Treasure of Baghdad

bassam - haven't watched anything this good about ...

2009-09-03T16:33:00.187-04:00

bassam - haven't watched anything this good about Iraq ever. Very well done.

Zak

Even though it's been written in 2005, I must say ...

2009-08-29T17:00:49.309-04:00

Even though it's been written in 2005, I must say that I share the same sentiments.

Ramadan Kareem (kinda melancholic yet very sincere)

Although the fighting in Pakistan's Swat valley ha...

2009-08-26T16:34:22.909-04:00

Although the fighting in Pakistan's Swat valley has ended and some refugees have started to head home. Pakistan re-opened schools over the weekend in the Swat valley where troops have been fighting Taliban guerrillas for over three months.

Sumaiya
my site

Treasure, "Should the Americans try to restore ord...

2009-08-26T03:23:42.701-04:00

Treasure,
"Should the Americans try to restore order? The top Iraqi intelligence source answered sadly that it was probably wiser to "stay out of it and be safe." When pressed about what his country would look like in five years, absent American help, he answered bluntly: "Iraq will be a colony of Iran." " WaPost last paragraph
You can guess what I think about this situation. I send this quote just to rattle your cage.
regards from Japan
Edo River

Annie, the ISF are solely responsible for all inte...

2009-08-22T13:00:57.417-04:00

Annie, the ISF are solely responsible for all internal Iraqi security right now. All MNF-I missions need to be approved by the GoI on a case by case basis.

The MNF-I are now providing combat enablers (logistics, intelligence), training, equipping and mentoring to the ISF.

Annie, I think you oppose all international training and equipping of the IA because you don't want them to become a highly capable professional force. Why this is, I don't understand. Are you afraid of the IA? Are you jealous of them? Do you fear that they may misuse US training to do things you don't want?

If you have any questions about the ISF, look here:
http://home.comcast.net/~djyae/site/?/blog/

Bless this Ramadan Bassam. Sending you and your fa...

2009-08-22T09:42:55.543-04:00

Bless this Ramadan Bassam. Sending you and your family good thoughts.

Hi Treasure, You know, I mentioned before, it is p...

2009-08-22T07:23:45.332-04:00

Hi Treasure,
You know, I mentioned before, it is prophesied that someday, both Baghdad and Tehran will be much more beautiful than anything we see now. It is only a question of time.

lyn, 'new IQ gov rule' probably means new iraq gov...

2009-08-19T13:25:29.456-04:00

lyn, 'new IQ gov rule' probably means new iraq government rule, not to be confused w/ your laughable (nothings changed for lyn's fantasy world)"the freedom of Iraqis to choose their own destiny ".

When Iraq's Parliament ratified its security pact with the US last year, allowing the presence of US troops until the end of 2011, it built in a provision for a public referendum vote to take place. This would let the Iraqi people decide the ultimate future of the pact. If the public voted to negate it, the US withdrawal deadline would have been shifted up to next summer.

The vote, scheduled to take place by July 30, never happened.

;;

The pro-occupation elements of Iraq's government had reason to be scared of a referendum. If Iraqis had cast their votes last Thursday, they may well have rejected the security pact (otherwise known as Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA).

In an extensive March ABC/BBC poll, a plurality of Iraqis said they'd prefer a quicker timetable for US withdrawal than the one specified in the SOFA.

CNN
95 killed on Iraq's deadliest day since U.S. handover

yep.

bbc...

Nearly a month after American troops officially withdrew from urban areas in Iraq, they are quietly going back in again, patrolling the streets of towns and cities where, despite improvements in security, violence remains an everyday occurrence.

i'm shocked

Since 30 June, Iraqi forces have been entirely responsible for maintaining security in urban areas. But the Americans want to keep a close eye. So they are maintaining a limited number of joint patrols inside cities like Mosul.

meanwhile some US soldiers who were arrested for killing iraqi civilians are off the hook, maliki informed the arresting iraqi officers there had been a 'mistake' and apparently iraqis have no say over how americans who break the law are treated in iraq.

nothing has changed. we we be controling iraq for decades. very distressing.

hi bruno, long time no see.

Hey Bassam! This is my first time to read your b...

2009-08-18T15:48:47.728-04:00

Hey Bassam!

This is my first time to read your blog, and I just wanted to say: hope you'll continue to write so that I can continue to read ^_^

Best of luck!

"http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1087a1Ir...

2009-08-13T22:38:15.731-04:00

"http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1087a1IraqWhereThingsStand.pdf

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/14_03_08iraqpollmarch2008.pdf

Bassam, I don't think this issue is an important one, because it creates emotion and tension between Iraqis for no good purpose.

No matter how horrible Saddam was and he was really really horrible, 2004-2007 was more horribly violent and tragic than one would wish on their enemies.

For the record, as one American, I am very sorry for how America's mistakes have contributed to the suffering of Iraqis.

Bassam, this is a serious question, what do you think about PM Maliki. {I admit to being a big fan. But just because I like him, doesn't mean that others can't strongly disagree and dislike him.)}

I am pretty peeved at PM Maliki for throwing away tens of billions of dollars worth of natural gas (NG) revenues by not capturing NG, but flaring it instead. The Iraqi parliament is massively incompetent for refusing to let contracts to international energy companies for NG infrastructure development.

Iraq needs to capture NG at site, transport it via pipeline, build expensive storage facilities, and spend tens of billions of dollars to build NG liquification plants in al Basrah.

Iraq also needs to build NG power plants and shut down all its oil electricity plants. (Since NG based electricity is about one fifth the price of oil based electricity.) This too would probably generate over $10 billion a year in additional tax revenue for the GoI via higher oil exports.

Bruno, Trust Lynnette to find the most sinister p...

2009-08-13T11:29:27.439-04:00

Bruno,

Trust Lynnette to find the most sinister possible spin on this man and what he stands for!

While I may have been over the top in using the word "Intelligence" service, under Saddam's regime those who "escorted" foreign media were minders. People delegated to show the media exactly what Saddam chose to show them. In effect they helped support his regime.

"I also like to point out that i do not come from a wealthy family. My father was an academic and a diplomat (phd holder) so we were in the middle class.

I never said that he was from a wealthy family, although looking at his family home I question that. I said he came from a "well off" family, and in comparison to how other Iraqis lived, they were. Their home was very well appointed in those 2003 pictures when other Iraqis were struggling to make ends meet.

And unlike Bassam's opinion that Iraq under Saddam was hell, when questioned, Haider's answer to his growing up in Iraq was that it was good. Or words to that effect.

Looking at this film it appears that it has been edited to maintain as negative a slant on the war in Iraq, and people's opinions of it, as possible. When asked what Iraqis think of what would happen if the US troops withdraw, whatever Haider may or may not have said is not revealed. It is, in short, as pretty a piece of biased reporting as I have ever seen.

In my own opinion, Iraq was hell under Saddam and it became worse under the US/new IQ gov rule.

Not quite sure what Bassam means by IQ rule, but I understand what people are trying to say when they say something like this. Saddam's was, in effect, a prison state, while what Iraqis have experienced over the past 6 years has been war and all of its horrible events and aftereffects. That doesn't mean that Iraq will always be like that. It depends a great deal on what Iraqis build in the future. They can try to build a unified nation or they can continue to pull apart and remain divided.

Those who foster the idea that Saddam was a better choice than the freedom of Iraqis to choose their own destiny are not helping in this. Building a country is more than just putting forth your own ideas, it is trying to give others a chance to do so as well.

I say again, don't like the government that Iraq has in place? Then form your own political party and elect candidates who represent you.

Anand, Could you provide me with links? In my o...

2009-08-13T07:51:30.831-04:00

Anand,

Could you provide me with links?

In my own opinion, Iraq was hell under Saddam and it became worse under the US/new IQ gov rule.

And a hearty thank you to Bassam for linking to th...

2009-08-13T07:03:20.846-04:00

And a hearty thank you to Bassam for linking to this. May I add that I think the Iraqi accent in English is pleasing to the ear! ;)

Trust Lynnette to find the most sinister possible ...

2009-08-13T07:02:07.373-04:00

Trust Lynnette to find the most sinister possible spin on this man and what he stands for! Wow, some people never change. Here's what he, Haider, had to say elsewhere:

"I also like to point out that i do not come from a wealthy family. My father was an academic and a diplomat (phd holder) so we were in the middle class. As i mentioned, i lost relatives by the regime of Saddam and was also forced to change my collage to a lower one cause i wasnt a supporter of his party. My father on the other hand was baned from leaving the country cause he was 'sympethatic' to the case of the kurds. So i wasnt sheltered at all at the time. But i knew that the alternative would be worse. Its in fact sad for me that it takes showtime, this american life, cameras and a booth to convince people that death and destruction are bad!"

http://www.bakotopia.com/home/Blog/twinkie/26609

As an aside, I found the opening scene where he talks to that clueless Marine very telling of the sorts of opinions that are as common as weeds amongst our warmongers. The Marine went to Iraq to kill "terrorists" because of 911. Naturally, Iraq is full of these terrorists, so it makes sense to go there! And of course that Marine felt good about everything that had happened there. :( My God, Haider must have the patience of a saint. I would have tested a right cross on that idiot's face.

What is your opinion Bassam? The latest opinion p...

2009-08-12T20:25:41.951-04:00

What is your opinion Bassam?

The latest opinion poll from this year suggests that a slight majority of all Iraqis think the war was worth it. But almost all Sunni Arab Iraqis think the war wasn't worth it.

A slight majority of Iraqis also think the situation is better in Iraq now than during Saddam. But the vast majority of Sunni Arab Iraqis don't agree.

In my opinion, perhaps this question does not matter. Perhaps what matters is what Iraqis think should be done now.

Iraq has many serious challenges:

Right now Iraq is flaring almost all of its natural gas rather than capturing it to sell it or use it. This is costing Iraq many billions of dollars every year. There are many more challenges.

Oh yes, I agree with Cicily, this is very interest...

2009-08-12T16:26:15.692-04:00

Oh yes, I agree with Cicily, this is very interesting, Bassam. And rather clever.

So, since this was supposed to be ask an Iraqi, and not ask an American, I think I would have had three questions for Haider.

First of all, since his was obviously a well off family and he was tapped to be a minder for foreign visitors by Saddam's intelligence service, he would appear to have been in a position to help those less fortunate than himself within Iraq. And since he does not appear to be shy, considering his traveling booth here in the States, my question is what did he do to help the people of Iraq while he was there?

Second, he says that there were members of his family that were harmed by Saddam. So, why was he working for Saddam?

Third, did he try to find any justice for those relatives? If so, what was the reaction of Saddam's regime?

very powerful. what a thoughtful man. thanks so mu...

2009-08-10T19:21:33.019-04:00

very powerful. what a thoughtful man. thanks so much for posting Bassam.

this is very very intersting!!!

2009-08-09T00:05:17.943-04:00

this is very very intersting!!!

Annie, Mosul was in the battle space of the 2nd IA...

2009-08-07T12:29:02.723-04:00

Annie, Mosul was in the battle space of the 2nd IAD. It was about 55% Kurdish about 3 years ago, but is now probably pretty representative. The commanding general of 2nd Iraqi Army Division was pretty nonsectarian.

Unfortunately, close to half of 2nd and 3rd IADs from Ninevah were sent south to help in Baghdad, Salahadin and Diyala during the surge. The KRG helped backfill during this time. Now that the rest of Iraq is safe, PM Maliki can send IA diverse nonsectarian IA units to Ninevah.

hi bassam. terrible news about iraq today. when i...

2009-07-31T15:28:24.845-04:00

hi bassam. terrible news about iraq today.

when i saw that comment in your tweet about a new saddam in kurdistan the name goran rang a bell for me and i wondered if it was affiliated w/the same goran mentioned here from june 08. if so it is not so 'new'.

And the source said that a group of people connected with Goran admitted having carried out the assassinations of Sheikh Faidi al-Faidi, a prominent Imam in the Buldiyat district of Mosul, and of the general secretary of the banned Baath party in Mosul, Najam al-Iraqi, and of the former director of that party, Nazar Yunis, in addition to a number of specialist doctors and university professors. The total operations of which Goran is accused, represented by his management of this network of assassinations done under his direct orders, comes to 900 assassination operations, in addition to his secret support for gangs within the city that have the aim of forcing citizens turn over security to the Peshmerga, in order to make the city more linked to the Kurdistan region.

Prime Minister Maliki had originally planned to make Goran one of his advisers in the Iraqi government, but Iraqi intelligence under Abdullah al-Shahwani informed him, just before he went to Mosul, of reports that Goran was involved in assassinations, and as a result Maliki eliminated the Mosuli authority [meaning either Goran, or Goran and others] from his operation planning group. Sources in the leadership of the Mosul operation said Maliki was "not ready for the size of the surprise that was waiting for him in Mosul," adding that he later expressed regret that Mosul had been left under the control of Peshmerga for five years.

hmmm

sorry to see you aren't blogging much but i hope you are having a good summer.

what do you think of the new law wrt nakba avram? ...

2009-07-24T12:30:36.185-04:00

what do you think of the new law wrt nakba avram? i was reminded of 'right to exist' when i heard about it. it would seem one way to ensure the kind of 'democracy' in your country is to outlaw freedom of expression.

The new bill prohibits funding of activities that reject the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish state or deny the democratic character of the state.

It also outlaws funding for activities that fall within the definition of armed struggle or terrorist activities - by an enemy state or a terror organization - against Israel.

Additionally, the bill prohibits funding for activities that could harm the honor of the flag, the state or state symbols.

the way it reads it appears a teacher could be arrested for carefully examining the way israel operates as a democracy. when the demographics is controlled and freedom of expression curtailed to guarentee a pre determined outcome in order for the democratic results to come into your favor than is it really a democracy? you don't have to answer that, but note it is not a question that could be explored in a classroom under the new legislation.

cheerio.

i've been following you on twitter, thanks for the...

2009-07-24T12:21:14.897-04:00

i've been following you on twitter, thanks for the links. also re the wall commercial, did you see the response video made in bil'in? i'm afraid in real life the idf responded a little differently than in the video.

i read this morning about the TV crew in iraq that was attacked.

ciao

ok! :)

2009-07-19T06:04:16.763-04:00

ok! :)

I'm sure he meant to say most beautiful----after B...

2009-07-10T14:56:20.501-04:00

I'm sure he meant to say most beautiful----after Baghdad. :)

and while were at it and once israel has been ack...

2009-07-10T11:54:52.508-04:00

and while were at it

and once israel has been acknowledged as having a 'right' to exist (as a jewish state), will then we all be task with acknowledging the area of ertez yisrael to exist (as a jewish state)?

see where this is heading?

imo, this whole task of asking anyone to acknowledge and countries right to existence is a trap. better to just ask them to respect the sovereignty of the state and the people in it.