Iraq, Three Years Later

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The war in Iraq has killed thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis. Three years into the occupation, US and Iraqi soldiers are waging a massive assault, making another concerted attempt to put down the continuing power of the insurgency. Meantime, the US agreement to talk with Iran has enraged Iraqi Sunnis because of Iran's alliance with Iraq's majority Shiites. Dwindling support in this country has raised new questions about America's long-term strategies and objectives. Will Operation Swarmer succeed where others have failed? Will Iran help or hinder progress toward a unified government? With American public opinion turning against the war, are permanent bases part of this country's long-term objectives? Making News: Senate Adopts Big Budget Plan, Even Bigger Debt LimitThe Republican Congress has busted the budget again, approving big spending after raising the limit on borrowing to avoid a default. Jodie Schneider, economics editor for Congressional Quarterly, has more on the most recent "horse trading" on the budget.Reporter's Notebook: Bush Picks Idaho Governor Kempthorne for Interior SecretaryInterior Secretary Gale Norton, one of President Bush's most controversial cabinet members, resigned last week, insisting it was not because her department has been tied to the Abramoff lobbying scandal. Almost immediately, the President named Idaho's Republican Governor Kirk Kempthorne to replace her, guaranteeing that controversies over land use, environmental protection and endangered species will continue. Former congressional correspondent Juliet Eilperin now covers the environment for the Washington Post.
More Online Resources for our Iraq Discussion:
  • President Bush's remarks on freedom and democracy in Iraq
  • New York Times article on Sunni dissent on US-Iran holding talks on Iraq
  • Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq by Michael Gordon and Bernard Trainor

    • President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year 2007

    Senate Concurrent Resolution on the 2007 Budget (S Con Res 83)

    Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Katrina, War on Terror (HR 4939)

    President Bush nominates Idaho Governor Dick Kemthorne as Interior Secretary

    Department of the Interior

    Endangered Species Act of 1973

    Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005 (HR 3824)

    Noah Alliance on legislation that would "weaken" the Endangered Species Act

    American Farm Bureau on Endangered Species Act

    Eilerpin's article on Idaho Governor being picked for Interior Secretary

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    Warren Olney