Andrew's Winds of War: 2003-07-27

Welcome! Our goal 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. Today's "Winds of War" is brought to you by Andrew Olmsted of AndrewOlmsted.com.

TOP TOPICS

• The U.S. is adopting more aggressive tactics in Iraq. MSNBC does a very good job of describing the tactics, the adjustments from both sides, and the results: 300 Iraqi fedayeen dead, rewards for U.S. troops up over 1500% to induce cooperation, more intelligence, fewer 'contact' incidents of fire. I'm not big on body counts etc., but the tactical descriptions tell us a lot. The Toronto Star adds more first-hand accounts.

• Bring 'em on? Apparently terrorists are taking President Bush at his word. U.S. commander Ricardo Sanchez reports that Iraq has become a magnet for foreign terrorists looking to attack Americans. In the long run this will be a good thing, but it also means a higher casualty rate for the foreseeable future.

• JK: Andrew won't link to this, but I will: his initial thoughts about the 9/11 Congressional Report. Matt Yglesias, meanwhile, notes some interesting things about Afghanistan, and the Saudis. Just ask Omar Bayyumi.

Other Topics Today Include: WMD updates; Japan to Iraq; al-Qaeda in Iran; FBI & TTIC; Israel releases 200 terrorists from jail; Syria; Phillipines aftermath & implications; Malaysia warns Burma; America marks the 50th anniversary of the Korean War armistice as NK prepares for a nuclear test; and the humourous "Ig Nobel" prizes.

IRAN REPORTS

• Could Iran be seeing the writing on the wall? Maybe so, as Tehran is holding several al Qaeda leaders, including the number two and number three men in the organization. Should an agreement be reached to turn those leaders over to the west, it could be one of the biggest breaks of the war.

• On a similar note, a Tehran official, Ali Akbar Salehi, says Iran should agree to inspections of their nuclear facilities to ease concerns over their pursuit of atomic power. Is it possible that the American conquest of Iraq may be spooking their neighbors?

• JK: Sheila at DeanEsmay.com sees some healthy signs in an Iranian's letter.

• Questions remain about the death of Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi, and relations between Iran and Canada remain strained as Canada continues to seek the truth about her death.

IRAQ BRIEFING

• A while ago, Trent suggested that James Baker should be put in charge of Iraqi reconstruction. Well...

• U.S. soldiers killed at least three Iraqis when they fired into a car during a search for Saddam Hussein. The circumstances were unclear, but local Iraqis were reported outraged at the U.S. action. More aggressive action always has consequences as well as benefits.

• Self-Defense Forces no longer, Japan is preparing to send troops to Iraq after the Diet passed a law allowing the deployment of Japanese troops to Iraq. Although this may be good news for the United States as it seeks allied troops to help it in Iraq, we may come to regret encouraging a Japanese return to militarism. [JK: doubt it - theyre "combat engineers" for reconstruction, not troops]

• JK: An Iraqi nuclear scientist who was involved in their program has surrendered. Maybe he knows more than Judith Miller seems to.

• JK: Wonder if he'll end up talking to Chief Wiggles and company? The Chief is VERY unhappy with the Red Cross' treatment of his Iraqi prisoners, and so are the Iraqis.

• Two Hussein brothers are gone, but the attrition of U.S. troops continues, with the death of an American soldier south of Baghdad in a grenade attack. The brothers' deaths may eventually lead to a slackening of Iraqi resistance, but for now U.S. soldiers need to remain extremely cautious as the war goes on. Phil Carter explains why... but at least the raid turned a $70 million profit.

• The media continues to keep the pressure on Tony Blair's government over the question of microbiologist David Kelly and the 'sexing up' of the British case against Iraq. Although some argue this debacle is the fault of the BBC, internal dissent in Blair's party may yet use this to bring him down.

• JK: Speaking of media, during the war Michael Totten took heat for referring to AL-Jazeera as 'enemy propaganda.' Time to take that criticism back - because Salam Pax just called Al-Jazeera "pro-saddam/pro-Ba'ath propaganda".

• 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 April 1, 2003]

U.S.A. HOMELAND SECURITY BRIEFING

• Phil Carter of Intel Dump discusses the challenge of recruiting and retaining top talent in the FBI, and questions the effectiveness of the new "Terrorism Threat Intelligence Center" clearinghouse.

• Apparently mistaking this month for November, the Senate passed a $28.5 billion bill to fund the Homeland Security department for Fiscal 2004.

• JK: Powerline has a photo that will cheer you up.

THE WIDER WAR

• JK: So, what's going on with Syria? Lebanese blogger Beirut Calling shares some interesting updates. (Hat Tip: M. Simon)

• Only Nixon could go to China, and perhaps only Ariel Sharon could get away with freeing more than 200 Hamas and Islamic Jihad prisoners. Although this may play well in America, it will cost Israeli lives when some of these prisoners return to their original line of work: terrorism.

• Fifty years ago, America and North Korea signed an armistice ending the Korean War. This year, CNN reports that NK is gearing up for a nuclear test. Kate also notes the interesting charges aimed at Changgwand Sinyong Corp. re: missile proliferation.

• A close call in the Phillipines apears to have been an attempted coup. Boomshock explains the implications for the War on Terror.

• Nigerian soldiers are scheduled to arrive in Liberia this coming Wednesday. United States Marines are on tap to back up the West Africans, meaning it's now almost certain that American troops will be engaged in peacemaking in Liberia by the end of the summer.

• Malaysia has warned Burma's government that other countries may intervene if Burma doesn't release dissident Aung San Suu Kyi. Although threats like that can escalate, the fact nations may be willing to address international problems without U.S. assistance has to be a good thing.

• There was a small explosion outside an opposition party's headquarters, and two grenades were found outside the royal palace, but it appears Cambodia's elections otherwise went off without a hitch, with an 80% voter turnout. What does this have to do with the war against Islamofascism? Nothing less than the further spread of democratic values, a spread that is one key to winning this war.

• We try to close on a lighter note if possible. How about the "Ig Nobels" (ignobles), an award for people who do dumb things that nonetheless have some value in the pursuit of knowledge. Igniting a BBQ grill with 3 gallons of liquid oxygen, for example, or personally ttesting a suit ofarmor designed to protect one from Grizzly Bears.

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 see something important that we missed, use the Comments to let us know. Thanks for reading!