REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• Three members of The Black Watch were killed in a Baghdad bombing, just days after hey moved north to maintain stability, while US troops prepared for assaults on terrorist strongholds. Zarqawi's group in Iraq took responsibility for the terrorist attack. British casualties are now 73.

• Air strikes intensify as several thousand US troops position themselves for a massive assault on areas of anti-Iraq resistance in Fallujah. Meanwhile, UN Sec Gen Annan has warned there may be ramifications inside Iraq if the US mounts an "all out" offensive, which could impact the success of the general elections in January.

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• Restore Iraq Electricity recently got a big boost - 192 megawatts worth! Considering that one megawatt can power 3000 homes in Iraq, it is good nes indeed. The US military brings the mobile and permanent power stations online and then turns them over to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity.

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• Donald Sensing takes a look at the religious edict issued by Saudi clerics declaring the fighting against the United States in Iraq a jihad.

• Iraqi PM Allawi gained support from the EU, but only after smoothing the waters over an earlier comment in which he called for more support from "spectator nations". His comment was directed at countries like France and Germany, but Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker also took exception.

• Support for the insurgency is fading among the Arab nations, as the tactics of striking against Iraqi civilians appears to finally be having an impression on the 'Arab street.'

• "Doctors without Borders" are leaving Iraq, citing security concerns because "the warring parties have repeatedly shown their disrespect for independent humanitarian assistance."

ETCETERA

• Al-Qaqaa was bad, but Phil Carter takes a look at something worse: thousands of surface-to-air missiles missing from Iraqi stockpiles. Perhaps now that this is no longer a political issue, the administration can take a little more open and honest look at mistakes that have been made in the Iraq campaign (and, more importantly, how to fix them).

• Two Lebanese men, captured five weeks ago and a Nepali seized earlier this week were freed and have returned to their families.

• Whether President George W. Bush has a mandate or not is a hot topic among pundits. What is clear is what voters want: a stable Iraq. An AP poll showed stability in Iraq as the number one concern among U.S. citizens.

• 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!

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