One of the least reported aspects of the U.S. occupation of Iraq is the oftentimes indiscriminate use of air power by the American military. The Western mainstream media has generally failed to attend to the F-16 warplanes dropping their payloads of 500-, 1,000-, and...
Casualties of Polling
He writhes in pain, moaning with every other breath. The Iraqi police colonel's chest is covered in bandages, his legs from the knees down nearly completely hidden from view due to thick bandages holding what is left of his shins together. "We gave him first aid...
Will Vote for Food?
BAGHDAD - Voting in Baghdad was linked with receipt of food rations, several voters said after the Sunday poll. Many Iraqis said Monday that their names were marked on a list provided by the government agency that provides monthly food rations before they were allowed...
On Pins and Needles in Baghdad
Despite a continuing increase in the already draconian security measures imposed across Iraq, the bombs keep coming. Today in the al-Dora district of Baghdad a primary school which had been a designated polling station was struck by a car bomb. Four Iraqi Police (IP)...
‘Fallujah Is Fine, Now Go Back to Sleep’
My friend from Baquba visited me yesterday. He brought the usual giant lunch of home-cooked food he always brings when he comes to see me. I'm still eating it, actually. I had it again for dinner tonight. Ah, the typical Iraqi meal. He owns four large tents, and rents...
The Dollar Campaigns for Allawi
BAGHDAD - U.S.-appointed interim Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi recently handed out $100 bills to journalists at a press conference. He then gave teachers an unexpected $100 bonus. Allawi seems to be on his way to winning the election in Iraq, such as it is. Wa'il...
Iraqi Women Paying the Price for Their ‘Liberation’
Kidnapping has become the crime of choice among Iraqi criminal gangs. With 70 percent unemployment in "liberated" Iraq, crime is running rampant, with organized crime enjoying a free hand amid the terrible security situation. The families of the kidnapped...
Iraq Elections Heighten Division, Fear
BAGHDAD - The elections due Jan. 30 appear to have brought more chaos and division amongst Iraqis than unity and hope. And they have brought greater security fears. U.S.-appointed prime minister Iyad Allawi acknowledged last week that full security will be impossible....
Low Fuel, High Violence
Last night, I peered out my hotel room window into the vast darkness of Baghdad. Aside from random lights powered by generators, the blackened capital city seemed to lie dormant under high winds and a cold, driving rain. This morning as we're driving under clear,...
Another Car Bomb … This Must Be Democracy
The thundering blast rocks me awake at 7:05 a.m. The first thing my eyes see are the curtains of my room flowing in, as if a strong wind is blowing into my room. "Holy sh*t, they hit the embassy," I think to myself, the blast was so close. I leave my windows...


