Iraq

(Reuters) "At least 85 people were killed on Monday by a suicide truck bomb in the volatile Iraqi city of Kirkuk, some of them trapped on a bus where they burned to death, according to a witness."

(AP) "The U.S. military's top general said Monday that the Joint Chiefs of Staff is weighing a range of possible new directions in Iraq, including, if President Bush deems it necessary, an even bigger troop buildup."

(McClatchy) "Police found 22 dead bodies throughout the capital today."

(AFP) "Top US commanders in Iraq said on Sunday they need more Iraqi troops to sustain ongoing security operations that could eventually help their own forces withdraw."

(AP) A spokesman says Maliki was simply misconstrued when he said "international forces can withdraw anytime the want." What he really meant was " Iraq's security forces would continue "side-by-side with the withdrawal." (Now that's spin!)

(McClatchy) Another round of memos telling State Dept personnel in the Green Zone that they have to wear kevlar and helmets all the time. "Remain within a hardened structure to the maximum extent possible and strictly avoid congregating outdoors. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory until further notice."

(Timesonline) Mongolia's tiny participation in Iraq becomes a moneymaker.

And, in "The Other War," (Timesonline) "Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, survived an assassination attempt yesterday after Taleban militants fired rockets at him while he was giving a speech in a district known as one of their strongholds."

(And, if I can blogwhore just a little bit, I think this post I wrote yesterday on Maliki and motivation is pretty good.)