reality-based educator

From the Associated Press:

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Two car bombs exploded in an outdoor market in Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 56 people and injuring scores in the deadliest attack since U.S. and Iraqi forces began a major security push around the capital last week.

The twin blasts -- which tore through the open-air market in the mostly Shiite district of New Baghdad -- marked the first major response by militants to the sweep launched last week and a sobering reminder of the huge challenges facing any efforts against the well-armed factions.

...

A separate car bomb in the mostly Shiite area of Sadr City killed at least one person and injured 10, police said.

The U.S. military reported the deaths of two American soldiers, one of them in Baghdad who was killed when an insurgent hurled a grenade at his vehicle. The other soldier died when a patrol came under fire north of Baghdad, the statement said. Both died Saturday.

Before the car bomb attacks, Prime Minister Maliki had called Operation Imposing Law (the name for the security crackdown) a "brilliant success."

But given the violence that suddenly exploded at 3PM in Iraq today, maybe he should wait more than five days before declaring Mission Accomplished with Operation Imposing Law.

The security crackdown may bring a temporary lull in violence in Baghdad, but as we saw today, bloodshed can break out at any time with frightening and deadly results and 21,500 additional U.S. troops isn't going to change that horrible truth.