News – The Dirty Game of War

Make no mistake, in all this is a game to some people, played with separate sets of rules. We can be pretty sure that Saddam is game playing and his gambit has started to pay off with the lead story that US troops killed seven civilians at a roadblock. According to versions I’ve heard, it was a van full of civilians, which wouldn’t stop when yelled at and with warning shots fired in the air. Though some suggest that the warning shots were fired too late. But the details aside, it is another tragedy that will stir up disorder in the region. This all precipitated by the suicide attack not long ago. Here’s a few cautious details to consider. Add to that this version from a reporter, which also has an interesting tidbit on the market explosion and Baghdad and other incidents.

Added to unrest over military competence at home(valid or not) and the view that US/UK forces are stretched thin it adds up to bad public opinion. And, like it or not Mr. Bush, it counts. Personally, I don’t think mending relations with Turkey will help. Nor does the Guardian’s article which hints at potential splits over how to administer Iraq after the war, nor that the picture painted by the article is hardly one of liberation or self determination.

With the siege of Baghdad looming in eventual reality, greater bloodshed than has come already is a given as battle in a city of this nature has often been disaster for attackers that overwhelm the defenders.

And, in Asia, regional powers and the US continue to act in ways that further upset the North Korean leaders. Increased surveillance is going to be seen as an act of aggression. I don’t know where the diplomacy went, but if they don’t get down to it, things will just keep getting hotter.

Want to send some cash aid for the Iraqis? Don’t know who to trust? This article looks to help with that decision, so you can make sure you’re giving to the right person.

A few updates to the Iraq Diaries on The Guardian’s site. Jo Wilding, the Human Rights Campaigner talks of the civilian casualties and her need to leave as well as the sadness in that departure. Read them to get a side apart from the demonic/downtrodden view portrayed by most media institutions of who the Iraqis are. Like every coin, there are two sides to it. Jason Burke, the journalist, has updated with a visit to Halabja and an interesting look at the games reporters play with checkpoints and guards.

This report surfaces about the mistreatment of non-imbedded journalists by US and UK forces. It doesn’t paint a pretty picture and I’d like to know if this has been confirmed.

Has perception of Britain changed with the Iraq war? The Guardian asks 21 people from many different countries what they think of when asked about the UK. The responses vary quite widely, even within the same country.

Today’s papers sum up the issues above. The Iraqi suicide attacks have changed US tactics, which will no doubt lead to more civilian kills. The US forces seem stretched, unable to take communities in continuing rear action with Iraqi irregulars. Brasa remains untaken and it seems that large-scale aid will have to wait because of the shift in tactics now. Much to the chagrin of, not only the UN, but Colon Powell. Despite his loyalty, I still have some respect for that man. More than for Bush at any rate.

The International Papers rundown looks at Arab sentiment, which gives a good view into what some Arabs think about the Gulf war.

Slate looks at Peter Arnett and believes he was fired for the wrong reasons. Rather, it was done because of public opinion rather than reasons of journalistic integrity. There is also a skeptical look at the much debated Iraq/alQurda links. A letter exchange is the format, both sides making interesting points.

Here’s an Iraq War quiz from Truthout. Test your knowledge. Add to that another account I haven’t heard yet of mistaken civilian deaths. Got confirmation for me? William Rivers Pitt has a scathing article on the Miscalculations of Yes-Men. I would not be so vehement, but he makes interesting points.

All in all, each day just firms my resolve that this is not the way. It never was and it never should have been. It distresses me that the war has started and each time I hear another soldier or civilian has been killed, it hits home all the more. But we have come to this. Our administration won’t back out, all we can do is see it through as best we can and try to recover from yet another American folly and the increased ire of Arab nations and peoples.