Times OnlineA US official told The Times that Donald Rumsfeld, the Defence Secretary, was resisting State Department appointments to the administration-in-waiting, at least one of whom is already in Kuwait. He said that the Pentagon had ruled that Mr Rumsfeld should personally approve appointments to the temporary US-British administration, ?and there are many people who […]

Heard on blogs around the world: * The Command Post: CNN: Rebpublican Guard Withdrawing Into Baghdad Proper. Michael closed by saying that the lead reported all day … that the US was pushing hard to Baghdad, was in essence a misinterpretation. The Iraqi forces were, in fact, trying to get TO Baghdad, and the US […]

The topsy turvy world of ware. Some interesting pieces: * Iraq Curtails Arab TV’s RoleAl Jazeera, the most-watched Arab language news network in the Middle East, said yesterday that the Iraqis had barred its two correspondents in Baghdad from reporting. It said that it would respond by suspending coverage of all of its correspondents accredited […]

A good day. My buddy Jon Roberts is probablyl right, don’t swing too hard. Best thing is knowing that more help is on the way: * Cheers and Smiles for U.S. Troops in a Captured City. A good day it looks like. Main thing is will the ordinary people in Iraq support Saddam. This reports […]

Rumsfeld’s Design for War Criticized on the Battlefield. Now the flood gates are open. Hopefully, getting more of the right people in will help in Iraq. This piece is particularly good as it explains the strained relationship between Rumsfeld and Shinseki, the Army Chief of Staff. Also points out that Wallace has probably destroyed his […]

More on what is supposedly happening inside the administration: * Advisers Split as War Unfolds (washingtonpost.com). Interesting inside view on what is happening and how Powell is playing consumate insider vs. Rumsfeld. Also on Rumsfeld’s larger ambitions. * “Offense and Defense”:http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?030407fa_fact1. Seymour Hersch is another reporter with view on the inside. Has some interesting things […]

I’ve been following the news like everyone else. Since everyone is giving opinions, I thought I’d give mine based on years of in-fighting in a big company. Here’s my bet about what is going on: * Rumsfeld Faulted For Troop Dilution. First, I don’t know, but I would bet that Rumsfeld is one of those […]

CDI Defense Alamanac 2002. Another great compendium of facts about the military. From the NY Times reference “Iraq Navigator”:http://www.nytimes.com/ref/international/IRAQ_NAVIGATOR.html?pagewanted=all&position=top. Interesting facts: US Army Divisions 1990: 18 US Army Divisions in “Desert Storm”:http://www.desert-storm.com/soldiers/army.html : 8 US Army Divisions 2002: 10 US Army Divisions in Iraq so far: 2 (+1 on the way) US Navy Carriers 1990: […]

New Reality, Hard Choices. A great piece on what to do next. Personally, I think consolidate in the south and wait for reinforcement. I bet that this doesn’t happen though, I would bet Rumsfeld & Co. want to just drive, drive, drive. I hope not too many folks die and he is right.

military news about Nations Around the World. A great Jay Leno like assessment of where we are from James Dunnigan.