Mrs. Palin will play strong with religious conservatives, and will solidify that constituency for John McCain. There was some doubt about whether those conservatives would choose not to vote in this election, even though that might tip the balance in key states to the democrats. Mrs. Palin should help McCain in key swing states with religious conservatives, particularly in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and perhaps even Virginia and parts of the south.

Mrs. Palin should also appeal to women, a constituency to whom Mr. McCain had no direct appeal. With Hilary Clinton trying to turn her appeal to Barack Obama, and direct a large base of loyal women voters to him, Mrs. Palin could be the fatal wedge that divides the women vote and tips the election to McCain. In this regard, the choice of Mrs. Palin could be instrumental in winning this election. One question though is whether a different Republican woman could have done this same thing; someone like Kay Bailey-Hutchison of Texas, or even a wild long-shot like Linda Chavez (who might have been attacked because of her hiring of an illegal immigrant to work in her household).

Mrs. Palin does not help McCain with minority voters, although it is unclear how the large Hispanic vote will break in this election. Mr. McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which sought to award citizenship to any illegal immigrant child who graduated from a U.S. high school and who was enrolled in that school before a certain date. That Act was popular among Hispanic voters, many of whom sympathize with the plight of many hard-working, law-abiding, illegal immigrants. Immigration, however, is not a large issue in this election year so far.

Mrs. Palin complements McCain's already strong support among military families. Mrs. Palin's son Track Palin, age 18, enlisted in the Army this year. Mr. McCain's military experience will serve him well in this election because voters will trust his judgment on commitments of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. His understanding of what it means to be on the ground in a war zone cannot be matched by the democratic candidate or his Vice President candidate, Joe Biden.

Mrs. Palin does come to the campaign with something that should appeal to all voters - a strong commitment to anti-corruption. She battled Frank Murkowski to win the governorship of Alaska in part on a campaign of cleaning up government. Her outsider status will give her credibility in attacking the traditional pork-barrel politics of Washington, and if anyone represents “change”, it is Mrs. Palin. Thus, a key message of the Obama campaign his been somewhat flipped around this election - Obama chose a consummate Washington insider as his running mate, and McCain chose a consummate outsider. McCain can easily intercept the message of “change” and run with it with Sarah Palin as his running mate.

In sum, the selection of Sarah Palin was an independent, unexpected, and some would say inspired choice for a running mate. Might there have been stronger candidates to play to certain constituencies? Yes, but Mrs. Palin will have a lot of purchase among some key constituencies herself, and thus it is not difficult to conclude that the choice of Mrs. Palin will strengthen McCain's electability.

Faced with overwhelming support from the Arab world, this coalition within a few days changed the entire political and diplomatic affairs of the Middle East. French President De Gaulle took the step of telling Israel to not engage in the war and issued a military embargo on Israel. Other Israeli “allies” like the United States all of a sudden acted as though nothing was going on and many even refused to come to Israel's aid. Thus Israel decided once again, like in Europe under Hitler's power or other regions of the world, the Jewish people are alone and must fight for their own survival.

Within days, Israel's administration went through several changes were new Defense secretary was appointed along with a new cabinet. And on June 5th 1967, Israel attacked the enemy forces. In a sudden air strike by the Israel Air Force, Most of the Egyptian, Iraqi, Jordanian, and Syrian air forces were destroyed. At the same time, Israeli tanks rolled into the Sinai and annihilated the Egyptian army and pushing the offensive lines al the way to the Suez Canal - capturing the entire Sinai area under Israel's control.

While Israel was driving Egyptian army back, Israel also issued assurances that Jordanian forces would not be attacked in return for peace. However, King Hussein of Jordan ordered his army to attack Israel. His army bombarded Israeli towns and cities. Almost within hours, Israeli Army turned from the defeated Egyptian Army (at Suez Canal) and attacked the West Bank and East Jerusalem (under Jordan's control). Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) occupied West Bank and liberated East Jerusalem and united it with its counterpart - West Jerusalem. Following this victory, Israeli Army took the initiative to meet the Syrian army and within 2 days occupied the Golan Heights while a defeated Syrian army withdrew in shame.

On the morning of June 10th 1967, people around the world woke up to a new Middle East - with an Israel that controlled the territories of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Almost 9 days after the war, Israeli Government made the declaration that it will give back all the lands it captured from the enemies in return for full status of peace and normal bilateral relations. However in August of that year, A Arab Summit held in Khartum, Sudan made the decision that all Arab nations will not:

1. Recognize Israel
2. Negotiate with Israel
3. Make peace with Israel

As of Today, most of the Arab world still abide by this summit resolution. Egypt officially recognized Israel and made peace after Egypt once again lost the 1974 war with Israel (the 3 wars it started with Israel Egypt lost). Soon Jordan and a few other minor Arab nations followed with the peace deals. Israel's 1967 war also cemented the US-Israeli relationship as US made Israel its major arms supplier and ally. However, the wounds of the war still lasted. The Arab world was still licking its wounds and revenge was brewing.

As soon as Israel withdrew from the Suez Canal area due to UN and international pressure, Egypt began to rebuild their cities and their war machine. President Nassar died and a new President Anwar el-Sadath became the new militaristic leader of Egypt. Syria was not happy about loosing Golan Heights and its president Hafez el-Assad began beating the war drums. Within 6 years after the bloody 1974 war, Egypt and Syria was ready for their rematch with Israel. On October 6th 1973, during the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur, the Arab Forces from Egypt and Syria attacked a unsuspecting Israeli people in the middle of their solemn fasting and praying service.

Egyptians quickly advanced through the border and captured the Israeli command centers before any alarm could be raised. By the time the country reeled from its surprise, Syrian tanks were pouring out of the Golan Heights into Israel. A Syrian officer moving in his tank across the Golan Heights wildly shouted into his radio: “I see the Lake of Tiberias!” But he never lived to reach it. Within hours, Israeli Defense Forces mobilized and launched counter offense maneuvers. At the end of the day, Israel stood tall as the sole victor in the war.

Following this loss, Egypt was wise to negotiate with Israel and eventually got peace and normal relations with Israel in return for Sinai land Israel captured during the 1967 war. The slowly other Arab nations also began to recognize Israel and started making strides to live in peace with each other. Today, negotiations are underway with Syria on official peace between Israel and Syria in return for the Golan Heights. But due to Syria sponsoring Hezbollah and other armed insurgent groups, Israel is asking Syria to stop supporting those groups also, in return for peace and Golan Heights.

The wars that shaped Israel and the Middle East are still there, old wounds that never really heal. Our only hope is to look to the future and hope for peace and tolerance. The Israeli people and the Arab people for the most part are ready for it. Thus strides such as the “Bridge over the Wadi” (يداً بيد - جسر عبر الوادي‎; , יד ביד - גשר על הוואדי‎) are taking place where people want to live in peace. So let us strive to show the best in humanity, love our neighbor as ourselves and let us pray that God grants peace to that region.

Before 18th February 2008, only Pervaiz Musharaf 's sole adopted and stubborn policies were target but after Elections public has started criticizing the decisions of PPP Chairman which generally decided out of Parliament . People had given heavy mandate to Pakistan Peoples Party with a new hope to rescue Pakistan from the curse of Poverty, Ignorance, and Security dangers from which Pakistan is suffering.

Unfortunately, the expectations are falling, hopelessness is exerting further and people are seemly more desperate in their lives. People are facing savior situations of food crises, security crises, lacking of basic necessities and many others but government is busy to solve its Political crises. Its concentration is not to resolve public problems but priority is to hoard the powerful Seat.

Prime Minister Mr. Yousuf Raza Gillani is a person who can play an optimistic character to coup-up these matters. He has to prove his strength that he is a superior Authority of Pakistan and not a Puppet of any internal & external Force.

At present, the war doesn't only effects the US economy, and it cannot bring benefit to US economy in a few years, but also, it seriously damaged the world economy, too. Oil price has been sky rocketing, all the trades related have to increase the price too, in turn, we have to buy thing more expensively, beside the heavier tax to support the expenses of the war.

Usually, US economy benefit from wars. World War I and World War II had greatly increased the development of US economy. Also, US benefited from the first US vs. Iraq War. How about the second US vs. Iraq war? Can US economy benefit from it?

To conclude, the US will benefit from the war in the long run, not now.

The widespread appearance of US military bases throughout the world is being viewed by many as an attempt at colonialism via the back door. Recently, Myanmar refused entry to aid workers from the US. Was this refusal made out of fear that once the US enters a country they will not know when it is time to leave?

Three of the world's largest US military bases are in Germany, Japan and Korea. These bases were originally set up for justifiable reasons but now, over 50 years later, questions need to be asked:

• Is such a level of intervention still required in these countries?
• Have the US military outstayed their welcome?
• Is this seen as an unnecessary expense for US taxpayers?
• Is such a worldwide military presence adversely affecting people's attitudes towards US citizens?

The list below shows the top 25 countries with the highest number US active duty military personnel on 31st December 2007.

For the figures in full, click here

It was an entirely new feeling in this other environment, unlike my normal duty post which rarely saw any "action" due to its location. This place was much different. The four of us soldiers who had come all this way were here to drive M113 "Armored Personnel Carriers" for the purpose of using them as ambulance and evacuation vehicles.

From the beginning, the gunfire, and explosions were constant and unnerving. For three weeks of the 4 week duty assignment, we did nothing but wait and train and move to different points within the city.

As nights were still unbearably hot, me and the medics, I was assigned too, often chose to sleep outside under the stars. A fact that had awoken me on several occasions in the middle of the night as gun ships flew overhead firing the Vulcan machine gun at targets I could not see.

As our time there grew short, it seemed as if this phase of my Iraqi tour would be as uneventful as the rest of the tour so far, which I was not complaining about. That was until it happened.

As it was, the 3rd Airborne had driven out most of the insurgency in Tallafar, and was beginning to allow the civilians to reenter the city. Those that had allowed the occupation of there homes were promised payment for the "rental". And so many Iraqis were in line at a payment location deeper in the city, about 5 blocks from my location, which was on the Southern outskirts of the town.

At around 1100 hours on September 28th 2005, we were told that there was an explosion in town, and to prepare to evacuate casualties. Barely after being said, I and the Medics were in the M113 with the engine running, waiting for an Armed escort to the site. The wait was not very long, as we were soon racing through the streets as quickly as we could, at the same time; the 42nd airborne was busy cordoning off the exact route we were taking to get to the explosion site.

Driving there I remember thinking to myself that this was it, I was terribly concerned 42nd airborne had taken casualties and their lives were now in our hands to get them to safety.

As we neared the site, the carnage was apparent. It seemed that I peered out of the drivers hatch to do my duty and nothing but my duty. But I couldn't help but glance around and see the blood red street, and the heaps of flesh lying all over the road. I couldn't help but notice the leg lying on the other side of the road. The other 3 M113s arrived shortly after me as I was the nearest to the scene. But by this time it become easily apparent that the casualties were all native born, but that did not change the attitude or my feelings in the least. Human beings were still in dire need of me and I would do what was necessary to save them.

So without missing a beat I got as close to the site as I dare and did a 360 degree pivot turn and dropped the ramp to allow the medics to disembark. It was not long before they had all four of the berths filled with the casualties that were in the most peril of dying. And I was off again racing back to our camp and the nearest "planned" flight pad.

Since the roads had been cordoned off I didn't need to wait for an escort so I moved as fast and as steady as I could through the streets since I did not want to jar the patients in the back any more then need be.

One of the patients vomited on the way there, and I will never forget that smelled mingled with the smell of burnt flesh. But I did not gag or complain, as I had a job to do and was completely focused on achieving my goals.

We arrived and quickly discharged the passengers into a triage area, where 10 more Army Medics were waiting and began caring for the injured. Their job was to stabilize as best they could for the evacuation to a real hospital environment.

I and the medics didn't wait around too long, as the other M113's began to arrive and drop off their passengers; we were already on our way back to get more casualties. 4 trips, we made... and the final trip back I was told to wait in the M113 with the engine running in case they needed me to transport anyone the 6 miles to the nearest hospital.

So I stood there in the drivers hatch and watched. I watched as the Army Medics did everything in their power to save the lives of these men whom they knew nothing of. I watched as a man rose halfway out of his stretcher to lean to the side and vomit blood, which drew the attention of many of the medics straight to him. I didn't know what they were doing or how bad the man was. But I do know just minutes later they pulled a sheet over his head.

The Chopper came in blowing dust everywhere, and flew out with equal ferocity. It seemed many hours of it coming and going, until all that was left were the deceased, who had since been put into body bags.

Twenty minutes had passed since that occurrence when all of the medics and drivers were sitting in the makeshift hospital building talking, and essentially turning themselves "back on". And before you knew anything we were pulling the MREs (Meal Ready-to-Eat) out and enjoying our late lunch.

It is amazing how the human mind can shield itself for your own survival. Our emotions had been all but turned

off during the crisis and afterward it had seemed to be more like watching through someone else's eyes.

The news media reported 5 civilians died and over 30 casualties in that terrorist act; but by my count it was 12 dead, 5 at the site, 3 awaiting evacuation, 3 after getting to the hospital, and 1 female suicide bomber. And at least 50 injured.

That is the true story of what happened that day. No heroes were born, many lives were lost, and many more were changed forever, even mine.

The ministry of interior of Afghanistan has confirmed in a statement that 27 army men are killed and 21 wounded in the incident, the deadliest since the Afghan government had offered talks with the insurgents.

Zabiullah Mujahid, the purported Taliban spokesman, has taken the responsibility and said that the attacker, Azizu Rehman, was a resident of Mosayee area of Kabul.

A few months ago, a suicide attack on a bus of defense ministry had killed 21 government personnel.

Right now is the most crucial time in the war with the United States’ new defense secretary, and new generals coming with new strategies. The main factor in the success of the years of fighting that soldiers have been waging in Iraq is if the new Iraqi government can really stand up on its own. The US mission in Iraq is to suppress the violence created by radicals occurring there. Bush seems to think that it cannot and that another surge of troops is necessary in the fight. He claims that the right decision is to stay engaged and deal with the radicals, while Senator Carl Levin says that the President must end this “blank check to Iraq.”

In opposition to a surge was former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. While Bush thought more troops were needed, Rumsfeld believed the contrary to be the best solution. He wanted to decrease military force all around in Iraq, however his successor entered office and it seemed that a military surge was now definite. Both President and Secretary of Defense now share the same view on troops in Iraq, and although numerous others disagree it seems forces will be increased within the next 4 to 6 months

What group of individuals better knows how to wage urban guerilla warfare? What group knows how to best enforce their ways and reign over a given territory? What group shows no fear and will never back down in the face of a threat? Yes, our own military is the answer to all of these questions, but so are our gangs. They know all about blending in with their surroundings, surprise attacks, and defending their territory.

Getting the gangs to sign on to the idea should not be too difficult of a task. As known gang members are rounded up they are given a simple choice: Life in prison or a four year term of service in the military after which they start anew with a cleaned up record. There will certainly be some who would rather opt for a life in prison as opposed to giving "The Man" any of their time and effort, even if it would improve their overall well being in the end. Most others though would probably jump at the chance for a clean record at the end of a four year tour of duty. Nobody would want to hire a known gang member and possible street murderer, but who wouldn't hire a distinguished war veteran who has proven themselves on the battlefield? Concerned about those who have been convicted of murder and other heinous acts of violence against our society? Consider their four year tour a training time in which their time is served while they are molded into better men and women for tomorrow's world.

In the beginning there would undoubtedly be concerns over rival gangs still going after each other once they are conscripted. A no tolerance policy would have to be enforced in which small acts of aggression towards each other would result in loss of meals, loss of personal time, long term detention and isolation coupled with extending time onto their tour for each act. The outright killing of another gang soldier would result in all associated parties going directly to a military detention camp while awaiting trial, and if found guilty, everyone would be sent to prison with no chance of release and no chance of a clear record. This should help to not only minimize such acts of internal aggression towards each other but also to minimize the gangs reforming within their military unit as the punishment for assisting or overlooking another member's acts could cause one to receive the same punishment as the individual committing the crime itself.

Getting members of individual gangs to cooperate with each other is the first step in "deprogramming" some of the gang mentality and getting them to become fully functional members of a military unit. As gang ties are generally strong, then the ensuing ties with their units, or new "gang" so to speak, should also be strong. This transition in the way of thinking will most likely not take long with the militaries rigid structure and way of life.

Now that the gangs are functioning as a larger, cooperative gang unit, it's time to send them to the front. Now car bombs and sniper attacks can be fought with drive by shootings and alley fights. Hand to hand combat? No problem for the gangs. Our soldiers today are helping to win the indigenous population's children with toys and chocolate. Our new gang soldiers can also work on employing the tactics they use to get our own children to join them. Now we have not only won the hearts of the local children, but have worked on taking those same children who would be picking up a sniper's rifle against our troops and put them to work infiltrating our opposition and possibly then turning that same sniper's rifle back in the other direction.

In the mean time, the streets of America would become cleaner and safer. There would be less gang violence with less gang members. Fewer drive by shootings. There is even the potential of a decline in the sale of drugs throughout the land. Further decreases could be made by including known drug dealers, not directly associated with any gang, into the same category as gang members and conscript them as well.

This idea is certainly more of a wishful idea for a perfect world than a practical reality. However, it is many times that these fantastical ideas and impractical wishes help to spawn parts of new and more practical thinking. Ideas which can be implemented within the real world. It is with these hopes that new ways of thinking and problem solving may be spawned from thoughts and writings such as these.