Over 100 people were killed in renewed violence across Iraq, including in Baghdad and other cities. Police and army checkpoints, as well as markets, a mayor’s office and a textile factory were targeted. The attacks occurred amidst a prolonged dispute over the results of the country’s election results held more than two months ago. Officials blamed the political standoff for creating a security vacuum that extremists were exploiting.1

• 1. Steven Lee Myers, ‘Coordinated Attacks in Iraqi Cities Kill More Than 100’, New York Times, May 10, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/world/middleeast/11iraq.html?ref=world