APR 28/03: 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 Want YOU! Casting call for the new Winds of War editor. Want to make this your Winds of War?
Special: Toronto's left-wing daily The Star just ran a front page article on Iraq -- al-Qaeda links, including some exclusive documents! I'm stunned. The UK's Telegraph has its own piece, and there's also evidence that France was actively passing secret information to Saddam right up until the war.
TO IRAQ...
On the Battlefield...
The role of U.S. Special Forces in Gulf War II, as it's being experienced in Diwaniya. See also these reports from Afghanistan for a similar kind of background on who these people are and what they really do.
Richard Sinnreich, on relearning some old military lessons.
82nd Airborne War Diary. Plus even more really great stuff if you follow the link.
The human cost of war, as experienced by some of the soldiers of 3rd Infantry's Cyclone Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment. Unsettling and honest.
Very thorough analysis of allied casualties in Gulf War II, including an examination of why they were so low. What has saved troops' lives?
Inside Iraq
Which "cards" have we captured so far? The list. And the visual version. (Hat Tip: Israeli Guy)
Victor Davis Hanson says don't get too stressed, Time Is On Our Side in Iraq. One of his better articles, and that's saying something.
Tipping Points: how occupations go sour. Surprisingly, it's the little things.
Even the NY Times is admitting that Iran is playing a large role in fomenting trouble among Iraqi Shi'ites. This fatwa being just the latest example. My thoughts on what to do. And why it will work.
Happy Birthday, Saddam Hussein. (Hat Tip: The Agonist) So... what'd you think of our present: making "to Saddam" a new international verb!
Too bad you didn't get a "Phraselator" instead. It's a limited translator device from DARPA. Here's a picture of one in use inside Iraq.
Calpundit on some of the problems with our WMD "exploitation teams", and what he thinks the issues are.
Winds of Change.NET, April 3: "The idea of embedded reporters was a masterstroke, since the reporters have to... live with the troops, and go through events with them.... they come to question many of the unspoken assumptions that lie behind the undeclared war." UPI, April 21: "This reporter took his leave of Bravo 1/5 on April 15. It was one of the hardest farewells I've ever had to make." (Hat Tip: Donald Sensing)
Democracy! In Umm Qasr, where civic involvement is a success story that has even the Americans and British impressed. (Hat Tip: Dean Esmay) Karbala and Najaf will be harder, but Rick Heller has a very sensible suggestion to fix that.
Whiskey! Lots of it.
Sexy?
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...
Buzzmachine has an update on the Sina Montallebi arrest in Iran, explains how you can help, and notes the growing influence of Iranian bloggers. (Hat Tip: Dean Esmay)
Apparently, July 9th is the planned date for a massive general strike in Iran to protest Khameni's rule.
You want U.N. reconstruction? You've got it. Welcome to Afghanistan's botched rebuilding. (Hat Tip: Command Post)
I try to close on a lighter note if possible. Since I'm from Toronto, Detroit hired our hockey team's goalie away only to lose in round 1 of the playoffs... presenting Baghdad Bob, Detriot Red Wings spokeman! (Hat Tip: The Agonist)
We need Baghdad Bob to rep the Tigers right now!