GlobalVoices ReFeed for Reuters

Serious crisis for Maliki and Hakim

LadyBird — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:30:34 +0000

I am not sure if people understood the seriousness of Kirkuk provincial law crisis? It is not about Kirkuk, it is about showing muscles. This is to refresh your memory: Not long time ago I reported about a new parliamentary political bloc meant to block Maliki’s government decisions. The group issued a statement today saying that house speaker [...]

Originally from Roads to Iraq by LadyBird reBlogged on Jul 24, 2008, 4:13PM

Vintage Juan Cole

IraqPundit — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:50:10 +0000

While the presidential candidates debate the success of the surge, they fail to address a couple of issues, says Juan Cole, who offers his help: "I want to weigh in as a social historian of Iraq [emphasis mine] on the controversy over whether the 'surge' 'worked.'"

A social historian of Iraq!!!! So that's why he speaks for us all the time. The social historian of Iraq says this about the country he has neither visited nor studied:

Cole answers the question of whether the surge worked: "The troop escalation in and of itself was probably not that consequential." Hear that U.S. troops? Your work is not that consequential, according to the professor. "That the troops were used in new ways by Gen. Petraeus was more important."

Here's where his social historian expertise figures prominently: "But their main effect was ironic. They calmed Baghdad down by accidentally turning it into a Shiite city, as Shiite as Isfahan or Tehran, and thus a terrain on which the Sunni Arab guerrilla movement could not hope to fight effectively."

Get it? Actually the troops made Baghdad a Shiite city. And let's not forget the valiant Mookie militia's contribution to the relative quiet.

Guess my Sunni relatives and Christian friends who never left Baghdad should be notified that they live in a Shiite city. I'll be sure to greet them in Farsi when we talk on the phone tomorrow.

Cole says this, which makes sense, "The problem with this debate is that it has few Iraqis in it." So he comments because he thinks he's Iraqi. Maybe that's why he speaks for us. I give up.

Originally from IraqPundit by IraqPundit reBlogged

Amar Al Hakim in Egypt

LadyBird — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:51:39 +0000

What is Amar Al-Hakim official position to visit Egypt today and meet Amr Suleiman the head of the Egyptian intelligence service? One answer: sent by Iran to mediate with Egypt.

Originally from Roads to Iraq by LadyBird reBlogged on Jul 23, 2008, 7:35PM

300 foreign policy advisers and still no clue

IraqPundit — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:31:21 +0000

It's not just the U.S. media that have already elected Barack Obama president. The British press have swooned just as much over the Illinois senator. The Brits now want Gordon Brown to be more like Obama.

Obama might say on his TV commercials the U.S. will become a beacon of light (whatever that means) during his administration. But is there anything to him more than pretty words?

WaPo's editorial today asks whether Obama's words on Iraq are linked to reality. Whether his withdrawal plan matches that of those in Iraq: "it seems worthwhile to point out that, by Mr. Obama's own account, neither U.S. commanders nor Iraq's principal political leaders actually support his strategy."

The editorial says Obama admits Sunni leaders in Anbar province told him that American troops are essential to maintaining the peace among Iraq's rival sects and said they were worried about a rapid drawdown. Still, Obama sticks to his original withdrawal plan.

Three hundred foreign policy advisers and still no clue.

"Mr. Obama's account of his strategic vision remains eccentric. He insists that Afghanistan is 'the central front' for the United States, along with the border areas of Pakistan. But there are no known al-Qaeda bases in Afghanistan, and any additional U.S. forces sent there would not be able to operate in the Pakistani territories where Osama bin Laden is headquartered. While the United States has an interest in preventing the resurgence of the Afghan Taliban, the country's strategic importance pales beside that of Iraq, which lies at the geopolitical center of the Middle East and contains some of the world's largest oil reserves."

How bad is his lack of familiarity with the matter at hand? The editorial concludes: "If Mr. Obama's antiwar stance has blinded him to those realities, that could prove far more debilitating to him as president than any particular timetable."

Pretty words and a pretty smile will only amount to a pretty big disaster.

Originally from IraqPundit by IraqPundit reBlogged

Stop aid to homophobic countries says Tatchell

IRAQI LGBT — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:50:09 +0000

Tatchell picketed in San Diego on Saturday

Speaking to the crowd at the San Diego Pride Human Rights Vigil on Friday 18 July, veteran human rights campaigner Mr Tatchell called for an end to aid for, "viciously homophobic countries like Jamaica, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Iraq and Nigeria."
"Tyrannies should not be rewarded: No US aid for anti-gay regimes," Mr. Tatchell said.
In 2003 the Bush administration pledged $20 billion for the reconstruction of Iraq, according to Forbes magazine.

The reconstruction of Iraq is the largest rebuilding taken on by the US since the Marshall plan helped to rebuild post WW2 Europe.

Under Saddam Hussein's regime sodomy was criminalised in 2001. However, there were no recorded executions or imprisonments.

It is only in recent years that militias have sought and murdered members of the Iraqi LGBT community.

The US also pledged $15 billion to curb the AIDS epidemic in Nigeria.

Homosexuality is a punishable offence under the strict Sharia law that governs the West African country. Gay men can be handed down a sentence of 14 years imprisonment, or 100 lashes for unmarried men and 1 years imprisonment and death by stoning for married men caught in homosexual acts.

In 2004 US aid to Uganda reached $65 million, of that $56 million was donated as emergency food for Ugandans affected by conflict.

The Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni recently branded homosexuality a "negative foreign culture."
Since President Museveni's time in office began, Uganda's LGBT community has been subject to violent attacks and harassment. Many have fled the country and are now claiming asylum in Europe.

US aid to Pakistan in 2006 reached $2.8 million and was used to support a national health survey to improve health care in country.

In Pakistan having an alternative sexuality to heterosexuality can lead to life imprisonment, and Gay Nigerians face 14 years in prison.

In Jamaica, a recent survey found anti-gay statements made by the Prime Minister Bruce Golding, had boosted his popularity.

70% of the country do not believe in equal rights for the LGBT community.

After Hurricane Ivan devastated the Caribbean Island of Jamaica in 2005, the year before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the US donated $18 million in aid to help Jamaica recover.

Mr Tatchell also hit out at homophobia within the United States. He called for a boycott of all Hyatt hotels after owner Douglas Manchester for helping to fund proposition 8, the move to ban same sex marriage in California.

The international hotelier has three hotels in the UK, two of which are in London.
Protesters, including Tatchell, picketed the San Diego Hyatt hotel on Saturday. One protester said Hyatt "put so much money into advertising this hotel in gay magazines, and it's a huge slap in the face."

Originally from IRAQI LGBT by IRAQI LGBT reBlogged

Crisis Reporting

Bassam Sebti — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:50:52 +0000

I have just finished reading some interesting articles by David Enders and Richard Rowley. The two are journalists reporting from Iraq for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a non-profit online journalism organization that intends to be "a leader in sponsoring the independent reporting that media organizations are increasingly less willing to undertake on their own."

The two Iraq journalists did some very good reporting. The stories they wrote on their website were short, but mighty. I thought of sharing these stories with you.

Blog.bassamsebti@gmail.com

Originally from It's a New World by Bassam Sebti reBlogged

أمي و أبوي و أم هاشم

A&Eiraqi — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:31:39 +0000

هاي شلون بلوة ؟ صدك لو كالوا : بيش بلشت يابو بشت ؟

ما أعرف منين أبدي؛ أم هاشم هي سيدة صاحبة فضل جليل ما أعرف شلون أرده, منذ أن التقيتها قبل أكثر من سنة و هي ما تركت وسيلة حتى تساعدني , ماخذة وياي الدرب خطوة بخطوة عبالك مخلفتني وناسيتني.
ميزة أم هاشم انها تتمنى أن تخدم الآخرين دون مقابل,تقدم خدمات فقط لرغبتها في المساعدة و مد يد العون و بالتالي فأن تقديم هدية لها كفيل بأن يثير أعصابها و يوترها

درجة أمتنان أهلي من أم هاشم لا يمكن وصفها ,بس المشكلة تكمن في كوني أبن عرب...عرب....لا أهلي حيل عرب ....يعني عرب بحيث عدهم المجاملة و الهدية و الواجب من أولويات الحياة, و إذا حبوا واحد تمنوا يشيلون عيونهم و ينطو لهيا, و بصراحة هذي الطريقة إلي تربيت بيها.

وهنا تبدأ الحكاية؛ ما بين حانة ومانة ضيعنا لحانا
أول مرة وديت هديه لأم هاشم مرت بسلام بعد تقديم الوعود بأنها ستكون الأخيرة, مع المرة الثانية بدأت أم هاشم تفقد أعصابها: و هي عندما تفقد أعصابها تطلق سيل عارم من الكلمات أرد عليها بالصمت و الإبتسامة , و نحمد الله أن ام هاشم إنسانة متحضرة لا تميل لاستخدام يدها بل تحبذ الشحاطة.

الرسالة بالنسبة لي كانت واضحة وما من داعي لإزعاج الآخرين......بس جيبوا الي يفهم أهلي, و مع كل زيارة للأهل هناك تحقيق و تأكيد على أخذ (صوغة) الى الغالية أم هاشم.

في زيارتي الأولى تعددت المقترحات...الوالدة تشوف دشاديش نسائية حلوة(جلابيات) و تجيني: الله عليك خلي ناخذ منها لأم هاشم!!
الوالد يقترح: خلي نشتريلها فد محبس ذهب..
يمعودين: أم هاشم متزوجة....مو بعدين أبو هاشم يشوي على ذاني البصل ...أنتو شكو عليكم عايشين بعيد و بس انا بوجه المدفع.

المهم أني بقيت أتحمل إهانات لعدة أشهر بعد إيصال هدية العام الماضي.....كل يومين و الثالث أم هاشم تتذكر و تدز علي , و إستلم قاط غسل و لبس و انا ما إلي غير السكوت ألوذ به.
انت معتوه ...انت كلب ...انت حقير....انت جبان....انت طلي...انت مخبل... انت عجمي...انت شروكي....
كلها تعابير سبق وأن سمعتها من أم هاشم التي ترفض البذاءة.

ما أطول عليكم السالفة....انا بين الطرفين أحس بالضياع..بالتأكيد لكل شخص طباعه و منطقه و أسلوبه في هذه الحياة
.مستحيل إقناع أهلي بمنطق أم هاشم و من الصعب شرح وجهة نظرنا لأم هاشم...كل طرف يعجز عن فهم الآخر كما لو كنا من عالمين مختلفين.
إرضاء جميع الأطراف مسألة صعبة, والتقاليد تجري في دمائي.....
لا أرى في الهدية سوى رغبة في التعبير عن الإعتزاز , و مدى تذركنا للآخرين و تفكيرنا بهم عندما
نكون بعيدين

قبل شهر من سفري للقاء الأهل ورد السؤال التالي......شنو تريد نحضر لأم هاشم ؟
أشك هدومي....والله راح أشك هدومي

ملاحظة: البارحة فقط أوصلت صوغة أم هاشم

نظرة يملؤها الغضب تمكنت من السيطرة على إبتسامة عريضة بعد تقليص عضلات الوجه, رفع للحاجبين ....ثم

انت حمار
آخر ما جاد به لسان أم هاشم

Originally from I MISS IRAQ by A&Eiraqi reBlogged

Provincial election law: major defeat for the Kurds

LadyBird — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:11:15 +0000

It seems like the United Iraqi Alliance stabbed the Kurds in the back as reported by AL-Hayat and passed the provincial election law. Interesting to see that the Kurds demands are totally ignored in the new law, which decided [article 24 point 1] that Kirkuk council election to be postponed, but for the time being: The three [...]

Originally from Roads to Iraq by LadyBird reBlogged on Jul 22, 2008, 6:55PM

Interview with Al Qaeda No. 3

LadyBird — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:10:29 +0000

Rare interview released today by Pakistani Geo News with AL-Qaeda No. 3, the Egyptian Mustafa Abul Yazid and al-Zawahiri’s prison-mate. The US has been unable to make any strategic headway. Last month they lost 47 members of their army, which they haven’t bothered to quote.

Originally from Roads to Iraq by LadyBird reBlogged on Jul 22, 2008, 5:49PM

Obama's Fact-Fudging Mission in Iraq

Omar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:31:17 +0000

Originally from IRAQ THE MODEL by Omar reBlogged

The Zionist Octopus in Iraq

IraqPundit — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:30:30 +0000

While the U.S. media have been busy telling us that Barack Obama is the next president, the Arabic press doesn't appear to be as caught up in that fervour. The Arabs have more important matters to think about, such as the report on the extent of the reach of the Zionist Octopus.

The Arabic report tells of a study that names names of the tentacles. The ringleader is none other than the Basra-born Fouad Benjamin Ben Elizaar, the head of the Israel's labour party. And those who cooperate with him in Iraq include Masoud Barzani, Jalal Talabani, Mithal Al Alousi, and Ahmad Chalabi.

From the seventh floor of the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, which it converted to a settlement, Mossad listens in on the telephone conversations of Iraqi political figures and members of the resistance. But that's not all.

The detailed report names the Zionists who are running Iraq's government. The names include David Tomy, Robert Raphael, Noah Feldman, and Paula Dobriansky, who is also a Free Mason. The report also says there are several Israeli private companies operating in Iraq. One such company, Bazan, run by Yashar Ben Mordachai, has an agreement to deliver oil from Kirkuk and Kurdish areas to Israel across Turkey and Jordan.

But wait! There's more. Israel is behind the killings of the scientists, academics, and intellectuals of Iraq. The ones they couldn't kill, Mossad chased out of the country. At this time, there is no word on whether Israel is behind the outbreaks of disease in Iraq.

And you thought Obama was the big story.

Originally from IraqPundit by IraqPundit reBlogged

'The Caliphate Attempted,' Now in Arabic

Nibras Kazimi نبراس الكاظمي — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:50:36 +0000

My paper 'The Caliphate Attempted' was translated into Arabic (click on link, opens as a PDF file):

المحاولة الجهادية لإحياء الخلافة

Originally from Talisman Gate بـاب الطلــسم by Nibras Kazimi نبراس الكاظمي reBlogged

With them again

A&Eiraqi — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:11:04 +0000

I kept looking at her while she was trying to find the bored and check when my flight would arrive.
I've just arrived yesterday from my annual leave; I went to Gulf where my family is being gathered at the moment, they were the best days I had for a long time; I enjoyed every second, and do regret coming back, yet, I had to or as it was described by someone; it's for my future.

I did my best not to waste the time; left work at 06:30 p.m to be at the airport by 08:00 p.m and flying by 10:30p.m; that meant being with them as early as possible.

As soon as we arrived to our house; I met my two sisters and my grandfather; the family is together again, what a fun, I can't describe how happy I was, I really miss that moment.

We did everything together, we went for shopping, we visited our friends and we sat together on one table to eat: I've been eating lonely for a long time.

Well; my parents daily arguments were part of the fun we were having, everyday the used to argue about something new, and trying to find a different reason for the next day argument, the first argument was about their wedding 30 years ago and the very last one was about who had the chance to spend more time with me!!

Going out with my mother and sisters was more than great, it's just very warm to feel being with them.

And fun started when we went skiing; a very little girl looked at me asking "Don't you know how to ski?" "Of course I do", I immediately replied; she saw me about to fall six times after that chat.

A couple of days later we went to the fun land, while taking the shaking flying chairs, it suddenly stopped!! "Excuse me; are you scared?!" the rude operator stopped the game and was directing his question to me, "No, I'm not" I replied with frustration to his impolite question, "Look, in case you're scared, I can stop shaking your chair and make it just flying not going up and down", "Yes, please do it" was my sister's reply. I wasn't scared at all, but that rude guy noticed that I was holding the handle very tightly and putting my head down, fixing it by my arm while my eyes were closed, later on my mother told me that it was very funny that only my chair was fixed!!

Just one day before flying back we had a special visit from our dearest friends in Saudi Arabia, we had a wonderful time together and everyone enjoyed my mother special dishes.

I'm really unable to express how I felt; it was more than a great time, I noticed how my father was behaving.

We went to buy special sweet (Halawa) when he spoke to the guy saying "look, this my son, he is a doctor, he works in England, he will take those sweat with him, so we want something special with extra nuts".
The same words were told to the butcher, the grocer and to everyone he met, it was the first time I saw him not able to control his emotions, he is probably getting old.

And just on our way to the airport, I listened to his words, few words which made my year……

"Dear son….. I want you to know that your mother and I have got no one to rely on but Allah and you, I'm quite happy with your hard work and I'm really satisfy about you but……never hesitate to help people, whenever you do, Allah will pay you back.

I want you to learn as much as possible and to be in love with science, try to read as much as possible, you're not expected to write a research now but you can read one.
As much as you work hard as much as you get more knowledge and always remember what Immam Shafi said:
كلما أدبني الدهر أراني ضعف عقلي...........وكلما زادني علما" زادني علما" بجهلي
Whenever life taught me it showed how little my brain is and whenever it tried to improve my knowledge it tells how ignorant I was.

I want you to treat every patient you get with honor, never ever forget that you're a doctor and have got a great mission in your life.
And please; give my regards to Dr. M, tell her that we're unable to pay her back for what she did with you, but Allah will do, the almighty always does."

His words were the best I heard in my life; it's always my dream to get my parents satisfaction, I know that I've got to work hard to maintain what I've got.

Those days were brilliant, and yet…I'm back …..Waiting to see them again…..maybe in a year time…..Oh my God

Originally from I MISS IRAQ by A&Eiraqi reBlogged

Sadis

Iraqi Atheist — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:30:22 +0000

Im back, again
Well its been a long time. I was going thru a phase of any iraqi students life which is called sadis, the arabic for sixth grade which, here, is the equivalent for 12th grade or senior year. Its probably the most arduous level of study here. Our study is messed up as we strive to keep studying natural sciences in arabic. No insult meant, but arabic is perhapse the last language that can get a scientific idea into someone s mind. We had 8 subjects all of which are mandatory. One of them was the lovely islamic education which i had to study as my parents were muslims so i must have been a muslim too. I assume you already know that any persons true religion is his parents, if he said hes something else, well, he would b going thru a phase, or someone is bad influencing him, or hes been brainwashed by a cult or a book, or possessed by a ginni, but far be it that he actually believes that his parents religion doesnt make as much sense as what he believes in does as that would be ridiculous.
Luckily, i was really good in islamic education unlike some other muslims à la mode. I guess that, unlike them, i know islams true nature.
Anyway, i tested good in it and thank god that i wont have to waste anymore time of my life 'learning' about him and his rocking cool sweet awesomeness.
Btw, season 4 of LOST is much more awesome. And even more awesome is Barack Obama.
Anyway, again, its hard to stop talking about last year as my psyche, mind and heart, was turned upside down into that of a common person and it still is. Ive been reading my past posts and i didnt recall writing them. A lot is bad in my life right now. My probably only best friend is travelling. My parents r disappointing me again by making me feel im a disappointment to them. It just seems like iraq is a giant vortex that i will never get out of. I dont even know for sure if that is what i truly want. Maybe i should take the name 'iraqi konfused kid'

Originally from Iraqi Atheist by Iraqi Atheist reBlogged

On The Book Project

Najma — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:51:05 +0000

This is the last package I've received, from dear fellow blogger Fayrouz. I received it more than a week ago but I've been too busy and/or lazy to post about it.

The collection is absolutely great but I'm having a hard time deciding where to put the civilization (game and manual)! I also wonder if putting LOTR in the university's central library will do it justice!

Originally from A Star from Mosul by Najma reBlogged

In the Midle East, Diplomacy = Weakness

Omar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:11:20 +0000

Originally from IRAQ THE MODEL by Omar reBlogged

Speaking with Sahwa Leaders in Taji

Brian — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:31:53 +0000

Iraq, Baghdad / Taji – Another neighborhood in the north of Baghdad named Taji is suffering from weak security since the beginning of 2004. Taji was a very dangerous area and overrun by militias. Further, one of the largest joint US/Iraqi military bases in Iraq is in Taji. Because of this there have been many attacks on the convoys coming in and out, attacks on the trucks and drivers delivering supplies to the Taji base.

Lots of raids and firefights were happening in Taji in order to control the security situation. Until late 2007, if you will ask a cab driver to take you to Taji they would refuse because it’s too dangerous for them. If they were Shi’a they may reasonably be afraid of being kidnapped by one of the Sunni militias and found dead a few days later.

The Iraqi Ministry of I established more than 100 police checkpoints in the area of Taji along with checkpoints from the Iraqi National Guard in order to control militias and unknown groups. Another well known problem in the area of Taji were the gangs. It is very common in Iraq that if you are driving a modern car and you are driving in a dangerous area such as that around Taji, there is a high possibility that you will return home on foot, if you were lucky and not killed.

Tribes in Taji such as Al-Tammimi decided to fight Al-Qa’eda and all groups that were related to them. Sheikh Nadeem Hatem Sultan Al-Tammimi, the head of Al-Tammimi tribe in Taji, asked all the sons of the Al-Tammimi tribe to fight Al-Qaeda and to join Al-Sahwa Council in order to restore security in the area. One of the first things this tribe did was to establish checkpoints to search the cars coming in and out of the area around Taji. These new checkpoints were established because there were doubts about the checkpoints belonging to the Iraqi MOI. There were many rumors about the MOI checkpoints not interfering with the work of Al-Qa’eda or stopping cars that were laden with guns or explosives.

Shops and some schools were closed due to the lack of security, students were killed as well as headmasters and teachers. Many families living there decided to stop sending their children to school in Taji in order to keep them alive. Families became especially worried after 50 students were killed on a road near Taji that lead to the area around the Taji military base. Even for students coming from colleges like Baghdad University or others used to be stopped at fake checkpoints and asked for their identity to know if they were Sunni or Shi’a. If they were found to be Shi’a they might be taken to an unknown area and killed the next day, something that happened many times frome 2006 to 2007.

***

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Originally from Alive In Baghdad by Brian reBlogged on Jul 21, 2008, 1:00PM

Alusi Survives Yet Another Assassination Attempt

Nibras Kazimi نبراس الكاظمي — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:30:32 +0000

Liberal Iraqi MP Mithal Alusi’s family home in West Baghdad's Hai Al-Jam’ia neighborhood was reduced to rubble this morning after terrorists had rigged the structure with explosives in an apparent assassination attempt. Alusi, a Sunni, had been leading in recent weeks the drive to repatriate internally displaced Shia and Sunni families back to their neighborhoods in Western Baghdad.

A couple of days ago, Alusi visited the house that his late father, a college professor, had built in the 1970s but did not enter the premises. There is a ‘Sons of Iraq’ checkpoint manned by ex-insurgents directly across from the house. An investigation as to the causes of their negligence (surprise, surprise) is underway by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.

Today’s event is a reminder that men such as Alusi, whose two sons were killed in a previous assassination attempt in February 2005, are still active in Iraqi politics and had never given up on the country despite being embattled and unfunded. He always stood for a secular and non-sectarian patriotic agenda, one that is being emulated by many Iraqi politicians now. It is even being parroted by the Consensus Bloc that rejoined Maliki's cabinet a couple of days ago. They have come a long way since their previous candidate for the Ministry of Culture fled Iraq over a year ago--with U.S. official connivance--ahead of an arrest warrant charging him with the murder of Alusi's sons.

I’ve wiled away quite a few afternoons in that living room—now gone—surrounded by the beautiful paintings that the Alusi family are renowned for. Always fearful of the Doberman outside, I preferred the indoors to the garden, where I was in the company of Alusi and his sons, talking and joking over coffee, cigarettes and sometimes a beer. It was a short walk from my aunt’s house.

Is Senator Obama going to make time during his brief ‘fact-finding’ stopover in Baghdad today for the likes of Alusi, who survives as a living testament to the tremendous sacrifices paid by Iraqis for the cause of democracy? Does Obama even know of Alusi?

Doubt it. I wonder how many Americans know of him either.

Oddly enough, Alusi was pondering selling his share of the house to other family members in order to finance his upcoming provincial election campaign.

Originally from Talisman Gate بـاب الطلــسم by Nibras Kazimi نبراس الكاظمي reBlogged

New Column: Stop Terror's Next Act

Nibras Kazimi نبراس الكاظمي — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:50:32 +0000

Obama, Iraq, the caliphate, Afghanistan and a massive terrorist attack on Europe. It's all here in today's column: Stop Terror's Next Act.

Here's an excerpt:

And now that they have been defeated in Iraq — anyone saying otherwise is either clueless or being purposely mendacious — America has in fact achieved something far greater than a military victory: America's soldiers have smashed the nascent state of the caliphate; the dream is no more. This is a fate far worse than death for the jihadists, who enthusiastically embrace dying for their cause of resurrecting an Islamic empire as a noble act of martyrdom. Should Mr. bin Laden be killed or captured, then he would remain an undiminished hero in their eyes; while Americans may think that this would count as victory, the jihadists may simply shrug it off. However, seeing their state collapse in Iraq is their own nadir of demoralization and ideological defeat.

I wonder if Mr. Obama understands all of that. Keeping troops in Iraq is not an end unto itself, yet victory is. Stationing more troops than are necessary to maintain the fruits of victory was never one of America's war aims. Victory is easily defined as having a democratic and independent state of Iraq (check) and preventing another "Islamic State of Iraq" (check).

Prime Minister Maliki recently welcomed Mr. Obama's withdrawal plan with caveats and this sent the usual pundits a-twitter, but whereas Mr. Obama was thinking in terms of retreat, Mr. Maliki on the other hand was suggesting the natural outcome of victory: that America's soldiers, who had fought a hard won yet incidental battle against the ultimate jihadist aim of resurrecting an Islamic Empire, could go home with laurels and to acclaim.

I also wonder whether the European crowds cheering Mr. Obama and giving him a super-star's welcome this week understand the implications of victory in Iraq. Sadly for them, the jihadists are not going to give up especially now that they have something more to prove after the humiliation of losing their state: the jihadists intend to hit the reset button on worldwide jihad by launching painful attacks on Europe, and these painful attacks will involve whatever weapons of mass destruction they can get their hands on.

For more on the jihadist attempt to resurrect the caliphate, see my paper on the topic.

(Oh, BTW, I am traveling so that should explain the sporadic posting.)

Originally from Talisman Gate بـاب الطلــسم by Nibras Kazimi نبراس الكاظمي reBlogged

Laughing Without An Accent

Fayrouz — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:10:13 +0000

Originally from Fayrouz In Dallas by Fayrouz reBlogged

In memory of Dalal Al-Mughrabi .... في ذكرى البطلة دلال المغربي

Imad Khadduri — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:50:44 +0000

ـ"انزال فدائي على الشاطىء الفلسطيني. قوة كوماندوز فلسطينية، تستولي على حافلة ركاب اسرائيلية. اختطاف. اشتباك مع الجيش الاسرائيلي. الحافلة تقلّ جنوداً. الحافلة تقل مدنيين اسرائيليين. مجموعة الكوماندوز الفلسطينية تقودها فتاة. مقتل وجرح عشرات من الاسرائيليين واستشهاد المجموعة المقاتلة.ـ

. كانت هذه عناوين الأنباء التي سارعت الإذاعات إلى بثها، كل حسب قربه أو بعده من المقاومة الفلسطينية. عند الظهر، أو بعده بقليل، كانت تفاصيل العملية بدأت تكتمل. عرفنا أنها كبيرة فعلاً. كان المشاركون فيها نحو اثني عشر مقاتلاً. التنظيم الذي تبناها هو 'حركة فتح'. أما قائدة المجموعة فهي فتاة من فلسطينيّي لبنان تدعى 'دلال المغربي'.ـ

كانت تلك أكبر، وربما أنجح عملية عسكرية فلسطينية تتمكن من اختراق الحواجز الأمنية الاسرائيلية."ـ

دلال المغربي.. تواريخ ومفارقات

ـ18 تموز 2008

ـ"هذا أكثر ما يمكن لعاجز مثلي أن يقدمه"ـ

قصيدة لعبد الحق العاني

مسقط 16 تموز 2008

أنا لست رقماً
-وضع الصهاينة أرقاماً على توابيت شهدائنا-

أنا لست رقما يا دعيْ
إني لأكبر من بنيك ومن أبيك السامريْ

أنا لست بعلا
إنني سبط النبيْ

أنا نسل إولاء الذين بخيبرٍ دك الحصون بهم عليْ

....

.....

""Point your guns in only one direction- your enemy - Israel," exhorted Dalal Al Mughrabi in her final wish just before she laid down her life for Palestine.
Dalal, a Palestinian fighter who became a legend for many years, led a group of 12 fighters in one of the most talked about attacks against Israeli forces 30 years ago.
This week, the body of Dalal and her comrades, buried in an anonymous Israeli graveyard, will be handed over to Hezbollah as part of a prisoners and bodies exchange deal with Israel.
On March 11, 1978, Dalal along with her group of fighters managed to infiltrate the Lebanese-Israeli border to the coastal plain near Tel Aviv using rubber dinghy boats.
She and her comrades destroyed the boats the moment they reached the coast. It was a one-way trip, as they had returned home to stay .
Nine-hour battle
They hijacked an Israeli military bus and took its passengers, some three dozen soldiers, as hostages after driving the bus along the coastal highway to the colony of Herzliya, where a nine-hour battle took place between them and Israeli forces, led by Ehud Barak, who later became prime minister and is now Israel's defence minister. The group was killed in the fighting, so were the majority of the Israeli soldiers on the bus.
Dalal, the 20-year old woman, who had never seen her homeland until the moment of her death, was born in the refugee camp of Sabra in Lebanon in 1958."

Palestinian Dalal Al Mughrabi's body to be handed over to Hezbollah July 15, 2008

Dalal Al-Mughrabi and Ehud Barak

Originally from Free Iraq by Imad Khadduri reBlogged

Najaf tribes to compete against religious parties in provincial elections

Omar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:10:16 +0000

Originally from IRAQ THE MODEL by Omar reBlogged

Amnesia

Mama — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:31:09 +0000

Summer started; the hot weather is back again, with no electricity all night long and most of the day. It's very hard to sleep sweated with difficult breathing. two weeks ago and after a sizzling night I woke up with bad spasm in my neck, and pain in all my body. I went to work very tired and found it difficult to concentrate,I had to re-write the patient prescription many times and ask the patient to repeat his complains and symptoms .then at the end of the day I had hypotention,and took the next day off.
I dislike laziness and like to be active, but I can’t bear the hot weather. Now and after two weeks in July I feel even worse ,I forget things ,can’t give attention ,and very much feel anomalous in managing things. I started to wonder what’s happening ,and looking in the internet about amnesia ‘s causes. I found that it happen in young people if they are worried, going through fearful life or situation, need to sleep well, if they have depression. and in anemic patients. I now know the causes and I have them all.
I believe those who are behind depriving the Iraqis from electricity very much know it ‘s effect on people, and want them to be tired and dizzy, without thinking about what’s happening around, and so America and our government can steal the Iraqis ‘ wealth and quibble with their future.
Take care and Sleep well
Mama

Originally from Emotions.... by Mama reBlogged

Time Horizons and Timetables

IraqPundit — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:11:02 +0000

Mama Mia! as ABBA would say. How can the media resist reporting that President Bush caved to the pressure of the timetable.

Never mind that the agreement was based on security conditions in Iraq. It's a win for the Democrats! "The White House offered no specifics about how far off any 'time horizon' would be," Bush caves! "with officials saying details remained to be negotiated." Hurrah! "Any dates cited in an agreement would be cast as goals for handing responsibility to Iraqis, and not specifically for reducing American troops, said a White House spokesman, Gordon D. Johndroe."

Meanwhile, WaPo tells us that While most Iraqis don't want the U.S. troops to stay indefinitely, they "also view the U.S. military as a bulwark against Shiite militias and Sunni extremists, as well as the growing regional influence of Iran."

The newspaper reports: "In polls, a majority of Iraqis say they want U.S. forces to leave, but only a minority say they want the forces to leave immediately."

You know, the same majority who have been wildly backing Moqtada Al Sadr. You remember, he's the fiery cleric wannabe who wants the U.S. troops to leave yesterday. At least that's what WaPo has been telling us all along.

A spokesman for Barack Obama, Bill Burton, called the time horizon announcement “a step in the right direction.” Defeat is the right direction?

John McCain tells it like it is: “An artificial timetable based on political expediency would have led to disaster and could still turn success into defeat.”

The 300 (that's correct, 300) foreign policy advisers Obama hired have been really a good deal for the candidate. Yeah. He'll make fine economic decisions once he's in the White House.

Originally from IraqPundit by IraqPundit reBlogged

What's happening?

Najma — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:38:39 +0000

Between 2006 and today, we've had so many events and a whole lot of visitors.
Ayman was born.
I finished my sixth year at school.
Grandma and grandpa came to live with us thus we had the most busy Eids for two years.
Grandpa died.
Anas was born.
HNK finished her sixth year at school .
Dad had two operations (people come before the operation and after the operation) .
Grandma left to the UAE .
Mom's uncle died few days ago.
and today my aunt is coming from Baghdad to attend my cousin's wedding but she's staying at our house thus people are visiting her here.
Thousands of visitors, and no, I'm NOT exaggerating! I am likely to throw a tantrum if any more events happen soon.

Mom has noticed that we've had little to no freedom these two years, herself too, especially under grandma's dictatorial regime.. and since we've already been to Syria three times the plan was to visit Turkey this year.. 15 days in Turkey inshallah, early next month, finally. We had planned to visit Turkey 3 years ago, paid the money and were all ready but then the tourism company had problems and all was canceled. We'll see how it goes this year.

This vacation has been, nonetheless, very good for me.. I have been enjoying my time and I don't think I ever got bored. I got myself busy with reading novels and learning Visual Basic .NET and both were enjoyable. Few days ago however, my uncle lured me into learning Java instead of Visual Basic .NET, he said if I get really good then next year he'd give me work. /*See uncle I've already documented that so you wouldn't forget :) */ Today is day 4 of reading Java (I started the very next day he told me to learn Java, successfully overcoming what I think was separation anxiety!) but I'm not sure I'll be able to read anything today. I have stopped reading novels and devoted all my attention to learning Java and I really don't want to go to Turkey until I have some decent knowledge of the language.

Originally from A Star from Mosul by Najma reBlogged

[Untitled]

Al Tarrar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:10:06 +0000

Fellatio session in progress!

Originally from Baghdad Connect by Al Tarrar reBlogged

Saudi Arabia: In Praise of the Iraqi National Anthem

Amira Al Hussaini — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:10:52 +0000

Al Musafer [Ar], from Saudi Arabia, praises the new Iraqi national anthem.

Originally from Global Voices Online » Iraq by Amira Al Hussaini reBlogged on Jul 19, 2008, 3:51AM

Rules of Hell

MixMax — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:10:52 +0000

For those who know my passion about everything Black Sabbath/Iommi is, below is the trailer for the upcoming CD box of Black Sabbath, which contains remasters of the all four albums the band did with Ronnie James Dio on vocals

Originally from Mix Mode by MixMax reBlogged

و الشعراء و الصور

Abbas Hawazin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:30:11 +0000

هذه مجموعة مدونات ناطقة باللغة العربية رصدناها مؤخرا.

نبدأ بمدونة - مشيئة - و هي مدونة رائعة فعلا للشاعر العراقي المغترب في السويد سعد الياسري
مدونة متمكنة لغويا و تحتوي على نماذج من شعر الياسري اضافة الى نسق المدونات الطبيعي, يتحدث عن السياسة و الفن و الأدب, يقول معرفا بنفسه:

حين تسرّبت من رحم أمّي – دون مشورتي طبعًا - ؛ خرجتُ مغلّفًا بكيس , و ما زالت أمّي تظنّ بأنّها نبوءة , و أنّي سأبلغ ما لم يبلغه الأوائل ولا الأواخر . حديث الكيس هذا متواتر في عائلتنا حتّى أنّ أبي قال عنه ( حديث حسن بسند لا بأس به ) . في المستشفى ؛ حيث ولدت بالقاهرة الجميلة والمزدحمة , تطوّعن الممرضات لتسميتي , فكانت الأسماء تتراوح قيمتها وثيمتها بين القومجية والإسلاموية نظرًا للمدّ السائد وقتذاك, حتى حسم أبي النزاع و أسماني " سعدًأ ..* أنا الآن في العقد الثالث من عمري , و قد قضيت نصفه أو يزيد خارج العراق , و حين أفكّر بالانتماء فلا تعنيني – حتمًا – خطوط الطول والعرض , إنّما الفكرة التي يغرسها الوطن في مخيّلة أبنائه , و العراق غرس في مخيّلتي قصيدةً لا تموت و حنينًا لا ينساق بسهولة إلى وصلة الردح الوطني . أنا رجل بلا وطن , و وطني – الجغرافي على الأقل – يحترق و يسكرُ بدمه العاقّون من أبنائه , بولاءات ناقصة

ننتقل الى مدونة سما اللامي, عراقية من ميسان تسكن الإمارات حاليا, تكتب في مدونة قهوةع المفرق,يغلب على مدونتها النسق الشعري.

من المدونات الشعرية الأخرى مدونة الشاعر حبيب السامر, ومدونة الشاعر رياض البكري.

و بعيدا عن الشعر, تحكي لنا سوالف خاتون بالعراقية العامية آخر مغامراتها بأسلوب خفيف (و ذلك أمر يفهم من روابط المدونين التي تضعهم على صحفتها من شلش العراقي الى مدونة الياسري - بلد المليون مولدة) بينما يبوح الصحفي أبو الحسن بكل ما يجول بخاطره على مدونة أبو الحسن: السياسة و المجتمع,

Originally from Iraq Blog Count دليل المدونات العراقية by Abbas Hawazin reBlogged

The fascist shift in America

Imad Khadduri — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:30:33 +0000

Naomi Wolf on "The end of America" (video 38 minutes)

“The End of America”: Feminist Social Critic Naomi Wolf Warns U.S. in Slow Descent into Fascism

Keith Olbermann: The beginning of the end of America (video 9 minutes)

Imprisonment by executive order, July 17, 2008 (The John Birch Society)

Originally from Free Iraq by Imad Khadduri reBlogged

The two theories behind Hariri’s visit to Baghdad

LadyBird — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:11:04 +0000

Two theories behind Hariri’s visit to Baghdad: 1- The Americans sent him to mediate with Maliki, just like he played the same role a year ago with Musharraf of Pakistan. 2- To find more investment opportunities for his reconstruction company, just like he bought half of Amman - Jordan despite the Jordanian.

Originally from Roads to Iraq by LadyBird reBlogged on Jul 17, 2008, 3:52PM

Iraqis llike Obama, but...

IraqPundit — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:10:47 +0000

The NYT has a story that interviews people in Iraq about Barack Obama. Many feel close to him because of his skin color and his Muslim roots. At the same time, they are wary of his withdrawal policy. They don't want U.S. troops to leave before the country is stabilized.

“In no way do I favor the occupation of my country,” said Abu Ibrahim, a Western-educated businessman in Baghdad, “but there is a moral obligation on the Americans at this point.”

Originally from IraqPundit by IraqPundit reBlogged

Phenomena in Dutch Refugee Camps

MixMax — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:30:48 +0000

It has been noticed recently that in most refugee camps in the Netherlands, everyday between 8:30PM and till 11:00PM, only non-Arabs have been seen, either walking, passing by on their bicycles or in groups of families sitting somewhere in one of the parks or the restaurant! This has been already going on for some time!

After investigations the answer came out that people from different Arab countries retire to their accommodations quickly around that time so they can watch the Syrian-dubbed Turkish episodes Noor (Gumus) and Sanawat Al Dhaya' (Ihlamurlar Altinda).

Image by jayenems

Originally from Mix Mode by MixMax reBlogged

Miscellaneas...

Sunshine — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:10:50 +0000

Many things happened in the last 3 weeks, our physics teacher (who was excellent) was threatened and left Iraq, leaving us wondering what shall we do next, after spending 3 days calling students we know and teachers we found a physics teacher but after we took four lectures we decided to go to another one because he wasn’t good !!!! now I found another teacher (he’s no. 4) and I am glad of my decision…
2 weeks ago I had mathematics exam and I took 100% , I like mathematics a lot.. and I had chemistry exam but I made some mistakes in one of the questions .. in my way to the chemistry class, I found the neighborhood surrounded and I had to go walking alone, it was early in the morning and no one else was in the street, my only fear was from dogs! Then I noticed a guy wearing dirty T. shirt about 25 years old or so , he was staring at me in suspicious way that made me feel really terrified, I started to walk faster and faster till I reached, first I walked without looking back, then I took a fast look and saw him again, the whole way I was thinking how can I protect myself? What should I do ? maybe he’s a thief? ? whom should I call ? the police? How can I expect them to protect me if they can’t even protect themselves?! I had millions of thoughts but I kept praying and praying… maybe he was a good guy who knows!! But he didn’t seem so.. anyway I’m glad I am ok now.
*************************************
this week the students of the sixth class had finished their final exams, you know there’s no other chance, and those exams will define their future carrier, such important exams makes the students get nervous and worry about their future, and makes them want to do their best to get high marks, to achieve their goals graduate from high collages and rebuild Iraq, unfortunately, the students had a lot to think about beside studying, they were wondering if they’ll have electricity at night so that they can study till late time, or whether the roads will be closed next day or they’ll arrive school easily? “ it’s possible that A curfew may start in every sec and last for days!” The government may postponed the exams in the last second just like what happened last year when two exams were postponed in the last minute ! Beside everyone knows the militias got the questions for those who support them, and the reconciler who correct the questions are not fair with all students, imagine studying in such hot weather (WITHOUT ELECTRICITY ALL THE TIME) and having exams under the burning sun, without even a ceiling above the students, many fainted, they couldn’t bare the hot weather and stress .. it seems like the government is doing it’s best not to provide good circumstances for the generation that will re-build Iraq, but you know what? The Iraqi students bare a lot, and don’t give up, they have a great will and determination, my friend attended the private lessons one week after she was injured when a car bomb exploded, she used to take the classes feeling pain because shrapnel entered her arm and right side of her body, I bet only Iraqi students can do that....
*************************************
my mom spent a week in Baghdad as you know, I felt so lonely, my mom is my best friend and we are really close so it was hard for me to spend a week without her, but I was so glad because she visited my grandparents and saw Baghdad, I know how much she misses them , so I didn’t complain much :D
mama told me about Baghdad now, she said it doesn’t seems like Baghdad in the past, it’s like Tehran now!! Hearing that made me devastated I love my country and I don’t want it to be like Iran. Our friends who lives in Baghdad (uncle S and his family) will leave Iraq they said they can’t take it anymore, they can’t see lovely Baghdad being destroyed and controlled by people who are not even Iraqis and don’t care about Iraq, so my mom went to say goodbye, they kept crying the whole time, also they were really upset because I couldn’t come to Baghdad and see them for the last time..
uncle S is my grandpa’s best friend, and I love him and his family a lot, I can’t imagine going to Baghdad without seeing them, they started to sell the cars and possessions, they’ll leave their house, neighbors, friends, relatives , neighborhood, and country, carrying nothing but memories, wondering if they’ll find a good safe life abroad or not, hoping they’ll come back to their country soon..
Many relatives and friends left Iraq, I wonder who’ll be next!
My friend who lives in UK asked me about the situation in Iraq and Mosul about 3 months ago I told him that I think within 6 months everything will be calm, now I have no idea if we’ll have a secured life or not, we definitely need a new mission to make Mosul free from terrorists because the ex-one worked for a short time only..
yesterday 6 car bombs exploded, I went to the ophthalmologist with grandpa, sister and dad, we left the house at 1:30 and arrived it at 5:30 !! the way was horrible, all the roads and bridges were either crowded or closed, while we were stuck in a road, two ambulances came, road was soooooo crowded and cars couldn’t notice the ambulances, it was a horrible situation the ambulances’ drivers were shouting “GIVE US A SPACE FOR GOD’S SAKE, WE HAVE INJURED PEOPLE” not everyone was able to hear him because of the sounds of police cars and horns, a young boy sell handkerchiefs (he was about 8 years old working at noon under the burning sun, sweating and terrified ) started to run and say “there are ambulances , go back” the drivers started to give space by driving over the pavement, but still the ambulances couldn’t pass by, there were hundreds of cars ! a soldier from the national guards started to kick the barrels and rockets angrily (the national guards put rockets and barrels to divide the roads into two parts, one stay for the emergency like if they were attacked they can drive hastily there without hitting the cars and the other one fits only one car to pass each time) the ambulance was next to our car and I saw the injured people through the window, I immediately hugged my sister so that she doesn’t see anything, I won’t forget the desperate sigh of an injured woman, she looked into my eyes and her face was covered with blood just like she was saying “please pray for me” most of the injured people I saw were guys, may they recover soon, and god save everyone.. ….
Till next time,
Sunshine.

Originally from Days of My Life by Sunshine reBlogged

The Entrancing Noor...

neurotic_wife — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:30:57 +0000

Before I came here, I used to be a book worm for novels. I reached a point where I could devour 2 books a day! Yup. It used to drive my poor mom nuts!!! I would lock myself in the room and just read, immersing all my feelings to the words on the page, ignoring my mom’s ear shattering voice calling me for lunch, calling me for dinner, calling me for social commitments. Books used to take me away from reality. I guess I was a big dreamer then, not sure what happened and changed all that? Aaaaah I forgot, I came here.

Come today, and after three years in this prison society, the only time I manage to read is when I go on vacation. I still buy books though, bestsellers, by the dozen but so far I haven’t been able to read one page. Reason being, I stare at two screens for over 12 hours daily. At the end of the work day, my eyes feel like popping out. Then I go back to my room, and again stare at the skype screen while chatting with HUBBY. So really, no eye power is left for reading. A great pity I know.

But for about 2 months now, I became hooked on something else. And apparently, I found out its not just me, but the majority of Iraqis too. There is this soap opera. A Turkish soap opera called Noor named after one of the characters. Well her name in Turkish is actually Gumus (Silver) but I guess they translated it to Noor (Light). It is the most captivating story I have ever seen. Forget Bold and the Beautiful or Days of our Lives. Nah, these are far too unrealistic with over orangey Californian tans.

Noor is a story that every Middle Eastern family can relate to. It tells a story about family values, marriage, love, respect, betrayal, motherhood and everything else. It was about 2 months ago when I was flipping channels to see whats on, that I found it. At first I wasn’t interested, as I don’t really like watching something that’s being translated using other peoples voices rather than the actual casts’. But somehow, the storyline and the characters just caught my attention.

It is so real and easy to relate to because it touches on every aspect of life. I didn’t think anyone here watched it. One day, as I came to work pretty late by my own standards, a coworker of mine asked if I was ok. I said well I over slept cuz I was watching Noor late last night. She laughed and said, oh nooooo, not you as well. Do you watch it? I asked. Yes, the whole family watches it, she said. When its time for Noor everyone just gathers around the TV and watches anxiously as the events unfold. Neurotica, its taken over all Iraqis. Everyone is just hooked.

Wow, who woulda thought. But I don’t blame them. Even H tells me that his uncle comes up with conspiracy theories and analysis during the show. Its just enlightening to know that with all that’s happening here, and the semi non existent electricity, people don’t mind using up their generator power just for Noor. Iraqis have found something that can take their minds away from their daily struggle. It just is amazing. Instead of who got kidnapped and where did the mortar fall, people are now calling each other asking about the events in Noor. I wonder if insurgents watch it too? That would be interesting. Lol

And its because of Noor and the captivating views of Istanbul, that I convinced HUBBY on going to Turkey this upcoming R&R. I myself have already been there twice, but HUBBY has never seen it, and Im sure he would love it. First stop is Istanbul, maybe I should ask a tour operator if they can take us and visit that beautiful, breathtaking family house on the Bosphorus. Next stop is Bodrum on the Aegean Sea. And hopefully my brother and his wife will be able to join us as well. I just can’t wait to leave.

Kudos to the writer of the Noor series. He truly was able to give many Iraqis a slight shining Light, Noor. The Entrancing Noor…

Originally from neurotic Iraqi wife by neurotic_wife reBlogged