Step in the Right direction (R5 to A5)

We are transversing an area that has been a symbol of the US occupation to Iraqi forces? I think this is the BEST thing to happen in the new year. US forces should be completely out of the Green Zone by the end of '09 (nearly 14000 work there) and this is all progress on the Bush timetable that has the US out by 2011. I'm simply ecstatic too be able to right this. I feel we haven't tried to give Iraq a fighting independent chance on their own in the world. This is the first step.

Baghdad's Green Zone passes to Iraqis (A5)

The US has ceded control of the GReen-Zone in Bagdasd to Iraqi forces. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki heralded the day as a benchmark in Iraq's recovery from a long war and deadly insurgency. He said he would push to make Jan. 1 a national holiday."This palace is the symbol of Iraqi sovereignty, and by restoring it, a real message is directed to all Iraqi people that Iraqi sovereignty has returned to its natural status," al-Maliki said at the ceremony. The Green-Zone houses the US Embassy, iraqi parliment, and other buildings in the center of the capital. Iraqi forces are already in control of interior security , and will hopefully be given complete control of external secururity in 90 days. The US Embassy moved from Sadams former palace to a new building, the palace will now hold to iraqi officials.

Israel vs Hamas (Response 4 to A4)

Quick side note for everyone. Thin coming weekend (Jan 10) my younger sister is having here Batmitzvah, and the Israeli offensive with Hamas recently started. When I had my Bat-Mitzvah in August 2006 the Israel conflict in Lebanon with Hezbolah had just began.
This and my personal connection to Israel is why I decided to cover this article.

I don't like war, I don't opprove of war, and I believe it is (as one of my favorite books quotes it) " War is murder with the blessing of the goverment." I've don't understood how personal war is especially when you are living in an area dipped in violence. This violence is Israeli reaction to hammas bombing in Southern Israel. Do I think Israel was right in reactin? Yes. Do I approve of bombing in the gaza strip? No. In polotics, and war and life, I believe in taking the higher road but people don't seem to be able to do that.
As the quote about Turkey suggests, the Israeli Prime Ministers action and position in this conflict isn't that popular. And because of the coming inaguration (15 days and counting)Obama has not commented publicly, is this the higher road? or is Obama choosing to not pretend that he has the power of the White House?

Israel pounds Gaza in 10th day of campaign (A4)

The Israeli campaign into Gaza has reached its 10th day."The stakes are enormous," Miller said not only for Israel, but potentially for President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office in two weeks. Obama is "going to inherit a crisis that will not be resolved quickly," Miller said. "That's the worst kind of crisis for a new president. If it's not resolved, he'll appear weak and marginal."
The Israeli prime minister says that the offensive against Hamas will not stop until peace is achieved for the people of Southern Israel. Hamas has approximately 20,000 gunmen. The Gaza Strip is poor, the area has become increasingly poorer since Israel stopped trading with Gaza when Hamas won political power.In Turkey, more than 5,000 people held a rally in Istanbul where they burned effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Bush. Obama supports Israels right to protect themselves from rocket attacks. The UN has called from an immediate cease fire.

Israel also could risk losing tacit support from Egypt — a key Arab voice for peace in the region — if civilian casualties start to mount. (See photo :A Palestinian man shouts as he kneels over a severely wounded man in Gaza City early Sunday)