Top Items:
Evan Kohlmann / The Counterterrorism Blog:
Al-Qaida Takes Casualties in Iraq — But Apparently Not Zarqawi — Despite recent reports to the contrary, Al-Qaida's Committee in Iraq has suffered numerous casualties during recent combat operations in northern and western Iraq — including both native and foreign fighters.
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Dr. Rusty Shackleford / The Jawa Report v3.0 Beta:
Zarqawi Still Alive, The Left Celebrates — The White House is now saying that it is "highly unlikely" that Abu Musab al Zarqawi died in a Mosul raid Saturday. Earlier Jawa post from Traderrob here. — *Sigh* — Not that killing the al Qaeda in Iraq leader—and the man personally responsible …
New York Times:
Chinese Leader Gives President a Mixed Message — BEIJING, Nov. 20 - In a day of polite but tense encounters, President Hu Jintao of China told President Bush on Sunday that he was willing to move more quickly to ease economic differences with the United States, but he gave no ground on increasing political freedoms.
Discussion:
Rantingprofs
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Peter Baker / Washington Post:
The China Opening Of 2005: Don't Ask — For Bush in Beijing, It's Hard to Get Out — BEIJING, Nov. 20 — After all the pomp and circumstance, after all the mind-numbing statements in all the mind-numbing meetings, President Bush finally seemed happy. — He slipped into athletic shorts …
John F. Burns / New York Times:
It's Still a Mystery — Photograph by Christoph Bangert/Polaris, for The New York Times; illustration by Brian Rea — AT a lunch with a senior American commander here last week, the raid that uncovered a secret Interior Ministry torture center in Baghdad prompted a question …
Discussion:
The Heretik
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Ellen Knickmeyer / Washington Post:
Under U.S. Design, Iraq's New Army Looks a Good Deal Like the Old One — TAJI, Iraq, Nov. 20 — Clad in the olive-green uniform of old, his heart rising to the sound of the lilting march to which he once went to war for President Saddam Hussein, Sgt. Bashar Fathi, a veteran …
Los Angeles Times:
How U.S. Fell Under the Spell of 'Curveball' — The Iraqi informant's German handlers say they had told U.S. officials that his information was 'not proven,' and were shocked when President Bush and Colin L. Powell used it in key prewar speeches. — BERLIN — The German intelligence officials responsible …
Discussion:
The American Street
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CNN:
Powell aide: Torture 'guidance' from VP — Former staff chief says Cheney's 'flexibility' helped lead to abuse — WASHINGTON (CNN) — A former top State Department official said Sunday that Vice President Dick Cheney provided the "philosophical guidance" and "flexibility" that led to the torture of detainees in U.S. facilities.
Joe Gandelman / The Moderate Voice:
Bush Tries To Cool Fiery Iraq Debate A Few Notches — TMV NOTE: We often repost posts done the night before on the next day's blog, to make sure they get maximum readership. The post below ran mid-day yesterday — but we're reposting it today due to some of the important issues involved.
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Rowan Scarborough / Washington Times:
Military fears critics will hurt morale — Pentagon officials say they are increasingly worried that Washington's political fight over the Iraq war will dampen what has been high morale among troops fighting a tenacious and deadly enemy. — Commanders are telling Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld …
Discussion:
I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!
Neil A. Lewis / New York Times:
Alito Often Ruled for Religious Expression — WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 - Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. has compiled a brief but unmistakable record, lawyers and analysts say, that makes him a leader in the camp of conservative theorists and judges who believe federal courts have been too quick to limit religious activities in public life.
lileks.com:
At Least Ezra Pound was Nuts — I never "got into" Vonnegut, or "dug" his work like my "buds," several of whom pronounced his work as "intense," so I am not particularly bothered to find he applauds suicide bombers, and thinks they experience "an amazing high."
Discussion:
Ed Driscoll.com
Ralph Peters / New York Post:
HOW TO LOSE A WAR — November 21, 2005 — QUIT. It's that simple. There are plenty of more complex ways to lose a war, but none as reliable as just giving up. — Increasingly, quitting looks like the new American Way of War. No matter how great your team, you can't win the game if you walk off the field at half-time.
Discussion:
Betsy's Page
William Yardley / New York Times:
After Eminent Domain Win, Project Goes Nowhere — NEW LONDON, Conn. - They have still not moved out. Not Susette Kelo. Not the Derys. Not Byron Athenian or Bill Von Winkle or the others. — Five months after the United States Supreme Court set off a national debate by ruling …
Reuters:
Washington Post rebukes Bob Woodward — Programming Note: Bob Woodward discusses the CIA leak probe and his silence, Monday on Larry King Live at 9 p.m. ET — WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The Washington Post's ombudsman rebuked journalist Bob Woodward on Sunday for withholding what he knew …
The Australian:
Muslim fanatics terrorise a nation — Islamist murders and threats have transformed the once-tolerant Netherlands into a place of armed bodyguards and fear, writes Anthony Browne — A FILM about gay rights should hardly raise an eyebrow in The Netherlands, which for centuries has prided itself …
