Are Terrorists Increasing Attacks Knowing US Withdrawal From Iraq Imminent

There has been a rash of deadly terrorist attacks in Iraq, targeting tribal leaders and causing mayhem. The most recent attack today killed dozens, including key tribal leaders.

A suicide bomber struck tribal leaders touring a market in a Sunni area west of Baghdad on Tuesday, killing as many as 33 people in the second major attack in the capital area in two days.

The bombing was part of a spike of violence that comes as the U.S. military begins drawing down its forces.

The bomber detonated an explosives belt as the tribal leaders were walking through the market in the town of Abu Ghraib, accompanied by security officials and journalists, according to the Iraqi military.

Two Iraqi television journalists were among those killed in the attack and one was wounded, according to their stations.

On Sunday, a suicide attacker killed about 30 people near a police academy in east Baghdad.

They seem to coincide with President Obama's telegraphing of American intent to severely draw down the number of combat troops in Iraq. Are the terrorists taking advantage of this situation, or is this a mere statistical anomaly and the terrorists attacks are unrelated to Obama's pronouncements?

I don't believe in mere coincidences, and I've warned in the past that setting deadlines and telegraphing such intent will only foster more attacks as the terrorists believe that they simply have to outlast American willpower to claim victory. Obama's announcements might play well to his base of support in the US, but it sends the wrong messages to our allies and the Iraqi people.