Quickhits - Iraq

A UN Report finds that over the last two months almost 6,000 Iraqis have died (3,000/month, 100/day,) with about the same number wounded. Make note that this figure is based on REPORTED deaths, and as the NYTimes included, "The figures do not include dead among the country’s security services." So, the floor on the number is 100/day. It's likely higher.

I heard this great NPR story in the car this morning, a snapshot of US troops working with Iraqi forces in South Baghdad.

The British detained a major figure within the Shia militia movement in Basra. I found this bit interesting,

Burbridge said the detained suspect was "believed to have been acting against the wishes of Sadr".

There have been a number of operations, involving U.S. and Iraqi forces, against Mehdi Army leaders this month. The targets, however, have mostly been rogue elements, Shi'ite sources say. Sadr has made no comment publicly on the arrests.

Iraqi police found the head of a young woman near Tikrit, 175 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. A man was killed when a bomb planted under the head exploded as he was trying to take a photo of the head, police said.

I don't know why, but I found the story of Iraq's "ghost train" compelling.

Lastly, I think we should be encouraging the Iraqis to smoke Marijuana rather than arresting them for it. Stoners make very poor insurgents.

(And, again, I know I'm doing alot of Iraq right now, but I really have this feeling we're at another critical point. Maliki's settlement offer with the Sunnis appears to have completely collapsed, and the "security crackdown" in Baghdad seems to be having to effect whatsoever. Both of these were major efforts towards credibility and both seem to have failed miserably. What's next?)