It is reported that a US Army psychological operations team is broadcasting the songs of AC/DC, combined with a nice line in taunts (“You shoot like a goat herder!” Well, I rather suspect Iraqi goat herders are the sort of folk who learn to shoot straight before they can walk, but it’s the thought that counts..), into the centre of Fallujah. How conciliatory. Other reports give the strong impression that some fighting continues despite the negotiations – that Yahoo News story mentions snipers and even an AC-130 sortie – I wonder if the talks are really not much more than a battlefield clearing? Certainly, it seems that this week’s hope – the Anglo-Iranian attempt to mediate between al-Sadr and the US – has been wrecked. The Washington Post reports that US officials in Iraq had “rebuffed” these approaches. Well, there goes the only way out of this with honour that has presented itself so far. The backstory to this was that British representatives in Basra have been pursuing a private and little-reported entente with Iran, entirely in accordance with British policy but not, of course, with the CPA neo-cons’ world view. The idea was to get the world’s only Shia power to make representations to al-Sadr to call off his dog and work out a modus vivendi. Oh well, so much for our special influence..the Iranian foreign minister now simply says that “the US should leave Iraq as quickly as possible”.
From the same Washington Post report, it would seem that AC/DC are just the band for the situation. Highway to Hell?
“On Saturday, the U.S. military closed sections of two major north-south highways that run from Baghdad, in a sign of the increased danger of kidnappings and bombings on roadways. “Civilians that attempt to drive on these roads may be considered anti-coalition forces and risk being subject to attack,” a military statement said.”