Friday: 5 Iraqis Killed, 5 Wounded

At a gathering at the Imam Hussein mosque in Karbala Shi’ite cleric Ahmed al-Safi told thousands that the political impasse holding back the new government is causing considerable harm to Iraqis. Meanwhile, at least five Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in light prayer day violence. Also, a British inquiry (Chilcot) may recall witnesses including Tony Blair, whose testimony in part contradicted that of other witnesses.

Thursday: 34 Iraqis Killed, 60 Wounded

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said he is wagering that sectarian violence will not surge after a massive reduction of U.S. combat troops next month. Ahead of that withdrawal, the violence continues. At least 34 Iraqis were killed and 60 more were wounded across the country. Security forces were targeted in several cities.

Wednesday: 35 Iraqis Killed, 60 Wounded

Updated at 8:21 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2010 At least 35 Iraqis were killed and 60 more were wounded, mostly in two attacks against Shi’ites in Baghdad and Karbala. At a British inquiry, General Richard Dannatt said that the simultaneous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan nearly broke the British military in 2006, when he took over as commander. Also, P.M. Maliki blamed foreign influence for a political impasse that many Iraqis view as his party’s own creation.

Tuesday: 7 Iraqis Killed, 38 Wounded

Updated at 6:10 p.m. EDT, July 27, 2010 Admiral Mike Mullen arrived in Iraq, where he lauded Iraq’s “stunning progress” in security over the last three years, while new attacks left at least seven Iraqis killed and 38 more wounded. Parliament again delayed meeting thanks to a political impasse that threatens long-term security. Meanwhile, inquiries and investigations in the U.K. and U.S. further underscore the lack of accountability in the build-up to the war and in the U.N.’s Oil-for-Food program. Also, the amount of classified documents related to the Iraq War that WikiLeaks is reportedly holding could be three times larger than what was just released on Afghanistan.

Monday: 46 Iraqis Killed, 88 Wounded

Updated at 6:18 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2010 Despite extra precautions, belligerents detonated a car bomb in Karbala. A separate car bomb destroyed the al-Arabiya studios and a lawmaker’s home in Baghdad. At least 46 Iraqis were killed and 88 more were wounded in those two attacks. Curiously, no other attacks in Iraq were reported. Meanwhile, members of the Iraqiya party refuse to allow the political impasse preventing the formation of the next government to become “internationalized.”

Sunday: 15 Iraqis Killed, 36 Wounded

Updated at 10:53 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2010 Security has been tightened ahead of Shi’ite religious holiday, but at least 15 Iraqis were killed and 36 more were wounded in unrelated violence. Meanwhile, a State of Law M.P. complained that the delay in forming the government has shaken the international community’s trust in Iraq. Despite that fear, Iraq’s political blocs postponed the parliamentary session by one day to pick a speaker, among other issues plaguing the new parliament. The government, however, was able to make a decision on changing Iraq’s state logo and stamp. Mirroring parliament, the Iraqi Football Association has postponed board elections until further notice.

Saturday: 3 Iraqis Killed, 22 Wounded

Three Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in attacks in Mosul and Basra. Meanwhile, the INA’s rejection of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a second term as prime minister could serve as the impetus to help a new coalition of 220 lawmakers resolve the impasse preventing the formation of the next government.

Friday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 33 Wounded

Updated at 5:32 p.m. EDT, July 23, 2010 Only one Iraqi death was reported today, but 33 Iraqis were wounded in new attacks. Three U.S. soldiers who were wounded at their base in Nasariya as well. Meanwhile, Iraq trudged on another day without a new government, but the United States continued pressure on the leading contenders for prime minister.

Thursday: 13 Iraqis, 3 Foreign Contractors Killed; 18 Iraqis, 15 Contractors Wounded

Updated at 9:22 p.m. EDT, July 22, 2010 Three foreign contractors were killed during a mortar or rocket attack on Baghdad’s international Green Zone. At least 15 more were wounded in the attack. At least 13 Iraqis were killed as well and 18 more were wounded in other violence. Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (SIIC) urged Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to step aside and allow someone else to take over the premiership. Also, a new study supports anecdotal evidence that Fallujah is suffering from an increase in cancer and birth defects, perhaps caused by mutagenic and carcinogenic agents used during the war.

Wednesday: 40 Iraqis, 1 US Soldier Killed; 64 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 8:24 p.m. EDT, July 21, 2010 At least 40 Iraqis were killed 64 more were wounded in various attacks across the country. The worst violence collapsed a building in Diyala province, which has suffered several attacks in the last few days. A U.S. soldier was also killed in Diyala when a roadside bomb blated his vehicle. Meanwhile, Deputy U.K. Prime Minister Nick Clegg called the 2003 invasion of Iraq illegal. Also, five U.S. governors revealed their secret trip to Iraq.