I was surprised to see two articles published simultaneously today, that both described a serious new threat to our troops and the Iraqi populace in general. Their use or threatened use of suicide bombers, in an attempt to force us to reconsider our wayward policies in Iraq. The first article; "Sharp rise in suicide attacks by women in Iraq likely." And this article; "Kurdish rebels threaten US with suicide attacks."

The first article mentions a significant rise in women as suicide bombers...

"Between January and April, there were 12 suicide attacks by women in Iraq. That marks an exponential increase," Farhana Ali, a US international policy analyst of Pakistani origin, said after a symposium on terrorism at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting in Washington.

Twelve women carried out suicide attacks in Iraq in the first few months of this year compared with 11 between 2003 and 2007, according to Ali.

Ali goes on to explain why they're participating...

"So long as this conflict continues, you will see greater instability in Iraq and women will be greatly victimized -- you will see more women in Iraq choose suicide terrorism in the next few months," she predicted, adding that she had warned US officials and policy makers of the threat since 2005.

"It's only in the past two months that we have given serious attention to this issue. Why? Because female attackers in Iraq are hurting our efforts for peace and stability in that country."

"Iraqi women, slowly, over the course of the conflict have been marginalized," she said.

"They were at the forefront of their society. They were in the Iraqi cabinet, in government, in NGOs. We stripped them of those opportunities.

"Many have left but those who stayed behind are also victims of rape and torture and kidnapping. So they are being victimized twice," she said.

"Women use attacks as a protest. In Iraq, they are protesting at the loss of their men, the loss of their society and the loss of their country," said Ali.

I would agree with much of what she says, but, I would disagree with her premise that they're a threat to peace and stability. They are, in essence, but, it's our actions that precipitated their actions, and, we need to address our actions, first! The Kurds are similarly dispossessed, in that, it's our actions(giving the Turks actionable intel and overflight allowances) that is fostering their actions...

Kurdish rebels could launch suicide attacks against American interests to punish the US for sharing intelligence with Turkey after Turkey bombed rebel bases, a spokeswoman for a wing of a rebel group warned.

Derseem blamed the United States for helping Turkey in an interview late Sunday.

She said some rebels want to join suicide squads to avenge the deaths of their comrades but that "combatants are under the control of the organization," which she said is against such attacks. That may change, Derseem hinted.

"We have changed our stand toward the United States government and we are standing against them now," she said. "Maybe some day ... individual combatants might launch suicide attacks inside Iraq and Turkey, and even against American interests."

Kurdish rebels have staged several suicide attacks against Turkish targets in the past in Turkey.

"They want to annihilate us. But we will not surrender," said Derseem. "We have been hiding in caves and nearby mountains."

It's amazing what desperate people will resort to... When will we wake up and realize what our bad policies and actions are wreaking on the Iraqis? I am truly saddened to see this level of desperation, but, it doesn't surprise me! We need to leave now!