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
- It is a truism of politics that it is often the coverup, rather than the initial wrongdoing, that gets people in trouble. While the events of November in Haditha appear to be bad enough on their own, reports that Marine commanders knew that the civilians at Haditha died from gunshot wounds and not a roadside bomb within two days of the deaths, but did not investigate further makes the incident all the more disturbing. (Hat tip: Amygdala.)
- Iraq's Prime Minister accused the United States military of habitually attacking Iraqi civilians on Friday. Regardless of the accuracy of the accusation, the fact Iraq's leading political leader is making it suggests it is a common belief of average Iraqis, bad news for the prospects of success in Iraq. (Hat tip: The Washington Monthly.) The accidental killing of three Iraqi civilians by an errant 155mm artillery round will not help those perceptions.
Other Topics Today Include: more sectarian violence; republic of fear; media coverage of Iraq; government ministries remain vacant; Carnival of the Liberated; Kuwait looks to make gas deal with Iraq; making compromises to succeed in Iraq.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
- Sectarian violence left 21 Iraqis dead in what may well be the latest salvo in a burgeoning Iraqi civil war.
- Salam Pax writes about Iraq's new republic of fear, an unpleasant reminder of the shortfalls of the Coalition invasion and its aftermath. (Hat tip: Amygdala.)
- Wretchard takes a look at how media coverage of Iraq is affecting the perceptions of the average Iraqi.
- Greyhawk takes a look at media coverage of Haditha, and he isn't happy with what he finds. Michelle Malkin RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY
- Take a look at one of the more unpleasant jobs in Iraq: trying to ensure the Coalition gets its money's worth from the contractors attempting to rebuild Iraq.
- Sabotage of Iraqi oil facilities appears to be tied to oil smuggling that is costing the Iraqi government billions and helping to fund insurgents and criminals alike.
IRAQI POLITICS
- Iraq's national unity government still lacks the three security ministers needed to complete the government, undermining Prime Minister al-Maliki, who had set Sunday as a deadline to name the last three positions.
- This week's Carnival of the Liberated is up.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
- Kuwait is awaiting the final formation of the new Iraqi government to sign a deal to supply Iraq with additional gasoline, a vital need in today's Iraq.
- Executed British hostage Margaret Hassan's family is blaming the British government for her death, claiming that their refusal to negotiate with the terrorists holding her led directly to her death.
ETCETERA
- Blogcritics takes a look at Haditha in light of the laws of war and the terrorists Coalition troops are fighting in Iraq.
- The Guardian notes that the Coalition may have to make some unpleasant compromises to win in Iraq.
- 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!
- Many American troops have taken it upon themselves to reconstruct schools and gather learning tools for the children of Iraq. Their efforts have been met with immense gratitude from the local Iraqis and their children. You can help too! Visit Operation Iraqi Children and get involved.
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"Sectarian" violence? Wouldn't that tend to suggest something different than what's actually in evidence in this attack (and other violence)? "Burgeoning Civil War?"
Doesn't it take two to meanignfully have a fight? I'm not sure the Shia are playing along. I also think that Al Qaeda and others dedicated to thwarting the Iraqi experiment in democracy want desparately to create a Civil Wra, and they've been quite unsuccessful.
I'm kind of suprised that WoC coverage simply repeats what amounts to a physicalized AQ press release without comment or discussion.
(I've blogged about this more here
http://dadmanly.bl*gspot.com/2006/06/sectarian-violence.html.)
"Kuwait is awaiting the final formation of the new Iraqi government to sign a deal to supply Iraq with additional gasoline, a vital need in today's Iraq."
This is the kind of thing that consistantly blows my mind. I realize the US hasnt built a refinery in 30 years, but i assume we can remember/figure out how to do it. All the billions spent on 'reconstruction' and no-one thought to build an oil refinery so Iraqis dont have to wait in line or pay the black market for gasoline... not to mention the shortages of the proper grade of fuel for electricity production. Again, its just awe-inspiringly inept in a critical aspect of getting Iraq stable.
Actually I think her being kidnapped by a bunch of homicidal Islamofascists who targeted her because she was there trying to help the Iraqi people is what lead directly to her death. The other obvious point is that had the British government given in to the terrorists’ demands, it would have encouraged other kidnappings and murders.
Perhaps she should blame the other government that have previously paid out ransoms for both his kidnapping and death, considering they are the ones making it lucrative.
government-> governments (sadly)