Meanwhile Back in Iraq…..
22 U.S. troops have died in Iraq this month. 162 wounded.
A month after the Blackwater shootings, Iraq insists they get out of dodge, along with any other security firms that commit murder.
Salih Saif Aldin, 32, a Washington Post correspondent, was killed in the Baghdad neighborhood of Sadiyah over the weekend. Aldin is the first Post reporter to be killed in Iraq. Also, two Iraqi reporters who worked for the newspaper Salahaddin, which is funded by US forces in Iraq and has been published since 2005, were killed and two others wounded in attacks.
The Turkish cabinet meets today to prepare a motion seeking approval for military action in northern Iraq to fight Kurdish rebels. Meanwhile back in the U.S.A., Nancy Pelosi says she won’t back down from legislation condemning the Armenian genocide in 1917. Seems ole Nancy has quite a few very very wealthy Armenian/Americans in her district. Is there a sane politician in Washington? Just not smart considering the amount of supplies that flow through Incirlik Air Base to our troops. Not to mention the mess it would leave in the event of an U.S. withdrawal.
Damage to al-Qaeda in Iraq is being debated within the military and the White House. While some Generals would like to declare victory over AQI, others caution they may have underestimated the enemy. There is also worry that if victory is declared, it would fuel criticism that Iraq is in the middle of a civil war and we should withdraw.
Iraq is in talks for a long term Kirkuk crude oil supply contract with Turkey, now that the flow of crude from Kirkuk has gone uninterrupted for two months.
Republicans are firing back at Lt. Gen. Sanchez for his criticism of the Iraq war. Sanchez stated it’s a “nightmare with no end in sight.” Sen. Graham stated Sunday that he was astounded by Sanchez’s comments.
Iraqi Shi’ite militants carried out simultaneous attacks on mainly Polish bases in Iraq on Monday in the hopes of forcing them out.
Five civilians, including two toddlers, were killed in a mortar attack at a joint U.S./Iraqi military base on Monday. At least 20 were wounded during the attack at the base in Diwaniyah, south of Baghdad.
Security developments in Iraq, 10/14/07
