News in Brief A Better Stab at Estimating How Many Died in the Iraq War A new study rising from the ashes of a flawed old one estimates a half million Iraqis died as a result of the U.S.-led invasion and occupation. Michael Todd
Books & Culture News in Brief Previous Site Sections A Professional Military and the Privatization of Warfare The antics of private military contractors are increasingly known, and they're the ones taking over for departing uniformed American troops in Iraq. Jeff Shear
Economics Iraq’s Official Death Toll Supports Unofficial Tally Slow and steady even in tallying the tragic proves its worth. Michael Todd