REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• A British mission to rescue two undercover soldiers arrested by Iraqi authorities has severely exacerbated tensions between the Coalition and Iraqis in Basra. Four Iraqis died when the British stormed the police station, but the British government has said they will not apologize for retrieving their soldiers because they claim the Basra police disobeyed orders from Baghdad to release the soldiers.

• Others are beginning to the see the progress of the Iraqi Security Forces that our milbloggers - some actually training Iraqi soldiers - have been talking about for weeks.

• U.S. deaths in Iraq have been painful, but they could have been much worse if not for the hard work and dedication of military doctors who have taken the expensive lessons of past casualties to save literally hundreds of other soldiers' lives from the most common hazards of the war.

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• Violence in Iraq is leading to a drain on the country's doctors as they leave for better pay and safer working conditions in other countries.

• The Iraqi Water Minister has called for international bids to rehabilitate the Bakhma dam, which would produce 1500 MW of electricity as well as supplying water to the surrounding area for agriculture.

• A London banker, MerchantBridge, has launched Mansour Bank this week in Iraq, which is capitalised at $38.5 million. Ninety per cent was subscribed in majority by private Iraqi investors and 10 per cent through an IPO. Qatar National Bank has a significant minority interest in Mansour Bank. Mansour will provide typical banking services to Iraqis.

• Take a look at this week's reconstruction highlights: USAID’s Economic Growth Program partners with the Muli-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) to allow small and medium-sized businesses access to credit. Five Iraqi agricultural officials complete intensive training at a renowned program at the University of California, Davis. More than 50 staff members from the Ministry of Agriculture complete training course on how to install and maintain the irrigations systems. 27 members of the Baghdad Agricultural Chamber trained in the operation and maintenance of seed cleaning machines. The Election Information Network (EIN) commences final analysis of monitoring reports gathered from all 18 Iraqi governates. Rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities of 180 schools completed. Rehabilitation of an additional 236 schools is ongoing with 308 schools slated to be rehabilitated. An Iraqi Transition Initiative (ITI) grant funds a pilot project to provide vocational training, equipment, and employment assistance for 200 youths in southern Iraq. Center for troubled teenagers began outreach operations in northern Iraq. A center that provides counseling services and rehabilitation to local youths was able to receive furniture and equipment through an ITI grant. Many programs will focus on adolescents who have committed crimes or have demonstrated serious behavior problems.

IRAQI POLITICS

• Two of Iraq's most important Shiite clerics have endorsed the draft Iraqi constitution, calling on their followers to vote for it. Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani and Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Shiite Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq both are calling for the adoption of the constitution, an endorsement that may not be overly desirable among those hoping to see a pluralistic Iraqi society.

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

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• There are reports that the Iranian government is increasingly meddling in Iraq, helping to maintain a destabilized environment there. The Saudi Foreign Minister has expressed concern in this area and Iran has denied the allegation. Syria is still being castigated for not doing enough to stem the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq.

• War protestors and counterdemonstrators were out in force over the weekend, showing their dislike of or support for the Iraq War. Gaypatriot has a small question about the anti-war protests.

ETCETERA

• GM Roper takes a look at media coverage from Iraq and compares it to what he believes is really going on in Iraq.

• The Iraqi police commando unit, Wolf Brigade, is the closest thing the Iraqi people have to their own heroes. For some time, this ethnically and religiously mixed SWAT-type unit even had a TV show - a perhaps ominous version of COPS. This week, the Wolf Brigade lost 5 of its members to a suicide bomber. Other reports say there were 13 commandos killed.

• 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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