Last Night

This is it. Again. Tomorrow morning I lift off from Baghdad International Airport and start the first leg of my return to the States. Over three years ago, in May 2005, I first arrived here; in May 2006 I completed my first tour with the Army. I've been back with the State Department since February 2007, bringing my in-country time to 29 months. I will be starting PhD studies at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall, working on a dissertation involving transnational political history and post-conflict governance.

I leave many friends in Baghdad, both old and new. The other night a group of us from the PRT hosted a gathering for some of my favorite Iraqi friends at the Palace. Tahseen Sheikhly and his family brought the muzguf; Shatha and Mahmoud, still very weak but just so determined to have a good time, also paid another visit; old friends such as former Governor of Baghdad Ali Fadel, district council members Mohammed al-Rubeiy and Kadem al-Shamary and a few others spent a few hours reminiscing as well as talking about the future. In an environment of such challenges, a few hours spent with such good friends is a welcome opportunity.

This week I attended a performance of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra. Despite a tremendous array of difficulties, this body of musical professionals continues to represent the artistic excellence of the Iraqi people.

I attended an awards ceremony for the graduating class of the Baghdad School of Fine Arts. We watched a few student films and browsed exhibits of paintings and photography done by students. Having some experience with artistic communities in various periods of my life, I have to say that there is definitely something universal about "art school students" no matter where you are -- even in Baghdad. I was asked to be a special guest presenter for the film portion of the awards ceremony, and most of the recipients would have looked completely at home at some of the parties I used to attend while living in Austin. Lots of 'flair.' Gratuitous use of hair care products. So many ways to be creative with a collar, and how far one decides to leave a shirt unbuttoned. And of course, some random girl who just had to wear a tiara.

A few of us went to a traditional Iraqi dinner and musical festival on Thursday evening. By the end of the night, nearly everyone was lined up around dance floor, participating in the traditional Iraqi group dance -- something like a combination between a conga line and the 'boot-scoot boogie.'

I was busy packing Friday afternoon when a good friend burst into my room and said: "Dan, the Government of Iraq needs your laptop for a cabinet meeting with the Prime Minister." A completely random set of circumstances led to the use of my Vaio as PM Maliki was briefed on the status of security operations and services in Sadr City. We are good friends with the Iraqi official who was setting up the meeting -- he ran into a snag and it was a no-brainer to step in and help. Sayeed is an example of the Iraqi that you never see on the news: a mid-level government employee who is patriotic, courageous, and completely dedicated to his profession and his people. I was honored to work with him in an official capacity -- and to know him as a friend and a man of honor. "Of course he can use my laptop, dude."

No doubt, I'm leaving on a high note; a few weeks ago under a daily barrage of rocket and mortar fire things did not look so bright. Signs of progress here can easily appear undone by a few acts of heinous violence. I believe that during my experiences of the past year and a half, which roughly coincide with the "surge" of troops and civilian personnel into Baghdad, I have seen tangible and irreversible momentum towards a better future in Iraq -- but I also leave with an acute awareness of the tremendous challenges yet to be faced here, by the residents of Baghdad as well as my civilian and military colleagues working to further this progress. I wish them all the best; to those who served before, to those who remain -- and to those who have paid the final sacrifice and will not return home. God bless you all.

One of Baghdad's Most influential

If you haven't come across TIME's list of the World's 100 Most Influential People yet, go ahead and check out the listing for Ms. Madeeha Hassan Odthaib, one of Baghdad's leading activists and a member of the Karada District Council of Baghdad. Madeeha has been involved with the plight of displaced persons in Baghdad and is an inspiring example of somebody who just refuses to sit by watch a crisis unfold without doing anything about it. A few months ago I had the chance to sit down with her and talk about the sectarian violence that drove much of Baghdad's displacement crisis. She told me about her efforts to galvanize a reluctant government bureacracy to effectively provide assistance to needy families in her community; her personal activism generated the energy necessary to convince local leaders to respond -- and their actions led to greater attention by the national government. I saw her again a few days ago, just before her trip to New York to attend TIME's gala event for those on the list. We facilitated a session between a group of Baghdad's notable activists, civic leaders and political independents, and we were all proud to see Madeeha's hard work and example be recognized in such a high profile way.

Here is the article from TIME:


Madeeha Hasan Odhaib
By Queen Rania
It's not every day that success stories echo out of Iraq into the halls of power, but Madeeha Hasan Odhaib defies the norm. Armed with her sewing machine, unflinching stoicism and determination, Madeeha, 37, is mending the fabric of Iraq.

Four years ago, this mother of two and seamstress turned district council member took three sewing machines, leveraged them into 60 and built a business sewing hospital sheets and flags. She now employs 100 women. That figure may seem insignificant compared with the accomplishments of other achievers on TIME's list. But in a country with more than 60% unemployment and rampant poverty, such efforts provide a lifeline. Each woman Madeeha employs returns home with an invaluable sense of self-respect, money in her purse, food for her children and optimism for a daughter desperately seeking a role model amid mayhem. Madeeha also treads—or, rather, threads—the line between activism and heroism. She has coordinated with the Red Crescent, Red Cross, Hands of Mercy and Iraqi army to distribute food around Baghdad. And despite threats, she says she'll never give up.

Iraq is suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises we have ever seen. While Madeeha rightly makes Time's list, women like her are found throughout Iraq, sewing hope one stitch at a time. Through Madeeha, we celebrate all of Iraq's courageous women, whose resilience and resourcefulness hold the promise of a new dawn.

Road to recovery

I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to help out an Iraqi boy injured in a horrific suicide bombing at a Baghdad market back in February. While shopping at the market, Mahmoud, the nephew of Ms. Shatha al-Obedie, the Press Secretary for the Governor of Baghdad, was severely injured in the blast of a suicide bomber belt worn by a mentally ill woman who was no doubt unaware that she was being used by al-Qaeda terrorists to carry out their attack.

Shatha is a very good friend of mine and truly an example of an Iraqi patriot, working against incredible challenges to serve the people of Baghdad and get its government back on its feet. Immediately after the blast she called me to see if there was any way to help Mahmoud.

I am very grateful to so many colleagues in the Embassy and the Army for the remarkable compassion and professionalism they displayed in helping Mahmoud. Through their efforts, Mahmoud was stabilized and is now on the road to recovery. It is an honor to serve here with such great people.

Mahmoud wanted to pay a visit to the IZ the other day to thank those who helped him survive his trauma.

The Daily Item of Sunbury, PA posted Mahmoud's story on May 9.

Scholarship time

With high school graduations right around the corner, The Bisbee Project is preparing to release its final list of recipients for this year's Scholarships for Service awards. Last year we presented one award, to Derek Houtz of Selinsgrove Area High School. Derek is now wrapping up his 'plebe' (freshman) year at West Point. This year we will be presenting awards to another Selinsgrove grad, as well as applicants from a number of other Central Pennsylvania communities. Thanks to everyone who has supported our program; we are proud to provide this kind of encouragement to young people interested in public service careers.