...more than two decades of war, sanctions and dictatorship. That works out to about $15 million a day.And yet Iraq's government is rife with corruption and infighting. Baghdad's streets are still cowed by near-daily deadly bombings. A...

...strategy possible. And too, while the military goals of the surge have been met, its political goals haven't. Iraq's government still is badly divided and shot through with corruption, incapable or unwilling to take advantage of the opportunity...

...Cartwright spoke to the Senate Armed Services Committee along with Adm. Mullen. Asked how the continuing chaos in Iraq's government and civilian life was affecting troops' morale, Gen. Cartwright said: "They believe in their mission...

The U.S. House launched a welcome debate this week on the Iraq war. It's too bad three days of points and counterpoints will end in a vote on a pointless resolution.

...that can be run by and secured by the Iraqi people," Young said. Any troop increase should be aimed at making Iraq's government responsible for security, Murkowski said. "Any increase to our troop levels must contain a clearly defined mission...

...Mowaffak al-Rubaie wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece, "The removal of foreign troops will legitimize Iraq's government in the eyes of its people." Then a draft of a 28-point reconciliation plan developed by the Iraqi government...

...start pulling out. Sound off on the important issues at Gen. John Abizaid instead urged quick action to strengthen Iraq's government, predicting that the vicious sectarian violence in Baghdad would surge out of control within four to six months...