IRAQ BRIEFING * Is the "Flypaper strategy" merely revisionism among the political right designed to cover the fact that Rumsfeld's post-war strategy was an error? Some folks think so. Then again, perhaps there's another reason. * JK: Pejman has a good round up of links that offer some background on the German "Werewolves" terrorists, 1945-47. Good parallels with Saddam's Baathists, except that post WW2 there was no opprtunity for Nazis in nearby countries to filter into Germany. So Iraq will be longer and more difficult. * More from the man who just won't go away: Blix now says that Iraq most likely possessed WMDs until 10 years ago, then destroyed them but pretended to have them to intimidate their enemies: "I mean, you can put up a sign on your door, 'Beware of the Dog,' without having a dog," he said from his home in Sweden. Blix offered no explanation for the numerous previous U.N. inspection reports which found evidence that Saddam had continued his weapons program until the mid-1990s. * The U.S. has announced plans to speed up the creation of an independent Iraqi army, with a projected total of 40,000 troops in the field by next year. According to U.S. officials, there are no plans for the Iraqi army to join in combat operations to rid Iraq of remaining regime elements. * Andrew Gilligan maintains that the substance of his claim that the British government '"sexed up" its dossier, while acknowledging "some mistakes" were made. How many? So many that it might not hurt to check if Andrew Gilligan is, indeed, his name. * Which "cards" have we captured so far? The CENTCOM list. And the visual version of "Ba'ath Poker." * The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops. American, British and Australian. Anyone out there with more information, incl. the Poles and Czechs? [updated August 19, 2003] IRAN REPORTS * Just as Iranian Girl reports that the police presence and arrests have increased without explanation, Iran's Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has stepped up the rhetoric in his efforts to convince Iranian youth to be proud of living under the regime's oppressive system. * Meanwhile, Iraq's leading dissident cleric has called for elections to allow young people to choose their own future. U.S.A. HOMELAND SECURITY BRIEFING * In a move designed to ease concerns over potential abuse of Patriot Act powers, Ashcroft has announced that the FBI will disclose how often it has sought information from public libraries and companies in the U.S. Meanwhile, Ashcroft continues to refer to concerns over the Act as "hysteria." * JK: Michelle Malkin's column rips public officials who profess sympathy for the 9/11 victims, then enact policies that make another attack more likely. * The thought of a lone terrorist being able to wage unprecedented destruction has some folks calling for extreme responses. How extreme? Well, they make Homeland Security's zealousness look like a pleasant alternative. THE WIDER WAR * Robert of The Marmot's Hole outdid himself in his recent Korea briefing on events North and South in the aftermath of the 6-party talks. * Is there or isn't there a link between 9/11 and Iraq? Apparently, it depends who you ask. Cheney says yes. Bush says no. Rumsfeld says there's no reason to believe such a link exists even though 70% of Americans think otherwise. Yet terrorist suspects have reported training in Iraq as well as travel there to acquire poison, and recent evidence indicates that Saddam Hussein provided housing and financing for one of the terrorists in the 1993 World Trade Center attacks. * Whether such ties exist is the crux of a lawsuit filed in federal court on Tuesday by the family of former FBI counter-terrorism chief John O'Neill, who died in the WTC attack: "The evidence, the sources said, includes statements by Iraqi defectors and al Qaeda prisoners that Iraqi intelligence provided al Qaeda with training in document forgery and chemical and biological weapons in a series of contacts that spiked in 1996, and again after 1998." * Still more information is coming to light about Saudi financing of terrorist groups with some officials estimating that 50% of Hamas' operating budget comes from Saudi Arabia. Naturally, senior leaders of Hamas have personally thanked Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz for the support. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow praised Saudi Arabia's tough stance against terrorism and its efforts to crack down on terrorist financing. * The ties between Al-Qaeda & Pakistan are clearer. Al-Qaeda appears to be operating with impunity in Pakistan, picking off its enemies and once again strengthening ties with the Taliban. * JK: Dan reminds us of Pakistan's ambivalent position post-9/11 with a well-researched history, and Joe offers a set of links about the "Saudi-Pakistani-Bin Laden Triangle." * Why aren't we winning the war on terrorism? Perhaps it's because we're too busy defeating ourselves. * Joe brought home the need for reform in the State Department if we're to succeed in this multi-front campaign against terrorists. If that didn't convince you, consider this recent analysis of State's dangerous policy consequences by Newt Gingrich: "From President Bush's clear choice between two worlds, the State Department had descended into a murky game in which the players were deceptive and the rules were stacked against the United States.... Now the State Department is back at work pursuing policies that will clearly throw away all the fruits of hard won victory." * Show your support for the men and women fighting on the front in the War on Terror. Get the official t-shirt of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation today. * We try to close on a lighter note if possible. But, for those of you on the East Coast, there's probably not much else on your minds. So in the interest of ensuring your safety and well-being, we'd like to direct your attention to this helpful note from the Axis of Isabel on How To Tell You're In A Hurricane. (Hint: if you can read this, you probably aren't.) Thanks for reading! 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