Iraq

We have mainstream confirmation that the Baghdad death toll last month was underreported by 300%. "The figure is a sharp contradiction of U.S. and Iraqi claims that a security crackdown led to a steep drop in deaths in the capital." (Also, note my favorite US stooge National Security advisor al-Rubaie was actively promulgating the false number.)

The US completed the official military handover to the Iraqis, although it's only token forces involved. "The prime minister will take control of Iraq's small naval and air forces and the 8th Iraqi Army Division."

(Interestingly, the 8th Division is the (allegedly SCIRI) unit that lost the recent major fight against Sadr's militias in Diwaniyah.)

The Telegraph has a map of what Iraq could look like if the Shia (SCIRI/Hakim) proposed "federalist" proposal passes. It would allow the establishment armed borders. It is to be voted on in 15 days.