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. This briefing is brought to you by Joel Gaines of No Pundit Intended and Andrew Olmsted of Andrew Olmsted dot com.
TOP TOPICS
- The Defense Department cannot account for over 14,000 weapons it gave to the Iraqi army and security forces, some four percent of the total weapons provided to Iraq. Many other weapons are in ill-repair due to a failure to issue spare parts and technical manuals and a shortage of trained armorers.
- British Prime Minister Tony Blair faces a vote on an investigation into his government's activities before and during the war.
Other Topics Today Include: Iraqi security transfer may not make schedule; gunmen kill 17 Baghdad police; Ramadi turned over to Iraqis; thousands of Iraqis trying to flee to Europe; Syria-Iraq trade plan; Kurds go it alone on oil; $800 million reported stolen; Iraqi women take to the airwaves; Carnival of the Liberated; Democratic victory won't mean policy change; Hussein verdict draws near.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
- The special inspector-general for Iraqi reconstruction warned that the timeline for turning Iraqi security over to the Iraqi government is in danger of falling through due to difficulties closing out plans for transferring logistics from Coalition forces to the Iraqi government.
- Gunmen kidnapped 17 Baghdad police instructors and murdered them and two translators, dumping the bodies in several locations around Baghdad.
- Government forces intervened in Amarah after Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militiamen stormed the city and attacked police stations, manned primarily by loyalists of the rival Badr Brigades.
- The 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade of the 7th Iraqi Army Division, commanded by Colonel Kareem, officially assumed responsibility for the battle space in Ramadi at a ceremony on forward operating base Blue Diamond.
- Tens of thousands of Iraqis are now seeking ways to make it to Europe for asylum.
RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY
- Syria and Iraq plan to boost trade relations.
- Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said it has drafted its own oil policy and a partnership agreement with oil firms.
- A local official in Iran's Eastern Azarbaijan province said that Iraq has been the destination of 22% of his province's non-oil exports in the last 6 months.
IRAQI POLITICS
- Iraq’s former finance minister has alleged in a US television report that up to $800 million meant to equip the Iraqi army had been stolen by former officials through fraudulent arms deals.
- Key Iraqi imam well enough to return home to Karbala.
- Iraqi women make waves with radio show.
- This week's Carnival of the Liberated is up.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
- DNC Chairman Howard Dean says that a Democratic victory on November 7 will not mean immediate changes in the U.S.'s Iraq policy.
ETCETERA
- Saddam Hussein's lawyer warned of more violence if Hussein is sentenced to death. Hussein's court is scheduled to deliver the verdict on November 5.
- 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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I think the most interesting story is "Delays put timetable for Iraq handover at risk" by Holly Yeager. It's not at all clear what's really happening here, and what incentives apply on the Iraqi side.