Soldiers of Babylon

Although the new Iraqi army seems extremely professional, it is a dysfunctional group focused mostly on internal security.

5 Seconds

00:00

Sept. 26, 2010

Iraqi politicians and military officials say the armed forces remain dysfunctional. In the photo, Iraq army soldiers and commandos show off their anti-terrorism skills and skills against criminal activities at a camp in Kirkuk, three weeks after the official end to U.S. combat operations in Iraq.

Marwan Ibrahim / AFP/Getty Images

April 30, 2011

The local commanders have a direct line to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, circumventing heads of military. If it had to organize to fight a foreign foe, it is unclear who would command operations. In the photo, Iraqi generals in the southern province of Basra watch their troops stage a war game last month at the urging of U.S. forces.

Aaron C. Davis / The Washington Post

Aprik 30, 2011

Power in the army is dangerously decentralized and the armed forces mostly remain focused on internal security. In the photo, Iraqi generals watch their troops perform during a war game in Basra.

Aaron C. Davis / The Washington Post

Sept. 17, 2010

Iraq's military operates mostly as local fiefdoms focused on counterterrorism and has never fought as one force.

Marwan Ibrahim / AFP/Getty Images

Sept. 6, 2010

Iraqi security forces patrol the streets of Baghdad one day after a coordinated suicide attack on an army complex killed 12 people, with U.S. troops among those who fired back in a bid to repel the operation.

Ali al-Saadi / AFP/Getty Images

April 18, 2011

An Iraqi soldier takes position at the start of the Lion's Leap Operation, a joint U.S.-Iraqi service exercise to demonstrate the Iraqi Security Forces' ability to provide for the security of the Iraqi people and maintain stability throughout the region in Basmaya base, south of Baghdad.

Ahmad Al Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 24, 2010

Iraqi soldiers attend a training session with U.S. troops using American-made M1A battle tanks at the military base of Basmayah. The operation lasted for 10 days in different regions of Iraq and consisted of Iraqi troops on the ground and US F-16 fighter planes in the air.

Ahmad Al Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images

April 30, 2011

With American troops scheduled to leave Iraq by end of the year, many fear that it would leave the country without advanced military capabilities, including fighting aircraft and other equipment.

Aaron C. Davis / The Washington Post

Nov. 16, 2010

An Iraqi soldier stands guard as Sunni Muslims visit the graves of loved ones at the Al-Ghazali cemetery in Baghdad. There are also increasing concerns that the military, which is concentrated under Maliki, could be seem as an agent of the country's Shiite majority.

Ahmad Al Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 9, 2011

A soldier lays out weapons and munitions seized during a joint operation between the army and police dubbed "The Eagles of Baghdad Operation” as they ready for a visit by Qassim Atta, the chief of Baghdad operations command.

Ahmad Al Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images

May 22, 2011

Iraqi troops inspect the scene of a car bomb explosion in the predominantly Shiite north Baghdad district of Sadr City, as more than a dozen bomb attacks in and around the Iraqi capital left 13 people dead, including seven policemen killed in a suicide attack, and 65 wounded.

Ahmad Al Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images

April 30, 2011

The Iraqi army includes about 200,000 of Iraq's 250,000 unfiormed military service members. Many of these soldiers, who man checkpoints throughout the cities, say the only way to rise in the military is to buy their way up.

Aaron C. Davis / The Washington Post

April 30, 2011

Supporters of the Iraqi army say although the armed forces have been taking the lead in securing the country during the past two years, a lot of work is yet to be done to nudge them in the right direction.

Aaron C. Davis / The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

Pranav Sivakumar, 12, of Tower Lakes, Ill., spells his word during the National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md.

National Spelling Bee, Buckingham Palace garden party, the ‘Soup Nazi’ and more in the day in photos

National Spelling Bee, Buckingham Palace garden party, the “Soup Nazi” and more.

U.S. actress and director Angelina Jolie speaks ahead of a screening of her new film 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' at the Foreign Commonwealth Office in central London, May 29, 2012. Angelina Jolie spoke on the Foreign Secretary's initiative on preventing sexual violence in conflict, ahead of the screening. REUTERS/Pool/Dan Kitwood

Eye on entertainment

Angelina Jolie, will.i.am, Larry Thomas, Nick Jonas, Adam Lambert, Bob Dylan and other celebrities.

Novelist Toni Morrison laughs with U.S. President Barack Obama before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Toni Morrison; Barack Obama

Obama Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients

President Obama honored a diverse group of political and cultural icons.

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.