Somewhat belatedly, here's a sampling of the news and views regarding or affecting Iraq over the last two weeks. No cartoons this time, though. Sorry. Oh, and as you will note, there are no links to the NYT. I am boycotting them becuase links to their articles die after 7 days unless you pay to join "Times Select." These bulletins will now be confined to the Washington Post, The LA Times and (just to keep us all honest) the Wall Street Journal Opinion Journal.
May 1, 2006
U.S. Report Cites Progress, Shortfalls In Iraq Rebuilding WaPo
Iraq's President Says Deal With Insurgents Is Possible LAT
Mr. Moussaoui's Punishment WaPo Editorial
May 2, 2006
Iraqis Begin Duty With Refusal
Some Sunni Soldiers Say They Won't Serve Outside Home Areas WaPo
Biden Offers Alternative Plan for Iraq LAT
White Guilt and the Western Past: Why is America so delicate with the enemy? WSJ Editorial [This is well worth reading.]
May 3, 2006
U.S. Crafts Response on Iran WaPo
Iraqi President Says Sunni Insurgents See Iran as Threat WaPo
Sadr Loyalists Push for More Cabinet Posts LAT
Latest last chance on Iran LAT Editorial
Women's Lib:
Saddam wasn't a feminist
May 4, 2006
Security Council Is Given Iran Resolution WaPo
Russian Bridge to Iran Has Twists LAT
Iraq Parliament Meets as Attacks Rise LAT
U.S. Commander in Afghanistan Thinks Locally WaPo
Jurors Reject Death Penalty For Moussaoui WAPO [Note: More on this here: "Hurray For The Jury."
Backpedaling in Egypt WaPo Editorial
May 5, 2006
Now Playing in Iraq: Zarqawi Outtakes WaPo
U.S. Warns Russia to Act More Like A Democracy WaPo [Query: How much sense does it make to scold Russia at the same time we are trying to get their help on Iran? These guys are just nuts.]
U.S. Tells of Iraq Insurgents' New Tactics LAT
May 6, 2006
Iraq's Shiites Now Chafe at American Presence LAT
Bomb Kills 3 GIs South of Baghdad
Confident Democrats Lay Out Agenda
May 7, 2006
Targeted Killings Surge in Baghdad LAT
30 Iraqis Killed in Karbala, Baghdad Ministry Reports 51 Bound Bodies Found In Capital WaPo
Pollster Suggests Bush Moves Might Be Too Little, Too Late WaPo
May 8, 2006
The USDA on Iraq: Everything's Coming Up Rosy WaPo [This is a stitch!]
Iran Threatens Pullout From Nuclear Treaty WaPo
Amid Iraq Violence, Kurds Unify Their Government LAT
Real Race May Be Voters Vs. Congress LAT
Guard Faces Phase-Out of Combat Role LAT
Democrats may not be able to win the House, but Republicans could lose it WSJ
May 9, 2006
Ahmadinejad's Letter to Bush WaPo [Note: This is a must read].
Iraq Deployment Delayed as Drawdown Is Studied WaPo
Aiming for a More Subtle Fighting Force LAT
The Perils of Engagement:
Calling for talks with Iran is just cheap talk WSJ
May 10, 2006
Deadly Deception at an Iraqi Market
Attacker Posing as Vendor Kills 19 in City Called Model by Bush WaPo
Crazy Mahmoud: Would you buy a "grand bargain" from this man? WSJ
Sgt. Sar's Silver Star
May 11, 2006
Bush, GOP Congress Losing Core Supporters WaPo
Baseless Confidence:It may take a defeat in November for the GOP to unlearn the lessons of power WSJ
U.S. Under Pressure To Talk to Tehran WaPo
GAO: Few Troops Are Treated for [Post-Traumatic Stress] Disorder WaPo
Army Using Policy to Deny Reserve Officer Resignations WaPo
Iraqi Leader Calls for Peace WaPo
Sectarian Killings 'Destabilize' Iraq Unity LAT
Army Rules Put on Hold LAT
Bush Blames Polls on 'Battle Fatigue' WaPo Blog
Another Pitch to Iran WaPo Editorial
May 12, 2006
Data on Phone Calls Monitored
Extent of Administration's Domestic Surveillance Decried in Both Parties
[Bill: This is an absolutely huge story here.]
House Injects Prayer Into Defense Bill
No Proof of Al-Qaeda in '05 London Transit Blasts
May 13, 2006
U.S. Military Is Split on Insurgency Strategy LAT
Pentagon Faults Report Questioning Veterans' Mental Health Care WaPo
Annan Urges U.S. to Take Part in Talks With Iran WaPo
NSA Program Further Blurs Line on Privacy WaPo
The Datamining Scare: Another nonthreat to your civil liberties WSJ
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1 comment:
Bill - thanks again for the updates. I work through them a little bit each day and appreciate every one.
Just read Biden's suggestion for splitting Iraq into three ethnic regions connected by a week federal government. McClellan said the Iraqis would not support a weak central government, but I'm nto so sure. From what I've seen, the Iraqis have a very small circle of trust that barely extends beyond their individual tribes. The Shia/Sunni issue has historical importance, to be sure, but not all Shiites (at least not the Shiites I've been working with) would support an Iraqi leader simply because he shares their religion. Read: I think McClellan is wrong.
There are definitely risks to this plan, but I don't think it's a bad idea. (The administration's bashing of the idea feels a bit like me bad-mouthing the color of your car as you drive by while mine is broken down on the side of the road.) I think the key element of this plan would be equitable redistribution of wealth from the oil-rich areas to oil-poor central region. Standard of living will be the key. As long as the Sunnis see others living better than they are able to, there leaders will continue to blame their problems on those who are better off and the fighting will continue.
There's no golden ticket on this one, but we should encourage ideas as the "we're sticking to our first plan no matter what" strategy seems to have a shelf-life that will end some time around November. I hope we'll have a chance to choose between a few different ideas and not simply be forced to choose between the bad idea that hasn't been working and a bad idea that won't work in the future.
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