Iraq Report, July 18/05

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TOP TOPICS

• 15 suicide bombers struck the Baghdad area over the weekend, including a single attack in a vegetable market beside a mosque that killed some 70 Iraqis and injured 95 more. The failure of the Iraqi government to stop the attacks has some Iraqis calling for the return of popular militias, a move that could increase the threat of civil war between Iraq's ethnic groups.

• Sy Hersh is at it again. The New Yorker is reporting that the United States attempted to influence the January elections in Iraq to suppress Iranian influence in Iraq. The Bush administration has denied the charges, but Al Jazeera already has the story and its accuracy or lack thereof will matter little to demagogues seeking to undermine the Iraqi government.

Other Topics Today Include: Task Force Liberty; Baghdaddy reports; Angels Among Us; reconstruction highlights; preparing for the elections; Carnival of the Liberated; British pullout plans; Iraq PM visits Iran; Hussein formally charged.

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• The Security Watchtower provides a breakdown of the brief provided by MG Joseph Taluto - Commander of the Multinational Division North-Central Iraq and Task Force Liberty - about the security operations in that area.

• Wretchard reports on the down side of self-government and the British reactions to it. We've come a long ways from India.

• John Upperman is your Baghdaddy - check out his reports from Shomali.

• Michael Yon is back on Mosul and has another great dispatch - read Angels Among Us. You can also help support his work - he's an independent.

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• Here are some of this week's reconstruction highlights.

IRAQI POLITICS

• Even as they continue to be targets of terror operations, Iraqi forces are slated to play a large part in securing polls for the elections in October. Today, Iraqi forces are assuming a greater role in security operations in many areas. US forces are increasingly encouraged by the ability of their Iraqi counterparts according to the Task Force Baghdad and 3rd Infantry Division Commander, MG William Webster.

• Iraq's Prime Minister al-Jaafari has stated he wants US forces withdrawal to be an Iraqi decision on an Iraqi timetable.

• The latest Carnival of the Liberated is up at Dean's World.

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• British Defense Secretary John Reid hinted at a potential timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq over the next year. The withdrawal is likely predicated on the ability of the Iraqi government to take on more security responsibilities over that period, but the announcement may spur additional terrorist action in hopes of capitalizing on a perceived victory.

• The anti-Iraq forces have consistently focused their attacks on the successes of the Iraqi move toward democracy. Early on , when schools were being rebuilt, the terrorists attacked schools. When the dinar was being re-issued, the terrorists attacked banks. The recent killing of Egypt's envoy to Iraq sends a clear message about what is succeeding today.

• Iraq made the first official visit to Iran in the post-Hussein era, hoping to usher in an era of peace after decades of war and suspicion. If Iran is convinced to block the infiltration of insurgents over their border, the meeting could have significant practical benefits for Iraq.

ETCETERA

• Iraq's special tribunal has set the first formal charges against Saddam Hussein, setting the stage for his trial. The trial date may be announced this week.

• Major K posts (briefly) about the summer dust and rising temperatures, but says there are "big things" coming soon.

• Do you have your GI Bracelet? Many military families fall into financial hardship when the breadwinner is injured or killed. The entire $5 purchase price of the GI Bracelet is donated to support our troops and their families! Please join us to give back to these brave people in their time of need.

• The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: American, Australian, British, Canadian & Polish. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!

• Don't forget Chief Wiggles' Toys for Iraq drive!

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