Surge Stalls, Fear Builds in Baghdad
The BBC's Andrew North gives a sobering analysis of the facts on the ground in Baghdad, where frustration, desperation and fear abound among Iraqi civilians as U.S. troops struggle to contain the violence that has only grown since the surge began.The BBC’s Andrew North gives a sobering analysis of the facts on the ground in Baghdad, where frustration, desperation and fear abound among Iraqi civilians as U.S. troops struggle to contain the violence that has only grown since the surge began.
TRUTHDIG’S JOURNALISM REMAINS CLEARBBC:
As we drove into the city, we counted six blast holes left by recent roadside bombs along just one 100-metre stretch or road.
A large patch of damaged, blackened Tarmac on a bridge spoke of another attempt to destroy a key crossing.
The Sunni extremists held to be responsible for these attacks seem to be making a mockery of the US and Iraqi security plan, which is now into its third month.
So far, their surge seems to be having more effect than the American one.
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The president may not want war with Iran, but he does want to push the regime into submission and tout U.S. military dominance to his base.
Meanwhile, thousands of Iraqi anti-government protesters call on both Iran and America to leave the country.
There's no justification for Qassem Soleimani's assassination, and if we avoid another war in the Middle East, we'll have Tehran to thank.
As a candidate in 2016, he praised war crimes and expressed a desire to commit some of his own. No one can claim surprise or betrayal now.
However Iran chooses to respond to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, America's influence in the region is guaranteed to deteriorate.
Rocket falls near U.S. Embassy in Iraq hours after funeral for Qassem Soleimani at which crowd chants "Death to America, death to Israel."
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