US Officials Exclude Car Bombs in Touting Drop in Iraq Violence

US officials who say there has been a dramatic drop in sectarian violence in Iraq since President Bush began sending more American troops into Baghdad aren't counting one of the main killers of Iraqi civilians. Car bombs and other explosive devices have killed thousands of Iraqis in the past three years, but the administration doesn't include them in the casualty counts it has been citing as evidence that the surge of additional US forces is beginning to defuse tensions between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims.

Despair Stalks Baghdad as Plan Falters

The Sunni extremists held responsible for these attacks seem to be making a mockery of the US and Iraqi security plan, which is now into its third month. So far, their surge seems to be having more effect than the American one.

Dying for W

Robert Parry writes: "The prediction of higher US casualties is already coming true, as al-Qaeda-connected terrorists and Iraqi insurgents adjust their tactics to kill the vulnerable Americans. On April 23, two suicide truck bombers rammed a US Army outpost near Baqubah, exploding two bombs that killed nine American soldiers and wounded 20 others."