April 24: Our goal is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused. If you find 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". Welcome!
We Asked, You Answered: Should we keep "Winds of War"? The answer back seems to be yes, so we're working on how to do that, how often, etc. In the immediate term, it will be less frequent and I'll try to focus on just the most important and/or neatest stuff.
TO IRAQ...
On the Battlefield...
Great montage of war and sacrifice re: Iraq. Quiet, even understated in some ways, but makes its point. Worth your viewing time if you have a broadband connection.
2 good After-Action Reviews: Review of the Apache attack near Baghdad March 24th, and 3rd Infantry assesses the key turning points of their mission.
Australian SAS raided a location near Baghdad, and came up with quite a lot. Here's a photo - it's hard to tell, but the plane looks like a Mig-31 Foxhound.
A story of uncommon valour at Baghdad International Airport. Unfortunately, any medals will be posthumous. (Hat Tip: Team Stryker)
Beyond the Battlefield
Which "cards" have we got so far? The list. And the visual version. (Hat Tip: Israeli Guy)
WMD search update.
British MP George Galloway, traitor in the direct pay of Iraq? The Telegraph says they have the documents to prove it. Blogs of War also has a compilation of some of his comments about the war. Gweilo Diaries remind us that he may be an embezzler from a charity fund, too.
Outstanding post by Bargarz about the Shi'ites in Iraq. Lengthy, insightful, includes some good update debates, and covers Iran too. Except it seems to be wrong - Iran is moving aggressively in Iraq, effectively occupying Kut (an Iraqi officer had noted this earlier) and fomenting civil war among the Shi'ites.
U.S. response is hardening, but do they have a plan? Welcome to the Iraq Conflict, Stage 2.
Our coverage of Syria's role and position re: Iraq. The USA is securing its rear by taking them out of the equation. Then Stage 2 really begins.
Oxblog and Calpundit debate the role of the U.N. in Iraq. What exactly does David have against letting the UN have a say in rebuilding the Iraqi government?
Glenn Reynolds has more on the idea of an Alaska-type National Trust Fund for Iraqi oil. This is a very important idea, and could do more to put Iraq's private economy and civil society on the right footing than anything else we do.
There may be more privatization in store, too. (Hat Tip: IShouldBeDoingHomework.com)
The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops. American, British and Australian. Anyone out there with more information, incl. the Poles and Czechs? [updated April 1, 2003]
AND BEYOND...
Quick reminder about arrested Iranian blogger Sina Montallebi. Hossein Derakhshan's site is down, but Jeff Jarvis has a great post covering it. Sign the petition!
Armed Liberal had dinner with an Iranian friend, and sparked a debate that's still raging in our Comments section. This gives you the links to participate, and some follow up thoughts.
The Human Shields of Arab Journalists. Good article.
Maintaining his spotless record of never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity, Yasser Arafat is busy shutting down reform efforts. Looks like the "Palestinian Authority Prime Minister" is about to quit. Or be replaced arbitrarily. (Hat Tip: reader M. Simon)
A good analysis of what's going on in the "Palestinian Authority," including the role of EU aid. Or is this just a round of "good cop, bad cop"?
Attacks on schools are escalating in Afghanistan. Expect to see a similar pattern of terrorism and intimidation in Iraq once reconstruction is underway. (Hat Tip: reader M. Simon)
Colombia update.
The current North Korea talks are a very big non-event. But here's a timeline of the NK nuclear crisis. Would be a lot more useful if it started in Oct. 1992, rather than Oct. 2002. (Hat Tip: Command Post NK)
I try to close on a lighter note if possible. This poster absolutely qualifies.
Definitely glad that Winds of War is back - especially since I'm looking at a picture of a Foxhound that the Australians found!
Be sure to check out Brian Perry's prank posters too:
http://www.broadmesa.com/anti_war/
Sorry that this had to happen to and not to me. Well g2g now
bye always celia ramirez