Here's hoping they are actively seeking Mohammad Ali Hammadi.

Kind of underlines the plight of the CIA in the PR war - we hear all about their anti-Bush leaking and rightly give them crap for it, but the good stuff - like the above - doesn't get the same degree of acclaim since it's covert and all...

Which basically means that the asshats do more harm to the CIA's rep than the heroes can offset even though they may be working as hard (or harder).

And on a separate note - while I agree Italy can and should be fighting this sort of thing, they brought it on themselves with the BS they pulled in Iraq, and as far as I'm concerned they deserve to be walked over like brainless ho's insofar as the WOT is concerned.

More of that, please.

Keep in mind that Italy (as a government, not necessarily the people) IS nominally on our side, unlike Spain, Russia, France, Germany, China ...

We probably could move an AF base or two there from Germany, if Italy would let us. Perhaps kick off a new tourism push: "Italy, all the art and pretentiousness of France, just without the French"

It's still good to see the CIA show some balls for once, though.

Are those A-holes still harassing Oriana Fallaci?l

The torture consisted of endless repititions of the Monty Python 'Wink,wink, nudge, nudge' sketch: "You've been with a Lady? KnowwhatImean?"

While Italian President Berlosconi is a good guy and on our side, he cannot control the judiciary, intelligence apparatus or foregn ministry (kind of like Bush...) - which is why this was necessary, since they would never have extradited this dirtbag to the US. It is really unfortunate that we had to antagonize a country that is an ally - but it does send a positive message to all the terrorists wandering the streets of Europ.

Italy is our ally only in the most nominal sense, and after the bit with Oralana Felatio I wouldn't be too heartbroken if they hit the road.

No, the real bonus is that it will get Simperin' Sully's panties all in a wad again.

THAT is F'n bonus.

One of the things that I think resonates with many of us over reactions to Munich, is that we (I) respect the Israelis for their "you killed our athletes. we're going to hunt you down and kill you" attitude.

Not to nitpick, but any operation by any government's intelligence organization in another country is, by its very nature, illegal.

The only thing to worry about is travelling to Europe? Not if the Italians are willing to kidnap him!

Um, is this the same Italy that allowed the Achille Lauro hijackers to wander off scot-free? The same Italy that paid a big ransom to the head-cutters in Iraq for the release of a far-left reporter (who probably allowed herself to be "kidnapped", trading the ransom for a story) after promising us they woudn't?

As an American of Italian descent, I say to hell with Italy. Allies like them we DON'T need.

Again these forgein judges are over stepping their athority with the help of the crinimal run ICC screw the italian judges and the eurpean soviet union

?We probably could move an AF base or two there from Germany, if Italy would let us."

Aviano Air Base is already there - also a military base (Caserma Edele) in Vicenza which has a U.S. Army Airborne Brigade. Spent 3 relatively happy years there. The Italians as a whole are great people - they just don't like any disruption in their daily routine.

Um, is this the same Italy that allowed the Achille Lauro hijackers to wander off scot-free? The same Italy that paid a big ransom to the head-cutters in Iraq for the release of a far-left reporter (who probably allowed herself to be "kidnapped", trading the ransom for a story) after promising us they woudn't?

Its also the same Italy that went into Iraq with us and still has troops there. Just saying.

Its also the same Italy that went into Iraq with us and still has troops there. Just saying.

Italy is about 1/5 of our population... Do they have more than 25,000 troops in Iraq?

Has Berlusconi(sp?) ever refrained from playing both sides of 'support~withdrawal'solely in an effort to maintain his electoral viability regardless of the overall consequences?

Other than Fabrizio Quattrocchi, do I give a rat's ass about anything the Italian's have ever said or done in the War on Terror?

Survey says: No, no, and no.

I lived for 2 years in Milano in the early 90's.
When you get away from the arrogant a-holes that work in the government, the Italian people generally like Americans a great deal. Almost everyone there has a cousin or something that moved to the U.S.

They are just pacifists by nature. By that I mean, they just want to hang out with friends and family and have fun. They aren't really the "we hate America" types that you see in Germany and France.

Do they have more than 25,000 troops in Iraq?

I doubt the entire EU could muster 25,000 troops for a deployment. With the exception of the UK, no european power can project any significant force anywhere. They are basically just an echo of the UN - all they can do is talk, so every crisis has to be a diplomatic problem.

Will anyone go to jail for revealing the Milan station
chief's name; thus subjecting him to the Phillip Agee
treatment like that projected by John Young of
Cryptome, which includes his family. Or is only
Valerie Plame to be the 'protected one'

Drezner has something interesting:

http://www.danieldrezner.com/archives/002486.html

Gives new meaning to the phrase "the CIA is revolting."

Regards,
Ric