Back Channels: Despite Iraq successes, U.S. has more to do

BAGHDAD - The city was eerily quiet on Saturday. There were no reported terrorist attacks. Zero. Earlier this year, it wasn't unusual to see several hundred a day. But on Saturday, from atop the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier - built by Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s - all seemed well. There was smoke in the distance, but that was from a refinery to the south. Perhaps the memorial's giant dome, meant to represent a traditional warrior's shield, was extending its protection over Baghdad. When you're part of a press delegation to Iraq organized by the State Department, much planning goes into showing the positive side of U.S., coalition and Iraqi efforts. But even the best PR person can't plan an attack-free day. No, that's the result of a monumental, years-long effort by hundreds of thousands of U.S.... [read full story]