Bombing in Tal Afar, Clashes in Ramadi
Dems Plan to bring Troops Home in spring, O8

Senate Democrats are crafting legislation that would bring US troops home by spring of 2008.

Reuters rounds up political violence on Thursday. Bombings in Kirkuk, clashes in al-Anbar province, bodies found in Baghdad. 2 US GIs killed.

Saeed Shah at the Independent discusses the current draft of the new petroleum investment law in Iraq, and the jockeying for position of the oil majors. He reveals that the third draft of the law gives big prerogatives to regions, and quotes an expert who fears it will break up the country.

The LA Times marks the fist anniversary of the destruction of the Askariya Shrine in Samarra. Iraqis commemorated the date on the lunar calendar, a couple of weeks ago.

The USG Open Source Center paraphrases Iraqi press items for February 22:

' Tariq al-Sha'b carries on the front page a 460-word report on the statement issued by the Iraqi Journalists Association yesterday, 21 February denouncing US forces for raiding the association headquarters and arresting 10 guards. . .

Al-Mu'tamar publishes on the front page a 350-word report on the statement issued by the Babil Advisory Council yesterday, 21 February confirming that the council has decided to form an investigation committee to question Governor Salim Salih al-Musalimawi and the Council's Projects Committee on their failure in the implementation of the 2006 development projects in the governorate. . .

Al-Sabah al-Jadid carries on page 3 a 300-word report citing Basra Federal Workers Union Undersecretary Abd-al-Karim Abd-al-Sadah condemning British forces for attacking the union headquarters. . .