tuen left, left left

WAR STUFF
* "About 15 American troops have been killed since May 1." LINK

* "Many incidents (of what the army calls 'recruitment improprieties') involved more than one recruiter, and the number of those investigated rose to 1,118 last year, or nearly one in five of all recruiters....
The recruiter, who has fought in several conflicts including the current war in Iraq, said one in every three people he had enlisted had a problem that needed concealing, or a waiver. "The only people who want to join the Army now have issues," he said. "They're troubled, with health, police or drug problems."" LINK

* "A French al-Qaida cell was planning a chemical attack against a U.S. naval base in Spain, Spanish newspaper ABC reported Tuesday... the French cell was preparing to unleash an unspecified chemical agent on the southern base in Rota, Spain... ABC reported Arif was also affiliated with Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the notorious al-Qaida's leader in Iraq. " LINK
zarq is so fucking bizzy these days...

* "A military judge on Wednesday declared a mistrial in the case of Lynndie England, a key figure in the Iraq prisoner abuse scandal, after evidence at her trial undermined her deal with prosecutors to plead guilty.
"This trial is going to stop today and pick up at some time in the future," the judge, Col. James Pohl, told the military court. "There can be no findings of guilty that can be declared at this point."" LINK
i wonder how many other 'criminals' plead guilty just to try to minimise the damage/risk... the fun part comes next - if she cant plead guilty, she's gotta go to trial - if she goes to trial, and gets found guilty, then her punishment will (presumably) be worse than what she agreed to for her guilty plea. and if she gets found not guilty, then karpinsky et al can use the same defense. sweet.

* "The U.S. conclusions (on sgrena), based largely on the soldiers' testimony because forensic evidence was not preserved, infuriated many Italians; Reforms Minister Roberto Calderoli said on Wednesday the American report was "clearly a lie"." LINK

* wapo A1's a three-page story on the threat on a nuke exploding in dc. LINK

* after yesterdays wapo A1 on nukes in nukes, lehrer is doing a big bit on nukes in russia. (i know the npt thingy is on this week, but still...)

* "There are even more ominous prospects. Outgoing interim prime minister and former US intelligence asset Iyad Allawi badly wanted the Interior Ministry, so he could control his Ba'athist, Mukhabarat pals in charge of security and counterinsurgency. He didn't get it, nor any other cabinet posts he craved. So Allawi refashioned himself as opposition leader (his party had 40 seats in the elections), which would be tantamount to saying that the White House/Pentagon/Green Zone is now the opposition, since Allawi is the Americans' man. President George W Bush may have never thought he would be minority leader one day." LINK

* " In next year's budget, the administration has requested $120 million for the Middle East Partnership Initiative—the signature democratic promotional front for the region—$30 million less than last year. It makes the same request it did last year for the National Endowment for Democracy, which has had great success in building political parties and NGOs, and in monitoring elections. It zeroes out regional democratic funds for North Africa and Asia. " LINK

* apparently osama best buddy got arrested and we should all rejoice, and feel safe. but not too safe. has anyone ever heard of this guy before this week? is the photo of him the funniest thing ever? terrorists are evil.

* rudepundit: "The thing about constantly turning corners? You end up going in circles." LINK

* "So, on April 29, Abizaid is told (tillman) was a friendly fire incident. On April 30, the general can look at the world with a straight face and talk about the "firefight" as if it was a great and mighty battle against the enemy. How freeing it must be to walk through this world heeding neither conscience nor soul." LINK
wapo has more. these stories just keep giving. i feel like its time to get a new version of the jessicalynch story - that story hasnt given for ages :-(

* (from last week) "So who is behind the Iraqi insurgency this week? No, it is not Saddam, Syria, Iran, Bin Laden, Zarqawi, Saddam's briefcase, Saddam's intelligence chief, Iraqi Ba`thists in Syria, Saddam's sons, `Izzat Ad-Duri, Revolutionary Guards, or former Iraqi soldiers. This week it is "Leadership Void." Apparently, Leadership (or Mr./Ms. Void) has been fueling the insurgency from Syria. A search is underway to locate the whereabouts of Void, and when he/she is located and arrested, all will be well in Iraq." LINK

* reminder: dont hang out with police recruits in iraq