American officials report that the number of sectarian and other killings in Iraq has declined since the onset of the military "surge" that began earlier this year. But while the number of killings may, indeed, have fallen, does that mean Iraq is really safer?
Insecurity in Iraq is most strikingly illustrated by the number of people fleeing their homes. The United Nations estimates that, since July, the number has risen by 60,000 every month. The best estimate is that around 16 percent of Iraq's population, or one in six Iraqis, no longer live in their homes.
Roughly half of those who have fled have also left the country, implying 2 million refugees. This leaves another 2 million who have been displaced internally, and who represent an emerging humanitarian tragedy.