There was a fine New York Times op-ed today called "Switched Off in Basra," about the rise of fundamentalism in the Iraqi south and the unwillingness of British troops to confront it. You should read the article, but let me just point out one sentence that took me aback:

An Iraqi police lieutenant, who for obvious reasons asked to remain anonymous, confirmed to me the widespread rumors that a few police officers are perpetrating many of the hundreds of assassinations - mostly of former Baath Party members - that take place in Basra each month.

Is that right? Hundreds of assassinations take place in Basra every month? I find that shocking.