Moving Targets

As Iraq has descended into civil war, it hasn’t been easy to measure just how violent it has become. Estimates of civilian casualties vary by a factor of nearly 10, and both the Pentagon and the Iraqi government have been criticized for ignoring or downplaying reports of attacks and deaths. What is beyond doubt is that the bloodshed is mounting and more and more civilians are dying. (Click images to enlarge)

(Click images to enlarge)

*Breakdown for September 2006 is classified by the Pentagon

Sources: Government Accountability Office (Attacks); Brookings Institution (Bombings); Department of Defense (Sectarian Violence, Casualties)

(Click image to enlarge)

(Click image to enlarge)