THE TENSION: AP: US Deaths in Iraq at Wartime Low in October

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2008 -- The Associated Press reported Friday that U.S. deaths in Iraq fell in October to their lowest monthly level of the war, matching the record low of 13 fatalities in July.

In Afghanistan, 15 U.S. military deaths were reported for October. The monthly toll in that combat theater had been in the 20s since June, when 28 Americans were killed.

The sharp drop in American fatalities in Iraq reflects the overall security improvements across the country following the Sunni revolt against al-Qaida and the rout suffered by Shiite extremists in fighting last spring in Basra and Baghdad.

But the decline also points to a shift in tactics by extremist groups, which U.S. commanders say are now focusing their attacks on Iraqi soldiers and police that are doing much of the fighting.