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Iraq's military pilots once enjoyed elite status in the country's armed forces. But the Iraqi airforce hasn't really flown for 18 years. At an American airbase outside the city of Kirkuk, a young generation of pilots is learning to fly again. ()
Awaiting trial, Saddam told the FBI he feared Iran more than letting the U.S. believe he had WMDs. ()
Tom Ricks says even though troops are leaving Iraqi cities, their lives won't change much. ()
June 30, 2009 · Iraqis waved flags and honked horns as U.S. troops officially withdrew from cities and towns across the country and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki designated the day a public holiday. But in a grim reminder of violence, four U.S. soldiers were killed in combat shortly before the withdrawal was complete. ()
June 30, 2009 · Foreign companies could soon be pumping Iraqi oil for the first time in nearly 40 years. The companies are so eager for a crack at Iraq's vast oil wealth that they are willing to overlook some big negatives. But the deals currently on the table won't necessarily be highly profitable for the oil companies. ()
June 29, 2009 · U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq's cities Tuesday. But as the U.S. military steps back, it will also be losing influence in Iraq's many outstanding disputes — one of which is over northern Iraq's Kirkuk, home to many of Iraq's ethnic and religious groups, and the country's vast oil wealth. ()
June 30, 2009 · The deadline for the withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops from Iraqi cities was Tuesday. Col. Peter Mansoor (retd.) says the withdrawal is necessary, but violence will still plague Iraq for years to come. ()
June 28, 2009 · Security tightened in Baghdad on Sunday as the deadline for U.S. combat troops to leave Iraq's cities draws near. This major transition is supposed to happen by Tuesday, but with a series of deadly insurgent attacks around the country, some are wondering if Iraqi forces are up to the challenge. ()
June 24, 2009 · The explosion in Sadr City — the deadliest to strike the sprawling slum in more than two years — came just days after the U.S. military handed over to Iraqis its main base on the edge of the former Shiite militia stronghold. A security pact requires U.S. combat troops to be out of Iraqi cities by Tuesday. ()
June 27, 2009 · Scott Simon speaks with Qubad Talabani, son of Iraqi President Jilal Talabani, about the upcoming withdrawal of American troops from urban areas in Iraq. ()
June 24, 2009 · Ahead of the June 30 deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraqi cities, changes are already coming to Baghdad — including the removal of hundreds of concrete blast walls from around U.S. installations. For nearly six years, these walls strangled Baghdad's traffic arteries. ()
June 18, 2009 · The massive spending bill is aimed at ensuring the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan won't run out of money in the coming months. It also branches off to provide money for programs ranging from pandemic flu preparedness to a "cash for clunkers" initiative to encourage drivers to switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles. ()
June 15, 2009 · British Prime Minister Gordon Brown authorized a long-awaited inquiry into the Iraq war on Monday that aimed to examine mistakes made during and after the 2003 U.S-led invasion. Britain's troops ended their six-year operation in Iraq in April. The mission cost the lives of 179 service personnel and was deeply unpopular with the public. ()
June 11, 2009 · The U.S. government can keep pictures of detainee abuse secret while it asks the Supreme Court to permanently block release of the photographs on the grounds they could incite violence in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. ()
June 11, 2009 · Gen. James T. Conway said his Marine commanders are already moving equipment out of Anbar Province, where his forces have largely been concentrated. But the larger exodus will begin shortly after the Iraqi elections. Military leaders have said to beef up Marine presence in Afghanistan, they would have to draw down in Iraq. ()
The 23-year-old was born to immigrant parents from Hong Kong and grew up in Salem, N.H. In high school, he joined ROTC and began planning for a career in the military. He was trying to defuse a bomb in Iraq when it exploded and killed him.
The 43-year-old Illinois man was killed by a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan. As a guardsman, Smith served three deployments in six years. Friends and family in his hometown remember his kindness and love of aquatic life.
The Missouri resident was the captain of her high school lacrosse team and wanted to be a fighter pilot. Schulte is the first female graduate of the Air Force Academy ever to be killed by enemy action. She was killed halfway through a tour of duty in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb struck her vehicle.
Keith Springle devoted his life to helping members of the military cope with mental health issues. Despite his efforts to reach out to those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, Springle was killed in Iraq allegedly by one of the very people he was trying to help.
The 21-year-old man from Garfield Heights, Ohio, is remembered as a fun-loving kid who loved football. he died in a roadside bombing in Iraq.
The Virginia man spent the majority of his career as an intelligence analyst for the Army. He was delivering food to a village in Iraq when he was shot by a member of the Iraqi security forces.
The 22-year-old from Canton, Ohio, is remembered for the pride he took in his sometimes beleaguered inner-city high school He was killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
