Understanding the war on terror, from Afghanistan to Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon and elsewhere is made easier today because of the Internet, but some effort is required.  

Internet publishing has had only a minor impact on the mainstream media's grip on the national consciousness.  The impact has been limited because; 1) reading is more difficult than watching or listening to broadcast media; and 2) finding the gold online can require hours of sifting through worthless ore.  

Here are 2 resources that combine to provide a uniquely powerful view of the war.  

Iraq the Model:
The first resource “Iraq the Model”, is published by 2 Iraqi civilians on the ground in Bagdad.   Omar and Mohammed publish both the good and the bad about the war as seen on the ground from a civilian perspective.  This very human view of the war portrays events and consequences as judged by those who we are supposedly trying to help.

A recent article, "Midnight Company", describes a search of the author's home conducted by American Soldiers in the middle of the night.  The picture above was taken after the search ended. 

The Fourth Rail; History, Politics and the War on Terror

The second resource "The Fourth Rail: History, Politics and the War on Terror" is published by Bill Roggio, a professional journalist who has written for the New York Post and other national publications.  The Fourth Rail provides coverage of strategic and operational issues.  Examples of topics include analysis and predictions of military operations in Iraq, the break between al-Qaeda and the insurgency, the development of the Iraqi Security Forces, the hunt for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the operations of Task Force 145, the rise of the Islamic Courts in Somalia, the rise of the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province and Israel's military operations and political inertia against Hezbollah. This broader coverage is unique in its scope and is made possible by reports from stringers “in country” across the globe.

One recent article, “The Baghdad Security Operation Order of Battle” provides a neighborhood by neighborhood view of the ramp up by Iraqi and Coalition troops to secure Baghdad.  The map above is from the article.  A larger version of the map is available at the site.

Conclusion:
"The Fourth Rail" from a professional journalist, combined with the view from civilians on the ground in "Iraq the Model" gives us a way to understand the War on Terror.   The alternative to each citizen understanding the war on terror for themselves is to allow the broadcast media to exercise undue influence on our national consciousness and on history.

A Call to Action:
Citizen! Bookmark the links below and follow the war yourself.

Links:
The Fourth Rail: History, Politics and the War on Terror
www.billroggio.com

Iraq The Model
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/