Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from Iraq that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. This briefing is brought to you by Joel Gaines of No Pundit Intended and Andrew Olmsted of Andrew Olmsted dot com.
TOP TOPICS
- The fighting in Najaf continues. Foreign fighters have holed up in the Imam Ali Mosque and are threatening to blow up the mosque if they are attacked. This sounds like another move that may backfire on the foreign fighters, as this threat could further rouse Iraqis against the influence of foreign fighters in their country. (Hat tip: The Agonist.) Zeyad is concerned about the moves the Iraqi government has made around Sadr and Najaf, however.
- The steps towards full-fledged Iraqi democracy made some important progress Sunday with the opening of Iraq's National Conference. Unsurprisingly, security was a big topic on the first day.
Other Topics Today Include: the significance of Najaf; al-Sadr's demands; the forgotten war; Iraq ejects reporters from Najaf; the importance of patience in Iraq; overseas views of the U.S. and Iraq; the latest Abu Ghraib report.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
- Al-Sadr has submitted a list of demands, which must be met before he will end the resistance against Iraqi and Multinational forces. Most notable among them is that the Sadrists be recognised as an ideological movement and be allowed to carry weapons.
- The significance of Najaf in securing peace in Iraq and why al-Sadr chose this town to make his stand is concisely explained at Terrorism Unveiled, while Wretchard at Belmont Club goes into a great amount of detail on why al-Sadr chose Najaf for his stand.
- Phil Carter takes a look at the 'forgotten corner' of the war in Western Iraq.
RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY
- Arabia'a Hatif's neighborhood has been without a sewage system for 35 years - until the Americans came to town. The most shocking part of this story? AlphaPatriot has the details.
IRAQI POLITICS
- The Iraqi government has evicted reporters from Najaf as the fighting picks up again. This promises to teach the interim government a valuable (if painful) lesson about the power of the press. (Hat tip: The Agonist.) Wretchard, however, thinks this indicates an impending operation against the Imam Ali Mosque.
- Salaam at The Messopotamian underscores the need for Iraqis to remain patient, saying that - while imperfect - the new Iraqi government does not lack the backbone necessary to accomplish the goal of peace and prosperity for the Iraqi people.
- In his August 14th entry he's also quite vocal in his disgust for al-Sadr and his ilk, while warning of growing problems around the oil wells of Basrah.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
- South Korea's plans to send additional troops to Iraq were the focus of protests near the U.S. embassy in Seoul. To his credit, Korean President Roh warned his people against 'blind opposition' to the United States, a warning that would probably be useful on our side of the Pacific as well.
- Arthur Chrenkoff takes a look at 43 Iraqi-Australians' response to 43 Australian diplomats against Prime Minister John Howard.
ETCETERA
- Phil Carter looks at another investigation of Abu Ghraib, this one looking at some of the external factors that contributed to the scandal there.
- The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: American, Australian, British, Canadian & Polish. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!
- Don't forget Chief Wiggles' Toys for Iraq drive!
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