The slow dismantling of the walls is the most visible sign of a fundamental change in the Iraqi capital, as the American surge strategy draws to a close.

The violence that once raged throughout the overwhelmingly Sunni city of Samarra has quieted, yet the costs of greater safety are also apparent.

The violence that once raged throughout the overwhelmingly Sunni city of Samarra has quieted, yet the costs of greater safety are also apparent.

There are clear signs of progress in Iraq, like the recent passage of an election law, but some fear new violence.

There are clear signs of progress in Iraq, like the recent passage of a provincial elections law, but some fear political rivalries will spark new violence.

There are clear signs of progress in Iraq, like the recent passage of a provincial elections law, but some fear political rivalries will spark new violence.

The men were searching for weapons in an agricultural area that had been held by extremist Sunni insurgent groups, the Iraqi police and Army officials said.

The men were searching for weapons in an agricultural area that had been held by extremist Sunni insurgent groups, the Iraqi police and Army officials said.

The Sunni-dominated citizen patrols paid by the Americans to fight the insurgency have become increasingly unpredictable.

The Sunni-dominated citizen patrols paid by the Americans to fight the insurgency have become increasingly unpredictable.