Insignia 26

insignia 26 Video Review

Iraq seeks to transform its image

The government has bought 2,000 suits and 2,000 ties bearing the summit's insignia, shelled out $600,000 for stationery and $1 million for flowers and planted palm trees along an airport highway once called the Road to Death. Thousands of security forces have been redeployed to the capital city of Baghdad.

But beyond the glitz, Iraq faces enormous struggles. Suicide bombings continue. Sectarian differences divide the government and have hurt relations with bordering countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, which the Times says use money and militia in pursuing their own agendas in Iraq. Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki faces criticism for his authoritarian rule and his government has cracked down on a youth movement.

At the same time, the Sunni minority complains of being disenfranchised.