This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

A New Way Forward

Spanish Translation

-- By Nellie Gonzalez Cutler

Will more money and an additional 21,500 troops give the United States the muscle it needs to win the war in Iraq? President George W. Bush believes that it will. In a televised speech last Wednesday, he laid out his plan for victory. "The new strategy will change America's course in Iraq and help us succeed in the fight against terror," he said.

Bush admitted that the state of Iraq is "unacceptable" and that he has made mistakes. "The responsibility rests with me," he said.

Then he explained the plan. The majority of additional U.S. troops will be sent to Baghdad, the country's capital, where they will work closely with Iraqis to improve security. The new troops will bring the number of U.S. forces in Iraq to about 153,000.

The country is a patchwork of ethnic and religious groups. Violence among these groups is tearing Iraq apart. The groups, or sects, have battled each other for years. But since the U.S. invasion, extremists have pushed Iraq toward civil war. Bush acknowledged that his plan cannot work without Iraqi cooperation. "Prime Minister (Nouri al-) Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated," Bush said.

Why We Invaded Iraq

Nearly four years ago, the U.S. went to war with the goal of removing dictator Saddam Hussein from power and destroying Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Iraq had long been suspected of having a program to create nuclear arms, and Hussein had used chemical weapons against his own people in the 1980s. Hussein was captured nine months after the invasion. He was brought to trial, and executed last month. But no WMDs were ever found.

The U.S. has spent $400 billion to fight the war. More than 3,000 U.S. troops have died. Now, the U.S. wants Iraq to kick in $10 billion of its own money to rebuild the country and to create jobs. Bush charged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with appointing a coordinator who will help with reconstruction.

That will not be an easy task. For generations, Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority controlled the country's wealth, education and best jobs. When Hussein, a Sunni, ruled, the members of his Baath Party held the top government jobs and ran the military and police. After Hussein's fall, many experienced Sunni workers were booted from their jobs. As a result, many government services have suffered. The U.S. is asking Iraqis to work together. As an incentive, the Iraqi government is set to pass laws that would give all Iraqis a share of the country's oil wealth.

The President's Powers

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He can send troops to battle. But he needs the support of the people and their representatives in Congress. Recent opinion polls show that most Americans oppose sending more troops. Most Democrats and some Republicans are also critical.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that the Senate would review Bush's plan but that, "In choosing to escalate the war, the President virtually stands alone." Democratic leaders have said that they plan to put forward a resolution of disapproval. Later this year, they may show their displeasure again when a spending bill to cover the costs of the buildup comes to a vote.

The President ended his speech by asking Americans for their patience and sacrifice. "In these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us," said Bush. That is one thing all Americans can agree on.

Next: An Apple in Your Ear?