Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday.
The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert of The Word Unheard.
Top Topics
- Operation Iron Hammer has commenced in Hit, and the inclusion of 500 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion-114th Field Artillery Regiment among the force of 2,500 could mean some heavy pounding on the Hai Al Becker region of the city. There has also been action throughout other parts of Iraq as well, as Coalition Forces keep the pressure on the terrorists and the insurgency. There were 66 weapons caches uncovered in Anbar in just this past week.
- President Bush delivered a speech which outlined the National Security Council’s National Strategy for Victory in Iraq. As usual, the left was dissatisfied and the right shrugged. The banter is not-so-amusingly predictable. That means you’d better read it yourself. If you read The New York Times, they call it a ”Plan for Iraq Victory and Withdrawal”. Withdrawal is the wrong term. Withdrawal means to disengage from the enemy in order to engage him after regrouping. It’s a plan for Victory and Turn Over to Iraqi Forces. But maybe that’s hyper-technical. The New York Times (et al) prefers a withdrawal (in the sense that they mean it). We should prefer to defeat the enemy and then return home.
- The saga continues between Damascus and Beirut, as Syrian favorite Emile Lahoud was told to quit his post as president by Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad. Meanwhile, an IDF officer concluded that Syria and Iran were behind the Hezbollah attacks on the border. A lot of flap is being made over supposed bribes in the Mehlis investigation and that this guy now claims to have been ‘under duress’ when he gave the Mehlis investigation the information he did. Of course, he made the statements on Syrian state TV, not exactly the home of ‘reasoned discourse’. Hariri’s people categorically deny it, so at most it’s a he-said/she-said. Naturally, Joshua Landis thinks the whole Investigation is now in doubt. Is it just me, or does this guy always seem to find some hyper-intellectual yet subtle reasoning to infer that the Syrian Assad Regime is merely misunderstood or somehow diplomatically victimized? Maybe it’s just me.
Other Topics Today Include: Iran Seeking NK Missile Help; Ahmadinejad’s Religious Radicalism; Bombs in Bangladesh; Bush Tougher on the Border; NoKor demands compensation; Kremlin leading Chechen elections; Clashes in Yemen and much more...
THE MIDDLE EAST & IRAN
- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the US and EU hopes that Russia can take the enrichment process from Iran: “We're prepared to see if the Russians can explore something that may bring the Iranians around to the recognition that they cannot enrich and reprocess on their territory, that they have a credibility problem with the international community as to the fuel cycle.”
- There are many who remain less than impressed with the latest delay in referring Iran to the UN Security Council.
- Iran may yet still be seeking fresh North Korean missile help. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has naturally denies a cooperation proposal to North Korea. Meanwhile, their satellite program is back in the news…with the primary supplier once again…yup…Russia. It’s not necessarily as sinister in nature as many opine (though they are no friends, to be sure). Russia’s economy is in such shambles, they’d probably sell SatTech to the Chechens if they could pay the tab. Maybe if they win the elections down in Chechnya…naaah…
- Even ABC says it: Ahmadinejad's Radicalism Hurts Even His Allies. (Shameless alert...) I took a closer look at the dangers of his religious radicalism with Understanding Ahmadinejad.
- At least 16 ‘rebels’ were killed in Yemen clashes, as the battles between the government and followers of killed cleric Hussein Badreddine al-Huthi continue.
- Kirk H. Sowell takes a closer look at the developments surrounding the Egyptian elections: ”It is now clear, if it was not before, that there are two political forces in Egypt of consequence - a corrupt, authoritarian ruling party, and its Islamist opponents.” Sowell illustrates how Egypt is the prime example of those who feared, “What if the Middle East adopted democracy but the bad guys actually won?”
- Fatah has decided to resume their primaries, interrupted by violence and cheating. It does appear that the Old Guard will be booted in those primaries, as Marwan Barghouti won from Israeli Prison. The Old Guard was apparently not aggressive enough with the Israelis. The Fatah-Hamas tug-o-war continues…who can be the most violent?
- In Bethlehem, Israeli forces and the Palestinian Authority exchanged fire when Israel tried to arrest a terrorist.
AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY & THE AMERICAS
- President Bush addressed the issue of immigration in Arizona and Texas, calling for more Border Patrol agents, continued improvements in technology, an end to the ‘catch and release’ policy…and amnesty. (Sorry, Mr. President, it’s amnesty.) It was, for the most part, a welcome change to those concerned about illegal immigration. Not everyone was entirely impressed.
- Conflicting views on the severity and likelihood of sophisticated network attacks on the US.
- There has got to be something wrong with an act proposed by a Senator from Washington State dealing with port and shipping container security called The GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act.
AFRICA
- Lord’s Resistance Army calls for peace talks in northern Uganda.
- Somaliland has a new Parliament. They seem to be fond of fist fighting.
ASIA
- More Islamist terror in Bangladesh as bombs killed eight in two cities.
- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will keep his army post until 2007 “because the country was facing many challenges.”
- North Korea demanded compensation from the United States over a scuttled project to build two nuclear reactors. Don’t hold your breath, Dear Leader.
- The Tamil Tigers gave an ultimatum to the Sri Lankan government. Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran said the Tamil people had "lost patience [and] hope".
EUROPE
- 14 people suspected of links to a Belgian female suicide bomber who struck in Iraq three weeks ago were nabbed in Belgian terror raids.
- Spain is selling military planes to Venezuela, including 10 C-295 transport planes and two CN-235 patrol planes, as well as four ocean patrol boats and four coast patrol vessels.
- The EU-Euromed summit failed to agree to a final declaration. It backed a “code of conduct”, but omitted a definition of “terrorism” the EU had worked on for months.
THE GLOBAL WAR
- There are many things we fight for in the War on Terror. Freedom of speech is one of them.
- For those who are fighting the War on Terror, you can help more of them call home during the holidays by helping the USO supply soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines with calling cards. Trust me, when you are deployed thousands of miles away, nothing makes your month like a call home...and when it's in the theater of operations during a war, the family is even more excited to receive it.
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Spain also offered to sell Colombia 21 military transport aircraft and donate four helicopters.
Is it just me....?
Uh, no, not just you.
The war on Iraq does not make sense. Iraq is not now, nor has ever been, an enemy worthy of such concern.
Your fear that thay may become a powerful enemy if we leave is unfounded. In fact it is pure delusional.
Americans will not support a war based upon lies, nor will we support a war just because you are frightened about the consequences of withdrawl.
I can assure you that three years after we are gone from Iraq no one (in America) will even remember we were there. We don't care about Iraq because it is not important. You should give that some thought.
Ken,
You don't care. Beautiful. But who's we? Nevermind...
That display of brutal, full-frontal ignorance warrants no response.
I just wanted to highlight your words once more.
Well done. Appreciate your honesty, even if borne of ignorance.
For once, I was impressed with George's comments on the US withdrawal from Iraq. Sensibly, it seems that the withdrawal will be based on advice from his Generals, without political intervention.
Well, that's what he has said - and of course, all his edicts on Iraq have been the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so we've no cause to doubt him have we?
- J
http://2012OlympicCompetitor.co.uk
Steve, 'we' are the American people.
Just ask us. Do we care about Iraq? We care about as much as we care about the World Series. In other words most of us don't really care at all. It provides some entertainment value and may give us something to argue and talk about but it means nothing to our lives. There may be a few among us that obsess about it and get emotional and all but they are a tiny tiny tiny minority.
None of us, yourself included I would bet, are willing to die for Iraq. What would be the point? It would be a stupid waste of our lives.
I doubt if any of us are willing to raise our taxes to build schools or roads or anything else in Iraq. Yet we do that all the time for the people we do care about through bond issues and the like.
We don't care enough about Iraq to even have a charity dedicated to collecting money for Iraqi orphans, or hospitals, or whatever, for those willing to give a few bucks to Iraqis in need. Has the Red Cross ever had a drive to raise money for Iraqies? NO. Hell, they have never even had a blood drive for our troops!
Now some people, it is true, have their priorities all wrong and do seem to love Iraq more than they love their children, their neighbors, their country, but I wouldn't want to jump to the concusion that you are one of them.
This reminds me of that New York liberal in the 1980s who was blown away when Reagan won an election, saying "I don't know anyone who voted for him."
ken,
You speak as if the entire American populace agrees with you. You are profoundly misguided in that conclusion.
Insofar as my willingness to die for Iraq, if it is in connection with my own nation's interests and security, yes I would risk it. Mind you, I have done this already in my lifetime. I know full well my inclinations and limitations. You would be well advised to stop well short of inferring any conclusions about them, as you have no clue.
What separates me from you is the matter of identifying the fighting in Iraq as part of the Global War on Terror. There is no logic or agument you have not heard, so I will save my breath. We agree to disagree.
On other points...
You may doubt that any of us would raise our taxes all day long. That is a non-sequitor, as the Iraqi's were and will remain economically self-sufficient via their oil industry. Eventually, they will likely surpass 'self-sufficient' and actually thrive in the years ahead. They are an educated and sophisticated society, in a relative global sense.
We don't even ahve a charity for the Iraqi children (or 'whatever')? For one, try this one. There are more, but you are not interested because no one in your world cares.
The Red Cross does not hold blood drives 'for our troops', another non-sequitor. 'Our troops' give their own blood through their corpsmen and medics. The Red Cross is a civilian operation and the military is self-sufficient. If you had a clue beyond your small circle, you'd know this.
Your conclusion that some "seem to love Iraq more than they love their children, their neighbors, their country" is asinine. You are wise, however, to (finally) not jump to any conclusions about me.
I feel a lazy dog laying on the porch toying with a kitten, knocking him over....ever amused as he gets right back up again every time, still in range of the heavy paw.
Eventually, the dog loses the amusement and trots off to lay in the shade of a tree. As a matter of fact, that one over there looks just fine. Now, run along, little buddy.
Steve, the 'Global War on Terror' is just a slogan. Your attempt to use it as a defense for for your concern about Iraq is silly. It shows just how unserious you really are.
To the extent terrorism is a problem it should be dealt with directly through legititmate government operations. Terrorism has never been a major threat to America and, if we are smart, it need never be a major threat. We will probably have an occasional Timothy McViegh or airline highjacking to deal with but we are strong enough to handle it. The difference is that we just do not see the need to follow your lead and became all hysterical about it.
The antics of Bush, Cheney, Rice et al, yourself including, do provide some entertainment value but we just cannot rise to the same level of angst. We know what is important, and we know what what isn't.
You should send this tidbit to the loyal opposition. I'm sure they'll make it a central plank in the efforts to unseat the Republicans.
lurker, just because Bush uses the word terrorism in a speach 47 times doesn't mean that you have to get all upset and be afraid.
Relax. Be brave. America is strong. Have some confidence in our country and the institutions we have build up over generations to deal with problems like this. If you feel personally threatened by terrorism it is because someone is trying to frighten you into being afraid. We understand but want you to know it will be ok.
Next time Bush gives a speach you should go for a walk or something. It may help you get back in touch with reality.
Thank's for letting us know that 9/11 was a mirage or perhaps something Bush cooked up to scare me. And thanks for being so worried about me mental state.
Now it's time to take you show on the road and make sure it's part of the DNC platform. It will bring you much electoral success, after which you can bring the troops home at you leisure.
Spain also offered to sell Colombia 21 military transport aircraft and donate four helicopters.
Why is the Spanish government risking to loose an American military equipment contract selling weapons to Chavez?
So you're saying that the majority of Americans - a large enough majority to justify a 'we' - is opposed to fighting the war on terrorism?
Remarkable. For someone so keen on advising people to get some perspective, even more so.
"And thinking about the future of our policies in Iraq, do you believe the U.S. military should.... (ROTATE FIRST TWO, ALWAYS ASK "Set a fixed timetable" last) Withdraw our troops immediately, regardless of the impact OR Withdraw our troops as the Iraqi government and military meet specific goals and objectives OR Set a fixed publicly available timetable for withdrawal.
16% withdraw immediately
49% withdraw when goals met
30% set fixed timetable
3% none (volunteered)
2% not sure"
Via Mystery Pollster
Shut the war down. All monies allocated for this useless pursuit should instead be used to secure the border, rebuild New Orleans, fix the schools, fix the roads and bridges, solve our oil dependancy problem, get a cure for cancer, hire more teachers for public schools.
If there's a shortfall have corporate america, the Bush family and all members of Congress cough it up. They owe us ....big time!