REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• Michael Yon's work in Iraq is reminiscent of those mavericks of combat journalism in South America in the 1980's - it's often difficult how to categorize what he does. This week, he's not only a great reporter, but an outstanding combat photojournalist - and then a little bit of something else. Read Gates of Fire and support his work.

• Wretchard takes a look at alternative strategies for Iraq and the mistake the administration has made about the war.

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• Several school projects were completed across Iraq over the past week, including providing school supplies, renovating and rebuilding damaged schools, and building new schools for Iraqi children.

• Here are a few of this week's reconstruction highlights: The Iraq Financial Management Information System (FMIS) is online, with 41 of the 54 units in the Ministry of Finance able to access the system. FMIS is an automated networked accounting and budget execution system, allowing online access and a real-time centralized database for all Iraqi spending agencies. Fourteen Ministry of Agriculture officials began training this week on the installation and operation of hose-move sprinkler systems. The hands on, practical training will prepare the officials from 10 governorates to set up demonstration areas and provide training to farmers in the operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems. The Constitutional Dialogue program launched in early July has reached 93,494 Iraqis through some 3,610 dialogues. The program will now transition to the Constitutional Education Program that will ensure Iraqis are aware of the content of the document and the meaning of key legal concepts and issues prior to the national referendum. USAID representatives recently recruited 180 election monitors for the Voter Registration Observer Program which will monitor the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq’s (IECI) new voter registration process until the end of August. USAID hosted the “Women in the Constitution Conference” earlier this month which brought together 456 women from all 18 governorates to discuss the inclusion of women’s rights in the constitution. USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is implementing a project in Fallujah to assist the residents of the Al Jubail neighborhood. Despite the continued U.S. military presence and sporadic insurgent activities, more than 90 percent of those displaced from Fallujah as a result of the conflict in November 2004 have returned. In coordination with an Iraqi NGO, OFDA is implementing a project to support 1,000 farming families in 29 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) returnee villages around Kirkuk.

IRAQI POLITICS

• Iraqi Minister of Environment Narmine Othman narrowly escaped an attack on her convoy as she surveyed oil fields near Kirkuk. Three of Minister Othman's PSD were injured in the attack.

It is reported that hundreds of Sunnis and Shiites protested in the town of Hawija near Kirkuk in northern Iraq Wednesday against the draft constitution provisions calling for federalism as the form of government.

• The latest Carnival of the Liberated is up at Dean's World.

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• Iraq is calling for Arab nations to bring their diplomatic delegations back, saying that Iraq is now able to ensure the security of foreign delegations.

• Remember Moqtada al Sadr? Well, he's trying to re-open his office.

• Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari met with Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican reports, “In the course of the meeting, the current situation in Iraq was reviewed, with special focus on the draft constitution now before the National Assembly for approval and on the issue of religious freedom."

• Italian troops are doing their bit to help rebuild Iraq. This article looks at the system for assessing reconstruction requirements and priorities in Italy's area of responsibility.

ETCETERA

• The aircraft graveyard at Davis-Monthan airbase is helping the Marine Corps keep its helicopter fleet in the air. Three MH53 Sea Dragons are being brought out of mothballs and overhauled as Super Stallions to replace combat and training losses in Iraq and Afghanistan until the new CH-53X (X designates experimental) can be deployed in about 2015. There have been 6 Marine helicopters lost since 2001.

• McQ of QandO points out Senator John McCain's deflation of a favorite meme: Iraq!=Vietnam.

• Noting what should be obvious, the AP points out that the families of slain Soldiers are as split on the Iraq War as the general populace, more or less.

• Do you have your GI Bracelet? Many military families fall into financial hardship when the breadwinner is injured or killed. The entire purchase price of the GI Bracelet is donated to support our troops and their families! Please join us to give back to these brave people in their time of need.

• 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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