Continue reading "30 December Iraq Briefing" »

Well Done, Soldiers - General George Casey Jr., New York Daily News
General Petraeus on Iraq Progress - Ralph Peters, New York Post
Make-or-Break Time in Iraq? - Jackson Diehl, Washington Post
Midlevel Officers Show Enterprise in Iraq – Greg Jaffe, Wall Street Journal
Surge 101: Lessons from Iraq – Michael Barone, National Review
Demagoging Pakistan's Crisis - Washington Times editorial
Pakistan: A Monster Unleashed - Ottawa Citizen editorial
Pakistan: On America's Watch - Roger Cohen, New York Times
What about Pakistan’s Nukes? – Graham Allison, Newsweek
Musharraf, Army Should Step Aside Now – William Maley, The Australian
Can Musharraf Survive? – Ron Moreau, Newsweek
Reform Pakistan’s Only Hope – Chamberlain and Weinbaum, Sydney Morning Herald
Pakistan’s Political Void – Kevin Whitelaw, U.S. News and World Report
Pakistan in a Vortex - Arnaud de Borchgrave, Washington Times
What Bhutto Was Worried About - Robert Novak, Washington Post
Why Mrs. Bhutto Had to Die - Walid Phares, Washington Times
Bhutto of Greater Use as Martyr – Ralph Peters, The Australian
U.S. Failed Benazir Bhutto - John Nichols, Toronto Star
Pakistan Deserves Better - Tariq Ali, The Independent
Good May Emerge from Pakistan Disaster – Paul Sheehan, Sydney Morning Herald
Pakistan: Long-term Instability? - Christine Fair, Washington Times
Daughter of Destiny Becomes a Martyr - Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune
Born to Rule, Not Just in Pakistan - Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, The Independent
About That Peace Process - New York Times editorial
Democracy: An Existential Threat? - Abunimah and Barghouti, Guardian
Kenya: President without Moral Authority - The Independent editorial
A Billionaire's Comeback in Thailand? - Tom Fawthrop, Guardian
Aid Restrictions Killing E. Timor Women – Emily Maguire, Sydney Morning Herald
George Smiley's War - Donald Gregg, Washington Post
Beijing's Blood-drenched Olympics - Nat Hentoff, Washington Times

Continue reading "31 December SWJ Op-Ed Roundup" »

Commander Leads U.S. Troops - Steve Fry, Topeka Capital-Journal
Heroes of the Year – Oliver North, Washington Post
Building Proper Peace in Afghanistan – Liam Fox, London Daily Telegraph
He Could Care Less about Obama’s Story – Reza Aslan, Washington Post
Pakistan: Into the Unknown – London Times editorial
Grieving for Benazir – Bernard-Henri Levy, Wall Street Journal
Bush's Best-laid Plans - Andrew Bacevich, Los Angeles Times
Pakistan's Blood-stained Democracy - William Buckley, Real Clear Politics
Bhutto's Destiny - Benazir Bhutto, New York Post
Pakistan May Not Make It – Peter Galbraith, Washington Post
Pakistan Won't See the Danger - Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer
Unfortunate Allies - Lisa Schiffren, National Review
How a ‘Wisp of a Girl’ Conquered Pakistan – Mohammed Hanif, New York Times
As PM, Bhutto Did Little – Jemima Khan, London Daily Telegraph
Pakistan an al-Qaeda Target Now - Trudy Rubin, Miami Herald
Assassin Killed West’s Foreign Policy Too – Michael Portillo, London Times
Climax of a Grim Year in Pakistan – Claude Salhani, Washington Times
Saving Pakistan From Itself - Adil Najam, New York Daily News
Pakistan Politics Played Out in Britain – Matthew d’Acona, London Daily Telegraph
Peace Talks Skirt Housing Issue - Boston Herald editorial
Palestinians: Good Money After Bad - Shmuel Rosner, New York Post
Pelosi and Syria – James Zumwalt, Washington Times
Endless Conflict in West Sahara – Ahmed Charai, Washington Times
Humanizing the Revolution in Venezuela – Enrique Krauze, New York Times
So Who, Exactly, Voted for Putin? – Tom Keane, Boston Globe
Poles Get Cold Feet on Missile Defense – New York Times editorial
Waterboarding: A Clarification - Mark Bowden, Philadelphia Inquirer
TSA: Most Hated in Government - Kyle Smith, New York Post

Continue reading "30 December SWJ Op-Ed Roundup" »

Very interesting piece in Friday’s Washington Post concerning a central figure in Charlie Wilson’s War. Ann Scott Tyson profiles the young ex-Green Beret officer who was the brains behind the Afghanistan Mujahedin strategy while working for Gust Arakotos at the CIA. Sorry, Charlie. This Is Michael Vickers's War is a good read on Vickers’s next big challenge – "working to implement the U.S. military's highest-priority plan: a global campaign against terrorism that reaches far beyond Iraq and Afghanistan".

… Vickers, a former Green Beret and CIA operative, was the principal strategist for the biggest covert program in CIA history: the paramilitary operation that drove the Soviet army out of Afghanistan in the 1980s. The movie "Charlie Wilson's War," released last weekend, portrays Vickers in that role, in which he directed an insurgent force of 150,000 Afghan fighters and controlled an annual budget of more than $2 billion in current dollars.

Today, as the top Pentagon adviser on counterterrorism strategy, Vickers exudes the same assurance about defeating terrorist groups as he did as a 31-year-old CIA paramilitary officer assigned to Afghanistan, where he convinced superiors that with the right strategy and weapons, the ragtag Afghan insurgents could win. "I am just as confident or more confident we can prevail in the war on terror," Vickers, 54, said in a recent interview, looking cerebral behind thick glasses but with an energy and build reminiscent of the high school quarterback he once was. "Not a lot of people thought we could drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan."…

Vickers joined the Pentagon in July to oversee the 54,000-strong Special Operations Command (Socom), based in Tampa, which is growing faster than any other part of the U.S. military. Socom's budget has doubled in recent years, to $6 billion for 2008, and the command is to add 13,000 troops to its ranks by 2011.

Senior Pentagon and military officials regard Vickers as a rarity -- a skilled strategist who is both creative and pragmatic. "He tends to think like a gangster," said Jim Thomas, a former senior defense planner who worked with Vickers. "He can understand trends then change the rules of the game so they are advantageous for your side."

From Michael Vickers's OSD Bio Page: Vickers was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities) on 23 July 2007. He is the senior civilian advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on the capabilities and operational employment of special operations forces, strategic forces, and conventional forces. He is also the senior civilian advisor on counterterrorism strategy, irregular warfare, and force transformation.

Prior to his appointment as ASD (SO/LIC&IC), Vickers served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Studies, at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA). In this capacity, he provided advice on Iraq strategy to President Bush and his war cabinet. He also was a senior advisor to the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, and Executive Director of the QDR “Red Team,” which provided an assessment of the QDR for the Deputy Secretary and Vice Chairman. In late 2005, Vickers conducted an independent assessment of special operations forces (“The Downing Report”) for the Secretary of Defense. He is the author of numerous publications, among which is “The Revolution in War” (2004).

From 1973 to 1986, Vickers served as an Army Special Forces Non-Commissioned Officer, Special Forces Officer, and CIA Operations Officer. During this period, he had operational and combat experience in Central America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia. His operational experience spans covert action and espionage, unconventional warfare, counterterrorism (including hostage rescue operations), counterinsurgency, and foreign internal defense.

During the mid-1980s, Vickers was the principal strategist for the largest covert action program in the CIA’s history: the paramilitary operation that drove the Soviet army out of Afghanistan. Vickers oversaw a major change in U.S. strategy, provided strategic and operational direction to an insurgent force of more than 300 unit commanders, 150,000 full-time fighters, and 500,000 part-time fighters, coordinated the efforts of more than ten foreign governments, and controlled an annual budget in excess of $2 billion in current dollars.

-----

Links

Michael Vickers is a Busy Man - Westhawk

Charlie Wilson (Mike Vickers Bonus Edition) - Abu Muqawama

Continue reading "Michael Vickers's War" »

Continue reading "Gratitude Campaign Sunday" »

Soft Power: Voice of Freedom – Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal
General Petraeus Q&A – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Q&A
Six Months that Could Change Iraq – Fred Kaplan, Slate
Iraq: Beginning or the End? – Patrick Cockburn, The Independent
Surge and Spin Cycles – Michelle Malkin, Washington Times
Two Allies Renew Afghanistan Vows – Claude Salhani, Washington Times
The Right Way to Engage Iran – McFaul and Milani, Washington Post
Musharraf’s Moment – London Times editorial
The Pakistan Test – Washington Post editorial
Pakistan Elections Must Go Ahead – London Daily Telegraph editorial
World Plunged Deeper into Chaos – The Australian editorial
From Benazir into the Unknown – Sidney Morning Herald editorial
Beyond Benazir – Los Angeles Times editorial
Bhutto Risked All for Democracy – Toronto Star editorial
Death Kills Best Chance for Democracy - New Zealand Herald editorial
Pakistan’s Bitter Political Harvest – Canberra Times editorial
Murder and Politics – Baltimore Sun editorial
Pakistan Must Stay Course to Democracy – The Independent editorial
Pakistan’s Perilous Path – Washington Times editorial
Foe of Extremists Pays Ultimate Price – Miami Herald editorial
Assassination of Benazir Bhutto - Philadelphia Inquirer editorial
Pakistan's Predicament - New York Post editorial
Pakistan on the Brink – Ottawa Citizen editorial
Pakistan’s Best Chance – Chamberlin and Weinbaum, Washington Post
Pakistan: After the Shock – Greg Sheridan, The Australian
Bloody Reflections on the Dynasties – Graham Stewart, London Times
Tragedy Born of Despotism and Anarchy – Tariq Ali, Guardian
Apocalypse? Mmm, Bring it On – Matthew Parris, London Times
Terror's New Theater - Stephen Schwartz, New York Post
Defying Fate Pointless for Bhutto – Amir Taheri, London Times
Setback for the War on Terror – Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star
All Eyes on Musharraf – Simon Tisdall, Guardian
Bhutto's Bravery - Rich Lowry, New York Post
Terrorism Strikes Heart of Pakistan's Democracy - Irfan Yusuf, New Zealand Herald
Tragedy Recasts the Race – David Nason, The Australian
Real World Intrudes on the Race – Mona Charen, National Review
Previous Op-Ed's on Bhutto Assassination - Small Wars Journal
Cleaning Up the U.N. - New York Post editorial
Indonesia: Time and the Dictator – New York Times editorial
Beyond the ‘Big Man’ in South Africa – Boston Globe editorial
Cuba: Old Guard Spy Heads Interest Section – Chris Simmons, Miami Herald
A Tighter Ship at Justice – Washington Post editorial
My War with Charlie Wilson – Gary Schmitt, Weekly Standard
David Hicks is No Hero – The Australian editorial

Continue reading "29 December SWJ Op-Ed Roundup" »

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Civilians of Multi-National Force-Iraq:

As 2007 draws to a close, you should look back with pride on what you, your fellow troopers, our Iraqi partners, and Iraqi Coalition civilians have achieved in 2007. A year ago, Iraq was racked by horrific violence and on the brink of civil war. Now, levels of violence and civilians and military casualties are significantly reduced and hope has been rekindled in many Iraqi communities. To be sure, the progress is reversible and there is much more to be done. Nonetheless, the hard-fought accomplishments of 2007 have been substantial, and I want to thank each of you for the contributions you made to them.

In response to the challenges that faced Iraq a year ago, we and our Iraqi partners adopted a new approach. We increased our focus on securing the Iraqi people and, in some cases, delayed transition of tasks to Iraqi forces. Additional U.S. and Georgian forces were deployed to theater, the tours of U.S. unites were extended, and Iraqi forces conducted a surge of their own, generating well over 100,000 more Iraqi police and soldiers during the year so that they, too, had additional forces to execute the new approach. In places like Ramadi, Baqubah, Arab Jabour, and Baghdad, you and our Iraqi brothers fought—often house by house, block by block, and neighborhood by neighborhood—to wrest sanctuaries away from Al Qaeda-Iraq, to disrupt extremist militia elements, and to rid the streets of mafia-like criminals. Having cleared areas, you worked with Iraqis to retain them—establishing outposts in the areas we were securing, developing Iraqi Security Forces, and empowering locals to help our efforts. This approach has not been easy. It has required steadfastness in the conduct of tough offensive operations, creative solutions to the myriad problems on the ground, and persistence over the course of many months and during countless trying situations. Through it all, you have proven equal to every task, continually demonstrating an impressive ability to conduct combat and stability operations in an exceedingly complex environment.

Your accomplishments have given the Iraqi people new confidence and prompted many citizens to reject terror and confront those who practice it. As the months passed in 2007, in fact, the tribal awakening that began in Al Anbar Province spread to other parts of the country. Emboldened by improving security and tired of indiscriminate violence, extremist ideology, oppressive practices, and criminal activity, Iraqis increasingly rejected Al Qaeda-Iraq and rogue militia elements. Over time, the desire of Iraqis to contribute to their own security has manifested itself in citizens volunteering for the police, the Army, and concerned local citizen programs. It has been reflected in citizens providing information that has helped us find far more than double the number of arms and weapons caches we found last year. And it has been apparent in Iraqi communities now supporting their local security forces.

As a result of your hard work and that of our Iraqi comrades-in-arms—and with the support of the local populace in many areas—we have seen significant improvements in the security situation. The number of attacks per week is down some 60 percent from a peak in June of this year to a level last seen consistently in the early summer of 2005. With fewer attacks, we are also seeing significantly reduced loss of life. The number of civilian deaths is down by some 75 percent since its height a year ago, dropping to a level not seen since the beginning of 2006. And the number of Coalition losses is down substantially as well. We remain mindful that the past year’s progress has been purchased through the sacrifice and selfless service of all those involved and that the new Iraq must still contend with innumerable enemies and obstacles. Al Qaeda-Iraq has been significantly degraded, but it remains capable of horrific bombings. Militia extremists have been disrupted, but they retain influence in many areas. Criminals have been apprehended, but far too many still roam Iraqi streets and intimidate local citizens and Iraqi officials. We and our Iraqi partners will have to deal with each of these challenges in the New Year to keep the situation headed in the right direction.

While the progress in a number of areas is fragile, the security improvements have significantly changed the situation in many parts of Iraq. It is now imperative that we take advantage of these improvements by looking beyond the security arena and helping Iraqi military and political leaders as they develop solutions in other areas as well, solutions they can sustain over time. At the tactical level, this means an increasing focus on helping not just Iraqi Security Forces—with whom we must partner in all that we do—but also helping Iraqi governmental organizations as they endeavor to restore basic services, to create employment opportunities, to revitalize local markets, to refurbish schools, to spur local economic activity, and to keep locals involved in contributing to local security. We will have to do all of this, of course, while continuing to draw down our forces, thinning our presence, and gradually handing over responsibilities to our Iraqi partners. Meanwhile, at the national level, we will focus on helping the Iraqi Government integrate local volunteers into the Iraqi Security Forces and other employment, develop greater ministerial capacity and capability, aid displaced persons as they return, and, most importantly, take the all-important political and economic actions needed to exploit the opportunity provided by the gains in the security arena.

The pace of progress on important political actions to this point has been slower than Iraqi leaders had hoped. Still, there have been some important steps taken in recent months. Iraq’s leaders reached agreement on the Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation with the United States, which lays the groundwork for an enduring relationship between our nations. The United Nations Security Council approved Iraq’s request for a final renewal of the resolution that authorizes the Coalition to operate in Iraq. Iraq’s leaders passed an important Pension Law that not only extends retirement benefits to Iraqis previously left out but also represents the first of what we hope will be additional measures fostering national reconciliation. And Iraq’s leaders have debated at length a second reconciliation-related measure, the Accountability and Justice Bill (the de-Ba’athification Reform Law), as well as the 2008 National Budget, both which likely will be brought up for a vote in early 2008. Even so, all Iraqi participants recognize that much more must be done politically to put their country on an irreversible trajectory to national reconciliation and sustainable economic development. We will, needless to say, work closely with our Embassy teammates to support the Iraq Government as it strives to take advantage of the improved security environment by pursing political and economic progress.

The New Year will bring many changes. Substantial force rotations and adjustments already underway will continue. One Army brigade combat team and a Marine Expeditionary Unit have already redeployed without replacement. In the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions will follow suit. Throughout that time, we will continue to adapt to the security situation as it evolves. And in the midst of all the changes, we and our Iraqi partners will strive to maintain the momentum, to press the fight, and to pursue Iraq’s enemies relentlessly. Solutions to many of the tough problems will continue to be found at your level, together with local Iraqi leaders and with your Iraqi Security Force partners, in company and battalion areas of operation and in individual neighborhoods an towns. As you and your Iraqi partners turn concepts into reality, additional progress will emerge slowly and fitfully. Over time, we will gradually see fewer bad days and accumulate more good days, good weeks, and good months.

The way ahead will not be easy. Inevitably, there will be more tough days and tough weeks. Unforeseen challenges will emerge. And success will require continued hard work, commitment, and initiative from all involved. As we look to the future, however, we should remember how far we have come in the past year. Thanks to the tireless efforts and courageous actions of the Iraqi people, Iraq’s political and military leaders, the Iraqi Security Forces, and each of you, a great deal has been achieved in 2007. Thus, as we enter a new year, we and our Iraqi partners will have important accomplishments and a newfound sense of hope on which we can build.

As always, all or your leaders, our fellow citizens back home, and I deeply appreciate the dedication, professionalism, commitment, and courage you display on a daily basis. It remains the greatest of honors to serve with each of you in this critical endeavor.

Sincerely,

David H. Petraeus

Continue reading "General Petraeus' Year-End Letter to the Troops" »

The January – February 2008 issue of Military Review has been posted to the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center web site.

Featured Articles

Beyond Guns and Steel: Reviving the Nonmilitary Instruments of American Power by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. The secretary of defense says the U.S. must develop a cadre of deployable civilians to strengthen the Nation’s “soft” power in today’s national security environment.

U.S. Africa Command: A New Strategic Paradigm? By Sean McFate. The tenth and newest unified command, AFRICOM, stands up in October 2008. Civilian-heavy and with a security-development focus on Africa, this hybrid will not look like its brethren.

Operation Mountain Lion: CJTF-76 in Afghanistan, Spring 2006 by Colonel Michael A. Coss, U.S. Army. The “clear-hold-build-engage” strategy used by Combined Joint Task Force-76 during Operation Mountain Lion (April-June 2006) could be a template for future counterinsurgency efforts.

Protection of Arts and Antiquities during Wartime: Examining the Past and Preparing for the Future by Major James B. Cogbill, U.S. Army. Well before D-Day, America planned to protect European art and cultural treasures. Failure to do the same in Iraq suggests we need a permanent DOD structure to ensure we don’t repeat our mistake.

Northern Ireland: A Balanced Approach to Amnesty, Reconciliation, and Reintegration by Major John Clark, British Army. The political, economic, and security dimensions of societal reconstruction are ineluctably symbiotic. A veteran of the Northern Ireland “troubles” analyzes how that conflict has been brought to the brink of resolution.

The Rule of Law for Commanders by Captain Christopher M. Ford, U.S. Army. Without rule of law there is no chance for civil society and little likelihood of stabilizing a conflict. Iraq is a case in point.

International Law and Slavery by Mark D. Welton, J.D. Human trafficking remains a problem throughout the world—one that often arises in areas of armed conflict and, thus, is of concern to military professionals.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance Programs by Colonel Eugene V. Bonventre, U.S. Air Force. Measures of effectiveness, normally ubiquitous throughout DOD, do not exist for monitoring and evaluating military humanitarian assistance activities. Making efforts to gauge these programs can pay dividends in stability operations.

Threat Analysis: Organized Crime and Narco-Terrorism in Northern Mexico by Gordon James Knowles, Ph.D. Below America’s southern border, conditions are ripe for spawning potential mechanisms of terrorism directed at United States citizens. Awareness and cooperation with Mexican authorities are essential for controlling the threat.

Contest Winners

The New Legs Race: Critical Perspectives on Biometrics in Iraq by Andrew R. Hom. Biometric technology (retinal scans, gait analysis, voice recognition, etc.) is inherently invasive. Using it to map the Iraqi people could alienate those whose hearts and minds we claim to covet.

Finding America’s Role in a Collapsed North Korean State by Captain Jonathan Stafford, U.S. Army. Instead of fighting every battle in the War on Terrorism ourselves, we should help better positioned allies prepare for possible flashpoints. One such flashpoint could well be North Korea.

On Luck and Leadership by Major David Cummings, Jamaica Defence Force. How many times in our careers as professional Soldiers have we heard individual officers described as being lucky? What is this thing called luck?

Merging Information Operations and Psychological Operations by Lieutenant Colonel Fredric W. Rohm Jr., U.S. Army. Merging the IO functional area and the Psychological Operations branch into one specialty may be cost effective. Combining resources, training, and functions can only help improve our effort in the information war.

Insights

Iraq: The Way Ahead by Mitchell M. Zais, Ph.D. Security in Iraq has clearly improved over the last year, but the Iraqi Government has made little progress on the political end. “Soft-partitioning” seems to be the best solution to the government’s paralysis.

Redefining Insurgency by Lieutenant Colonel Chris North, U.S. Army, Retired. The current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are more complex than the word “insurgency” suggests. A new definition may be in order.

Book Reviews

Letters

Military Review: November - December 2007 Issue

Continue reading "Military Review: January - February 2008 Issue" »

News

Full Coverage - Google
Full Coverage - Yahoo
Full Coverage - Dawn
Bhutto Assassinated - Washington Post
Bhutto Assassinated - New York Times
Bhutto Assassinated - Los Angeles Times
Bhutto Assassinated - London Times
Bhutto Assassinated - Sydney Morning Herald
Bhutto Assassinated - Associated Press
Bhutto Assassinated - Reuters
Pakistan in Chaos - The Australian
Assassination Ignites Disarray - New York Times
Turmoil Grips Pakistan - Boston Globe
Assassination Sparks Riots - Washington Times
Pakistan Thrust into Chaos - USA Today
Death Rocks Pakistan - Christian Science Monitor
Bhutto's Killing Stokes Unrest - Associated Press
Bush Condemns Assassination - Washington Post
Bush Condemns Assassination - New York Times
World Leaders React - Washington Times
U.S. Beefs Up Pakistan Force - The Australian
Last Pictures - New York Times
Last Pictures - Washington Post
Last Pictures - Miami Herald
Last Moments Video - New York Times
Last Moments Video - Globe and Mail

Op-Ed / News Analysis

Musharraf’s Moment – London Times editorial
The Pakistan Test – Washington Post editorial
Pakistan Elections Must Go Ahead – London Daily Telegraph editorial
World Plunged Deeper into Chaos – The Australian editorial
From Benazir into the Unknown – Sidney Morning Herald editorial
Beyond Benazir – Los Angeles Times editorial
Bhutto Risked All for Democracy – Toronto Star editorial
Death Kills Best Chance for Democracy - New Zealand Herald editorial
Pakistan’s Bitter Political Harvest – Canberra Times editorial
Murder and Politics – Baltimore Sun editorial
Pakistan Must Stay Course to Democracy – The Independent editorial
Pakistan’s Perilous Path – Washington Times editorial
Foe of Extremists Pays Ultimate Price – Miami Herald editorial
Assassination of Benazir Bhutto - Philadelphia Inquirer editorial
Pakistan's Predicament - New York Post editorial
Pakistan on the Brink – Ottawa Citizen editorial
Target: Pakistan - Wall Street Journal editorial
Assassination in Pakistan - Washington Post editorial
After Benazir Bhutto - New York Times editorial
The Nightmare Scenario – London Times editorial
Pakistan's Perilous Path - Washington Times editorial
Benazir Bhutto - Washington Times editorial
Democracy Assassinated - Boston Globe editorial
Murder and Politics - Baltimore Sun editorial
Assassination Steals key to U.S. Strategy - USA Today editorial
Death in Rawalpindi – Guardian editorial
The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto - Philadelphia Inquirer editorial
Bhutto's Legacy - San Francisco Chronicle editorial
Pakistan’s Best Chance – Chamberlin and Weinbaum, Washington Post
Pakistan: After the Shock – Greg Sheridan, The Australian
Bloody Reflections on the Dynasties – Graham Stewart, London Times
Tragedy Born of Despotism and Anarchy – Tariq Ali, Guardian
Apocalypse? Mmm, Bring it On – Matthew Parris, London Times
Terror's New Theater - Stephen Schwartz, New York Post
Defying Fate Pointless for Bhutto – Amir Taheri, London Times
Setback for the War on Terror – Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star
All Eyes on Musharraf – Simon Tisdall, Guardian
Bhutto's Bravery - Rich Lowry, New York Post
Terrorism Strikes Heart of Pakistan's Democracy - Irfan Yusuf, New Zealand Herald
Tragedy Recasts the Race – David Nason, The Australian
Real World Intrudes on the Race – Mona Charen, National Review
Bhutto’s Death Hardliner Victory – Con Coughlin, London Daily Telegraph
After Bhutto - National Review roundtable
Blow to U.S. Goal for Pakistan – Wright and Kessler, Washington Post
Assassination Shatters Hopes for Stability - Paul Richter, Los Angeles Times
Where Bhutto's Death Leaves U.S. - Thompson and Bennett, Time
Death Deals Blow to U.S. - Matthew Lee, Associated Press
Making a Martyr of Bhutto - Aryn Baker, Time
Can Democracy Survive? - Bronwen Maddox, London Times
Pakistan's Bloody Curse - Saeed Shah, Globe and Mail
In the Mist of Benazir Bhutto - Deborah Simmons, Washington Times
Pakistan Civil War? - Wilkinson, Edwards and Blair, London Daily Telegraph
Bhutto Killing Inflames Pakistan - Wonacott and Solomon, Wall Street Journal
Civil War Feared - Zahid Hussain, London Times
Lived in Eye of Storm - Perlez and Burnett, New York Times
Pakistan at an Uncertain Hour - Teresita Schaffer, Washington Post
Salvaging U.S. Diplomacy - Cooper and Meyers, New York Times
The Queen is Dead, Long Live the Cause – Ben Macintyre, London Times
Bhutto and Democracy – Michael Hirsh, Newsweek
Benazir Bhutto - Andrew McCarthy, National Review
Benazir Bhutto – Max Boot, Commentary
Benazir Bhutto: Headlong – David Ignatius, Washington Post
Supping with the Terrorist Devils - Ramesh Thakur, Ottawa Citizen
Democracy Sidetracked Again - Brian Katulis, Baltimore Sun
Not All are Mourning Bhutto - Tristan Mabry, Philadelphia Inquirer
Musharraf’s Political Future Appears Troubled - David Rhode, New York Times
Roots of Conflict - Eric Carvin, Associated Press
Who Did It? – Jason Burke, Guardian
When an Assassin Succeeds - Rich Lowry, Real Clear Politics
Many Had the Desire, Means to Kill Bhutto - Warrick and Ricks, Washington Post
Main Suspects are Warlords and Security Forces - Jeremy Page, London Times
In the Arms of Extremists - Raheel Raza, Ottawa Citizen
Daughter of Destiny – Christopher Hitchens, Slate
More Peril for Pakistan? - Kim Barker, Chicago Tribune
The Benazir I Knew - Mansoor Ijaz, Christian Science Monitor
The Benazir I Knew - Amy Wilentz, Los Angeles Times
Coming of Age in the Benazir Bhutto Era - Huma Yusuf, Boston Globe
The Traditional Rebel - Molly Moore, Washington Post
Weathered Political Storm - John Burns, New York Times
The Dangerous Void Left Behind – Ahmed Rashid, Washington Post
Benazir Bhutto – Mark Steyn, National Review
Aristocrat Who Championed Democracy - Henry Chu, Los Angeles Times
Grief, Anger After a Voice is Stilled - Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer
Bhutto Killing Rocks ‘08 Trail – Allen, Martin and Smith, Politico

Blogs

The Insider Brief - Pakistani blog
All Things Pakistan - Pakistani blog
State of Pakistan - Pakistani blog
Bloggers Pakistan - Pakistani blog aggregator
Analysis of the Bhutto Assassination - Counterterrorism
Benazir Bhutto Assassinated - The Long War Journal
What Died with Benazir Bhutto? - The Belmont Club
Benazir Bhutto, RIP - Abu Muqawama
As Pakistan Descends Into Mourning - Information Dissemination
Assassinated! - ZenPundit
Reactions to Bhutto - MountainRunner
Bhutto's Assassination - Thomas P.M. Barnett
Pakistan on the Brink - Counterterrorism
Al Qaeda Takes Credit - The Long War Journal
Bhutto Shot While Waving Through Sunroof - ThreatsWatch
Al-Qaida Claiming Credit - Counterterrorism
Moving On - The Belmont Club
Thoughts on the Assassination - The Captain's Journal
A Reminder This Is A Real War - Counterterrorism
What Next for Pakistan? - Captain's Quarters
They Finally Got Her - Westhawk
Uppity Muslim Woman Killed - tdaxp
Benazir Bhutto Assassinated - Michelle Malkin
Lethal Assault on Democracy - Counterterrorism
Attack on Democracy - PrairiePundit
Candidate's Reactions - Captain's Quarters
Bloggers React - Blogs of War

Recent Interviews / Op-Eds by Bhutto

Interview with Benazir Bhutto – Parade Magazine
Interview with Benazir Bhutto – Washington Post
Interview with Benazir Bhutto – Washington Post
Interview with Benazir Bhutto – Washington Post
Interview with Benazir Bhutto – Washington Post
Interview with Benazir Bhutto - Christian Science Monitor
Musharraf’s Electoral Farce – Benazir Bhutto, Washington Post
Campaigning in the Face of Terror - Benazir Bhutto, Wall Street Journal
I Will Not Acquiesce to Tyranny - Benazir Bhutto, Globe and Mail

Discuss

Small Wars Council

Continue reading "Benazir Bhutto Assassinated" »

Wanted in Iraq: A Surge of Political Will – Trudy Rubin, Miami Herald
Avoiding a Hollow Force – Holmes and Eaglen, Washington Times
Gordon England’s War – Frank Gaffney Jr., Washington Times
The Costs of Mixed Signals to Kabul – The Independent editorial
Media Military Matters – Michelle Malkin, National Review
A Terrorist’s Tet – Austin Bay, Washington Times
Coal in Israel’s Stocking – Clifford May, National Review
The Arduous Task of Planning Peace – Frida Ghitis, Miami Herald
Charlie Wilson’s War: Not Today – John Fund, Wall Street Journal
Review, Rescind Australia Defence Errors – Michael Costello, The Australian
Beyond the Humanitarian Disaster – The Australian editorial

Continue reading "28 December SWJ Op-Ed Roundup" »

An Iraqi Solution for Iraq – Boston Globe editorial
What a Difference in Fallujah – Lennox Samuels, Newsweek
Too Soon to Declare Victory – Joseph Galloway, Miami Herald
Surge and Denial – Michelle Malkin, New York Post
War of 1968 vs. 2008 – Charles Zwick, Miami Herald
The Terrorist’s Tet – Austin Bay, Real Clear Politics
U.K. Can’t Rule Out Taliban Talks – London Daily Telegraph editorial
Questionable Iran Policies – Washington Times editorial