Good News in Iraq Round-Up

Iraqi Economy Continues to Surge

"Iraq's premier has formed a council of Sunni tribesmen from the town of Samarra to provide security so that the damaged Shiite shrine there can be rebuilt."

Safe Falluja…sounds of reconstruction instead of bullets whizzing

"People are no longer scared and they tell us how comfortable they feel because of our presence. Police forces now protect mosques, reconstruction projects, and residential areas."

Jihadi Shortage Leads Al Qaeda To Swell Ranks With Local Children

"Fewer of them are making it into the country, he said, and the militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq is having a difficult time recruiting adults locally. Thus, it has turned to children.

To accommodate the influx of boys, and to break the hold of the militants, a new education facility opened here Aug. 13.

The students, a quarter of whom are illiterate, study basic Arabic, English, math, geography and science in air-conditioned tent classrooms. Dubbed the House of Wisdom, the classrooms are surrounded by concrete walls topped with razor wire.

In daily civics lessons, the boys study Iraqi history and new government institutions. A team of psychiatrists will provide regular counseling. A large library will hold 4,000 volumes and already has English textbooks, computer manuals and a set of Harry Potter books translated into Arabic.

“We have quickly realized,” Stone said during an interview at the new site, “that most of these young men are victims not only of Al Qaeda [in Iraq], but also of their own illiteracy. Because they couldn’t read or write, they also couldn’t work, and unemployed young men are also angry young men, susceptible to the cunning arguments of extremists.”

Iraqi oil exceeds pre-war output

"In its latest monthly Oil Market Report, the IEA puts the Iraqi increase in production down to improved security on the main oil pipeline from Iraq's northern oilfields to the port of Ceyhan in Turkey.

In recent years this pipeline has been out of action for long periods due to sabotage attacks.

Since the summer there has been a marked downturn in all forms of violence in Iraq.

Analysts point to a number of reasons for this, ranging from the big increase or "surge" in American troop numbers in Baghdad, to Sunni militant groups turning against former al-Qaeda allies"

International Soccer "Team of the Year Award" Goes to Iraq!

"Iraq’s extraordinary journey from war-torn also-rans to continental champions with victory at the Asian Cup earned them the team award, the first time it has gone to an Asian side."

US on Track For Lowest Monthly Fatality Rate Since War Began


Getting Closer To Political Unity In Iraq

This war is over, folks. Sorry lefties, you lost.

Where will the freedom train show up next? Here? Here? Perhaps here? Or Here?