Iraq

true the tribes have a great influence both in Afghan. and Iraq/Iran and other spots in the east. Frankly I enjoyed the time spent with the Kurds, quite an interesting people, brave, noble warrirors nothing like the sissy Talibaners

 

I met some Kurdes while on a holiday last Summer, they were very nice, but heavily influenced by Pkk Communist propaganda. Their speech was something in between auto-determination and the cold war, a quite orignal and old fashioned (communism) mix. It is true that Mosul has a lot of oil, but Idoubt they could do without Iraq.

 

OK. A little balance here.....

Iraqi Insurgents Taking Cut of US Rebuilding Money - CommonDreams.org

 

Hey, Wilcongr good to have you back, I must admit I kind of missed you as you somtimes knew how to spice things up.

 

I agree with Skip!

But I am not sure as to what "balance" you are referring to here in this article?

 

Thank you both.
Although your article doesn't just come right out and say that Blackwater is a bad idea, it does put a negative spin on the company. All I want to do is show the reason for its existence and why, in my opinion, it's a good idea to a bad problem.

 

Mercenaries have always been a part of warfare, some might agree with them, some might not. One thing is for sure, their actions reflect on the country which they work for. So far they have NOT made the United States look very good in the eyes the world and especially the Iraqi people. The fact that they are a secretive and not a transparent bunch which operate with almost complete immunity, makes the skeptics and conspiracy theorists mobilize!!

 

Mercanaries are needed in Iraq that's a fact. Two things about Mercenaries however: firstly they are from every country of the world , so the they don't care about the reputation of such and such a country. Secondly they are there for the money , the more they can get the better. Unfortunately some of them act like a bunch of Rambos and they are not only causing damage but giving a negative reputation to coalition armies (and to other mercenaries).

 

"Operationally, British forces have performed poorly in Basra," said the official. "Maybe it's best that they leave. Now we will have a clear field in southern Iraq."


Britain 'no longer closest Bush ally' - Telegraph

 

Basra and the Bristish way was often used as an example as there was far less violence in that area, compared to the rest of Iraq. So I would say it was rather better than elswhere in the country, not poor... I suppose the "official" wanted to make his point so he was not going to say anything else.

 

An unfortunate comment.

 

I wonder what's going to happen next at Basra. Will the U.S. take over or the Iraqi army? How will the Chiite population react? I hope matters will improve not get worse.

 

Skipper I ws just alking with a vet over there this week. yes they would "hope" that military turn-over could be just that. less of a coalition presence and more of a somewhat organized Iraqi army taking over security and police work within.

the question is : will it happen and will it ever be feasible ? well it has to if not we remain forever

 

I wonder if Bush knows that it's public opinion to pull our troops out of Iraq?

 

what do you think ? public opinion or media hype ? what are the consquences if we pull out even starting on the morrow ?

 

I would be curious to find out as what the situation is Basra is. Here in the US I havent been hearing much about it....

Probably a good thing, as it seems that the second largest city is much calmer.

 

Just a thought. Ever wonder if the "press" is trying to plan Monday Morining Quarterback with the war in Iraq?

 

no doubt. wish we would kick back and step up our drone program(s)

 

~ side note where is member Kerem ? hey what is going on in your home country of Turkey with the bomb blasts ??

it must be the rage of the 2000's to blow things and people up and for what

Erich `

 

Slon, I'm sure our English friends will be able to post some links regarding the presence of the Bristish in Basra. I remember seeing a 2004 video with patrols in the middle of a Basra market. The soldiers would talk to the people and say hello. Then in 2005-2006 things grew more tense and there was this terrible image of a british tank crew member trying to get out of a burning tank while the crowd was stoning him instead of helping.