Another "chemical" attack in Iraq and more dangers

Short version, three times in the last month insurgents (presumably Sunni by the targeting) have blown up a truck loaded with chlorine gas. Chlorine is not explosive, but is seriously fatal if inhaled in concentration.

Thus far, the attacks have not been as effective as they could be, but if they figure it out, this could be a particularly nasty and incendiary addition to the killing.

Today's attack follows a nearly identical attack in Taji yesterday.

Also: A carbomb went off at an Iraqi police checkpoint in Najaf while it was being inspected. The nearest "target" was a Shia marketplace, but I think it's worth noting that "the explosion occurred about one-half mile from the Imam Ali mosque, one of Shiite Islam’s holiest shrines."

It is not at all unreasonable to think that was the target. Such an attack would be similar in results to the attack on the Askariyah mosque in Samarra. ("Golden Mosque of Samarra" to George Bush.)

So, we may have dodged a very big bullet here.