Tom Mowle - Chaos in the Green Zone
@tommowle.bsky.social
Editor, dissertation coach, hiker, explorer, trail builder, author (Chaos in The Green Zone, April 2026), retired military, retired public official, gardener, cat lover, atheist, Purdue fan-Boiler Up! Free Substack at https://fromtheramparts.substack.com/
p.185
I was thankful for a slow, relaxing day. I reviewed the intelligence updates, received no new tasks at Morning Prayers, and transferred some State Dept cables.
I was thankful the DFAC served a fine midday dinner to share with my colleagues.
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I was thankful for a slow, relaxing day. I reviewed the intelligence updates, received no new tasks at Morning Prayers, and transferred some State Dept cables.
I was thankful the DFAC served a fine midday dinner to share with my colleagues.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
November 27, 2025 at 1:29 PM
p.185
I was thankful for a slow, relaxing day. I reviewed the intelligence updates, received no new tasks at Morning Prayers, and transferred some State Dept cables.
I was thankful the DFAC served a fine midday dinner to share with my colleagues.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
I was thankful for a slow, relaxing day. I reviewed the intelligence updates, received no new tasks at Morning Prayers, and transferred some State Dept cables.
I was thankful the DFAC served a fine midday dinner to share with my colleagues.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
p. 33
Neal and I had passionately insisted to our colleagues that something had happened that had not, or that we’d been given some project that didn’t exist.
The militias project, however, did exist, and it was a high priority for the 2-star.
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Neal and I had passionately insisted to our colleagues that something had happened that had not, or that we’d been given some project that didn’t exist.
The militias project, however, did exist, and it was a high priority for the 2-star.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
November 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
p. 33
Neal and I had passionately insisted to our colleagues that something had happened that had not, or that we’d been given some project that didn’t exist.
The militias project, however, did exist, and it was a high priority for the 2-star.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
Neal and I had passionately insisted to our colleagues that something had happened that had not, or that we’d been given some project that didn’t exist.
The militias project, however, did exist, and it was a high priority for the 2-star.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
This week in my free Substack, I discuss terrorism, Venezuela, and the Klan. Share and subscribe; link is in the reply
November 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
This week in my free Substack, I discuss terrorism, Venezuela, and the Klan. Share and subscribe; link is in the reply
p. 32
I'd maintained this attitude, as if the war were somewhere else, even though in 6 days I’d seen the fuel farm hit at BIAP, ridden in vehicles that had been hit minutes before, hidden from celebratory fire, and heard explosions all the time.
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I'd maintained this attitude, as if the war were somewhere else, even though in 6 days I’d seen the fuel farm hit at BIAP, ridden in vehicles that had been hit minutes before, hidden from celebratory fire, and heard explosions all the time.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
November 25, 2025 at 1:37 PM
p. 32
I'd maintained this attitude, as if the war were somewhere else, even though in 6 days I’d seen the fuel farm hit at BIAP, ridden in vehicles that had been hit minutes before, hidden from celebratory fire, and heard explosions all the time.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
I'd maintained this attitude, as if the war were somewhere else, even though in 6 days I’d seen the fuel farm hit at BIAP, ridden in vehicles that had been hit minutes before, hidden from celebratory fire, and heard explosions all the time.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
Not a lot of air traffic over Venezuela at the moment
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Not a lot of air traffic over Venezuela at the moment
p.31
The Policy Division didn’t have its own room. Most of its officers were strung out at desks in the hallway, vulnerable to everyone’s interruptions and w/o room for 2 people to talk w/o blocking the path.
My own desk was outside the secure door.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
The Policy Division didn’t have its own room. Most of its officers were strung out at desks in the hallway, vulnerable to everyone’s interruptions and w/o room for 2 people to talk w/o blocking the path.
My own desk was outside the secure door.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
November 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
p.31
The Policy Division didn’t have its own room. Most of its officers were strung out at desks in the hallway, vulnerable to everyone’s interruptions and w/o room for 2 people to talk w/o blocking the path.
My own desk was outside the secure door.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
The Policy Division didn’t have its own room. Most of its officers were strung out at desks in the hallway, vulnerable to everyone’s interruptions and w/o room for 2 people to talk w/o blocking the path.
My own desk was outside the secure door.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
p. 30
COL Haith seemed happy with the notes I wrote up, at least.
Wed 18 Aug: Today truly sucked.
For starters, the 2-star told my Academy colleagues and me that he wanted to keep us in Baghdad for a full 6 months, rather than 4 as promised.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
COL Haith seemed happy with the notes I wrote up, at least.
Wed 18 Aug: Today truly sucked.
For starters, the 2-star told my Academy colleagues and me that he wanted to keep us in Baghdad for a full 6 months, rather than 4 as promised.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
November 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
p. 30
COL Haith seemed happy with the notes I wrote up, at least.
Wed 18 Aug: Today truly sucked.
For starters, the 2-star told my Academy colleagues and me that he wanted to keep us in Baghdad for a full 6 months, rather than 4 as promised.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
COL Haith seemed happy with the notes I wrote up, at least.
Wed 18 Aug: Today truly sucked.
For starters, the 2-star told my Academy colleagues and me that he wanted to keep us in Baghdad for a full 6 months, rather than 4 as promised.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
Another loss for justice in Idaho
November 22, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Another loss for justice in Idaho
Cold night hot fire warm cat
November 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Cold night hot fire warm cat
p.28
With a day’s work under my belt, COL Haith assigned me another duty: attending the daily senior consultants meetings.
CPA Administrator Bremer’s first order last year had been to ban all members of Saddam’s Ba’ath Party from public office.
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With a day’s work under my belt, COL Haith assigned me another duty: attending the daily senior consultants meetings.
CPA Administrator Bremer’s first order last year had been to ban all members of Saddam’s Ba’ath Party from public office.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
November 22, 2025 at 1:18 PM
p.28
With a day’s work under my belt, COL Haith assigned me another duty: attending the daily senior consultants meetings.
CPA Administrator Bremer’s first order last year had been to ban all members of Saddam’s Ba’ath Party from public office.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
With a day’s work under my belt, COL Haith assigned me another duty: attending the daily senior consultants meetings.
CPA Administrator Bremer’s first order last year had been to ban all members of Saddam’s Ba’ath Party from public office.
Order from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in reply
Twisty turny passages
The classic text-based adventure game of incalculable influence will live on.
Microsoft makes Zork I, II, and III open source under MIT License
Microsoft’s Open Source Programs Office worked with Jason Scott to do it.
arstechnica.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Twisty turny passages
Unpacking. Seems like a metaphor for something…
November 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Unpacking. Seems like a metaphor for something…
p. 27
All of these had engaged in armed resistance against Saddam’s regime, mostly bombings and assassinations. No doubt Saddam had called them terrorists, but we considered them good guys as long as they weren’t attacking our forces.
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All of these had engaged in armed resistance against Saddam’s regime, mostly bombings and assassinations. No doubt Saddam had called them terrorists, but we considered them good guys as long as they weren’t attacking our forces.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
November 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
p. 27
All of these had engaged in armed resistance against Saddam’s regime, mostly bombings and assassinations. No doubt Saddam had called them terrorists, but we considered them good guys as long as they weren’t attacking our forces.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
All of these had engaged in armed resistance against Saddam’s regime, mostly bombings and assassinations. No doubt Saddam had called them terrorists, but we considered them good guys as long as they weren’t attacking our forces.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
p. 26
When I got up to the SPM offices, the admin sergeant told me to report to COL Haith in the Policy Division. COL Haith assigned me to work on how to handle Iraqi militias. This duty fit with my graduate work in conflict resolution.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
When I got up to the SPM offices, the admin sergeant told me to report to COL Haith in the Policy Division. COL Haith assigned me to work on how to handle Iraqi militias. This duty fit with my graduate work in conflict resolution.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
November 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
p. 26
When I got up to the SPM offices, the admin sergeant told me to report to COL Haith in the Policy Division. COL Haith assigned me to work on how to handle Iraqi militias. This duty fit with my graduate work in conflict resolution.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
When I got up to the SPM offices, the admin sergeant told me to report to COL Haith in the Policy Division. COL Haith assigned me to work on how to handle Iraqi militias. This duty fit with my graduate work in conflict resolution.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
Hike up Pulver mountain Colorado
November 19, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Hike up Pulver mountain Colorado
p. 25
Military-grade weapons, however, were not for private ownership—they were reserved for members of one of the Iraqi security forces. Based on the tracers in the sky, some Iraqis had retained a larger arsenal than they were supposed to.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
Military-grade weapons, however, were not for private ownership—they were reserved for members of one of the Iraqi security forces. Based on the tracers in the sky, some Iraqis had retained a larger arsenal than they were supposed to.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
November 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
p. 25
Military-grade weapons, however, were not for private ownership—they were reserved for members of one of the Iraqi security forces. Based on the tracers in the sky, some Iraqis had retained a larger arsenal than they were supposed to.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
Military-grade weapons, however, were not for private ownership—they were reserved for members of one of the Iraqi security forces. Based on the tracers in the sky, some Iraqis had retained a larger arsenal than they were supposed to.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
Excellent summary of what Dread Pirate Roberts has done to support American autocracy.
John Roberts once promised to be like an umpire. He charmed both senators and the media, and for 20 years, was portrayed as a moderate institutionalist.
But today, it's become clear that the promise was a lie.
We are watching a rigged game, and Roberts set it up.
But today, it's become clear that the promise was a lie.
We are watching a rigged game, and Roberts set it up.
This is all John Roberts’ fault
Trump owes his corrupt and abusive reign to one man.
www.motherjones.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Excellent summary of what Dread Pirate Roberts has done to support American autocracy.
Nice walk across the street so to speak but still no snow at 9000 feet in central Colorado
November 19, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Nice walk across the street so to speak but still no snow at 9000 feet in central Colorado
This week in my free Substack, I compare the run-up to the Iraq War with the current threats against Venezuela. Subscribe and share -- link in the comments!
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This week in my free Substack, I compare the run-up to the Iraq War with the current threats against Venezuela. Subscribe and share -- link in the comments!
p. 24
The route to the PX took us past the ruins of Saddam’s command center. The precision of the air strikes the year before astonished me. Part of the complex was nothing but rubble, other buildings were hanging open like an Erector set
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
The route to the PX took us past the ruins of Saddam’s command center. The precision of the air strikes the year before astonished me. Part of the complex was nothing but rubble, other buildings were hanging open like an Erector set
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
November 18, 2025 at 2:21 PM
p. 24
The route to the PX took us past the ruins of Saddam’s command center. The precision of the air strikes the year before astonished me. Part of the complex was nothing but rubble, other buildings were hanging open like an Erector set
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
The route to the PX took us past the ruins of Saddam’s command center. The precision of the air strikes the year before astonished me. Part of the complex was nothing but rubble, other buildings were hanging open like an Erector set
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
p. 23
With basic needs met, we were ready to report for duty. We returned to the rotunda and retraced our route upstairs from last night. We knocked on the cipher-locked door and were escorted back down the hall to the SPM admin section.
Out soon from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social order in comment
With basic needs met, we were ready to report for duty. We returned to the rotunda and retraced our route upstairs from last night. We knocked on the cipher-locked door and were escorted back down the hall to the SPM admin section.
Out soon from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social order in comment
November 17, 2025 at 1:41 PM
p. 23
With basic needs met, we were ready to report for duty. We returned to the rotunda and retraced our route upstairs from last night. We knocked on the cipher-locked door and were escorted back down the hall to the SPM admin section.
Out soon from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social order in comment
With basic needs met, we were ready to report for duty. We returned to the rotunda and retraced our route upstairs from last night. We knocked on the cipher-locked door and were escorted back down the hall to the SPM admin section.
Out soon from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social order in comment
p. 22
A corridor to our right led us, after a few jogs, to the dining facility (DFAC).
The Palace was proving to be an odd mixture of ordinary and ornate. The corridor from the rotunda had been all business, but the DFAC looked ceremonial.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
A corridor to our right led us, after a few jogs, to the dining facility (DFAC).
The Palace was proving to be an odd mixture of ordinary and ornate. The corridor from the rotunda had been all business, but the DFAC looked ceremonial.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
November 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
p. 22
A corridor to our right led us, after a few jogs, to the dining facility (DFAC).
The Palace was proving to be an odd mixture of ordinary and ornate. The corridor from the rotunda had been all business, but the DFAC looked ceremonial.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
A corridor to our right led us, after a few jogs, to the dining facility (DFAC).
The Palace was proving to be an odd mixture of ordinary and ornate. The corridor from the rotunda had been all business, but the DFAC looked ceremonial.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
p.21
He took us to the male transient tent to bed down for the night. It had 5 rows of single beds, 12 to a row with just enough space between them to put your feet down. Despite hearing mortars in the distance, I slept soundly that 1st night.
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He took us to the male transient tent to bed down for the night. It had 5 rows of single beds, 12 to a row with just enough space between them to put your feet down. Despite hearing mortars in the distance, I slept soundly that 1st night.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
November 15, 2025 at 1:28 PM
p.21
He took us to the male transient tent to bed down for the night. It had 5 rows of single beds, 12 to a row with just enough space between them to put your feet down. Despite hearing mortars in the distance, I slept soundly that 1st night.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
He took us to the male transient tent to bed down for the night. It had 5 rows of single beds, 12 to a row with just enough space between them to put your feet down. Despite hearing mortars in the distance, I slept soundly that 1st night.
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment
p. 20
We glimpsed our surroundings as he cleared us through a checkpoint and hurried us up a wide marble-floored staircase to the second floor and through a carved, wooden, cipher-locked door labeled Strategic Political-Military (SPM).
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We glimpsed our surroundings as he cleared us through a checkpoint and hurried us up a wide marble-floored staircase to the second floor and through a carved, wooden, cipher-locked door labeled Strategic Political-Military (SPM).
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment.
November 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
p. 20
We glimpsed our surroundings as he cleared us through a checkpoint and hurried us up a wide marble-floored staircase to the second floor and through a carved, wooden, cipher-locked door labeled Strategic Political-Military (SPM).
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment.
We glimpsed our surroundings as he cleared us through a checkpoint and hurried us up a wide marble-floored staircase to the second floor and through a carved, wooden, cipher-locked door labeled Strategic Political-Military (SPM).
Preorder from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social in comment.
Chapter 2: Confusion
There I was: riding in the back seat of a black Suburban with a shattered windshield. Neal was in the middle; a soldier sat behind the military driver so there was an armed presence on both sides.
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There I was: riding in the back seat of a black Suburban with a shattered windshield. Neal was in the middle; a soldier sat behind the military driver so there was an armed presence on both sides.
Preorder now from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social! Link in comment
November 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Chapter 2: Confusion
There I was: riding in the back seat of a black Suburban with a shattered windshield. Neal was in the middle; a soldier sat behind the military driver so there was an armed presence on both sides.
Preorder now from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social! Link in comment
There I was: riding in the back seat of a black Suburban with a shattered windshield. Neal was in the middle; a soldier sat behind the military driver so there was an armed presence on both sides.
Preorder now from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social! Link in comment