Provincial and Central Government

Security

BBC News - How ready is Iraq for Obama plan? by Andrew North

The Washington Post - Combat Brigade is Cut 6 Weeks Early in Iraq, by Ann Scott Tyson

Associated Press - Blasts in Baghdad kill 4, wound more than 20, by Sinan Salaheddin

Security

New York Times - For Family in Iraq, Drop in Deaths Is Not Enough, by Katherine Zoepf and Sam Dagher

BBC - Seven dead in Baghdad bomb blasts

Associated Press - Police: Bombings kill 9, wound at least 33 in Iraq, by Hamid Ahmed

Security and Politics

Reuters - FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Oct 31

New York Times - Iraqi Ministry Adopts Political Neutrality, by Abeer Mohammed and Katherine Zoepf

Associated Press - Iraq plans to cut 2009 budget by $13 billion

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

The Iraqi leadership continues to press for last minute changes to the SOFA agreements while the US reiterates its support for the agreement in its current state.

New York Times - Iraqis Insist on Changes to Long-Delayed Security Pact With U.S., by Sam Dagher

U.S. Raid in Syria

US Special Forces conducted a daylight raid against Al Qaeda within the Syrian border.  US sources call the raid successful while Syrian authorities have decried it as a violation of their sovereignty.

Wall Street Journal - Syria Halts Diplomacy After U.S. Military Strike, by Jay Solomon

Security

U.S. Special Forces have reportedly conducted a raid inside Syrian territory on the border with Iraq.  While U.S. officials have not publically claimed responsibility, sources say U.S. hunter-killer teams trained their sights on Al Qaeda's senior coordinator in Syria, Abu Ghadiya.  For the latest on this operation, see:

New York Times - Syria and Iran Blame U.S. in Blast on Iraq Border, by Katherine Zoepf

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)