Iraq Begins Security Review In Wake Of Explosions

The scene of a massive explosion outside the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in central Baghdad

August 21, 2009 The latest attacks in Baghdad have prompted speculation about whether the security situation is deteriorating and if the United States might have been too hasty in its military pullback from cities and towns. But on both sides, there is reluctance to have U.S. troops return, as it would mean serious political fallout for both the Obama administration and Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's administration -- which faces election in a few months and has staked its reputation on demonstrating that it has the security situation in hand and under control. More