Morning Report: 2008-09-01

Morning Report is back, with news of Iraq, Iran, and Russia, thoughts on social issues, and more.

Anbar province turned over to Iraqi control. BBC: 'The US military has handed Anbar province, once the centre of Iraq's Sunni insurgency, to Iraqi control at a ceremony in the provincial capital.' Via Gateway Pundit.

Russian news site owner killed. CNET: 'The owner of an opposition Internet news site in Russia's volatile Ingushetia region was shot and killed Sunday after being detained by police. Magomed Yevloyev, owner of the www.Ingushetiya.ru Web site, died Sunday after being detained by police. Magomed Yevloyev, owner of the www.Ingushetiya.ru Web site, was arrested at Nazran airport in southern Russia after disembarking a flight, according to a statement by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. Yevloyev was later found dumped on the side of the road, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, the news site's deputy editor, Ruslan Khautiyev, told the Associated Press. Yevloyev later died at a hospital, Khautiyev said.'

Al-Qaeda sqeezed by security operation. MNF-Iraq:

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured three wanted men and 10 additional suspected terrorists in central and northern Iraq during operations Sunday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq.

An alleged terrorist leader overseeing AQI operations in the Jazeera desert was captured with one suspected associate during an operation in Tikrit. The wanted man is also believed to be organizing terrorist forces in Mosul after several leaders there were captured or killed, including the Mosul “emir”, Abu Khalaf, who was killed by Coalition forces Jun. 24.

Operations in Baghdad netted two wanted men and four additional suspects. One of the wanted men is assessed to be part of the AQI foreign terrorist facilitation network, and conspiring to acquire chemicals and poison for use in attacks. The other wanted man is reportedly an associate of an attack leader within the network.

Five killed in South Waziristan safe house strike. Long War Journal: 'The US targeted another al Qaeda safe house in South Waziristan on Aug. 30, according to reports from Pakistan. At least five al Qaeda operatives were reported killed in the attack, which appears to have been launched by unmanned Predator aircraft hovering over the area. "Two Canadians of Arab origin" were among those killed. Two Punjabis were reported wounded. The strike was targeted at the home of Noor Khan Wazir in the Korzai region near Wana. The home was recently rented to "foreigners."' Read the rest at the link.

Winston: Iran regime is worried. Winston at TSOM:

The regime is worried. They have sensed that after the failure of useless negotiations on the nuclear issues, the Israelis or Americans are prepared to take military action against the regime's nukes. The new regular Iranian air force commander is also a surprise to many. He is not one of those individuals who was recruited and trained during the Shah's reign in 1970s. ...

Here's the story on the supposed impending attack on Iran:

According to reports in the newspaper De Telegraaf, the country's intelligence service, the AIVD, has stopped an espionage operation aimed at infiltration and sabotage of the weapons industry in Iran.

"The operation, described as extremely successful, was halted recently in connection with plans for an impending US air attack on Iraq," said the report.

Go to the Telegraph (UK) link for the rest.

Looking for answers. We've linked previously to Shir-o-Khorshid Forever. We now have a face and a name for SKF: she's Sayeh Hassan, she lives in Toronto, and she's 28, according to her Blogger profile. She offers some reflections in this post:

The thought of Iran, regime change, freedom and democracy in Iran and all the brave men and women who fight for these ideals on a daily basis occupy a lot of my time. For a long time I have looked for answers on how things can change... and the fact that I have not come up with a satisfying answer has been quite frustrating.

However for the first time tonight I came to a realization, it's OK not to have all the ANSWERS, what is important is to have QUESTIONS, as long as we continue to form questions, to think about issues and not to accept things at face value there is still hope that we can bring change, even great change to Iran. On the day we feel like we know everything and have all the answers ( like many unfortunate souls who are lost in their ignorance) is the day all hope will be lost and there will be no chance for a better Iran. ...

Through the eyes of the press. Anne Lieberman at Boker Tov Boulder takes a look at the AP's photo treatment of Democrats and Republicans.

Commentary. Roger Simon: The social issues are not the same.

For me, same-sex marriage is by far the simpler issue. I am one hundred percent for it on moral, civil rights and scientific grounds. (Sexual orientation is not elective.) And I am surprised so many of my fellow citizens would want to deny others a chance to experience a life of recognized love and commitment, something I have found, through hard experience, to be easily the most fulfilling and socially useful way to live. It would seem almost, dare I say it, unchristian.

Abortion is another matter entirely. I have had a personal experience in recent weeks. I became the grandfather of twin girls brought to our family by my son Raphael and his partner Phillip. These beautiful girls were conceived in vitro and carried by a birth mother. They emerged healthy and thriving. Staring at them brings tears to my eyes.