In a New York Times news analysis piece, "As Mission Shifts in Iraq, Risks Linger for Obama", Peter Baker examines the "symbolism" of the withdrawal of U.S. combat units against the backdrop of continued risks in Iraq to include the "political impasse" and a "continuing insurgency". Also see "As U.S. Scales Back Role in Iraq, Attacks and Political Deadlock Persist" by Leila Fadel of the Washington Post.