1.  What has Lt. Gen. Petraeus been doing in Iraq for the past year?  What did he report about the overall progress made during that time?

2.  Define fatwa, imam, Sunni.
What was the problem with Sunnis in the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) last year?  What was the cause of this problem?  What fatwa was issued this year by Sunni imams?  What was the result of this fatwa?  What is so encouraging about the imams' fatwa?

3.  Describe some of the specific progress made with the ISF this year. (para. 9, 12, 22, 23)

4.  What criticism did 40 of the 44 Senate Democrats have about the progress made in Iraq?  What proof did they offer for their criticism?  Why is it improbable that Lt. Gen. Petraeus' report is false?

5.  Are you encouraged by the Lt. General's report?  Explain your answer.

6.  Write to your local newspaper or news channel and ask them to provide more reports on the progress being made in Iraq. (For a media contact list, click here.)