Steven Lee Myers, diplomatic correspondent in Washington for our partner The New York Times, gives us a new look at the U.S.' role in the scandal surrounding Chinese Communist Party chief Bo Xilai and his role in the death of British businessman Neil Heywood.

The White House is planning to boost its military presence in the Middle East when the final troops leave Iraq at December's end. The new plan comes in light of the Iraqi government's refusal to allow American forces to remain in the country after the previously agreed-upon deadline, which goes into effect at year's end. The additional combat units would be stationed in Kuwait, and the U.S. views them as a hedge for stability in the event of a collapse in security in Iraq or a move of aggression by Iran.

After several months of uncertainty, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki has been nominated to a second four-year term. Though this sign of stability in the Iraqi government might otherwise be a relief for the United States, the State Department is unnerved by Maliki's courtship of pro-Iranian Shiite groups to secure his nomination. Steven Lee Myers, Baghadad bureau chief for our partner, The New York Times, reports live from Baghdad.

Two U.S. soldiers were killed and nine were wounded by an Iraqi soldier during a firefight on Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. military has characterized the attack as "deliberate." This is the first attack on American soldiers since President Obama declared an end to combat operations in Iraq. For a look at what this event means for the future of the US's mission in Iraq, as well as what it means for the soldiers on the ground, The Takeaway turns to Steven Lee Myers, Baghdad bureau chief for our partner, The New York Times.

As President Obama nears his final decision about how many more U.S. soldiers to send to Afghanistan, delays in parliamentary elections in Iraq could slow American troop withdrawals from that country.  The resurgence of tribal and ethnic tensions that have previously boiled over into a low level civil war are partly at fault for these election delays.  We're joined by Steven Lee Myers, Baghdad correspondent for our partner, The New York Times.

In the third attack in two days in Iraq, simultaneous attacks by suicide bombers targeted the most important Shiite shrine in Baghdad, killing at least 60 people and injuring close to 125 others as they gathered for Friday prayers. This bombing comes a day after nearly 80 people were killed in three separate suicide attacks in Baghdad and Baquba, which was the single deadliest day in Iraq in more than a year. Is this a sign of widespread civil unrest? Or a temporary but dramatic upsurge in violence? Joining us now is the New York Times Baghdad correspondent Stephen Lee Myers.

For more, read Stephen Lee Myers' and Timothy Williams' article, Two Suicide Bombers Kill at Least 60 in Baghdad, in today's New York Times.

For footage of some of the recent attacks, watch the Associated Press video below.

A series of six car bombs exploded in or near Baghdad on Monday, killing more than 30 people and wounding scores more. While three of the bombs struck markets in predominantly Shiite neighborhoods, no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks and no obvious pattern to the bombings has emerged. For the latest, The Takeaway is joined by the New York Times' Baghdad correspondent Steven Lee Myers.

For more, read Steven Lee Myers' article, Six Car Bombs Kill 30 in Iraq in the New York Times.