Performance of Iraqi Security Forces Mixed
U.S. officials have hailed the performance of Iraqi security forces as the only silver lining in the spasm of violence after the shrine bombing. For the most part, however, Iraqi forces did not engage the rioters — waiting until clerics had calmed the situation before taking to the streets. That raises questions whether the Iraqis could stop a new round of even bigger violence that many fear is inevitable. It is now up to American commanders to decide whether to take that risk and recommend major U.S. troop cuts starting this spring. Full Story