middleEastern Front

Everyday here in Iraq is so similar to the other that I have to revert to international news. And I did say that I would keep you posted on what’s going on with the Baker Hamilton report so I’m keeping my word.
Today, Tony Blair announced that he does not regret teaming up with President Bush. In fact, he still believes in their cause. According to the Scotsman news, “At a White House press conference, Mr Blair was asked whether he regretted his support for Mr Bush.
Blair said: ‘No. Sometimes in politics there are issues that come up that you consider so big and so important that you have got to do what you think is the right thing. And people can disagree and it can make you unpopular, but you've got to do it if you think it's the right thing, even if it is difficult.’”
I for one, admire his courage to utter such a statement so boldly. I am secretly hoping that at least one good thing comes out of the Bush administration’s stubbornness and determination to remain in Iraq. I wish so because it would be a mighty heroic tale that in the end that idea and plan that everyone was so very against turned out to have some truth in it. Being a journalist, I would love to be able to write about such a thing. It would also make a great storyline for a movie. I always did aspire to be a producer; but enough about me. Let’s go back to the issues.
So what are the opinions about Blair’s statement? Well, they are unsurprisingly negative. The only it has affected people’s already set opinions is by making them hate Bush and Blair even more. That is unfortunately the sad world we live in. Until next time.

Source: http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1825382006

Once again, countries in the Middle East can’t agree on one thing. Not even how they feel about the Baker Hamilton report that came out today. What else is new? Yes, I know that I as an American I have no right to utter such a phrase, but hey, who’s going to stop me?
So the big buzz now is the Baker Hamilton report, making everyone excited that someone with influence finally told the president that he was wrong. Background on this is that former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and an Indiana Democrat and former congressman, Lee Hamilton, created a ninety-six page report about how the US’s strategy has failed in Iraq. They then came up with several proposals on how to fix the problem. Many Americans were excited to finally witness a wake-up call to the Bush Administration they felt had been a long time coming. But let’s forget the US for now. Let’s talk about how the countries here in the Middle East feel about it.
Iraqi papers that came out today claimed that only they themselves can fix their own problems. “Iraqis, who have made immense sacrifices for the political process, can alone determine the fate of their country and draw up its policies,” Ali Khlayf of Iraq said. In my opinion, that’s marvelous. But the question is will they fix those problems? In the Baker Hamilton report, one of the proposals was that the US should seek Iran and Syria’s cooperation in trying to help them stabilize the region. But a Lebanese title commented on that saying that there was no way that those countries would want to help the United States. Well, he may be right and he may be wrong, but I do agree that those countries’ help would definitely make a difference.
Now, I’m wondering like the rest of the world whether or not President Bush will make changes according to this report. An Israeli commented saying, “If Bush adopts the report he will benefit both American interests and Israeli interests. If he decides to throw the recommendations in the bin, he will be like a man who points a gun at his forehead and pulls the trigger.”
Obviously, only time can answer our questions. So keep hoping with me and I’ll try to keep you updated on the latest. See ya! Oh, and a quick happy birthday to my little sister. I hope you have a great day!

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6216936.stm

It’s very funny that I’m a professional journalist, and even though I’ve been at that job for ages, only now, that I’m here in Baghdad have I begun to understand what’s really going on in the Iraq War.
This blog entry is for the Uneducated, the I-Don’t-Cares, and the I’ve-already-decided. So here goes the long gist of it all.
First of all, the United States declared war on terrorism. Which meant they wanted to eliminate all terrorists and anything associated with it? They then targeted Saddam Hussein because he seemed as though he would be a part of terrorism. They search him for bombs, couldn’t find any, and then decided they wanted to take him out anyways just because he was evil. So they took him out. And now Iraq is unstable, and going insane because they aren’t used to having to govern themselves and don’t really understand how democracy works. So the United States is there trying to help them get back on their feet and make their government work.
It all sounds dandy right? Well, problem is that the Americans are tired of being in that country where the majority of the citizens don’t like us anyway and want us to leave. Another problem is that if we simply pack up and leave, Iraq will not be able to stabilize themselves and therefore violence and perhaps even more terrorism will brew in the country. Violence in Iraq means instability in Middle East and the world doesn’t need that. In short, Americans are torn between what to do.
Now that we’ve gotten that quick history lesson out of the way, let’s talk about what’s going on in the President Bush’s mind (if you didn’t already figure out, I know what he’s thinking). A news article from ABC News reported today hinting that the president knows there have been some mistakes in Iraq. "The president understands that we need to have a way forward in Iraq that is more successful", his security adviser said. A similar article said that Bush is now starting to consider taking the suggestions that Donald Rumsfeld said a while back. In short, Bush is actually subtly admitting that maybe his way of doing things isn’t and wasn’t the most effective way.
I’m glad to have been able to educate you a little bit and update you on some news in Iraq. This is the great Katie, signing off.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2697286

On this glorious Saturday morning, I decided to treat myself to a little Christmas shopping. If I’m not home in time, at least I can ship the presents to my family. Oh, and also the 7th will be my little sister’s birthday so I thought I would see what I could get.
I was in Baghdad near the busy Sadriyah district. You see, the stores here are the best in the area. They display their products outside which makes them even more irresistible. Being here so long, I had cast aside my feminine shopping instincts and it was definitely great to exercise them once more. I was reaching for a little doll, which I thought my little sister would love, when suddenly everything around me blew up!
I immediately dashed beneath a display in front of me and I think that was the only thing that saved my life. There were screams all about which turned into moaning a few seconds later. By the way the bomb had caused the earth to jolt a bit; I knew some would definitely lose their lives. I realized that the store hand who had been helping me had also sought shelter next to me.
“Must be those damned Sunnis!” he muttered under his breath. I didn’t need to understand the language to understand that phrase.
I had forgotten that the Sadriyah area was a predominantly Shiite part of Baghdad and very busy too; perfect target for a terrorist. The store hand and I remained in our shelter until the police came.
Watching the news that evening, I found out that 51 people had been killed and at least 90 were wounded. The terrorists had set off three car bombs a little less than a block from where I was located. Thank God, I didn’t get hurt.
Well, that’s just another day in Baghdad for ya. Later days.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061202/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

So today, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and President Bush had a meeting in which the Prime Minister told Bush that the American troops could start heading out in June of 2007. I was a VIP journalist present for this meeting so I kinda heard a little more than the press can tell you.
That is great news that we now have a definite date. But then again, how many times have we heard that? I just wish I could trust someone. Bush on the other hand told the Prime Minister that the U.S. will stay "until the job is complete." As always he’s vague. I don’t understand how al-Maliki himself has said "I can say that Iraqi forces will be ready, fully ready to receive this command and to command its own forces, and I can tell you that by next June our forces will be ready," and Bush still insists on keeping the troops here. I’d like to see him come and stay here and see how it feels.
Another subject they talked about was concerning the militias here in Iraq. As soon as Bush mentioned the subject, al-Maliki choked on his drink a little. The story behind this is that the Prime Minister has always said that he will take care of the violent militia here, but then he never does anything. So, he was a bit hesitant to speak about that subject. I can see why Bush would be concerned. As the years go by the violence here in Iraq escalates and so does Bush’s support. Bush, naturally being worried about his self-image, wants the militias to stop making trouble so Iraq can appear more peaceful, so he won’t look so bad. Well, Bush, I’ve got news for you. Not much can change the public’s opinion at this point in the game.
All and all I would say it was a great meeting. The leaders of two nation got to sit and chat over breakfast about little problems like terrorism and how the citizens of their countries are killing each other. Yup. A grande ‘ole time. And might I add, Jordanians have very tasty shish kabobs. Bush complimented them too, as he was licking his fingers. Well, until next time.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/30/bush.trip.ap/index.html

Disclaimer: This blog is part of a class assignment. Although it is based on actual news items from various sources, these entries are fictional.

My name is Katie Faulkner and it is freaking Thanksgiving Day and I should be at home, but instead I’m out here in Iraq pulling dead bodies out of rubbles. I finally got the opportunity to be a journalist working for a paper I can not disclose and I am determined to record everything that happens to me so that I won’t ever forget this god-forsaken experience. It’s been only a month and yet I feel like I’ve seen it all.
In fact just today, there was a huge attack on Shiites in Sadr City that killed over 200 people. Some losers basically decided to blow up some cars and left many dead and over 250 wounded. I would say that I can’t believe the bombers would pick on such a poor side of town, but after seeing the things that’s been going on, I actually have been forced to believe it. This whole thing is ridiculous. It’s like we’re fighting against people who are fighting each other and fighting us at the same time. This has to be one of the most complicated wars in forever. The news people are saying that a civil war is inevitable here. They’re probably right. They can fight themselves but I definitely hope US soldiers aren’t expected to clean up after them. I’d march right on back home if they did that.
This one little country must have the most twisted religious people in the world. And you know what’s funny? They are both Muslims! Then why in the world can’t they just get along like the Baptists and Methodists.
Anyhow, I’m done rambling for now. I’ll write back some other time. Later days!

Source: "FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Nov 24." Reuters UK. 24 Nov 2006. Reuters UK. 25 Nov 2006 <http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/crisesarticle.aspx?storyid=l24804954&wtmodloc=world-r5-alertnet-5>.