IRAQ: Iraq's Reprieve

IRAQ, BAGHDAD - JUNE 28: Lt. Aaron Hall (27), Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 6th Armoured, 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, of Canton, North Carolina, keeps a lookout during a patrol in the suburb of Sadiyah, June 28, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq. Neighbourhoods like Sadiyah became a battleground for Shiite militias and Sunni extremists after the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra in 2006. Tens of thousands of people were either forced out of their homes or fled the violence to neigbouring...
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IRAQ, BAGHDAD - JUNE 28: Lt. Aaron Hall (27), Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 6th Armoured, 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, of Canton, North Carolina, keeps a lookout during a patrol in the suburb of Sadiyah, June 28, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq. Neighbourhoods like Sadiyah became a battleground for Shiite militias and Sunni extremists after the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra in 2006. Tens of thousands of people were either forced out of their homes or fled the violence to neigbouring countries or other parts of Iraq. Now predominantly Shiite, Sadiyah is being used as a test case by the Iraqi government to encourage the millions who have fled - many of which have the skills and money to rebuild the country. Since early 2008, Iraq's security situation has improved with oil production is increasing, record government surplus and easing sectarian tensions.
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