InfoAnda - Boredom is US soldiers' new foe in Iraqi desert

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

IRS extends amnesty program for tax cheats | 22 September 2009
US, EU agree to settle simmering beef dispute | 7 May 2009
30 killed, provincial governor wounded in Iraq attacks | 31 December 2009

Vancouver won't crack down on minor t-shirt dissent in venues | 20 September 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Boredom is US soldiers' new foe in Iraqi desert

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Boredom is US soldiers' new foe in Iraqi desert AFP - Tuesday, February 24 CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (AFP) - - For a growing number of young US troops in Iraq, boredom is becoming the new enemy as major anti-insurgency raids turn rarer and their disengagement from the country starts to take shape. ADVERTISEMENT Behind T-walls -- the concrete anti-blast barriers that are also omnipresent in Iraq's capital -- most soldiers in high-security Camp Liberty adjoining Baghdad airport already live in isolation from Iraqi life. At the Main Street USA Food Court, not far from Vigilant Street, trailers converted into fast-food takeaway joints such as Burger King, Taco Bell, Popeyes, Seattle's Best Coffee and Subway compete for business. A huge supermarket caters for almost every imported need, including DVD films and music, especially for the desert joggers' MP3 players and iPods, but there is no alcohol which is banned for the men and women in uniform. As the "Allahu akbar" (God is Greater) call to evening prayers wafts in from across the lake at Saddam's former Faw Palace, from a mosque outside the camp, soldiers try to hone their golfing skills by driving balls across the water. With Cuban cigars on offer from Romeo y Julieta to Cohibas and even more exclusive brands -- starting at 10 dollars a pop and banned back home because of a long-standing embargo -- soldiers can indulge in both pleasures at once. The Faw itself, which cigar-lover Saddam Hussein had built to celebrate his "victory" in the 1980-1988 war against Iran, has been rebaptised as the Victory Palace to mark his crushing defeat in the US-led invasion of March 2003. It has been turned into a US coalition headquarters and tourist attraction for American and allied troops visiting from other parts of war-battered Iraq. As soldiers fish in the lake or feed the ducks, others take turns posing for photographs in the extravagant armchair which the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is said to have sent as a present for his friend Saddam. "I have been here four months and have hardly fired a shot," said one 20-year-old soldier from Texas, stoking wood in a fireplace of another lakeside building that is now used as a hotel for the generals. With violence around Iraq at its lowest level since the invasion nearly six years ago, Camp Victory has not been the target of any significant rocket or mortar attack for months, according to the US military. However, some 4,250 US military personnel have been killed in Iraq since March 2003. On January 1, the United States launched its disengagement by handing over control of central Baghdad's Green Zone, home to the Iraqi government and US embassy, to Iraq's own security forces. Washington signed a security pact with Baghdad in November that allows its combat forces to remain in towns and cities for four more months and in the country until the end of 2011, as Iraq gradually takes over its own security. During a massive Shiite pilgrimage to the central city of Karbala that ended last week, the US military remained on the sidelines. US drones overflew the pilgrimage routes only, as part of the hands-off approach. Back at Camp Liberty, three US army chaplains based in southern Iraq showed off pictures of the ziggurats of ancient Ur and the reputed birthplace of the prophet Abraham, as their young armed escort chomped on a cigar. They had given tours of the rich historical sites to US civilian personnel. Colonel Edward Dorman, who has been working with the Iraqi military in his specialised field of logistics, said the two sides have to make efforts to overcome the cultural divide. "You have to embed in their culture," he said. Iraqi army officers have been sent to the United States for "military ethics training and character development," and police counterparts are being trained in gathering forensic evidence. But apart from cooperation between the allied security forces and the Iraqi interpreters in their ranks, the 146,000 US troops have few dealings with the Iraq on the other side of the checkpoints, barbed wire and T-walls. Black Hawk helicopters give only a bird's eye view of the country, as vigilant gunners on each side of the aircraft slowly swing heavy machine-guns from side to side in case an insurgent tries his luck with a potshot. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Yoko Ono, John Baldessari to be honoured in VeniceAFP - 1 hour 6 minutes ago 'Little House' to launch national tour in St. PaulAP - 2 hours 6 minutes ago Economy doesn't dampen Mardi Gras festivitiesAP - 2 hours 28 minutes ago "Superbrain" stuns Britain with genius quiz show runReuters - 2 hours 40 minutes ago Barkley pleads guilty in Scottsdale to DUI chargesAP - Wednesday, February 25 Enlarge Photo A US soldier playing basketball at his base in Baghdad. For a growing number of young US troops in Iraq, boredom is becoming the new enemy as major anti-insurgency raids turn rarer and their disengagement from the country starts to take shape. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed 34,000 apply for 'the best job in the world' Markets tumble as US unveils bank rescue details World stocks mostly rally on Citigroup report First Chinese-American governor likely Obama commerce pick Terminally ill British TV star marries as cameras roll View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Tuesday, 24 February 2009
U.S. plans $900 million pledge for Gaza-official | International |
Sri Lankan army measures end of 25-year war in days | International |
Court to issue Bashir warrant ruling on March 4 | International |
Iraq arrests police in law-and-order crackdown | International |
Showers, glamour, glitches as Rio Carnival rolls | International |
Microsoft asks for refund from some laid off workers | Technology |
Yahoo news exec departs amid reorganization rumors | Technology |
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Visits New York
LG Electronics asks for patent suit against Kodak | Technology |
Obama Releases $15 Billion Of Stimulus To States For Medicaid; Taps Biden To Oversee Implementation
Spending For Cellphones Among Americans Exceed Landlines
Restaurant Stocks Plummet 49 Percent Over Past Year
Chicago Family Closing Echo Windows In Iowa
Justice Ginsburg Returns To Court; Republican Says She Has Months To Live
Troubled Homeowners Battle Foreclosure By Filing Lawsuits Against Lenders
Holder To Visit Guantanamo As U.S. Transfers First Detainee Under Obama Administration
California Schools Downsize; Programs Cut, Education System Hardest Hit
More than 36 million U.S. viewers watch Oscar telecast | Entertainment |
Dennis Ross appointed special U.S. advisor on Gulf
North Korea says preparing rocket launch | International |
Afghan, Pakistani diplomats in US for 'rethink'
Pakistani Taliban announce indefinite truce in Swat | International |
Iraq's treasure trove national museum reopens
Rihanna Speaks Up About Assault Scandal, Says Nothing
Baghdad museum reopens 6 years after looting
Wary Tibetans set for muted New Year celebrations | International |
3 US soldiers, interpreter killed in Iraq
Israel's Netanyahu fails to lure rivals to cabinet
Obama vows to halve massive budget deficit
U.S. plans substantial pledge at Gaza meeting | International |
Court to issue Bashir warrant ruling on March 4
Thaksin supporters demand new elections | International |
Markets tumble as US unveils bank rescue details
Iraq arrests Shiite gang accused of killing Sunnis
Israel replaces envoy to Egypt talks, Hamas angry | International |
First Chinese-American governor likely Obama commerce pick
Israeli leader fires lead negotiator on Gaza truce
U.S. wants decades in prison for Syrian arms dealer | International |
Stocks plunge, bank plan fails to calm Wall Street
Iraq arrests police in law-and-order crackdown
In the north, Afghans fight hunger, not the Taliban | International |
World stocks mostly rally on Citigroup report
Showers, daring, glitches as Rio Carnival rolls | International |
French state loans 'will back banking merger'
Antarctica: a meeting of polar and political minds
Global warming danger threat increased
Official: US aid to Gaza to top $900 million
Ease isolation of Guantanamo inmates: Pentagon
U.S. Mulls $900 Million Aid To Gaza
Yahoo to offer tools to match users, ads: report
Clinton picks a special adviser for Persian Gulf
Yahoo to offer tools to match users, ads: report | Technology |
U.S. Airways Restoring Free Drinks On March 1
Microsoft not to ask for money from laid-off workers
Pakistan To Explain Peace Deal With Taliban During Security Meet In Washington
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,250
Octuplets Mom's Ex-Husband Thinks She Fathered Her Kids, Seeks Paternity Test
executive leaves for Hearst amid shakeup reports
U.S. Veterans Officials To Process Benefits Of 18,000 Filipino World War II Vets
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 581
iPhone users tire quickly of new apps: study
Rattner Tapped As Auto Industry Adviser
Holder embarks on Guantanamo inspection visit
Yahoo news exec departs amid reorganization rumors
FBI Rescues 48 Minors From Prostitution Rings
Spain's under-fire justice minister resigns
Senior U.S. Republican urges rethink of Cuba policy
Bad news for Philadephia Newspapers as it files for bankruptcy
Feb 23 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy
Wall Street Slides As Dow Tumbles To New Low
Microsoft asks for refund from some laid off workers
New York's Attorney General Looks To Reveal Merrill Bonuses
LG Electronics asks for patent suit against Kodak
LG Electronics asks for patent suit against Kodak
Southern wildfires continue to rage in Australia
NKorea says it is preparing satellite launch
Ledger's last film awaits deal for U.S. release | Entertainment |
NKorea preparing to launch satellite: state media
Revamped Oscar broadcast a pleasant surprise | Entertainment |
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
More than 36 million viewers watch Oscars | Entertainment |
Former Taiwan president attends corruption hearing
CW gives go-ahead to Melrose Place pilot | Entertainment |
Malaysia's outgoing PM says won't embarrass government
Milk loses best film, but sparks new activism | Entertainment |
Wary Tibetans set for muted New Year celebrations
Thaksin supporters gather for Thailand protest
Slumdog Millionaire wins Oscar gold | Entertainment |
Taiwan's ex-leader back in court on graft charges
New case of Ebola-Reston virus in Philippines
Japan's Takashimaya to open Shanghai department store
It was ruff for Mickey Rourke, it's also dog's life in sport
US milk company defends safety record in China
Asian markets dive on US bank rescue fears
S.Korea, Iraq agree on $3.55 bln oil development deal
Seoul shares drop 3 pct on growing financial woes
Korea Hot Stocks
China central bank says downturn could worsen
It was ruff for Mickey Rourke, it's also dog's life in sport
China sets out on European spending spree: report
CW gives go-ahead to "Melrose Place" pilot
NZ stocks close down 2 pct, near-5 year low
'Slumdog' success not sign of British film renaissance: Boyle
China vows more moves to fight slowdown
Ticketmaster settles with NJ, faces Tues. hearings
Hat's entertainment at new London exhibition
Howard Zieff, movie and commercial director, dies
Britney's dad testifies for restraining order
"Milk" loses best film, but sparks new activism
Revamped Oscar broadcast a pleasant surprise
Paul Smith does tweeds and military with a jolt in London
Octuplets Mom's Ex-Husband Thinks She Fathered Her Kids, Seeks Paternity Test
Islamists blamed for Cairo bombing: report
Bomb attack adds to tourism woes in Egypt
Sri Lankan troops in last Tiger-held town: military | International |
Court Grants Heath Ledger's Daughter Right To Privacy
French wounded in Cairo attack head home
Nicky Hilton Places Man Under Citizen's Arrest For Pushing Her From Behind
Lack of funds may mean Liberia's Taylor freed: prosecutor | International |
Obama set for showpiece address to Congress
NASA satellite mission to monitor carbon dioxide fails
India says to file waging war charges over Mumbai | International |
Germany ready to aid Opel
No risk of default seen in Eastern Europe: IMF | International |
Khmer Rouge social minister denies wrongdoing | International |
Swedish crown princess to marry long-time boyfriend | International |
NASA global warming satellite has troubled launch
Britain faces torture questions over ex-US detainee
Mumbai attacks could happen in the US: FBI
Internet addiction may fuel teen aggression | Technology |
Vudu offering HD films for download to own | Technology |
Britons prefer Amazon for digital media | Technology |
Houston City Council Proposes Program To Help Residents Buying Home For The First Time, Improve Credit Scores
Vudu offering HD films for download to own
Mobile email firm Visto buys rival from Motorola | Technology |
Polls: Obama's First-Month Approval Rating Solid Despite Lower Bipartisan Support
Microsoft drops payback demand on ex-workers | Technology |
Britons prefer Amazon for digital media
Television Viewing Of Average American On The Rise
Some See Unplanned Nuclear Disarmament Around The Corner If U.S. Doesn't Replace Aging Arsenal
Senate To Hold Crucial Cloture Vote On Labor Secretary-Designee Hilda Solis
Clinton Apoints Veteran Middle East Negotiator As Iran Envoy
Ethan Allen Announces 190 Job Cuts At Vermont, North Carolina Plants
Russian tycoon Khodorkovsky facing new trial
National Rules For Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions For Vehicles Under Consideration
Obama Pledges To Halve Deficit By 2013
Jailed Russian tycoon framed on sex charge: ex-prisoner
Economic Crisis Sidetracks Shift To Eco-Friendly Bag Legislation Among States
China hails 'positive results' of Clinton visit
Military: Sri Lankan troops enter last rebel town
Asian bank: Region must prepare for aging trend
Sri Lanka troops advance on last rebel stronghold
US urged to keep Philippines on IPR watch list
Chinese go to Europe with $15 billion to spend
Japanese public broadcaster's office set on fire
North Korea to launch rocket
Taiwan's export orders plunge to record low
China closes Tibet to foreign tourists: agencies, hotel
Taiwan export orders show Asia slump deepens
Philippine presidential aide says give 7.5 bln dlrs for poor
Barkley pleads guilty in Scottsdale to DUI charges
Taiwan dollar weakens on Jan export orders, c.bank
Seoul, Baghdad sign $3.55B deal to rebuild Iraq
Bond star draws attention to AIDS in Swaziland
China warns slowdown could worsen, does not rule out rate cut
Rapper arrested after fight at Fla. burger joint
Vietnam inflation eases to still-high 14.8 percent
Mystery ends as Agatha Christie's home opens doors
China sends buying mission to Europe
Clooney meets with Obama to discuss Darfur trip
Japan's Nikkei index falls near 26-year low
Boredom is US soldiers' new foe in Iraqi desert
Mitsubishi Motors increases production in March
Midnight Oil reunite for wildfires relief concert
Rio wraps up celebrity-fueled Carnival parades
Urban elephants ply Bangkok streets in search of tourist dollars
Ledger's last film awaits deal for U.S. release
Villagers kill 3 rare tigers in western Indonesia
Eleven-Year-Old Boy Charged In Shooting Death Of Pennsylvania Pregnant Woman
A First: Spending For Cellphones Among Americans Eclipses Landlines
Television Viewing Of Average American On The Rise
FBI Rescues 48 Minors From Prostitution Rings Across The Nation
Octuplets Mom's Ex-Husband Thinks He Fathered Her Kids, Seeks Paternity Test
US-TECH Summary
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01