Surprise Visit

U.S. says Iraq troop surge complete - 15 Jun 2007 at 7:42am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - All U.S. troop reinforcements heading to Iraq to help restore security have now arrived, but it could take several more months before their weight is fully felt, the U.S. military said on Friday.

Gates in Iraq to assess progress in U.S. troop "surge" - 15 Jun 2007 at 2:45pm - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad on Friday to assess a U.S. troop buildup and press Iraq's government to move faster in passing laws that Washington views as critical to reconciling Iraqis.

So, Gates can assess now, but the rest of us shouldn't assess for the next several months?

5 U.S. Troops Killed In Iraq - 15 Jun 2007 at 7:19am - Five more U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq, the military announced. Three died when a bomb exploded near their vehicle in northern Iraq. Meanwhile, a curfew imposed after a mosque attack seems to be keeping Baghdad quieter than usual.

Study: Military mental health system poor - 15 Jun 2007 at 9:18am - The military's mental health system has "fallen significantly short" of meeting the needs of troops and their families, according to a year-long task force study released Thursday.

Bill OKs lowering flags when troops die - 15 Jun 2007 at 9:58am - WASHINGTON -- Legislation passed by Congress would require all federal agencies in a state to comply with a governor's request that they fly their flags at half-staff to honor a fallen service member.

Guard running low on equipment - 15 Jun 2007 at 2:48pm - National Guard units in 31 states say four years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have left them with 60% or less of their authorized equipment, a USA TODAY review found.

Wow, I didn't know Kathleen Blanco was now Governor of 31 different states.

Thought for the day:
"Arguments are to be avoided; they are always vulgar and often convincing." -Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

Technorati tags:
Iraq policy, National Guard, Robert Gates