DECEMBER
December 24, 2008

U.S. Panel Spotlights Plight of Religious Minorities in Iraq
Although progress has been made to reconcile differences between Shia and Sunni Iraqis, other non-Muslims there are suffering "severe abuses of religious freedom," a U.S. advisory group recently reported.

Resource: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's report on Iraq (PDF)

December 18, 2008

Iraqi Officials Arrested on Baath Party Suspicions
At least 23 officials from Iraq's interior and defense ministries have been arrested on suspicion of working to reconstitute Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party.

December 17, 2008

British Troops to Withdraw From Iraq by Mid-2009
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Wednesday that British troops will withdraw from Iraq by the end of July 2009, ending a mission that that provided the second-largest military presence in the country after the U.S.

December 15, 2008

Bush's Final Iraq Visit Prompts Mixed Responses
President Bush ended his farewell trip to Iraq and Afghanistan on Monday, where he met with officials about security matters and visited U.S. troops stationed in both conflict zones. Two Middle East analysts discuss the Bush administration's legacy in Iraq.

December 11, 2008

Suicide Bombing in Kirkuk Kills at Least 55
In one of the deadliest attacks in Iraq in the past six months, a suicide bomber killed at least 55 people and wounded 120 Thursday in a crowded restaurant in Kirkuk, a city in northern Iraq.

December 8, 2008

Government Pursues Charges Against Blackwater Guards in Iraqis' Deaths
Federal charges against five Blackwater Worldwide guards were unsealed Monday in relation to a 2007 incident in Baghdad that left 14 Iraqis dead and another 20 injured. NPR reporter Dina Temple-Raston discusses the charges and the legal strategy on both sides.

NOVEMBER
November 27, 2008

Iraqi Parliament Approves U.S. Security Deal
Iraq's parliament approved Thursday a security pact with the United States that outlines the withdrawal of U.S. troops by the end of 2011 and may mark a turning point in Iraqi sovereignty. A reporter in Baghdad discusses the next steps with Judy Woodruff.

November 24, 2008

Three Bombings Kill at Least 20 in Baghdad
Three bombings struck Baghdad Monday morning in separate attacks that killed at least 20 people. The bombings came two days before a planned vote on a security pact that would allow U.S. troops to stay in the country for three more years.

November 21, 2008

Thousands Protest U.S. Security Deal in Baghdad
As Iraqi lawmakers spar over approval of a new U.S.-Iraqi security deal, scores of followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took to the streets Friday to protest the pact, chanting slogans and burning an effigy of President George W. Bush.

November 17, 2008

Iraqi Lawmakers Evaluate Long-awaited U.S. Security Deal
Iraqi lawmakers began debate Monday over a security agreement that will allow U.S. forces to remain in the country until the end of 2011. Analysts discuss the plan's details and remaining obstacles to its approval.

November 10, 2008

Military, VA Confront Rising Suicide Rates Among Troops
The Army says that suicides among active duty personnel have doubled in recent years, and multiple deployments might contribute to that increase. NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports.

November 10, 2008

Bombings in Baghdad, Baqouba Kills Dozens
Explosions in Baghdad and in the northeast city of Baqouba left dozens dead and many wounded Monday morning, the Iraqi Interior Ministry reported.

OCTOBER
October 30, 2008

Security Contractors Left Out of Iraq Status of Forces Pact
A draft Status of Forces Agreement negotiated between the U.S. and Iraqi governments gives Iraq legal jurisdiction over U.S. contractors, but questions have arisen over whether it applies to State Department contractors, such as Blackwater USA, or just Pentagon contractors.

October 22, 2008

Gates Resists Changes to Iraq Security Deal
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that Washington does not want to change a draft deal governing U.S. troops in Iraq, despite concerns raised by Iraqi politicians.

October 16, 2008

Draft Pact Says U.S. Forces Would Leave Iraq in 2011
After months of talks, Washington and Baghdad settled upon a draft security deal that would have U.S. troops leave Iraq by the end of 2011 unless Iraq asks them to stay longer.

October 2, 2008

Suicide Bombers Attack Two Baghdad Mosques
Two suicide bombers detonated explosives near two mosques in Baghdad as Shiite worshippers were celebrating the end of Ramadan, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 50, said police.

October 1, 2008

'The Forever War' Author Dexter Filkins Recounts Covering Iraq, Afghanistan Wars
New York Times war correspondent Dexter Filkins' book, "The Forever War," provides a window into his experiences covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for much of the last decade. He talks to Jeffrey Brown about reporting from the front lines.

October 1, 2008

U.S. Transfers Sunni Fighters to Iraqi Control
The U.S. military on Wednesday began transferring control of about 100,000 fighters under the Sunni Awakening Councils, who are working to defeat al-Qaida in the region, to the Iraqi government.

SEPTEMBER
September 25, 2008

After Months of Wrangling, Iraqi Government Approves Election Law
After months of deadlock and negotiations, Iraq's Parliament overwhelmingly approved a provincial elections law on Wednesday, giving a much-needed boost to the country's U.S.-supported reconciliation efforts.

September 16, 2008

With Iraq Surge Behind Him, Petraeus Takes Larger Command
Twenty months after taking charge of a new troop surge in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus passed on some hard-earned and still fragile security gains to his replacement, Gen. Ray Odierno, Tuesday. Specialists assess the challenges both generals now face in the region.

September 9, 2008

U.S. Plan on Iraq, Afghan Troop Levels Stirs Strategy Debate
President Bush said Tuesday that the U.S. would maintain Iraq troop levels until next year and increase resources for Afghanistan. Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane and Retired Brig. Gen. David McGinnis weigh the strategy.

September 9, 2008

President Bush Says 8,000 Troops to Return From Iraq by Early 2009
President Bush on Tuesday announced plans to pull out 8,000 combat and support troops from Iraq by February, a modest drawdown in U.S. forces there that would leave some 138,000 U.S. troops in the country.

September 1, 2008

U.S. Turns Over Once Violent Anbar Province to Iraqis
The U.S. military handed over control of the once-volatile Anbar province to Iraqi forces Monday, marking a milestone in U.S. plans to send troops home.

AUGUST
August 22, 2008

Iraq, U.S. Move Closer to Troop Pullout Date
Iraqi and U.S. officials came closer to a long-term security deal Thursday by agreeing to a withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011, though other sticking points remained such as immunity for U.S. troops in Iraq.

August 21, 2008

Rice: U.S., Iraq Close on Timetable Agreement
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday that timetables should be set for a U.S. troop withdrawal, but conceded that nailing down a broader pact on future relations has been difficult.

August 6, 2008

Iraq Sees Security Gains, But Political Progress Lags
The recent U.S. troop surge in Iraq helped reduce violence in the country, giving Iraqi lawmakers time to sort out long-held political and sectarian divisions. A journalist and a regional expert discuss lingering political stalemates in Iraq.

August 5, 2008

U.N. Plan Would Allow Local Elections to Proceed in Iraq
A new U.N. plan presented late Monday would allow nationwide provincial elections to go forward in most of Iraq, except in the disputed area of Kirkuk, politicians said Tuesday.

JULY
July 31, 2008

Violence Dips in Iraq, Fueling Talk of Troop Drawdowns
Defense chief Robert Gates said Thursday that security in Iraq has "improved dramatically" and that he sees "a real possibility" of future troop cuts. Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind., offer insight.

July 28, 2008

Tensions in Iraqi City of Kirkuk Raise Security Concerns
Following a lull in violence in Iraq, bombings in the cities of Baghdad and Kirkuk killed dozens and wounded hundreds Monday. Analysts examine the state of security in Iraq and discuss the roots of ethnic and political tensions in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

July 18, 2008

U.S. Marks Policy Shifts in Iraq, Iran Nuclear Talks
The Bush administration signaled policy shifts Friday by agreeing to set a "time horizon" for Iraq troop reductions and sending a top U.S. envoy to Iranian nuclear talks. Analyst Michael Rubin and columnist Trudy Rubin examine the moves.

July 18, 2008

U.S., Iraq to Set 'Time Horizon' on Troop Withdrawal
President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have agreed to seek "a general time horizon" for reducing U.S. troops in Iraq as part of a broader security agreement, the White House said Friday.

July 15, 2008

Double Suicide Bombing Kills 28 at Iraqi Army Recruitment Center
Two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of Iraqi army recruits in the country's troubled Diyala province Tuesday, killing at least 28 people according to Iraqi police and military.

July 8, 2008

In Policy Switch, Iraqis Push for U.S. Withdrawal Timetable
For the first time this week, Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki said that he expects a pending troop deal with the U.S. to include a timetable for withdrawal. Two Iraq analysts weigh the state of U.S.-Iraqi relations.

JUNE
June 30, 2008

U.S. Lacked Clear Plan for Postwar Iraq, Army Report Says
The U.S. Army released a report Monday outlining the problems that kept it from being able to stabilize Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Military experts discuss the report's findings.

Army Report: On Point II: Transition to the New Campaign (Combat Studies Institute)

June 30, 2008

Iraq Opens Oil Fields to Foreign Firms for Output Boost
The Iraqi government announced Monday it was accepting international bids for contracts to operate six of its oil fields. An economics expert discusses the prospect of Western oil companies working in Iraq.

June 24, 2008

Bomb Kills 4 Americans, 6 Iraqis in Sadr City
A bomb struck a municipal council building Tuesday in Baghdad, killing two U.S. soldiers, two U.S. government civilian employees and at least six Iraqi civilians, U.S. officials said.

June 20, 2008

Detention Centers in Iraq Move from 'Chaos' to Reform
The abuse of detainees at the hands of U.S. Soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq spurred worldwide protests, al-Qaida recruitment videos and system-wide changes at U.S.-run detention facilities in Iraq.

Slide Show : Inside an Iraqi Detention Site

Update: Report Details Alleged Abuse of Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib Detainees

June 17, 2008

More Than 50 Killed in Car Bomb Attack
A car bomb exploded in a crowded market area in a Shiite neighborhood in Baghdad on Tuesday, killing more than 50 people and wounding 75 others, officials said. It was the deadliest such attack in the Iraqi capital in months.

June 13, 2008

Iraq, U.S. Deadlocked Over Long-term Security Deal
Iraq and the United States are negotiating terms for a continued U.S. presence there once a U.N. mandate expires at the end of 2008, but quarrels over troop levels have led to an impasse. A reporter outlines the ongoing negotiations, which have become contentious.

MAY
May 22, 2008

Iraqi Forces Assert Security Control With Mixed Success
Iraqi forces entered Sadr City in Baghdad this week to help curb ongoing fighting in the Shiite stronghold. The incursion is part of a wave of offensives that Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday were helping to improve overall security. Analysts examine the state of the Iraq conflict.

May 21, 2008

Iraq Vets Recount Concerns Over Rules of Engagement
A panel of Democrats in the House of Representatives heard presentations last week from a group of veterans who say they witnessed and participated in widespread misconduct during their time in Iraq.

May 20, 2008

Iraqi Army Moves Into Sadr Militia Stronghold
About 10,000 Iraqi police and soldiers on Tuesday entered Sadr City in Baghdad -- formerly the scene of weeks of fighting between militants loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi and U.S. forces -- meeting little resistance.

APRIL
April 30, 2008

U.S. Deaths Hit Seven-Month High in Iraq
The killings of three American soldiers in separate attacks in Baghdad on Tuesday brought the monthly death toll for U.S. troops in Iraq to 47, the highest since September, the military reported.

April 29, 2008

Iraqis Seek Refuge in U.S. After Working With American Forces
Facing the threat of kidnapping, torture, and beheadings, Iraqi interpreters who have worked for U.S. forces are seeking refuge for themselves and their families in the United States. Lee Hochberg of Oregon Public Broadcasting reports on their search for safety.

April 28, 2008

Three U.S. Soldiers Killed in Baghdad Rocket Attack
Three U.S. soldiers were killed in a Baghdad rocket attack Monday, following a weekend during which U.S. forces killed 45 Shiite militia fighters during fierce battles in the Iraqi capital. New York Times reporter Michael Gordon updates the story from Baghdad.

April 23, 2008

Petraeus Tapped to Head Mideast Central Command
Defense Secretary Robert Gates nominated Wednesday Gen. David Petraeus to head the U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military experts analyze the change in role and what it means for U.S. military efforts in the region.

April 21, 2008

Iraq PM Seeks Neighbors' Diplomatic, Fiscal Help
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday urged other Arab countries to reopen their embassies in Baghdad to show support for his government as it cracks down on Shiite militias in Iraq.

April 18, 2008

Iraqi Refugees Try to Adjust to New Life
Because of continued fighting and instability, more than 4 million Iraqis have fled to other parts of Iraq or to other countries where they feel safer. Some are living in dilapidated refugee camps or trying to get by in other countries.

April 17, 2008

Bombing at Sunni Funeral Kills Dozens in Iraq
A funeral for two anti-al-Qaida Sunni tribesman in a town north of Baghdad was the target of a suicide bombing Thursday that killed at least 50 people and wounded many more, according to local police.

April 15, 2008

Deadly Car Bombs Kill Dozens in Baqouba, Ramadi
Car bombs and a suicide attacker struck Baghdad and cities to the north and west of the capital on Tuesday, killing nearly 60 people and shattering a recent lull in violence in predominantly Sunni areas while fighting rages in the country's south.

April 11, 2008

Top Al-Sadr Aide's Assassination Threatens Cease-fire
A relative and senior aide of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr was killed Friday in the holy city of Najaf. The assassination threatens to raise tensions amid a violent standoff between al-Sadr's Mahdi Army and the U.S.-backed Iraqi government.

April 10, 2008

Shorter Iraq Tours Aim to Ease Strain on Troops
President Bush supported Gen. David Petraeus' call to halt future troop drawdowns in Iraq in a speech Thursday but also announced that the Army will return to 12-month deployments to help ease the burden on troops. Military experts debate the impact on troops.

April 9, 2008

Petraeus, Crocker Offer Subdued Review of Iraq Mission
Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker continued their reports on Iraq before Congress for a second day. Kwame Holman recaps the hearings.

April 9, 2008

House Members Weigh Petraeus, Crocker Hearings on Iraq
Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., assistant to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., and chairman of the House Republican Conference, discuss the Iraq hearings.

April 8, 2008

Petraeus, Crocker Deliver Iraq Status Report to Congress
In a long-anticipated progress report on Iraq, Army Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker testified before two Senate hearings Tuesday, where they warned Congress that security gains were "fragile."

April 7, 2008

Aide Says Cleric Al-Sadr Willing to Disband Militia
An aide to Muqtada al-Sadr said Monday the Shiite cleric will consult with top religious leaders and disband his Mahdi Army if they order it. The militia has been fighting government forces in several places in Iraq.

April 1, 2008

Amid Iraq's Uneasy Calm, Maliki and Sadr Vie for Influence
Over the weekend, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his militia to stand down after days of battles with Iraqi and U.S. forces in Basra and parts of Baghdad -- a move some see as a blow to the authority of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Now, both sides are calculating what, if anything, was won or lost in the fighting.

MARCH
March 28, 2008

U.S. Forces Launch Airstrikes as Fighting Flares in Basra, Baghdad
U.S. Forces launched airstrikes Friday in Basra, joining Iraqi forces in an effort to quell Shiite militia fighting in both the southern port city and in parts of Baghdad. New York Times reporter James Glanz provides an update on the latest developments from Baghdad.

March 27, 2008

Iraqi Crackdown on Militants Continues in Basra
Iraqi security forces continued to battle Shiite militants in the port city of Basra and in the capital Baghdad on Thursday, as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to fight "until the end," despite mounting protests against his actions.

March 26, 2008

Iraqi PM Calls on Militias to Cease Fighting in Basra
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki issued an ultimatum Wednesday for Shiite militias to lay down their arms against Iraqi security forces in Basra on the second day of deadly fighting among rival factions vying for power in the oil-rich city. Experts examine what the unrest may mean for U.S. military efforts.

March 26, 2008

Five Years In, Cost of Iraq War Far Exceeds Early Estimates
In a follow-up report to a series on the cost of war, Paul Solman examines the new estimates for short- and long-term expenditures related to the ongoing conflict in Iraq -- including military recruitment, equipment and medical treatment for those injured.

Paul Solman's Past Reports:
Experts Calculate Billions in Long-term Costs of War
Soldiers, Families Paying Price of Iraq War

March 26, 2008

Iraq Leader Gives Basra Gunmen Ultimatum
As fighting continued between Iraqi security forces and Shiite militia fighters in the port city of Basra, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave an ultimatum Wednesday for gunmen to lay down their arms by week's end.

March 25, 2008

Fighting Rages for Control of Oil-Hub Basra
Iraqi police and soldiers battled Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi fighters Tuesday for control of key neighborhoods in Basra, the country's second-largest city, as the radical Shiite cleric threatened a countrywide campaign of civil revolt.

March 24, 2008

As Iraq War Pushes On, Media Coverage Shifts
As the U.S. military death toll in Iraq hit 4,000 and the war entered its fifth year, a study by the Pew Research Center found that the number of news stories about the Iraq war has fallen dramatically in the past year. Media analysts assess how the press is covering the conflict and the impact on public awareness of the war.

March 21, 2008

Provincial Powers Law Paves Way for Elections
Iraq's long-gestating Provincial Powers Act -- passed by Parliament last month and approved Wednesday by the country's three-member presidential council -- sets the stage for Iraqis to hold local elections by October.

March 19, 2008

Americans Divided Over Mission, Scope, Future in Iraq
Five years into the Iraq war, Americans remain divided over the invasion, degrees of success and failure, and how to bring the troops home. The NewsHour's Big Picture election series brought together a group of citizens to discuss the war's effect on their lives and America's place in the world.

March 19, 2008

Five years into the Iraq war, thousands of injured U.S. soldiers are travelling a long road to recovery. The Online NewsHour talked to wounded veterans about their time in the military and in Iraq:
Audio Slide Show: Spc. William Haywood
Audio Slide Show: Cpl. Jeffrey Reffner
Audio Slide Show: Sgt. Andrew Hillstrom
Audio Interview: Spc. Luke Markham

March 11, 2008

As Violence Peaks and Dips, Debate Over 'Surge' Persists
President Bush said Tuesday he believes last year's surge of 30,000 U.S. troops to Iraq -- which has been attributed with helping reduce the violence in some parts of Baghdad -- is working. Military policy experts debate the effectiveness of the surge strategy.

March 10, 2008

Suicide Bomber Kills 5 U.S. Soldiers in Baghdad
A suicide bomber killed five American soldiers on a foot patrol Monday in central Baghdad, the U.S. military said. It was the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in Iraq since Jan. 28, when five soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Mosul.

FEBRUARY
February 29, 2008

Turkey Withdraws from Iraq; 'Chemical Ali' Execution OK'd
Turkey pulled its troops out of northern Iraq on Friday, ending a major offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels that began more than a week ago.

February 22, 2008

In Iraq, Al-Sadr Extends Cease-fire Order
Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced Friday that he has extended a cease-fire order to his Shiite militia in Iraq for another six months, allowing the country more time to recover from brutal sectarian violence.

February 12, 2008

Defense Secretary Backs 'Pause' in Iraq Troop Withdrawal
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that he supports a brief pause in U.S. troop reductions once the initial pullout of five combat brigades is completed in July.

February 12, 2008

Segregated Communities in Iraq May Spell Trouble
As Iraqis who fled their homes during the war begin to return, some are finding it safer to move into areas inhabited by other members of their sect, creating segregated communities of Shia and Sunni Muslims at ever-increasing rates.

February 1, 2008

Bombings at Baghdad Markets Deadliest Attacks in Months
Two bombings killed at least 73 people and wounded scores more in separate blasts in Baghdad pet bazaars Friday, ending a relative lull in violence in the Iraqi capital. Stephen Farrell, a New York Times correspondent in Baghdad, provides an update on the story.

JANUARY
January 30, 2008

Iraq Looks to Revive Agriculture Sector
Iraq's winter rains have yet to arrive and the country's Northern provinces are suffering from a drought, Iraq's agriculture minister announced in January. The drought adds to the burden of farmers already dealing with poor soil, a lack of power and equipment, and other difficulties.

January 25, 2008

Drop in Violence in Iraq Opens Door to Local-level Talks
A subtle turning point occurred in Iraq in the fall of 2007 when security improved and violence abated to a point where grassroots reconciliation and community rebuilding efforts could take root.

January 15, 2008

Rice Praises Newly Passed Iraqi Reconciliation Law
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to Iraq Tuesday, where she applauded Iraqi officials for passing a law to allow thousands of former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party back into the government. Middle East analysts examine the political situation in Iraq.

January 11, 2008

Mixed Progress in Iraq Amid New Offensives, Possible Anbar Handover
As President Bush visited Kuwait Friday, U.S. commanders claimed success in newly launched offensives in Iraq against al-Qaida targets. The news comes as the United States aims to transfer control of the once-restive Anbar province to Iraqis. Analysts look at the developments.

January 2, 2008

Military Investigation into '05 Haditha Killings Raises Questions
The Marine Corps announced this week that two Marines would be court-martialed for their involvement in a 2005 incident in Haditha, Iraq, that saw 24 Iraqi civilians killed. A retired Army lawyer and a former Iraqi U.N. representative examine the probe of the killings.