--Ernest Hemingway

ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS

Israel and Hamas Enact Cease-Fires - Chip Cummins, Jay Solomon and Joshua Mitnick, Wall Street Journal

Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, agreed to a cease-fire, halting for the time being more than three weeks of blistering Israeli attacks on the territory and setting the stage for a possible longer-term deal that could see both sides claiming a measure of victory.

The Israeli army, meanwhile, told the Associated Press that it had begun withdrawing some of its troops Sunday. The military would not say how many troops it was pulling out. But tanks were rolling out early Sunday and smiling infantry soldiers were seen walking toward the border.

On Sunday, Hamas factions in Gaza said they will honor a one-week cease-fire, following Israel's declaration late Saturday that it would halt its attack, according to the AP. Hamas' Syrian-based deputy leader said on Syrian television that the cease-fire will give Israel time to withdraw and open all the border crossings to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, two conditions Hamas has demanded for any prolonged peace.

More at The Wall Street Journal.

Israel Begins Pullout; Gazans Survey Debris - Craig Whitlock and Jonathan Finer, Washington Post

Israeli soldiers flashed the victory sign Sunday as they began withdrawing from the Gaza Strip. Shellshocked Palestinians emerged from shelters and counted their dead. But as a tenuous cease-fire took hold, few people on either side predicted an end to the cycle of violence that has endured for generations.

The 22-day war ended without surrender. Neither Israel nor Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls Gaza, made any concessions, except to stop fighting temporarily.

"The essence of this is you have two completely separate cease-fires, with no underpinnings in them of agreement or understanding, and no resolution of the original causes of the conflict," said Alistair Crooke, a former British intelligence officer and former European Union adviser on Palestinian issues. "On one level, it's back to square one, and all of the elements of the situation are back to where they were before the war."

More at The Washington Post.

Rebuilding Begins Upon a Wobbly Truce - Isabel Kershner, New York Times

Israeli troops and tanks began to leave Gaza on Sunday as a fragile cease-fire opened the way for intensified international efforts to build a more durable peace.

Small skirmishes broke out but Gaza was largely quiet after Israel, then Hamas, announced unilateral cease-fires, ending a devastating 22-day battle in which more than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis died.

European and Arab leaders met in Egypt, where they pledged support for rebuilding Gaza, and called for an end to arms smuggling, as Israel has demanded, and the opening of Gaza’s borders, as demanded by Hamas, the Islamic militant movement that rules Gaza.

Six European leaders went on to Jerusalem, where Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told them that Israel was interested in leaving Gaza “as quickly as possible,” as soon as the circumstances allowed. A military official confirmed on Sunday evening that a “gradual withdrawal” was under way.

More at The New York Times and:

Egypt Hosts Gaza Ceasefire Meeting - Voice of America
Hamas Agrees to Cease-fire - Washington Times
Scale of Gaza Damage Emerging as Israel Pulls Out - The Times
Scale of Gaza Destruction Emerges - BBC News
Israeli Troops Begin Leaving Gaza - Associated Press
Shocked and Grieving Gazans Find Bodies Under the Rubble of Homes - NY Times
Gaza Cease-fire lets Palestinians Cautiously Recover Bodies - LA Times
Parsing Gains of Gaza War - New York Times
Arab and European Leaders Look to Secure Peace - Christian Science Monitor
Opposition to US, Israel Unites Conference Attendees - Los Angeles Times
Israel Hopes Iran and Hezbollah Get Message - Los Angeles Times
The Specious and the Specific - Washington Times opinion

IRAQ

The Political Dance in Iraq's South - Anthony Shadid, Washington Post

On the 340-mile road from Baghdad to Basra, flat desert gives way to dunes swept by man and nature, then oases of grudgingly resilient date palms. Clumps of silt border dredged canals, each one like a child's notion of a sand castle. Huts of mud and brick crumble along a rusted railroad, more artifact than instrument.

But a paradox, as complicated as the landscape is monotonous, hangs over the people of southern Iraq, wearied as they are by tyranny, war and corruption.

They are realizing that democracy, at least as it coalesces here, has its limits.

Iraq's provincial elections this month promise to redefine the constellation of power in a country in transition, contested by thousands of candidates on hundreds of lists, some represented by a single person. But six years of war, often pivoting on the pragmatic choices of US soldiers and diplomats, have empowered sometimes unlikely forces -- Sunni tribes, former insurgents and religious Shiite parties -- in ways that will indelibly shape the kind of political system the United States leaves behind.

More at The Washington Post.

Another Politician Is Killed as Iraqi Voting Draws Near - Sam Dagher, New York Times

A prominent Sunni Arab tribal sheik and former general, who was among the leaders of a coalition running in the coming provincial elections in northern Iraq, was killed Sunday by a suicide bomber.

The sheik, Hassan Zaidan al-Luhaibi, 59, was in his tribal guesthouse in the town of Gayara in Nineveh Province after attending a campaign event in the area when a teenager wearing an explosives-laden vest and armed with a machine gun stormed in, according to Saleh al-Mutlaq, a Sunni Arab member of Parliament and Mr. Luhaibi’s political partner.

The bomber moved toward Mr. Luhaibi and detonated his explosives, killing Mr. Luhaibi and two of Mr. Luhaibi’s relatives and wounding two Iraqi policemen, according to the police in Mosul, Nineveh’s provincial capital.

Mr. Luhaibi’s killing followed the fatal shooting on Friday of a Shiite candidate from Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s party, Haithan Kadhim al-Husaini, in Babil Province, south of Baghdad. A Sunni Arab candidate was shot to death in Mosul on Dec. 31.

More at the New York Times and Washington Post.

Iraq Set to Control ‘Sons of Iraq’ by April - Ashley Rowland, Stars and Stripes

The United States will transfer control of the "Sons of Iraq" to the Iraqi government by April, officials from both countries said Sunday.

The transfer appears to be going faster than expected. Initially officials said it was to be completed across the country by June, a critical time for the country. Under a security pact approved recently, US troops would withdraw from cities and towns and work out of bases by June 30.

The Iraqi government began paying the salaries of 51,000 members in Baghdad three months ago. An additional 20,000 members of the armed civilian groups, which began forming in 2006 to fight al-Qaida and other insurgents, will be shifted from the US to Iraqi government’s payroll by February, said Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general for operations for Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

"The signs are that this is going in the right direction," he said during a news conference.

Twenty percent of the "Sons of Iraq," who have been credited for helping to calm violence in the country, will enter the Iraqi security forces, mostly to become police officers, Ferriter said. The rest will be offered civil jobs, with many receiving vocational training, he said.

Shifting the armed groups from US to Iraqi control - and ensuring they don’t return to the insurgency - has been a key concern in cementing security gains made during the past year.

More at Stars and Stripes.

NEWS & OPINION NOTES

Afghanistan / Pakistan Tribal Areas

NATO Chief Faults Afghan Leaders - BBC News
Australia: First Victoria Cross in 40 years - The Australian
VC Winner Wants Afghanistan Return - The Australian
Afghan Foreign Minister Unhappy with Clinton - Associated Press
Taleban Blow up Pakistan Schools - BBC News
Afghanistan: We Can Do Better - Washington Post opinion
The Central Front - Washington Times opinion
Afghan Hearts and Minds Slipping Away - The Australian opinion

Iraq

Iraqi, US Forces Detain Criminals, Discover Weapons - AFPS
A Farewell Warning On Iraq - Washington Post opinion

The Long War

Rulings of Improper Detentions in Cuba - New York Times
Closing Guantánamo - New York Times editorial
True Tales of Torture - Washington Post opinion
Introducing the CIA to the Constitution - Washington Times opinion

United States

In Obama Remarks, Theme Of 'Responsibility' Emerges - Washington Post
Inauguration Celebrations Begin in Washington - New York Times
Pride in Country, Few Regrets - Christian Science Monitor
For Obama, Rare Chance for Bold Start on Big Task - New York Times
'Welcome to this Celebration of American Renewal' - Christian Science Monitor
Obama Reaches Out for McCain’s Counsel - New York Times
Maryland National Guard Supports President-elect’s ‘Whistle-stop’ Tour - AFPS
A Behind-the-Scenes Job With Historic Resonance - Washington Post
Obama Builds on King's Dream - Washington Times
Big Stars Rock the Lincoln Memorial - Los Angeles Times
More Joining American Military as Jobs Dwindle - New York Times
Mr. Bush Exits - Washington Post editorial
Mr. Bush's Mixed Bag - Washington Times editorial
National Day of Service - Washington Post editorial
The Next War President - New York Times opinion
Let's Renew America Together - Wall Street Journal opinion
Hillary's Triumph - Washington Times opinion
Tactical Success, Strategic Loss - Washington Times opinion
What Bush Leaves Behind - Los Angeles Times opinion
De-emphasizing Democracy - Washington Post opinion
A Faster Disaster Master - Washington Times opinion
A Good President and a Fine Man - The Australian opinion

Africa

In Zimbabwe, Deal Likely to Fly or Fail This Week - New York Times
Opposition Leader Tsvangirai Returns to Zimbabwe - Associated Press
Time to Forcefully Oust Mugabe - Christian Science Monitor opinion
Rebels Kill at Least 620 in Congo, Groups Say - Associated Press
British Hostages Moved by Niger Rebels After Botched Rescue - The Times
Young Men Vanish into Somalia - Los Angeles Times

Americas

US-Mexico Border Violence Persists - Washington Times
Obama and Chávez Start Sparring Early - Washington Post
Colombia: Shine is off FARC Rebel Army - Los Angeles Times
Leftists Favored in Salvador Elections - Los Angeles Times
El Salvador: Former Guerrillas Eye Political Surge - Associated Press
Mexico: Latin Opportunity - Washington Post editorial

Asia Pacific

North Korea Elevates Anti-Seoul Rhetoric as Tensions Rise - Wall Street Journal
N. Korea Toughens Position on Nukes - Associated Press
Thailand Accused of Towing Migrants Out to Sea - Washington Post
Thai Military 'Set Refugees Adrift to Die' - The Times
Thailand to Tackle Migrant Claims - BBC News
Aussie Jailed Over Thai Royals Insult - The Australian
Malaysia Opposition Wins By-Election - Wall Street Journal

Europe

Europe Waits to See if Gas Will Flow - Wall Street Journal
Russia and Ukraine Reach Deal on Gas - New York Times
Russia-Ukraine Deal to Restore Gas to Europe - Los Angeles Times
Women Tackle Islamic-Jewish Rift - Washington Times
Conservatives Lead German Elections - New York Times
Russia Strategy Needed - Washington Times opinion

Middle East

Ex-Senator Considered as Envoy to Mideast - New York Times
Syrian President: Syria Ready to Cooperate With US - Voice of America

South Asia

Pakistan Cracks Down on Lashkar-e-Taiba - Christian Science Monitor
Mumbai Suspect's Remand Extended - BBC News
Sri Lankan Refugee Crisis - The Times
Civilians 'Killed' in Sri Lanka - BBC News
Sri Lanka: A Letter From the Grave - New York Times editorial

BOOKS

The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008 - Thomas Ricks

Thomas E. Ricks uses hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews with top officers in Iraq and extraordinary on-the-ground reportage to document the inside story of the Iraq War since late 2005 as only he can, examining the events that took place as the military was forced to reckon with itself, the surge was launched, and a very different war began.

Why Vietnam Matters: An Eyewitness Account of Lessons Not Learned - Rufus Phillips

Phillips details how the legendary Edward G. Lansdale helped the South Vietnamese gain and consolidate their independence between 1954 and 1956, and how this later changed to a reliance on American conventional warfare with its highly destructive firepower. He reasons that our failure to understand the Communists, our South Vietnamese allies, or even ourselves took us down the wrong road. In summing up US errors in Vietnam, Phillips draws parallels with the American experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and suggests changes in the US approach. Known for his intellectual integrity and firsthand, long-term knowledge of what went on in Vietnam, the author offers lessons for today in this trenchant account.

Baghdad at Sunrise: A Brigade Commander's War in Iraq - Peter Mansoor

This is a unique contribution to the burgeoning literature on the Iraq war, analyzing the day-to-day performance of a US brigade in Baghdad during 2004-2005. Mansoor uses a broad spectrum of sources to address the military, political and cultural aspects of an operation undertaken with almost no relevant preparation, which tested officers and men to their limits and generated mistakes and misjudgments on a daily basis. The critique is balanced, perceptive and merciless - and Mansoor was the brigade commander. Military history is replete with command memoirs. Most are more or less self-exculpatory. Even the honest ones rarely achieve this level of analysis. The effect is like watching a surgeon perform an operation on himself. Mansoor has been simultaneously a soldier and a scholar, able to synergize directly his military and academic experiences.

The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq - 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. We interpret reality through the clouded prism of our own experience, so it is unsurprising that Bing West sees Iraq through the lens of Vietnam. He served as a Marine officer there, and he thinks politicians and the media caused the American public to turn against a war that could have been won. Now a correspondent for the Atlantic, West has made 15 reporting trips to Iraq over the last six years and is almost as personally invested in the current conflict as he was in Vietnam; this book, his third on Iraq, is his attempt to ensure that the "endgame" in Iraq turns out better than in his last war.

Tell Me How This Ends: General David Petraeus and the Search for a Way Out of Iraq - 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. Linda Robinson conducted extensive interviews with Petraeus and his subordinate commanders and spent weeks with key US and Iraqi divisions. The result is the only book that ties together military operations in Iraq and the internecine political drama that is at the heart of the civil war. Replete with dramatic battles, behind-doors confrontations, and astute analysis, the book tells the full story of the Iraq War’s endgame, and lays out the options that will be facing the next president.

The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008 - Bob Woodward

Woodward interviewed key players, obtained dozens of never-before-published documents, and had nearly three hours of exclusive interviews with President Bush. The result is a stunning, firsthand history of the years from mid-2006, when the White House realizes the Iraq strategy is not working, through the decision to surge another 30,000 US troops in 2007, and into mid-2008, when the war becomes a fault line in the presidential election. As violence in Iraq reaches unnerving levels in 2006, a second front in the war rages at the highest levels of the Bush administration. In his fourth book on President George W. Bush, Bob Woodward takes readers deep inside the tensions, secret debates, unofficial backchannels, distrust and determination within the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, the intelligence agencies and the US military headquarters in Iraq. With unparalleled intimacy and detail, this gripping account of a president at war describes a period of distress and uncertainty within the US government from 2006 through mid-2008. The White House launches a secret strategy review that excludes the military. General George Casey, the commander in Iraq, believes that President Bush does not understand the war and eventually concludes he has lost the president's confidence. The Joint Chiefs of Staff also conduct a secret strategy review that goes nowhere. On the verge of revolt, they worry that the military will be blamed for a failure in Iraq.

We Are Soldiers Still: A Journey Back to the Battlefields of Vietnam - Harold Moore and 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. It would be a monumental task for Moore and Galloway to top their classic 1992 memoir. But they come close in this sterling sequel, which tells the backstory of two of the Vietnam War's bloodiest battles (in which Moore participated as a lieutenant colonel), their first book and a 1993 ABC-TV documentary that brought them back to the battlefield. Moore's strong first-person voice reviews the basics of the November 1965 battles, part of the 34-day Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. Among other things, Moore and Galloway (who covered the battle for UPI) offer portraits of two former enemy commanders, generals Nguyen Huu An and Chu Huy Man, whom the authors met - and bonded with - nearly three decades after the battle. This book proves again that Moore is an exceptionally thoughtful, compassionate and courageous leader (he was one of a handful of army officers who studied the history of the Vietnam wars before he arrived) and a strong voice for reconciliation and for honoring the men with whom he served.

In a Time of War: The Proud and Perilous Journey of West Point' Class of 2002 - 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. Most come from career military families and hold conservative opinions. Murphy describes their four years at West Point with respect even when discussing their love lives and marriages. All yearn for battle, and most get their wish. The book's best passages describe the confusion of moving to Iraq or Afghanistan and fighting insurgents, for which they lack both training and equipment. All feel something is not right but concentrate on the job at hand; some inevitably die or are grievously wounded.

Iraq and the Evolution of American Strategy - Steven Metz

Today the US military is more nimble, mobile, and focused on rapid responses against smaller powers than ever before. One could argue that the Gulf War and the postwar standoff with Saddam Hussein hastened needed military transformation and strategic reassessments in the post–Cold War era. But the preoccupation with Iraq also mired the United States in the Middle East and led to a bloody occupation. What will American strategy look like after US troops leave Iraq? Metz concludes that the United States has a long-standing, continuing problem “developing sound assumptions when the opponent operates within a different psychological and cultural framework.” He sees a pattern of misjudgments about Saddam and Iraq based on Western cultural and historical bias and a pervasive faith in the superiority of America’s worldview and institutions. This myopia contributed to America being caught off guard by Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, then underestimating his longevity, and finally miscalculating the likelihood of a stable and democratic Iraq after he was toppled. With lessons for all readers concerned about America’s role in the world, Dr. Metz’s important new work will especially appeal to scholars and students of strategy and international security studies, as well as to military professionals and DOD civilians. With a foreword by Colin S. Gray.

EVENTS

26-28 February - Student Conference on National Affairs (SCONA) (Conference). Texas A&M University - Memorial Student Center Complex, College Station, TX. Sponsored by Texas A&M University. The Student Conference on National Affairs at Texas A&M is in its 54th year. This years conference topic is US Interventions in Problematic Area's Around the World. It will take place from February 26th to the 28th. While the conference activities are focused toward Graduate and Undergraduate students, the speakers we have are open to the general public. Two of the at least five speakers we have confirmed are, Joe Galloway, Author of We Were Soldiers Once and Young, and James Olson, former Director of Counter Intelligence for the CIA. The other speakers will be the best individuals we can find in military, humanitarian, and business issues. We are currently interested in any individuals with a background in Humanitarian issues to speak, or individuals with professional knowledge on the topic to facilitate our student delegate roundtables. More information can be found at scona.tamu.edu and interested parties can contact scona.information@yahoo.com.