A Soldiers Blog

Iraq Updates
Secret Israel missile-test video breached: "In a rare breach of military security, portions of a secret Israeli missile test could be seen on television across the Arab world after the company conducting the exercise apparently failed to encrypt its video transmission."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



A Look at U.S. Daily Deaths in Iraq: "As of Wednesday, Nov. 5, 379 U.S. service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq, according to the Department of Defense. The department did not provide an update Thursday. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Death Toll in Iraq Helicopter Attack Rises to 16: "The U.S. military said the deathtoll of Sunday's downing of an American military Chinookhelicopter in Iraq had risen to 16 after a soldier seriouslywounded in the attack died on Thursday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Army: Helicopter Had Defensive System: "The Army helicopter shot down over Iraq last weekend apparently had a last-second warning of an approaching missile and managed to launch flares designed to draw the heat-seeking missile away, a senior Army official said Thursday. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Bush Asks Lands in Mideast to Try Democratic Ways: "President Bush challenged Iran, Syria and Middle East allies of the U.S. to begin embracing democratic traditions."

In New York Times: World Special



Pentagon Says a Covert Force Hunts Hussein: "A U.S. commander has created a commando force to hunt Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and key terrorists in the Middle East."

In New York Times: World Special



At a Base in Iraq, American Troops Honor Victims of Copter Attack: "The memorial for troops who died after their helicopter was struck came on a day when three allied soldiers died in new attacks."

In New York Times: World Special



Bush Aides Play Down Effort to Avert War at Last Minute: "Officials played down the significance of Iraq's negotiations with Washington in the weeks before the war began in March."

In New York Times: World Special



Jessica Lynch Criticizes U.S. Accounts of Her Ordeal: "In her first public statements since her rescue in Iraq, Jessica Lynch criticized the military for exaggerating accounts of her rescue and re-casting her ordeal as a patriotic fable."

In New York Times: World Special



US says it will cut troop strength in Iraq as two more US soldiers die: "The United States has unveiled plans to cut its troop strength in Iraq next year to about 105,000, as two more US soldiers were reported dead and Polish forces suffered their first fatality. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Iraq proves no vote-winner in Koizumi's election battle: "Faced with public opposition to his plan to send troops to volatile Iraq, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is playing down his controversial foreign policy before Sunday's Japanese general election. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Troops Gather to Honor Comrades in Iraq: "Fifteen rifles stood in a row with their barrels down, each topped by a U.S. military helmet and framed by an empty pair of combat boots. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Army Dismisses Soldier Cowardice Charge: "The Army dismissed a cowardice charge and filed a lesser count against an Army interrogator who sought counseling after he saw the body of an Iraqi man cut in half by American fire. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Iraq Tried Last-Minute Deal to Avoid War: "Negotiators for Saddam Hussein tried to strike a last-minute deal with the Bush administration to avoid an invasion after realizing "the threat was real," a Lebanese-American businessman who tried to serve as a go-between said Thursday. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



US soldiers mourn their brothers-in-arms lost on Iraqi battlefield: "US troops mourned the 153rd Armoured Cavalry Regiment soldiers who died when their Chinook transport helicopter was downed outside Iraq's flashpoint town of Fallujah last weekend. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq