More and more it is getting to the point where withdrawal is the only option for ending America's involvement in the Iraq situation.

Despite their consistent decrying of the Democratic Party plans for phased withdrawal , and accusations of 'cutting and running', or as House Majority Leader John Boehner put it "Retreat is not an option in Iraq... We have no choice but to confront these terrorists, win the war on terror and spread freedom and democracy around the world".

Yet Gen. George W. Casey Jr is implementing a proposed reduction of troop numbers of around 28,000 by December 2007. Britain has also been gradually scaling down its presence in the country, we'll stand down as they stand up has nothing to do with it. It is a face saving exercise, nothing more, nothing less, Blair wants his place in history and Bush, is well, Bush.

Parts of the insurgency have also been trying to strike a deal with the new Iraqi leadership, the proposal to lay down their arms on condition that the foreign troops leave within two years. Despite obvious accusations of being American puppets the 'reconciliation plan' is being meddled with by Washington, essentially watering down the proposal to make it worthless, removed of any minor political clout it ever had.

An Iraqi Withdrawal From Iraq

Oxfam international recently released a report into how the global arms trade is fuelling conflicts around the world. It isn't necessarily the weapons that do the damage, but the ammunition.

Director of Oxfam Barbara Stocking puts it "if you're not convinced about the devastating power a shipment of ammunition can have, think of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, during the civil war in 2003... In late June 2003, forces ran out of bullets and had to retreat. But once a new shipment arrived, they attacked again, ferociously, killing many innocent people."

With 33 million bullets produced every day, which equates to around 14 billion a year. Conflict regions around the world are awash with cheap ammo, a bullet in Somalia will cost you $1.50, a bullet in Baghdad will only cost you $0.30. As the report states:

"The average cost of an AK-47 bullet on the black market is US 30 cents. As most gun violence victims are killed by between four and 12 bullets, on average the price of taking away a human life in Baghdad is currently US $2.40."

If you want to put that into context the average cow in the European Union receives around $2.20 in subsidies every day, and there are 3 billion people around the world who live on less than $2 a day.

This is the cost of a human life.

Does this sound like desperation? US offered to exile Saddam if he curbed insurgents. What happened to the other insurgent powers Al-Qaeda, the Medhi Army, Badr Brigade and Ansar al-Islam?

Of the cartoons making the news, why does this one have 'PR stunt' written on it?

It is a question that a few people are asking, considering the location and epicentre of the earthquake, is the same suspected hiding place of most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Past stories have said he is cornered in North West Pakistan and his communications are cut.

Has the quake killed him? It is a story that will be near impossible to substantiate, who knows. That is of course if he isn't already dead...

As the calls for impeachment grow over lying about Iraq, his approval rating is in the toilet and calls for troop withdrawal increase. Then it only timely that a letter from OBL's number two be fully released.

With his refusal to entertain thoughts of troop withdrawal, Ayman al-Zawahri saying America 'ran' from Vietnam and to prepare for the power vacuum, the 13 page letter was dated July 9th but the SS had to check if any of it gave away a strategic advantage before releasing the entire thing.

"More than half of this battle is taking place in the battlefield of the media... We are in a media battle in a race for the hearts and minds of our umma"

When did Al-Qaeda get a press officer?

Finally, the British media seems surprised at Iranian involvement in Iraq, two words 'Badr Brigade' (July 2003). Please, try and keep up. Like the two year old Bush to God story (June 2003) that reappeared last week, this isn't news.

*Addition - Iraq's al Qaeda denounces Zawahri letter as fake

"In previously published drafts, Article 2 states: "No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam."

In the unpublished current version, the article reads, "No law that contradicts the established provisions of Islam may be established."

1. "It is forbidden for Iraq to be used as a base or corridor for foreign troops."

2. "It is forbidden to have foreign military bases in Iraq."

3. "The National Assembly can, when necessary, and with a majority of two-thirds of its members allow events stated in #1 and #2 to take place."

Leaked constitution sets scene for foreign bases, sectarian tensions

That is all.

You all watched it, the prison break that was manipulated and turned into a rescue, a whitewash followed in the British media as the mention of arrest for the death of a policeman gets downplayed for 'acting suspiciously' and don't expect to see the words 'explosives' or 'planting bombs' anywhere.

Even Tony Blair said this morning that nobody in the Iraqi government had condemned the action or asked for an apology, despite Iraqi authorities in Basra boycotting British troops and Basra governor demands UK apology.

What are the ramifications of this? Basra is now open for the taking, a battle is now pitched between the forces of Muqtada Al Sadr the Madhi Army and the Badr Brigade a 20,000 strong army supported by the Iranian Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. Put simply the Iraq government has no authority.

The most outrageous piece of journalism was produced by The Daily Express, self proclaimed 'worlds greatest newspaper' had splashed upon its front page 'Say Sorry, 95 of our soldiers died for them... Now Iraqi's demand an apology'. Indeed, why should Britain apologise?

For killing between 27,000 and 100,000 civilians? No apology. The bombing of Iraq for 12 years and sanctions that killed 500,000 children? No apology. What about Thatcher's support of the dictator in the 80s, the British companies that sold him the weapons and the silence when he used said weapons to gas the Kurds? No apology.

I could keep that going, but you get the point.

Many Iraqis believe ’suicide’ bombings done by US to start a civil war
Blair admits Iraq insurgency worse than anticipated
Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600
U.S. Army soldiers make abuse claims in Iraq, Afghanistan
U.S. rejects Saudi view Iraq near disintegration
Basra warrant for two UK soldiers
Immediate withdrawal from Iraq - The Guardian blanks public opinion
'Five Iraqi civilians killed' in SAS rescue operation
24 killed in Iraq bombings, US troops clash with militia
What really happened in Basra?
Basra attack echoes SAS actions in North
Iraqis still scarred 25 years after Iran war
Bizarre and rash mission for army

Tony | Golf | Gee-tar | Blank (Create your own)

Towards the end of last week, four national British newspapers carried on their front page a story of a models cocaine habits (Sun, Mirror). This is one of those superlative moments when gossip becomes news, it is a story without substance, a subtle distraction for people who believe celebrity is somehow above everyone else, elevated beyond the real human dramas.

Meanwhile - In Iraq - 200 people die in three days of violence, Cleric says al-Zarqawi died long ago and a huge American attack on Tal Afar. Al-Qaeda group says chemical arms fired in Baghdad. Iraqi parliament approves charter, deputy killed.

Afghanistan - Guantánamo hunger strike continues, depending on where you read they are either being 'force fed' or 'treated' and 'tube fed'. Taliban kill candidate and 10 die in clashes. Polls close without much violence (Yet it also states that 1,200 have died in the six months running up to the elections).

USA - Parts of America are as poor as third world. Power crews diverted,
restoring pipeline came first, drowning by numbers, did FEMA "Buy" votes for Bush? E-mail suggests government seeking to blame groups. House GOP seeks to offset Katrina spending (No drugs for Medicare and 45 million American's without health insurance). No-bid contracts win Katrina work, Halliburton Subsidiary, KBR, clinches more hurricane recovery work.

What disturbs me most about the Bush note to Condoleezza Rice isn't its contents, but its use of upper and lowercase letters, why does 'MAY NEED A BATTHROOM' need to be in capitals in the middle of a sentence?

Britain - For those of you watching the pathetic fuel protests, as the fuel lobby and media created panic buying, giving both the government (47p per/litre) and oil companies a nice little pay day (Up to 53p per/litre).

Another protest was taking place at the DSEi weapons fair, a delightful shindig ensuring democracy and human rights through the barrel of a rifle, with such global leaders as China, Indonesia and Colombia (Desert camouflage is still 'fashionable'?) in attendance. They are also selling Cluster bombs, which have a sales ban and are decried by numerous human rights agencies.

Tony Blair has cried on Rupert Murdoch's shoulder that the BBC is 'full of hatred for America' (Other sources 1, 2), while John Prescott attacks US record on climate change.

Venezuela - U.S. decertifies Venezuela on drug control, Chavez takes Bush to task on world stage over war in Iraq, transcript: Hugo Chavez interview, U.S. plans to invade Venezuela, Chavez back pedals from recent remarks, Russia defends Chavez arms deal.