IRAN REPORTS

• Russia agrees to build six more reactors going forward. Meanwhile, Sam Nunn argues that America should do more and give more money to Russia for nuclear security. Much more. You know...the Russia who's former Nuclear Minister is jailed and has been indicted by the US for embezzlement of those same Nuclear Security Funds? Let's keep the money and send them a Nuclear Security Memo: Stop Building Iran's Nuclear Reactors!

• Ayelet Savyon declares "Second Islamic Revolution" now complete. We saw above how president-'elect' Ahmadinejad participated in the first one. Funny thing happened on the way to the polling booth last Friday...some Iranians picked up a paper declaring his 'win' before voting started. No worry. Just a minor glitch.

IRAQ

• Carnival of the Liberated shows us an Iraqi Blogger pointing out that Iraqi National Guard uniforms can be bought openly in Baghdad bazaars. Our fine Jihadi friends wear them and wield the full power of Iraqi officers in Iraqi neighborhoods. That would tend to make Iraqi officers in stations and barracks suspicious of everyone approaching, uniformed or not. Not a good state.

• Chrenk’s Good News from Iraq noted the Marines' capture of an al Qaeda Jihad Manual. Watch Your Six hears that it contains "moral justification for killing innocent Iraqis."

• While a Shia leader was killed in a bombing Tuesday, the al Qaeda in Iraq leader said responsible for kidnappings & extracting ransom was removed from circulation.

• A ‘Defining Battle’ against terrorists was waged and won by Iraqi troops…all the while, Michael Yon was Walking the Line. Part I, Part II & Part III. We'll refrain from naming a few editors who should make that required reading.

AFGHANISTAN

• A Night Stalker was shot down in Afghanistan. All 17 souls aboard are believed perished. Godspeed, brothers. May swift vengeance meet the Taliban who claim it.

• Zalmay Khalilzad's would-be assassins have been arrested.

• Bombs kill senior Afghan policeman & 4 others.

• Operation Diablo Reach Back hits the ground running.

THE MIDDLE EAST

• Hizballah attacks Israeli positions at Shebaa Farms along Syrian/Lebanese/Israeli border, one Israeli dead. Iran is still stirring regional pot via Hizballah.

• Terrorists are using the infirm…again. Meanwhile, to contrast that, in Yemen an 81 year old rebel leader was shot dead…in battle.

• The lone remaining Syrian opposition group refuses to disband after government orders.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY

• Middle Eastern illegal alien w/terror ties funding Jihad via black market baby formula.
  
• US, Mexico, and Canada to share terror lists and ‘shore up points’? With what? Minuteman Volunteers? Forget that noise altogether. You'd better start asking: "What borders?" This is what we send before Congress? That's not an answer to security. That's a whole new set of problems. We'll take 5,000 more Border Patrol Agents and Canada can keep their healthcare and Mexico can keep their corruption and incompetence. Thank you, Mr. Pastor. You can go now.

AFRICA

• 3rd Acquital for Kenyan terror suspects??? What was that I said about Mexico?

• Darfur War Crimes possibly to be taken up by ICC. How many dead? UN is shy to say…guilt maybe?
  
• The African Union has rejected demands from US and others that the demolition of communities in Zimbabwe be stopped. All is well in Zimbabwe. What’s all the complaining about? Naturally, a UN envoy says talks with Mugabe were “very good”. All is well.

• The US Coast Guard is training off coast of Nigeria to assist in such areas as piracy, drug trafficking and terrorism.

• Douglas Farah reminds us that when we think of the Africa situation, think of Iran.

ASIA & AUSTRALIA

• Bangladeshi incursions into India could force new IAF Airbase on the Bangladeshi border.

• China’s CNOOC is bidding hot and heavy for UnoCal. Thomas Quill pours cold water on all the fire-breathing and panting that this has caused. With much due respect, that works fine in peace time. Once China decides it's worth it to hit the waters of the Taiwan Straits, the implications amplify a bit. Need we revisit The Cox Report before considering giving China Unocal?

EUROPE

• The Socialist Zapatero-led government of Spain, ironically thrust into power after the pre-election terrorist bombing of the Madrid train station, has prevented the victims of terrorism from demonstrating in front of the Congress of Deputies building in Madrid. Isn’t that special?

• France demands “clear prospects for full sovereignty” for Iraqi people after Bush speech? The sooner you man a post…well…maybe not. Just stay in France.

• Turkey’s EU membership prospects reduced to “partnership”? Maybe enlarging the EU isn’t such a bright idea after the proposed constitution was soundly rejected. Better get the rest of your house in order before you start building an addition. Meanwhile, Turkey & NATO are doing just fine.

THE GLOBAL WAR

• UN special rapporteur on torture, Manfred Nowak, hears rumors of ‘jail-ships’ and wants investigations...and access to Gitmo...or else. What? He'll invade? Nowak fears abuse and brutality at the hands of American Forces.

• Security Watchtower reminds of the 70 Achievements in the War on Terrorism.

• Colombians now want to trade American hostages.

We try to close on a lighter note if possible. This week, it's possible. Twice.

There are a lot of things I miss about military life and the military profession. Really important ramblings like this one are among the Most Missed Military Musings.

Also...Why are the headlines never like this?

Thanks for reading! (And tolerating a week without Colt.) 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 think we missed something important, use the Comments section to let us know.