Tag: Iraq

Saturday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 7 Wounded

At least four Iraqis were killed and seven more were wounded in light violence. Meanwhile, Turkey announced a number of reforms that will give Kurdish citizens more rights. The plan must be approved by parliament. Also, the United Kingdom is investigating whether British troops colluded with U.S. soldiers in torturing Iraqi citizens.

Thursday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 19 Wounded

Updated at 7:50 p.m. EST, Nov. 12, 2009 At least nine Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in the latest violence. This includes some attacks that were not reported yesterday due to the Armistice Day observances. Also, the Iraqi presidential council has recommended Jan. 18 as the date for national elections.

Why Most Counterinsurgency Wars Fail

In recent history, very few counterinsurgency wars have ended in success. Guerrillas are often outgunned by a wealthier invading power, but they do have two powerful advantages. One is that they are fighting on their home turf, which they usually know much better than the invader. Guerrilla warfare at the strategic level is defensive, even … Continue reading “Why Most Counterinsurgency Wars Fail”

Monday: 3 GIs, 5 Iraqis Killed; 16 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 10:20 EST, Nov. 9, 2009 Iraq is awaiting the presidential commission’s approval of Jan. 21 as the date for the next national election. Yesterday’s passing of a contentious elections law was necessary before a polling timetable could be set. Meanwhile, at least five Iraqis were killed and 16 more were wounded across Iraq. Also, three U.S. servicemembers were killed. three U.S. servicemembers were killed.

Friday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 9 Wounded

Updated at 8:22 p.m. EST, Nov. 6, 2009 At least four Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded in the latest attacks. Back in the United States, an army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 fellow soldiers at Fort Hood and fearful of an impending deployment was scheduled to go to Afghanistan, not Iraq.

Thursday: 2 US Soldiers, 3 Iraqis Killed; 29 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 9:40 EST, Nov. 5, 2009 At least three Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Two U.S. soldiers were killed in separate events as well, of which only one was combat related. In Baghdad, a mortar attack wounded seven more American servicemembers. Meanwhile, the head of Iraq’s election commission again warned of delaying the passage of an elections law that will guide January’s national elections, but parliament again failed to pass one.

Wednesday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 26 Wounded

Updated at 11:19 p.m. EST, Nov. 4, 2009 A series of bomb attacks targeted Iraqis mostly in and around Baghdad while gunmen left casualties elsewhere. Overall, at least six Iraqis were killed while another 26 were wounded. Meanwhile, the Iraqi election commission chairman warned that further delays in approving an elections law would mean postponing national elections in January. Some analysts view the delay as evidence the U.S. has lost clout in Iraq.

Heeding George Kennan’s Sage Advice

I can’t remember how many times I have said that the U.S. military adventure in Afghanistan is a fool’s errand. The reaction I frequently encounter includes some variant of "How can you blithely acquiesce in the chaos that will inevitably ensue if we and our NATO allies withdraw our troops?" While the central premise of … Continue reading “Heeding George Kennan’s Sage Advice”