Update: 'Captured' GI confirmed as doll

Drudge suggests that the photo purporting to show a U.S. soldier captured by terrorists in Iraq may in fact depict a "Special Ops" toy soldier:

Real? Or toy?

There are a number of clues that lead me to believe this isn't an actual U.S. soldier:

• The blank expression on the "man's" face.
• The incredible similarity of the gear, particularly the knee pads and the number of buckles on the vest.
• The lack of any context of size or time.
• The lack of other photos, despite claims that the group has captured and killed the "soldier's" comrades.

If this turns out to be a forged kidnapping, it should be a welcome sign that we're breaking the back of the terrorist uprising. These thugs can't capture our troops, so they go inside and play with dolls.

Update: An action figure manufacturer and the U.S. military strongly suggest this "abduction" is a complete hoax:

The Arabic text, however, contained several misspellings and repetitions. Staff Sgt. Nick Minecci, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, said ''no units have reported anyone missing.'' The photo in the posting showed a figure dressed in desert fatigues, wearing a vest and knee pads and with a gun pointed to its head. All the items are similar to ones that come in a box with the action figure, named ''Cody.''

Liam Cusack, of the toy manufacturer Dragon Models USA Inc., said the image bore a striking resemblance to the African-American version of its ''Cody'' action figure. ''It is our doll ... To me, it looks definitely like it is,'' Cusack told The Associated Press. ''Everything the guy is wearing is exactly what comes with our figure. If you look at the two pictures side by side, it'd be a huge coincidence.''