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TIKRIT, Iraq – Leaders from the provincial government of the Salah ad Din province along with their Coalition partners from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, met in Tikrit XXXXX to discuss broadening the reconciliation process in the area. The meeting established a common understanding between Coalition Forces and Salah ad Din leadership regarding coordination mechanisms between Qadah, provincial and national governments, and CF. Governor Hamood Shekti, Maj. Gen. Hamed, provincial director of police, and other regional and provincial leaders met with the 1st BCT, 101st Abn. Div., commander and other Coalition leaders to further establish a common...

BASRA, Iraq, June 20, 2008 – The provincial reconstruction team for Iraq’s Basra province, along with the Gulf Region South district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the United Nations Development Program concluded a two-day budget execution support workshop June 18 at the international airport here. The event provided a clear understanding of how the international community can support the provincial governor’s office and technical directorates for the design and implementation of projects for the rest of the year, said Army Maj. Daniel George, a PRT engineer assigned from Gulf Region South’s...

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2007 – Continued vigilance against al Qaeda, improved governance and focused reconstruction are vital to continued success in Iraq’s Anbar province, a top military official said today. “Six months ago some people said that al Anbar was lost, but today, due to the patience, perseverance and commitment of the people in that province, we are seeing encouraging signs of progress in regards to security,” Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters in Baghdad. The Anbar security conference held April 9 in Ramadi brought Iraq’s minister of defense and national security...

Sayyid Qutb's MilestonesEverything You Always Wanted to Know About Sayyid Qutb's Milestones, But Couldn't Be Bothered to Find Out Elmer Swenson 1. Introduction: Who is Sayyid Qutb, and what's so special about his book Milestones, aka Signposts? 2. Qutb and the Muslim Community 3. Qutb and Shari'ah Law, the Islamic Vanguard and Slavery 4. Qutb on Sex, Women and the Family 5. Qutb on Politics: Progressive Islam, Nationalism, Democracy, Socialism 6. Qutb on Politics: Racial Equality and Freedom 7. Qutb and non-Muslims: The West 8. Qutb and non-Muslims: Christians, Jews and Freedom of Religion 9. Qutb and Peaceful Co-Existance with...

Defense leaders told Pentagon reporters today that recent milestones show solid evidence the coalition is making headway in rebuilding Afghanistan and Iraq and making progress in the war on terror. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said the Afghanistan's Loya Jirga's Jan. 4 agreement on a new, democratic constitution for the nation "represents a truly significant milestone in that country's path to a moderate, democratic society." He said the new constitution "balances power between the branches of government, extends equal status to men and women, promotes tolerance, extends protections to minority groups and paves the way for national elections this summer."...

In the days after Sept. 11, 2001, many people anticipated a quick and satisfying American victory over Al Qaeda. The terrorist army was thought to be no bigger than a pirate ship, and the newly vigilant police forces of the entire world were going to sink the ship with swift arrests and dark maneuvers. Al Qaeda was driven from its bases in Afghanistan. Arrests and maneuvers duly occurred and are still occurring. Just this month, one of Osama bin Laden's top lieutenants was nabbed in Pakistan. Police agents, as I write, seem to be hot on the trail of bin...