REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• Echo Company"The snipers had repulsed the attackers, but now Echo Company's 1st Platoon, which had been sent out earlier to clear the main supply route through Ramadi, was taking fire and needed help." (Hat tip: BlackFive.)

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• Terrorists killed three Turks and bombed an oil pipeline leading to Turkey, continuing their campaign of disrupting attempts to rebuild Iraq's economy.

IRAQI POLITICS

• Iraq the Model continues to bring top-notch commentary about what it's like to operate a democracy in Iraq. "It's impossible for such coward attacks carried by some mercenaries and fanatics to stop the march of a whole nation..."

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• Thousands of Nepalese reacted violently in Katmandu to news that 12 of their countrymen were brutally slaughtered in Iraq. The angry mob set fire to a mosque and burned other buildings. The 12 were killed by members of Ansar al-Sunna, the same group to have supposedly kidnapped and then released Marine Cpl Wassef Ali Hassoun a month ago. (Hat Tip: Sworn Enemy.)

• At Peaktalk, we get an analysis called Headscarves and Hostages. While addressing the kidnapping of two French journalists in Iraq, it explains the tension which exists between a secular social system in an environment of un-integrated fringe societies within Europe. At the same time, Rusty, at mypetjawa, has an interesting question regarding the Muslim advocacy groups who are working to keep the French hostages alive.

• France and Italy are arguing over whose intelligence service is to blame for the infamous 'yellowcake' report that led to major disputes in the United States over President Bush's State of the Union address. Italy claims the French were attempting to undermine the case for war by giving them fake documents, a move not normally associated with allies.

• France claims that their hostages in Iraq are still alive, but have been transferred to another group within Iraq. France's attempts to negotiate with terrorists have yet to bear fruit, but they have not yet given up hope.

WMD HUNT

• The Questing Cat discusses photographs of a mobile WMD production lab and the lack of traction these findings have. He also talks about finding weapons caches missed by other units in sector and even by UN inspectors.

ETCETERA

• The next trial of the century, that of Saddam Hussein, will begin within weeks, according to Iraq's Minister of State. How this will affect the war, both in terms of the fighters in the field and the U.S. election, remains to be seen. (Hat tip: The Agonist.)

• Arthur Chrenkoff examines the claims of some Australian doctors who want to get Australia out of Iraq and discovers that the doctors clearly haven't thought things through quite yet.

• 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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