The Pentagon plans on sending more reserves into Iraq, keeping troops there into 2009

A group of Palestinian refugees, who have been in a Jordanian refugee camp, are now headed for Brazil. Can you imagine the relief they feel!

President Bush stated yesterday: “The security situation is changing dramatically. … The economy is getting better.” A new report from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) says different. As we know, just because Bush says it doesn’t make it so.

The U.S. is looking for new supply routes into Iraq in case Turkey closes off its borders due to a resolution the U.S. congress is considering regarding the Armenian genocide of 1917. Bush stated yesterday: “One thing Congress should not be doing is sorting out the historical record of the Ottoman Empire. It has more important work to do than antagonise a democratic ally in the Muslim world.” I have to agree with the knucklehead on this one. Their focus should be elsewhere….. like say…..ending the war…….or……impeachment.

Turkey has decided to give the go-ahead for raids in Iraq. They voted overwhelmingly to send troops into Iraq. Syria backs this decision.

The U.S. isn’t too happy about Iraq’s decision to award $1.1 billion in contracts to Iranian and Chinese companies to build a pair of enormous power plants. The U.S. says it fears it will mask military activities. Iran has also agreed to provide cheap electricity to the Southern part of Iraq from its own power grid and will build a large power plant between Karbala and Najaf, basically free of charge. Is it military activities the U.S. fears, or embarrassment?

The Iraqi government is determined to crack down on security firms in Iraq. They plan to make foreign private security firms held accountable under Iraqi laws. Needless to say, it looks like Blackwater plans on withdrawing after their contract is up. God forbid they be held accountable!!!! Barnett Rubin takes a look at the crackdown on private security firms that is occuring in Afghanistan.

SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ 10/18/07

Iraqi families are paying thousands of dollars to smuggle their children out of Iraq. Many children are making the dangerous journey to Sweden alone.