85,000 dead in IraqThe Iraqi government has released its official count of war dead since 2004, claiming more than 85,000 have died — and that doesn’t even include those who died in the 2003 US invasion.
Iraq 
Picasso painting found in Iraq…or was it?
A Picasso painting has been ‘found’ in Iraq, supposedly looted from Kuwait after Saddam Hussein’s invasion. But on closer inspection, where is the record of any missing Picasso painting?
Baghdad blasts: Who’s to blame? Us?
At least 95 are dead from coordinated bomb blasts in what is Baghdad’s bloodiest day this year. But who is behind the attacks, and how much responsibility does the US and its allies bear since withdrawing troops? Experts and journalists weigh in.
Bombs blast US into political frontlines
With Iraq headed into election season, the Baghdad bombings have pushed the issue of the US military presence in the country — and national pride — to the fore, says Ben Lando. But if Iraq can’t learn to live with the US troops, they will have to learn to live without them — fast.
A deadly warning
Whoever the the Baghdad bombers were, they have sent a clear message to the world: they are able to strike at the heart of the Iraqi Government, says Deborah Haynes. It raises serious questions about the country’s ability to hold its own on the security front.
Carnage and despair return to Iraq
The belief that the Iraqi Government had broken free from extremists has been blasted away with the bomb attacks in Baghdad.
Gays under attack in Iraq
Gays are being targeted in Iraq, with increased attacks and killings on suspected gay or even effeminate men. Human Rights Watch say Iraqi police and security forces are doing little to stop the violence.
Let’s leave Iraq NOW
With civil violence down to a manageable level and US forces ceasing to be the dominant player in Iraq, is there actually any reason for them to stay another two years, costing taxpayers $12 billion a month? Let’s leave now, says Tim McGirk.
Chilling photos from a war on terror
Peter van Agtmael worked as an embedded photojournalist in Iraq and Afghanistan. His book, 2nd Tour, Hope I Don’t Die, tells of a complex war.
VIDEO: Baghdad police prepare for withdrawal
Martin Chulov goes on a ride down the Tigris in Baghdad with a police patrol, as the Iraqi police begin to regain control of their capital.
US security contractor in Iraq linked to weapons smuggling and child prostitution
New accusations against Blackwater USA — until recently, the largest private military contractor in Iraq — and its founder Erik Prince allege their involvement in weapons smuggling, sex rings, child prostitution and promoting “Christian supremacy”.
leaked 
US Army Colonel: “declare victory and go home”
A leaked memo from a senior US military adviser in Iraq says “it’s time for the US to declare victory and go home”, arguing Iraqi forces are now capable on their own and that American forces have outstayed their welcome.
US destroys Babylon
The ruins of Babylon lay even more ruined since the US military set up camp there six years ago, according to a UNESCO report that says troops caused “major damage” to the site.
Student journos head to Iraq
Three Alaskan journalism students are heading to Iraq to become embedded journalists. Frighteningly, this means the University of Alaska is about have more journalists in Iraq than any major US paper.
Getting to know Saddam Hussein: the FBI conversations
FBI reports of interviews it conducted in 2004 with former Iraq leader Saddam Hussein have been published them today. Crikey intern Sophie Tarr picks out the best bits.
Australia’s role in Iraq must be examined
As US combat troops get set to leave Iraqi towns and cities tomorrow, it’s time for Australia to get the kind of inquiry due to take place in Britain, argues Overland editor Jeff Sparrow.
Dannatt! We should’ve gone earlier
The military chief of general staff in Britain, Sir Richard Dannatt, reckons coalition forces failed epically on Iraq policy.
What Iran can learn from Iraq
Iran’s Shiite clerics could be well served to take a page out of Iraq’s Ayatollah Ali Sistani’s book, who has shown that religion can play an influential, but background, role in a secular democracy.
Gender divide is bad for Iraqis’ health
There’s a shortage of female nurses in some areas of Iraq. And some husbands won’t let male physicians touch their pregnant wives, letting them die rather than be touched by another man.
Why Bush invaded Iraq: the war on Gog and Magog
The Rumsfeld memos are extraordinary, but there is another, perhaps more alarming, story about Bush’s Christian fundamentalism and the Iraq War that has yet to come to light.
Rumsfeld and Cheney: torture as self-justification
“He’s a ruthless little bastard. You can be sure of that.” So said Richard Nixon of Donald Rumsfeld back in 1971.
Blackwater’s murky Iraq massacre role
The private security contractor, fallen on hard times, comes under fire again — this time for allegations that it tried to cover up a massacre.
Abu Ghraib guards take the Nuremberg
With the release of the CIA torture memos, guards jailed for their treatment of inmates at Abu Ghraib prison plan to appeal on the grounds that they were “scapegoats” for the Bush Administration.
Thiessen: Torture made us safer
The interrogation tactics used on terrorism suspects made the US safer, writes a former Bush staffer.
