Iraq War News Updates -- August 7, 2010

TOY TIME - U.S. Army Capt. Michael Barnette gives a stuffed squirrel to an Iraqi boy during a humanitarian aid drop on the outskirts of Baghdad, July 26, 2010. Troops distributed 50 bags of food, bottled water and toys to Iraqis living near Contingency Operating Station Falcon. Barnette is the chaplain for the 3rd Infantry Division's Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mary Katzenberger

U.S. Combat In Iraq: Not Over Till It's Over

Major U.S. combat operations in Iraq were first declared to have ended in March 2003, in President Bush's infamous "Mission Accomplished" address aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. Seven years and many thousands of casualties later, President Barack Obama made a similar announcement this week. But it remains to be seen whether his note of finality has any more traction than that of his predecessor.

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More News On Iraq

Basra blasts kill 20 Iraqis, wound scores -- AP
Explosions rock Basra commercial district -- CNN
Blasts in Iraq's Basra leave over 100 casualties -- Xinhuanet
Deadly 'generator' blast hits south Iraq city of Basra -- BBC
Explosions kill 16 in Basra -- The Telegraph
60 killed in triple bombing in Basra -- Press TV
Seven police among eight killed in Iraq violence -- AFP
Police and gunmen trade bullets for hours at Baghdad bomb factory leaving 5 policemen dead -- Today Online
4 Police Officers Killed in Baghdad Shootout -- Voice of America
Baghdad Hit by Multiple Bombings -- Voice of America
Al-Qaeda: cash for membership -- News24
3 killed in Baghdad heist -- CNN
Gunmen storm Baghdad money exchange, kill 3 -- AP
FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Aug 7 -- Reuters
Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq - Saturday 7 August 2010 -- McClatchy News

Saddam aide Tariq Aziz criticizes U.S. pullout plan -- Washington Times
Tariq Aziz: Obama is 'leaving Iraq to the wolves' -- AP

Obama sent a secret letter to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric -- Tehran Times
Report: Obama Asks Shi'ite Cleric to Settle Iraq's Political Crisis -- Voice of America
Obama 'asks Shiite cleric to help settle Iraq impasse' -- AFP
Report: Obama contacted Iraq's Sistani -- UPI
Obama's desperate letter to the Iraqi ayatollah -- Ranj Alaaldin, The Guardian

Iran meddling to fill void in Iraq government: poll -- AFP
Iraqi Officials: Progress Made On Coalition Deal -- Radio Free Europe
In Iraq, 'a disastrously high number of widows' -- Times Dispatch
Iraq takes delivery of American tanks -- AFP
Basra a window on Iraq's ambition and dysfunction -- L.A. Times

U.S. hands over control of Iraq combat operations -- CNN
Iraq forces take over from last U.S. combat brigade -- Reuters
Everything must go as US deadline to quit Iraq nears -- Scotsman
Exit Strategy, Meet Your Challenge: Iraq -- New York Times
U.S. exiting a bleeding country -- National Post