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GUEST: Aaron Glantz, reporter for Pacifica, author of “How America Lost Iraq.”

Iraq’s new parliament was sworn in today with parties still deadlocked over a number of important issues. The long-expected first session of the parliament lasted just over 30 minutes and was adjourned indefinitely because the legislature still has no speaker. The session took place just days before the third anniversary of the 2003 US invasion, and during the violent aftermath of the bombing of an important Shiite shrine in late February. In fact, Iraqi police just discovered 29 bodies discarded in various parts of Baghdad late Wednesday and Thursday. The victims were all men, some with their hands bound, who had been shot execution-style and dumped in both Shiite and Sunni Muslim neighborhoods, according to Iraqi officials. Some Iraqis contend that the on-going US occupation is the real trigger of violence. Polls show that majority of Iraqis and Americans want an end to the occupation. But President Bush vows to continue his policy. We turn next to Aaron Glantz, a journalist for Pacifica Radio was was reporting from Iraq in the weeks after the invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein. His book, how America Lost Iraq is just out in paperback. Aaron spoke with me earlier in the week and I began by asking him about the often-repeated prospect of civil war in Iraq.

For more information, visit www.aaronglantz.com.