New security for Iraq’s most important city … Kirkuk vote delayed … New oil tankers, Syria pipeline … 5M Iraq orphans …

Iraq’s oil capital, Basra, is now officially under control of Iraqi forces. The British have "controlled" the area since 2003.

Control is relative, however, since under British occupation Iraq’s main rivalries have been allowed to foster competing militia violence and, along with other armed groups and gangs, turn the oil and fuels black market allowed by Saddam into the black market virtually condoned by political parties from Basra to Baghdad.