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The Assassination of Yassin
Why did Israel kill Sheikh Yassin, the founder of HAMAS? Obviously, they know this ups the stakes even more in the conflict with the most radical elements among the Palestinians.
So why? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the action follows immediately on the heels of Benjamin Netanyahu’s agreement to give provisional support for the phased withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank in conjunction with continued building of Israel’s security barrier. This means that the plan will very likely make it through Sharon’s cabinet and become a reality.
If so, Israel knows that it must withdraw settlers on terms of strength, or its pullout will be trumpeted by its enemies as a sign of weakness, as happened with the military withdrawal from southern Lebanon. So look for even more audacious strikes in the weeks ahead against HAMAS, Islamic Jihad, and the Al Aksa Brigades, especially the kind of strikes that can help certain elements within the PA to take more authority once Israel has withdrawn and given up day-to-day control over Gaza and most of the West Bank.
Notwithstanding the revenge attacks to come, Israel really is changing the security equation, and it looks like the Palestinians are in trouble.
Posted by Jeff Sikkenga | Link to this Entry | Comments [213] | 3/22/2004 6:35 AM
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Let us praise Blair
Prime Minister Tony Blair has done a very impressive thing. He
"has ordered Labour ministers and officials not to become embroiled in the US presidential race in an apparent attempt to avoid offending George W Bush.
The Prime Minister’s veto on visits to the US means that only one minister, Douglas Alexander, will attend the formal crowning of John Kerry, the Democrats’ candidate, in Boston in late July.
Tony Blair is said to back George Bush’s re-election bid
Mr Blair’s intervention, which will prevent his Labour colleagues from offering their traditional support to the Democrats, has astonished ministers who remember the close links Labour had with Bill Clinton during previous presidential campaigns."
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 3/21/2004 9:16 PM
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Glucksmann on Spain’s collapse
Andre Glucksmann has no doubt that the terrorist attack in Spain worked, and manipulated the Spanish election: "Except this time the assassins can proclaim they have won. It took them three days to sway popular opinion. The Popular Party of Jose María Aznar, the expected winner, got trounced. ’Punished!’ they said. But by whom? What’s the point of political campaigns, meetings, reports, programs and debates if within a few hours, the bombing of packed train cars can reverse the result? This final landslide, which no polls had predicted, is entirely due to the Atocha station catastrophe and the terror it spread. How could the terrorists not assume that they are the decision-makers, and that terrorism is now stronger than democracy? If the Socialists brought to govern Spain keep their pledge (made before the massacre) to withdraw from Iraq, they will confirm the killers’ innermost conviction: Crime pays--and the greater the horror, the more efficiently."
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments | 3/21/2004 8:41 PM
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Kerry and the world
THis Washington Post article turns out to be quite revealing about John Kerry’s view of both the United States and the world, and why he may love, above all else, meeting with foreign elites in Davos. If it is meant to be a defense of Kerry, I don’t think it works, take this paragraph: "Kerry’s father, a longtime State Department diplomat, taught him ’the benefit of learning how to look at other countries and their problems and their hopes and challenges through their eyes, to a certain degree, at least in trying to understand them,’ Kerry said. ’We don’t always do that that well. We often tend to see other people in the context of our history, our own hopes, our own aspirations.’"
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [254] | 3/21/2004 8:02 PM
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Kerry and Bush at Yale
John Tierney of the New York Times reports on Kerry and Bush at Yale (Kerry is two years older). Kerry fit right in with the "Northeastern elite," while Bush was the unpretentious Texan. No one thought then that Bush would become president, while everyone who knew Kerry (and almost everyone did) thought he would. Even then, Kerry was an impressive political leader. Bush joined an ordinary fraternity (i.e., not a blue-blood) and played intramural sports; he came to dislike Yale chaplain William Sloan Coffin, showing he had good judgment even when young.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 3/21/2004 7:55 PM
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Greetings from the MEDEVAC Unit
I spent the day with the Medical Brigade in Baghdad, and with a MEDEVAC blackhawk crew today. I have much to report, indeed too much to report given how late it is, so I leave this post here as a teaser for tomorrow.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments | 3/21/2004 1:34 PM
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The Clever Europeans
France has participated in naval drills with China off the port of Qingdao, a few days before the elections in Taiwan. This was China’s biggest ever joint military exercises with a foreign power. If you are convinced that the Spanish turn toward Old Europe is done a deal, you might want to see this few paragraphs from Eurosoc. The French-German rivalry is real, and the U.S. is continuing to conduct smart diplomacy as far as I can tell. By forgiving the German slight over Iraq, we have shifted the ground under French feet, and the Germans are once again talking about the importance of the trans-Atlantic relationship. Spain will not simply do the bidding of the French; it can’t afford to. Besides, the New European countries don’t want to be pushed around by the Old, their memories are too good. Note these two good paragraphs from Innocentsabroad: "As a final point, a point which refutes the claims that the Americans are not particularly deft when it comes to diplomacy, especially the current administration, I would suggest that, judging by how the Bush administration handled the various European players in the build-up to Iraq and since the war, those making the decisions in the US government understand something of how Europe’s nations work. The administration touted Anglo-American commonality, befriended smaller European nations, quickly forgave grievances with the Germans and have allowed antagonisms with the French to simmer. In other words, the American administration has focused its hostility on the French as much as possible." "I remember reading somewhere that during discussions prior to the Iraq invasion, Dominique de Villepin made the comment that the problem with the Americans is that they don’t read Machiavelli. The force of this statement was that the Americans failed to understand that much of what the French were doing was pure grandstanding in order to improve their international leverage. I think the Americans may very well have understood this. De Villepin seems to think that the core of Machiavelli is simple deception shrouded in the appearance of morality. If that’s the case, then I would suggest that the problem with the French is that they don’t read Machiavelli carefully. There is a moral message in Machiavelli, and it has to do with the morality of acquiring, something the French seem almost habitually unable to comprehend: a Machiavellian joke at France’s expense." Did I already mention that the French are establishing closer ties with China? Yes, I guess I have. These French, they are so clever. No wonder they didn’t like Washington’s "Farewell Address" when it was delivered in 1796 wherein Washington argued against all "permanent alliances or enmities." (The French Amabassador called it "Machiavellian.") Washington understood the connection between morality and national interest, between rights, right, and consent. He understood why under this new, utterly unMachiavellian, regime he had to give up power: his great virtues gave him no special rights, and gave the country no special rights but to persuade the world of the right of self-government. The French have never understood this. You might want to study some of William B. Allen’s reflections on such matters, here, and here.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 3/20/2004 2:30 PM
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Iraq’s liberation and Syria
Neil MacFarquhar’s front page report on Syria in today’s New York Times is very much worth reading. Bush’s political enemies can argue all they want about whether or not we should have gone into Iraq what with no weapons of mass destruction, etc., but in the end it the worth of the great act will be determined by two things: First, the effect it will have on Iraq. Second, the effect it will have on the region as a whole. This article reveals the good that it has already done in Syria. Syria is becoming more liberal and the opponents of that Baath Regime are heartened by what’s going on in Iraq. Subtle changes are taking place in Syria, and some Syrians are testing the limits, and they are getting away with it. And they understand that the change results from our actions in Iraq. The author says that "the fall of Mr. Hussein changed something inside people." The sense of terror has evaporated, and the regime is worried. Pay attention to this, as well as what is going on in Iran, Lybia, and Saudi Arabia. 
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [188] | 3/20/2004 2:19 PM
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When the Pens Move
Yesterday, I attended an afternoon briefing with Ambassador Bremer, who offered his thoughts on Iraq after one year. I will give you a summary of this later, but I thought I would tell you a little about being in the press room. I was sitting next to a major reporter for major national publication. Bremer began by noting a series of positive statistics about crime, development, security, etc. He told some interesting anecdotes. I saw that my pen and Fred Barnes pens were flying furiously, but the major reporter sitting next to me had not even lifted his pen. Then, Bremer would comment on something potentially negative, like the increased threat of terrorism between now and June 30th, and suddenly the major reporter’s pen would come to life. The pattern continued throughout the press conference, with my pen jotting both good and bad, and his pen seemingly oblivious to anything but the bad. Many of the questions were pointedly negative, with one prominent reporter asking an asinine question to the effect of, can you conceive of a scenario where we get lots of casualties and the terrorists attacks increase, and the moon turns to blood, dogs and cats start living together--you know, mass hysteria--and U.S. support wanes to the point where we would cut and run? Despicable.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 3/20/2004 8:25 AM
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Going to the Bank
There are a number of things that are difficult to assess if you have not been to Baghdad. One is that it is an entirely cash culture. Even the hotels require payment in cash only--no credit cards, and no travelers checks accepted. I therefore needed to find a bank capable of handling a money transfer. Most of the banks in the area have little capacity, essentially offering exchange services. I was told by one of the smaller local banks that there was a bank on Rasheed Street which could handle a transfer. I arranged for a ride with Majdi, one of my semi-regular taxi drivers. Rasheed Street was closed off to traffic, so we had to park on a side street and walk. The street was a picture of the miracle of commerce. Carts were everywhere, loaded as heavily as possible with televisions, computers, and satellite dishes. Modern western clothing was displayed in shop windows and sold by street vendors. The street was packed with people. It looks like what one would expect in a thriving Middle-Eastern bazaar.
Majdi speaks some English--enough to be of assistance in the journey, but sufficiently little so as to make the trip interesting. When we arrived at the bank, there was a security checkpoint some distance from the entrance. We were then escorted by an Iraqi police officer into the bank. But, thanks in part to miscommunication somewhere along the line, this was not the correct bank. This was the Central Bank. The Central Bank is essentially the Federal Reserve and Mint of Iraq rolled into one. As we entered, employeees were wheeling out blocks of Iraqi Dinars that were as large as suitcases. Another reporter had told that on a trip to the Central Bank he had seen the main currency room, which held something like 7 Trillion Dinars (the Dinar currently trades at roughly 1400 Dinars to 1 US Dollar). The Central Bank referred me to another bank, which ultimately sent me to still another bank which could in fact do the transaction. While stuck in traffic, I began to hear gun shots coming from Rasheed Street. Majdi explained that "Rasheed Street is very bad. Ali baba." As we sat in traffic, there was more gunfire, and closer gunfire. Majdi just shook his head, "Ali baba." And again, the pattern of the terrorists hold true. Rasheed Street is thriving. It is filled with locals. It is therefore a target.
After several hours of trying to find a bank, we finally arrived to meet the friendliest banker I have ever met. As we walked in the door, we were offered Turkish coffee or Chai. As I prepared to leave, he expressed regret. "It is lunch time, and I have not given you anything to eat." I said that this was O.K. He said, "Alright, but next time." Yes, next time. And with that, Majdi and I were on our way.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments [243] | 3/20/2004 8:01 AM
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Many New Pictures
There are many new pictures from Iraq posted here, including pictures of the aftermath of the hotel bombing, pictures of Mr. Nasim’s home and his family, and pictures from today’s Press Briefing with Secretary Powell. Enjoy.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments [20] | 3/19/2004 12:02 PM
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Robert Alt on Linda Chavez’s Radio Show
Robert Alt, our man in Iraq, will be on Linda Chavez’s radio show at 12:15 pm eastern time today. I encourage you to listen in,
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments | 3/19/2004 11:45 AM
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The March of the Hippies
On the ride to the Green Zone yesterday, we encountered more traffic than usual. This led my cabbie to do things like drive on the sidewalk on the bridge crossing the Tigris (which led me to accidentally offer a yiddish phrase, something I have tried to avoid in Baghdad). As we got closer to the gates to the Green Zone, the source of the traffic jam became obvious. There was a small protest, which was marching through the center of the street before it finally had the sense to get out of traffic. But there was something different about this protest. The marchers were not Iraqis. They were clearly foreign, which is to say, European and American. They were hippies (large download that requires Real Player, but worth it for South Park fans). My taxi driver that day was Hasen, a driver who often picks me up from the hotel, and whose broken English strikingly resembles Peter Stormare’s portrayal of the Russian cosmonaut in Armageddon. As we approached the crowd, he exclaimed, "What?! They are not even Iraqi. What are they, Spanish!" It is good to see the Iraqi sense of humor shine through.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments | 3/19/2004 10:58 AM
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Details on the Two Iraqi Reporters Killed in Baghdad
The AP has a preliminary report on the two Iraqi reporters killed in Baghdad by U.S. fire, leading to the boycott of Powell’s briefing by some members of the Iraqi press. Here is the relevant portion of that report:
A reporter for Arab satellite television station Al-Arabiya died from his wounds Friday, hours after U.S. soldiers shot him with his cameraman, who died at the scene, said Mohammed Ibrahim, the station’s editing supervisor in Baghdad.
The U.S. military said it had no information on the shootings of the journalists. But it reported the shooting death of an Iraqi at a checkpoint, and the circumstances of that death matched details reported by Al-Arabiya about the incident involving its Iraqi staffers.
Correspondent Ali al-Khatib and the slain cameraman, Ali Abdel-Aziz, were filming a nighttime rocket attack on the Burj al-Hayat hotel when the shooting took place. U.S. soldiers shot the men as they ran from the scene of an accident between a civilian car and a U.S. Army Bradley fighting vehicle, Ibrahim said. The reporters thought the car was driven by a suicide bomber, Ibrahim said.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments [197] | 3/19/2004 8:52 AM
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Powell in Baghdad
Secretary of State Powell made a surprise appearance in Baghdad today (photos are posted here). As he entered the room, a member of the Iraqi media rose to request a moment of silence for two Iraqi reporters killed yesterday. He then denounced the killings, called for an investigation, and led a large group of the Iraqi press out of the room in protest for what he called the murder of the press by Americans.
Powell suggested that the terrorists were responsible for these and other deaths, although in Q&A he admitted that he was not familiar with all the details, and that the event was under investigation. He began with the point that the press have new freedoms, and can walk out of the room or express their protest now--things they could not have done under Saddam Hussein. His prepared comments were short, emphasizing the progress that had been made in the last year, and offering the assurance that "America will not shrink from this task."
When asked a question by the Iraqi press about American bases after the June 30th transition, Powell stated that "[a] smaller size force than is currently here will be here after July 1." He also suggested that there were currently no plans for a permanent base in Iraq.
Then there was a question from Peter Jennings. Let me begin by noting that his hair appears to be a really bad dye job in peson. He asked a meandering question about a lack of support by America’s allies. He then asked for a comment from Powell to the French foreign minister’s statement to the effect that there was no terrorism in Iraq before the war, and that "the war in Iraq has not led to a more stable world." I thought it very appropriate to hear the French line being parroted by Peter Jennings. Powell essentially responded that terror existed before we went in and it exists now. The response should have been stronger. Worldwide terrorism would undoubtedly be worse if a terrorist sympathesizer such as Saddam Hussein were still in power. The Iraq war may have focused some of the terrorist efforts, but it has the long term effect of limiting terrorist capacity.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments [2] | 3/19/2004 7:40 AM
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Cuba, Kerry, and waiting for snow in Havana
Peter Kirsanow points out that Kerry has flip-flopped even on Cuba. He has been in favor of raising sanctions, and now he’s not. A few days ago I started reading Carlos Eire’s Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy (published about a year ago). Eire is a professor of history and religious studies at Yale. He left Cuba in 1962, at age twelve, one of 14,000 children airlifted out of Cuba, exiled from country and family. He has written scholarly tomes, but this is his first book without footnotes, as he says. Why did he write it? "The most immediate trigger was the Elian Gonzales affair. It reminded me far too much of my own experience as one of 14,000 children who had come to the U.S. from Cuba alone, and whose parents were intentionally kept in Cuba by the Castro regime. The sheer hypocrisy behind Castro’s claim that every child should be with his or her parent was what angered me the most and brought up many memories. It was like a volcanic eruption. One day I started writing and I couldn’t stop. For four months I wrote every night from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00, 3:00, or 4:00 in the morning." This is a lovely book, suffused with Cuban colors and odors, and life on a razor’s edge, and redemption. He changes Saint Jerome’s prayer slightly,
Miserere mei, Domine, Cubanus sum.
Do yourself a favor, run out and buy it, wrap yourself around it, and enjoy its beauty and grace. And, oh yes, sip on a good American coffee.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments | 3/19/2004 7:29 AM
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More good stuff from the courts
If you like the Scalia opinion Lucas Morel links to, you’ll love this. On the Seventh Circuit, Judge Frank Easterbrook has just invented a new kind of separate opinion. Not "concurring," not "dissenting," but "dubitante." Strip the polite veneer off, and Easterbrook is slamming the Supremes, and particularly Justice O’Connor, for being so unprincipled in free-speech cases that inferior federal judges have no clue what to do. The last couple of sentences are a real hoot:
Given McConnell, I cannot be confident that my
colleagues are wrong in thinking that five Justices will go
along. But I also do not understand how that position can be
reconciled with established principles of constitutional law.
(Thanks to Stuart Buck’s The Buck Stops Here.)
Posted by Eric Claeys | Link to this Entry | Comments [4] | 3/18/2004 4:09 PM
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Scalia Explains Recusal Refusal
For those interested in Justice Scalia’s explanation of why he will not recuse himself from an upcoming case involving Vice President Dick Cheney (a long-time friend with whom he traveled on a recent hunting trip), see the following 21-page memorandum. For you sporting enthusiasts, the memo includes details about the hunting trip. The Wall St. Journal posts a story on the memo
here.
Quick excerpt from Scalia’s memo: "The question, simply put, is whether someone who thought I could decide this case impartially despite my friendship with the Vice President would reasonably believe that I cannot decide it impartially because I went hunting with that friend and accepted an invitation to fly there with him on a Government plane.
If it is reasonable to think that a Supreme Court justice can be bought so cheap, the nation is in deeper trouble than I had imagined."
Posted by Lucas Morel | Link to this Entry | Comments [10] | 3/18/2004 2:08 PM
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