Gulf War Syndrome is Real | Iraqis Protest SOFA | From Brooklyn to Baghdad with an Iraqi Refugee

War on Iraq Newsletter November 21nd, 2008 More from War on Iraq »

Iraqis Pour into Street to Protest U.S. Security "Agreement" Middle East Online "The security agreement is shameful and humiliating." Read more »   Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets today to protest the so-called Status of Forces Agreement, which, after nearly a year of back-and-forth, was finally approved by the Iraqi cabinet last weekend, and, on Monday, sent to the parliament for a vote. Among other things, the pact would allow the U.S. government to keep forces in the country until 2011. For photos of the protest, go here. "The Iraqi people want this occupation to be over," says Iraqi blogger Raed Jarrar, who recently testified before Congress on the prospect of a renewed UN mandate in Iraq. "They don't trust the U.S. government, and they don't think signing a bi-lateral agreement with it is a good idea." Meanwhile, as President-elect Barack Obama continues to assemble his own cabinet, things aren't looking good for the antiwar voters who believed his promise of "change" on Iraq. Not only is he surrounding himself with people who were supporters of the invasion -- most notably, selecting Senator Hillary to be Secretary of State -- but Washington consensus is that Robert Gates will stay on as Secretary of Defense. Visit AlterNet's War on Iraq Special Coverage page in the coming days for more on the implications of the SOFA and Obama's appointments and nominations going forward. And thanks for reading. Liliana Segura Editor, War on Iraq Special Coverage     From Baghdad to Brooklyn: My Journey with an Iraqi Refugee By Jennifer Utz, AlterNet From 2007 to 2008, I spent five months in Syria with Mohamed, an Iraqi refugee. Now, we are roommates in New York City. Read more »   Yes We Can Cut the Defense Budget: Why it's Time to Stop the Military Spending Spree By Katrina vanden Heuvel, The Nation Our current military budget is almost equal to all of the rest of the world's defense budgets combined. This is unsustainable. Read more »   U.S. Government to U.S. Mercenaries: Say Goodbye to Immunity in Iraq Middle East Online Under the Status of Forces Agreement awaiting passage, private military contractors would be subject to Iraqi criminal and civil law. Read more »   Why Did the Iraqi Cabinet Approve SOFA Now? (Two Hints: Obama and Iran) By Robert Dreyfuss, The Nation Obama's presidential victory softened Iran's opposition to the security deal -- an important sign that Tehran may be willing to work with the U.S. Read more »   Revealed: Gulf War Syndrome is Real, Caused by Pills and Pesticides By Kim Sengupta, Independent UK A groundbreaking study has found that pills given to U.S. and British troops to counter nerve gas is one of the causes of Gulf War Syndrome. Read more »   Blackwater Busted? Six Guards May Be Charged in Iraq Massacre By Jeremy Scahill, TheNation.com Critics still fear reckless behavior by the 140,000 private corporate contractors in Iraq will continue. Read more »   What the Antiwar Movement Should -- and Shouldn't -- Do Now By T.J. Buonomo, AlterNet In the wake of Obama's victory, the antiwar movement must be ready to identify new pressure points or it risks losing credibility and relevance. Read more »   PEEK and Video: The hottest buzz and videos on the web     Iraqi Oil Exports Have 'Nosedived' By Saadoun al-Jaberi, Azzaman Iraq's oil exports are decreasing by nearly 100,000 barrels a day every month, according to the former oil minister. Read more »   Retired Military Brass Call for Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' By Christian Ehret, Jurist Legal News and Research 100 retired admirals and generals of the U.S military called Monday for a repeal of the discriminatory policy. Read more »

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