Iraq News Updates -- August 5, 2010

Iraqi Forces Lacking As U.S. Military Ends Mission -- Washington Times

MOSUL, Iraq | When the U.S. ends its combat mission in Iraq this month, the nation's safety will be in the hands of its homegrown, American-trained security forces. The army is almost up to the job, the police are hit-and-miss, and the Kurdish militia is nowhere close to ready.

Iraq's military chief says that without a U.S. presence, the Iraqi forces won't be able to fully fend for themselves before 2020. Anthony Cordesman, a former director of intelligence assessment in the Pentagon, agrees it will take years.

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More News On Iraq

Obama drops pledge on Iraq -- Asia Times
Violence in Iraq shadows U.S. plans to withdraw combat troops -- Kansas City
Understanding The U.S. Military's New Mission In Iraq -- NPR

FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Aug 5 -- Relief Web
Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq - Thursday 5 August, 2010 -- McClatchy
Gunmen Storm Baghdad Money Exchange, Kill 3 -- New York Times/AP
U.N. Council Calls on Iraq to Form Government Soon -- New York Times/Reuters
Tired of war, thousands of Iraqis want to go to U.S. -- MSNBC
As Iraq Drawdown Nears, a Soldier Shares Hopes and Fears -- New York Times

Analysis: Obama runs risk by withdrawing troops -- AP
Obama defends his 'good war' -- Robert Grenier, Al Jazeera
Did America win in Iraq? -- CNN
Obama Marks End of Combat Operations in Iraq. Now What? -- Newsweek
Significant Challenges in Iraq Remain Despite “End” Of U.S. Combat -- Center For A New American Security
Iraq: Requiem for a Profound Misadventure -- Joe Klein, Time Magazine

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,413 -- Washington Post