Bush has asked for $46 Billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I don’t understand why he’s been allowed to keep funding this war through emergency funding and not budget it. Again……congress enabling.

The State Dept. has told The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction it has no confidence in it’s own records and has no idea what $1.2 billion it paid to DynCorp to train Iraqi troops was actually used for. Bush Solution: Gimme another $46 Billion. Heckuva job!!

The State Department’s review of itself assails the department for poor coordination, communication, oversight and accountability involving armed security companies.

Turkey’s foreign minister rejected any cease fire by Kurd rebels as he met with Iraqi leaders today. The buildup of troops along Turkey’s border with Iraq, meanwhile, continued with military helicopters airlifting commando units into the area overnight.

The U.S. has opened a “diplomatic full court press” to keep Turkey from invading northern Iraq, an incursion that could further destabilize Iraq and the region.

Juan Cole’s take on this:

In an airstrike against men the U.S. military said it witnessed planting a roadside bomb, 11 people were killed. The Iraqi civilians say the dead were farmers, women and children. This is the third airstrike in two weeks that has resulted in the deaths of civilian women and children.

Port towns in northern France are swamped with Iraqi refugees hoping to make it across the channel to England.

In a new audiotape from Osama bin Laden, he scolds his al-Qaida followers in Iraq and other insurgents Monday, saying they have “been lax” for failing to overcome fanatical tribal loyalties and unite in the fight against U.S. troops.

Security developments in Iraq 10/23/07