Passing through razor-wire cordons and police checkpoints, Iraqi voters Saturday took another step in the nation's quest for stability in provincial elections that were carried off without major violence but tarnished by claims of flaws and threats of challenges. ...more

February 1, 2009

One of the lessons learned in Vietnam was that it is possible to take issues away from the enemy and turn them to your advantage. Two programs, originated with the U.S. Agency for International Development, and had a substantial impact on the course of the war. ...more

November 5, 2008

Under intense U.S. pressure, Iraq's parliament approved a law Wednesday that paves the way for the first provincial elections in four years after months of deadlock that U.S. commanders warned could jeopardize the dramatic decline in violence. ...more

September 25, 2008

Concern over upcoming elections and widening tensions among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups appear to be the reasons for the U.S. military's recommendation to put the brakes on withdrawing more American troops from Iraq despite improvements in security. ...more

September 6, 2008

Violence left nearly 50 people dead in two major southern cities Friday when members of a shadowy, messianic cult attacked police and fellow Shiite worshippers - a year after a similar plot was foiled during Shiite Islam's most important holiday. ...more

January 19, 2008

The U.S. military launched a countrywide offensive Tuesday against al-Qaida in Iraq's efforts to regroup and intensify suicide strikes on civilians who have sided with the Americans against the terror group. ...more

January 9, 2008

Hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi troops backed by helicopters descended Friday on a remote desert area southwest of Baghdad to root out al-Qaida in Iraq and search for two U.S. soldiers missing after a deadly insurgent ambush six months ago. ...more

November 17, 2007

In a dramatic turnaround, more than 3,000 Iraqi families driven out of their Baghdad neighborhoods have returned to their homes in the past three months as sectarian violence has dropped, the government said Saturday. ...more

November 4, 2007

Gunmen in Baghdad snatched 10 Sunni and Shiite tribal sheiks from their cars Sunday as they were heading home to Diyala province after talks with the government on fighting al-Qaida, and at least one was later found shot to death. ...more

October 29, 2007