The Cool Blue Blog

The Checkerboard

Forget Dominoes. Though it is an idea still descriptive of the policy, the Middle East now looks more like a checkerboard. Iran; surrounded by the Democracies in progress in Afghanistan and Iraq (thanks to the foreign policy of President Bush). Saudi Arabia; bounded by the Democracies-in-progress in Iraq and the Egypt-Palestine-Israel axis. And suddenly, Syria is surrounded by the Democracies-in-progress of Iraq and Lebanon.

And what is common in this? Iraq, the place where the game of Checkers was invented.

Iraq, the linchpin. The central cohesive element. Sissy watches the coverage of the popular revolution taking place in Lebanon and notes:

These are not the "Arab street" demonstrations of yore, with pumping fists and anti-American banners, staged by tyrants as photo ops to shore up their own corrupt regimes. These are the people themselves -- Muslims and Christians together, waving their national flags in unity -- finding their voice, emboldened by the momentum of events precipitated by GW's visionary foreign policy. As Osama famously put it, "when people see a  strong horse and a weak horse, by nature, they will like the strong horse."

And this is not the Arab street we've been told exists. In fact, we've been told by those who believe they don't have a racist bone in their bodies, that Arabs can't rule themselves; they require strongmen to unite them.

We've been told the Arab street just hates the West for their inteventions since the fall of the Ottoman Empire and does not want to emulate it in any way. That Islam is not compatible with Democracy.

But now, the Arab street is beginning to speak up and speak for themselves. In Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon. And it will be difficult for Iran and Saudi Arabia to resist surrounded as they are and with strong pro Democracy forces within. And all of the "neocons" who believed in them can feel vidicated that their trust was well placed.

Does this mean that these new Democracies will all be friends of America?

No, it does not.

But we'll settle for them not being enemies.

And when all is said and done, and we review the cost in American lives it took to get to this primitive point in history, not being enemies is a good enough goal.

And friends would be icing on the cake.

Don't wannna discuss it
Think it's time for a change
You may get disgusted
Start thinkin' that I'm strange

In that case I'll go underground
Get some heavy rest
Never have to worry
About what is worst or what is best
(Get it)

Oh oh Domino (it's all right)
Roll me over, Romeo, there you go
Lord, have mercy
I said oh-oh, Domino
Roll me over, Romeo, there you go
Say it again
I said oh-ooh-oh Domino
I said oh-ooh-ooh-oh Domino
(Dig It)

There's no need for argument
There's no argument at all
And if you never hear from him
That just means he didn't call
Or vice versa
That depends on where ever you're at
(All right)
And if you never hear from me
That just means I would rather not

(Hit it)
Oh oh Domino
(All right)
Roll me over Romeo, there you go
Lord have mercy
I said, oh oh Domino
Roll me over Romeo, there you go
(Hey, all right)
Say it again
Oh-oh-ooh-ooh Domino
(Hey, hit it)
I said oh-ooh-ooh Domino

Well, Mr. DJ I just wanna hear
Some rhythm and blues music
On the radio
On the radio
On the radio

-Van Morrison

 

Daily Dish

Thousands take to the streets in Lebanon defying a government ban on such demonstrations of political speech. The march is in support of pro-Lebanese components of the government who have forced a no confidence vote in the hopes of ousting the Syrian shills within the Lebanese Parliament. Walid Jumblatt, recently famous for his "Berlin Wall" comment, has called for a specific timetable for Syria to withdraw its 14,000 troops. All of this was sparked of course by the assassination of  Rafiq Hariri for which Syria is blamed by many.  "How can we not accuse the Syrians" of responsibility for Hariri's murder, Jumblatt said. "They control all the Lebanese security services. They are everywhere." But Hariri's death was just the spark that ignited a situation that had been fueled by Syria's imposed extension of the President's term last September. It was this event that had caused Hariri to resign as Prime Minister in protest; a protest for which many believe he was killed. And now, Jumblatt fears he may be a target as well.

With all the hot water Syria is in, given the situation in Lebanon and the fact that one of their protected terrorist groups is being blamed for a suicide bombing in Israel, I wonder how welcoming they would be of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi if he is backed into a corner by US forces hunting for him. There is word that the units pursuing him are very close to capturing him, and it may be that he's been counting on Syria to be his back door out if things got too hot. He may very well find that door is now closed to him because if Syria did give him safe haven, and the US found out, I have to believe things would not go well for the government in Damascus.

In Hilla, Iraq, anti-Democratic forces attacked a group of Iraqi police and ING recruits killing 106 and wounding many others. That's the story you'll hear about all day today. What you won't likely hear is the good news happening in Iraq and that you'll only hear from Arthur Chrenkoff in his newest edition of his Iraq news roundup.

The Dutch government is sending 165 Special Forces troops to Afghanistan.

The Instapundit points to a post by Sam Jaffre on the significance of Egypt's capitulation to Democratic reform to the "evil" neocon plan.

Daily Dish

On Friday, nine UN Peacekeepers from Bangladesh were killed in an ambush in the Congo. Eleven more were wounded. News reports indicate that "Friday's ambush followed a crackdown on militias by peacekeepers trying to protect fleeing civilians in the area around Kafe, 19 miles northwest of the provincial capital, Bunia," and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said  "Peacekeepers are there to do serious work and to help the Congolese people." The problem with this is that this is the precise place where UN Peacekeepers have been discovered to have been using the local women and children as sex objects. A "UN Official" was quoted as saying about the killing of the Peacekeepers "It all looks like a last stand. They're behaving as though themselves were at great risk." Well perhaps they do think that since those who were sent to protect them were in fact abusing them, how are they to consider UN troops as anything other than just another rival faction?

Since the explicit broadcast of a French UN worker and Congolese girls, it has been discovered that there was a network of UN pedophiles within the UN mission. And at least two UN workers, one a Canadian and one a Ukrainian, had to leave the country after getting local women pregnant.

Recently the Times of London did an article on the sex-for-food scandal involving UN staff and peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In what the newspaper referred to as "the United Nation’s Abu Ghraib", the Times reported about acts of rape committed by UN personnel on women and children in the African country, and the fact that some of those acts against women and children were filmed. Tapes of those crimes are now being sold around the Congo.

The Times report said that investigations have revealed 150 allegations of sexual misconduct by UN employees and peacekeepers. Some of the acts include paying for sex with food such as jars of mayonnaise and jam.

These acts bear no resemblance to what happened at Abu Ghraib as far as the mainstream media is concerned. Unlike the Iraqi prison, the "perps" are UN personnel and not the American military so the mainstream media simply looks the other way. The fact that the victims are "just Africans" may also be part of the reason that the media justifies ignoring it.

But apparently the folks living in the Congo are not ignoring it.

Is it a fact that the ambush of UN peacekeepers was the direct result of the UN sex abuse scandal? Frankly, I don't know. But there is no doubt that when the UN forces there act as bad or worse then the factions the peacekeepers are supposed to be protecting these people against, it is no surprise that they would be treated as agressors and targeted. And what's worse is there is no indication that the abuse has stopped and in fact may be taking place wherever UN troops go.

At Abu Ghraib there was no actual sexual abuse, and what did take place was considered a crime and people have been held to account. What is going on in the UN, as far as any outside observer can tell, is sanctioned by the UN because after almost a year, not one individual has been charged with a crime and there is no indication that measures have been taken to stop the abuse.

Instead, the UN is doing what it does best, studying the issue, releasing statements, and talking about what should be done. Meanwhile, women and children continue to be exploited by the folks in blue helmets. So it's no surprise when US soldiers refuse to wear it.

It appears that earlier reports of Hizbollah being responsible for the bombing at an Israeli nightclub may have been premature. It seems Islamic Jihad has taken responsibility. This is yet another terrorist group which operates out of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and is protected by Syria. Syria, of course denies responsibility, but as long as they aid and abet the group, they are in fact responsible for what the group does. Plain and simple. Israel, for their, is not taking immediate military action in response, but is demanding that action be taken by the Palestinian Authority. It appears that Palestinians want action taken as well, though Ed is sceptical, I think that most Palestinians are simply sick of war and just want peace. The question is, can their elected leaders deliver?

World Net Daily reports that "Adding to a growing list of allegations, controversial University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill appears to have violated copyright law by claiming a reknowned artist's work as his own." And the Belmont Clubs reports on the fleecing of the University of Colorado but can you really call it fleecing when this is what the UNiversity is offering? I mean, they could just fire him for free. It's not like they don't have sufficient cause seperate from the "free speech" issues.

It turns out that not only did the US GDP grow better than expected in the fourth quarter of last year, but the trade numbers were better as well. Instead of exports falling by 2.4 percent as originally thought, it actually rose by 3.9%. What's made the difference? US News and World Report says "Canada, for example, recently conceded that it had underestimated the total amount of U.S. goods that it had imported in November."

Daily Dish

Is that the sound of falling dominoes I hear? Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has ordered a change to the election laws that would allow secret ballots and multiple candidates in the upcoming Presidential election. Here is a summary of his announcement from the BBC. Of course it will be difficult for other political parties to get up and running in the short space of time remaining until the elections, so it is likely that Mubarak will be reelected. But the change is important because a) it will be difficult to turn back and b) it is indicative of the change that is sweeping the region. And it is further evidence that the observation by Walid Jumblatt earlier in the week

"The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it,"

is accurate.

It's an old story. An Israeli nightclub crowded with young people is targeted by a Palestinian suicide bomber. Four people die and more than 50 are injured. But this is also a new story because for the first time in recent memory, Israeli and Palestinian security forces worked together to investigate and arrest two suspects. The Iranian supported terror group Hezbollah, who's base in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon is guarded by Syrian troops, is being blamed. But even this is a new story because Hezbollah tried to get the al Aqsa Martyr's brigade to accept responsibiliy but the two militants whom Hezbollah contacted "one speaking from Ramallah and the other from the Balata refugee camp near Nablus, said they turned down the request because they feared they would be targeted by Israeli or Palestinian security forces." Now isn't that interesting? Hezbollah is afraid to openly take responsibility and so are other groups because they fear Palestinian security forces. And with the delicate situation in Lebanon, Syria may be afraid of futher backlash resulting from their "foreign policy" decisions.

Recently, the Palestinian Parliment approved a new Cabinet for President Mahmoud Abbas. This new Cabinet essentially removes many Arafat loyalists from power and replaces them with reformists. God help me, but I am daring to hope.

Ed Morrissey takes a different view and Kateland of The Last Amazon has more. The BBC is reporting that Israel is blaming Syria for the bombing. And if reports of Hizbollah being involved are true, that's a good call. But why not include Iran too?

Have you heard that attacks in Iraq are killing fewer American soldiers since the elections? No? Well, someone please tell Ted Kennedy, 'kay?

Hippocratic Gift

Coalition Doctors, Medics Work Together to Save Afghan Lives

By Sgt. Stephanie L. Carl, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Feb. 25, 2005 –– Medical personnel here are passing their knowledge on to Afghan National Army medics, ensuring the Afghans can take care of their own soldiers instead of relying on coalition forces' assistance.

"Right now, we're here to help the ANA," said Army Dr. (Maj.) Lance Smith, assigned to the 325th Combat Support Hospital at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. "But we're working on the long term," including teaching follow-on care that is critical to recovery.

Daily Dish

The Syrian "Government" announced it will withdraw troops from Lebanon after repeated calls to do so by the US and the UN. But Syria, it turns out, is only redeploying its troops within Lebanon not pulling them out. And its no surprise that the place where Syria has chosen to withdraw to is the Bekaa Valley where the Syrian and Iranian supported terrorist training camps lie and where it is suspected WMDs from the former Iraqi regime were taken if there ever were any. Certainly one could imagine that if WMDs are in fact in Bekaa and Syria felt that it needed to eventually evacuate Lebanon, they may believe that having this large concentration of military forces there would provide cover for getting these weapons out of Lebanon. And they could be right depending on the assets we could employ to observe what is being done. On the other hand, if assets like Global Hawk could be set up to watch the goings-on there, this very confidence on the part of the Syrians may very well lead to the evidence we need.

Or, the may be no WMDs there and Syria is just trying to protect the terrorist camps and will resist further moves as long as possible.

And the planned withdrawal of Syrian troops does not include Syrian security forces which presumably will remain in place.

It may be that the autocratic regimes of the region are beginning to circle the wagons to resist the rise of Democracy. Egypt has sent its intelligence chief to visit Assad because Syria "can not stand alone against the pressures made from the international community as a whole." Though it is unclear whether Mubarak is trying to convince Assad to comply with international demands or to resist them.

Hassan Nafaa writing in the Cairo weekly Al Ahram presents the situation of Syria and Lebanon from a point of view of a true believer in pan-Arabism. And while he sees Lebanon as having foreign policy interests consistent with Syria's, instead of Lebanon being a chess pice in Syria's foreign policy, he makes a number of interesting observations. While he is clearly anti-US and anti-Israel and hints that it was really Israeli and/or American forces that assassinated Rafiq al- Hariri, he writes about what should have been the Syrian response to UN Resolution 1559:

...the current crisis, for all its difficulty, could provide "a rare opportunity for the Syrian regime to prove that it is capable of following a policy that is different from the after-me-the-deluge approach favoured by all other Arab regimes".

"That policy should involve the launch of full and genuine political reform, as well as plans to shore up social and economic conditions. What is needed is not chaos and political demagoguery, but a policy aimed at protecting state and society, even if the price to be paid at the end -- once the objectives are all achieved -- is a change of regime."

And he says that

...I wish to remind everyone of a simple but tragic fact; namely, that official Arab reasoning remains as obscure as ever. There is no sense in the way parties react to crises. Often, they seem incapable of seeing, understanding or taking in what is happening around them in any coherent manner. This is true despite the obviousness of US and Israeli intentions in the region. The latter are a book open for all to read.

I would argue that the official Arab reasoning is driven more by individual despots need to retain power above all other concerns. If Arabs really wanted to have a common strategy with regards to foreign policy what they need are Democratic governments. True pan-Arabism can not come about while each despot in the region has as their primary goal their own self interest instead of the what is in the interest of their country.

And perhaps, just perhaps, a real coalition of Democratic Middle Eastern states which would accept Israel as a member would replace pan-Arabic dreams.

Bush's tour of Europe has ended with the final public display being all about Democracy, a conversation unquestionably driven by the President; its the topic he wants to discuss publicly. The conversation about Russia's foreign policy in the Middle East remained private but no doubt more urgent. The meeting between the Russian President and Bush was held in Slovakia, a US ally in Iraq. It is interesting to me that Bush was able to negotiate a meeting that was on turf more sympathetic to his goals than Putin's. And the defensive Russian press drove the topic of conversation to precisely the topic Bush wanted to discuss in public. The Slovakian press, meanwhile, directed readers attention to the overly negative evaluations of Bush's foreign policy in the European press. And it is quite clear Slovakians consider Bush their brother in political reform.

From the Counterterrorism Blog comes this link about Iran's state sponsorship of  terrorist organizations. And they have more information about Abu Ali, the man accused of plotting to assassinate President Bush here and especially here.

US GDP grows at an annual rate of 3.8% last quarter, which must be disappointing (again) to all those who have predicted the impending economic destruction of America....or who have so earnestly prayed for it.

LGF on the clueless reactionary Left. And Captain Ed notes that Howard Dean was snubbed by the top Democrat in Kansas. It's quite clear that while some Democrats get it, the majority don't. How many losing election cycles will it take, one wonders.

The Marine filmed shooting a terrorist in Fallujah will likely not be charged. We can only hope.

Dean Esmay points to this notable blog by  R.J. Rummel a Professor Emeritus of Political Science. It's worth reading. And yes Dean, he's been 'rolled.

Athena of Terrorism Unveiled divides the word of truth about how to define an Islamist.

A young girl who was treated in Britain for a condition called Bulbar Palsy and, as a result, was denied solid food for seven years is taken a US hospital where it was determined that she really had a case of swollen tonsils. She was treated in quick order (something far less than seven years) and is being returned to the socialized medical care in Britain, eating solid food like a regular person.

New Jersey animal rights activists are "sick to their stomachs over a new candy shaped like critters run over by cars, complete with tire treads".

Daily Dish

As the US and Russia meet to talk about their "relationship", Putin faces pressure from within his own country to allow greater political freedom. This Democracy wheel's on fire.

The Belmont Club notices an article in the Guardian that says Bush was wrong on Iraq, but it turned out OK in the end. It's hard to admit one was wrong, so we'll take it. In other developments, Allawi will challenge Al-Jafari for the Prime Minister position in the Iraqi government.

Arthur Chrenkoff has a roundup of news from Lebanon while Captain Ed sees pressure building on Syria to quit the occupation. Meanwhile, Iraqi TV airs the confessions of a Syrian officer and guess what he's been doing? Meanwhile, this report says Syria is ready to leave Lebanon. Call me sceptical, but somehow I don't think it will be this easy.

The Dutch get serious about Islamists within their borders.

Athena of Terrorism Unveiled discusses Islamists and nukes.

Viking Warriors suffered from performance angst.

PSA: Don't ever mistake superglue for eyedrops.

Force play

The successful elections in Iraq has had repercussions throughout the world and in the region. One of the most obvious manifestations is in Lebanon where the machinations of Syria's political hegemony has been brought to the front burner by the murder of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Having seen political freedom in Iraq take hold, Lebanese are beginning to view their situation in a different light.

Over by the Martyr's Monument, Lebanese students have built a little tent city and are vowing to stay until Syria's 15,000 troops withdraw. They talk like characters in "Les Miserables," but their revolutionary bravado is the sort of force that can change history. "We have nothing to lose anymore. We want freedom or death," says Indra Hage, a young Lebanese Christian. "We're going to stay here, even if soldiers attack us," says Hadi Abi Almouna, a Druze Muslim. "Freedom needs sacrifices, and we are ready to give them."

Brave words, in a country where dissent has often meant death. "It is the beginning of a new Arab revolution," argues Samir Franjieh, one of the organizers of the opposition. "It's the first time a whole Arab society is seeking change -- Christians and Muslims, men and women, rich and poor...."

"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," explains Jumblatt. "I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world." Jumblatt says this spark of democratic revolt is spreading. "The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it."

A people's revolution, eh?

And how will Syria deal with such a popular uprising?

It seems to me that many factions have a lot to lose if Syria is forced to move out of Lebanon.

The Bekaa Valley in Lebanon is used by a number of terrorist organizations under the protection of Syrian troops. Through this arrangement, Iran is able to resupply groups like Hizbollah. If Syria is forced to leave, it is quite possible the new Lebanese government will not be the gracious hosts to these groups that Syria has been. And if all of a sudden the Golan Heights are not so critical to defending Israel, an important part of the equation describing the Palestinian-Israeli security situation changes dramatically for the better.

And we would learn if Saddam's WMDs were in fact transferred to the Bekaa valley. If Syria withdraws, and the weapons are there, Syria only has two options: leave them there and claim innocence or load them on to trucks and transport them back to Syria. If they leave them in place, we will have physical evidence that Saddam did indeed have WMDs and that they were moved to the Bekaa Valley as has been suspected. If they load 'em up and move 'em out, my guess is we'll know about that too and we'll have caught Syria in red handed complicity to deceive the UN. Boy, if only that was a charge you could bring the the International Court, huh? Complicity to Deceive the UN.

The Bush Administration has wanted Syria out of Lebanon for all of the reasons described above.

If Syrian troops act aggressively to put down a popular uprising, the US will likely have world wide support in defending the Lebanese with military force affording the President a chance at payback for the Syrian supported terrorist activity in Iraq. And such a move would be just another event to embolden the pro-Democracy forces in Iran to face down the mullahocrisy when elections are held next month.

Either way, by force or by pressure, Syria will lose a lot.

So it may turn out that the success of the elections in Iraq will force Syria out of the terror game while Bush will score another run.

Wouldn't that be something...

Daily Dish

The obvious and most immediate goals of the President's trip to Europe have for the most part been accomplished: He got broader support and participation for stabilization efforts in Iraq from nearly every country in Europe including France and Germany. France's President joined with Bush in calling for a withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. The EU condemned Syria as well, but fell short of pledging to impose sanctions, though this may very well happen.

Bush has been stoking the self-esteem of Europeans who are for the most part happy with him. "Europe and America have reconnected ... Transatlantic relations have turned the corner," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told a joint news conference with Bush. "It's positive that he starts his second term with trying to improve his relations with Europe," Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Bo Ringholm told The Associated Press. "It's like a dream," the Geneva daily Le Temps said. "After the split over Iraq, an American president proposes to the Europeans - in their capital - that they write a page of the history of hope together and launch a new era in trans-Atlantic ties." "Something has changed in the American approach," Chirac said. "President Bush clearly indicated that he aims to have a real partnership, thus a real discussion."

But nothing substantial has been gained. The good will of Europe is mostly useless unless they actually stand for something other than decadence and greed. There still seems to be no interest on the part of the EU to impose sanctions on Iran if they refuse to stop attempting to make nuclear weapons. France and Germany are still interested in arming China and they are looking to drag the EU along with them. Selling high-tech weapons to China would put Europe in direct opposition to US security interests as annunciated not only by the president but by Congress as well. And for all the making nice, Bush has clearly stated his position on such sales which clearly violate supposed European principles. A German housewife protesting the President's visit noted that "He [Bush] wants reconciliation but he's not backing off his principles..."

True 'nuff. And he shouldn't. And only in Europe would this be considered a slam.

As I have noted before, Bush is touring to make his positions known and to gauge who are allies and who are enemies. And while he is charming, he is not backing down on principle. The meeting with Russia's Putin isn't until Thursday, yet Bush is publically letting the Russian President know he is not pleased. He has said Russia is "backsliding" on Democracy and when they meet there is little doubt that Russia's support for Iran and Syria's thirst for advanced weapons which Russia seems determined to slake will come up. Arthur Chrenkoff looks at what Russia has been doing under the radar.

Shi'ites in Iraq have picked a candidate for Prime Minister and it's not Chalabi. Ibrahim Jaafari, "a man with a reputation for political savvy, moderation and inclusion" still must be approved by the full National Assembly.

In Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami says he's ready to resign if a new government can be formed after days of popular protests against his Syrian backed government.

Captain Ed annoys Ted Rall! Way to go Ed!

The Taliban give up on Afghanistan. Someone tell the UN.

Bloggers rally to free their own in Iran. Glenn has more.

Dutch researchers come up with 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover; or thereabouts. Now if only they could make "pee" cologne, men would have more lovers to leave.

The next new thing for thrill seekers: The frog safari.

A map of a cats brain. So that's how they find people with asthma.

Fixing a broken heart

U.S. Soldiers Give 'Gift of Life' to Afghan Boy

Afghan toddler to receive treatment at an Indianapolis hospital to repair heart condition.

By U.S. Army Sgt. Joe McFarren

CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 22, 2005 — In mid-September, U.S. Army Capt. (Dr.) James Gruber had little Qudrat Ullah placed in his lap while on a routine refugee camp humanitarian visit by the 76th Infantry Brigade.

Gruber, an Army doctor with the 1-151st Infantry Battalion, 76th Infantry Brigade, discovered the 1-year-old boy had a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, but he thought there was nothing he could do for the boy and he would eventually die. Little did he know the miracle that was in store that would enable the child to receive treatment in the United States that was not available in Afghanistan.

“When we first diagnosed (Qudrat),” Gruber said, “He would have been dead in a year if he wasn’t treated.”

Qudrat lives with his mother, Tajbara, and his father, Hakim, in a tent at the refugee camp. His family members are Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan, following the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and subsequent control by the Taliban regime.

One night, not long after being examined by Gruber, Hakim carried Qudrat from the refugee camp to the Camp Phoenix front gate. The boy’s feet and hands were blue, so soldiers took him to the Troop Medical Clinic for treatment. The medics did the best they could, but they couldn’t offer a permanent solution. Qudrat needed surgery, a surgery he couldn’t get in Afghanistan.

“I’m proud to be a part of something so big. Saving one child is worth the time away from our families. It gives an added purpose to our mission," U.S. Army Capt. Michael Roscoe

 

After diagnosing Qudrat’s condition, Capt. Michael Roscoe, a physician assistant with the 113th Base Support Battalion, 76th Infantry Brigade contacted Lt. Col. Terry Snow, the Civil Military Operations officer for Coalition Joint Task Force Phoenix.

Snow, an avid member of the Rotary Club of Greenfield, Ind., took the next step by using his contacts within the Rotary organization to secure funds through the “Gift of Life” program.
The U.S. military is providing transportation from Kabul to Indianapolis while Rotary will defray the costs of food and any collateral spending Qudrat will need while in Indiana.

Within 72 hours of asking Rotary for help, Snow received word that the organization would fund the transportation and collateral costs of surgery and transportation.

Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis agreed to perform the procedure on Qudrat through its own donations. Three surgeons volunteered to operate on the boy, making a $50,000 surgery free for this family.