REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• Toughness, Silence and Solace: Zeyad at Healing Iraq expresses misgivings about the Allawi "toughness" but also describes the "silent approval" of Najafis for the coalition's efforts against the insurgents. He was recently in Basra, and describes his eventful trip back to Baghdad. Omar at Iraq the Model has been sojourning in Basra, which he describes as idyllic. I wonder if he ran into Zeyad? Anyway, he finds some levity in "Moqty's bandaged hand" (an old Iraqi trick to elicit female attention and sympathy).

• Last Chance Saloon: Another Iraqi blogger, Sam at Hammorabi, has been maintaining a running account of the Najaf battle from his "man-on-the-street" perspective. He describes the current situation as the "last chance before the final storm."

• Back to Iraq: Chris Allbritton has posted the transcript of the outtakes of his interview with Iyad Allawi on his blog. The published portion of the interview is available here.

• Worth a Thousand and One: Blackfive has some recent images you may not have seen on CNN.

• Western Iraq: The Forgotten Corner: Phil Carter has an excellent summary of some of the toughest fighting in Iraq, that you never heard.

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY
(See Chrenkoff for one stop shop on social, cultural and economic good news.)

• Good News Sampler (Cultural): Iraqi women learn leadership lessons in the US, with 25% of Iraqi decision--making positions guaranteed to women. Another Iraqi delegation to the US studies the results of the Madisonian prescription for factionalization: cross-cutting alliances. The principle of federalism that Madison's concept was designed to facilitate receives the blessing of Ayatollah Sistani. He recommends that the "idyllic" provinces of Basra, Zikar and Missan merge to become part of a "democratic, federal and united Iraq."

• Good News Sampler (Economic): Expectations are high for oil production, and cooperative ventures with Kuwaiti, Iranian and Chinese firms. Availability and reliability of electricity are also improving with three new power plants as well as an agreement with a German firm to construct three more. Other industries that are improving include automobile manufacturing, and insurance.

• On the Field: Iraqis massacre the Portuguese and later scuttle the Costa Ricans to advance to the quarter final round in Olympic Soccer tonight (Wednesday).

IRAQI POLITICS

• Suicide by Hyperbole: After an attempt to negotiate everyone's favorite Shi'a cleric lists a series of "modest demands", employing what the Belmont Club calls the bargaining strategy from hell." When the conciliation is predictably rejected he vows to fight using the now-familiar Islamo/fascist sideways strategy.

• Deceptive Support: Ali at Iraq the Model has some interesting thoughts about the precise composition of the pro-Sadr demonstrations, which may spill over to explain some of the "pro-Sadr" sentiment expressed at the recent Iraqi National Conference, including the moderate tone of Sadr's cousin, Hussain. He argues that not everyone who "supports" Sadr really wants him to succeed.

• Channeling Saddam?: A delegation to Sadr is rejected, after which he wants to commune with the Pope (who could blame him). Then he decides to call a cease fire and leave Dodge, but within minutes issues new demands. According to the latest, he's still leaving. Where have we seen this before?

• Favorite Sons!: And how could we wrap up this Iraqi Politics section without mentioning that our friends at Iraq the Model are running for the Iraqi National Assembly! (Hat tip: Well... everybody.)

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• The UNGovernment: The Sadr death dance deeply saddens Kofi Annan, but the UN Refugee Agency suspends convoys of Iraqi refugees from Iran. Meanwhile UNSCAM is finally covered by the NYT's Judith Miller.

• Who's Invited/Leaving Early?: Iranians caught fighting for Sadr and other "foreigners" threaten to destroy mosque. Meanwhile a growing Bulgarian "peace" movement seeks to bring troops home. (Hat tip: Agonist)

ETCETERA

• Shame and Blame: Phil Carter pens an exhaustive review of Gen. Tommy Franks' American Soldier by way of fisking Max Boot's review of the same book in WaPo.

• Blameless in DC: Rumsfeld deemed blameless on Abu Ghraib, but of course some people call it a whitewash. A reservist sues the Secretary over troop retention. (Hat tip: Agonist)

• 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!

• So does... Adopt A Sniper!

• We try to close on a lighter note if possible.... Satan vs. Satan: Jeff Goldstein overhears Sadr Jihadists' locker room strategy. (I'll bet you didn't know the Imam Ali Shrine had a locker room.)

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