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.
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani met with Admiral Mike Mullen, who arrived in Iraq after visiting Afghanistan. Talabani stressed the need for a unity government while asking for more help with training and supplies.
Parliament postponed its current session indefinitely as lawmakers are still unable to select their next leaders. Not only is the premiership at issue, but so is the presidency and speakership. The Maliki government has now agreed to call itself a "caretaker government." In an attempt to retain power, Maliki has been holding up the selection of his successor.
At a British inquiry into the Iraq War, the U.N.’s former chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix, said that the United States and United Kingdom both relied on dubious sources for their weapons intelligence. Furthermore, the U.S. seemed "high" on using military action following the Sept. 11 attacks. Despite some interesting revelations, many think the inquiry has been too easy on the witnesses. Separately, the M.O.D. is looking into allegations over a chemical attack in Fallujah.
The U.S. Defense Department admitted it is unable to account for 95 percent of the $9.1 billion it withdrew from an Iraqi oil fund. In related news, General Electric gave back profits it earned through the Oil-for-rood program, plus penalties, without admitting to wrongdoing in giving kickbacks to the Saddam government.
Health workers warned that al-Qaeda is robbing blood banks and hospitals for blood products to use in treating wounded members.
In Baghdad, one person was killed and four were wounded in a blast in Ghazaliya. A pair of bombs in New Baghdad wounded eight people. A bomb in Jihad last night wounded two people. Security forces defused a car bomb left near a Green Zone entrance.
In Mosul, a hand grenade meant for police wounded 16 civilians instead. Gunmen stormed a home where they killed a woman and her 20-year-old son. Two women were killed in a small arms attack at their home or in an alley. Gunmen using silencers killed two policemen. Two people were wounded in a grenade attack.
Two policemen were injured in a blast in Taza.
One suspect was wounded during a raid in Hawija that netted another 14 suspects.
Three people were wounded when gunmen attacked in Jalawla.
Four suspects were captured in Fallujah.
