A newly commissioned military officer and his mother embrace each other at the Iraqi Military Academy in eastern Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday Jan. 11, 2009. More than 500 cadets graduated from 12-month military officers' training course in a military academy in Rustumiya on Sunday.
A graduate of the Kalachwalan military academy is kissed by relatives after his graduation north of Sulaimaniyah, 160 miles northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009. The academy graduated 250 officers on Sunday.
Iraqis carry Palestinian flags as they demonstrate in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in the Shiite city of Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. In Iraq, Sunni and Shiite worshippers staged rallies following Friday prayer services, in which preachers condemned the US and Israel for the Gaza attacks, but also Arab governments for failing to defend the Palestinians.
Iraqi police stand at the scene of bombing in Baghdad, Iraq on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. A bomb hidden under a car exploded in central Baghdad.
Iraqi youths post election campaign posters in Baghdad, Iraq on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. Iraq's provincial elections are scheduled for January 31, 2009.
An actor performs in a re-enactment of the story of the death of Imam Hussein as Shiites observe Ashoura in eastern Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
Shiite pilgrims gather to observe Ashoura at the Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
A woman reacts, as Shiite pilgrims gather to mark Ashoura, in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
Shiite pilgrims observe Ashoura in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
An Iraqi policeman handcuffs suspected insurgent in Krlan village near Kirkuk, 180 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
An Iraqi man watches a re-enactment of the story of the death of Imam Hussein as Shiites observe Ashoura in the Sadr City area of Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
Shiite Muslim worshippers flagellate themselves to mark the Muslim festival of Ashoura in Basra, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
Iraqi Shiites mark Ashura in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
A man touches grave of Imam Abbas as Shiites mark Ashura in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
Iraqi Shiite worshippers attend Ashura observances in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. Ashura falls on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, who was killed in 680 A.D. during the battle of Karbala.
People watch the U.S. flag as it is raised during a ceremony marking the opening of the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. The embassy in Baghdad is one of the largest U.S. embassies in the world.
A man is treated after being hurt in a road side bomb blast near Mustransiriyah Sq. in eastern Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
Firefighters hose down cars at the site of a blast in Abu Dshir in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
An Iraqi soldier stands guard in front of the holy Shiite shrine of Imam Abbas in Karbala, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
An Iraqi soldier stands guard in front of the holy Shiite shrine of Imam Abbas in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.