Iraqis take control of cities (Space War)
Baghdad (UPI) Jun 30, 2009 – Iraq achieves a milestone at midnight Tuesday when it takes over full responsibility for security within its cities, but it’s one dogged by a series of bombings that could be a precursor for a resurgence of violence by extremist gunmen and bombers.

Pueblo veterans welcome Iraq pullback (The Pueblo Chieftain)
As news broadcasts showed Iraqis celebrating the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq’s major cities, several Pueblo Iraq veterans welcomed the news Tuesday, saying it was time to give the dangerous work of rooting out insurgents to the Iraqi police and military.

Coming weeks crucial in Iraq – Wed, 01 Jul 2009 PST (The Spokesman-Review)
Tuesday was the deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from major Iraqi cities. This clear line in the sand must provide some relief to many Americans, whose sacrifice has been extraordinary. But as the United States shifts its attention from Iraq to Afghanistan and other issues of grave importance, none of us can be lulled into believing that Iraq is a mission accomplished. That sense of …

June is deadliest month for Iraqis this year (The San Francisco Examiner)
An Iraqi policeman examines a damaged bus after a car bomb attack in central Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 22, 2009. The attack was one of a series of blasts of blasts that killed five people in Baghdad.

U.S. pulls out of Iraqi cities (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
June 30, 2009 – Iraqi Army Tank patrol in central Baghdad, Iraq. U.S. troops pulled out of Iraqi cities on Tuesday in the first step toward winding down the American war effort by the end of 2011.

With U.S. withdrawing, what happens in Iraq? (Athens Banner-Herald)
The United States on Monday withdrew its combat troops, with a few exceptions, from Iraqi cities, in accordance with a security agreement with Iraqis signed in November. All U.S. troops are supposed to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

Iraq: One Decision, Two Presidential Promises Kept (NBC Philadelphia)
The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraqi cities helps fulfill two presidential promises — one of Bush’s and one of Obama’s. Sponsored Topics: Iraq – United States – US – Iraq War – Bush

Carl Leubsdorf: Iraq nears end with no resolution (Dallas Morning News)
Was Iraq a costly detour that created more problems than it solved; or, ultimately, a positive step that helped produce a more democratic, stable Middle East? In the short term, it’s hard to deny that it was a misguided act based on false premises.

U.S. rearms Iraq, but worries abound (Space War)
Baghdad (UPI) Jun 30, 2009 – If Iraq’s new-age armed forces prove to be incapable of maintaining security as the U.S. military withdrawal gets under way, it won’t be because they lack weapons.

Oil auction in Iraq nets just one deal (UPI)
BAGHDAD, July 1 (UPI) — An all-day auction for eight oil development contracts in Iraq fell short of expectations with only one contract signed, the Iraqi Oil Ministry said.

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