Pair of Major Attacks in Baghdad Kill 30

Yahoo! News - Pair of Major Attacks in Baghdad Kill 30

Despite the high-profile "victory" in Falluja, the insurgency goes on. Baghdad--and major arteries connecting Baghdad to the rest of the world--is far from pacified, and insurgents who weren't killed or captured in Falluja have moved on to Mosul and other cities.

While there is no question that the US and the "interim Iraqi government" are committed to January elections, and that elections will be held--come Hell or high water--it is far from certain that those elections will have much meaning, if a majority of Iraqis sit them out out of fear, or if major portions of the country are under siege and unable to hold elections.

Whatever government is elected in January runs the risk of being seen as "illegitimate" or as a "puppet government" if elections are held under the threat of violence.