Free Republic

Opponents of the US-led invasion of Iraq nearly came to blows in Berlin Saturday with pro-US demonstrators accusing them of supporting "terrorism" and tolerating Saddam Hussein. About 200 people, mainly German pacifist and left-wing activists, attended an unofficial meeting called to condemn the war against Iraq and demand the withdrawal of American troops. But the gathering was interrupted by hecklers blaming anti-war demonstrators for supporting the wave of extremist violence in Iraq. Outside, about 20 people demonstrated against the conference, saying it was indirectly supporting the old Saddam regime. "We don't hate the Americans and we condemn suicide bombings against...

The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Dick Lugar that will create separate campaign medals for American soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a long-standing tradition for members of the armed forces who have served in conflicts overseas to have their service recognized with a medal.  The Pentagon initially has proposed honoring servicemen and women who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan with the "Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal," which recognizes any overseas service in support of anti-terrorism operations, regardless of location. This legislation reflects the belief of Senator Lugar and other members of Congress...

The new Iraqi democrat: aged 27 and femaleBy Philip Sherwell(Filed: 28/09/2003) At the age of six, Khairiya Hatim became one of Saddam Hussein's youngest political prisoners, jailed with her whole family for four years in a desert camp for their allegiance to a banned opposition party. Twenty-one years later, she is one of the faces of the new Iraq, a town councillor in a country where unmarried young women normally play little part in public life.Khairiya is one of four members chosen by her al-Hamzawi tribe to represent them on the new local authority in Balad, a dusty town 50...

(CBS) Most Americans have been surprised by how the war against Iraq has unfolded — and a majority believes the U.S underestimated the amount of resistance the coalition forces would face from the Iraqi Army. And as the conflict threatens to last longer than most Americans expected in the first few days of the war, increasing numbers say they want the U.S. military to use more force in dealing with Iraq. Fifty-five percent believe the U.S. underestimated the resistance they would find from the Iraqi army; 37 percent say the U.S. correctly assessed how much resistance there would be. As...