Mosque Attack Pushes Iraq Toward Civil War

Insurgents detonated bombs inside one of Iraq’s holiest Shiite shrines Wednesday, destroying its golden dome and triggering more than 90 reprisal attacks on Sunni mosques. The president warned that extremists were pushing the country toward civil war.

With the gleaming dome of the 1,200-year-old Askariya shrine reduced to rubble, leaders on both sides called for calm and many Shiites lashed out at the United States as partly to blame.

But the string of back-and-forth attacks seemed to push Iraq closer to all-out civil war than at any point in the three years since the U.S.-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

“We are facing a major conspiracy that is targeting Iraq’s unity,” said President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd. “We should all stand hand in hand to prevent the danger of a civil war.”

This is a critical moment for Iraq. Whether or not they can survive this will tell if Iraqi Democracy can surivive. This could be the make or break point.

Some Background to the Port Controversy?

There is more to the port deal than meets the eye. The administration is in the middle of an extensive negotiation that has been ongoing for two years, in conjunction with similar meetings with Bahrain and Oman.y

This probably explains the harsh reaction of President Bush to the initial news of the opposition to this deal, threatening to use the first veto of his entire presidency. A rejection of this deal with the UAE could slow down negotiations seriously, even cause the parties involved to reject free trade agreements with the United States.

Of course, that does not excuse the administration’s lack of preparation for the firestorm created when news of this deal was released. This entire crises could have been avoided with a few phone calls to political leaders, who would have been well aware of public reaction to something like this…the administration’s arrogance have, again, cost it political ‘pull,’ and this might be the end of any poltiical influence the administration might have had. Who can trust them, after this? They have shown little capability in the past few months, and almost every initiative they have made, Social Security reform, Medicaire prescrption drug disaster, the Harriet Myers Supreme Court fiasco, and the most recent catastrophe, Dick Cheney’s unfortunate hunting accident.

This is worse than simply lame duck politics. The White House is in full meltdown. Someone call in the ambulance before the victim causes more damage to itself

 

History Overtakes Optimism in Afghanistan

 Afghanistan has long been touted as a bright spot in the war on terror. Here, Michael Sheuer looks at the past history of the region, and current trends to be more pessimistic about the outcome.

It is hard to disagree with his analysis…except for the fact that he is talking about Americans, here, and not the British or the Russians, both of whom cared not a whit for the Afghanis, and the Afghanis knew that. Further, Americans have had a long history of helping nations defend themselves against foreign and internal enemies; look at the Phillipines, which is also under attack from internal Islamo-fascists…

I am not claiming that we are certain to win in Afghanistan, just that we can win…if we stay the course

By Michael Scheuer

Every rule has an exception and Afghanistan seems to be the rock-solid exception to the rule that history never repeats itself. The increasingly emboldened insurgency now confronted by the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan is eerily similar to the insurgencies previously initiated, fought, and lost by Great Britain and the Soviet Union. Each of these three insurgencies saw the Western invaders win easy early victories, quickly occupy the major Afghan cities, and then find themselves increasingly ensnared in a prolonged campaign characterized by myriad vicious, hit-and-run skirmishes that proved costly in terms of morale, lives, military reputation, and treasure. The British and Soviets withdrew in clear and humiliating defeat, an end-state that now appears the U.S.-led coalition will have a hard time avoiding. Five-Point StocktakingAs recently as late last summer, Western leaders were pointing toward Afghanistan as the global war on terrorism’s one unqualified success story. The upbeat talk was of elections, foreign aid, rebuilding projects, and female parliamentary candidates. Yet, Afghan winters are notoriously harsh, and as spring approaches that harshness has begun to wring out the West’s premature optimism and to replace it with a picture that is at once more accurate and more properly pessimistic. It also is a picture recognizable to those familiar with Afghanistan’s war-filled history and the propensity of Afghan warriors for taking the long view of things and finding ways to ultimately defeat all the occupiers they have ever faced.

1. Fall 2005 Assertion: Two successful elections show democracy is taking root in Afghanistan.

Near-Spring Reality: After two nationwide elections, few of those who disagree with President Karzai have put their weapons away and decided to wait peaceably for the next election. Indeed, there has been an up-tick in violence after each election. While the Afghans are avaricious consumers and innovative users of the tools of modernity—be it ordnance or communications gear—they are steadfast opponents of “Westernization,” particularly of the variety that downplays religion, asserts women’s rights, ignores ethnic rivalries and hatreds, and seeks to undermine tribal politics and loyalties.

2. Fall 2005 Assertion: The U.S.-led coalition is mopping up the remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Near-Spring Reality: The U.S.-led coalition suffered more casualties in 2005 than in any of the previous three years of occupation. In addition, the overall pace of combat increased in the second half of 2005 and has continued to escalate so far in 2006. The geographic breadth of the attacks also shows that Taliban and al-Qaeda forces are growing in number and initiating activities outside the Taliban’s traditional stronghold in Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces. The first six weeks of 2006, for example, have seen attacks in Helmand, Nangarhar, Herat, and Konar provinces, as well as an intensification of fighting along both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border (Pajhwok Afghan News, February 10).

3. Fall 2005 Assertion: Most Afghans are moderate Muslims, not strident Islamists like the Taliban.

Near-Spring Reality: Each occupation of Afghanistan by “infidels” has caused a spike in the religious conservatism among Afghans; this increase does not subside but establishes a new, higher level of religiosity. Simply put, after nearly 30 years of continuous war against, and occupation by, Western infidels of one kind or another, Afghan Islam is decidedly more conservative and activist—in the jihadi sense—than it was before the 1979 Soviet invasion. Indeed, in 2005-06 Afghanistan’s so-called “moderate” Muslims have led the way in the Islamic world in protesting violently against such perceived Western affronts to Islam as the reported destruction of the Quran by U.S. guards at Guantanamo Bay and the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. These protests suggest, moreover, that al-Qaeda and the Taliban will find no shortage of recruits among young Afghans, and no lack of logistical and financial support among the parents and families of those young men.

4. Fall 2005 Assertion: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and his army have broken the back of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan, thereby denying them safe haven from which to launch operations into Afghanistan.

Near-Spring Reality: Since 2003, Musharraf sent the Pakistani army into the country’s border regions—especially into Waziristan—to attack and eliminate al-Qaeda and the Taliban forces based there. The incursions, however, now appear to have yielded a more secure safe haven for Islamist forces despite the Pakistani army having suffered more casualties than has the U.S.-led coalition since 2001. The net impact of these unprecedented Pakistani military operations appears to have been to unify the Pashtun tribes that straddle the Pakistan-Afghanistan border against Islamabad. The overwhelmingly Pashtun Taliban, according to Pakistani and Afghan media, now controls areas on both sides of the border, and they and their allies have stepped up border-area attacks on Pakistani servicemen and border guards, infrastructure targets, and individuals who are believed to be cooperating with Islamabad or the U.S.-led coalition (Lahore Daily Times, February 11).

5. Fall 2005 Assertion: The war in Afghanistan is separate and unrelated to the war in Iraq.

Near-Spring Reality: It now appears that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are increasingly interrelated and symbiotic; as Taliban military commander Mullah Dadullah recently claimed, there are “contacts with the mujahideen in Iraq. We are one and the same mujahideen.” Although media reports that al-Qaeda sent some of its Afghanistan-based fighters to Iraq were at first disbelieved in the West, the identification of some of the Islamists captured and killed in Iraq has validated that reporting, as does the evidence that has surfaced since the invasion of Iraq about the existence of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s pre-war ties to al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

In Afghanistan, moreover, the insurgency led by the Taliban and al-Qaeda is clearly applying lessons learned from the insurgents in Iraq. The Afghans’ growing sophistication in the use of remotely detonated improvised explosive devices is one pertinent example. Others include the steady rise in the number of suicide attacks by individuals on foot or using vehicles, the increasing number of urban-warfare operations in Kabul, Kandahar, and other cities, the diversification of attacks to hit more of the non-U.S. members of the multi-national force, such as Canadians and Norwegian soldiers and Turkish and Indian civilian contractors, and the steady improvement in the quality and focus of the Taliban’s propaganda and media apparatus (Afghan Islamic Press, February 10 and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, January 17).

Conclusion

While it is too early to say that Afghanistan is again lost to the West, the trend lines are heading in the direction of another Western defeat and withdrawal. If such is the case, the result will be rightfully attributed to the failure of Western leaders—military, political, and media—to have read and assimilated the lessons of Afghan history before invading. One Westerner, the eminent British military historian Sir John Keegan, did read that history and offered a clear and early warning. “The Russians [1979-89]…foolishly did not try to punish rogue Afghans, as [Britain's Lord] Robert’s did, but to rule the country,” Keegan wrote on September 14, 2001 in the Daily Telegraph. “Since Afghanistan is ungovernable, the failure of their effort was predictable….America should not seek to change the regime, but simply to find and kill the terrorists.” U.S. and Western leaders should heed Sir John’s prescient words.

 

Jimmy Carter: Don’t Punish the Palestinians

Jimmy Carter speaks up again and, again, demonstrates how thoroughly and breathtakingly lacking is his grasp of reality.  This guy is a real work of art, and he is dangerous in his ineptitude; I am sure there are young, naive people who listen to this bilge and are willing to fight for the principles he espouses, here. While I certainly wish no harm on anyone, and if Carter would simply retire to a quiet lake where he could fish and not bother anyone, I would be very happy but, until then, until this man vanishes from the face of the earth, we are all deeply in trouble.

To suggest that Israel negotiate with a State which has elected an organization devoted to its destruction is ludicrous. Hamas is no more a real partner to discussions with the Jews of Israel than would be Hitler; neither have any intention of maintaining any agreements they make that do not further their goals of destroying the Jews…and Carter is either an implicit or explicit believer in those principles. He might, indeed, not see himself as an anti-Semite, but his actions are anti-Semitic, in that they promote the genocide of the Jews of Israel, and he deserves no more respect than any other anti-Semite deserves.

Don’t Punish the Palestinians

The election of Hamas candidates cannot adversely affect genuine peace talks, since such talks have been nonexistent for over five years. A negotiated agreement is the only path to a permanent two-state solution, providing peace for Israel and justice for the Palestinians. In fact, if Israel is willing to include the Palestinians in the process, Abbas can still play this unique negotiating role as the unchallenged leader of the PLO (not the government that includes Hamas). 

The election of Hamas candidates cannot adversely affect genuine peace talks, since such talks have been nonexistent for over five years. A negotiated agreement is the only path to a permanent two-state solution, providing peace for Israel and justice for the Palestinians. In fact, if Israel is willing to include the Palestinians in the process, Abbas can still play this unique negotiating role as the unchallenged leader of the PLO (not the government that includes Hamas). It was under this umbrella and not the Palestinian Authority that Arafat negotiated with Israeli leaders to conclude the Oslo peace agreement. Abbas has sought peace talks with Israel since his election a year ago, and there is nothing to prevent direct talks with him, even if Hamas does not soon take the ultimately inevitable steps of renouncing violence and recognizing Israel’s right to exist.

It would not violate any political principles to at least give the Palestinians their own money; let humanitarian assistance continue through U.N. and private agencies; encourage Russia, Egypt and other nations to exert maximum influence on Hamas to moderate its negative policies; and support President Abbas in his efforts to ease tension, avoid violence and explore steps toward a lasting peace.

What the Extremeists are Saying

This is really interesting; note the highlighted part in the second paragraph. From Centcom.

On 8 February 2006, “Abu-al-Fidaa” posted on the Islamic Renewal Organization forum links to a six-minute, five-second audio statement issued by the Media Commission of The Mujahidin Shura Council in Iraq [Majlis Shura al-Mujahidin fi al-Iraq].  In the audio message, the unidentified speaker boasted of, “a series of good omens,” including the ongoing conflict in Iraq which has, “ceaselessly persisted for three years.”  He talked of the mujahidin becoming “cognizant” of God’s wishes for them and therefore have “agreed” to “unite and reject division” by forming The Mujahidin Shura Council.  While the speaker urged the Muslim nation to rejoice, he called on mujahidin to join the ranks of jihad in Iraq.           

 The Mujahidin Shura Council was formed on 15 January from six insurgent groups in Iraq including Abu-Mus’ab al-Zarqawi’s al-Qa’ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers (The name is reference to the Tigris and Euprates Rivers which flow through the country).  A seventh group joined later.  Since the group’s formation, no statements or audio recordings have been issued under the name of Zarqawi, his associates, or the al-Qa’ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers. The Islamic Renewal Organization website is reportedly operated by a Saudi dissident group headed by Dr. Muhammad al-Mas’ari and based in the United Kingdom.       A translation of the audio statement follows:

            “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

            “Praise be to God, Glorifier of His worshippers the mujahidin.  Degrader of infidelity and the infidels, and Revealer of the faults of the hypocrites.  Prayers and peace be upon the one sent with the sword ahead of Judgment Day as a mercy for mankind. 

            “The Crusaders entered Iraq and the caller called saying, ‘Oh, God’s stallions, ride.’  So, the youth, who have exhausted themselves and the world, including everything in it, jumped up on horseback and rushed forth to God Almighty at this world’s roots where God Almighty’s enemies are, as calves asking for death, with their slogan, ‘I have come quickly to you, my God, so that you may be pleased.’

            “Therefore, the Land of the Two Rivers became the source of good omens for the Muslims throughout the world.  The good omens came one after the other, manifest, and directing the Muslims to the jihad against God Almighty’s enemies where there is no place for him, he who is powerless.

            “Then the first good omen, for how long has Islam remained absent from the congregation of power commanding the earth, when they [I.E. Muslims] are most worthy in being foremost among the powers. This has not been because of a defect in Islam; it is because its people have abandoned it.  God Almighty said, ‘So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith.’ [Koranic verse, Sura 3:139. This verse was also quoted in an audio statement by Zarqawi posted online 9 January 2006]

            “Then the battling and slaughter of God Almighty’s enemies began, and the second good omen — despite the disapproval, belittling, and the wicked smearing by the media — the fighting escalated in entrapping God Almighty’s enemies and ceaselessly persisted for three years.  The need to increase the jihadist operations was another good omen.  The incessant insistence on jihad was the mujahidin’s language of negating that of the infidels, which always belittled the magnitude of jihad in the Land of the Two Rivers.  This is a good omen, and today we bring the Muslims in the corners of the earth; another good omen is in the series of good omens from the land of jihad.  In it lies the clear proof that the mujahidin are cognizant of what God Almighty must decree.  Jihadist groups who are fighting have agreed to fight in the rank most loved by God. The Almighty said, ‘Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure.’ [Koranic verse, Sura 61:4]  Thus the groups holding the rope of God have responded to God’s command to unite and reject division. The Almighty said, ‘And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves.’ [Koranic verse 3:103]

            “God Almighty facilitated for these blessed groups to form a council which they called The Mujahidin Shura Council in Iraq. They pledged in the name of God not to forsake their arms until the Almighty empowers their religion which He had willed or die without it. This group, God willing, will not cease to fight the enemy of God, no matter who it is or where it is. They [the mujahidin] are, with God’s will, God’s armies. They are the vanguards of this nation and the bearer of its sorrows. They are the ones who are working toward empowering God’s faith and its followers. By God, we have not said what we said to flatter ourselves. Far be it from us and from them. It is the actuality of what we have seen in those who have grouped in the name of God Almighty and who have only gathered for that purpose. This council, God willing, is going to be the core around which the groups that are following the right path, who are fighting in the battlefield, will be gathering.  With the will of God Almighty, it will be the motivator of other groups to fight in one united force. It is the invitation that we send out to our mujahidin brothers: Come brothers in faith and rise to the position that pleases God and His prophet, prayers and peace be upon him, and defeats His enemies.

            “The hands are extended to you, and the hearts are wide open to accept you. Rejoice oh nation, for your sons in Iraq have taken the path of pleasing God and are moving forward in it.  Oh, Lord! Bring the hearts of those who gathered in Your cause closer together and let the hearts of those who have not yet joined them come to them. Oh God, Lord of the seven heavens and the supreme Ruler of the supreme throne: this council was the outcome of the injustice of the infidels, the apostates, and their parties and was formed to stop their oppression and their tyranny over them. Venerated is Your Might and glorified is Your Majesty. There is no God but You. Our last supplication is to praise you, oh, Lord of all creation.”
      

Danish Cartoons Simply a Tool of a Wider War: Italy Now a Primary Target?

To many people, Islamic terror is a war against specific groups; if we are fighting al Qaeda, we do not have to worry about Hamas, Libya or any other nation or group which is not specifically causing us agita at the moment.

We have to understand that we are at war with an ideology, an idea, not against a particular people or group. The war will not end when we destroy al Qaeda, because the people in al Qaeda are not soldiers, who sign up for a ’stint’ and then go home after their three years is over; they are fanatics who will move on to another venue where they can practice their hatred.

Two years ago, Libya’s Muhammar Ghaddafi renounced his weapons of mass destruction, and agreed to work with us, economically. The President cheered, and the nation felt vindicated in the policies of the President…those of us who let our guard down should read this. Old enemies never die, and they rarely fade away. 

From the Counterterrorism Blog:

Last week Libyan Leader Col. Muhammar Ghaddafi made his first comments after the beginning of the whole cartoon saga. After an attack against unspecified “European schools that teach the children that the Muslim Prophet was not a messenger of Allah but a liar,” he went on to say that the riots that took place in Paris last fall were “only the beginning of the armed struggle of the Muslims against discrimination in Europe”. He also added that “probably one day Europe will be subordinated to the Islam.” Not exactly a tension-diluting statement.

But parts of the Libyan establishment hold a particular grudge against one European country: Italy. The North African country was, in fact, an Italian colony, and a certain animosity towards Italy has always been widespread in Libya since its independence. All that Libya was waiting for was a good opportunity to create problems for Italy and the pretext was given by the Italian Minister for Reforms, Roberto Calderoli, who decided to sport a t-shirt with the Danish cartoons during an appearance on Italian TV. The perfect casus belli. As the Egyptian columnist Magdi Allam noted on today’s Corriere della Sera, Libyan authorities immediately understood they had a great opportunity and masterfully orchestrated the backlash. The President of Libya’s Parliament, in fact, gave a fiery speech on national television, strongly attacking Italy. “We have to reopen the dossier with Italy. The Congress asks the end of relations with Italy,” said the President. “The time has come for the people to act against the cartoons that mock our Prophet and against the Italian Minister for Reforms who has launched a crusade against Islam.” The invective bordered the ridicule when the President said: “The Italian Minister asked the Pope to start a new Crusade against Islam, he wants to use force against Islam. They want to raise the Cross in the land of Islam. We say no.”

Few days later, what a surprise, came the mass demonstrations (in a country where normally all assemblies are strictly prohibited by the security forces) and the attack against the Italian consulate in Benghazi. The whole Muslim world took notice that Italy too was an “infidel country” that “disrespects Islam” and the picture of the Italian Minister has even appeared on a pro-al Qaeda website. Libya just added its name to the long list of states, political forces, and individuals in the Muslim world who have taken advantage of the cartoon controversy for their political gains.

Thank you, America

We don’t often hear these things…and that is the value of the blogs. In fact, except for Mudville and a few other military blogs, you would probably not here this at all: 

Via email from a 3rd ACR family member, a letter from the Mayor of Tall ‘Afar, Iraq to the men and women of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and their families.

In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful 

To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall’ Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.

To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.

To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.

Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi’s followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them.

I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism.

The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage.

God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.

Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I haven’t the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their brave families.

Recruiting for Iraq: not a crime

From the Counterterrorism Blog we get this further example of the wonderful cooperation extended to us in our fight against Islamic Terrorism…to quote a Star Trek Line, it is a race against time, with the odds against us. Will Europe fall before we can win? Because, if we do not win, Europe will be the first casualty. I hope the Italians can learn to speak Arabic… 

The recruitment of volunteers to fight in Iraq against American soldiers cannot be considered under any point of view a terrorist activity.” These words, which would have been more fitting in the speech of a radical anti-war militant, were the core of the ruling with which a Milan Court of Appeals acquitted three men linked to Ansar al Islam (the motivation of the November 2005 ruling were made public only recently and excerpts from it can be found here).

As shocking as it might sound, this is nothing new in Italy. The Court of Appeals, in fact, only upheld the first degree ruling of another Milan-based judge, Clementina Forleo. In January 2005, Mrs. Forleo decided that the men were indeed part of a network that was recruiting fighters for the Iraqi conflict, but that the operations taking place in Iraq constituted “guerrilla warfare” and not terrorism. In her view, “Ansar al Islam was structured as an Islamic combatant organization, with a militia trained for guerrilla activities and financed by groups in Europe and orbiting in the sphere of Islamic fundamentalism, without having goals of a terrorist nature, goals probably shared by only some of its members.” Because one of the men on trial, Mohammed Tahir Hammid, conveniently declared that he did not agree with Ansar al Islam’s tactic of using suicide bombers, Forleo considered Ansar al Islam to be a “heterogeneous” organization whose members had conflicting opinions on the valid means to use in fighting enemy forces.

Army Releases Captured War on Terror Documents for the First Time

We are finally seeing the fruits of two years of translation of captured documents. ABC news is showing 12 hours of tapes translated from Saddam’s regime, and these are captured al Qaeda documents. There are no smoking guns, here, just greater insights into the inner sanctum of this organization….from Austin Bay Blog: 

No, this is not a satire. Follow the links to the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. The site describes the trove of Al Qaeda documents as being part of:

…the Department of Defense’s Harmony Database, this report provides an analysis of al-Qa’ida’s organizational vulnerabilities. These documents, captured in the course of operations supporting the GWOT, have never before been made available to the academic and policy community.

GWOT= Global War On Terror.

Al Qaeda’s by-laws are fascinating. From the By-Laws document summary:

Al-Qa’ida must be prepared to wage jihad anywhere in the world, and not to be distracted by relief and aid operations. Al-Qa’ida must have no relation to the world of idols and secular and nationalist movements. Relations with non-jihadi Islamic groups should be respectful, but dedicated to pointing out their shortcomings and try to gain their support for jihad.

Lengthy job description is posted for the position of emir, his deputy, and other positions on the council. Of special interest is the position of the Executive Council Chairman who serves as a chief financial officer. His duties include control over bank accounts, expenditures, and budgeting. Salaries are paid according to a fixed schedule.

Policies are described for additional salary based on family size (married man receives 6,500 rupees with 700 rupees for each additional wife.) Provision is made for cost of living adjustments.

The document outlines medical, loan, furniture , vacation, disability, and severance benefits.

The English text in pdf of the By-Laws is a must read.

Al Qaeda Goals and Structure

Night Draws Near

From Fayrouz In Beaumont

Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible
– St. Francis of Assisi

Whenever I go to Barnes and Noble, I check the current affairs section. There’s always a new book about Iraq these days. Anthony Shadid’s book “Night Draws Near.”is one of the few books that caught my eyes AND I wanted to read it. 

I have reasons to choose Shadid’s book instead of the many Iraq-related books published lately. First, Shadid is a Arab-American. Second, he covered the 2003 war with Iraq from Baghdad. Third, his mention of a Abd Al-Halim’s song in his book didn’t hurt my feeling. It’s actually the reason I decided to read the book. The song has nothing to do with the situation in Iraq. I like listening to Halim songs. But, that’s another story.

In his book, Shadid is mostly an observer of the events unfolding in Iraq. He tries his best to keep his personal opinions aside. He still hints on where he stands in short sentences throughout the book. An approach I appreciated while reading his book.

The stories covered in this book are mostly from Baghdad and central Iraq. I wish he covered places like Basra and the South. No surprise there. Basra doesn’t get much attention from journalists. Basrawis are used to being neglected by almost everyone. It started in 1980 and it’s still happening until this day.

Shadid got to meet many Iraqis before and after the collapse of Saddam’s regime. The story I enjoyed the most was of Iraqi widow Karima and her children. For me, Karima represents the ordinary poor Iraqi widow, who tries to make sense of the world around her while trying to raise and feed her family.

Shadid also covered the lives of wealthy Iraqi families. Families with computers, money and overseas travels among other privileges. In my opinion, these are the minority of the Iraqi population.

I got to two conclusions after reading the book. First conclusion, Iraqis main problem is comparing everything to Iraq’s golden times during the seventies. Any time you talk to an Iraqi — including myself — he/she will tell you how great it was during the seventies. Iraqis need to look forward and understand that the seventies won’t come back. Time goes forward and not backward.

Second conclusion, Iraqis had great expectations. Iraqis expect America to fix everything without joined efforts from the Iraqis themselves. Iraqis aren’t to blame for this expectation. They lived for more than thirty years under a dictatorship that dictated everything in their lives. They had one path to follow. Almost everything was decided and provided for them by the government. Now, they’re responsible to choose their own path. They seem to have a problem with this simple fact.

On the other hand, Americans don’t seem to understand this reality. Not because they’re ignorant. But because most Americans don’t wait on their government to do everything for them. Mark has a story that better explains it to you. When he covered the aftermath of May 1999 tornado in Oklahoma state for his newspaper, he asked people living in the devastated area what their needs were. Most residents said they needed nails and hammers. They wanted to start fixing their homes by themselves instead of waiting on FEMA or insurance companies for an immediate help. I noticed the same attitude after Hurricane Rita hit Southeast Texas.

I still think Iraqis can pull things together and turn Iraq into a better place. But, I could be wrong.