QUOTE OF THE DAY
One visitor to Iraq made the comment on a slide that to do better, we had to "Delegate beyond the point of discomfort." Just so -- and we should embrace that but letting go is hard to do...
--Ken White, Small Wars Council
RUSSIA
Rice Says Russia Has Taken a 'Dark Turn' - William Branigin, Washington Post
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stepped up US criticism of Russia yesterday, saying its military action against neighboring Georgia last month failed to achieve Moscow's objectives and has put Russia on a path to "self-imposed isolation and international irrelevance."
In a speech, Rice said the United States and Europe must stand up to what she described as Russia's bullying behavior, and she railed against "anachronistic Russian displays of military power" in Latin America. She referred to the arrival of two Russian strategic bombers in Venezuela last week for training flights at the invitation of Venezuela's anti-American president, Hugo Chávez.
But Rice said the United States will not let differences with Russia's government "obstruct a deepening relationship between the American and Russian people" and will continue to "support all Russians who want a future of liberty."
More at the Washington Post, Washington Times and Voice of America.
Russia Courts Leftist Nations - Kelly Hearn, Washington Times
Russia is expanding its presence in left-leaning Latin American nations, with an offer of aid to Bolivia to replace drug-fighting money cut off by the Bush administration - the latest expansion of Moscow's ties with a region beset by declining US influence.
Iran and China are also actively courting several nations in the region. The efforts typically target nations that have turned leftward in democratic elections, with Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela among the most prominent.
In recent years, Russia has stepped up its outreach to Latin America, as has China and, to a lesser extent, Iran. Efforts typically include foreign aid, joint ventures to develop energy resources, technology transfers and weapons sales - developments that defy centuries of US domination of the Western Hemisphere under what is known as the Monroe Doctrine.
The Russian quest for influence follows elections of leftist leaders with strong anti-American credentials in Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
More at The Washington Times.
PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN
US Airstrikes Test Alliance With Pakistan - Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor
More than at any time since Pakistan pledged its support to the war on terror in 2001, America's alliance with the country that is home to Al Qaeda and Taliban leadership is showing signs of significant strain.
America's top military officer, Adm. Mike Mullen, flew to Islamabad to meet with the Pakistani prime minister and Army chief Wednesday. He sought to quell mounting anger about recent US attacks against militants in Pakistan – eight missile strikes and a first-ever ground assault since Aug. 13.
A day earlier, a Pakistani Army spokesman had said soldiers would fire on US troops if they came into Pakistan again.
The relationship is increasingly marked by frustration and a lack of trust, and Admiral Mullen's need to rush to Pakistan – his fifth visit in the past year – points to a new and testing phase for the US-Pakistani alliance.
"This is the toughest period" of the seven-year alliance, says Moeed Yusuf, an analyst at Boston University. "Each side is testing the waters" to see how far it can push the other.
As America turns more of its attention from a relatively stable Iraq to a rapidly deteriorating Afghanistan, it is growing impatient with Pakistan's inability to rein in militants who use the country's loosely governed tribal areas as a base to attack Afghanistan. Some $11 billion in American aid to Pakistan – intended to build up the Army's counterinsurgency capabilities – has accomplished little.
More at The Christian Science Monitor.
Pakistan vs. US Raids: How Bad a Rift? - Omar Waraich, Time Magazine
Pakistan's military and the US forces operating across the country's mountainous border with Afghanistan have become locked into a confusing and potentially dangerous game of brinkmanship over how to fight the al-Qaeda and Taliban militants sheltering on Pakistani soil. US military strikes on Pakistani soil are provoking increasingly strident warnings from Pakistan's military and political leadership, and they are continuing despite Washington's reassurances about respecting Pakistani sovereignty. Still, many believe the Pakistanis are engaged in ritual denunciation of US actions primarily for domestic political consumption.
Exasperated by Pakistan's failure to wipe out the militant sanctuaries on its soil, Washington decided earlier this month to take matters into its own hands. The first known ground assault of the campaign, staged by US Special Operations troops in Angoor Adda, a village in South Waziristan, was followed by stepped up air strikes on suspected militants by pilotless drones. Pentagon officials had suggested in recent weeks that the US would be "testing" the new Pakistani government by stepping up its attacks in western Pakistan to gauge Islamabad's reaction. Previously, US actions had been been limited to launching missile strikes or hot pursuits into Pakistani territory without the consent of the Pakistani government. The Sept. 3 attack was the first significant cross-border US ground strike without prior Pakistani approval - a change approved by President Bush in July. That raid, which Pakistan's military says killed up to 20 people including civilians, triggered angry criticism across Pakistan. As the protector of his country's sovereignty and nervous about rising anti-American sentiment, Pakistan's army chief issued an unprecedented warning in response to the raid. "No external force is allowed to conduct operations inside Pakistan," Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said. The statement was cheered by an anxious public and, in a sign of the military's influence, it was echoed by leading members of the government who had, until then, been reluctant to speak on the issue.
More at Time Magazine.
Britain Faces US Pressure for a Troop Surge in Afghanistan - Catherine Philp and Zahid Hussain, The Times
Britain is coming under increasing pressure to send more troops to Afghanistan as part of an American-led “quiet surge” designed to counter the worsening insurgency.
Robert Gates, the US Secretary of Defence, said yesterday that Washington was planning to send two more brigades, or about 7,000 troops, to Afghanistan next year in addition to the brigade already diverted from Iraq, and a fourth brigade in 2010. But he added that he expected Britain to match Washington’s commitment by enlarging its troop presence in Afghanistan next year as both countries reduce their numbers in Iraq.
“My understanding is that the UK may increase the size of its force,” he told journalists before the Nato meeting of defence ministers in London yesterday. “Truthfully, I don’t know if a final decision has been made.”
The Ministry of Defence denied that a further troop commitment was being considered beyond the current changeover between departing and deploying troops that will take the British contingent from 7,800 to 8,030.
More at The Times.
War and Drought Threaten Afghan Food Supply - Carlotta Gall, New York Times
A pitiable harvest this year has left small farmers all over central and northern Afghanistan facing hunger, and aid officials are warning of an acute food shortage this winter for nine million Afghans, more than a quarter of the population.
The crisis has been generated by the harshest winter in memory, followed by a drought across much of the country, which come on top of the broader problems of deteriorating security, the accumulated pressure of returning refugees and the effects of rising world food prices.
The failure of the Afghan government and foreign donors to develop the country’s main economic sector, agriculture, has compounded the problems, the officials say. They warn that the food crisis could make an already bad security situation worse.
More at The New York Times.
IRAQ
Agreement With Iraq Over Troops Is at Risk - Steven Lee Meyers and Sam Dagher, New York Times
An agreement to extend the American military mandate in Iraq beyond this year - near completion only a month ago - has stalled over objections by Iraqi leaders and could be in danger of falling apart, according to Iraqi and Bush administration officials.
The disagreements threaten a capstone of President Bush’s Iraq policy during his remaining months in office. Mr. Bush has already offered significant concessions to the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki in the negotiations, including his willingness to accept a specific date for withdrawing American forces: the end of 2011.
The major remaining point of contention involves immunity, with the United States maintaining that American troops and military contractors should have the same protections they have in other countries where they are based and Iraq insisting that they be subject to the country’s criminal justice system for any crime committed outside of a military operation, the officials said.
More at The New York Times.
NEWS & OPINION NOTES
Iraq
US Soldier Held in Other Soldiers' Deaths - Washington Post
Gen. Petraeus: A Job Well Done - Miami Herald editorial
It Still Has Three Corners - Belmont Club blog
Questions for the COIN-savvy - Abu Muqawama blog
The Strongest Tribe - Westhawk blog book review
Afghanistan / Pakistan Tribal Areas
Gates Calls Afghanistan Situation Complicated, Dynamic - AFPS
Gates: US Reviewing its Afghanistan War Strategy - Associated Press
General in Afghanistan Stresses Partnership - AFPS
Marine General Says Limited Troops Available - Associated Press
Afghan Police: Foreign Forces Kill Afghan Leader - Voice of America
Karzai Ally Killed in Battle with NATO Troops - Associated Press
US Defies Pakistan with New Air Raid - The Australian
Pakistan: No Compromise on US Cross-border Strikes - Associated Press
US Seeks Sweeping Changes in Command Structure - Captain's Journal blog
ISI Flashpoint: Kiyani-Zardari Conflict - ThreatsWatch blog
Iran
Iran’s President Denies Hostility to Israelis - New York Times
Russia Rattles Sabre with Arms Sales to Iran - The Times
The Long War
The Politics of Memory - Belmont Club blog
Homeland Security and Open Source - ThreatsWatch blog
Bin Laden Spoke - Nukes and Spooks blog
Complex Operations
COIN in Iraq and Afghanistan: An Interview with John Nagl - World Politics Review
Surge Provided Important Lessons in Region - United Press International
Public Diplomacy
Understanding Public Diplomacy - MountainRunner blog
Islam
Facebook Reflects Struggle Over Islam's Role - Los Angeles Times
US Department of Defense
Marine Denied Medal of Honor - Washington Post
States Accuse Pentagon of Threats, Retaliation - Washington Post
Soldiers and Warriors - Intel Dump blog
Anthrax Investigation
Anthrax Suspicions - Washington Post editorial
World
The Irrationality of Anti-Americanism - Weekly Standard opinion
Africa
Zimbabwe Unity Government Falls at First Hurdle - The Times
Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Deal Deadlocks - New York Times
Zimbabwe Cabinet Talks Stall Over Key Ministries - Agence France-Presse
Prying Zimbabwe From Mugabe's Hands - Wall Street Journal editorial
S. Africa: ANC Leaders to Discuss Mbeki Role - BBC News
Americas
Chávez Has Undermined Democracy, Group Says - Washington Post
Chávez Wrecks Venezuela, Democracy - Miami Herald opinion
Chavez's Dangerous Liaisons - Weekly Standard opinion
Bolivia Politicial Talks Aim to Cool off Crisis - Associated Press
Three Suspects Held in Mexican Independence Day Attack - Los Angeles Times
Mexican Prison Riot Toll Rises - Los Angeles Times
Canada: Peacekeeping Vets Fume at Tories - Associated Press
Asia / Pacific
N. Korea Says It Will Restart Reactor - Associated Press
South Korean Officials Try to Keep Lid on Kim Jong Il Health Rumors - VOA
North Korea's Crimes Against Humanity - Boston Globe opinion
Burma: The Generals Go Cyber? - Wall Street Journal opinion
Europe
Threats of Fresh Political Turmoil in Turkey - The Times
NATO Rapid-response Unit Proposed to Address Russia - Los Angeles Times
Gates Urges Cautious NATO Stance on Russia - New York Times
Gates Urges NATO Unity on Russia Problem - AFPS
Putin Is Ruining Russia's Economy - Wall Street Journal opinion
For Georgians, a Much-Needed Break - Washington Post
Georgia's Army: Hezbollah to the Rescue? - Intel Dump blog
Anger at Far Right 'Anti-Islam' Conference - The Times
Middle East
Yemen Arrests Suspects in US Embassy Bombing - Voice of America
Yemen: 30 Are Arrested After Attack on US Embassy - Reuters
US Teen Killed in Yemen Attack Has Cousin Tied to AQ - Los Angeles Times
Toll in Yemen Rises, Includes American - Washington Post
Deep-rooted al-Qaida Hard to Extract from Yemen - Associated Press
Yemen Bombing Exposes Dangers - United Press International
Israel: Livni's Win is a Vote for Dialogue - The Australian
Livni's Hours - The Times editorial
The Israeli Election - Washington Times editorial
Give Livni a Chance - Boston Globe editorial
Ultra-Orthodox Party Emerging as Israel Kingmaker - Associated Press
Iran a Distraction but Palestinian Pact is Vital - The Times
Israel and Palestine Can Still Achieve Peace - Wall Street Journal opinion
South Asia
Indian Police Battle Militants in Indian Capital - Associated Press
India Police Kill 'Two Militants' - BBC News
Sri Lanka's Military Says Heavy Fighting Kills 70 - Associated Press
BOOKS
In a Time of War - Bill Murphy
The West Point cadets Murphy follows through their baptism by fire are an admirable sample of young American men and women: intelligent, ambitious and intensely patriotic.
Baghdad at Sunrise - Peter Mansoor
This compelling book presents an unparalleled record of what happened after US forces seized Baghdad in the spring of 2003.
The Strongest Tribe - Bing West
From a universally respected combat journalist, a gripping history based on five years of front-line reporting about how the war was turned around–and the choice now facing America.
Tell Me How This Ends - Linda Robinson
After a series of disastrous missteps in its conduct of the war, the White House in 2006 appointed General David Petraeus as the Commanding General of the coalition forces. Tell Me How This Ends is an inside account of his attempt to turn around a failing war.
We Are Soldiers Still - Joe Galloway
In their stunning follow-up to the classic bestseller We Were Soldiers Once... and Young, Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and Joe Galloway return to Vietnam and reflect on how the war changed them, their men, their enemies, and both countries - often with surprising results.
EVENTS OF INTEREST
2 October - Civil Affairs Roundtable (Public Event - Roundtable). ROA Headquarters, One Constitution Ave, NE Washington, DC. Sponsored by the Reserve Officers Association. In earlier roundtables, the observation was made that the center of gravity for stability operations is the human population in the area of operations. Civil affairs professionals and information operators are the key national security resources for influencing the human population. Civil affairs professionals assist in humanitarian operations and building civilian capacity. Information operators develop messages and keep the population informed. This roundtable will explore the relationship between the civil affairs and strategic communications functions.
3-7 November - Counterinsurgency Leaders' Workshop (COIN Workshop). Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Sponsored by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Center. This event is a five-day program focused on understanding the fundamentals of insurgency and counterinsurgency. This is a version of the same extremely popular workshop offered to hundreds of military and civilian attendees over the past two years. The COIN Center has expanded the number of slots available to compensate for the high demand of previous sessions. The proceedings are UNCLASSIFED and registration is open to all interested US government and allied personnel.
