A recent survey of Shia Arabs by World Public Opinion.org finds that more now favor a timetable for withdrawal of coalition forces than did at the start of 2006. A majority appears to favor a one-year withdrawal. If the US-led contingent leaves sooner—say within six months, WPO reports that the Baghdad Shia population fears “an upsurge in inter-ethnic violence.”
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
