Stand Up, speak up. Shut up. Sit down

Having been a soldier I know the difference that often exists between what one is told and what one knows to be true and correct. So, it is good to hear the opinion of a soldier turned politician. Not that he says much new; the blogs from Iraq are very current. We even had a private soldier speaking out in the media saying what a waste it all was. The author of this analysis is the man sacked by Dopey Dave Cameron. Reading this has just about wiped out any support I may have had for Cameron.

Whither Iraq?

Long story but well worth your time. After all - what else have you to do?

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I like it because it says many of the things that I believe have been overlooked

Stretched

The decision to extend from one year to fifteen months the American forces tour in Iraq is hard news. Hard on families because the losses are high. Despite the px and gallon containers of ice cream that are enshrined in the memories of those of us who have worked with the US forces, conditions are hard. It is not just the deaths; many are suffering mental stresses and strains that condemn some to a living death.

The other point I take is that this demonstrates the level of fighting in Iraq. One thinks of America as a very strong nation with almost untold reserves. Men, money, equipment and the ability to devise and use high levels of technology. All this expended in a 3rd world country that is, by comparision, small and backward.

I include American personnel in my contention that the whole can of beans that is Iraq is just not worth the life of just one Coalition participant. They had their chance to get on board but blew it. Fine. Time to go home NOT to extend the tour length.

How many faces does one need?

A highly qualified US general goes to Iraq. Meets up with a very impressive and comprehensive range of contacts. Comes back and writes a report which is his view of where things are in Iraq.

So, why does this differ from the stories our respective great leaders tell us about how wonderful things are?

Hi Tech

Whatever else the Iraq war has done, it has certainly led to many new software applications. This one by the BBC very graphically illustrates (is that tautology - graphically and illustrates?) the way in whih violence has increased. Use the slider at the bottom of the view to move through the time scale.

Also bear in mind that this is just one area.

Anatomy of Iraq

Of all the acres of newsprint and the debates on Iraq, the one that makes the most sense to me is that contributed by an American academic Victor Davies Hanson. He manages to set out his stall without excessive drama or vituperation.

I lack the ability to evaluate his position. I have read other articles and find them in accord with my ideas. That does not make him right of course. You should make up your own mind. Anyway, he is my Guest today.

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Hanson's explanation of how things developed in Iraq

Ms Rice does not curry favour

The perfect pixie speaks out giving Iraq's PM notice that he is living on borrowed time if he does not get his people more involved. Seems that raid on the Iranian building was just a forerunner of action US might take in dealing with countries who seek to interfere with Iraqi progress.

Certainly no lack of resolve to go all the way in Iraq and never mind that report.

Well received

So, looks as if the news about troop reinforcements in Iraq is generally approving.

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President Bush ups the ante

Report from Iraq

Interesting report from Iraq. By a (very) senior officer so we can know he has had the opportunity to see a wide area of what is going on.

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As a general sees things.

Hang 'em high

Gets more like a spaghetti Western every day! And, this is the administration that we think is the thing that will run the country keeping it stable enough for long enough for us to say "All Over" and run for the roof to get on the helicopter. Oh no - that was how the other place ended wasn't it?

Innocence

Just look at her eyes and tell me how you can explain to her what is happening.

Merry Christmas - pah! humbug so far as she is concerned.

Sobbing in Saudi

Interesting insight - if correct - from Saudi where the media is rigidly controlled.

They jump on the bandwagon of the Baker report to go back to the dog's vomit that is Israel/Palestine and demand this be settled before much else.

One would have thought that with all the armed might they have that they would not worry about their co-religionists in Iraq but would go in and protect them.

Ah - but that would involve doing something rather more than standing on the sidelines. Given the dissent there appears to be in the Royal family, now is not a time to kick over the apple cart.

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Sulking in Saudi

Men of Principle or Blind Mans Bluff?

Every day, there is more and more reasoned debate on things in Iraq and Afghanistan. It seems that at times, there is no other topic beyond where do we go now or what do we do next? The government of other things must be on hold when the elected leaders are so fixated on these two arena.

So, are they principled or lost in the maze?

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Just another in volumes of the same

Good news is no news

When much of what the MSM carries is doom and gloom in Iraq, it seems that there are some good things going on. I suppose it is the old adage that good news does not sell papers but one would have thought that when there is activity to crow about, someone would have picked it up.

The other thing the article suggests is that there was a targetted, intelligence-led, offensive. This sort of work taken time and patience but can yield impressive results.

Your mileage may vary

We get reports from 'Back at Base' about how well the process is going of getting Iraqi troops and police to do their own dirty work. Bush says, and B.Liar yaps much the same, that we will not leave until they can look after themselves.

So, from the front line reports, it will be a hot night in winter before that state is achieved. If America is struggling with theivast resources, what hope do we have?

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Struggling to teach the unteachable

Iraqi police and army capability

Seems that the left hand here is not speaking to the right hand. We have a optimistic view from one minister and a bit of a downer from another.
What is a poor child to do in sorting lies from spin?

Reinstate Saddam

Well, looks as if someone has been reading my blog about how a revised Saddam may be the answer in Iraq. Don't quite know though about it appearing in the LA Times?

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Radical ideas sometimes pay off - don't they?

Give it time - at what cost?

No secret that I do not see democracy ever getting to No 1 in Top of the Pops in Iraq. However, here is a suggestion that given time, it might happen.

My only concern is re the cost in lives and misery.

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Give democracy a chance to grow

Not as easy ........

So, what's the problem in Iraq? is a question that I bet is on a lot of civilians lips and minds. High tech Army, high tech equipment, brave and dutiful soldiers fighting shoeless Ayrabs who ride around on donkeys. The Guest blog gives a good insight.

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Not as easy as it looks