Monthly Archives: May 2007

Obfuscation in the media and IO – Mahmoudiya/Baqouba

Posted on May 19, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

It is increasingly clear that the command in Baghdad is seeking to manage perception of the Mahmoudiyah attack by describing it as; "a patrol," a "convoy," "A stationary convoy," an "ambush," a "kidnapping," etc. Any fool can see that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, The Military Art | 46 Comments

Abu Sinan on Learning Arabic

Posted on May 18, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

I absolutely agree with Abu Sinan’s view on this.  I am a passable language learner, but it took me three years of full time study before I really acquired any significant ability in the language.  Then I lived in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 51 Comments

Open Thread on LTG Lute

Posted on May 17, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

My present thinking on the appointment of Douglas Lute is that the WH wanted one thing from the creation of the position and has ended up with something else.  Philip Zellikow said on the Newshour yesterday that the idea was … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 65 Comments

See “The Chalabi Archive”

Posted on May 17, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

On "The Athenaeum" pl

Posted in Ukraine Crisis | Comments Off on See “The Chalabi Archive”

Sale Responds to Comments

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

"Dear Pat: I think that any one drawing the inference from my criticism of Chalabi that my adverse comments could possibly be used as a way to edge America towards a war with Iran lacks any capacity for logic. Chalabi … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Assault of an Outpost?

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

I have been listening to the television coverage of the ongoing search for several men of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division south of Baghdad in the Mahmoudiyah area.  The regiment’s badge is at left. The latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, The Military Art | 69 Comments

Chalabi and the Israelis

Posted on May 15, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

From this old article in Yediot Aharonot it looks like Chalabi played the Israelis for "suckers" as well.  pl ————————————————— "Saddam’s "Successor" Made Secret Visit to IsraelSmadar PeriIntelligence Correspondent, Yediot Aharonot On Tuesday afternoon, in a dramatic interruption of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 47 Comments

“Richly and Royally Fooled” – Habbakuk

Posted on May 15, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

"If in eliminating the Ba’ath Chalabi was seeking to marginalise not simply secular Sunnis but secular Shi’a — who were of course supposed by his champions in Washington to be his power base — then the suggestion that he duped … Continue reading →

Posted in Habakkuk | 8 Comments

More Sale on Chalabi

Posted on May 14, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

"Pat: Some amplification about Chalabi from a former CIA official. "First and foremost," this guys says, Chalabi wanted "not just to destroy the secular Sunnis, but "especially the secular Shia. That is the reason for the ferocious attack on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 9 Comments

Richard Sale on Chalabi

Posted on May 14, 2007 by Michael Chevalier

Reproduced here with the permission of Richard Sale and Milt Bearden.  Richard informs me that all of this was "on the record."  pl —————————————————— "Dear Pat: I have been busy working on the Balkans, but wanted to provide some data … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Politics | 25 Comments