Free Republic

The author of a book on rebuilding Iraq was arrested at Kennedy International Airport for allegedly smuggling stolen 4,000-year-old Mesopotamian artifacts out of Baghdad, authorities said Saturday. Joseph Braude, author of "The New Iraq," was released on a $100,000 bond after a preliminary appearance Saturday before U.S. Magistrate Roanne L. Mann at the Brooklyn federal courthouse. Braude, 28, was arrested Friday night after arriving at the Queens airport on a flight from London, said U.S. Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf. Braude actually brought the priceless stolen artifacts into the United States on June 11, she said. Braude bought the three ancient pieces...