Marine In Iraq Suspended Over Bible-Quoting Coins

'Operation Iraqi Freedom' history as most troops head home

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration has rebranded the Iraq War as it prepares to pull out most American troops. "Operation Iraqi Freedom" will become "Operation New Dawn" as of Sept. 1, when US troop levels are supposed to fall to around 50,000, the Washington Post reports. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the new name will signal that America's combat role in Iraq is drawing to a close. More»

US military firearms with coded messages raise issue of 'crusade'

(NEWSER) - A rifle scope commonly used by the US military is inscribed with references to the Bible. The scopes, made by Trijicon of Michigan, bear codes that refer to verses glorifying God and Jesus—even though the military, leery of being accused of waging a Crusade, bans proselytizing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The scopes are "probably the best example of violation of the separation of church and state in this country," said an activist who promotes separation of church and state. More»

(NEWSER) - A realistic video game featuring a historic Fallujah battle involving US forces in Iraq has incensed vets and their families, reports ABC News. Six Days in Fallujah is due out next year, and involves Marine consultants to ensure accuracy of the action. "It's upsetting," said a mom who lost a son in Iraq. "I have this image of guys sitting around laughing because they got killed or didn't, and starting over. My son didn't have that choice." More»

Two bombings claim lives of Iraqi civilians, US troops

(AP) - Iraq's presidential council today approved the security pact that lays out a 3-year timeframe for US troops to leave— the final step for the agreement to replace a UN mandate that expires Dec. 31, the AP reports. As the final legal hurdle to the deal was cleared, American soldiers and Iraqi civilians alike faced another round of deadly bombings by insurgents trying to chip away at recent security gains. More»

US hails progress, but top cop relies on brutal tactics, says democracy not for Iraq

(NEWSER) - Fallujah, a hotbed of violence that has shown signs of stability, is trumpeted by the US as a success story of the Iraq war effort. But the security achieved there, largely the work of Faial Ismail al-Zobaie, the city’s police chief and a former insurgent, is the result of harsh, Saddam Hussein-style tactics, the Washington Post reports. More»