top news - "iraq"

A National Guardsman, Rob Ballew blogs on his second tour, 'just calling it like I see it.'

Three soldiers were killed in a rocket attack on their combat outpost south of Baghdad on Wednesday, the military announced.

A group of Iraqi tribal leaders, former politicians and intellectuals appealed Wednesday to the United Nations to take control of iraq.

The US says it has killed a number of militants in clashes in the mainly-Shia Muslim city of Kut in southern iraq.

The Bush administration is negotiating with Iraqis about the future operations of U.S. soldiers and civilians in iraq. The current agreement is set to expire at year end. Critics say any deal made without congressional consent will unnecessarily bind future administrations to a costly campaign. Steve Inskeep talks with one of the negotiators, Ambassador David Satterfield.

The commander of U.S. forces in the middle east is resigning. Adm. William Fallon's decision to step down follows an Esquire magazine article suggesting he opposes President Bush's policy on Iran. Falon has also differed with the administration by calling for more troops in Afghanistan and pulling some forces out of iraq.

Long-simmering tensions with Kurdish militant separatists led to a week-long incursion into northern iraq in February to target bases.

BRUSSELS, Mar 12 (IPS) - The European Union lacks 'clear guidelines' for use of private security firms to protect its civil servants operating in iraq, a new report has found.

Major General John Kelly says there has been a reduction in violence but violent elements are not finished yet

In related news, commander of coalition forces in western iraq says he expects al-Qaida in iraq fighters to try to return to region