A US soldier with Bronco Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment searches a man at a roadblock after 2 US soldiers, 1 Iraqi policeman and 2 civilians were killed in a car bomb attack on a US patrol in Jalula. Iraq faces multiple challenges in the lead-up to the drawn-down of US forces in Iraq, with many observers claiming that while they have the capablities of handling home-grown problems, they are far from being able to tackle external threats. Political wrangling has reportedly fostered greater instability throughout the country with fears of renewed sectarian violence breaking out as insurgents set-up attacks in an attempt to exploit vulnerabilities amongst the populace.