Iraq Sees a Revival

Merry Go Round
The southern port city of Basra — previously infamous as a lawless haven for smuggling gangs and Shiite militias — has seen a sharp turnaround since March, when Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki launched a large-scale military crackdown. The renewed security presence, which — for the time being — seems to have broken the militias' grip on the city, has allowed residents to flock again to parks like this one for late-night recreation.

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