REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• Zarqawi Threatens PM An audio tape identified as coming from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, an Al Qaeda associated terrorist leader currently believed operating from the Fallujah area, threatens Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. The threat, perhaps rhetorically, promises a "special poison" and a "sharp sword," and references several previous attempts to kill Alawai. Allawi responded by saying that Zarqawi must know that the situation will change following the transition of power on June 30, and that Iraqis know how to defend themselves. The terrorists then responded by warning Allawi not to enact emergency laws that could be directed against their areas of operation. One assumes that the terrorist response to such laws would be to, uh, launch terrorist attacks and even try to kill the Prime Minister.

• More Fallujah action US forces executed two targeted air strikes in Fallujah, both targeting houses believed to be used by Zarqawi's forces. A strike on June 19 killed as many as 19 people and touched off 20 minutes of secondary explosions.

• A second strike was launched on June 22. US officials stated that 20 militants were killed in the second attack. No reports indicate that Zarqawi was hurt in either strike.

• Fallujah residents had mixed reactions, with some saying that it will soon be forgotten, and others accusing the US of breaking the cease-fire.

• Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the "coordinated" wave of attacks on June 24. He also claimed to be able to "move around Iraq freely as a guest," rather than being confined to Fallujah.

THE IRAQI BLOGOSPHERE

• Iraqi Bloggers Zeyedof Healing Iraq has a series of long posts about the history and geography of tribes in Iraq.

• Aysof Iraq at a Glance reports greater police presence on the streets, and a return of law and order.

• Samof Hammorabi reports on the names and nationalities of those killed in the first Fallujah bombing.

IRAQI POLITICS

• The Ins and Outs of Sadr Moqtada al-Sadr (affectionately known as "Mookie") was initially reported to be a potential participant in the advisory council to the Iraqi interim government.

• This was later refuse to attend.

• Sadr, who according to claims of the US media less than a month ago would lead a massive uprising among Iraq's Shiite majority, is now looking into forming a political party. Insofar as the uprising-that-wasn't goes, the US 1st Armored Division proclaimed victory.

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• Several coalition members have reaffirmed their commitments to rebuilding Iraq, including Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.

• Iraq/Al Qaeda Ties A 9/11 commission interim staff report was widely trumpeted as concluding that there were refuted such reports as inaccurate, stating that there were no significant differences between the report issued and statements made by the Bush Administration both recently and prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Further questions were raised by reporters as to the conclusions actually reached in the report, including what has been seen as a hasty dismissal of the Czech meeting and Clinton-era information regarding collaboration between Iraq and Al Qaeda in the Sudan.

• Reactions to South Korean Beheading On June 22, Zarqawi's terrorist organization murdered a South Korean civilian kidnapped on June 17. Terrorists demanded South Korea withdraw its forces, but Seoul held fast to its commitment to rotate in up to 3000 additional troops.

• Despite negotiations and a promise of an extension, Kim Sun-il was beheaded. His body was recovered outside Fallujah. It had been booby-trapped with explosives. The terrorist act was condemned by the United Nations Security Council members as well as by the members of the coalition.

• The reaction in South Korea ranges from rage and calls for revenge to terror and demands for troop withdrawal. Zarqawi's organization, sometimes referred to as the Tawhid (alternately translated as either "Monotheism" or "Unity") and Jihad Group, may be holding additional prisoners, including journalists and KBR employees.

ETCETERA

• Some weeks ago, General Abizaid stated his belief that the Pentagon should appoint a higher ranking officer to fully investigate the role of the CENTCOM command structure in the prison abuse scandal. The court investigating the incidents now indicates that the investigation will possibly call on General Abizaid to testify.

• Rumsfeld goes to the dogs, sorta Recently declassified documents show that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld approved interrogation techniques including forcing the prisoners to stand for up to 4 hours at a time, removal of clothes, intimidation by dogs, 20 hour interrogations, hooding, shaving, and "mild, non-injurious physical contact," such as poking. Although requested by military personnel, he did not approve the use of water to simulate drowning. Rumsfeld rescinded the memo a couple of weeks later, appointing a panel to recommend other interrogation methods. That panel later recommended that removal of clothing not be allowed, and Rumsfeld's later statements approved "significantly increasing the fear level of detainees" and making the detainee think he was being questioned by someone other than the United States, with all techniques being applied in a "humane and lawful manner."

• The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: not just Americans, but other nations with soldiers on the front lines. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!

• Another way to support the troops is to help them to help the locals. That's exactly what Spirit of America does. Winds of Change.NET supports them 100% - and not just because "Armed Liberal" is their COO. Get involved! Spirit of America wants YOU!

Thanks for reading! If you found something here you want to blog about yourself (and we hope you do), all we ask is that you do as we do and offer a Hat Tip hyperlink to today's "Winds of War". If you think we missed something important, use the Comments section to let us know.