Updated at 10:42 p.m. EDT, July 22, 2009
Violence struck a group of Iranian pilgrims in Diyala province. The attack left five Iranians dead and 37 wounded and was the most significant event of the day. Iraqis fared better only a day after the worst violence in weeks. At least six Iraqis were killed and 20 more were wounded. Meanwhile, PM Maliki is in the U.S. for talks with President Obama, and a House key committee approved more funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, the U.S. State Department issued a report stating that the U.S. embassy in Baghdad is significantly overstaffed.
Updated at 12:35 p.m. EDT, July 21, 2009
At least 24 Iraqis were killed and 142 more were wounded on a busy day in Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported, but two sets of Iraq-related groups are headed to Washington to ask for help with their vastly different needs. Meanwhile, the status of Iraqi and Palestinian refugees who fled the war has changed in two particular cases.
Updated at 6:05 p.m. EDT, July, 11, 2009
At least 18 Iraqis were killed and 82 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reiterated his call to change the constitution so that the central government increases its share of power. Also, two journalists groups are decrying abuses against journalists.
At least six Iraqis were killed and four more were wounded in light violence. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki paid a visit to Anbar province. No Coalition casualties were reported.
Updated at 7:41 p.m. EDT, July, 3, 2009
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spent part of his three-day trip to Iraq speaking with Gen. Ray Odierno and Ambassador Christopher Hill over breakfast. He also plans to meet with President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Several NFL coaches visited Iraq also, as part of a USO trip. Meanwhile, three Iraqis were killed and four more were wounded across northern Iraq.
Updated at 7:10 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2009
The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) offered to end a decades long conflict with Turkey if the Turks are willing to negotiate a settlement. At least nine Iraqis were killed, along with a Syrian fighter, and another eight were wounded in the latest attacks. Meanwhile, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Iyad al-Samarraie said that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has the right to reshuffle or select cabinet ministers in order to implement government programs. Political pressure had prevented Maliki from doing so previously.
When U.S. troops and Apache helicopters joined Iraqi forces in putting down an uprising by Sunni "Sons of Iraq" militiamen in central Baghdad last weekend, it was a preview of the kind of combat the U.S. military is likely to see increasingly over the next three years unless a policy decision is made in Washington …
Continue reading “Maliki Draws US Troops into Crackdown on Sunnis” 
