Web Special: Iraq political impasse continues as US troop reduction nears

This week, Iraq's parliament was scheduled to come to session, but was once again delayed - it's the latest in a five-month long political stalemate that has continued since national elections in March failed to produce a clear mandate. Meanwhile, violence has continued - attacks on religious pilgrims last week kill some 50 people Baghdad. This comes as an important deadline for a drawdown of US troops is fast approaching in August.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Iraq's foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari in Washington on Tuesday, saying that the US was concerned over the lack of political progress.

"More is needed from everyone involved. The United States expresses no preference for the outcome in the government formation, but we share a sense of urgency. The people of Iraq deserve to have a government that is ready to meet their needs, and we hope that that occurs soon."

For more on the political situation in Iraq, we're joined by Raed Jarrar - he's an Iraqi-born political blogger, and a consultant on Iraq with the American Friends Service Committee, a nationwide social justice organization.