Iraq War News Updates -- December 1, 2009

Iraqi soldiers exit a Marine CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter during joint air assault training for U.S. Army paratroopers and Iraqi troops on Camp Ramadi, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2009. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which is serving as an Advise and Assist Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael J. MacLeod

As U.S. Focus Turns To Afghanistan, Iraq Challenges Remain -- McClatchy News

KIRKUK, Iraq — While President Barack Obama prepares to announce that he's sending tens of thousands more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, his problems in Iraq are far from over.

Military casualties have plummeted and sectarian violence has ebbed in Iraq, but the country's power struggles among Sunni and Shiite Muslim Arabs and between Arabs and Kurds are unfinished. The question is whether it will turn violent again.

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More News On Iraq

Iraq monthly death toll lowest since US invasion -- AFP
Iraq reports drop in civilian deaths in November -- AP
FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 1 -- Reuters

US neglected post-war planning for Iraq, inquiry told -- BBC
Law lord: Iraq inquiry should issue interim finding that war was illegal -- The Guardian
Iraq inquiry: British attempts to improve 'dire' planning 'ignored by US' -- The Telegraph

Iraq sees alarming rise in cancers, deformed babies -- Washington Post
Oil Companies Look to the Future in Iraq -- New York Times
'Saddam channel' in Iraq goes off the air -- Middle East Online
U.S. Military Prepares To Move Out Of Iraq -- NPR
Iraq's Basra lifts ban on booze -- AP
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,367 -- AP