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Category Archives: Iraqness
Iraq: If you helped us, watch your back
Wanted to direct your attention to a must read in Foreign Policy by Kirk Johnson. He highlights one of the least talked about yet troubling aspects of our Iraq withdrawal plan–all the Iraqis who’ve allied themselves with us are going … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness
Tagged Al-Qaeda, Foreign Policy, Iraq, Iraq War, Islamic state, Kirk Johnson, United States, Warfare and Conflict
1 Comment
Iraq: Setting the stage for the next, smaller, civil war
The alliance between Iraq’s two key political coalitions that was announced yesterday shores up the power of the Shiite-dominated regime in Baghdad for the next four years. My guess–a wild crystal ball prediction, to be sure–is that we’re seeing what … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness, Uncategorized, World
Tagged Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq War, Maliki, Muqtada al-Sadr, Prime minister, Tariq Al-Hashimi, United States
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Iraq: On the brink of civil war again?
I don’t think so, although the bombings of the German, Eygptian, and Iranian embassies yesterday that killed over 40 people are not good signs. Either was the massacre of 24 Sunnis over the weekend by men in “Iraqi army uniforms” … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness
Tagged Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq War, Iraqi Army, Ned Parker, Saddam Hussein, Sunni Islam
2 Comments
Army says Xbox, PlayStation make recruits 'soft;' overhauls basic training
This is a post that would certainly be bettered handled by T/S colleague Paul Tassi, but I thought it was worth mentioning.From NPR via Military.com: The Army is making changes to its basic training regimen, partially because new recruits are … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Iraqness
Tagged Army, Hand to hand combat, Mark Hertling, Military.com, Recruit training, United State, United States Army, Video game
3 Comments
Iraq: Operation Proper Exit, wounded veterans return to Iraq
Yesterday, I joined Captain Ferris Butler and Specialist John Hyland on NPR’s program ‘Talk of the Nation’ to discuss the trip I took with Operation Proper Exit. It’s a program designed by the Troops First Foundation, and supported by the … Continue reading
Iraq: How does Allawi become prime minister? PLUS: NPR, Operation Proper Exit
Over at The Daily Beast, I have a piece up mapping out 5 steps Allawi needs to take to get the prime minister gig. It’s not a cinch, and it will be interesting to see how folks in Iraq will … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness
Tagged Ayad Allawi, Ba'ath Party, Government, Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki, Parliament, Prime minister, Shia Islam
1 Comment
Iraq: Allawi wins the election
Ayad Allawi, head of the secular Iraqiya bloc, has won the most seats in the Iraq elections. 91 seats to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s 89. Now, as they say, the fun starts: prepare for months of wrangling over what the … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness, Uncategorized
6 Comments
Iraq: Are the Iraq elections being stolen?
Apparently, according to almost everybody running, the answer is yes. Both Prime Minister Maliki and President Jalal Talabani are calling for a recount. As the NYT reports: The appeals by Iraq’s two highest government officials added to a rash of … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness
Tagged Afghanistan, Ayad Allawi, Iran, Iraq, Jalal Talabani, Politics, Prime minister, United States
3 Comments
On Iraq anniversary, the end isn't all that near
Seven years ago, America invaded Iraq. We know how that went, so I’ll spare you an anniversary post. Just want to point out one tiny thing. For the U.S., the Iraq war is actually ending. Americans are no longer dying … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness, Politics, World
Tagged Al-Qaeda, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq War, Islamic State of Iraq, Middle East, Sunni Islam, United States
3 Comments
Iraq is not the envy of the Middle East, btw
The Daily Beast has two pieces about Iraq’s election up on their website. One is written by Tunku Varadarajan, headlined “Iraq’s Political Miracle” and the other is written by me, titled “Iraq’s Last Election?” Clearly, Mr. Varadarajan see things a … Continue reading
Posted in Iraqness
Tagged Arab people, Daily Beast, Democracy, Iraq, Iraq War, Middle East, United States, Warfare and Conflict
1 Comment
The Hastings Report 