QUOTE OF THE DAY

--Company Commander, Iraq (H/T Cavguy)

AFGHANISTAN

US Needs More Troops in Afghanistan, Commander Says - Peter Spiegel and Julian E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times

A top commander of US forces in Afghanistan said Friday that he needed thousands of additional troops to combat violence along the border with Pakistan, a requirement that appears to be at odds with recommendations from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus on future troop levels in Iraq.

Because of strains on the military, plans to boost the number of troops in Afghanistan depend on reducing the force in Iraq. Petraeus' plan, which President Bush is expected to approve Tuesday in an appearance at the National Defense University, would slow the reduction of combat troops in Iraq, freeing up only one full Army combat brigade for redeployment to Afghanistan. That move would not happen until early next year.

In addition to the combat brigade of about 3,500 to 4,000 troops, US officials also plan to withdraw about 2,000 non-combat support personnel from Iraq and transfer about 1,300 Marines from Iraq's Anbar province to western Afghanistan.

More at the Los Angeles Times and Associated Press.

US Plans 'Very Aggressive' Winter Campaign in Afghanistan - David Wood, Baltimore Sun

Amid rising violence and increasing numbers of foreign insurgents pouring into Afghanistan, the US will launch a "very aggressive" winter campaign in eastern Afghanistan for the first time since 2002, a senior commander said today.

Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser, commander of the 101st Airborne Division task force in eastern Afghanistan, said the unprecedented winter offensive will be coupled with a development drive that will provide some $479 million to help employ young Afghan males on local development projects.

Schloesser, in a televised briefing with Pentagon reporters this morning, acknowledged that a shortage of troops is hampering his combat effectiveness.

"We are not losing" the war in Afghanistan, said Schloesser, who has asked Washington for reinforcements. "I can come in and clobber the enemy, but I can't hold [territory] and stay with the people" to protect them against Taliban and other insurgents, he said.

More at The Baltimore Sun.

Let the Infantry Do its Job - Greg Sheridan, The Australian

The wounding of nine Australian soldiers in a Taliban ambush on Tuesday night is not only the biggest single combat casualty incident since Vietnam. It also tells us important things about the Rudd Government, about the nature of the Australian Army, about the dreadful continuing conflict in Afghanistan and the crippling political crisis in neighbouring Pakistan.

On the Rudd Government, the incident shows the steadfastness and commitment of the whole Government to the war on terror, the deployment in Afghanistan and the US alliance.

More than 50 Australian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan, many seriously, and six have been killed. Australia has a little more than 1000 soldiers there. They are at serious risk all the time. But Rudd and Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon were crystal clear in their response to the Taliban ambush.

The cause is just, the strategic rationale compelling: If abandoned by the US-led coalition, Afghanistan will revert to a Taliban-ruled, pro-terror state. While Australia is writing no blank cheques, it is in for the long haul. The senior ministers at the heart of the Rudd Government are unwavering on this.

More at The Australian.

Caught in the Cross-Fire - New York Times editorial

Civilians in Afghanistan are paying a deadly price in the war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. America is fast losing the battle for hearts and minds, and unless the Pentagon comes up with a better strategy, the United States and its allies may well lose the war.

Afghans once looked on American troops as their liberators, but far too many have come to see them as enemies. Add to that the corruption and incompetence of the government of Afghanistan’s American-backed president, Hamid Karzai, and we fear Afghans are being driven back into the hands of the repressive Taliban.

There are too few American and NATO troops in Afghanistan to wage this fight on the ground. So the war against an increasingly powerful Taliban is often fought from the sky. Bombs dropped in populated areas increase the chances of deadly mistakes. In 2007, under pressure from Mr. Karzai, NATO made changes in targeting tactics, including delaying attacks in areas where civilians might be harmed. This has had some impact but obviously not enough.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to send 4,500 more American ground troops to Afghanistan - if they can be spared from the war in Iraq. But American commanders in Afghanistan have been pleading for months for about three times that number. NATO needs to step up its military efforts, and with other states build up Afghanistan’s security forces, administrative capacity and rural development.

More at The New York Times.

IRAQ

Compromise Led to Iraq Troop Plan - Ann Scott Tyson and Karen DeYoung, Washington Post

The Pentagon plan for future US troop levels in Iraq now under consideration by President Bush resulted from a compromise at the highest levels of the US military, with top Iraq commander Gen. David H. Petraeus initially seeking to sustain the current level of 15 combat brigades through June while members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff urged a swifter reduction, according to senior military officials.

Security gains in Iraq, most notably in Anbar province, Baghdad and the southern city of Basra, led Adm. Michael Mullen, the Joint Chiefs chairman, to favor cutting the force in Iraq to 14 combat brigades by February - the final Pentagon recommendation that went to Bush this week, the officials said.

More at The Washington Post.

Bush Expected to Maintain US Troop Level in Iraq through 2008 - Al Pessin, Voice of America

The White House says next week President Bush will announce his plans for US troop levels in Iraq for the rest of his time in office, an announcement that will also affect how many additional troops he can send to Afghanistan. Officials say senior military officers have recommended no further Iraq withdrawals this year, and only a small one early next year, which could make it difficult for commanders to address the increased attacks by insurgents in Afghanistan.

President Bush's long-awaited announcement is expected next Monday or Tuesday, before Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen testify before a congressional committee on Wednesday. Those men gave their recommendations to the president two days ago, and officials say they included the views of the top coalition commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus. They also included the views of the heads of the US military services, who have been particularly concerned about the stress on the force caused by multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

On condition of anonymity, officials have told news reporters the recommendation is for no further reduction in the 140,000-strong US contingent in Iraq this year, and for a small reduction of between 3,000 and 5,000 troops in January, just before President Bush leaves office.

More at Voice of America.

US Teams Weaken Insurgency In Iraq - Joby Warrick and Robin Wright, Washington Post

By the time he was captured last month, the man known among Iraqi insurgents as "the Tiger" had lost much of his bite. Abu Uthman, whose fierce attacks against US troops and Iraqi civilians in Fallujah had earned him a top spot on Iraq's most-wanted list, had been reduced to shuttling between hideouts in a Baghdad slum, hiding by day for fear neighbors might recognize him.

In the end, a former associate-turned-informant showed local authorities the house where Uthman was sleeping. On Aug. 11, US troops kicked in the door and handcuffed him. They quietly ended the career of a man Pentagon officials describe as the kidnapper of American journalist Jill Carroll and also as one of a dwindling number of veteran commanders of the Sunni insurgent group known as al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI).

Uthman, whose given name is Salim Abdallah Ashur al-Shujayri, was one of the bigger fish to be landed recently in a novel anti-insurgent operation that plays out nightly in Baghdad and throughout much of Iraq. US intelligence and defense officials credit the operation and its unusual tactics - involving small, hybrid teams of special forces and intelligence officers - with the capture of hundreds of suspected terrorists and their supporters in recent months.

More at The Washington Post.

Fury in Iraq as Bob Woodwood Claims US Spied on Nouri al-Maliki - Deborah Haynes, The Times

Iraq is demanding an explanation from the United States after allegations that US intelligence agencies have been spying on Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi Prime Minister and other government officials.

If the claims, made in a new book by veteran investigative reporter Bob Woodward, prove to be true they will “cast a shadow” over relations between Baghdad and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other US intelligence services, an Iraqi government spokesman said yesterday.

“If it is true, if it is a fact, it reflects that there is no trust and it reflects also that the institutions in the United States are used to spy on their friends and their enemies in the same way,” Dr Ali al-Dabbagh told The Times.

“If it is true it casts a shadow on the future relations with such institutions,” he said. “We will raise this with the American side and we will ask for an explanation.”

More at the Times, Washington Post, New York Times and Voice of America.

Where We Stand in Iraq - Max Boot, Commentary opinion

If these reports are accurate, General David Petraeus has recommended, and Secretary of Defense Bob Gates has adopted, a cautious approach toward troop draw-downs in Iraq. They apparently want to wait until early next year to cut the overall US force from 15 brigades to 14, with one brigade initially scheduled for Iraq to be sent to Afghanistan instead. That they’re not calling for a more substantial reduction will disappoint opponents of the war effort and even some of its supporters but that strikes me as a prudent course to follow.

There is no disputing the remarkable gains of the past 18 months, with violence across Iraq down by some 80%. Just a few days ago, US troops turned over Anbar Province to Iraqi control amid declarations by some stateside - but not by commanders on the ground - that “victory” has been achieved. There is no question that victory looks infinitely more achievable now than it did a couple of years ago, but we’re still not there yet. Lots of risks remain, with provincial elections probably coming at the end of the year and volatile situations such as the future of Kirkuk still unresolved.

More at Commentary.

LIBYA

Rice Sits Down with Gadhafi - John Phillips, Washington Times

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held a historic meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Friday, demonstrating that the United States has no "permanent enemies" and that Washington is willing to do business with rogue states that renounce terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

The Libyan strongman looked stern as he received Miss Rice in an incense-filled reception room in the Bab al-Azizya barracks in the Libyan capital. He did not shake hands but placed his hand on his heart in a traditional Arab greeting, lightly touched her arm and gestured her to sit down.

Col. Gadhafi wore a full-length white traditional Libyan robe, a scarf covered with symbols of the African continent, black patent leather shoes and a North African black woolen hat.

The Libyan leader, whom President Reagan once labeled a "mad dog," later feted Miss Rice in a traditional Bedouin tent in the compound, which was bombed by the United States in 1986 in reprisal for what Washington said was Libya-sponsored terrorism.

More at the Washington Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, BBC News and Voice of America.

NEWS & OPINION NOTES

Complex Operations

COIN at APSA - Abu Muqawama blog
COIN Book Club #11: The Advisor - Abu Muqawama blog

Iraq

Iraq Politician Chalabi Survives Assassination Attempt - Los Angeles Times
Malki the Strongman? - Abu Muqawama blog
Bush’s Iraq Policy Ends with a Whimper, Not a Bang - Westhawk blog
Understanding Iraq Through Anbar's Lens - ThreatsWatch blog
The Anbar Lens: News From The Iraqi Awakening - ThreatsWatch blog

Afghanistan / Pakistan Tribal Areas

US Missiles Killed at Least Six on Border, Residents Say - New York Times
Into Pakistan - Commentary opinion
HVT Initiative in the North West Frontier Province - Captain's Journal blog
Raiding the Sanctuary - Westhawk blog
On the Kajaki Dam Operation - Captain's Journal blog
Pakistan Shuts Down NATO's Supply Line - Long War Journal blog
Trouble in Afghanistan? - Kings of War blog

Russia / Georgia / Ukraine / Czech Republic

Medvedev Says Russia 'Nation to be Reckoned With' - Associated Press
US Face-to-Face with Russian Troops - The Times
US Warship Anchors Off Georgia - Washington Post
Cheney Pledges Support for Ukraine - New York Times
Cheney Tells Ukraine to Unite Over Russia - Daily Telegraph
Cheney to Ukraine: US Supports Your Security - Associated Press
Czech Official Warns of Crises Involving Russia - Los Angeles Times
Ties Between the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches Tested - NY Times
Killing Messengers in Russia - Boston Globe editorial
The Russian Media is Putin's Puppet - Daily Telegraph opinion

Iran

Iran Rejects French Warning of Israeli Strike Risk - Reuters
Russia's Role in the Iran Crisis - Boston Globe opinion

Australia

Navy Told to Stop Whining, Get Tough - The Australian

Africa

Angolans Find Little Solace in Democracy - Globe and Mail
Delays, Shortages Mark First Voting in Angola in 16 Years - Associated Press
Delay-hit Angola Election Resumes - BBC News
In Destitute Swaziland, Leader Lives Royally - New York Times
Malaysia Deploys Navy to Somalia - BBC News

Americas

Storm Surge Left 500 Dead in Haiti - Associated Press
A Little Insult Is All the Rage in Venezuela: ‘Pitiyanqui’ - New York Times
Bogota's Bad Apples - Los Angeles Times editorial

Asia / Pacific

Living Conditions Bad but Thai Protesters Stay Put - Associated Press
Thailand's New Crisis - Washington Post editorial
Envoys Hold Talks on North Korea - BBC News
China and Transparency - Information Dissemination blog

Europe

Al Qaeda Repeats Threat to Danes - Reuters

Middle East

Israel Allows Small-arms Shipment to Abbas - Associated Press

South Asia

Bhutto Widower Elected Pakistan's President - Associated Press
Bhutto's Widower Wins Presidency - BBC News
Zardari Poised to Take Over from Musharraf - The Times
People Power's Darker Side - The Australian
Zardari Vows to Lead 'for Benazir' - The Australian
3 Pakistani Judges Return to Top Court - Associated Press
Pakistan Now Depends on Zardari - Daily Telegraph opinion
Christians Targeted by Mobs in India - The Times
Muslim Separatist Strike Shuts Down Indian Kashmir - Associated Press

BOOKS

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.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS / SIGNINGS

Tell Me How This Ends: General David Petraeus and the Search For a Way Out of Iraq by Linda Robinson. 10 September 2008, 4:30 PM - Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at SAIS, Washington, D.C. Details.

The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq by Bing West. 11 September 2008, 12:00 - 2:00 PM - Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters. Details.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

11-12 September - DNI Open Source Conferece 2008 (Public Event - Conference). Washington, DC. Sponsored by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Office of the DNI is pleased to announce the "DNI Open Source Conference 2008" to be held on Thursday, 11 September and Friday, 12 September, 2008 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington DC. The conference is free; however, all who wish to attend must register online in advance (deadline 31 July). The two-day conference will explore a wide range of open source issues and open source best practices for the Intelligence Community and its partners. We invite participants from the broader open source community of interest including academia, think tanks, private industry, federal, state, local and tribal entities, international partners, and the media to attend. The conference will include speakers from across the broader open source community participating in panel discussions and focus group sessions. Information about the agenda and break-out sessions is now available. The DNI Open Source Conference 2007 was held 16-17 July 2007 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. More than 900 registered participants and speakers attended. Presentations made at the conference break-out sessions are available on the DNI Open Source Conference 2007 website.

16-18 September - The U.S. Army and the Interagency Process: A Historical Perspective (Public Event - Conference / Call for Papers). Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Combat Studies Institute. The symposium will include a variety of guest speakers, panel sessions, and general discussions. This symposium will explore the partnership between the U.S. Army and government agencies in attaining national goals and objectives in peace and war within a historical context. Separate international topics may be presented. The symposium will also examine current issues, dilemmas, problems, trends, and practices associated with U.S. Army operations requiring close interagency cooperation.

17 September - The Iranian Puzzle Piece: Understanding Iran in the Global Context (Public Event - Symposium). Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Sponsored by the by the Marine Corps University (MCU) and the Marine Corps University Foundation to enhance the overall understanding of Iran, exploring its internal dynamics, regional perspectives, and extra-regional factors and examining its near-term political and strategic options and their potential impact on the course of action of the United States and the USMC.

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.