Friday, July 30, 2004

Let me add my two cents to the weblog coverage of the convention.  It may be just me, but, I felt the bloggers there were too caught up in being the news to report the news.  That will fade in future conventions and then we can get down to business. 6:38:27 PM    Comment_ Trackback []

AT on yet another reason that Pakistan is hesitant to send troops:  An official in Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau said that the Pakistani consul in Saudi Arabia was constantly sending alarming reports on the security situation in that country, predicting a highly volatile situation in the days ahead. The intelligence reports warn that there is a major problem within the Saudi security apparatus, as well as among clerics who are fiercely anti-US. They support the Iraqi insurgency and oppose the House of Saud for supporting the US-led "war on terror". 4:00:30 PM    Comment_ Trackback []

Reuters.  Record US budget deficit of $445 billion.  Real concern on our ability to outlast global guerrillas given the inefficient ways we are fighting this war.  They haven't even really hit us yet, and we are already bleeding red ink.  At this rate, even if we do win eventually, it will be a Pyrrhic victory.  2:22:00 PM    Comment_ Trackback []

FT. The Pakistani government ordered its ambassador in Kuwait yesterday to begin urgent negotiations with a Kuwaiti company, discouraging it from taking Pakistani workers to Iraq after two hostages were killed by a militant group.  Additionally, sentiment is growing against sending troops to Iraq. 12:32:44 PM    Comment_ Trackback []

Cryptome.  RNC security precautions. 8:57:17 AM    Comment_ Trackback []

The Saudi plan for a Islamic Corps to police Iraq is stillborn.  Here's why: Few countries will participate.  Pakistan is the pivotal player.  Egypt has already declined.  UPDATE:  Malaysia just declined.  The countries that may send troops are dictatorships.  Weakness at home means that these countries will be less likely to invite instability to their doorstep through participation. The requirement that these troops will be outside of US military command and control is an unacceptable condition. The number of troops that can possibly be sent will be inconsequential.  The US has 140,000 troops in theater.  As a result, the demand that this deployment is part of a US withdrawal is impossible. These troops will be targets (as are Iraqi forces).  Additionally, these troops do not have the capabilities of the US military for force protection. Frankly, there is already an Islamic Corps in Iraq and it is fighting for the other side.  It's little wonder that Saudi Arabia is frantic to build a bulwark against global guerrillas in Iraq.  They have been moving into Saudi Arabia over the last several months... 7:49:32 AM    Comment_ Trackback []

After 24 years of support, MSF quits Afghanistan due to security concerns.  Until the assassinations, MSF provided health care in 13 provinces with 80 international volunteers and 1,400 Afghan staff. 7:42:50 AM    Comment_ Trackback []