As the US presence draws down, there are certainly still enemies of the United States in Iraq.  They still don't like us, and they still would love to do us harm.  Just don't tell that to my family.

I generally don't worry too much about my own safety while I'm here: the threat is fairly small, and most attacks are against Iraqi Security Forces (Federal Police, local Iraqi Police, and Iraqi Army, respectively) ...but the threat is still there.  It is a rare occurrance when we go a full 24 hours without hearing the "incoming" siren on base... but we're still here, doing our jobs.  Usually the siren is due to a false track (the radars pick up something that COULD BE a mortar or rocket, but it turns out to be nothing), but occasionally we actually have real attacks... and I have to cover it up and keep my family from worrying about me.  It is nowhere near as violent as my first time over here, and I personally never leave base, but the threat is still there.

I daresay the majority of the Iraqi people are gracious, polite, and welcoming of the US presence.  Less than one percent of the Iraqi population could be labelled "terrorists" or "insurgents."  The religion of Islam as a whole is a peaceful religion.  Obviously there are those who interpret the holy texts differently, but the majority of Muslims see Jihad as a spiritual battle within oneself.  They welcome us into their homes and even the poorest Iraqi people invite us to share their pepsi or chai (depending on season... chai is served boiling-hot, and is not suitable for the summer months).  It is not a violent culture, only a few violent individuals, as you see in every culture.  The major difference is the violence is exhibited in a rather spectacular manner, such as their explosives attacks, compared to the gun crimes and domestic abuse you see in the US.

My big worry with the violence seen here is not for myself, or even my fellow soldiers.  My biggest concern is for my family.  I don't worry about myself, but they certainly do.  I downplay the threat as much as I can, but every time a report on the news says that soldiers in Iraq were injured or killed, they can't breathe until they hear from me.  I should note that social networking sites and personal communication systems (yahoo messenger, skype, magicjack) are amazing.  They have made the much-needed communication far faster and easier.  On the other hand, those don't work without an internet connection, and whenever a significant event occurs, they cut off our internet access, in an effort to properly inform the families of those soldiers affected by the event.  It's a two-edged sword, but I certainly see its purpose.

The best thing that could happen to relieve my family's worries would be to keep the news from reporting casualties until after family has been notified, so that, by the time my family hears about an attack, they've already heard from me.  Of course, that may have been practical before the digital age, but now, with news reporters stationed in war zones, it is perfectly impossible.  Another two-edged sword.  Reporters are necessary for many things; keeping leaders and soldiers honest, and keeping the American public informed are but a couple examples of advantages of having them here with us.  The advantages, of course, outweigh the disadvantages, but that doesn't mean we have to like it.  I would just like to keep my family from worrying.