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The New U.S. Plan for Iraq: Get More Help

We need help! That was President George W. Bush's message to the United Nations last week. To help stop acts of terrorism and start rebuilding Iraq, the United States wants other U.N. members to provide money and troops.

Last May, the President announced that "major combat operations in Iraq (had) ended." But a series of recent attacks have made it clear that while the war may be over, the violence rages on. Since May 1, at least 149 American soldiers have died in Iraq.

U.S. troops haven't been the only targets of violence. On August 19, an explosion tore through the U.N.'s Baghdad headquarters, killing 23 and injuring 164. Last week, a police building was bombed, but no one was killed. Investigators suspect that allies of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and others opposed to the U.S. presence in Iraq may be launching the attacks. If the U.N. becomes more involved, nations other than the U.S., including India, Pakistan and Turkey, may send troops. Even so, the U.S. "will continue to play a dominant role" says Secretary of State Colin Powell.

About 140,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq or nearby. The military force costs the U.S. about $3.9 billion a month. Congress has promised more than $62 billion to pay for the troops, but it may have to spend much more.

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