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	U.S. eyes cuts to Iraq embassy after troops exit (Reuters)
	Reuters - The U.S. government is looking to cut the size of its embassy in Iraq, by far its largest and most expensive mission, months after the last American troops withdrew, U.S. officials said Tuesday.
	Iraq's Sunni-backed ministers return to Cabinet (AP)
	AP - Ministers from Iraq's Sunni-backed bloc ended their boycott of the Cabinet on Tuesday, a move that could restore some stability to the war-ravaged nation that has been mired in a security and political crisis since the U.S. completed its military withdrawal from the country.
	Haditha Marine's lawyers call Anonymous "cowards" after hack (Reuters)
	Reuters - Lawyers for a U.S. Marine court-martialed for his role in killing Iraqi civilians in Haditha slammed the international hacking collective Anonymous as "cowards" on Monday after they knocked out the firm's website and published internal e-mails on the web.
	Was the Iraq War Worth it?: A Soldier's Perspective (ContributorNetwork)
	ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY \| I want to preface this commentary by stating upfront that I am a former soldier and veteran of the 1991, (first) Persian Gulf war. Thus, I am not fundamentally opposed to the use of military force, particularly in opposition to abject tyranny and/or in direct defense of our nation -- the United States -- and its proven, steadfast allies. Having said this, let me be clear, I was opposed to this current, dubious incantation of the war on Iraq early on, and remain so after nine long years of irrevocable bloodshed and depletion of our nation's treasures -- both human and financial.
	Obamas to host dinner honoring Iraq veterans (AP)
	AP - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host a Feb. 29 dinner at the White House honoring members of the armed forces who served in Iraq.
	More U.S. grassroots parades for Iraq war vets possible (Reuters)
	Reuters - Organizers of a parade for Iraq war veterans that drew thousands of flag waving spectators in St. Louis last weekend have been asked by people around the country for help in planning similar events, officials said Friday.
	More cities consider parades for Iraq War vets (AP)
	AP - A St. Louis parade welcoming home Iraq War and other post-Sept. 11 veterans was such a hit that at least 10 other cities around the country are considering similar celebrations.
	Iraq court agrees execution of Baghdad church attackers (Reuters)
	Reuters - Iraq's highest court ratified death sentences on Thursday for three men convicted of a 2010 attack on a Syrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad, the bloodiest attack on Iraqi Christians after the 2003 invasion.
	Analysis: Middle East turmoil draws Turkey and Iraqi Kurds (Reuters)
	Reuters - Upheaval in the Middle East and mutual economic interests are drawing together two unlikely partners; rising powerhouse Turkey and an entity whose name Turkish leaders hardly dare mention - Kurdistan, the semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq.
	Iraq executes 17 after U.N. rebuke (Reuters)
	Reuters - Iraq executed 17 people on Wednesday, days after U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay criticized Baghdad for carrying out a large number of executions and questioned the fairness of its judicial proceedings.
	Iraq becomes dollar source for sanctions-hit Iran, Syria (Reuters)
	Reuters - In the money changing shops dotted around Baghdad's Karrada district, Iraqi merchants dabble in many currencies, but these days some joke that banknotes from neighboring Iran and Syria are only worth plastering on windows as decorations.
	Obama: U.S. drone use in Iraq very limited (Reuters)
	Reuters - President Barack Obama on Monday played down the use of U.S. drones in Iraq, saying the program was very limited and focused mainly on protecting the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
	Pentagon's Failure to Handle Iraq's Money Harms America's Reputation (ContributorNetwork)
	ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY \| Sara Sorcher of the National Journal reports the Department of Defense cannot account for some $2 billion given to it by the government of Iraq to pay bills on contracts awarded in 2003 and 2004. Auditors claim poor record-keeping led to the inability to track the money, while others insist that acceptable efforts were made and that the money made it to the appropriate recipients.
	Pentagon prepares for new military talks with Iraq (AP)
	AP - The Obama administration is preparing to begin talks with Iraq on defining a long-term defense relationship that may include expanded U.S. training help, according to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's chief policy aide.
	Iraq's Sunni-backed bloc to end parliament boycott (Reuters)
	Reuters - Iraq's Sunni-backed Iraqiya political bloc said Sunday it would end a boycott of parliament, easing the worst political crisis in Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's power-sharing government in a year.
	St. Louis Parade Thanks Iraq War Heroes, Looks to Expand (ContributorNetwork)
	ContributorNetwork - The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the Gateway City was living up to its reputation Saturday. A homegrown parade honored Iraq War veterans as the first major event of its kind in a large American city. Troops and their families were moved to tears by the support of their neighbors and complete strangers who showed up to honor the sacrifices of troops returning home.
	Veterans share stories at Iraq War parade in Mo. (AP)
	AP - Veterans who attended the nation's first major Iraq War parade Saturday in St. Louis said they appreciated the welcome home, even though some expected to be redeployed to Afghanistan or elsewhere in the coming months. Here are a few of their stories:
	Iraq War veteran accused of posing as Ore. officer (AP)
	AP - Eugene Police Officer Dan Baker drove a blue SUV and set off sirens to clear cars in front of him at traffic lights. He pulled over motorists — though it's unclear if he ever gave out tickets. And when he stopped by a youth shelter as a volunteer, he came in full uniform.
	Mayor Bloomberg: No NYC parade for Iraq War vets (AP)
	AP - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says there will be no city parade for Iraq War veterans in the foreseeable future because of objections voiced by military officials.
	Suicide bomber kills 31 in Baghdad attack (Reuters)
	Reuters - A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-filled taxi near a Shi'ite funeral procession in Baghdad on Friday, killing 31 people and bringing the death toll from violence since an Iraqi political crisis erupted in December to more than 400.