U.S. Army Master Sgt. Raymond Harris, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, hands out candy and coloring books to local Iraqi children in the town of Tikrit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



A U.S. soldier, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, hands out fliers containing information with phone numbers that local residents can call to report emergencies and insurgent activity in the town of Tikrit, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. Army Master Sgt. Raymond Harris, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, hands out candy and coloring books to local Iraqi children in the town of Tikrit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Joseph, assigned to the 350th Tactical Psychological Operations Company, 1st Infantry Division, hands out candy and coloring books to local Iraqi children in the town of Tikrit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. soldiers, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, search a field for unexploded ordnance or evidence of a recent insurgent presence in the town of Tikrit, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Platter, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, jumps a small stream while searching a nearby field for unexploded ordnance or evidence of a recent insurgent presence in the town of Tikrit, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Todd Vandertie, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, searches a field for unexploded ordnance or evidence of a recent insurgent presence in the town of Tikrit, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. soldiers, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, search a field for unexploded ordnance or evidence of a recent insurgent presence in the town of Tikrit, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. Army Master Sgt. Raymond Harris, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, searches a field for unexploded ordnance or evidence of a recent insurgent presence in the town of Tikrit, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.



U.S. soldiers, with the 350th Tactical Psychological Operations Company, 1st Infantry Division, hand out candy and coloring books to local Iraqi children in the town of Tikrit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan. 10, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Algernon E. Crawley Jr.

http://www.defendamerica.mil

SEARCH — U.S. Army Spc. Hudson, with Battery C, 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, searches a home of a known anti-coalition insurgent during a raid in Ash Sharquat, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Erste

http://www.defendamerica.mil

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Indonesia ups tsunami death toll by 5,000
Indonesia increased its tsunami death toll by 5,000 on Sunday, raising the overall number of people who died in the Dec. 26 disaster to more than 162,000. The nation's defense minister toned down his country's reluctance to host foreign troops helping in relief efforts.

Graner gets 10 years in Abu Ghraib case
Army Spc. Charles Graner Jr., who grinned in photos of Iraqi prisoners being sexually humiliated but told jurors, "I didn't enjoy what I did there," was sentenced Saturday to 10 years behind bars in the first court-martial stemming from the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

Sharon increases efforts to stop attacks
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday said he has ordered Israeli forces to intensify efforts to stop Palestinian attacks, adding that the military would act without restrictions until Palestinian leaders take action against militants themselves.

U.S. to release about 80 Afghan detainees
About 80 people detained by the U.S. military in Afghanistan will be released on Sunday, Afghan officials said.

Iraq considers new ways to protect voters
Iraqi officials said Saturday they are considering new measures to protect voters in the Jan. 30 national election, including a three-day, nationwide ban on driving to discourage car-bombings. Fresh clashes broke out in the troubled northern city of Mosul, where most election officials have fled their jobs in fear.


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Iraq, Baghdad


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Graner Gets 10 Years in Abu Ghraib Case
Army Spc. Charles Graner Jr., who grinned in photos of Iraqi prisoners being sexually humiliated but told jurors, "I didn't enjoy what I did there," was sentenced Saturday to 10 years behind bars in the first court-martial stemming from the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

New Steps Set For Security Around Iraq Vote
Iraqi authorities will restrict the use of automobiles throughout the country and will place security cordons around polling places. New York Times: World Special

2-Italy to Extend Iraq, Afghan Missions Through End of June .....
ROME: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government today extended its foreign missions, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan, through the end of June. [in Pak Tribune] The US News: Iraq News

Gunmen kill aide to Iraqi Shiite leader
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Gunmen killed an aide to Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric, intensifying the threat of a violent sectarian split with the approach of national elections that political leaders are strug... [in Casper Star Tribune] The US News: Iraq News

BP To Conduct Oil Study On Iraq's South Rumeila Fields
) said Sunday it had won a contract to carry out an integrated field study in Iraq's huge southern Rumeila oil fields. The contract is similar to another study being carried by Exploration Consultants... [in Yahoo] The US News: Iraq News

UN asks Iraq govt to ensure Sunnis vote :
[World News]: United Nations, Jan 15 : The United Nations has asked Iraq Government to intensify efforts to ensure that the minority Sunnis exercise their franchise in the upcoming elections in the ... [in New Kerala] The US News: Iraq News

Violence cripples Iraq's infrastructure
Frustrated Iraqi and U.S. officials say insurgents in recent months have displayed an impressive capacity to cripple Iraq's most vital infrastructure."What they're doing is focusing efforts on intelli... [in Casper Star Tribune] The US News: Iraq News

Allawi in Battle to Keep Iraq Leadership
web sites ). A Washington-based diplomat close to Iraq's political process said Allawi remained the United States' choice, but Washington would not allow itself to be seen as blocking Abdul-Mahdi if... [in Yahoo] The US News: Iraq News


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Abbas extends hand in peace to Israel
Mahmoud Abbas extended his hand in peace to Israel as he was sworn in as the new Palestinian leader Saturday, but the Israeli army killed eight Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and 46 election officials resigned over alleged ballot irregularities, crushing optimism for an early resumption of the peace process. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Protesters to start hitting D-C for inaugural week
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Bush urges patience...Indonesia raises toll...Stars turn out for victims
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Afghan court says about 60 Afghans freed from Guantanamo Bay
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Bush defends policies...Saddam loyalists help militants...Deadline dropped
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror


From Fox News
Afghan Prisoners to Be Freed
Museum: U.S.-Led Troops Damaged Ancient Babylon
Palestinian Leader Sworn In
Wolfowitz: U.S. Eager to End Military Tsunami Mission

Iraqi Expats Gear Up to Vote
Historic election is dream come true for many Iraqi-Americans

Bush Unfazed by WMD Criticism
President remains firm on Iraq war despite failure to locate weapons

FBI Warns of Suspicious Inaugural Activity
Court Rejects Challenge to Inaugural Prayer
Bush Unfazed by Criticism of Iraq WMD Hunt

WAR ON TERROR
Click here for background information on the War on Terror.


From the Department of Defense
Iraqis Want to Vote in Jan. 30 Elections
BAGHDAD, Jan. 15, 2005 — People in Iraq want to vote in the elections for the country's national assembly on Jan. 30, the commander of coalition forces in Ninewa province said at a news conference today. Army Brig. Gen. Carter Ham said anecdotal evidence suggests Iraqis in Mosul "have the desire to vote. Story

Insurgents Attack Again From Mosul Mosque
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2005 – For the second straight day, insurgents firing from a mosque in eastern Mosul targeted multinational forces in Iraq, military officials in Baghdad reported today. Story

ON THE GROUND
Stryker Brigade Proves Itself in Ninewa
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 15, 2005 – The Stryker Brigade is well-designed for the decentralized war against insurgents the coalition is waging in Iraq, said Brig. Gen. Carter Ham, commander of Task Force Olympia, during an American Forces Press Service interview. Story

'Little Things Make All the Difference'
TALLIL, Iraq, Jan. 14, 2005 — When Joe Faustina, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, hired several local engineers to work on projects for the Corps, he heard some horrible stories about the former regime and what had happened to some of the local people. Faustina was determined to help those still suffering.Story

IN IRAQ
As Fallujah Residents Return, Troops Help
Reconstruction in Iraq Moves Forward
Supply Operation Delivers Goodwill
U.S. Troops Uncover Bomb Factory
'Commando' Unit Detains Suspected Bomb Maker
Cavalry Unit Rescues Iraqi Police Colonel, Wife

IN AFGHANISTAN
Airmen Arrive for Duty in Afghanistan
Marine Combat Engineers Fortify U.S. Camp
Force Protection Vital to Rebuilding Effort
'Wolfhounds' Ensure Stability, Security

FACE OF DEFENSE
Marine Puts Accounting Degree to Work
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Jan. 14, 2004 — When U.S. Marine Cpl. John R. Glynn was in school, math was his favorite subject. He never could have known that his love for numbers would someday put him in control of $5 million and the lives of nearly 2,000 Marines. Story

HOMECOMING
Military Intel Soldiers Return to Fort Gordon
FORT GORDON, Ga., Jan. 13, 2005 — U.S. soldiers assigned to the 202d Military Intelligence Battalion returned to Fort Gordon recently after a 12-month deployment in Iraq. Story

Photo Essay: 821st Transportation Co. Returns to N.H.

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Insurgents Are Not Heroes
Babil Police Recruiting Draws 1,100
300 Iraqis Line Up to Join Police
Forces Round Up Insurgents
4 Troops Killed During Operations
Iraq Daily Update
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IRAQ ELECTIONS
North-Central Iraq Ready for Vote
Marines Patrol to Ensure Security
U.S. Supports Election Commitment
Election 'Historic Moment' for Iraq
Powell: Vote Means Better Security
Fact Sheet: Iraqi Elections

IN AFGHANISTAN
Missing Aircraft Search Continues
More Weapons Caches Turn Up
Enduring Freedom Marks 3 Years
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Security Conference Ends
Ridge: U.S.-European Effort Vital
Bush Visits Pentagon for Updates
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Benning Pledges Family Support
Children Learn About Deployments
Amputee Care Center to Open
National Guard, Reserve Update

TRANSFORMATION
Army Deploys 'Intel Snipers' to Iraq