Coordinated car bomb attacks in Baghdad killed over 100 people and wounded nearly 200, in the worst wave of violence in more than a month. The attacks marked the third time since August that government buildings were targeted with multiple blasts.1
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Iraq and met with Iraqi officials amidst a wave of car bomb attacks. Gates conveyed his condolences to President Talabani and PM al-Maliki and offered all possible assistance. al-Maliki reportedly informed his guest that political feuds, coordination troubles between police and army and budget cuts due to falling oil prices have hurt efforts to expand security operations.2