BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: U.S forces and the Iraqi National Guard fight together during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. These National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005. First Segeant Troy Hawkins falls wounded to the ground during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. Sgt Hawkins was wounded in the leg and shoulder but continued to direct troop movement before walking out of the fire zone.The Iraqi National Guard members he was fighting alongside have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: U.S Army's First Cavalry, Task Force 1-9 First Segeant Troy Hawkins is tended by fellow soldiers after being wounded in the leg and the shoulder during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. Sgt Hawkins and his fellow U.S soldiers were fighting alongside Iraqi National Guard members who have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: U.S Army's First Cavalry, Task Force 1-9 First Segeant Troy Hawkins is tended by fellow soldiers after being wounded in the leg and the shoulder during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. Sgt Hawkins and his fellow U.S soldiers were fighting alongside Iraqi National Guard members who have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: An Iraqi National Guard member has his hand bandaged after being injured in a grendade attack during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. These National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: Iraqi National Guard members question suspects caught during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. These National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: Iraqi National Guard members question a suspect caught during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. The suspect was caught with three handgrenade pins in his possesion. These National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: A young Iraqi girl stares angrily as a member of U.S Army's First Cavalry , task force 1-9, walks through her house. The girl's father was arrested as a suspect during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. Iraqi National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: An Iraqi National Guard guards a suspected insurgent after his platoon was atttacked by grenades and small arms fire during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. These National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 16 FEBRUARY 2005: Iraqi National Guard members warily approach a man during a firefight in the troubled Haifa street area of Baghdad. These National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 12 FEBRUARY 2005: Iraqi National Guard members patrol troubled Haifa street in Baghdad. The majority of these National Guard members are Sunni and they have deliberately been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, they are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 12 FEBRUARY 2005: Iraqi National Guard members patrol troubled Haifa street in Baghdad. The majority of these National Guard members are Sunni and they have deliberately been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes between Sunni militants and Shiite residents. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, they are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election discussion, Baghdad.

MAHMUYDIYAH,IRAQ - JUNE 7: Bravo company, 1st Armoured Division, 6th Infantry, patrols in Mahmuydiyah. They are depicted conducting car searchs for resistance members after just being mortared at their base. Bravo company has taken a number of hits this week, 17 soldiers were injured in a mortar attack and 3 were shipped to Germany to recover. This company has the highest number of Purple Hearts awarded in the Battalion. The Purple Heart is an award given to soldiers who have been wounded under enemy fire. The company is on an extended tour of Iraq, and morale ramains high despite the extended time period and high casualty rate. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 17 FEBRUARY 2005: Iraqi National Guard member Ali Nadim, 20, is rushed to hospital after being wounded by grenade attack during a firefight in the Haifa street area of Baghdad. These Iraqi National Guard members have been trained by U.S Coalition forces to work in this area which is a flashpoint for clashes. U.S forces are in the process of handing over complete authority to the Iraqi National Guard. Although still currently involved in the patrols, the U.S forces are phasing out their direct involvement in this kind of security operation. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election Iraqi Nationa Army, Baghdad.

NAJAF, IRAQ - MAY 2004: Militia supporters of cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder guard the streets in Najaf. This group clashes on a daily basis with the coalition forces and tensions are high in the area. PHOTO BY BRENT STIRTON/GETTY IMAGES

NAJAF, IRAQ - MAY 8: Mehdi Army resistance fighters holed up in the cemetry in Najaf. These fighters are loyal to radical cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr and have taken heavy casulties in the last three days of fighting with US forces in and around Najaf. Most of the fighting has taken place around the cemetry, the Sadr supporters losing 7 fighters yesterday but claiming to have disabled a US tank and Humvee. These three front-facing young men are from left, Ghsan Al-Qutaifi, Adider Al-Muswi, and closest to camera, Kasim Al-Muswi. They are all students who have only just joined the resistance, leaving their studies to do so. They have already lost a brother to the recent conflict and when queried as to their feelings, stated that their mother said they should not mourn him but rather congratulate him. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

Najaf: Madhi Army men wait to attach the American army close to a Mosque.

KARBALA, IRAQ - MAY 17: Al-Mehdi Army supporters of radical cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder fight in the streets of Karbala. This group clashes on a daily basis with the coalition forces and tensions are high in the area. The fighting is taking place next to the holy shrine of Hussien Abbas. Supporters of head cleric Grand Ayotola Sistani are opposed to the Militia presence and this is causing division amongst the Shiiate people of Iraq. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

KARBALA, IRAQ - MAY 17: Al-Mehdi Army supporters of radical cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder fight in the streets of Karbala. This group clashes on a daily basis with the coalition forces and tensions are high in the area. The fighting is taking place next to the holy shrine of Hussien Abbas. Supporters of head cleric Grand Ayotola Sistani are opposed to the Militia presence and this is causing division amongst the Shiiate people of Iraq. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

KARBALA, IRAQ - MAY 17: Al-Mehdi Army supporters of radical cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder fight in the streets of Karbala. This group clashes on a daily basis with the coalition forces and tensions are high in the area. The fighting is taking place next to the holy shrine of Hussien Abbas. Supporters of head cleric Grand Ayotola Sistani are opposed to the Militia presence and this is causing division amongst the Shiiate people of Iraq. *** Local Caption *** IRAQ ASSIGNMENT

KARBALA, IRAQ - MAY 17: Al-Mehdi Army supporters of radical cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder fight in the streets of Karbala. This group clashes on a daily basis with the coalition forces and tensions are high in the area. The fighting is taking place next to the holy shrine of Hussien Abbas. Supporters of head cleric Grand Ayotola Sistani are opposed to the Militia presence and this is causing division amongst the Shiiate people of Iraq. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

KARBALA, IRAQ - MAY 17: Al-Mehdi Army supporters of radical cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder fight in the streets of Karbala. This group clashes on a daily basis with the coalition forces and tensions are high in the area. The fighting is taking place next to the holy shrine of Hussien Abbas. Supporters of head cleric Grand Ayotola Sistani are opposed to the Militia presence and this is causing division amongst the Shiiate people of Iraq. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

NAJAF, IRAQ - Hussam Hassan washed the body of 12 year old Ali Basem Karim. He was killed in Basra when the wedding he was attending was attacked by extremist militias. The wedding were attacked because they were celebrating and that was not considered apporopriate by the militia group. Another child was wounded in the attack. *** Local Caption *** Assignment Iraq

NAJAF, IRAQ-MAY 2005: Hussam Hassan washes the body of 12 year old Ali Basem Karim who was killed in Basra when the wedding he was attending was attacked by extremist militias. The wedding was attacked because they were celebrating and that was not considered apporopriate by the militia group. Another child was wounded in the attack. *** Local Caption *** Assignment Iraq

BAGHDAD,IRAQ - MAY 10:The Baghdad Fire-Brigade works to put out a fire in the Al-Amriya district of Baghdad.The fire broke out after a bomb blast at a Electricity sub-station and destroyed a large stockpile of new electrical equipment. Disruptions to power continue to plague Baghdad on a regular basis. Photo by Brent Stirton/Newsweek for Getty Images

IRAQ, BAGHDAD. MAY 5 2004. BODIES OF IRAQI CIVILIANS LIE IN A MORGUE OUTSIDE OF BAGHDAD. THEY WERE KILLED IN AN ATTACK ON A TRUCK DRIVEN BY A MAN WHO WAS ACCUSED OF COLLABORATING WITH THE AMERICANS. *** Local Caption *** IRAQ

NAJAF, IRAQ - MAY 7: Relatives of the wounded wait in a local hospital in Najaf. 8 civilians were killed and 16 wounded as the coalition forces retaliated against militia attacks in the area. *** Local Caption *** Assignment Iraq

KIRKUSH,IRAQ - JUNE 17: New soldiers for the Iraqi army train at the Kirkush training facility. CMATT, the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, intially undertook the training of these soldiers but now that responsibility is being carried out by Iraqi trainers forming the first Brigade dedicated to the training of Iraqis by Iraqis. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

TAJI, IRAQ - JUNE 17: New soldiers for the Iraqi army train at the Taji training facility. CMATT, the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, intially undertook the training of these soldiers but now that responsibility is being carried out by Iraqi trainers forming the first Brigade dedicated to the training of Iraqis by Iraqis. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

FALLUJAH,IRAQ - MAY 6: Members of the new Iraqi army do security checks on houses in Fallujah, although not yet involved in active fighting against the militia activity in the town, this new army will soon be part of ensuring security in Fallujah. The new army includes former Baathist members and members of the old Iraqi army under Sadam Hussein. The soldiers depicted are wearing the old uniform from that time. *** Local Caption *** USNWR

FALLUJAH,IRAQ - MAY 6: Members of the new Iraqi army do security checks on houses in Fallujah, although not yet involved in active fighting against the militia activity in the town, this new army will soon be part of ensuring security in Fallujah. The new army includes former Baathist members and members of the old Iraqi army under Sadam Hussein. The soldiers depicted are wearing the old uniform from that time. *** Local Caption *** USNWR

MAHMUYDIYAH,IRAQ - JUNE 7: Sgt John Jones of Bravo company, 1st Armoured Division, 6th Infantry stares out the window of a Bradley armoured personel carrier as the company patrols in Mahmuydiyah. Bravo company has taken a number of hits in recent days. 17 soldiers were injured in a mortar attack and 3 were shipped to Germany to recover. This company has the highest number of Purple Hearts awarded in the Battalion. The Purple Heart is an award given to soldiers who have been wounded under enemy fire. The company is on an extended tour of Iraq, morale ramains high despite the extended time period and high casualty rate. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

FALLUJAH,IRAQ - MAY 6: Members of the new Iraqi army do security checks on houses in Fallujah, although not yet involved in active fighting against the militia activity in the town, this new army will soon be part of ensuring security in Fallujah. The new army includes former Baathist members and members of the old Iraqi army under Sadam Hussein. The soldiers depicted are wearing the old uniform from that time. *** Local Caption *** USNWR

BAGHDAD,IRAQ - JUNE 03 : A huge mural in the Sadr City section of Baghdad. The mural depicts relatives of radical cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr. On the left is Mahammed Baqir Al-Sadr, a prominent cleric executed by Saddam Hussein in 1980. On the right is Mohammed Al-Sadr, the former Grand Ayotollah of Iraq. Support for Moqtada Al-Sadr and his anti-coalition sentiments continues to be strong in this area of Baghdad, as evidenced by the number of posters depicting him which have been added to this auspicious mural. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

KUFA, IRAQ- May 7: Followers of radical cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder attend Friday mosque in a time of daily clashes between Sadder's Militia suppoorters and coalition forces *** Local Caption *** Assignment Iraq

KUFA, IRAQ- May 7: Followers of radical cleric Mugtada Al-Sadder attend Friday mosque in a time of daily clashes between Sadder's Militia suppoorters and coalition forces *** Local Caption *** Assignment Iraq

NAJAF, IRAQ - JANUARY 29 2005: An Iraqi policeman guards a polling station while talking to a young boy in the Iraqi city of Najaf. The Shiite holy city of Najaf enjoyed a calm pre-election day with no violence and many pilgrims on the street. Najaf is an important holy city in the Shiite relegion and the city has been secured against election violence. The Shiites are the majority population group in Iraq and are expected to turn out in good numbers tomorrow in Najaf for the Iraqi elections. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi elections in Najaf

IRAQ, BAGHDAD. MAY 5 2004. ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN TARGETS CONTINUE IN IRAQ. THE DRIVER OF THE THIS TRUCK WAS KILLED AS HE WAS SUSPECTED OF COLLABORATING WITH THE AMERICANS. *** Local Caption *** WAR

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 18 FEBRUARY 2005: A Shiite crowd of worshippers and mourners shout and wail in a manic bout of relegious fervour and grieving .The crowd was attending a speech at a funeral before Friday Prayers by Abdel Aziz Al-Hakim, the Leader of the Supreme Council of of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. The funeral was for 3 militant members of the Badre Brigade, an organisation loyal to Hakim's party. Shiites across Iraq are in the middle of the holy month of Muharram, a remembrance of the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the prophet Muhammad. Twin bombing incidents in Baghdad today killed at least 16 worshippers and wounded over 40. Last year at this time bombing killed 181 people in Iraq on the Shiite Holy day of Ashoura. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi post-election Iraqi Shiite ashoura celebrations, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD,IRAQ - JUNE 24: A member of the Iraqi Civil Defence Unit holds an Improvised Explosive Device disarmed today in Baghdad, 24 June, 2004. All of the members of the I.C.D.U. wish to remain anonymous. This is due to threats against them and their families for what the resistance views as collaboration with the Coalition forces. This small device is apparently enough to destroy a small buidling. As the handover approaches in Iraq, these bombs are responsible for a great deal of fear and apprehension amongst the Iraqi population. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BAGHDAD,IRAQ - JUNE 06 : Ahmad Abd Al-Latif, 20, at his home in Baghdad. Ahmad lost his hand and the use of his arm when his brother and himself were caught in a cross-fire between coalition forces and resistance in Baghdad at the time the coalition took control of the capital. His brother was killed and he was forced to hide for the night in a toilet at a gas station. In the morning he was able to get to a hospital but doctors could not save his hand. Ahmad now suffers from depression and is ashamed of his condition. He is one of hundreds in this position in Baghdad. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

NAJAF, IRAQ - MAY 8: Mehdi Army resistance fighters holed up in the cemetry in Najaf. These fighters are loyal to radical cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr and have taken heavy casulties in the last three days of fighting with US forces in and around Najaf. Most of the fighting has taken place around the cemetry, the Sadr supporters losing 7 fighters yesterday but claiming to have disabled a US tank and Humvee. This image depicts the funeral of two Mehdi Army fighters who died in the fighting. They are being carried around the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf, a holy site in Iraq. The men depicted did not wish to give their names. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BA'QUBAH, IRAQ - MAY 13: 183 prisoners were released from Abu Graib prison today. They were driven up through Tikrit and finally released in Ba' Qubah. These released prisoners came off the bus and immediately fell to their knees and began reciting verses from the Koran. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BA'QUBAH, IRAQ - MAY 13: 183 prisoners were released from Abu Graib prison today. They were driven up through Tikrit and finally released in Ba' Qubah. Faris Bakak has been to 3 of these releases in the hope that his brother would be one of those released. He was not amongst today's. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BA'QUBAH, IRAQ - MAY 13: 183 prisoners were released from Abu Graib prison today. They were driven up through Tikrit and finally released in Ba' Qubah. Salma Mahdi Samir has been to many releases in the hope of seeing her son amongst those released. He was arrested 13 months ago and she has not seen him since. She claims that it costs $500 to arrange a visit. Her son is a former soldier who was arrested after the war as a suspected Saddam Hussein supporter. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BAGHDAD,IRAQ - MAY 12: The Baghdad High Crimes Unit is an elite police task force. They deal exlcusively with directives form the Special Criminal Court. They are divided into 5 divisions: Organised crime, Money-Laundering, Anti-terrorism, Kidnapping and Political Affairs. This image depicts two men who had been kidnapped and held tied to beds for 22 days on a remote farm in the south of Baghdad. When rescued by the high crimes Kidnapping unit and taken home to change they could not hide their gratitude and relief. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

MAHMUYDIYAH,IRAQ - JUNE 7: Exhausted members of Bravo company, 1st Armoured Division, 6th Infantry relax after a long patrol in Mahmuydiyah. On the wall behind them are messages of support from children in the states, some belonging to the soldiers, others not. Bravo company has taken a number of hits this week, 17 soldiers were injured in a mortar attack and 3 were shipped to Germany to recover. This company has the highest number of Purple Hearts awarded in the Battalion. The Purple Heart is an award given to soldiers who have been wounded under enemy fire. The company is on an extended tour of Iraq, and morale ramains high despite the extended time period and high casualty rate. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

KARMA,IRAQ - MAY 27: Corporal Ernie Moreno, 22, of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Moreno was one of the Marines heavily involved in the fighting in Fallujah when tensions between the Marines and the insurgents were at their peak. Moreno saw a fellow member of his squad badly wounded and when a rescue was attempted by another marine, that Marine was killed with a shot to the head. Fallujah saw one of the heaviest tolls exacted on the Marines during their time in Iraq.(Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

FALLUJAH, IRAQ - MAY 22: Sgt. Fred Arencibia of 2nd Battalion, First Marine Regiment, Echo Company stands guard at base outside of Fallujah. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** SPECULATIVE FOR NEWSWEEK.

FALLUJAH IRAQ, MAY 2004: A marine sniper team set up to protect an infiltration team going into Fallujah to extract a known insurgent. PHOTO BY BRENT STIRTON/GETTY IMAGES

NAJAF, IRAQ - JUNE 21: General David Petraeus, the three star American General charged with over-seeing the transition of power from the Coalition military authorities to the Iraqis. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

TIKRIT,IRAQ - JUNE 10: General David Petraeus, the three star American General charged with overseeing the transition of power from the Coalition military authorities to the Iraqis. He is depicted on a visit to the Coalition base at one of Saddam Husseins former palaces. While on the visit he met with ICDC troops who have just finished instruction under US drill sergeants as well as touring the base facilities with Iraqi Army Brigadier General Abdul Kadir Jassim. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

NAJAF, IRAQ - JUNE 21: General David Petraeus, the three star American General charged with over-seeing the transition of power from the Coalition military authorities to the Iraqis. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

TIKRIT,IRAQ - JUNE 10: General David Petraeus, the three star American General charged with overseeing the transition of power from the Coalition military authorities to the Iraqis. He is depicted on a visit to the Coalition base at one of Saddam Husseins former palaces. While on the visit he met with ICDC troops who have just finished instruction under US drill sergeants as well as touring the base facilities with Iraqi Army Brigadier General Abdul Kadir Jassim. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

NAJAF, IRAQ-MAY 2004: A young girl prepares to wear her Abaya full covering dress for the first time as she goes to pray in Najaf, the holiest city in Iraq for Shiites. PHOTO BY BRENT STIRTON/GETTY IMAGES

NAJAF, IRAQ - JANUARY 30 2005: An Iraqi women votes in the Iraqi national election in Najaf while an election official looks on. The Shiite holy city of Najaf enjoyed a calm election day with no violence and a good voter turnout reported at many voting stations. Najaf is an important holy city in the Shiite relegion and the city has been secured against election violence. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi elections in Najaf

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 24 FEBRUARY 2005. A young Iraqi woman wearing a Hijab headcovering looks through a range of modern evening dresses in a chic women's store in the Mansour neighbourhood of Baghdad. This western style of dress is threatened by the rise of newly elected hard line Islamists in Iraq. The Islamists are pushing for all women to wear the veil as the minimal sign of respect to fundamental Islamic law. The right for women to wear what they would like is only one of the points being lobbied for by women's rights groups in Iraq as the new Constitution is debated. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi women issues, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD,IRAQ - MAY 23 :Balasim Fadil Ahmed, a construction worker at the Sharkdijla Water treatment facility on the outskirts of Baghdad, inspects a new water tank.The Sharkdijla facility is built with the aid of US funding and supplies over 40% of Baghdad's water, channeling clean water to most of the poorer areas across the city. 4 Iraqi companies sub-contract on the building and maintenance of this facilitiy. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BAGHDAD,IRAQ - MAY 16: The Arnold Classic Gym in Baghdad was founded in 1997 and has been the source of many of Iraq's body-building champions. Owner SahabTalib Mahdi is a former Asian champion and is a fanatical supporter of Arnold Schwartzenegger. The gym is a shrine to Arnold. Pictured from left are a host of Iraqi champions. Firas Jerges Aziz, 23, sitting, is a member of the Iraqi national team and the world youth champion for 2003. Hamid Abd Al-Rahman, 43, is a national trainer. Asad Hamid Jafar, 27, is lifting the weight over his head. He has been a member of the Iraqi national team for 7 years and is a three times winner of the Arabian Championship. The boy is Arnold Mahdi, the son of the owner and named after Arnold. The man to far right is Staar Atya Radi, the curent youth champion of Iraq. *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 23 FEBRUARY 2005. Iraqi Politican and Women's Rights advocate Songul Chapook photographed at her home in Baghdad. Songul Chapook is one of the few female members of the Iraqi Interim Government General Assembly. The rise of hard line Islamists in Iraq currently threatens many of the civil liberties of Iraqi women, women like Songul Chapook are fighting for the constitutional recognition of those rights. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi women issues, Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - 20 FEBRUARY 2005. Interim Vice-President of Iraq, Ibrahim al- Jaafari, photographed outside of his office in the Green Zone, Baghdad. Jaafari is one of the leading candidates for the post of Iraqi Prime Minister. Central to his campaign strategy is his promise to rebuild Iraq through the political inclusion of all groups in a new Iraqi government.(Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images for Newsweek) *** Local Caption *** Iraqi VP Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Baghdad.

KARMA,IRAQ - MAY 27: Rusty Ede, 22, of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Ede was one of the Marines heavily involved in the fighting in Fallujah when tensions between the Marines and the insurgents were at their peak. Ede saw a fellow member of his squad badly wounded and when a rescue was attempted by another marine, that Marine was killed with a shot to the head. Fallujah saw one of the heaviest tolls exacted on the Marines during their time in Iraq.(Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Iraq Assignment