Street scene in Al Shatrah today in front of the courthouse.

The justice system here is in trouble. The Italian LT Bob I go out with tells me that the lawyers used to be paid by Saddam, now there is no public money for prosecutors or defense attorneys. The judges all ask for the same thing, weapons to defend themselves with. Without skillful direction and funding, Iraq's justice system will fall to the shieks and mullahs, returning to medival tribal justice.