IRAQ Central struggles

A look at key issues facing Iraqi political leaders and U.S. military commanders:

Sunni insurgency: U.S. forces have achieved some success in the western Anbar province, where Sunni tribal leaders have turned against al-Qaida in Iraq and are cooperating with U.S. and Iraqi forces. Elsewhere, American troops restored a measure of stability in Baqouba, a former al-Qaida stronghold north of Baghdad, and in Sunni areas just south of the city. But the situation in those areas remains unstable.

Shiites: In July, the No. 2 commander, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, said nearly 75 percent of the attacks that killed or wounded Americans in Baghdad were carried out by Shiite militiamen. Since then, Shiite militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has declared a six-month stand-down of his Mahdi Army, but breakaway factions are still attacking Americans in Baghdad and elsewhere.

Politics: Resignations by Sunni and Shiite Cabinet ministers have paralyzed the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and blocked parliamentary approval of U.S.-based “benchmark” legislation. Last month, Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish leaders signed an agreement to approve some of the benchmarks. But Sunni leaders said the deal was not enough to get them to return to the Cabinet.

Source: Associated Press