Today in Iraq

War News for April 14, 2004 Bring ‘em on: One US Marine killed, three wounded at helicopter crash site near Fallujah. Bring ‘em on: US convoy attacked near Baghdad airport, troops open fire on looters. Bring ‘em on: Heavy fighting reported in Fallujah. Bring ‘em on: Katyusha fire at Mosul police station kills four, wounds six. Bring ‘em on: Bulgarian patrol attacked in Karbala. Bring ‘em on: Spanish troops under mortar fire near Najaf. Maine Army Reservists extended for 90 days in Iraq. Western journalists seldom venture beyond Baghdad due to lack of security. US troops assemble near Najaf in preparation for urban assault. Two South African mercenaries killed in last week’s fighting near Kut. Eighteen female US soldiers have been killed in direct combat since the beginning of Bush’s War. Al-Sadr reportedly proposes a deal to US negotiator. No details available. Philippine government considers withdrawing troops from Iraq. Japan advises journalists to leave Iraq. Russia evacuates citizens from Iraq. Military families sound off about Lieutenant AWOL's inept Secretary of Defense. Commentary Analysis: “Al-Sadr could become the newest martyr for Shiites from Lebanon to Pakistan, scholars say. And if American troops have a bloody confrontation with al-Sadr's militia in the holy city of Najaf, it could set the United States toward a collision with the world's 150 million Shiite Muslims.” Opinion: “…In almost every way but one, Iraq is not Vietnam. Here’s the one: We don’t know what the hell we’re doing…Paul Bremer, the American proconsul in Iraq, is by all accounts an admirable and incredibly industrious man, ‘tasked,’ in Condi-speak, to do the impossible. But on the Sunday talk shows, he seemed right out of central casting, some actor playing the clueless American, down to his striped tie and button-down shirt. When asked who he was going to turn power over to on June 30, he replied, ‘That’s a good question,’ but supplied no answer. He simply does not know. He does know, though, that the “majority view” among Iraqis is hardly anti-American. The polls tell him so. This is Vietnam all over again.” Analysis: If the purpose of the US's continued occupation of Iraq is to create democracy, that purpose is presently witnessing its darkest hour. When will the US bring an end to its occupation of Iraq? Currently, we only hear that it is there to stay for the long haul. How can democracy emerge as a viable form of government if, in the process of its creation, Washington continues to alienate a large number of Iraqis on a sustained basis? Even if the United Nations were to take charge of rebuilding Iraq - an option that is frequently mentioned as US forces continue to face stiffened resistance to their high profile presence and strong-armed maneuvering in that country - the world body has to operate on the basis of some sort of a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops, especially American ones. Casualty Reports Local story: Kentucky soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: California Marine killed in Iraq. Local story: Oklahoma soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Nebraska Marine killed in Iraq. Local story: New York soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Texas Marine killed in Iraq. Local story: Illinois Marine killed in Iraq. This is one of the best obituaries for a fallen soldier I’ve seen yet. Local story: Louisiana soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Georgia soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: California Marine killed in Iraq. Local story: Puerto Rico sailor killed in Iraq. 86-43-04. Bring it on.