Monthly Archives: July 2008

Pakistani Consulate bombed; NATO Commander in Afghanistan Calls for More Troops; Strikes same Notes as Obama

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Juan

Bomb blast outside Pakistani consulate at Herat wounds one. Aljazeera International interviews Gen. David McKiernan, who sounds to me just like Barack Obama on Afghanistan– saying that he doesn’t have enough troops in Afghanistan, that the Taliban and al-Qaeda are … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Cole in Salon: Why Bush Folded on Iran

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Juan

My essay why Bush sent a high-level diplomat to meet Iranian negotiators with no preconditions is out in Salon.com. Excerpt: ‘Pundits and diplomats nearly got whiplash from the double take they did when George W. Bush sent the No. 3 … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

McCain and the Rage Celebrities; Does he Need to go to Rehab?

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Juan

McCain had pledged to run a clean campaign, but like Mike Tyson when he’s in the mood to munch ear, the Republicans just can’t control themselves. First they tried to blame Barack Obama for the current price of energy, which … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Bhasin:"Situation on the Ground" or Political Convenience? Thoughts on a US Withdrawal from Iraq

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Juan

Madhavi Bhasin writes in an IC Guest Editorial: The most consistent answer to the differently phrased generic query, “When will the U.S. troops withdraw from Iraq?” is “Will be determined by the situation on the ground and U.S. military’s assessment … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Iraq | Comments Off

Diyala Campaign Begins

Posted on July 30, 2008 by Juan

The al-Maliki government has just launched another of its military offensives against guerrillas, this time in Baquba, the capital of Diyala Province. I am skeptical about these campaigns. They are announced well in advance, allowing the guerrillas to go underground … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Iraq | Comments Off

Because You aren’t Angry Enough: Found on Reddit

Posted on July 30, 2008 by Juan

Russia just defeated the US in the race for Central Asian gas. The US bet on a gas pipeline through Taliban territory in Afghanistan and Pakistan to India while trying to sideline Russia and Iran! Putin is rivalling the emir … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Pakistani Taliban threaten Suicide Bombings;

Posted on July 29, 2008 by Juan

Mark LeVine is disturbed by the tendency of Barack Obama and other US politicians to lump the Taliban together with al-Qaeda. The latter, he says is an international terrorist organization. The Taliban in contrast is a “territorially rooted” “ethno-nationalist” movement. … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Women Bombers Open Gates of Hell in Iraq; 61 Dead, Hundreds Wounded; Kurdish Mobs Attack Turkmen Offices in Kirkuk

Posted on July 29, 2008 by Juan

Al-Hayat reports in Arabic that four female suicide bombers killed or wounded 350 persons on Monday. Late reports give 61 as the number of those killed. Al-Hayat says the bombings reminded Iraqis of the bad old days when this level … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Iraq | Comments Off

Bombings of Shiites during Pilgrimage to Kadhimiya; 11 Thought Dead; Turkey Bombs Iraq Again

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Juan

Guerrillas in Iraq set off three bombs one after another on Monday morning, targeting Shiite pilgrims on their way to the Shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim in Kadhimiya, north Baghdad, to commemorate his death. They killed at least 11 persons … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Iraq | Comments Off

100 Pushtun Guerrillas Killed at Spera from Air; ISI under Civilian Control?

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Juan

One hundred Pushtun guerrillas launched a major offensive in an attempt to take Spera District center. They drew down on themselves the full fury of US and NATO air forces that gave support to Afghan National Police, which killed up … Continue reading →

  • Share/Bookmark
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off