Check out Major K.

Written by a deployed hero, this blog provides a great first-hand account of what it's like to be there.

U.S. Special Forces Soldiers and Albanian troops patrol northern Iraq. Photo by Mike Buytas.

from http://www.army.mil

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Egypt's Mubarak orders election amendment
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday ordered a revision of the country's election laws and said multiple candidates could run in the nation's presidential elections, a scenario Mubarak hasn't faced since becoming the country's leader in 1981.

Palestinians arrest 2 for Israel bombing
The Palestinian interior minister said Saturday the Palestinian security forces have arrested two West Bank men in connection with a Tel Aviv suicide bombing that killed four Israelis outside a nightclub.

Iran, Russia postpone nuclear fuel signing
Iran and Russia suddenly postponed on Saturday the signing of a key deal to supply Iran with fuel for its first nuclear reactor, and officials from the two countries were holding new talks, apparently to resolve last-minute differences.

Oil pipeline destroyed in northern Iraq
An oil pipeline in northern Iraq was ablaze Saturday after saboteurs blew it up in the latest attack against the insurgent-wracked country's vital oil industry. In the capital, a roadside bomb killed two people, officials and witnesses said.


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Israel imposes curfew on West Bank village
Israeli troops imposed a curfew early Saturday on a West Bank village, the apparent home of a suicide bomber who earlier attacked a Tel Aviv night club, Palestinian security officials said. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Night out in Tel Aviv a scene of carnage
The crowd of youths was waiting to enter the seaside night club just before midnight Friday when the suicide bomber pushed into the group, detonating his deadly package and turning their party into a night of carnage. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Abbas vows punishment for fatal bombing
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas pledged Saturday to track down and punish militants responsible for a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis and wounded 50 people at a Tel Aviv nightclub. Palestinian security officials pointed to the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah as the apparent mastermind. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq


The US News: Iraq News
Key Insurgent Caught; 3 GIs Killed
web sites ). "We are very close to al-Zarqawi, and I believe that there are few weeks separating us from him," Iraq's interim national security adviser, Mouwafak al-Rubaie, told The Associated Press... [in Yahoo] The US News: Iraq News

Thanks to KC concert, troops will have fewer unmet needs
Army Sgt. Lonnie Maynard came back safe and sound after 12 months away from his family, but he soon found himself facing another battle, right on his own doorstep. Kansas City Star: Iraq

US marine, 10 Iraqis killed in spate of attacks
BAGHDAD, Feb 25 (AFP) - A US marine, two members of the Iraqi security forces, four civilians and four insurgents have been killed in a series of attacks since [in Political Gateway] The US News: Iraq News

Abbas makes promise...Lawyers vow more lawsuits...Search to resume today
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Army Reserve unit of captured soldier marks U.S. return
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

U.S. military orders 30 Guantanamo prisoners to remain held, six freed
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

F-B-I makes progress in translating suspected terrorist recordings
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror


Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Iraq: 'We Are Very Close to Al-Zarqawi'
The Iraqi interim government announced the arrest of a man it described as a key figure in the country's most feared terrorist group and expressed confidence Friday it was tightening the noose around his leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Marines' Sweep in Iraq Meets Scant Resistance
U.S. Marines hunted insurgents along the Euphrates river valley in western Iraq on Saturday but their enemy remained elusive as they overran the suspected rebel hideout of Haditha. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Marines Sweep Haditha in Iraq's Anbar Province
U.S. Marines hit the Iraqi town of Haditha early on Saturday as they continued to hunt forinsurgents in Anbar, the country's most lawless province. Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraqi Students Tour U.N., See Broadway Hit
It was not known what long-term psychological effects a viewing of the Broadway hit "Blue Man Group," which features men dressed in thick blue makeup, would have on six college students visiting from Iraq. But by all accounts the students appeared well-adjusted a day later Friday, the ninth day of an 11-day whirlwind trip to cram in as much of the United States as they could.
Yahoo! News: War with Iraq


Ananova: War In Iraq
Abuse scandal soldiers are jailed
The three British soldiers jailed and thrown out of the Army for abusing Iraqi prisoners feel they have been made "scapegoats", their lawyers say. Ananova: War In Iraq

Suicide bomber targets nightclub
A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of young Israelis outside a Tel Aviv nightclub, killing at least four people, wounding dozens and shattering an informal Middle East truce. Ananova: War In Iraq

IRA axes trio over killing
A murder victim's family is expected to give its verdict on the IRA's decision to expel three members blamed for the killing. Ananova: War In Iraq


Weather
Weather information from The Weather Channel

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar


From Fox News
Rebels Blow Up Oil Pipeline
Iran, Russia Delay Nuke Deal
Bush Europe Trip Analyzed
Saudi Network Supports Iraq Insurgency
Iraqi TV Airs Tape of Alleged Syrian Agent


From the Department of Defense
Myers Discusses the Danger of Extremism
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2005 — The danger of extremism may be the greatest threat the United States and its allies have faced, the top U.S. military officer told the World Affairs Council here today. Story

Gen. Myers Addresses Air Force Cadets
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., Feb. 25, 2005 — Two incompatible visions locked in a struggle for hearts and minds pose a special challenge to present and future military leaders, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told cadets here Feb. 24. Story

Bush, Putin Renew Vow to Fight Terrorism
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2005 — President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed today to increase their cooperation in fighting terrorism, accelerating efforts to combat nuclear terrorism and cracking down on proliferation. Story

President Thanks Slovakia for Support

ON THE GROUND
Guantanamo Deployment Not Typical Duty
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Feb. 25, 2005 — This is not your typical deployment location in the war on terror. Troops here get to scuba dive in their off time and have an assortment of restaurants and bars to unwind in at the end of long days spent guarding enemy combatants. Story

Working Dogs in Afghanistan Get New Vests
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Feb. 25, 2005 — To counteract the added dangers dogs of the 25th Military Police Company face in the line of duty in Afghanistan, where they often serve as the main tool for finding weapons and people in hiding, their ballistic vest equipment has been upgraded. Story

Coalition Medics Pass Knowledge to Afghans
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Feb. 25, 2005 — Medical personnel here are passing their knowledge on to Afghan National Army medics, ensuring the Afghans can take care of their own soldiers instead of relying on coalition forces' assistance. Story

Americans Reach Out, Help Afghan Families
KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 25, 2005 — With the generosity of people in the United States, Coalition troops here were able to make the lives of 30 Afghan families a little bit better by distributing donated clothing and supplies. Story

Mechanics Save Lives by Armoring Vehicles
BALAD, Iraq, Feb. 25, 2005— A thick sheet of metal on a vehicle can make the difference between life and death, and the guys who work at Big Bob’s Truck Stop are helping to make that difference. Story

IN IRAQ
Seahawks 'Prowl,' Support Ground Forces
Legal Authorities Gather for Conference
Soldiers Help Ready Iraqi Forces

IN AFGHANISTAN
Troops Provide Aid to Snowbound Afghans
U.S. Soldiers Give 'Gift of Life' to Afghan Boy
MPs Maintain Presence in Afghan Community

HOMECOMING
Marines Return to Camp Lejeune from Iraq
Photos: McChord Homecoming: 4th Airlift Squadron
Photos: Fargo Homecoming: Engineer Battalion Returns

Servicemembers to Get 'Free Ride'
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2005 — This month, Anheuser-Busch announced that once again it will open the gates to its SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place theme parks for free as a way of saying thanks to servicemembers and their families. Story

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Troops Got 'Very Close' to Zarqawi
Five U.S. Soldiers Die in Iraq
Iraqi Police Officers Graduate
U.S. Soldier, Eight Iraqis Killed
Australia to Send More Troops
Task Force Liberty Soldier Killed
Iraq Daily Update
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Attack Wounds U.S. Servicemember
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Patience, Resolve Needed in War
Detainee Procedures Examined
Abizaid Cites Differences
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Bush Thanks Soldiers
First Lady Lauds Troops, Families
Group Helps Families Cope
Defense Dept.: No Flights Over Iran
Scam Targets Grieving Families
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualties
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2005 — Defense Department officials announced today the identities of three soldiers who were killed supporting Iraqi Freedom. Story