon’s strange reaction last week). However, you can rest assured [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 29 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Majority now believe U.S. effort in Iraq will succeed, 53-39 H/T Hot Air
Of course, I don’t believe one should govern based on polling data. If something is the right thing to do, you should do it. What this does deflate is one of the many arguments from the “get-out-now” crowd.
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MichaelW on Feb 22 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Today at 11AM Eastern on Blogtalk Radio.
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Lance on Feb 20 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Initially the idea of Ray Odierno being involved in counterinsurgency met with raised eyebrows. However, over time, he has developed a well earned reputation for innovation in the campaign. The Washington Post looks at this change in his methods and perception.
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Peg on Feb 18 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
My thanks to Gay Patriot for today’s two excellent links.
Presidential support for liberating Iraq.
Yes we can! The original.
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Keith_Indy on Feb 15 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Even more evidence that there is sustainable progress in Iraq. And this is from the same person the left held up as proof last year, that no progress was evident.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/02/15/surge-skeptic-cordesman-major-progress-in-every-area-in-iraq/
If the US provides sustained support to the Iraqi government — in security, governance, and development — there is now a very real chance [...]
Keith_Indy on Feb 13 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Say it aint so!!! Da New Yawk Times Says So!!!
I wonder where they are on those benchmarks our Congress settled on? I also wonder how this places them in effectiveness vs our Democratically controlled Congress.
Using old-fashioned politicking behind the scenes, Iraq’s parliamentary leaders on Wednesday pushed through three divisive laws that had been [...]
Lee on Feb 13 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Douglas Farah notes that with the Al Qaeda leadership now dead or in flight from Iraq, we might be on the verge of a replication the experience of the Andean drug wars of the 1980s. In that situation, the death and flight of the cartel leadership (and subsequent cocaine supply network decentralization), only made them [...]
Lee on Feb 12 2008 | Filed under: Election 2008, Foreign affairs, Lee's Page
photo: Chris Dunn
Spiegel has a typically aggressive (and aggressively European) interview with John McCain today. In many ways it’s an interesting yet disappointing exercise, due to its focus on the perceived past sins of the Bush administration. While much ground is covered, a little too often Spiegel essentially asks “Bush did XYZ, which is bad. [...]
Lee on Feb 11 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Never tease a camel: Video.
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Lee on Feb 10 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Grover Norquist suggests that public disatisfaction with the Republican party is driven solely by hostility to President Bush. McCain’s differences with the Bush administration and its supporters thus strengthen his appeal with the county. As Grover puts it: “This is Sarkozy saying, ‘I’m not Chirac. I’m the change, and she’s [opponent Segolene Royal] the [...]
Lee on Feb 10 2008 | Filed under: Military Matters, Notes on the war
A Concerned Local Citizens (CLC) member in Arab Jabour, Iraq (photo: DoD)
In extraordinary documents confiscated in November by the United States, we get an enemy’s eye view of the Awakening in Iraq, and further confirmation about how debilitating the effects were for Al Qaeda. An AQ commander, Abu-Tariq, relates that his own unit declined from [...]
Peg on Feb 10 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Peg's Page
Do you want the best possible result? Sure; don’t we all?
When I play bridge, we frequently say: “I didn’t get the best possible result. But - I got the best result possible.” Sometimes, the best possible result is impossible to get. And - you don’t always get what you want.
These [...]
Lee on Feb 08 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Video (transcript) of Angelina Jolie’s CNN interview from Baghdad on the Iraqi refugee crisis. In the UN’s often ridiculous efforts to hire Hollywood nonentities to promote various causes, Angelina was probably their wisest. Men generally rule the troublespots of the world, and what man would refuse to meet with Angelina? Indeed, it looks like even [...]
Lee on Feb 08 2008 | Filed under: Firearms, Lee's Page, Military Matters
Photo: Atlantic Firearms
Upgrades for Iraq’s Presidential Brigade. They’ve purchased M16 rifles to replace their AKs:
The Iraqi Army’s Presidential Brigade turned over their older AK-47 model rifles for newer and more accurate M-16s at Besmaya Range Complex in Iraq starting Feb. 5.
The weapons were issued using the biometrics system, which ties each soldier’s photograph, fingerprint, voice, [...]
MichaelW on Feb 07 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
Is the Iraq War hurting John McCain’s candidacy? By “hurting” I’m referring to his struggle to be the true conservative candidate who unites the party. Despite his clear lead in the primary race, McCain has not been able to capture the Christian right (who predominantly go for Huckabee), nor has he been able [...]
Lance on Feb 05 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Notes on the war
If you haven’t had a chance to read Yon’s latest report from Iraq, I will reiterate that you need to do so. Fred Kagan and Anthony Cordesmann make an appearance, but the real interest is the dynamics in the population which are often missed or distorted in most coverage.
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Lance on Feb 02 2008 | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media, Military Matters
Bob Owens tackles the lazy reductionist thinking behind claims that the recent use of air strikes in Iraq shows a worsening situation, or is at odds with the counterinsurgency strategy we should be pursuing.
I especially like this quote from Human Rights Watch, no friends of the administration:
…the air surge has not caused “an appreciable loss [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 29 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war
I would have to think Saddams bluff against the world would be up there at #1.
A possible number 2 would be Rumsfeld, in 2004, siding with decision not to publicaly release information that supported going to war.
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12652
One member of UNSCOM told this author that in April 2003, shortly after Baghdad fell to U.S. forces, an [...]
ChrisB on Jan 29 2008 | Filed under: Chris' Page, Notes on the war
I’m not sure that’s “news” to those who have been paying attention the last few years, but now we have another source reported by CNN on Sunday. What makes this source newsworthy and interesting is that it’s FBI agent George Piro, who interviewed Saddam almost daily after his capture. He was on 60 minutes last [...]
Lance on Jan 28 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
I think that may be overstating it, but the Iraqi army is planning a major offensive against the last area where al Qaeda has a significant presence, Mosul and its environs.
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Lance on Jan 25 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Mick Stockinger:
“In the side bar of the story is a link to an interactive site with the following caption:
Saddam’s Judgment Background on the former Iraqi leader’s alleged crimes, his life and capture, plus video and photos.
Tried, convicted and hanged, but to the liberal media his crimes are still only ‘alleged.’”
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Lee on Jan 23 2008 | Filed under: Books, Culture, Lee's Page, Military Matters
(photo: trish brunner | blog)
This morning I stumbled into the story from last year of James and Lena Ahearn. James, the American officer, Lena the Iraqi woman who was apparently the first war bride in Iraq in 2003. They’d met in Baghdad’s Green Zone and it was a rather charming romance of flowers, with [...]
Lance on Jan 21 2008 | Filed under: Lance's Page, Media, Military Matters, Notes on the war
By all accounts Scott Beauchamp has tried to redeem himself in the eyes of his unit. However, when this story came to a head and the military investigated him, he seems to have been held in rather low regard. Bob Owens has started to put up the documents he has received from the military in [...]
Lee on Jan 21 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Here’s an interesting figure from 2007 operations in Iraq: “Military operations against al Qaeda in Iraq resulted in the capture of 8,800 militants, while 2,400 were killed.”
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Lee on Jan 21 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Remember the snow in Baghdad? It’s an unusually cold winter there this year. Yet kerosene is hard to come by. Gee, I wonder why: “Little kerosene is available on the state-run market at the subsidized price of $0.52 a gallon. But the fuel can be found on the black market, where it goes for more [...]
Lee on Jan 21 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
The New York Times lengthy and favorable look at Michael Yon’s extraordinary efforts in Iraq is well worth reading today.
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Lee on Jan 20 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
The military is praising Syria and Saudi Arabia for their efforts to restrict the flow of insurgent reinforcements into Iraq: “In early 2007, 110 foreigners were coming into Iraq from Syria every month. That is now reduced to 40 to 50.”
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Lee on Jan 18 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
The United States believes Iraqis will be able to take over security control in all 18 provinces before the end of 2008.
HT: GatewayPundit
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Lee on Jan 17 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Antiwar groups are dropping their effort to cut off funding for the Iraq war. They’ve decided to concentrate instead on preventing the president from negotiating a long term defense treaty with the Iraqi government. I suppose the thinking is that if you can’t lose the war during the fighting, try to prevent the victory from [...]
Keith_Indy on Jan 17 2008 | Filed under: Keith's Page, Notes on the war
Well, maybe not good news, but the forecasts portend good news.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7193174.stm
Iraq faces a period of economic growth and political progress, according to assessments by the International Monetary Fund and the UN.
The IMF sees 7% growth in 2008 and a similar rise next year, and says oil revenues from buoyant exports should be up by 200,000 [...]
Lee on Jan 17 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
A bored Marine asks an Iraqi cab driver to tell the insurgents to come out and fight. You could say things have quieted down a bit in Iraq. Video clip.
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Lee on Jan 16 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Under Saddam’s rule, ham radio operator Abdul Karim Hadi would have been executed if he’d kept radio equipment at home. Back then hams had to transmit from exclusive clubs, with the Mukhabarat listening in to every conversation. When liberation came in 2003 things didn’t improve that much for Abdul. The United States arrested him and [...]
Lee on Jan 14 2008 | Filed under: Around the Web
Sunni tribal leaders in Pakistan are organizing militias and some are ready to revolt against Al Qaeda. David Montero at the CSM takes a look at the risks and rewards of applying our successful counterterrorism strategy from Anbar, in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
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Lee on Jan 14 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Humor, Society
The other day Perfunction posted David Duke’s political advice for the Ron Paul campaign. The noxious white nationalist’s recommendations being essentially that while Paul was great, he needs to be just a wee bit more, you know, anti-Semitic.
Anyway, it made enough rounds on the blogs that apparently the news reached Duke himself. He emerged from [...]
Risk and Return Multinational Force-Iraq QandO