Slowly but perceptibly, the Iraq narrative in the media is beginning to change.It is still a very dangerous place, but there is no doubt that violence in the country is beginning to subside as Sunni insurgents lay down their arms and join the US in fighting al-Qaeda. This has meant fewer US comabt casualties:The number of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq is headed for the lowest level in more than a year and a half and the fifth consecutive monthly decline. Twenty-seven Americans have been killed in action in October, with one day left in the month, Pentagon records show. That would be the lowest monthly level since March 2006, when 27 servicemembers died in hostile action, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Pentagon reports. The total number of U.S. deaths, including accidents, in October so far is 35, records show. A new strategy, backed up by 30,000 more U.S. servicemembers, has led to a decline in violence and weakened al-Qaeda, commanders say. The U.S. military started building...(Read Full Post)