Updated at 7:48 p.m. EDT, Sept. 15, 2010
In what may turn out to be the first controversial event of Operation New Dawn, Iraqi and U.S. troops conducted a joint raid that left nearly a dozen civilians dead or wounded. The raid is already stirring up criticism and will likely lead to a drawn-out investigation by the U.S. military. This is the second raid this week in which Americans participated alongside Iraqis despite the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops last month. Overall, at least 24 Iraqis were killed and 29 were wounded there and across Iraq. Two other attacks against U.S. targets left no casualties.
Updated at 6:26 p.m. EDT, Sept. 8, 2010
As the Eid al-Fitr holiday draws near, small attacks are on the upswing. At least 16 Iraqis were killed and 67 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, the first group of American soldiers deployed under Operation New Dawn have arrived in Iraq.
Today begins Operation New Dawn, the new U.S. mission In Iraq. Despite the end of “combat operations,” at least 10 Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Coincidentally, U.S. officials reported Iraq is planning to spend $13 billion on U.S. arms and military equipment.
Updated at 8:29 p.m. EDT, Aug. 18, 2010
The last brigade of U.S. combat troops crossed the border into Kuwait very early Thursday morning local time, two weeks ahead of the official drawdown deadline set by Washington. Although approximately 50,000 personnel will remain in Iraq and combat conditions will continue for many of those left behind, the withdrawal of the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division is a symbolic end to combat operations.
Separately, the new U.S. ambassador to Iraq, James Jeffrey, arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday where he met with leaders to formally accept his new post. Baghdad was also the scene of numerous if small attacks against government officials, but the most gruesome attack occurred in Diyala where gunmen left the following message on their victims: “This is the future for all those who cooperate with the U.S. military and Iraqi security forces.” Overall, at least 25 Iraqis were killed and 33 more were wounded.
Operation New Dawn. That is the name the U.S. military will give its operations in Iraq when U.S. military operations in that country end this September. Wait, what? Okay, once more, a little more slowly. The United States has nearly 100,000 military personnel in Iraq right now. In keeping with the January 2009 Security Agreement …
Continue reading “Sunrise or Sunset for Iraq?” 
