10/12/07

Iraq moving toward a failed state
By Iraqi Mojo(Iraqi Mojo)
As Iraq moves closer to a failed state, the Iraqi Parliament takes another vacation. This Iraqi government is a joke, but I believe that a few MPs have the potential to become real leaders. I hope they step up before it’s too late. …
iraqimojo.blogspot.com/2007/12/iraq
-moving-toward-failed-state.html

Forum: Iraq’s Government
Iraq’s Government — Host Michael Krasny talks with experts about Iraq’s governing body and its struggle with sectarian pressures. Guests include Abe Sofaer, George P. Shultz senior fellow in foreign policy and national security affairs …
www.kqed.org/epArchive/R712100900?item
MD5=4205061cc42aa95fd234b5ea8f7f11a9

Bill Clinton: US Invaded Iraq Too Soon
Former President Clinton, seeking to clarify a recent assertion that he was against the Iraq war “from the beginning,” said Monday he’s maintained all along that United Nations weapons should have been given more time to complete their …
www.againsthillary.com/2007/12/10/bill
-clinton-us-invaded-iraq-too-soon/

Mortars Hit Iraq Prison; 7 Inmates Dead
The Associated Press –
Separately, a fire broke out at one of Iraq’s main oil refineries, but the US military said it was due to an industrial accident, not an attack. …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkx-3oYe
FwuWKCusr2jrojs98w8wD8TEK8801

US-Iran to discuss Iraq on December 18: minister
AFP –
BAGHDAD (AFP) — US and Iranian officials will hold another round of talks on Iraq’s security next week, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said on Monday, …
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hDIPWVJxjoGb-v6FfHNjSruekyNg

Britain’s Prime Minister Visits Troops in Southern Iraq
Chosun Ilbo – Seoul,South Korea
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a surprise visit Sunday to southern Iraq, where he praised British troops’ efforts and confirmed that Basra …
english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200712/200712100029.html

Mortars Hit Iraq Prison; 7 Inmates Dead
The Associated Press –
The attack came a day after Iraq’s defense minister promised to wage a new crackdown in a volatile province northeast of Baghdad where militants are trying …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkx-3oYeFw
uWKCusr2jrojs98w8wD8TEEDD00

General: Some Iraq Gains ‘Permanent’
The Associated Press –
WASHINGTON (AP) — The US commander in western Iraq said Monday that progress against insurgents in his area is “permanent” but that it will be another 19 …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcWJu9
bbzrJZ7uNHjvMn0BuTGqHQD8TEN3H80

Suicide Car Bombing in Iraq Kills 7
Chosun Ilbo – Seoul,South Korea
In other news, the US military says coalition forces killed 12 terrorists and detained 13 suspects in operations today targeting al-Qaida in Iraq networks …
english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200712/200712100028.html

Iraq in brief: Christians fill church
Kansas City Star – MO,USA
BAGHDAD | Iraq’s defense minister promised Sunday to wage a new crackdown northeast of Baghdad in Diyala province, where militants have been driven by the …
www.kansascity.com/news/world/story/396776.html

Rocket attack on Iraq oil refinery
Aljazeera.net – Qatar
The refinery receives crude from Iraq ‘s north and south to supply refined oil products to Baghdad . Rockets also hit the Karrada district in central
…
english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8C33E653-
50DC-4936-8ECD-5054E960BA3A.htm

Gates warns of Iran threat to US and Mideast
Manama (AFP) Dec 8, 2007 – US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Saturday said Iran’s foreign policy was a threat to the United States, the Middle East and all countries within range of missiles Tehran is developing. “There can be little doubt that their destabilising foreign policies are a threat to the interests of the United States, to the interests of every country in the Middle East, and to the interests of all co
www.spacewar.com/reports/Gates_warns_
of_Iran_threat_to_US_and_Mideast_999.html

IRAQ: Education Becomes the New Casualty in Baquba
Ahmed Ali
BAQUBA – The alarming security situation in Diyala province north of Baghdad has killed off much of the education system.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40408

Iraq Calmer, but More Divided
www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121007M.shtml
Ned Parker reports for The Los Angeles Times: “The US troop buildup in Iraq was meant to freeze the country’s civil war so political leaders could rebuild their fractured nation. Ten months later, the country’s bloodshed has dropped, but the military strategy has failed to reverse Iraq’s disintegration into areas dominated by militias, tribes and parties, with a weak central government struggling to assert its influence.”

JOURNAL: Oil disruption effectiveness in Iraq during 2006
By John Robb
Many of these attacks had knock on effects on Iraq’s refined fuels. This has forced Iraq to spend its limited funds to import over $200 million a month in gasoline and other products. It has also had an impact on electricity production. …
globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerri
llas/2007/12/journal-oil-dis.html

War News for Monday, December 10, 2007
By whisker(Cervantes)
Assim Jihad, a spokesman for Iraq’s Oil Ministry, said a rocket or mortar shell landed on a storage tank around 6 am He said no casualties were reported and the plant was still operating. “The fire is under control and within a few …
warnewstoday.blogspot.com/2007/12/war
-news-for-monday-december-10-2007.html

Mortars Hit Iraq Prison; 7 Inmates Dead
Guardian Unlimited – UK
… anti-militant figure and broadcast old audio clips of the slain al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi describing him as ``God’s enemy. ..
www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7140877,00.html

Russert Concedes Fewer Deaths in Iraq Means Less Coverage
By Brent Baker
Asked by NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt on Sunday evening about how a new MSNBC/Mason-Dixon poll found that Iraq is not “the dominating issue” as “the economy is immensely important to voters,” Tim Russert suggested Hillary Clinton …
www.newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2007/12/10/r
ussert-concedes-fewer-deaths-iraq-means-less-coverage

Gordon Brown escapes attack on Iraq visit.
By Daily Referendum(Daily Referendum)
According to news sources coming out of Iraq, Gordon Brown escaped several “very determined” attempts on his life during his recent visit to Iraq. It is reported that the Prime Minister came under attack from small arms fire, …
dailyreferendum.blogspot.com/2007/12
/gordon-brown-escapes-attack-on-iraq.html

Britain’s PM Brown Visits Iraq By Danica Kirka
By dandelionsalad
BASRA, Iraq (AP) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown flew into southern Iraq Sunday to rally troops and confirm that Iraqi forces will take command of the last region under British control in mid-December. …
dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/
britains-pm-brown-visits-iraq-by-danica-kirka/

Iraq & Afghanistan: Dual Fronts, Dec 9 – 15
More than 6000 troops were engaged in intense fighting last night as British and American forces led a major offensive to seize the largest Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan. In what military commanders described as a defining battle …
agonist.org/20071209/iraq_afghanistan_dual_fronts_dec_9_15

Iraq and Venezuela: 2 countries, 1 struggle
By dandelionsalad
President Bush calls Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez a dictator, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calls Chavez “a thug.” But what do Venezuelans say? Pres. Chavez has handily won three elections, certified by the Organization of …
dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/
iraq-and-venezuela-2-countries-1-struggle/

From the BiCo: 18, Iraq Teach-In, and a New Master Plan
By The BiCo News
Students Towards a New Democracy, Haverford’s counterpart to the Students for a Democratic Society, held a week-long teach-in about the Iraq War. Events included a round-table discussion, a lecture on Iraqi music, and two dinners …
www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/daily/2007/12/10/from-the-bico/

Cenk Uygur: Our Third and Final Mistake in Iraq
By Cenk Uygur(webmaster@huffingtonpost.com)
This frustrates the will of the American people who say in poll after poll that they want to leave Iraq within the year (which they have been saying for well over a year now, which means we should have left already, theoretically). …
feeds.huffingtonpost.com/~r/HP/Politics/~3/1979
09389/our-third-and-final-mista_b_76027.html

Bush’s team still smelling that foreign oil
El Paso Times – El Paso,TX,USA
While our children continue to die in Iraq and Afghanistan, Halliburton continues to thrive there. Why should it not? It has its “Guardian Angel” (Cheney) …
www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_7678184

Mortars Hit Iraq Prison; 7 Inmates Dead
The Associated Press –
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s defense minister promised on Sunday to wage a new crackdown in a volatile province northeast of Baghdad where militants are trying to …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkx-3oYeF
wuWKCusr2jrojs98w8wD8TEE5380

Brown gives troops credit for Iraq gains
Los Angeles Times – CA,USA
BAGHDAD — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has all but called an end to his nation’s war in Iraq. But as Britain’s largest overseas campaign in more …
www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brown1
0dec10,1,5626075.story?coll=la-headlines-world

Stop proxy war urges Iraq
Gulf Daily News – Manama,Bahrain
By MARK SUMMERS iraq’s national security adviser yesterday accused some neighbours of conducting a proxy war inside Iraq to serve their own interests. …
www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Arti
cle=202438&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30265

Iraq calmer, but more divided
Los Angeles Times – CA,USA
By Ned Parker, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer BAGHDAD — The US troop buildup in Iraq was meant to freeze the country’s civil war so political leaders could …
www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fg-splinter
10dec10,1,5190318.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage&tr
ack=crosspromo

Vigilantes Kill 40 Women in Iraq’s South
The Associated Press –
Throughout Iraq, many women wear a headscarf and others wear a full face veil although secular women are often unveiled. Since the overthrow of Saddam …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZnCkP0LB
feyJAVTm6fjlcmGOiUwD8TE7EI80

An Opportunity, Not ‘A Warning Signal’
Hartford Courant – United States
But that’s what it’s like in the post-WMD-in-Iraq-fiasco intelligence community. Groupthink has now been banished in favor of a subversive, happy-go-lucky …
www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials
/hc-brooks1210.artdec10,0,6282531.story

Democrats Push $522 Billion Spending Bill
Wall Street Journal – USA
But the politics of Iraq make these treacherous waters for Democrats, provoking splits in their own party that ultimately empower the president’s
…
online.wsj.com/article/SB1197250773280
18914.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Iraqi Refugee Situation Part II: The Strain on Syria
By Maytha(Will)
A country that vehemently opposed the war and didn’t bend it’s Arab ass to be used as a military outpost, is paying the heaviest price for it-and a poor Arab country at that (pockets lined with…wait what does Syria have in plentiful …
www.kabobfest.com/2007/12/iraqi-
refugee-situation-part-ii-strain.html

AXTD: Salute 2 Marines in Iraq
By Abigail Hannon
a unit of marines in iRaq wrote 2 say they heart my diaries. theyre the 1324 mobile infantry unit n this is their shout out! be safe, guys holla back @ me or them on my homepage www.abigailsteendiary.com …
www.abigailsxratedteendiary.com/archives/38

IRAQ: Returning to destroyed, looted or occupied homes
By bubba2
46% of Iraqis were going home because they could no longer afford to stay, 14% because they heard the security situation had improved, and 25% because their visas expired. Channel: Do No Evil Tags: Syria Iraq refugees homes destroyed …
donoevil.propeller.com/story/2007/12/10/iraq-retu
rning-to-destroyed-looted-or-occupied-homes

UK Prime Minister Says Iraq War is Over
By tcnt
GORDON Brown yesterday delivered a stirring festive message to Our Boys in Iraq: “Happy Christmas – your war is over.” Channel: News Tags: iraq war iraq war over.
news.propeller.com/story/2007/12/09/u
k-prime-minister-says-iraq-war-is-over

From The Maccabees To Pearl Harbor To Iraq
By papundits
General David Petraeus says the surge is working, and that we are succeeding in Iraq. People who have never been to Iraq disagree with him. These people have the right to feel this way. Free speech exists. Yet so does the Flat Earth …
papundits.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/from
-the-maccabees-to-pearl-harbor-to-iraq/

BizJournals: Halliburton to make changes at the top
Halliburton Co. on Thursday said it plans to make several changes to its executive management team. . . The Houston oilfield services company said …
www.inform.com/articles/49314657/?puburl=http%3A%2F%2
Fwww.bizjournals.com%2Fhouston%2Fstories%2F2007%2F12%
2F03%2Fdaily45.html&source=feed

Two-Faced Susan: Susan Collins’ Lies, Hypocrisy, and Allegiance to …
By senate2008guru
Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey has on several occasions – not once, not twice, not thrice, but at least four times – urged Collins to hold hearings on Halliburton’s no-bid contracts in Iraq. And what was Susan Collins’ response? …
www.mydd.com/story/2007/12/9/213312/098

Tiahrt tries to argue for the war
By Hellbender(Hellbender)
We’re fighting for the interest of Halliburton to take and use the oil as they please. The troops are fighting for them. Why doesn’t Halliburton pay for the gas? They reap the rewards of this war. Tiahrt: “But instead of keeping our …
tiahrtfolly.blogspot.com/2007/12/tiahrt-tries-to-argue-for-war.html

Happy Xmas, your war is over! 10 Dec 2007 Gordon Brown yesterday delivered a stirring festive message to Our Boys in Iraq: “Happy Christmas – war is over.” The PM was cheered as he praised UK troops and revealed combat operations in Basra will end “within two weeks”. Iraqi forces will take over as the 4,500-strong British force switches from front-line duties to a training role. By early next year, our contingent in Southern Iraq will be cut to 2,500 – and may be withdrawn completely in March.
www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article563496.ece

Army leaders push to shorten Iraq tours 09 Dec 2007 Pressure is building to reverse one of the most onerous decisions Defense Secretary Robert Gates made to enable President [sic] Bush’s troop buildup to go forward this year: extending the tours of active-duty soldiers from 12 months to 15 months.
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071209/ap_on_
go_ca_st_pe/iraq_long_tours_3

Engage with Iran and Syria, Iraq tells US
Financial Times – London,England,UK
By Roula Khalaf in Manama, Bahrain Iran and Syria have taken measures to curb violence in Iraq, a senior Iraqi official said on Sunday in a rare …
www.ft.com/cms/s/c37b4dd4-a683-11dc-b1f5-0000779fd2ac.html

Iraq’s first Cardinal celebrates Mass
By Kevin Gregory(Kevin Gregory)
symbolic show of unity between Iraq’s majority Muslim sect and its tiny Christian community. Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of the ancient Chaldean Church, celebrated the two-hour Mass three weeks after Pope Benedict XVI elevated …
cancelthebee.blogspot.com/2007/12/ira
qs-first-cardinal-celebrates-mass.html

9/12/07

British prime minister visits Iraq before handover in Basra
The Canadian Press –
BASRA, Iraq – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived in southern Iraq on a surprise visit Sunday to rally troops and confirm that Iraqi forces will …
canadianpress.google.com/article/
ALeqM5gIxKTAK7uT_FE49x294ujGt0dT8w

Iraq plans crackdown in violent province northeast of Baghdad
International Herald Tribune – France
AP BAGHDAD: Iraq is planning a renewed crackdown on militants in an province northeast of Baghdad that has seen at least two suicide bombings in the past …
www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/09
/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Crackdown.php

AP photographer in first Iraq court hearing
Reuters – USA
The US military has accused Bilal Hussein, a 36-year-old Iraqi, of working with insurgents in Iraq. He was seized in April 2006 in Ramadi, …
www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL0941337420071209

Pressure to Shorten Army Tours in Iraq
The Associated Press –
WASHINGTON (AP) — As security improves in Iraq, pressure is building to reverse one of the most onerous decisions Defense Secretary Robert Gates made to …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hEXlu9vm
LmZ2TVuVVbn9v_gtnGnwD8TE134G1

As Iraqis Vie for Kirkuk’s Oil, Kurds Become Pawns
www.truthout.org/docs_2006/120907D.shtml
Stephen Farrell of The New York Times reports: “Even by the skewed standards of a country where millions are homeless or in exile, the squalor of the Kirkuk soccer stadium is a startling sight.”

An Alleged “Two Party System”
By Ed Ciaccio
“Every 10 minutes an Iraqi civilian is injured or killed in a war that George Bush says will not end until he leaves office. Every 10 hours an American soldier is killed in a war that George Bush says will not end until he leaves office. Every 10 days $2 billion is removed from the U.S. Treasury and placed in the accounts of Halliburton, Blackwater and all other war profiteers that are getting rich off the misery of Iraqis and Americans”
www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18856.htm

Iraq: Sunday: At least 21 killed in another bloody day of US occupation:
A roadside bomb killed the police chief of Iraq’s Babel province and five of his guards on Sunday, police said.
www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09267742.htm
 
Saturday: Thirty-five killed, scores wounded in Iraq occupation :
At least 35 Iraqis were killed and scores wounded in separate bombings, raids and shootings in Iraq Saturday, local authorities said.
snipurl.com/1v06u
 
Iraq’s premier warns of use of human rights to undermine his government:
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned Sunday against what he called attempts to use the issue of human rights as a cover to undermine his government.
snipurl.com/1v06v
 
US Democrats retreat and allow more Iraq funding -newspaper:
U.S. House of Representatives Democratic leaders are contemplating legislation that would give President George W. Bush $70 billion in new funds for war but without any timetables for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N08354832.htm
 
Iraq’s Sunni vice president gives the nod to Iraqi-US occupation deal:
Iraq’s Sunni Arab vice president said Sunday he was in favor of a strategic cooperation agreement with the United States, saying the proposed pact would give Iraq a “strong and honest” partner it needs.
www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/09/
africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-US-Pact.php
 
Iraq calls for Gulf security pact including Iran :
Iraq’s National Security Advisor on Sunday called on Gulf states to form a regional security pact, which would include Iran, while he reassured the area’s US allies that Baghdad is “heading West” in its foreign policies.
news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071209/wl_mideast_afp/iraqgulfiranpolitics

Congress to Consider Iraq War Spending this Week
According to media reports and emails from antiwar groups, the United States House of Representatives and the Senate will be considering additional funding for the Iraq War. At this point, details are limited, but the vote will likely …
www.mediamouse.org/features/120907congr.php

Letter to Pelosi From Out Of Iraq Caucus and CPC Chairs
Should legislation come to the House floor that does not strictly limit funding to protecting our troops and a timeline for commencing and completing their complete redeployment out of Iraq, we will not be able to support such a bill. …
pdamerica.org/articles/news/2007-12-07-21-59-39-news.php

Roadside Bomb Kills Iraq Police Chief
ABC News – USA
Local authorities acknowledged militia fighters could be behind the assasination but said the primary suspect was al-Qaida in Iraq, which maintains a strong …
abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3974835

FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 9
Reuters – USA
HILLA – A roadside bomb killed the police chief of Iraq’s Babel province and five of his guards on Sunday, police said. BAIJI – A suicide car bomb targeted …
www.reuters.com/article/gc05/idUSL0867442920071209

Brown Demands Release of British Hostages in Iraq (Update1)
Bloomberg – USA
9 (Bloomberg) — UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the immediate release of five Britons held hostage in Iraq since May, saying the demands of the …
www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20
601102&sid=avZetlS.xI.0&refer=uk

Iran Studying Talks With US Over Iraq
The Associated Press –
Since May, Iran and the US have held three rounds of ambassador-level of negotiations over security in Iraq. Earlier in November, Iran agreed to a request …
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ieb3NRX
d7Fx_l4a97Y-vJkkicjiAD8TDRIP01

As Iraq improves, pressures are growing to shorten US Army tours
International Herald Tribune – France
AP WASHINGTON: As security improves in Iraq, pressure is building to reverse one of the most onerous decisions US Defense Secretary Robert Gates made to …
www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/09/americ
a/NA-GEN-US-Iraq-Long-Tours.php