Iraq's Prime Minister Under Fire

Two synchronized suicide car bombings killed at least 155 people and injured more than 500 in the Iraqi government district in Baghdad on Sunday. The bombs went off near the Green Zone, hitting the Ministry of Justice as well as a provincial government office while commuters were en route. Considering the two buildings suffered severe damage, questions have now been raised as to how the government can secure its most critical operations. The bombers passed through multiple security checkpoints before detonating their vehicles within one minute of each other. However, no strides have been made in identifying them. Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, who is running for another term, had been making claims for months that his country had made progress in decreasing violence. In recent weeks, Maliki had ordered blast walls removed from numerous streets in the capital, including from those that were attacked. Political allegiances have shifted since August’s attacks (which killed 100) and those Sunday, the deadliest the country has seen in two years. “Why should I vote for Maliki?” one Iraqi asked. “He has done nothing except bring explosions and corruption.”