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
- Hopes were raised for an end to the two-month stalemate that has paralyzed Iraqi politics and pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war, as Shi'ite political leaders agreed on a new nominee for the post of prime minister. President Bush called Iraqi leaders to congratulate them on taking steps to form a unity goverment and to remind them of the awesome responsibilities they now face as leaders. Gateway Pundit has a roundup of reactions to the news.
- As Iraq moves closer to forming a truly Iraqi government, rocket and IED attacks reminded Iraq just how much is riding on their new government. Prime minister-designate al-Maliki has one month to form a coalition for his government, at which time they will have to decide how to address the violence that continues to plague Iraq.
Other Topics Today Include: U.S. troops defeat insurgents in Ramadi; the Sunnis change their mind; U.S. reconstruction failures; Coalition and Iraqi forces in Bayji; World Bank considers return to Iraq; Bloom faces prison; Iraq's parliament meets; Kurds unveil plan to hold oil; Carnival of the Liberated; business flights from Guangzhou to Baghdad; Hussein's signature verified on death orders; Iraqi water park planned.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
- The US military reports that troops repelled a coordinated assault by Iraqi insurgent fighters on Ramadi's main government office complex and two US observation posts - there were no reported US casualties.
- Wretchard discusses the state of the war now that the Shia have the upper hand and the Sunnis are starting to wonder what life might be like without an American presence in Iraq.
RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY
- U.S. reconstruction efforts in Iraq following the 2003 invasion failed to maintain and improve basic sanitation and provide safe drinking water in heavily populated areas, the RAND Corp. report stated.
- Coalition Forces and Iraqi Police have teamed up on a reconstruction project in the city of Bayji.
- The World Bank is considering returning staff to Iraq, almost three years after it withdrew from the country.
- Philip H. Bloom is facing up to 40 years in prison and nearly $8 million in penalties after pleading guilty to conspiracy, bribery and money laundering in connection with his part in steering contracts and theft of government reconstruction funds.
- The Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals has invited international companies to invest in a nitrogen fertilizer plant at Abu Al-Khasib in Southern Iraq.
IRAQI POLITICS
- Iraq's parliament met for the first time with the new prime minister nominee, Jawad al-Maliki, and Omar of Iraq the Model covered the session. While the body did not vote on al-Maliki as the new prime minister, it seems that we may actually be seeing some real progress in the formation of the new Iraqi government.
- Leaders of Iraq's Kurdish north have unveiled a controversial plan to consolidate their hold on the region's future petroleum resources, raising concerns about how the ethnically divided nation will share its oil revenue.
- This week's Carnival of the Liberated is up.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
- Business people in both Iraq and China welcome direct flights between Guangzhou and Baghdad, according to visitors at a trade fair.
ETCETERA
- Handwriting experts have authenticated former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's signature on documents approving the death sentences handed down to 148 civilians.
- Murphy's Waves is in talks with the developers of the indoor water park and leisure center which is planned for the Iraqi capital.
- 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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Excuse me, but it's a bit incongruous to have a link with Wretchard's breezy proclamation of the defeat of the Ba'athists right next to a link to an account of a fairly large assault on the Governing compound in Ramadi. If the Ba'athists were as beaten as all that, we wouldn't have periodic pitched battles in the streets of Ramadi and Baghdad.
The Iraqi security forces are light years better than they were a year ago. It is to their credit that they are engaging in the fight. In a few years they may be able to hold down Al Anbar with minimal assistance. But as things stand, there's still a long, long way to go.
Sugar-coating the Iraq situation like Belmont Club has been doing for a few years now does no favors to anyone.