Burst fire 20070608

Take a minute to peruse the annotated links in the continuation, and click on any of interest to you.

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TROOP GEAR

The technical expert solicited by a major news network to certify its tests of Dragon Skin body armor admitted Wednesday that the controversial vests weren't "ready for prime time." [Defense Tech]

FIREARMS

Say Uncle points to a site showing homemade Checken weapons. See also some interesting old Modern echanix magazine articles with illustrations he linked, including a death ray machine an Ohio inventer elected to take to his grave in the 30s and a cigarette ad saying shooters prefer that brand.

COLD WAR II (averted?)

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, bitterly opposed to a U.S. missile shield in Europe, told President Bush on Thursday that Moscow would drop its objections if the radar-based system were installed in Azerbaijan. [Breitbart] Noah Shachtman @ Danger Room likes the idea, but others disagree.

IRAQ

BAGHDAD, June 6 -- A Sunni insurgent group that waged a deadly street battle last week against the rival group al-Qaeda in Iraq in a Sunni neighborhood of west Baghdad announced Wednesday that the two forces had declared a cease-fire. The Islamic Army of Iraq, a more moderate and secular Sunni group, said it had reached the cease-fire with al-Qaeda in Iraq because the groups did not want to spill Muslim blood or damage "the project of jihad." [WaPo]

For the last week, news jockeys have been plunged into a debate about the "Korea model," which, according to the New York Times and other media outlets, the President is suddenly considering as the model for Iraq.  ("Mr. Bush has told recent visitors to the White House that he was seeking a model similar to the American presence in South Korea.") You know, a limited number of major American bases tucked away out of urban areas; a limited number of American troops (say, 30,000-40,000), largely confined to those bases but ready to strike at any moment; a friendly government in Baghdad; and (as in South Korea where our troops have been for six decades) maybe another half century-plus of quiet garrisoning. [TomDispatch] See this 22MAR2006 A-C-E post. There are earlier ones. This is what ACE has assumed all along, with a number of posts about permanent bases and a huge embassy. This is our foothold in the middle of Jihadist territory, and (barring being asked to leave by the Iraqi government, which is not likely), we're there for the forseeable future. The world will be safer for it.

POLITICS

Now that Conservatives have beaten down the immigration bill, Bush is trying to make up with them, realizing he'll need them on his side in future battles. [Hot Air]

TRIVIAL

A tee shirt which will immediately identify you as a geek (and possibly attract geeks of the opposite sex, if that's your objective).