5 US troops killed in Iraq
Middle East Desk Report

BAGHDAD—Five more American troops have died from combat wounds in western Iraq and Baghdad, the military said Friday, pushing the U.S. death toll since the war began closer to 3,000.
In December, 76 American troops have been killed; at the current rate, the number of U.S. combat deaths this month could meet or exceed the previous monthly record for 2006. At least 2,964 American troops have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told The Associated Press on Thursday that Iraq was “worth the investment” in American lives and dollars and said the U.S. can still win a conflict that has been more difficult than she expected. “I don’t think it’s a matter of money,” Rice said. “Along the way there have been plenty of markers that show that this is a country that is worth the investment, because once it emerges as a country that is a stabilizing factor you will have a very different kind of Middle East.” Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrapped up his trip to Iraq, saying he hopes to give a report to President Bush this weekend on what he learned during his three days of meetings with military and political leaders here.