REPORTS FROM THE FIELD * The Iraqi 'resistance' took the fight to the Governing Council this weekend, wounding Aquila al-Hashimi in an assassination attempt Saturday. Charles Johnson notes the subtext of the attack, not only threatening the Council, but also all Muslim women who dare to step outside the tightly-constrained box some men want to keep them in. * Salam Pax has some interesting thoughts and valuable links about the recent bombings in Najaf. The first Iraqi blog-fight! * Three more American soldiers were killed in Iraq this weekend, two by mortar fire and one by a bomb, harsh reminders that success in Iraq comes with a price. * Then there's Lt. Col. Steve Russell, who rides down the most dangerous streets in Tikrit with his men and openly dares the enemy to try and get them. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but one heck of a story. (Hat Tip: Donald Sensing). * JK: What's it like to be gay in Iraq? An American artist in-country has a fascinating anecdote to share. Funny and sad, all at the same time. He adds other experiences (including the strange dual perfidity/usefulness of some NGOs), and of course some sketches too. THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE * President Bush suggested that a larger U.N. role might not be necessary to get a new UN resolution on Iraq. Although that sounds more like wishful thinking to me, it does suggest Bush may not be so willing to simply roll over to the UN in exchange for assistance. * Jacques Chirac presented his own plan for Iraq involving an immediate transfer of Iraqi soverignty to their Governing Council followed by a U.S. withdrawal in six to nine months, reminding the United States where they stand. With a veiled threat of a veto if his plan is not accepted, it seems clear France will continue to keep the U.N. out of Iraq unless it can have its way. * Even the New York Times seems to be figuring out which side the French government is on in the war on Islamofascism. Sylvain Galineau discusses Friedman's op-ed and highlights several important issues with France's imperial ambitions. * Should we let bygones be bygones with the Germans, as they seem to be looking to kiss and make up after our disagreements over Iraq. Lexington Green says yes, and it's difficult to disagree with him. While we can't let erstwhile allies tie our hands when we need to act, ignoring conciliatory gestures when they're offered is no more than cutting off our nose to spite our face. MISC. * Call Lexington Green butter, 'cause he's on a roll. Check out his comparison of articles about Iraq from Michael Barone, David Warren, and Victor David Hanson. It's guaranteed to cheer up those of us constantly seeing only the bad news from Iraq. * JK: Lileks is on an even bigger roll, as he points out the subtext and substance behind many of the critics' arguments: "Saddam should have remained in power." It's a scorcher - and he backs it up. * Add one to the deck. Which "cards" have we captured so far? The CENTCOM list. And the visual version of "Ba'ath Poker." * The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops. American, British and Australian. Anyone out there with more information, incl. the Poles and Czechs? [updated August 19, 2003] * We try to close on a lighter note if possible. The Chief is posting from Iraq, and says: SEND TOYS! And help us get the generals released. On to Andrew's Winds of War, 2003-09-22... Thanks for reading! If you found something here you want to blog about yourself (and we hope you do), all we ask is that you do as we do and offer a Hat Tip hyperlink to today's "Winds of War". If you think we missed something important, use the Comments section to let us know.