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Do most Iraqis now have dependable electricity, food, telephone, clean water, and personal safety?  Are the people better off than under Saddam Hussein?  How are reconstruction projects progressing?
(Also see "Why are Americans and Iraqis being killed?" FAQ and "Post-Election Violence (2005)" and "Good News" and "Deaths")

Also see "The Human Cost of War" on Death descrepencies and refugees

A new site in 2007 is "HometownBaghdad.com" with clips of how the war has effected regularly Iraqis, from teenagers to medical students.

Night Draws Near is Anthony Shadid's book about ordinary Iraqis. The Washington Post journalists subtitle is "Iraq's People in the Shadow of America's War"

This FAQ includes controversial questions.  With the brutal dictator gone, it seems hard to argue that Iraqis are worse off.  But into November 2003, there was less security and more unemployment than before the war.  Can the U.S. win the "hearts and minds" of the Iraqi people as they were unable to do in Vietnam?  Will more Iraqi start providing clues on guerillas attacks?  Polls in 2003 conflict as to whether the majority of Iraqis want the U.S. there any longer. For death comparisons during Saddam'r reign and since, see "Deaths" FAQ.

There were horrible shortages during and after the major combat of the war.  Even into the second week of July, 2004, U.S. officials said that water and electricity were still below pre-war levels, partly due to post-war looting by Iraqis. Iraqis are impatient. The top complaints from Iraqis, in July, seemed to be security, electricity, and jobs. Chaos and poor planning led to resentment among. In a Pentagon study released in mid-July, the top two concerns were safety and jobs.  In the fall of 2004 unemployment continued to be 60%.  The U.S. decided to put less money and emphasis on reconstruction and more on security. 

An interesting graphic on electricity and other measures of "Are the Iraqi people better off?" is on the BBC site. 

General Jay Garner, in charge of Iraq before Paul Bremer came to the scene, wanted to hire the head of the post-war study completed by the State Department.  He was refused and the study was ignored as the Pentagon took over. (Source: Gen. Robert Gard)

We learned in October that a State Department study before the war warned of post-war complications.  The report, it now appears, was not taken seriously by the Pentagon. Also see "Inevitable" FAQ section.

Back in 1991, our Secretary of Defense warned about occupying Iraq as the Persian Gulf War was concluding.  A few months after the 1991 war he said, "How long would we have had to stay in Baghdad to keep that government in place?  What would happen to the government once US forces withdrew?  How many casualties should the US accept in that effort to try to create clarity and stability in a situation that is inherently unstable?...it would have been a mistake for us to get bogged down in the quagmire inside Iraq."  That Secretary of Defense of Dick Cheney.

In early July 2003, polls showed that 53% of Americans felt that reconstruction of Iraq was not going well.

Oil production is key to Iraq's recovery, but in mid-July 2003 production was only about 1/8 of the level before the war.

A poll/survey from Iraq, reported in the December 28 Chicago Tribune, told us that "People are more concerned with their own problems [such as] electricity and fuel than about Hussein's capture, despite everything he represented," according to a Baghdad University professor and adviser to the polling agency.

In December 2003 we learned more about oil prices and shortages.  The New York Times front page story "High Payments to Halliburton For Fuel in Iraq" discusses the fact that Halliburton is charging the U.S. $2.64/gallon to import gas from Kuwait to Iraq, "more than twice what others are paying" for the same fuel.  The fuel is sold in Iraq for as little as $.05/gallon.  Striking Turkish truckers and more cars on the road are allegedly important causes for the unprecedented day-long gas lines in Iraq.  The administration downplays the effects of sabotage, which continued along pipe lines into late 2003. For much more on Halliburton, see "Troops" FAQ.

Chalabi become the temporary Minister of Oil, but continued on with the post through at least the summer of 2005. Chalabi was discredited in many ways before the war and in its first few months. He was convicted of bank fraud in absentia in Jordan.

Oil in 2005 continued to be a big story.  At the end of December oil prices tripled and diesel prices went up nine fold.  This was at attempt to eliminate subsidies, as required by the IMF to forgive Iraq's debt. The oil minister, who complained about the drastic price increases, was replaced by Chalabi.  Gas lines which had been 20 minutes increased to two hours or more.  

Earlier in the year, there were frequent stories of Iraqis sleeping in their cars all night to keep a place in line.  Iraq is not exporting any fuel, legally, but in fact is importing fuel.  The largest refinery was closed in December 2005 amid threats from insurgents.  Drivers refused to pick up fuel.  The refinery opened a few days later.

The oil story of December 2006 was of large revenues, but inability to actually spend it on roads or schools or repairs. This inability is due to beurocracy and confusing anticorrption measures put in place by the US.

For more on oil, see below.

Back in mid-January 2004 Iraqi police killed Iraqi civilians in Amara, as the stone-throwing protests were angry over a lack of jobs.  6 were killed and 11 wounded. (NYTimes, 1/11/04). In June unemployment was still at 25%.

Violence against Iraqi civilians and police by U.S. forces continued into 2004.  The New York Times reported (1/11) that American forces killed two Iraqi police officers. Also see "Why are Americans and Iraqis Being Killed".

In late May over 40 Iraqi civilians were killed in an air attack by the U.S. in western Iraq near the Syrian border. Women and 14 children were reported among the killed, but U.S. spokesman said they found no dead children "less than a handful of women" and mostly "military-age men...let's not be naive."  The U.S. military calls them insurgents at a safe house were arms were found, thus a legitimate military target.  They say the U.S. came under fire at 3 a.m. in a remote area. However, Iraqis say a wedding party was bombed and shot after they shot guns in the air during a normal celebration.  Said one angry Iraqi, "Is this the democracy and freedom that Bush has brought us?"  The Guardian  provided an eye-witness report. A Health Ministry official counted 14 dead children and 11 women at the hospital.  It shouldn't be too difficult to determine the truth. Also see "Deaths" FAQ section. 

"Army probes reports of GIs stealing from Iraqis" was the Chicago Tribune story on May 31. At least two dozen cases were being investigated of assault and stealing of money and jewelry during raids.  Some cash was allegedly taken at roadside checkpoints, according to the paper, "under the pretext of confiscating money from suspect insurgents or their financial backers.  Six cases are being investigated of kicking, punching, or beating civilians or firing their weapon to intimidate.  Some military officials feel the number of cases is underestimated because "many Iraqis are too frightened to file a formal complains.  Also see  prison torture details and analysis.

In June 2004 and beyond,  optimists hoped the June 30 2004 turn over of power would provide benefit to the Iraqis and lead to less violence. However, bombings continued, with many more Iraqis being killed than Americans.  For instance, in late July a number of Christian churches were bombed.  In July 700 civilians were killed in Baghdad alone.

This violence continued into the fall, as the Washington Post reported on 80 civilians being killed in one day.  U.S. bombings in Fallujah also killed women and children, as reported in mid-September. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15899-2004Sep12.html

Bremer also criticized the administration for not following his recommendation to add troops during the early stages of the insurgency. Bremer feels that Powell reasons that the request was denied due to the politics of the coming 2004 election and concerns about using too many National Guard.

Bremer's 14 month duty (see many more details on early reconstruction) was deemed in the New York Times as "the most powerful foreign post held by any American since Gen. Douglas MacCarthur in Japan.  He is often seen as the scapegoat for early post-war problems and is willing to admit that he made some mistakes, in his Times op-ed of Jan. 13.  The Jan. 12, 2006 review continued, "The insurgency [in 2003] had blossomed, violence and casualties were on the rise, and hopes for a quickly stabilized, democratic Iraq were fading.  Mr. Bremer was blamed for:
1.   allowing the security situation to deteriorate" and particularly for disbanding the army, leaving them with no job and no salary. 
2.  Bremer is also criticized for banning former Baath party members from returning to their jobs, "thereby depriving the occupation of experienced Iraqi administrators." He defends in three ways.  First, by allowing the Iraqis to see that Saddam's people are gone, second, by blaming Chalabi for taking the policy too far, and third by saying Rumsfeld supported the decision, the brainchild of Douglas Feith. 
3.  Thirdly, he dismissed the State Department "Future of Iraq" plan for reconstruction. The book "points up the huge gap between the reality on the ground...and the wishful thinking and bad intelligence that informed administration hawk's thinking."  He saw misplaced priorities as finding WMD and getting the "deck of cards" rather they focusing on "the guys who are...killing our soldiers."

Bremer also admits focusing on large-scale reconstruction instead of meeting the daily needs of Iraqis.  

Bremer tells in the book how he said to Rice in May 2004, The US has become" the worst of all things--an ineffective occupier."

Another measure of progress is oil production, used as exports to provide income and used locally to provide such necessities as electricity. After another attack on oil lines, the costs of the attacks was estimated to have reached two billion dollars. Ironically for a country with so much gas, long gas lines continued throughout 2005, some hours or longer.  Some car owners slept overnight in line in their cars.

Oil prices were kept artificially low with subsidies.  After the December 15, 2005 elections, they were raised nearly 8 fold, from just 5 cents/gallon (cheaper than water) to 38 cents/gallon.  Since 1/4 of Iraqis live on less than $1/day, this is a huge increase.  IMF loans are contingent on easy subsidies.  

Iraqis have too little oil production and too much depleted uranium, used by US forces.  Also see Pre-War FAQ on the effects of DU.  Reports in 2006 are have radiation levels in Baghdad of 1000-2000 normal levels.  What will the long-term cancer rates be?  What birth defects will occur?  

Back when Saddam came to power in 1979, Iraq had no long-term foreign debt.  This changed after wars with Iran, Kuwait/US/allies, and the sanctions of the '90s.

With continued violence in to 2006, Iraqis were only allowed to drive every other day, based on their license plates. 

Gas and electricity are overlapping concerns.  Due to the lack of electricity, many Iraqis need gasoline to fuel their generators. 

For more on oil, see pre-war FAQ on Oil. 

In October the Institute for Policy Studies report details what they term "A Failed Transition" for Americans and Iraqis.
http://www.ips-dc.org/iraq/failed transition/index.htm

A new study from the University of Maryland concluded that probably at least 100,000 Iraqis have been killed in 18 months of war.  The study was released in late October.  Some feel the number is inflated, such as Human Rights Watch, but others feel it is accurate. Previous estimates put the Iraqi death toll at about 15,000, though the Pentagon does not keep track of these figures. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A7967-2004Oct28?language=printer

Also see "Deaths" FAQ section.

The front-page Chicago Tribune  reported that "energy woes darken upcoming Iraq vote." It opened cleverly, "If Iraq's upcoming vote is about delivering power to the people, average Iraqis can only hope elections work better than the nation's energy system." Output is down 20% from before the war despite "More than $500 million in investment by the US.  The average Baghdad resident for most of January has been getting about one hour followed by 10 hours of blackout."

As 2004 came to a close, the lack of electricity was still a major concern for many Iraqis. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A23297-2004Dec23?language=printer
The New York Times ran an op-ed art chart every few months called "The State of Iraq:  An Update."  The introduction to the chart read in part, "Iraqi remains, however [despite hope for Constitution] a country with a high unemployment, mediocre public services and some of the highest crime rates in the world" (probably worse that Hussein years).  The insurgency was weakened, but only somewhat, by the battle of Fallujah in November and the elections.  So far this month [February 2005] levels of insurgency actively...have decline 20% to 50% from peak levels last fall.  But the rates are, in general, still higher than they were in 2003 or the early moths of 2004, despite the fact that coalition forces are been arresting or killing about 2000 enemy fights a month."  The "op-art" concludes, "Iraqis remain divided in their views toward the US.  Many are grateful that the America-led coalition overthrew Saddam Hussein but resentful about much that has happened since...While there is no overwhelming pressure for an immediate withdrawal of coalition forces from the public or major politic leaders survey suggest that at the Iraqis are eager to begin discussing  a responsible exit strategy."

Some of "The State of Iraq" charts show trends in four stages from July 2003 to May 2005. Among the authors are Michael O'Hanlon and others at the Brookings Institution.  Among some interesting ones:

Unemployment in early 2006 was estimated at between 40% and 70%. Estimates in December were of 40%.

New reports in Feb. 2005 reminded us that of the $18 billion in reconstruction authorized by Congress, only $3 billion has been spent. Some of these billions were authorized in late 2003.  We learned in early 2006 that of the $18.4 billion allocated to reconstruction, half has gone for other purposes, and corruption has been rampant. Some US contractors earn $1000/day. Water and electricity, The Chicago Tribune reports, are the two major deficiencies.  In fact, half Iraqis say they have seen no evidence of reconstruction.  This hurts our image.

After the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections, insurgents continued to wage precise attacks on fuel supplies in often successful attempts to "disrupt Baghdad's supplies of crude oil, gasoline, heating oil, water and electricity." They attacks are increasing coordinated and sophisticated, according to US and Iraqi officials (NYTimes, 2/21/05). Electricity production was above prewar average from about June-October 2004, but since then has been well under.  A June 2005 graphic in the USA Today sited that electricity for refrigeration, lighting, fans, and air condition, is active about 9 hours every day, down from 10-16 hours in 2004. 

After a brief lull in the violence after these elections, April and May proved as deadly as ever, which the predictable effect on electricity, safety and other related concerns. See more on post-election violence.

"Iraqis Simmer as Demand Outstrip Electricity Supply" (Times, 7/23/05) looks at related electricity problems.  These include "patients who die in emergency rooms when equipments stop running, office elevators that are all but useless, and what amounts to a national epidemic of insomniacs in sweltering Iraqi homes."  Previous promises by US administrator Bremer have not come true. 

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A March 2005 commentary spoke of problems with reconstruction, health care, electricity , prisoners, and security:  "everyone in Iraq knows somebody who has died.  Most families have been touched.  The war, meanwhile, has tormented everyone.  form one city alone, the entire population of Fallujah, 400,000--minus the deaths--are now homeless or refugees...  The security situation in much of the county is a nightmare:  not only the war's random shootings, care bombs, and IEDs, but the roving criminal gangs nobody has the power to curtail."  

Senior US officers in March also worry of lack of infrastructure and its impacts and solving insurgency.  "Underlying grievances" need to be dealt with.

Reconstruction in the fall of 2005 was defended as making much progress, but the projects were not publicized to avoid putting Iraqi workers at risk.  At least 412 contractors and other civilian workers have been killed in the 18 months of the war. The Director of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office is Daniel Speckhard.  

A LA Times article of December 2005 concluded that Baghdad's 6 million residents have electricity for only 6 hours each day.

Electricity continued to be in the news in 2006. A change came in October 2007 when both Iran and China announced that they had made deals with the Iraqi government to produce oil. A small Iranian built power plant would help power the Shiite area of Sadr City, while a much larger plant in the south, between Najaf and Karbala, would be built by China, esentially free of charge. The contracts are worth over $1 billion. American officials fear that the Iranian contracts could hide military activities.

"UN told more kids go hungry since war" was the Tribune/AP story on the last day of March  It opened, "Malnutrition among the youngest Iraqis has almost doubled since the US-led invasion", according to a UN hunger specialist.  "Malnutrition, which is exacerbated by lack of clean water and adequate saints, is a major killer of children in poor counters.  Children who survive are usually physically and mentally impaired for life and are more vulnerable to disease...Overall, more than a quarter of Iraqi children don't get enough to eat"  The article speaks of Iraqi's general good nutrition rates in the 1970s and 1980s made worse by sanctions in the 1990s.  The oil-for-food program of the late '90s "was credited with nearly doubling the Iraqi population's annual food intake and halving malnutrition among children, although the program itself was manipulated and abused by Hussein."

Lack of food was rarely reported from 2004-2007. However, in late 2007 the Inter Press Service wrote of the cutbacks of food rations offered by the government.

The early June 2005 "State of Iraq" update from the New York Times appeared again in chart form (see chart above).  It opens with some perspective of the past few months:  "Much has been made, rightly, of the intensification of the insurgency.  Last month's toll on US troops was well above the average for the last tow years, and was the deadliest yet for Iraqi security forces.  Still, Iraqis are providing authorities with far more tips on insurgent activities than even a few moths ago.  And most people remain optimistic about he future.  Even Sunni Arabs, who provide the largest pool of recruits for the insurgency, seem slightly more hopeful than  a year ago.  This optimism is welcome, because with security conditions poor and the economy a mixed bag, the fledgling political process has increasingly become Iraq's main good news--and main hope."

Are women making progress?  Optimists point out the Saddam isn't torturing and killing anyone anymore, including women.  Women made up about 30% of the Assembly, elected in January 2005.  However, most of the estimated 105,000 Iraqis killed by early 2005 have been women and children.  Explained one writer, "Following the elections, little has changed. Fearing rape, murder and kdnappings, many Iraqi families, especially women, have fled Iraq to neighboring Syria, where close to 350,000 Iraqi refuges reside.  My own female relatives fed there, fearful of what the future Iraq may look like." For more on women, see "Politics '06 Since Elections"

Lack of progress for women was highlighted in December 2006 in the detailed Post story on women losing ground. Islamic Fundamentalism is seeping into society as "more and more women live in fear of being kidnapped or raped. They receive death threats because of their religious sects and careers. They are harassed for not abiding by the strict dress code of long skirts and head scarves or for driving cars." The progressive treatment of women, for much of the 20th century, is gone, and with it the postwar hopes. One professor, Bushra Shimirya, who has a PhD in psychology, hired a driver to take her to her job. She has now stopped having dinner with friends and does not walk the streets of her Mansour neighborhood. She adds, "It's become so bad that a woman who drives a car will be slaughtered, and a woman who doesn't put a scarf on her hair will be slaughtered."

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Women were back in the news in November 2007 with the publication of City of Widows. The novel, on Saddam, the war, and resistance, is authored by Haifa Zangana. She appeared on WBEZ's Worldview on Nov. 14. The intriguing segments I heard were on Saddam's political prisoners and on the worsening state of women since the war began.

Women are tricked into traveling to Iraq and then cannot leave. Thousands of foreign workers have come to Kurdish areas in recent years, the Times reported in December 2007. Supporting an economic boom, those from Ethiopia, Indonesia, the Philllipines, Bangladesh and Somalia, work as maids and cooks. But they have been deceived by agents in their home countries into paying high fees, have their passports taken, and work as if they are indentured servants. Complained one, "you don't own a person because they signed a contract."

NPR's Terry Gross did a two day special an Iraq, including interviewing an Iraqi activist fighting for rights for women, Topics included conservative Islamism who want women covered and not in school. Some are killed for dressing "wrongly."

Women try to fill the roles of their dead or missing husbands, the Post reported in late April, 2008. One lies with a loaded AK-47 by her bedside.

Refugees turn to the sex trade, after being forced to leave Iraq. One girl, now in Syria, was 16. "We Iraqis used to be proud people" but "during the war we lost everything. We even lost our honor." There are few jobs in Syria. Others are barely teenagers. Aid workers estimated refugees in the thousands are in the sex trade.

Widows live in trailer parks, if they are lucky. "The Park of the Grateful" in Baghdad houses 750 of the estimated 750,000 widows. They beg for food on city streets and can be recruited by insurgents as suicide bombers.

Life for some women is getting better. In 2008 banners hung in Basra warning women that they would be shot if they wore too much makeup or went out of their homes without a veil. But, in the January 2009 elections, 4000 of the 14,000 candidates were women. Many campaign quietly, out of fear. Back in the 1950s, Iraq was the first Arab country to name a female minister and adopt of progressive family law. More recently, many men feel women have no place in politics and are sex objects or child bearers. One current law allow a rapist to escape punishment if he marries the victim.

Christians in Iraq, as reported by the Christmas day 2005 Tribune are suffering. The Virgin Mary Chaldean Catholic Church of Baghdad has 150 regular attendees, down from 800.  Many have fled the country after bombers attacked five churches in October 2004.  20 were killed in the attacks.  Estimates are that about 3% or 800,000 Iraqis are Christian. Later estimated were 750,000, before the war.

Christians were back in the news in May 2007. The front page of the Chicago Tribune blarred that a fatwa had been issued against them, causing even more to flee their homes. In November of 2007, The Pope prayed for peace in Iraq and safety for Christians: "By calling the patriarch of the Chaldean Church to enter into the College of Cardinals, I wanted to express in a concrete way my spiritual closeness and my affection" to Iraqi Christians. A few weeks later Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly offered his first mass as cardinal. He said mass in a small Kurdish church. Chaldeans, the largest group of Iraq's Christians, are now estimated at 500,000, only 1/3 the number before the US invasion.

"Fearful Christians flock to Irbil", reported the Tribune just two days before Christmas 2007. The largest Christian neighborhood in Baghdad was Dora, with seven churches once there. Reverend Eshasawa, an Assyrian, was the last one there, before he too had to flee. Thousands of Christians have left Dora in the past months. St. Elias still attends to Baghdad Christians. Before the US invasion, there were 800,000 Christians throughout Iraq. Attacks began in 2004. Sunni insurgents issues fatwa to force Christians to leave their homes in 24 hours, with no possessions, or be killed. Said Rev. Eshasawa, "Before the end of last year, we thought the American Army was good for Iraq. But after they came inside the county, we lost everything. We are paying for [The Americans] mistake with our blood."

On Christmas Day 2007 came the Times story of Iraqi Christians asking for forgiveness and for peace. "Last year it was full" but this year, even with guards with AK-47s, Christmas songs sung in Arabic has empty pews. 120 people attended, down from 400 two years ago. Sacred Heart Church in Baghdad, is in a safer neighborhood than some. The Chaldeans, a 2000 year old Christian group, are affiliated with Roman Catholicism. Some songs were sung in Aramaic. Commented Rev. al-Sheik, "We are always like beggars, asking God for this or that. We shouldn't be this way. First we should thank God for giving us Jesus Christ. He would say, "I came to live among you. I want to teach you how to be compassionate. I want to teach you how to be more humane.'" The Father ended his sermon: "'We call on God for equality, freedom--an end to war and an end to hunger. We only demand from God peace for all of you.'"

In late February 2008 Mosul's Chaldean Catholic archbishop was abducted. Faraj Rahho's car was sprayed with bullets, killing two of his bodyguards. The archbishop had just finished afternoon Mass. His dead body was recovered two weeks later, with a Post slide show included in the report. The Vatican was angered and the Pope spoke out. With his high blood pressure and diabetes, it was generally determined that he died from lack of medication. Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly was too grief-stricken to talk.

This death reminds us that priest have been attacked, kidnapped and killed, one in the archbishop's church. An Orthodox priest was beheaded.

Christian fear was the subject of a major Washington Post piece of late April, 2008.

The Iraqi Christian story continued into May when a Christian district of Baghdad was besieged. Some were threatened to "convert or die". A whole region was attempted to be emptied of Christians, based on a fatwa.

In addition to Christians, in May 2008 we read reports of Sufis being persecuted and attacked, viewed by Sunnis as apostates.

Mosul Christians were targetted in October 2008. Churches have been bombed. Many had taken refuge there do to persecution in other parts of the country. The Times reported that 11-14 Christians were killed in Mosul in about six weeks. Yet, Mosul Christians braved fear to celebrate Christmas two months later. Though they judge that "this year has been the worst in living memory" with killings, attacks, and refugees, maybe the worst is over. About half the 2000 families have returned. Miskinta is home to a nearly thousand year old Chaldean church. These Chaldeans, the largest denomination, is part of tthe Catholic Church but they maintain own Eastern Rite customs and liturgy. On Christmas, those attending prayed for Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, killed this year.

Christmas in Baghdad was the subject of NPR's All Things Considered program on Christmas Day, 2008.

Christmas 2009 was subjected to more violence, threats, and tight security. Some chose to worship at home. Christians are killed and kidnapped. Many conceal their faith. Some churches have dozens and soldiers and police around them. In Mosul in December 2009, three churches were bombed, killing a baby and wounding 40. One attack was on St. Thomas, a Syrian Orthodox Church built in 770. Threats were that churches and monasteries would be blown up if they celebrated Christmas. Said one Christian woman, "I am not afraid of going to church--even if I die there, I will be happy to die in God's home."

What is "packaged news"? A lengthy New York Times report back on March 13, 2005 looked at "packaged news" reports or "faux news" produced by the federal government and distributed to the networks.  The network sometimes air them without acknowledging the source. The stories don't criticize the administration, pose rehearsed questions to officials, and "reporters" work for the government.  Some of the stories concern Iraq. The Office of Broadcasting Services uses "good news" segments such as in June 2003 when the unit produced a segment "that depicted American efforts to distribute food and water to the people of southern Iraq."  The unidentified narrator concluded, "'After living for decades in fear, they are now receiving assistance--and building trust--with their coalition liberators.'"

Reaction to the "packaged news"  story came all in the same day from Clarence Page, the Washington Post, and The New York Times.  First, Page's Tribune commentary "Fake news makes foul government" opened, "Jon Stewart's satirical 'The Daily Show' on Comedy Central likes to call itself "No. 1 in fake news.'  Team Bush seems determined to challenge the show for the title--with our tax dollars."

The Post reaction, "Viewers Beware" spoke of the administration's ignoring the Government Accountably Office, which had found "this kind of phony news to be impermissible 'covert propaganda.'  In a reference to Jon Stewart, the editorial says, "He wants you to know his news is phony...This technique is both illegal and unwise."

"And Now, the Counterfeit News" is the third March 16 op-ed on the new hot topic.  More than 20 agencies create fake news clips and the funding of $254 million in the past four years is double what Clinton spent.  "Only sophisticated views would easily recognize that these videos are actually unpaid commercial announcement...In at least some cases the stations are the main culprits in the deception."  The "commercials" I would add, are paid by taxpayers.  

Kidnapping of Iraqis makes fewer headlines than the kidnapping of westerners.  But Iraqis are must more vulnerable, as perhaps 5000 have been kidnapped in the past 18 months.  In fact, about 30 Iraqis are kidnapped every day, as of early 2006. The average ransom is $30,000. The front-page New York Times reported in late March 2005 that "ransom is a far greater motive than intimidation."  The kidnapping of children " is a force like no other in driving from Iraq the educated professionals who are critically needed for the rebuilding of the country."

Also see "Violence 2005-06" FAQ

In early June of 2005, I heard reports of desperate refugees along the Iraqi-Jordanian border.  Hundreds of displaced Iraqis are living there in poor conditions.  The camp is just inside the Jordanian border. 

How do Iraqis react to raids on their homes?  Some welcome the Americans with cheer and drinks.  But a front-page Times report found may Iraqis who complained that their interactions with Americans "are frustrating and sometimes downright degrading experiences, that searches feel arbitrary and civil rights have become secondary."  One American soldier was quoted:  "Some days you wonder if you've rounded up one bad guy but created 10 others.  that's the balancing act we're left with at this point...But...I can't do my work wearing kid gloves because if I do, it'll get soldiers killed." Also see "Violence" FAQ.

An interesting graphic on electricity and other measures of "Are the Iraqi people better off?" is on the BBC site. It is entitled, "Life in Iraq." The Post article of June 24 was dedicated to this overall question, "Another Year of Living Misery in Baghdad."

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A similar lengthy report in the June 29 Times involved an informal survey across Baghdad by Iraqi reporters on the staff.  One "striking" conclusion is the number of Iraqis who expressed "a more patient view." The Shiites had the most positive view. 

On a more positive "note," music has returned to Baghdad.  The New York Times reported that in the National Theater's Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra played Beethoven in late June 2005.  Excited comments included this physics professor:  "It's easy to find difficulties here now.  But we're looking to the future.  I feel more freedom."

Doctors are threatened, leading many to quit.  In the fall of 2005, a front-page Chicago Tribune piece, "Iraq health care so bad that doctors want out." quoted one second year resident: , "Almost anything [answering a customer help line for mobile phone company] is better than being a doctor in Iraqi now. Hospitals regularly run out of basic medicines and facilities are in horrid shape.  Gunmen confront doctors and nurses on duty. (10/5/05). We heard again in November 2006 that doctors and professionals are leaving Iraq. Both Shiites and Sunnis are afraid to come to hospitals because they are being dragged from their beds, out of the hospital, and murdered, usually in broad daylight.

"Professionals see no future" reported the Tribune in early October 2008. Especially feeling threatened are those who are well educated, wealthy, secular, or non-Muslim. The "brain drain" continues, with 7000 physicians having left, about half of the country's doctors, including nearly all those with more than 20 years of experience. Of the 600 who have returned, none are top specialists. About 120 pyscians have been killed. About 7000 professors have left, 300 killed, and 150 returned. The Iraqi government has raised salaries for teachers and doctors. However, one family, the Shakirs, have had their car riddled with bullets. "There is nobody upholding justice here. You live your life according to chance. Anyone can do anything."

"In Iraq, the Doctors Are Out" is a Newsweek report from October 2008. Iraq needs professionals to bring stability through dependable electricity, steady jobs, "good schools and decent health care." These professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers and accountants, have fled. Of the 1.5 who have fled, ab out 60,000 have returned. With Sadr taking control of the Health Ministry, Sunnis are especially hesitant to return. This is a contrast with the 1990s in Iraq, when even with sanctions, "people came from all over the region to study medicine or seek treatment." There is a serious shortage of those who know advanced prosthestics Only 80 psychiatrists remind, down from several hundred. Money alone won't bring back doctors, who desire "freedom from fear." Iraqis who can afford it go to neighboring countries for treatment, where the doctors are often Iraqi. One unlucky patient was 12-year old boy in the cancer ward, blind and waiting to die. Their were no qualified surgeons in his home city of Kut, but due to fear of travel, he waited a year. "By then the cancer had destroyed both eyes and spread to the boy's brain."

Polls in pre-election December 2005 show that Iraqis top concern is not jobs or electricity but security. 

A mid-January 2006 Washington Post story told of more doctors and other professionals leaving the country.

We learned in June 2006 that Iraqis were the largest new group of refugees in the world. Nearly 650,000 were refugees in Syria and Jordan, 2.5% of the population. Since 2003 until the end of 2005, nearly 900,000 have moved abroad. The government issued two million passports from July 2004 until the end of 2005.

The BBC has graphic charts in seven categories showing change over time for life for the Iraqi people.

In January 2006, a new report details the shortfall of goals for electricity and water, explaining the role of fraud, incompetence and confusion.  These reports, by the office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction,  appointed by President Bush, came during numerous days in late January.  The inspector reports directly to Rumsfeld and Rice. 

Foreign policy expert Michael O'Hanlon feels that Iraqis blame the US for their lack of security and lack of jobs.  This fuels the insurgency. 

February reports were much of the same, with at least $56 billion needed to repair Iraq utilities.  Those below prewar levels are oil, electricity, water and sewage, even though US taxpayers have already contributed $16 billion.  $40 more billion came from seizing money and assets of Saddam's regime.  Cut by half or more from pre-war levels is hours of power/day in Baghdad (down to 4) and daily heading oil production.  The only utility to increase is hours of power for those outside the capital.  Can security forces protect workers?  

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In April 2006 State Department planning documents reported that Baghdad is still without electricity for 15 hours per day.  This would effect business, safety, morale, food storage, comfort (with air conditioning), etc. "No project since the Marshall Plan after World War II even approached the scope and ambition" of the Iraqi reconstruction effort.

One report spoke of millions of dollars of Iraqi oil money unaccounted for in US contracts. The front page Chicago Tribune headline, "Audit:  Cash for Iraqis wasted" (1/25/06) reports of "millions of dollars stuffed casually into footlockers and filing cabinets, an American soldier in the Philippines who gambled away cash belong to Iraq, and three Iraqis who plunged to their deaths in a rebuilt hospital elevator that was improperly certified as safe."  

A similar front page Times story opens, "the first official history of the $25 billion American reconstruction effort...depict a program hobbled form the outset by gross understaffing, a lack of technical expertise, bureaucratic infighting, secrecy and constantly increasing security costs." 

These reports are separate but possibly related to the bribery, theft and conspiracy charges.  However, the fraud, incompetence and disarray of reconstruction adds to what we already knew. Overall, $18 billion was allocated for reconstruction by the US, but much of it was re-directed to security. 

One Defense Department official, speaking anonymously, said, "It does not surprise me at all."  He predicted that similar problems as in Hilla will turn up in other locations.  "It's a disaster."  The American in the Philippines lost up to $60,000 but the money he took was never recorded in the first place.  One contractor was hired to repair the Olympic pool for about $100,000.  He simply polished the pipes, to make them look new.  The pool never reopened. (NY Times, 1/25/06).

An article the next day blames the lack of reconstruction was caused by "unforeseen security costs, haphazard planning and shifting priorities.'  The inspector general labeled the "reconstruction gap", with about 1/3 of water and sanitation projects will be finished and about 2/3 of electricity  projects.  The US did not take into account the decrepit state of Iraq's infrastructure "after decades of war and UN-imposed" sanctions. This report covers projects underwritten with American taxpayer money.

Oil production continued to falter into early 2006.  Production fell by 8% in 2005, leaving it at half to level predicted by the administration at the start of the war.  These funds, we were told, would be used to pay for the reconstruction.  Pumping was a million barrels a day less than before the war.  "Prospects for improvement this year are slim," reported the Tribune (1/25/06).

Also, the US plans to cut back reconstruction funding.  Oil revenues contribute 94% of the government's budget.  Shortages have forced Iraq to import gasoline and kerosene from Turkey, Iran, and Kuwait.  Though the US will have spent about $2 billion on Iraqi oil production by the end of 2006, the World Bank estimates another $6 billion will be needed to restore Iraq to 1979 levels reached before the Iran-Iraq War. As violence increased in spring 2006, unemployment remained high,

The proposed Iraq oil law would be a huge windfall for US oil companies, though the mainstream press in the summer of 2007 was very late in reporting any parts of this story. In fact, a front page Times story of 9/13 did not even mention foreign companies or that they would not be obligated to hire Iraqis or return profits to Iraq. Even worse, the compromise draft law, agreed to in Feb. 2007 after months of difficult talks, seemed to be collapsing.

Kurds were beginning to sign oil contracts on their own in the October of 2007, before the federal law is passed. This is a sign that "Iraq is spinning out of control and the Bush administration has no idea how to stop it," editorializes the Times (10/15/07). The administration complains but does little to pressure Hunt Oil of Dallas, "which has close ties to the White House." The Kurds should not be blamed for acting in their self-interest. A Kurdish official estimated that no production would start for at least three years, and that revenues would be shared with all regions of the country. The Iraqi Oil Ministry denounced the agreement, as did the US State Department.

One oil contract with Russia was voided by Iraqis, with the support of the US. The "supergiant" oil field was in southern Iraq and the contract was signed in the 1990s during Saddam's rule. Russia threatened retaliation and claimed the US is driving to "deep control over the major oil fields there."

Back in the news in March 2008, Iraq was negotiation with US and European oil companies to manage development of five new fields in northern and southern Iraq. This is the first I recall of Americans negotiation with non-Kurds over oil.

As 2009 began, oil contracts were continuing in the news. A second round of bids would now be allowed, said oil Minister Mr. al Sahahristrani. Iraqi hopes to increase its production from 2.4 million gallons/day up to 5 or 6 million in 3-4 years. The first round of bids was for six oil and two gas fields. The same 35 foreign companies will take place in the bidding. Still, only about 15 of 78 oil and gas fileds are under operation.

The rights to two fields were sold in December, as Maliki asserted that "there is no security deteriortation in Iraq." Three oil fields had no winning bidders, in areas of frequent violence.

Oil in 2010 continued in the news as US companies joined foreign companies. Oil producation has been between 2 and 3 million barrels/day for most of the war. The new Iraq goal is 6 million by 2017.

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"Three Years of War" is the Washington Post graphic on political and economic progress for Iraqis.  It is a useful summary of 2003-2006. "Life in Iraq" has many charts and visuals, presented by the BBC.

Rep. Jack Murtha was back in the news in May 2006 , when he called attention to an ongoing Pentagon report concluding that the November 19 killing of more than a dozen civilians was intentional.  It did not involve a firefight or IED. Murtha said, "They killed civilians in cold blood." For many details on troops and war crimes, see "Troops" PS FAQ.

Another way to judge how life is for the average Iraqi in the summer of 2006 is by Iraqi bloggers. Reading these bloggers, editorializes the New York Times, fills "one of the big gaps in Americans' view of the war." One can find "Day to Day in Iraq at daytodayiniraq.blogs.nytimes.com

In September of 2006, columnist David Brooks examined the "closing" and rising mistrust of Iraqis after decades of "dictatorship, war, insurgency, and civil strife." The psychological costs make Iraq "the most xenophobic, sexist and reactionary society on earth." In "survival mode", polls don't show how much of the trauma has been caused by Americans. Maybe Iraq should become like China, Brooks suggests, with economic reform coming before political reform: "If people already see their lives improving materially, they will be more likely to keep their cool as their political institution are reinvented." (9/24/06, New York Times).

Do Iraqi teenagers go to college? A front-page from the New York Times (10/8/06) examines violence and young Iraqis. In the 3 1/2 years since the war began "young people from five Baghdad neighborhoods say that their lives have shrunk to the size of their bedrooms and that their dreams have been packed away and largely forgotten. Life is loved in moments. It is no longer possible to make plans." Just a year ago most Iraqis "dismissed fears of sectarian war" but no longer. One Baghdad high school once known citywide for its basketball team, has no more after school sports because "parents consider it too risky." The paper describes "Sara, a graceful 10th grader, with perfect English and straight A's, will not be allowed to go to college" because her parents fear sectarian killings en route to campus.

Other young people used to visit parks. As the Times describes in March 2007, "Parks where couples once embraced are now empty of life because people are afraid to leave their homes."

In the fall of 2006 with violence at an all-time high picking up trash was considered too dangerous. 500 municipal workers have been killed, mostly trash collectors, reported the front-page New York Times. In December of 2006 a top US general complained that not enough was being done to help Iraqi farmers, to create jobs, and to deliver better services. Gen. Chiarelli spoke to the Times.

For much more on the roll of corruption in reconstruction, see "Troops and Cost"

About 1.5 million Iraqis have fled their homes, becoming refugees, since the war began. British journalist and author Patrick Cockburn examines the exodus in October 2006. An additional 1.5 or more million have left the country. Other estimates are of 300,000 fleeing their homes and 900,000 moving to neighboring countries. A mid-December UN report put the ever-increasing total at nearly 2 million who have fled the country, nearly 7% of the country. 1.6 our have fled their homes but stayed in Iraq, 700,000 have gone to Jordan, 600,000 to Syria, and 100,000 to Egypt, but only 54,000 to Iran. Refugees International calls the situation "the fastest-growing humnaitrian crisis in the world." At least half have fled their homes since the Samarra shrine bombing of February 2006. In November as the violence escalated once again, estimates were of 1000 new refugees every day. Another estimate is of 50,000/months leaving the country.

The total number of Iraqi was reported to reach four million homeless in August of 2007. 71% are women and children. Earlier positive reports of those in Baghdad returning to their homes didn't report that they left again. This has become the largest refugee crisis in the Middle East since 1948.

Ambassador Crocker criticized US government handling of the refugee crisis as too slow. As of mid-September, the only processing takes place in Jordan, not within Iraq.

Frank Rich uses his Sunday New York Times commentary to describe how life is worse for Iraqis. He feels the White House is not being totally honest about refugees.

Rich adds in his late May column that two million have left Iraq and two million more are displaced inside the country, which totals 15% of the population. Iraq's child survival rate is "falling faster than any other nation's. One Iraqi in eight is killed by illness or violence by the age of 5...To admit that Iraqis are voting with their feet is to concede that American policy is in ruins. A 'secure' Iraqi is a mirage, and worse, those who can afford to leave are the very professional s who might have helped build one. Thus the president says nothing about Iraq's humanitarian crisis, the worst in the Middle East since 1948, much as he tried to hide the American death toll...by keeping the troops' coffins off-camera and staying away from military funerals."

"Refugees? What refugees?" titles Roger Cohen's piece in his late September op-ed. He reminds us that Sweden expects 20,000 for all of 2007. Comparing US and Swedish numbers, January was 1500 vs. 15, April was 1421 vs. 1 and May was 1367 vs. 1. "Given the huge population diffence, Sweden's intake...'is the equvelent of the US taking in about 500,000 refugees,' he quotes a Swedish expert. "The last time I checked, Sweden did not invade Iraq."

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Only 466 Iraqi refugees have been admitted to the US, a Chicago Tribune editorial points out. After the end of the Vietnam War, the US accepted 100,000 Vietnamese and later accepted 15,000 Iraqi Shiites after the Gulf War.

Only about one week after this report, the US announced that its goal/pledge was to bring about 5000 Iraqis to the US this year, some coming by spring, 2007. These goals were not met by August, as only 190 have arrived from October to July. The US has new goals and expects 2000 to arrive by the end of September. 450 were admitted in October alone, however, still less than half the number needed per month to meet a goal of 12,000 by the end of the budget year.

Few Iraqis are signing up to go, reports the front page Times on August 29, because to be refugees they most leave the country first, and many don't have the resources or safety to leave. Some are turned away at the border. Of the 9000 Iraqis the UN says are being considered, only 5% of these applicants are former US employees.

In November 2007 the front page Tribune story reported on the refugee progress. During the years 1996-2001, with Saddam in power, Iraqis resettled in the US totaled over 2500 for four of those six years. Bush Sr. allowed about 120,000 total refugees a year. The numbers of Iraqis dropped to under 300 after the war began. Yet, 2007 saw an increase to 1600 by mid-November. The goal from February was 5000-7000. The top four states are Michigan (over 500), California, Arizona, and Illinois (85). The Chicago Assyrian community numbers 100,000, mostly arrived after the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s and the Gulf War of the early '90s.

In November there was disagreement about how many Iraqis are actually returning.

Why the delays in refugees? Officials site background checks, but most refugees are either women, children, or former employees of the US. Others suggest the administration is dragging its feet so as to downplay the scope of the crisis. One leader of the International Rescue Committee feels the US has "a moral obligation" to help former translators and demonstrated loyalty to the US. "Historically, there is a precedent: we took a million Vietnamese since 1975", 600,000 Russians Jews from the USSR, over 150,000 Bosnian refugees and about 15,000 from Kosovo "in just a few months. We have a noble history as a county of responding with generosity during refugee crises. But we haven't done it here yet."

Some will come from Turkey, having fled Saddam's rule. Others will be those who have worked for the US and are now threatened. How many Iraqis working of the US have been killed? One private contractor, Titan, said that 280 of its employees have been killed, most of whom are interpreters.

The UN urged help for Iraqis refugees in April of 2007. "Iraq's Forgotten Refugees" updates the situation in late April, 2007.

By May the media focused more attention on refugees, with front page articles in the Chicago Tribune and a cover story in the Sunday Times Magazine. Most outlets agreed that there were 4 million refugees, about half inside and half outside the country. Those outside the country cannot legally work.

More are fleeing since the surge/escalation began, reported the front page Times of 8/24/07. This drain is especially severe in the religiously mixed area of central Iraq. Refugees are leading to the de facto partition of the country. Says one Baghdad woman, "There is no way we would go back. It is a city of ghosts. The only people left there are terrorists." She was driven out by Shiite snipers. See PZ Violence for improvements to the security.

General Joseoph Hoar, with a Times oped in late August, feels that Iraqis are being "abondoned at the Border." The former Commander in cheif of the US Central Command, sees Iraqi transloators and others being victims of retaliation. One Marine Captain feels that "just coming to work was an act of heroism and courage" on the part of these Iraqis. Thus, Hoar feels that "it is shameful that more than four years into this war, Iraqis working at our embassy cannot count on the US to prect them or to hlep them find a new home when their work iwth us has made it impossible to survice in their own county...Dealing with the refugee crisi is vital to" our national secuiryt and "more importatly, it repudiates" our fundamental values and cosots Iraqis their lives. Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, and others are "not equipped" to take in a large number of refugees. In Jordan the cost of living has doubled leading to "sharp resentment" toward Iraqsi there. "This strain could all have a terrbly destabilizing effect on the Middel East...By some estimates, half a million Iraqi refugee children are now out of school, and some have missed up to three years of their education."

A November update came from a Toronto Star op-ed, "Iraq Crisis Untold Tales of Refugees."

NPR's refugee story from Morning Edition of 11/27 examines the costs of up to $20,000 for a refugee to actually make it to the U.S. One Congressman is working hard and pulling strings to help a former military translator who "risked his life" to help US forces. He refers to the "blatant injustice" of our policy and is sponsoring the "Repair Act" in Congress. The State Department opposes the bill.

With violence decreasing in the fall of 2007, it was not clear whether the number of homeless and refugees was decreasing. Amazingly, within days of these thoughts came a Times article analyzing how many are really coming and going. The government is exaggerating the number of those returning because they count all people coming across the border. Some are not refugees. Most are not returning because they feel safer. A survey said that nearly half were returning because they could not afford to stay in Syria, while only 14% came because they felt safer. Iraqi officials "trying to show that Maliki is succeeding," tell us that 46,000 returned in October alone while 28,000 were internally displaced. Another Iraqi govenent minostyr cites only 40,000 returning from mid-September until early December. The Iraqi Red Cescdent Society estimates about 250,000. Iraqi pays for buses and gives each returnee $800. In late November 20 buses of returning refugees came to Baghdad from Damascus. Reports, which would seem easy to verify, varied from 200-800 people on those buses. Within two days, the number was put at 375. Peaking last month, about 50 families arrive daily in Baghdad.

What is life like for those who return? A Sunni tribal leaders downplays the returning refugees because "There are no Shiite families moving back to Sunni neighborhoods and no Sunnis moving back to Shiite neighborhoods." In general, roughly 1/3 of those who have returned have discovered "squatters" living in their homes. The front page Times report (11/30/07) emphasized that "The Iraqi government lacks a mechanism to settle properly disputes if former residents retun...only to find that their homes are occupied.

As refugees run out of money in Syria and Jordan, they return very unsure. Reporting for the Tribune, Liz Sly sites an Iraqi TV ad showing those returning being happily welcomed by their neighbors. But the UN High Commissioner for Refugees does not want such promotion. Those returning are mostly to now homogenous areas. Just 14% cited increased security as their chief motivation to return. If a large influx occurs, the Iraqi government seems ill prepared.

The front page Times story is mid-December echoed this familiar tone. "I need to get a job and a home, but how and where? wondered one who tried to return to her home town. The paper reported that thousands of returning Sunnis get no aid because "they fear registering with the Shiite-led government. While aid organization are distributing emergency packets...deeper structural issues, like securing neighborhoods, supplying housing and creating jobs, remain unresolved and largely unaddressed."

In 2008, the refugee story stayed in the news. Processing remains slow, admitted US authorities in Febraury. There is a gap between "words and actions." The US promised 7000 Iraqis would be resettled in the US in 2007, but only 1400 did so. Local residents hiring by the US embassy are among those who are targets of anti-US militias. Even in January, only 375 Iraqis were resettled in the US. This is lower than the previous month. The goal is 1000 per month, which seems increasingly unrealistic or at least not achievable.

How fast are Iraqis returning? In Ocotber 2008, the Times analyzed the newest data. While about 4.5 million people are homeless either within Iraq or outside the country, thousands are returning. Monthly totals for the past 14 months average about 11,000, but rose to 38,000 in August. At a rate of 40,000 per month, I calculate that it will take ten years for all the refugees to return. This assumes that no one leaves the country, but reports from at least one border crossing showed more leaving than coming, 7000 more to Syria in the past six months. Threats and killings continue nearly every day.

Housing miseries add to Iraqi's refugee problems. Families have taken to living in schools. A front page Times story of late December 2006, talks of raising rents combined with increased joblessness. Iraqis are forced to live in "squalid squatter encampments" or "crude shantytowns." Those who are forced from their homes often leave everything behind. As part of a mid-september 2007 front page Times article, in Karbala 60% were unable to take their furniture or belongings as they fled. "They lost their past--photograph albums, diaries and heirlooms." Said one victim, "They destroyed all my life. For what? We don't know. What is our crime?" In addition, "gangs mouth sectarian slogans but kill for property and power." People in the middle of more likely to be forced to take sides. Still, many Iraqis "take pride in having friends and neighbors of the opposite sect."

However, is security improved and violence decreased in the fall of 2007, Maliki announced he was offering over $800 to every displaced family who returned to its home.

Few doctors were returning in the summer of 2008. However, with security improved for much of 2008, by August 650 physicians returned to work. 8000 have fled. Hospitals and clinics are whoefully understaffed.

Worldview highlighted refugees in February 2010. 18,000 came to the US in 2009.

For children and students, many schools never opened back in the fall of 2006. In Diyala, a violent province, 90% of schools had not opened by late November. Teachers and principals continue to be killed.

Children are effected by more than just closed schools. A survey showed that 70% of Baghdad children suffer from stress or trauma. Thousands of children have become orphans, and tens of thousands have lost a parent, according to some of the best estimates. Sadly, sometimes their plight is overstated, as when the US raided an orphanage in June of 2007. The US had announced that it had rescued 24 orphan boys is horrible conditions. Children "are starved of their childhood", described one report in early September.

In addition, about 40,000 children are in orphanages, reported NPR's Morning Edition on April 18.

Teenagers and ophans was the focus of another sad and moving report from Morning Edition in mid-December, 2007.

Children were the focus of a mid-December All Things Considered report. Some Iraqi girls are so desperate as to consider prostitution.

Unicef reported in late December 2007 that about 2 million children suffered this year from "poor nutrition, disease and interrupted education." 60% lack clean and reliable drinking water. About 250,000 children are displaced every month.

Widows and orphans are often left stranded, reported the AP in April, 2008.

A new year for schools began in early October of 2008. In a front page story mixing good news with bad news, the Times wondered whether "uprooted families" will "feel confident enough, after years of war, crime and sectarian bloodshed, to go back to their homes and old neighborhood schools. After all, few parents, if any, willingly expose their children to danger." The US is paying for most of the rebuilding and equiping of schools. In Baghdad alone since 2006 the US has spent $85 million.

Those who flee to Kurdish regions face harsh living conditions. 160,000 have moved to the relatively safer north only to face rampant inflation, skyrocketing rents, and few job opportunities. Little aid is available, because government rations are handed out in one's own province. Few schools have classes in Arabic. Details in mid-December surfaced again in the Times front page. With two million refugees within Iraq, one we think we could learn more about their lives. Refugees live "in squalor" at the Kirkuk soccer stadium in "a startling sight" The dugouts, stands, and parking lot is a "refugee city." As we know, "the fusion of oil, politics and ethnic tensions" has made Kirkuk into "one of the most potentially explosive places" in Iraq.

Iraqi children in Syria drop out of school, as nearly 50% of children do not attend school in Syria. As 2007 was coming to a close, more and more Iraqis in Syria were running out of money for basic food.

Do Iraqis have cell phones? There are many more cell phones than in 2003. In a strange twist, Kurds often need two cell phones, because there are two competing companies who control different parts of Kurdistan. For example, those in Irbil cannot talk to those south of there. Each company is allied with Barzani or Talibani, the two old rivals. The Wall Street Journal reported on 11/24/07 that change and unity are coming.

Iraqis can't leave the war when they leave Iraq. In a Times op-ed, Ayub Nuri writes of being granted a visa to be a graduate student of journalism at Columbia in New York. (2/16/07). He writes, "I realize now that there simply is no way for me to escape the bitterness of this war...One night, after a dinner party with some classmates, I turned on my computer to read my e-mail messages. The first message I opened was from Iraq. It carried the news of the death of a dear friend of mine. He was killed by a car bomb in Baghdad. I cried most of the night. A few day later I erase his email address form my address book." After a scary dream he wakes up and feels at peace in New York City. "But that little escape from the nightmare of the war does not last. long. At some point during the day I will have to give another war lecture. No matter how may more friends I lose, no matter who is killing whom, as long as there is a war, I have to live with its nightmares and fight them thousands of miles away."

How do Muslims in America see their life? A May poll showed that those 18-29 are more prone than older Muslims to violence and more prone to see themselves of Muslim before Americans.

Many Iraqis end up in Sweden. 3000 arrived in just the last two months of 2006. In all of 2006, 45% of refugees heading for Europe and fleeing the violence and danger, end up in Sweden. After Finns, the second largest immigrant group in Sweden is the 80,000 Iraqis.

The US military began reporting in November 2007 that 46,000 people crossed the border in October into Iraq. The trend was attributed to "An improved security situation." It was not clear if they planned to stay or how many others left in the other direction. In the same Tribune article we learned that the number of internally displaced people grew 16% in September.

Iraqis in America shows the challenges and struggles of refugees, examined in a 7 minute NPR piece from late February. US contractors urge them to return for large salaries.

"Flight From Iraq" is the Sunday New York Times detailed cover story of May 13.

NPR did a series of reports about Iraqi refugees. Their October 18 was entitled "US Accused of Poor Help for Iraqi Refugees" (about 8 minutes). The program's guests suggest more aid to Syria and Jordan, and quicker permission to come to US for those who had jobs helping US forces. Some in Syria and Jordan cannot get permission to have jobs or go to school. 12,000 will be accepted next year, according to officials, yet the goal for this year has not nearly been met. "Congress is in a willful state of denial." Officials are concerned about al Qaeda coming to the U.S. What about those who already passed security before getting a job with US forces? What about women or young children? Part of the elephant in the room is that the US doesn't want to admit that Iraqis are voting with their feet, and their country is a failure. Others spoke of a moral obligation to help in this humanitarian crisis. The US has a "special responsibility." The countries who have taken more of the 2 million refugees than the US (2000) include Jordan, Syria, Sweden, Netherlands, and Germany. . 60,000 more are leaving Iraq every month, but with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia effectively closing the border, Iraqis have no place to go. The south of Iraq wants no 'internally displaced" from other parts of the country. Even worse, new visa rules in Syria will require that the 1.5 million Iraqis there will have to return to Iraq, effective October 1. For more than a year 2000-4000 Iraqis have fled to Syria every day. A few days later Syria agreed to allow in Americans to interview refugees who might come to the US. It is not clear how long the US has sought this right.

Maliki was pleased to report in November 2007 that Baghdad resisdents were starting to return. It's not clear if the number returning is greater than the number leaving. 1.4 million have been displaced from the capital.

Though the Tribune headline of early September 2008 reads, "As security improves, Iraqis slowly returning home," the progress in slow indeed. Of the 2.5 million or so who have fled the country, about 13,000 had returned by August. The, 1000 from Egypt returned. . Maliki is sending his state jet to fetch them. 500 returned from Jordan. Fear is a strong motivator in keeping those from returning but when they run out of money abroad, sometimes they get even more desparatge. "Of course we are afraid," says one, "but we are at the end of our rope."

The human cost of war is examined by an Iraqi-American medical doctor on NPR's Worldview in mid-March, 2007. Dahlia Wasfi is critical of the war, the elections, and wants troops out now.

Missing Iraqis haunt their families, as the front page of the Times detailed (3/19/07). A widow has her husband "[coming] to her in dreams, dressed in the blue police uniform he wore the day he disappeared." The woman visited the morgue a dozen times to examine horrific, dead bodies, "people with their heads cut off, their chests drilled, their faces peeled." In addition, she went to every hospital in Baghdad and other ministries. In February, 3000 Iraqis visited the American-run center in the green zone, triple the number of a year ago. The US maintains a data base. US prisons hold only a fraction of the prisoners. The missing are caused by terrorism, kidnappings, armed militias, explosions, and gangs. For many family members, "the lack of information seemed to hurt as much as the loss itself."

Iraqis are often paid reparations by the US military when civilians are killed. The limit is $2500 per death. In Haditha, $38,000 was given to survivors of the fall 2005 massacre.

Polls of Iraqis were released again on the fourth anniversary of the war. (ABC and others) Generally, Iraqis interviewed in person are more pessimistic and less trusting of Americans than in past polls:
-- 42% label the conflict as civil war.
-- Do US forces make Iraqis more secure? 69% say no.
-- Most Iraqis (53%) have a friend or family member killed or injured in the war.
-- 51% believe it is acceptable to attack US forces, up from just 17% in 2005.
--78% are opposed to US troops in Iraq

The International Red Cross concluded in April 2007 that life is ever-worsening, while security has improved in some areas. "Thousands of bodies lie unclaimed in mortuaries, with relatives either unaware...or afraid to recover them.

One measure of life getting worse for most Iraqis is the worsening infant mortality rate, in a report released in May of 2007.

Also see Post-Zarqawi Violence, 2006-07 FAQ.

A new site in 2007 is "HometownBaghdad.com" with clips of how the war has effected regularly Iraqis, from teenagers to medical students.

Violence is part of daily life in Baghdad. A NPR journalist speaks of his family decision whether or not to stay in their home in an increasingly dangerous neighborhood. The child of Saleem Amer is only 4 months old. The diary-style clip from May 25 is 7 minutes.

"Operation Freedom From Iraqis" is the take by Frank Rich (Times, 5/27/07) about refugees and US politics.

Lack of water is another ongoing problem, especially in the hot summer of 2007, when temperatures can reach 120 degrees. The AP reported in early August that large sections of west Baghdad have been "virtually dry for six days" because the electrical grid cannot purify and pump the water. With power only on for a few hours each day, "even those who can afford air conditioning lack power to run it. Fuel costs are skyrocketing.

Dirty water is leading to new cases of cholera. By the end of September 2007, at least 14 deaths occurred, mostly in Kurdistan. Thousands of cases were reported. Cholera is particularly bad among small children, who can die from the dehydration and kidney failure. Unicef warned in November that 101 new cases have been reported in and around Baghdad. With the rainy season approaching, raw sewage may be every more so in the streets of the capital.

Reconstruction made little progress even among reports of decreased violence in Baghdad. A federal oversight agency reported that problems throughout the country are due to political reconciliation, lack of economic growth, and an ineffective police and court system. Some areas had made selected progress.

Reconstruction in Fallujah is the subject of a mid-January (2008) NPR piece on Morning Edition. The process is slow but violence is down in one of the most violent cities of the entire war.

One job which is still need is the job of street cleaners. They even clean scraps of human flesh. As the Times reported at the end of 2008, "It must be a candidate for the worst job in Iraq." These street sweepers pick up "the fingertips and scraps of flesh left behind after the emergency works haul away the torsos and head of bombing victims. They do the job without gloves, in all but the coldest weeks of winter." Comments one of the men, "We do not want to see explosions, we don't want to see this. They are Iraqis, Sunni, Shia or Christian, they are all Iraqis."

Iraqi's poor continue to struggle and search for refuge. NPR's Morning Edition detailed these challenges in February 2008.

The Pentagon reported on poor reconstruction in mid-December. Despite the recent reduction in violence, there is little progress in electricity, clean water, health care, and other essential services. The Pentagon blamed the Iraqi government for not delivering, partly due to its sectarian nature. Electricity continues to hover at about 50% of needs, for the last year.

Sectarian feelings of mistrust continue to increase, reported the front page Times on September 17. Trust dies and the Iraqi psyche is scarred. Students are now known to be Sunni or Shiite. One Baghdad judge used to perform about 50% mixed-sect marriage; now that it only 5%. Anne Garrels reported on Weekend Edition of NPR.

One old Baghdad neighborhood was the topic of a front page Times piece in mid-November. "Old Bonds Defy War" examines Bab Al Sheik, a neighborhood of relative peace which dates from the days of Abbasid princes over 1000 years ago. Blessed with generations of inter-marriage and trickle down oil wealth since the 1970s, this community of narrow, winding streets, has moderate religious leaders. One Shiite imam is the 7th generation of his family to live in Bab Al Sheik. Also see "The Good News" FAQ.

One strange advantage to a poorly functioning central government is that provinces are using rebuilding money which the central government has not or will not provide. The Deputy Prime Minister said, "This central bureaucracy is broken" with some ministries spending only 15% of their share last year.

Theft and bribery are rampant, reported the front page Times of December 2, 2007. Jobless men pay $500 in bribes to join the police. "Families built houses illegally on government land, carwashes steal water from public pipes, and nearly everything the government buys or sells can now be found on the black market." Bribes even include painkillers for cancer, electricity meters, and third grade textbooks. "Iraq has slipped to new depths of lawlessness" and is the third most corrupt country in the world, only after Somalia and Myanmar. Some US officials estimate that "as much as a third of what they spend on...contracts and grants ends up unaccounted for or stolen" and/or in the hands of militias. This pervasiveness "sows a corrosive distrust of democracy and hinders reconstruction" The Koran is very clear on stealing: "'God does not love the corruptors.'" But the Times reports emphasizes that for many Iraqis, "it is not a question of getting rich. Theft and corruption have become survival tools" with unemployment as high as 40%. The desperation in Baghdad is shown with women begging at intersections.

Are the people of Mosul better off? As part of the media's detailed look at the 5th anniversary of the war, NPR ran a detailed piece on Mosul in March 2003 through 2008.

In terms of violence, electricity, fuel supply, and unemployment, a Times "Op Chart" of late December compared Novembers from 2003-2007. In nearly all categories, 2006 was the worst, with 2007 being an improvement back to 2004 levels. Unemployment is still estimated at 33%, and corruption continues to increase. On the positive side include electricity production and money going from Baghdad to Iraqi provinces. "Security is at its best levels since early 2004" (the war began in March 2003). "But the political environment and its economy are only marginally better than a year ago...Given Iraq's fragile sectarian relations and weak institutions, the likelihood is that further American troop reductions will have to be slow and careful if the progress is to continue," write the fellows from the Brookings Institute. Gas supplies in early 2008 are still below peak levels of 2005.

Being gay in Iraq is ever more challenging. The Times story of mid-December 2007 examined gays living in the shadows, due to new religious extremism. In 2005, with Saddam out of power, Grand Ayatollah Sistani issued a fatwa (religious decree) calling for gay men and lesbians to be killed in the "worst, most severe way." Sistani lifted the decree a year later. Gays want to leave Iraq, but generally don't have the money or passports. One man, Mohammed, has moved six times in three years, for his safety. Even safe neighborhoods spread gossip about him. Back in the mid-1980s until the early 1990s and war with Kuwait, gay night life flourished in Iraq. Later, Saddam, closed nightclubs. Yet, most still felt safe. "We thought that with the presence of Americans, life would become paradise, that Iraq would be westernized. But unfortunately the way things were before was so much better." Americans soldiers have made the situation worse. A group of them burst into Mohammed's apartment which he shared with two brothers. The Americans barked at Mohammed with long hair, "What are you, a lady man? A boy? Or a girl?"

Newsweek was one of the few other sources to pick up the gay murders story in 2008. Their September 8 edition featured "Stay in the Closet, or Else." Since sectarian violence is down, "it's open season on homosexuals. "More than 430 gay men have been murdered" since the war began. "In such a climate, the only recourse for Iraqi gays seems to come from activists abroad."

Motor scooters became more popular by December 2007. "Violence may be down...but road rage is up." Checkpoints are easier to get through with a scooter, they are cheaper to purchase, use much less gas (escalating prices), are easier to maneuver in traffic jams, and, says one man, "are fun." Traffic signals often don't have electricity to operate "as those that do are ignored." Another advantage of scooters is that kidnappers don't know that they may have enough ransom money to buy a car. Now that suicide bombers have started using scooters, checkpoints will be more of a challenge.

Iraqi needs were explained by the top US General. Odierno, former #2 in Iraq, who left in February 2008, feels that current violence will not be reduced without economic and political progress. He suggests literacy programs, vocational train and the provincial elections.

Human rights abuses continue into March, despite reduction in violence from about October to February. The UN urged the US and Iraqi to take advantage of the lull to address four key issues: violence against civilians, abuse of detainees, persecution of women and ethnic minorities, and lack of food and shelter for displaced people. More teenagers are being held in prison, more women are being killed in "honor killings" and torture is still widespread. Human rights monitors visit Iraqi detainee facilities , but not US prisons. The UN also called on prosecution of private contractors when they kill civilians. In one Erbil hospital, about 250 women were admitted as burn cases (typically spousal abuse) from January to August of 2007. The Times did not say how many women were killed before they arrived at the hospital.

The Iraq government began a crack down on wearing of seat belts the Times reported in mid-April. Violators would be fined. Traffic in Baghdad rarely moves above a crawl. One taxi drivers who support the new law comments, "It is a symbol of civilization."

The occasional Op-Chart in the Times compares progress/deaths/electricity with the past. So, in December, they compared the Nov. 2008 data with Nov. 2006 and Nov. 2004. Way down from two years ago is Iraqi civilian deaths (currently 500/month), civilians displaced, number of Iraqi security forces, US deaths, number of "sons of Iraq", electricity production, and "political progress." On the down side, violence and bombings still are common, and unemployment is higher than during the US depression of the '30s, at 30%. Iraq has "settled into a kind of violent semi-peace" and the population is better protected thanks to the Petra strategy. "Quality of life for most Iraqis has improved only modestly." The op-chart authors conclude that for all the progress there are still at least three "big challenges: agreements on how to share oil ...determining the future status of Kirkuk" and other places; and "the resettlement of four million people."

An official US government report (totally 508 pages) out in December 2008 highlights the blunders of reconstruction. From the Office of Iraq Reconstruction led by Stuart Bowen, a Republican lawyer, the report is officially entitled, "Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience." As careful readers of the above paragraphs are no doubt aware, in the weeks after the invasion, the following services plummeted between 70-100%: electricity, oil, potable water, land line phones. Even as security gains came in late 2007 and 2008, electricity was still barely ahead of Saddam levels but oil was below and water was hurt by a horrible piping system. The Times wonders "whether a rebuilding effort could have succeeded in a less violent setting."

Are Iraqi courts serving their people well? Human Rights Watch concludes that due process is still ill served by Iraqi courts. They have fallen short of the Iraqi consittion and of international standars and failed to provide "basic assuarances of fainess."

Another area covered in our Bill of Rights is freedom of the press. Nearly 100 journalists in August protested against what they said was "a growing push" by Shiites in power to "muzzle them." 167 Iraqi reporters and media support workers were killed between the war's beginning in 2003 and July 2008. That figure could now be approaching 200.

Oil prices declined in late 2008 and 2009, hurting the Iraqi economy. New rebuilding projects are being put off.

Iraqis mental health is a mess. Women suffer especially; nearly 750,000 are widows due to death over the past three decades. The "sobering portrait" is part of a survey released in March 2009. 17% of adults suffer from some kind of mental illness, nearly 70% of whom had contemplated suicide. Sadly, just 2% of those who need treatment have sought it, due to the stigma and the scarcity of those who can help. Depression often goes untreated. Despite increases in stability, the Times reports that "many women have seen their circumstances worsen over the past two years. More than 3/4 of all widows were not receiving pensions and many have little electricity or health care. They are burdened by having family members killed in front of them.

There were attempts in early 2010 to mend and rebuild the trauma and mental health care. The mental health care system was once advanced for the region but by 2006 only 100 psychiastrists remained for 30 million citizens.

The fate of missing Iraqis haunts those left behind, reported the Times in late May. 15,000 unidentified bodies have been buried anonymously. Government labs try to help in the IDs due to bodies being tortured and mutilated. Tens of thousands of others are listed as missing, most of whom are assumed to be dead. Of course, it is very hard for loved ones not knowing for certain. A missing male head of household is usually declared dead by the government, but until this is done the wife is unable to collect benefits, hold a funeral, remarry, or gain access to bank accounts for four years.

Is Fallujah doing better? The former insurgent stronghold was nearly totally destoryed when US Marines attacked a few years ago. It was the site of the fierstest urban battles of US forces since Vietnam in 1968. There was a showcase reconstruction project worth $100 million for wastewater treatment. In June, however, there were a series of troubling attacks.

As US troops left cities on June 30, 2009, there were some reports of progress, though violence in July and August would soon increase. One school that reopened is where a teacher "had been strung up by her feet and had her face cut off by extremists." There is less sewage in the streets and Baghdad streets are more lit.

Date farmers are struggling. This is even in the place where agriculture was discovered 7000 years ago and where in the 1980s the country was self-sufficient in wheat, rice, fruits, vegetables, sheep and poultry. The front page Times piece (8/15/09) adds that the industrial sector of the '80s exported textiles, leather goods, purses, shoes, steel and cement. "But wars, sanctions, poor management, international competition and disinventment have left each industry a shadow of its former self." Amazingly, Iraq once produced 3/4 of the world's dates and grew over 600 varieties. Now the country is behind Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Dates are traditional valued for "their ability to stay fresh without refrigeration, a source of nutrition, and for uses as varied as making alcohol and desserts and feeding farm animals. They are also in inexpensive sugar substitute Some of the trees can live for 120 years. Now, with farmers in bad shape, some of the unemployed have fed the insurgency.

Ramadan might help unit Shiites and Sunnis. Beginning in August when the days are still long, the holy month began this time on the same day for the two sects, the first time in 10 years. Also for the first time since 9/11, bars and liquor stores will be closed for the whole month, and those smoking on the streets will be arrested. Even Christian Iraqis cannot buy liquor. Complained one Christian, "Why shouldn't I drink water when I'm thirsty in such weather? Why shold I hide like a criminal if I want to have a sandwich?" Shiite leaders must site the crescent moon with the naked eye, while Sunni may use binoculars or a telescope, and usually see it first. When Ramadan finishes on different days, one sect may be slaughtering a sheep in the streets while the other is still trying to fast. "It would be as if groups in a largely Christian country could not agree about whether it was Dec. 24 or Dec. 25 when everything should grind to a halt."

How do Iraqis fare when returning home? Many face high unemployment and poor access to electricity and water. Half a million families left after 2003, some to other parts of Iraq and others to neighboring countries. About 10% have now returned, by the fall of 2009. Women have it especially hard, since their husbands have often been killed. The overall unemployment rate in Iraq is 18%.

Housing quarters are cramped. "The crisis" for one Iraqi family is trying to share the one bathroom in the morning with 13 family members. In some parts of the country, there are four people in every bedroom. The country needs to double its number of homes. One man comments that this housing crisis goes back to the 1980s.

How did 2009 turn out for Iraq? The Michael O'Hanlon "op-chart" updates the state of the conflict. The year was one of "relatively smooth transitions. Despite catastrophic attacks in August, October, and December, and a continuing level of violence that deeps it a troubled place by normal stands, the year went reasonably well in statistical terms. Violence did not increase, even as US forces left the cities and generally reduced their role." Electricity production increased by over 20%.

As the March 6, 2010 elections loomed, Samarra has become more peaceful. This was the site of the horrific bombing of the holy Shiite mosque which helped to launch the civil war four years ago. Yet, local commanders do almost nothing without checking with the US military first. See much more on Iraqi Politics.

Also see "The Good News" FAQ.