Iraqi forces step up oil protection

Iraq’s oil sector is no longer easy prey for insurgents or smuggling gangs. Security forces are largely preventing what once wrought havoc in the country and, when an attack is actually launched, have begun an orchestrated quick response.Oil and gas infrastructure in Basra province in late August and early September took what has been called coordinated incoming mortar and rocket fire, surprising officials who sprung into action."These attacks happened in the south, are just new," said...