Life with Iraqi forces and U.S. Marines at Battle Position Beirut
By Bill Roggio
HUSAYBAH, IRAQ: A new batch of Iraqi troops rotated into service at Battle Position Beirut as the last group was heading out on leave. The Iraqi soldiers are an extremely friendly bunch and very interested in getting to know you. Several of the soldiers spoke English, and served as translators for the groups who came by to say hello. All were extremely interested in the satellite connection and accessing the Internet from such a remote location.

UNICEF reports that Afghan schools have been attacked by insurgents and over 100,000 kids have been forced to drop out. 50 schools have been burned to the ground and several kids have been killed. The Canadian army has been successfully working to open new schools in Kabul and the program has been a great success.

Wounded al-Qaeda, hunt for clerics, Pakistan's involvement and al-Qaeda's developing plans

By Bill Roggio

The effects of Friday the 13th strike in Damadola, Pakistan, which is believed to have killed up to five senior al-Qaeda commanders, continues to reverberate in Pakistan and beyond. Terrorism and al-Qaeda expert Rohan Gunaratna describes the strike as "a very significant blow to Al Qaeda… These are very experienced leaders and to replace them in the short term will be very difficult," a point also made at ThreatsWatch several days ago.