Maggie+Bailey

Maggie Bailey

__**Week of Monday, June 20th **__

**International** **Libya calls to avenge NATO strike that went awry** NATO warplanes struck a neighborhood in Tripoli, Libya and killed nine civilians. This incident provided Moammar Gadhafi’s supporters with another reason to oppose international intervention in Libya’s civil war. Libya’s foreign minister Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi claimed that it was a deliberate attack by the NATO and encouraged all Muslims to “initiate a global jihad against the oppressive, criminal West and never to allow such criminal organizations as NATO to decide the future of other independent and sovereign nations.” Together, France, Britain and the United States initiated the first strikes on Gadhafi’s forces under a United Nations resolution in order to protect civilians on March 19. On March 31, NATO grasped control of the air over Libya. I agree that the United States shouldn’t try to decide the future of other nations, but describing the West as “oppressive and criminal” shows that Libya’s government officials aren’t open to any outside help. If they are going to strongly resist help, then we should not give it to them, for it appears to be a waste of American money.

"Libya Calls to Avenge NATO Strike That Went Awry." //USA Today// 20 June 2011. Print.

**National** **Tide of war is receding** President Obama has begun to end the United States’ ten year war in Afghanistan. Although having been successful against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, there is no promise that Afghanistan has become and will remain a stable nation. Obama has ordered 10,000 troops back to America by the end of this year and another 23,000 more by the end of summer of 2012. By 2014, all 99,000 troops will be out of Afghanistan. Overall, the war has cost the nation $444 billion and taken the lives of over 1,500 troops. Some 33,000 troops will return home just as voters head back to the polls to determine whether or not Obama will win a second term. On a personal level, I do not think that any country will ever have a flawless government system or be free of rebels. America can’t try and stabilize the Afghanistan government forever. It is draining our country of money that could be used to create new jobs.

Hall, Mimi, and Tom V. Brook. "'Tide of War Is Receding." //USA Today// 23 June 2011. Print.

**Economic** **Initial Jobless Claims Tick Up** The increasing unemployment rate is helping to show that the U.S economy is sputtering in growth. Many economists have stated that more jobs are being added than are being dismissed. Although more employers are letting workers go, the weekly rise has shown slow hiring. Recently, most have lost jobs that are for the state or local government, or even for places that depend on government funding. Layoffs are also increasing in the health-care and social assistance areas. It seems to me that the lack of employment is due to cut backs by the government. I think that we should bring our factories back from foreign countries which would supply more jobs in the U.S. America needs to rely more on our own country then on others for products.

Dougherty, Conor. "Initial Jobless Claims Tick Up." //Wall Street Journal// 24 June 2011. Print.

__**Week of Monday, June 27th** __

**National** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Blagojevich found guilty of corruption; ex governor convicted on 17 counts** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rod Blagojevich is a former governor for Chicago, Illinois who was convicted of seventeen felonies on Monday, June 27th. His jury of eleven women and one man found him guilty for soliciting bribes. Blagojevich attempted to proclaim his innocence while hosting a radio show and appearing on Donald Trump’s //Celebrity Apprentice//. He was both a politician and a celebrity, thanks to the media. I think it is good that he was found guilty of corruption because it sends a message to all politicians who believe that they are “above the law.” Politicians’ are more involved and aware of the law than many citizens, thus they should be the last people not abiding by them.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Keen, Judy. "Blagojevich Found Guilty of Corruption." //USA Today// 28 June 2011. Print.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Russia Convicts Former Spy Official For Exposing Agents in U.S Ring** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Alexander Poteyev of Moscow was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison for high treason. He betrayed ten undercover spies that were eventually arrested and deported from the United States. Poteyev had been working for the United States as an agent since 1999. He informed Americans of the spies’ ways of obtaining money and their communication channels. Before the ten spies were arrested in America, Poteyev left Moscow, fleeing to the USA. The exposed spies, remaining in Russia, have been praised as heroes. Although we are thankful for Poteyev’s help, he does deserve jail time. He embarrassed his country and endangered his fellow citizens, something that is frowned upon in America.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">White, Gregory L. "Russia Convicts Former Spy Official For Exposing Agents in U.S Ring." //Wall Street Journal// 28 June 2011. Print.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Capital Rules Tighten for Big Banks** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The world’s biggest banks will now be required to hold between 1% and 2.5% of extra capital for “financial padding.” This will supposedly make the global banking system less prone to crisis. This agreement, known as The Basel deal, will hopefully turn bankers away from thoughtless risk taking. It will also make sure that large banks can handle losses without damaging the global banking system. In America, banks that will need to add a layer of financial padding will most likely include Bank of America, AG, UBS and HSBC. The banks may be backing up loans, but I believe that the new regulations are so strong that banks will be discouraged from lending money.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Enrich, David, and Victoria McGrane. "Capital Rules Tighten for Big Banks." //Wall Street Journal// 27 June 2011. Print.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, July 4th** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Pakistan Won’t Let Bin Ladens Depart** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Pakistan army has been pressured to set up a commission to investigate incidents. Recently created, an independent committee in Pakistan is preventing Osama bin Laden’s family from leaving the country. Currently, his three widows and six of his nineteen children are remaining on Pakistani soil, causing an “embarrassment for the military.” This Pakistani committee is focusing on how their military was not able to “detect presence of U.S forces on its soil.” They are also attempting to understand how the “world’s most wanted terrorist” was able to take cover in a high security zone. The fact that U.S forces were on Pakistani soil without being detected shows to me that our forces are highly trained.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Hussain, Zahid. "Pakistan Won’t Let Bin Ladens Depart." //Wall Street Journal// 7 July 2011. Print.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**National** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Obama Takes Twitter Queries** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Barack Obama created a White House “Twitter town hall” and with this he became the first present to ever make a 140-character tweet. For over an hour, the president answered questions asked by the general public through Twitter. Through his answers we learned that he believed more jobs were still needed and he also advertised his ideas for new tax breaks and infrastructure investment. Tweets included popular topics like diabetes, marijuana legalization and the fact that Obama himself had “failed to create jobs.” He was also asked if he himself would raise the nation’s legal borrowing limit (because he has the authority) as opposed to waiting for Congress to resolve their stalemate. Obama “sidestepped” the user’s question by posting that Congress should act. I think that it is good our President is in touch with technology and uses it to communicate with the public. It is another way for the public to get their opinions across to him, which is necessary.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Meckler, Laura. "Obama Takes Twitter Queries." //Wall Street Journal// 4 July 2011. Print.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**A ‘Yes’ In Say On Pay** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shareholders now have a “say on pay” over executive compensation. Currently, there are 39 companies (out of 2,532) that have shareholders that reject executive pay plans. The shareholders’ votes over these pay plans are non-binding. Because of this, companies are not required to make any changes, even if their shareholders say so. Some shareholders have turned their failed votes into lawsuits. The vote rejection has become crystal clear evidence of neglected modest pay packages. Personally, I do not think it makes sense for executives to be making millions when their companies have to lay off workers. The executives should lower their own salaries and maintain their employees.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Holzer, Jessica. "A 'Yes' In Say On Pay." //Wall Street Journal// 8 July 2011. Print.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, July 11th** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**3 Mumbai bombings minutes apart kill 21, wound 141** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mumbai, India just recently experienced their worst terrorist attack in the entire country since a prior 2008 attack. Bombings came through Mumbai only months after India and Pakistan began peace discussions again. The blasts of the bombs were closely timed which leads the minister to think it was a coordinated terrorist attack. The American people claim that they will “stand with the Indian people in times of trial and offer support.” India will not “cow down.” Since the 2008 attacks on India, Pakistan and India have had only one talk on Kashmir. Two of their three wars have been over the region of Kashmir. I think that these countries should form some type of agreement as soon as possibly. They could split the Kashmir region.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Shah, Rajesh, and Muneeza Naqvi. "3 Mumbai Bombings Minutes Apart Kill 21, Wound 141." //Richmond Times-Dispatch// 14 July 2011. Print.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**National** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**NRC may tighten nuclear safety** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because of a 90-day assessment at a nuclear plant in Japan, additional nuclear safety recommendations are being considered. Nuclear power companies would be required to evaluate flood and earthquake dangers every ten years. Also, there would be wider disaster training for harsh accidents. In addition, there would be more complex and advanced plans and equipment to handle a 72-hour loss of reactor cooling power. These proposed rules will not be put into immediate action because many of them need input from the general public and involve federal law making. I think that increasing nuclear safety is a great idea. It shows that we are learning from other countries’ disasters and taking precautions so that America will not have to undergo the same things.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic**

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, July 18th** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Norway gunman fired for 1.5 hours** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><range type="comment" id="411462">In Oslo, Norway there was an island massacre where 82 people are said to have died. The victims waited long for help because police were very slow to the scene; their helicopter was not available. This massacre aimed at a government building. Anders Behring Breivik has been charged under Norway’s terror law. Not much has been discovered about him but he had ties to a political party and was involved with Christian fundamentalist websites. Police found 9,000 to 11,000 pounds of fertilizer at his farm, which he had bought earlier in the day. When he purchased the six metric tons of fertilizer, the store suspiciously alerted the police, knowing it is used in homemade bombs. The police should have better responded to this tragic situation but being a country that “prides themselves on the openness of their society,” it is understandable how they were not sure how to respond to the situation.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**National** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Clock is ticking on debt deal** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Leaders in Washington D.C have yet to reach an agreement on the debt deal. Republicans continue to encourage spending cuts. As the August 2nd deadline approaches, there is a growing fear that stock values will plunge. Investors are no longer able to feel confident about our economy. The men and women in congress are not doing their jobs well. Their inability to agree with one another is showing a lack of leadership and both parties seem to have a mind frame of “my way or the highway.”

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic**

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, July 25th** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Japan Snaps Back With Less Power** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After the tsunami on March 11th in Japan, many were in doubt that such a massive country would be able to get by after having lost a fifth of its power supply. With 54 active nuclear reactors before the quake, only 16 remain running. The country as a whole desires to be nuclear power free in less than nine months. Although Japan will soon have a transformed energy policy, leaders from the United States and France “plan to keep their reactors running.” Saving electricity has become a national priority for Japan. The conservation efforts have proven difficult to larger companies and are even mandatory for some. Many have reduced their power usage by 35%, helping their country to snap right back.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Markets Swoon on Debt Fear** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lawmakers’ inability to reach an agreement on the debt ceiling is causing the stock market to react. Today has been the fourth straight day in a row that the stock market has dropped, and it is only expected to grow worse throughout the week. Investors are not optimistic, so they are taking their money out of the stock market, preferring to have cash. As long as those in Washington remain deadlocked, the market is likely to further decline.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cheng, Jonathan. "Markets Swoon on Debt Fear." //Wall Street Journal//. 27 July 2011. Web. 27 July 2011. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904888304576472580028486102.html>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**National** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Gridlock for Debt Talks** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An agreement on how much to raise the debt limit has still not been reached. John Boehner, a republican, representing the House planned to cut the deficit budget and raise the debt ceiling. Senate leader Harry Reid, who is a democrat, has been creating a plan of his own for spending cuts and an increase in the debt limit. If there is no increase in the debt limit, the government will struggle with paying financial obligations including the military and social security. It does not seem like the House and Senate are communicating enough, causing an agreement to take even longer.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lee, Carol E. "Gridlock for Debt Talks." //Wall Street Journal//. 24 July 2011. Web. 25 July 2011. <http://europe.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903591104576466121576263998.html>.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, August 1st** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economy struggles for footing** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">America’s economy barely grew during the first of 2011 and because of this, economists are rethinking the odds of the economy returning to recession. So far, the stocks that have dropped the lowest have been the companies that do exceptionally well during economic expansions. Market strategists claim that “sales are what keep the market moving higher.” But sales are remaining low, and this is because people are spending their money more carefully in order to erase their debts. As consumers are eager for companies to hire them, companies are not doing so until consumers start to spend. I think that this “tough cycle” will be very hard to break. Companies should make the first move and higher consumers. The companies should stop putting money into making tons of new products until the employment rate is steadily rising, so then consumers will have money to spend.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**National** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A man named Dave McDonald was arrested in California under the suspicions of handling the drug commonly known as crystal meth. Many of his charges have now been dropped, but he is still being charged with the intent to distribute drug-related chemicals. McDonald was put into jail for 99 days and having been a vegetarian for 42 years, he was denied vegetarian meals. He did not say that he was a vegetarian for religious reasons, so the county jail was not required to comply (legally). McDonald lost around 50 pounds and the staff did nothing about it. I think this case is a poor reflection of prisons throughout America. Jail systems need to offer meals that correspond with either all religious, medical, and animal beliefs or none at all.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">James, Scott. "Jail Time Yields a Clash on Vegetarian Meals." //New York Times//. 5 Aug. 2011. Web. 5 Aug. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/us/05bcjames.html>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International**

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, August 8th** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The current flakey, somewhat unstable government of the United States is greatly helping to our market's downfall. The market troubles are due to the current weak economy and/or a "dysfunctional government." Throughout the past ten years or so, markets have come to rely soley on government aid. While some money managers are instructing investors and clients that there will be even more declines, others are claiming that the "worst is over." Government officials state that placing more money into the economic system is not doing much to help. Investors in America need reassurance that the economy is "resilient enough" to increase stock value without receiving aid.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Browning, E.S. "Markets Fear Gridlock Without Aid." //The Wall Street Journal// 08 Aug. 2011, Money & Investing sec.: C1-C3. Print.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**National** Recently, retail stores throughout America have offered an alternate version to a printed, paper receipt - a digital receipt sent to the consumer via email. This idea was brought up by Apple in 2005, and since then companies have imitated it. Whole Foods, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Gap, Old Navy and Sears are just some stores that have begun to use this method. These receipts will help consumers all over keep track of their records, especially during tax season. They will always have access to most of their purchases. Others admire this method because they view the standard print-out receipts as a waste of paper. Data shows that this new, environmentally friendly way appeals to majority of shoppers. I think that it's great. Not only are the old receipts waste of paper, they are often lost, causing consumers stress and annoyance when they aren't able to return products. This could help company-consumer relationships, which could somehow benefit the economy in a positive manner.

Clifford, Stephanie. "Shopper Receipts Join Paperless Age." //New York Times//. 7 Aug. 2011. Web. 9 Aug. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/08/technology/digital-receipts-at-stores-gain-in-popularity.html>.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, August 15th** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic** During August in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, manufacturing has dropped a noteworthy amount. Also, economists have recently studied data that shows signs of inflation in our economy. These two factors have only decreased hopes for a revived economy. This month's downfall in factory production greatly contrasts that of retail and industrial sales. All of this data is not enough to send us back into a recession and economists say that the economy is still on the road to recovery.

"US Manufacturing Gauge Drops to 2-1/2 Year Low." //Reuters UK//. 18 Aug. 2011. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. <http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/18/uk-usa-economy-idUKTRE77H4B120110818>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**International** In addition to the recent dozen, twenty two more fake Apple stores have been discovered throughout China. Apple has accused them of abusing their trademark. Apple China is also arguing unfair competition. The staff in these stores are said to have been believing they were truly working for Apple. After all of this, the United States Trade Representative's Office has listed China as one of the worst countries for preventing trademark theft. It is definitely wrong to sell something using another companies' trademarks. Patents and laws need to be enforced in all countries.

"22 Fake Apple Stores Newly Discovered in Kunming, China: More to Come?" //New York IBTimes.com - Local News, Politics, Business, Entertainment, Sports, Offbeat News//. 15 Aug. 2011. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. <http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/198017/20110815/fake-apple-store-china-investigation-iphone.htm>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**National** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For majority of the summer, President Obama has spent his time in the White House. On August 8th, he set out on a bus tour through the Midwest. He told audiences all over that he had a “very specific plan to boost the economy” for Congress after their recess. He encouraged citizens to tell their officials that they won’t tolerate the gridlock any longer. Obama also told of his future plans involving alternate fuels, windmills and expanding networks. He “pleaded for patience.” I think it’s great that he is getting out of the White House and discussing ideas with new independent voters. He has to make some time for campaigning opportunities if he wants to be re-elected, I understand that. It seems to me that he is always talking about new ideas but not doing much with them. I feel like he needs to learn to get more stuff done in a small amount of time.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Lander, Mark. "Obama Tries to Reclaim Momentum With Midwest Bus Tour." //New York Times//. 15 Aug. 2011. Web. 18 Aug. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/us/politics/16obama.html>.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Week of Monday, August 22nd** __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Economic** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Consumers’ spending their money drives over half of the economy. Because they have not earned as much, they have not been able to spend as much, still causing pain for America’s economy. Interest rates remain low. The people who have retired are not making as much money because their retirement funds have not done well due to the low interest rates. Low interest rates seem to be a positive for borrowing money but a negative for making money. To me, the unemployment factor is much more important about these rates. If you do not have a job, then you are in no position to borrow money, have a mortgage or pay back any borrowings or have funds to invest to make money. Therefore it seems to me that unemployment in America is a priority for our economy.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Low Rates Squeeze Savers and May Hold Back Economy." //The Associated Press//. 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 25 Aug. 2011. <http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2VwXBYsAv1XbcOxvFqitnFaFn1w?docId=c0efdf4ed73145528b10ef238006668f>.

In Birmingham, Alabama, a federal judge temporarily prohibited a law regarding illegal immigration. The judge claimed that she was in need of more time to decide if the law is constitutional or not. Both Republicans and opponents supported her decision in taking more time. Many people compare it to Jim Crow laws. Laws very similar to this one are active in states such as Georgia, Utah, Indiana and Arizona. This law on immigration would "require schools to verify the citizenship status of students, but it wouldn't prevent illegal immigrants from attending public schools." Also, it would become a crime to knowingly help out an illegal immigrant with a ride or place to stay. Police would also be able to jail people who they think are immigrants during traffic stops. GOP leaders are very happy that this law is being thought over while the Obama administration claim that the law conflicts with a federal law on illegal immigration. Personally, I think it's great that the judge is allowing herself so much time to think over a law. Americans should take their constitutional rights very seriously and any law that contrasts with them should not be allowed.
 * National**

"Federal Judge Blocks Ala. Illegal Immigration Law." //The Associated Press//. 28 Aug. 2011. Web. 29 Aug. 2011. <http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jvcmCKyaNQpVGA0xNkb3kJBZnUoQ?docId=fb367c79a6e14243a2d3f90a176bfccc>.

On Sunday, 28 people were killed at one of the largest Sunni mosques in Baghdad. This incident has instilled fear in many all over the world. An increase in suicide bombings shows a weak security system among the Iraqis, something that American troops have worked hard to create. The man who bombed this mosque disguised himself as a beggar and was sympathetically let in, claiming to have been injured. Since 2003, this mosque has been the center for the Sunni Endowment of Iraq. On the same Sunday in Iraq, there has said to be around 13 other violent acts. If people do not believe what Al Qaeda believes in, then the Al Qaeda are willing to kill to prove their point. I think that these people need to be brought to justice. No one is able to live in peace over there. It's sad that America has put so much time and effort into helping but they still have such problems with violence and terror.
 * International**

Schmidt, Michael S. "28 Are Killed in Bombing at a Mosque in Baghdad." //New York Times//. 28 Aug. 2011. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/29/world/middleeast/29iraq.html>.