The War Policies & People

Wednesday - March 28, 2007 - BAGHDAD - Two truck bombs shattered markets in Tal Afar on Tuesday, killing at least 63 people and wounding dozens in the second assault in four days on a predominantly Shiite Muslim. The number of deaths from car bombs has decreased slightly since the Baghdad security operation began on February 14, 2007, but it has more than doubled in areas outside the capital. Yahoo NEWS Photos: From left, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Juan Alba, Cpl. Joseph Casiano, Spc. David Tunstall and an Iraqi National Police officer conduct a combined cordon and search foot patrol at a market in Ghazaliya, Iraq, March 23, 2007. The soldiers are from Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Tierney Nowland

Wednesday - March 7, 2007 - WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday his decision to send more troops to Baghdad is yielding "gradual but important" progress in Iraq. Bush announced in January he was sending an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq despite widespread opposition to the war and opposition to his plan in the Democratic-controlled Congress. Yahoo NEWS Photos: Flying F/A-18C Hornets above the USS Ronald Reagan, Capt. Craig Williams, foreground, and Capt. Richard Butler look up for a photo during their airborne change of command ceremony, March 1, 2007. Butler, a University of Kentucky graduate with more than 21 years of experience as a naval aviator, relieved Williams as the commander of Carrier Air Wing 14. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Tam Pham.

Wednesday - February 14, 2007 - WASHINGTON - The U.S. military Multi-National Force said Wednesday that a Sea Knight helicopter that crashed last week northwest of Baghdad was shot down. The announcement was a reversal of earlier statements that it appeared to have crashed due to mechanical failure. The Marine CH-46 troop transport helicopter went down northwest of Baghdad on February 7, 2007, killing all seven people on board. The actual attack was not witnessed by the pilots of the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter providing escort for the CH-46 troop-transport helicopter. The pilots did observe the fire, descent and subsequent crash. The initial signs resembled fires that have occurred aboard CH-46s experiencing mechanical difficulties in the past. However, an al-Qaida-linked Sunni group claimed responsibility and aired a video. At least seven U.S. helicopters have crashed or been forced down under hostile fire since January 20, 2007. The mission of the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter in a Marine Medium Helicopter (HMM) squadron is to provide all-weather, day/night, night vision goggle (NVG) assault transport of combat troops, supplies, and equipment during amphibious and subsequent operations ashore. Troop assault is the primary function and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. In the wake of the recent crashes, U.S. officials have said they were reviewing helicpter flight operations and tactics. Yahoo NEWS Photos: CH-46E US Marine Photo and CORDON AND SEARCH - A soldier watches for enemy action as fellow soldiers board a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter following a cordon and search operation in Tall Aswad, Iraq, February 5, 2007. The soldiers are from Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert C. Brogan.

Wednesday - February 7, 2007 - WASHINGTON - In ongoing debate over a possible Senate vote, both Henry Kissinger and Presidential candidate Barack Obama have emphasized that the United States needs a grand strategy for Iraq. The administration's decision to increase troops may tactically be the right choice to pacify occupied neighborhoods in Iraq, but it does not by itself solve the overall problem. Discussion over the controversy centers around what is the right plan, and what would be the components, and how would timetables be implemented, for that startegy. Democratic Senators Patty Murray, John Kerry, Jack Reed , and Sheldon Whitehouse will join veterans of the Iraq war to call on Senate Republicans to stop blocking a debate on the president's plan to escalate the war. Senator Jack Reed, from Rhode Island, said a debate over Iraq policy is a first step. He believes the pressure will build up publicly toward a debate and vote. He suggested it could be slowed down for more than a week or two. He said the White House is reluctant to put its policy to a test before the Senate. Reed suggests that the Iraq mission needs to be redefined with a "phased redeployment", and agrees with Kissinger and Obama for a grand strategy in the region. Yahoo NEWS Photo: INCREASED SAFETY - Marines from 2nd Platoon, Company D, from the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, patrol the streets of Rawah, Iraq, a city of roughly 30,000 people, on Jan. 18, 2007. The Marines have been conducting security operations in this area, 150 miles northwest of Baghdad, for the past five months. The increase in safety has allowed more shops and schools to open, as locals work to make what they call a “normal life.” U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Sapp.

Tuesday - February 6, 2007 - FORT LEWIS, Washington - Military judge Lt. Colonel John Head in the case against 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, 28, of Honolulu, barred several experts in international and constitutional law from testifying Monday about the legality of the war. Watada is the first U.S. officer court-martialed for refusing to ship out for Iraq. He is charged with missing movement for refusing to ship out with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Watada also faces charges of conduct unbecoming an officer for accusing the Army of war crimes and denouncing the administration for conducting an "illegal war" founded on "lies." Judge Head previously ruled that Watada's attorney, Eric Seitz, could not debate the legality of the Iraq war in court. If convicted, Watada could receive four years in prison and a dishonorable discharge. He has requested that his case be heard by a military panel of officers, the equivalent of a jury. On Tuesday, prosecutors are expected to call at least three witnesses in an effort to prove that Watada's speech amounted to misconduct.

Monday - February 5, 2007 - WASHINGTON - General David H. Petraeus, the new U.S. commander in Iraq, is assembling a small band of warrior-intellectuals, military officers with doctorates from top-flight universities and combat experience in Iraq. Petraeus's chief economic adviser, Colonel Michael J. Meese will coordinate security and reconstruction efforts. Colonel Meese also holds a PhD from Princeton. He is the son of former attorney general Edwin Meese III, who was a member of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. Photo: Captain William Lutmer climbs into an F-16 Fighting Falcon while Senior Airman Skylar Mims assists him January 29, 2007, at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Lutmer is deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing as part of the 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. Mims is a crew chief for the 14th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The 14th Fighter Squadron is deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan. U. S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth. Photo: Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine General Peter Pace conduct a media roundtable at the Pentagon, February 2, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen.

Thursday - February 1, 2007 - WASHINGTON - Former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright urged the President on Wednesday in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to go beyond a planned buildup of U.S. forces in Iraq and develop a comprehensive strategy for the area. Kissinger has been a strong advocate of engagement in the entire Middle East region including negatiations with both Iraq and Syria. Kissinger and Albright both called for wide-ranging talks with Iraq's neighbors, including Iran and Syria, as well as increased autonomy for the clashing Iraqi factions. The Bush administration has avoided any proposal to engage Syria and Iran. Kissinger served under Presidents Nixon and Ford. He said Bush's planned buildup of 21,500 U.S. troops appears to be "the best way to get the maneuvering room to the changes in deployment and strategy that will be required by the evolving situation." Kissinger said: "I think the focus has been on the surge. My focus is the other way around: to explain the surge in terms of the strategy to which we should go." Kissinger is suggesting a strategy that would permit large regional autonomy for the various Iraqi groups and a stronger Iraqi army. Kissinger also said: "All of this has to be in the context of a willingness to talk to Iran." The foundation of the Kissinger policy is found in his statement that: "What we cannot accept is an Iran that seeks to dominate the region." Albright, who was secretary of state under President Clinton, said she might have backed Bush's buildup in Iraq if it "had been tied to a clear and achievable mission, and if we were guaranteed our troops would have the best training and equipment." She testified: "I think we need a surge in diplomacy." Her suggestion correctly perceived in fact is that: "We are viewed in the Middle East as a colonial power and our motives are suspect." Like Kissinger, Albright supports participation by Iran and Syria along with other nations in talks designed to keep Iraq from slipping into chaos. She says: "One gains by communicating with countries with which one disagrees."

Monday - January 29, 2007 - BAGHDAD, Iraq - Last Friday the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Lt. General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Army, to be General and Commander in Iraq, by a vote of 81-0. He replaces General George Casey who has been nominated by President George W. Bush to become the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. In this new position, Petraeus will oversee all forces in Iraq and carry out the new Iraqi strategy plan outlined by the Bush administration. During the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, Petraeus had led the 101st Airborne Division in one of the largest and longest air assaults in military history. Admirers have credited its execution as text book. In the months following the invasion, Petraeus was credited with finding perhaps the best balance of hard and soft power in Iraq. With a Princeton doctorate and his reputation as a "warrior scholar", Petraeus led his troops through relentless searches of ex-Baathist homes, but at the same time complemented his tough tactics with sit-downs with tribal chiefs and community work projects. This balanced approach helped Petraeus produce solid intelligence that led to the 101st cornering and killing Saddam Hussein's two sons. Lt. Gen. David Petraeus is to arrive in Baghdad to take over for Gen. George Casey as the top U.S. commander in Iraq next week, a defense official said Monday. In his new post, Petraeus will be promoted in rank to four-star general and report to the commander of U.S. Central Command. The holder of that post, General John Abizaid, is due to retire in March; Navy Admiral William Fallon, who has been nominated to replace Abizaid, is scheduled to testify at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday. PHOTO: Camp New Jersey, Kuwait (March 21, 2003) - Major General David H. Petraeus (right), commanding general, 101st Airborne Division, (Air Assault) looks on as Lieutenant General William S. Wallace, V Corps commanding general speaks to soldiers.

MEDIA ROUNDTABLE - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates (middle, left) conducts a Pentagon press availability, Jan. 26, 2007. Gates said he will consider the recommendations of U.S. commanders in Iraq and ensure they have the forces they need to accomplish their mission. Defense Dept. photo by Helene C. Stikkel

Friday - January 26, 2007 - BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military confirmed a Associated Press report earlier Friday, that in a sophisticated attack, gunmen speaking English, wearing U.S. military uniforms and carrying American weapons abducted four U.S. soldiers last week at the provincial headquarters in the Shiite holy city of Karbala and then shot them to death. The brazen assault, 50 miles south of Baghdad, was conducted by nine to 12 gunmen posing as an American security team, the military confirmed. The attackers traveled in black GMC Suburban vehicles (the type used by U.S. government convoys), had American weapons, wore new U.S. military combat fatigues, and spoke English. Iraqi Police became suspicious when the convoy of attackers and their American captives did not stop at a roadblock, and chased the vehicles finding the bodies, the gear and the abandoned SUVs.

Saturday - January 20, 2007 - WASHINGTON - President Bush will give the State of the Union address on Tuesday with an opportunity to defend his new Iraq strategy to a nation leaning against the war and Congress ready to vote against the plan. It will be the President's major opportunity to shape America's legislative agenda before the 2008 presidential campaign begins to make his messages less relevant. Bush is expected to concede some domestic issues where he believes he can work with the Democratic Congress. On Iraq, he is expected to stand firm against the Congressional opposition. The State of the Union is nationally televised and provides a speech with great political theater. The President has begun rehearsing drafts of the speech, and worked on the address over the weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat. President Bush was joined by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser Stephen Hadley and chief of staff Joshua Bolten. After the speech on Tuesday evening, Bush is scheduled to travel on Wednesday to Wilmington, Delaware, where he will talk about energy policy. On Thursday, the President will discuss his health care ideas in Lee's Summit, Missouri. PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates meets British Maj. Gen. JM Shaw, commander of Multinational Division-South East, as U.S. Army Gen. George Casey, commander of Multinational Forces-Iraq, looks on in Basra, Iraq, Jan. 19, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A. Thurlby

The President's authority to make war: Sometimes referred to as the War Powers Clause, the United States Constitution, Article One, Section 8, Clause 11, vests in the Congress the exclusive power to declare war. Five wars have been declared in American history: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Some historians argue that the legal doctrines and legislation passed during the operations against Pancho Villa constitute a sixth declaration of war. However, beginning with the Korean War, American Presidents have not sought formal declarations of war, instead maintaining that they have the constitutional authority, as commander in chief (Article Two, Section Two) to use the military for "police actions". In 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution, which requires the president to obtain either a declaration of war or a resolution authorizing the use of force from Congress within 60 days of initiating hostilities. Its constitutionality has never been tested as Congress has always passed the required authorization when requested by the President. Some legal scholars maintain that all military action taken without a Congressional declaration of war (regardless of the War Powers Resolution) is unconstitutional; however, the United States Supreme Court has never ruled directly on the matter.