Iraq war

May 12, 2009 -- The record of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein compares favorably to that of many other U.S. efforts at post-conflict reconstruction, particularly in the areas of economic development, rule of law, education, health and democratization, according to a study released today by the RAND Corporation.

However, these achievements were undermined and overshadowed by the failure of American civilian and military authorities to protect the Iraqi population from the criminals and extremists among them who pulled Iraq into civil war.    » read more »

Washington, DC, April 6, 2009 -- Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Wednesday, April 8th to welcome home the XVIII Airborne Corps back from Iraq. This is the XVIII Airborne Corps’ second deployment to Iraq since 2006. Vice President Biden will deliver remarks at the Welcome Home Ceremony.    » read more »

March 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The sister of a U.S. Army officer has pleaded guilty for her participation in a money-laundering scheme related to bribes paid for contracts awarded in support of the Iraq war, Acting Assistant Attorney General Rita M. Glavin of the Criminal Division and Acting Assistant Attorney General Scott D. Hammond of the Antitrust Division announced today.    » read more »

01/28/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Private Grant A. Cotting of Corona:

“Private Grant Cotting was a courageous soldier who dedicated his life to serving his fellow Americans and protecting our country’s freedom. His sacrifice is an inspiration to us all and his bravery will forever be remembered. Maria and I join all Californians in offering our thoughts and prayers to Grant’s family and friends as they mourn this terrible loss.”

Cotting, 19, died January 24 in Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. Cotting was assigned to the 515th Sapper Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, U.S. Army, Fort Leonard Wood, MO.    » read more »

September 24, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, requesting that he release critical information and data relating to veterans health care, disability claims and Vet Center activity. Since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, veterans have faced unique challenges as they return to their families and communities, including health-related needs as well as community readjustment concerns.    » read more »

25 September 2008 -- Iraqi police have raised the death toll from an ambush in Diyala province to 35 people, most of whom were police officers.

Gunmen ambushed the group of Iraqi policemen and anti-al-Qaida fighters on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military said Thursday a suicide bomber killed an American soldier Wednesday in Diyala.

In other news, Iraqi lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill that calls for provincial elections to be held by January 31, several months later than originally planned.

U.S. President George Bush and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the move, saying it will contribute to political reconciliation in Iraq.    » read more »

St. Paul -- 01 September 2008 -- Thousands of people rallied outside the Republican Party national convention on Monday, protesting the war in Iraq and the policies of the Bush administration. The march was mostly peaceful, but some small groups of protesters created disturbances and confronted police, and several people were arrested.

Protesters marched from the capitol building in downtown St. Paul to the arena where the Republican Party national convention opened Monday in an abbreviated session.

Young and old, and parents with children participated in the march. They carried signs with slogans such as "Say No to War," "U.S. Out of Iraq" and "Support the Troops, End the War." Police in riot gear stood watch as demonstrators made their way through the streets.    » read more »

30 August 2008 -- The U.S. military says it has released more than 11,000 Iraqis from military detention centers this year.

In a statement issued Saturday coalition forces said the prisoners who were once considered a security threat, have completed their detainment and can go on to lead productive lives.

American military spokesman Major Neal Fisher says less than one percent of those released have been detained again.

He also said at the current rate, the U.S. military expects to reach its goal of having released more than 12,000 detainees by mid-September.

Source: DoD

September 01, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Steven J. Fitzmorris, 26, of Columbia, Missouri, died on Aug. 25 of wounds suffered from enemy fire while on a dismounted patrol in Adhamiyah, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Source: DoD

September 01, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Jorge L. Feliz Nieve, 26, of Queens Village, New York, died on Aug. 28 of injuries sustained from a vehicle incident in Mosul, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DoD

September 01, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Carlo E. Alfonso, 23, of Spokane, Washington, died on Aug. 26 of injuries sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Sadr City, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 40th Engineer Battalion, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.

Source: DoD

August 29, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Michael L. Gonzalez, 20, of Spotswood, New Jersey, died Aug. 28 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered by an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 340th Military Police Company, Fort Totten, N.Y.

Source: DoD

August 29, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. David K. Cooper, 25, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, died Aug. 27 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered in Qadasiyah, Iraq, when his dismounted patrol came under small arms fire.

He was assigned to Forward Support Company, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Source: DoD

27 August 2008 -- The U.S. Defense Department says it wants to turn over security responsibility to Iraqi forces as quickly as possible, but that the timing should be based on conditions. A spokesman repeated the position Tuesday in response to a statement by Iraq's prime minister calling for a full U.S. withdrawal by 2011.

Iraqi policemen and US soldier: Iraqi policemen gather around U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ian Putansu of Camden, MN, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, as he instructs tactical maneuvers at the Hammiyat police station in Taji, Iraq, August 4, 2008.    » read more »

August 22, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - "I am glad that the Administration has finally shifted to accepting a timetable for the removal of our combat troops from Iraq. Success in Iraq depends on an Iraqi government that is reconciling its differences and taking responsibility for its future, and a timetable is the best way to press the Iraqis to do just that. I welcome the growing convergence around this pragmatic and responsible position.    » read more »